Mission Organization

Living life on the edge here at home in 2012! I got the hubby to agree to a wardrobe sweep (with my "supervision" of course) on his side of the closet AND his drawers! WOW!! He admittedly enjoyed it and said it was liberating. SWOON....

How did we work this magic you ask??

1. Start from scratch: Pull all items out of the closet on hangers.
2. Put each "type" into piles - short sleeve casual, long sleeve casual, etc. It is easier to do it one section at a time.
3. Create a Yes, Toss, and Donate pile.

Holding each item up for hubby (who was chilling on the bed updating his smart phone,) he gave me the word for the appropriate pile. Together, our teamwork produced a successful wardrobe sweep within 30 minutes. Piece of cake! (Sorry no pics..we were on a roll and I did not want to loose momentum, you get the idea.)

Once the decision making is complete, it is back in the closet they go.
Tips for putting it all back:
1. Use slimline hangers (sample here) for better use of space.
2. Face all of the clothes in the same direction on the hanger. Especially men's button up shirts.
3. Group like items together and by color if possible.

What's next in this mission? - building storage in the closet for shoes and accessories.

Anyone else obsessed with organized walk in closets? Would love to hear from you! Thank you in advance for sharing your lovely closet tips and pictures with us below.

XO,

Happy to see you 2012!!

Happy new year all! Thank you SO much for sharing my passion for style and for sharing my blogging experiences in 2011. Look forward to many more in 2012.

What a amazing start to the new year. Today was the day of putting away Christmas for another year. I look forward to this day because it helps me plan next year's tree as well as edit the pieces that will be making their way to a new home. Said so long to all of the reds and golds from a few years ago. We loved our bright colored and sparkly tree (aquas, pinks, purples and greens and LOTS of glitter!) this year and will continue to build on it for years to come. I am so thankful that the hubs has embraced the glitter and bling that he married. With saying good bye to Christmas decor comes the inevitable organization that follows. Conquered the two downstairs storage closets and the media unit today. I know it seems like a small feat but believe me there was a lot of sweat, glitter and tears involved. Tears you ask? Yes, happy tears. I stumbled across our wedding video while organizing the media unit. Needless to say I was a blubbering baby, but enjoyed every minute of watching it again. I am so blessed to have hubs in my life. 


Back to the organizing. Found a new fav blog, I Heart Organizing, and organizing guru via A Pretty Life in the Suburbs - thanks Jo-Anna! I am going to visit daily and seek Jen's wisdom as if I were at organizer bootcamp. I have so many projects planned for 2012  and I know Jen and her ideas can whip me into shape! 


What's on your project/resolution list for 2012? Would love to hear from you!! Please share your ideas in the comments section below. 


Wishing you love & joy! (and blissful organization :))


Xo, 

Blame it on Pinterest

Hi, all.

Still here just been swept away by Pinterest [wink, wink]. Yes, I know, you get it! It is kind of like a new best friend - you just want to spend everyone moment with her. No worries, have lots to share soon. What have you been up to? All of your Christmas shopping done and all the presents wrapped under the tree? Sending lots of love for a fabulous, glamorous and fashionable holiday!

via

Xo,

Date night

Date night with the hubby is always special. My wonderful inlaws gave us their season seats at the OC Performing Arts Center to see Shrek the Musical. It is always fun to get dressed up for my hubby. We went to out to dinner, shared a bevie and fun dinner conversation. We then walked over the the theater hand in hand - enjoying this gorgeous fall weather we are having. The show was amazingly creative, hysterical, and the talent was true Broadway! No worries if you have not seen the movie, it is not a prerequisite before going to see it in the theater. The creator and cast make it entertaining for all ages. Hubs and I give it two (green) thumbs up! Hope you have a chance to see it and would love to hear your thoughts.

My date night outfit:

Blazer - Torrid (approx. $59)
Jeans (yes they are jeans!) - Seven from Marshalls (but you can find them at Lane Bryant ($19.99 + $10 hem)
Tank - Marshalls ($9.99)
Animal print pumps - Steve Madden from Ross ($29.99)
Snake skin clutch - have had this forever and it never goes out of style ($???)
Bracelets - Target
Ring - Kohl's
Bling Hoops (hard to see) - Stein Mart
White watch - Fossil ($95)

Xo,

On our way to "House Proud"

Thanks to your comments and suggestions on bedding for our master bedroom makeover, we are on our way to being "house proud" (classic Nate Berkus reference). You all shared so many great options and I love the idea of staying with the gray color story and mixing in a pattern. Here is another piece that we will be adding to the room. I have been coveting a headboard with nail heads since FOREVER! I found this beauty at Target at quite a bargain - only $299. We are mixing up styles in this room with traditional and modern. This headboard is a perfect example with the classic nail heads and contemporary with the clean lines and white color.

Uptown Headboard in Parchment (Queen)

Also on my mind, side tables/nightstands. Any thoughts?

Thank you again for all of your comments and recommendations. Keep 'em coming!

Xo,

Master (so-mAjor) makeover

After living in our little abode for 3 years this month, and after many-a-project, hubs and I are FINALLY making over our master bedroom. We have literally been living in a four white wall box with old school dark "matchy-matchy" furniture. Yikes! What's the hold up you say? First, deciding on a gray paint after at least 20 test swatches - okay maybe that's an exaggeration or maybe not (I will never tell!) and...convincing the hubs that gray is okay in a bedroom and it won't be too dark and gloomy. Luckily we have vaulted ceilings and a lot of natural light. We painted this weekend and I am in absolute love!!! It is exactly what I pictured in my mind. Don't you just love it when that happens? Since we are on a roll here, I am moving on to accessories but I need your help! Below is one of my inspiration rooms. We might even do white lacquer furniture. Important note: We have two dogs that just can't seem to keep a white comforter clean (believe me, we've tried a few). What colors would you do on the bed?

Forever grateful...
Xo,

Sunday Funday

What to wear for a Sunday brunch and wine tasting in Laguna Beach on a cool fall day?

Sweater - $5.99 (REALLY! - originally $78) via Ross for Less
Tank - $19.99 Caslon via Nordstrom
Jeans - $39.99 Kut from the Cloth via Nordstrom
Shoes - $14.99 Dollhouse via Ross for Less
Earrings - $12.99 via Target
Handbag - Christmas gift from mom - Big Buddah

Happy Fall Ya'll!

Xo,

Singing in the rain

This weekend's pitter patter of a mini rain shower and gloomy weather made my heart all a flutter and SOOOO excited for fall. One of my fall wish list items is rain boots. Here are some of the styles that have caught my eye.

Kate Spade New York "Randi Too" - via Nordstrom

Kamkin (in eggplant)- via Nordstrom

Hunter "Boa" (in Python)- via Nordstrom

Steve Madden "Tsunamii" (in black or olive)- via Nordstrom

This is just a little sneak peek. Can't wait to start trying them all on as they arrive in stores here in SoCal.

What rain boots are on your fall radar?

Xo,
Jolynn

Foodie Heaven

This weekend started out on a food kick at Northwood Inn, La Mirada enjoying dinner with both sets of amazing parents. Although the food is a bit pricey, it is a casual and fun environment with delish food. Highlights include peanuts on the table and you throw the shells on the floor, THE BEST cheese bread (almost like grandma's homemade) and the piece de la resistance was the blackberry sundae! Needless to say we drove the 30 miles home in a food coma.

Funny thing...we woke up on Saturday to do it all over again at the 2nd Annual OC Foodie Fest. We are so thankful to Kelly at I Heart OTO for hosting the VIP ticket contest. As the lucky winners of this contest hubs and I were granted early entry at 10am (beating the heat - well, mostly - and the long lines of foodies.)

Nothing says breakfast like our first stop at the Cheeseball Wagon. Through the tiny window, Star served us their trademark Cheeseballs in a cup with ranch dip and a smile. We snacked on the gooey goodness and did some accessory shopping at the Boutiquing.com row of designer jewelry and swanky threads from OC's best of the best boutiques.

As luck would have it as we entered the Skyy Vodka VIP tent, we bumped into the Boutiquing.com gals, April and Erin, enjoying a moment of shade and nibbling on some masala fries from the Naan Stop truck. They were so incredibly sweet and such a inspiration!

We made it just in time to watch the taste testing and judging by Tom of Tom's Foodie Blog and Katie and Jill from the Food Network's Next Food Star, to name a few. Rough job, but someone has to do it.

Next stop: Naan Stop, Bacon Mania and Slammin' Sliders. Menu includes: Samosa, fresh coconut milk, bacon ball trio (all wrapped in bacon - PB&J, peperoncini/carne asada, and mac&cheese) and lobster sliders. Hello??? How can a girl decide with so much goodness???

Final stop and thank goodness because the temps were up to 100 degrees! Saved by the Kona Ice truck!!! Felt like a kid again - adding our own flavors including our fav from our trip to Kauai - tiger's blood, orange and grape.

As you can see we had a blast! Spent only a wee bit of $$$ but it was worth every morsel we tasted. Looking forward to seeing what next year of the OC Foodie Fest brings us. Long live the food truck movement!

Tastefully yours,
Jolynn

Return of the "fanny pack"

Dare I say it? It is the "fanny pack" for the fashionable. I was introduced to this new little pal when I received it in a gift bag from a seminar. Cleverly named, Hipzbag, it is literally the perfect size and goes with almost every casual outfit. It simply hooks on to two belt loops and away you go! As a bonus it comes with a strap that you can sling on your hip if you have no loops. In the short weeks that I have had it, I've worn it while hosting a yard sale, on a bike ride on the beach, and to the OC Fair. So what fits in it you say? I was able to comfortably fit my coveted MAC lipglass, my Samsung Android phone, my ID, check card, cash, and still have room to spare.

(rocking my Hipzbag on a hot day at the OC Fair)

(close up on my hip)

I am so addicted to it that I can't wait to buy the black Square Quilted Bag with Crystal to add to my collection.

There is one for every personality so I'm thinking of Christmas gifts for my family and girlfriends.

How will you use your Hipzbag?

Fashionably yours,
Jolynn