Ever had to make room for a new roommate? Sarah Heckle (you might know her as Sarah Beckman) knows all about what it takes to merge households.

Very recently, my husband and I got married and moved in with each other — it’s been the best time of my life!

It just so happened my lease was up right around the time of the wedding, but his lasts until next spring, so I moved into his apartment. Chris has your typical, non-married guy’s space: small, unorganized, minimal decorations, maybe not the cleanest.

If I had the apartment to myself, all my belongings would fill the space up. My clothes could easily take up the entire bedroom closet, and my blankets, bedding, and towels could fill up the entire linen space. Needless to say, we had to do some serious downsizing and small-space organizing to make it work.

These days, there are a lot of people downsizing the space they live in. Sometimes financial situations, transition stages, or unforeseeable events force us to live in a spacer that’s smaller than ideal, but there are some space-saving tips to help you get through.

1. Narrow your items down to what you need. In general, most of us have way too much stuff. More stuff than we need. I’m guilty of this, but I’m trying to take notes from my parents who are the most organized people I know. They have a beautiful house — and I think part of its charm is that they don’t have it filled to every corner with stuff.

They buy things they need and not much more than that. Things that they don’t use, they donate to charity. If you need help whittling down your possessions, read my post on decluttering a small bedroom — these tips can be applied to any room of the house.

2. Find the right place for everything. You’d be surprised how much you can fit into a small place if you’re strategic with where you store things. You should store items in the room where they’re going to be used. So, if you have a “junk drawer” in your kitchen with random objects from around the house, find a better place for these items – this clears space for kitchen items.

3. Get clever with space. When you’re low on space, think vertically. Mount a peg board on a utility room wall to hang miscellaneous items. Install hooks on an entryway wall to create a coat rack that takes up no floor space. Another great vertical space to take advantage of is the back of doors. My husband and I use a back-of-door shoe holder from my college years as a catch-all in our utility room.

4. Look underneath. Pieces of furniture that have enough clearance for a thin storage bin should be taken advantage of. We have several under-the-bed storage containers that are full of off-season clothes. You might as well take advantage of the floor space furniture provides.

I’m looking at our time living in a small apartment with optimism: We have everything we need in life, and it’ll be a good story for our future children!

About the Author

Sarah Heckle is a writer and editor at Affordable Scarves where she develops content on celebrity style. As a lover of fashion, she must keep her closet organized at all times!

Connect with Sarah: Web |  Twitter | Tumblr

If you haven’t had a peek under your sink in a while, you might want to after reading today’s post by guest author, Lauren Brown, of Maid Brigade.

Over the years, we accumulate all sorts of cleaning products. You probably have the staples that your mother and grandmother used, with a few infomercial miracle solutions thrown in, and maybe you also grabbed the newest thing on the shelf.

Before you know it, you have quite the collection of products that you may or may not use or know the harmful effects of! “Going green” isn’t just a cool T-shirt slogan anymore; it is about protecting your family.

Some of the most important toxins to avoid are:

• Endocrine Disruptors: These toxins imitate human hormones, which confuses your body and can lead to a disturbing number of health problems such as reproductive, developmental, and behavioral problems, premature puberty, miscarriage, challenged immune systems, certain cancers, and many more.

• Neurotoxins:  These affect your brain activity and can cause headaches, memory loss, and even loss of intellect.

• Carcinogens: These cause cancer and can promote cancer’s growth.

If you are unsure about the presence of these toxins in your products and don’t know what to dispose of or keep, use these tips:

Take a look under the sink…

• Take out all of your cleaning products and separate them into groups based on their purpose (sanitizing, glass/windows, grease, etc). Do this when no children or pets are around.

• Do you need multiples of products that have the same purpose? Probably not. So which ones do you keep and which ones are harmful to you and your family’s health?

A guide to harmful cleaning products:

• Household products are required to have a “signal word” indicating the level of toxicity.

• NOTE: These levels are based on a 180-pound male, so imagine the effects on more vulnerable bodies such as children or pets!

• Given these toxicity signal words, try to eliminate any product stronger than a Caution! from your home.
• Use up the products that you have (with the exception of the very dangerous ones) and then replace them with healthier choices for the long-term.

About The Author

Lauren Brown is the Grass Roots Marketing Specialist with Maid Brigade.  Lauren has been with Maid Brigade for three years, educating the community on the importance of going green for the health of the environment and our families.  She emphasizes the value of using safer alternatives and how easy and affordable it can be to go green!  Maid Brigade is a residential cleaning service that uses only Green Seal certified cleaning solutions and green methods to clean homes.  This ensures a safer work environment for their employees and a safer, healthier home for their clients.

Connect With Lauren:  Facebook | Twitter | E-Mail | 703.823.1726

Connect With Maid Brigade: Facebook (DC Metro) | Web

Don’t you hate it when things don’t go according to plan? Today’s guest author explains what to do before things get turned upside down.

Being a part of a big family, I have been to a lot of weddings. I have been consulted on a lot of weddings because of it and have, without a doubt, witnessed some great marital moments. Now, who would have thought that the worst wedding I would ever go to would be that of my very own little sister?

Now, although my family didn’t have any trouble paying for the wedding, it still turned out to be a huge wreck. See, my sister felt like she should do everything on her own in order to ensure that everything would end up the way she wanted it. Unfortunately, since she had no outside help, her wedding ended up being a complete disaster and my sister ended up screaming about how she would kill someone all morning.

So, what’s the moral of the story here? Listen to the people who have had experience with weddings before and ask them for help. In the end, we all banded together to salvage the seemingly impending disaster, but the point is that my sister could have avoided all of that trouble from the beginning if she had only followed the very first tip for wedding organization and planning: get help. It doesn’t even have to be professional help. Just make sure you are ready for the worst but plan for the best.

When it comes to weddings, the thing you should really get out of the way first is the place of your reception. Ideally, you should book the place that you want a whole year in advance, but don’t forget to think about the amount of people you will be inviting, either. It would be very important to have enough space and it would also be important to have a backup plan if you are having it outdoors – you know, in case it rains!

Next, choose the right kind of music – preferably the kind that you actually like. Then, work with your wedding band or wedding DJ and choose songs together that mean something to you and your significant other.

Of course, you shouldn’t forget about the food and drinks, either – most importantly, the wedding cake. Your cake is what will make your wedding extra special, after all, so make sure you choose the right size, the right flavor and even the right cake topper. Work with cake designers and have some of your guests come to the taste test, so you can choose something unforgettable that everybody will like.

Remember: weddings are extremely special events, so don’t take a chance on the reception turning into a complete wreck. Turn to somebody with experience and don’t be afraid to boss people around. It’s your wedding day. They’ll forgive you.

About The Author

Derrick Webb is an experienced writer and a blogger that is generally focused on relational database design and database development. He is also a writer for Toledo web design, a firm that provides SEO services and web design for small businesses.

Certified Professional Organizer® and Family Manager Coach,  Ellen Delap, offers solutions for families struggling with ADD.

Remember the saying, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree?” And so it goes with ADHD. Many newly diagnosed kids in turn have newly diagnosed ADHD parents. If you and your family have multiple generation ADHD, it is important to learn about your diagnosis and learn the next steps, too.

Looking with objectivity of this diagnosis is difficult. Think of this diagnosis as one that includes challenges to executive function, a part of your brain that involves planning and processing. It is more than just attention and hyperactivity. Executive function can affect you and your child’s daily life, not just at school or work.

Aspects of ADHD include transitions, getting started, organization, prioritizing, motivation, and working memory. Getting a good team together to inform and address ADHD is critical, including professionals on the medical, counseling and coaching arena. Developing a trust relationship, putting aside judgment, and focusing on care will help you develop a plan that works for you and your family.

There are many venues to learn about ADD. Associations such as the Attention Deficit Disorder Association and CHADD are two of the primary first steps. These associations have online, national and local presence for you to tap into and learn about ADD. Finding a local chapter makes for camaraderie and a sense of belonging in your community.

Reading may be a top priority for you. Blogs and books offer a look into the life of families and individuals with ADD. Among the top are Terri Matlin, Tara McGillicuddy, Arianne Benefit  and Laura Rolands. Books include:

• The Family ADHD Solution by Dr. Marten Bertin

• Empowering Youth with ADD by Jodi Sleeper-Triplett

• Driven to Distraction by Edward Hallowell

• Journey Through ADDulthood by Sari Solden

If you are looking for a few basic solutions for your family, these are a few first steps for you.

• Set up good self care with bedtimes and good nutrition for everyone in the family. Having adequate sleep and high protein meals can make a difference for everyone. Often this is the first area that families overlook.

• Take care with over scheduling for the family. Allow more transition and down time than other families. For families with ADHD, the transitions and the rush of daily life ends up tripping them up. Be sure that you are mindful of all members’ commitments.

Use a family calendar, either with Google calendar or a large month at a glance calendar, posted in the kitchen where everyone can see it. Host a family “meeting” weekly to go over who is going what, who is going where and what other new “surprises” are going on this week.

• Address the stress with exercise, yoga, art, therapy and other ways to release the tension. These activities help everyone with clarity. Just being outside, taking a walk or even just a little movement can make a difference. All families have stress, but even more so with ADHD.

• Place clocks in many places throughout your home. A timer is a great investment in helping you and your child stay on task, get started and get done. Choose a clock and timer with a “clock face” in order to see time lapsing. Use it in transitional times, too.

• Put into place additional help throughout the week. A daily “homework helper” can be a blessing for both parents and students. A local college student, older high schooler or other person can help your student focus and work as a partner with less stress than the parent. A cleaning service, additional driver or daily money manager can be a blessing to a parent who struggles with these aspects.

• Make a morning plan and evening routine with your family. Talk through the plan, note the obstacles, make a chart and stick with your design for smoother family times. It is always a struggle to be consistent for those with ADHD, but implement a smooth, simple plan for both the beginning and ending of the day.

Families with ADHD do best by focusing on the positive in specific, genuine ways. Remember that a hug, a smile and a pat on the back can bring about the desired behavior and most especially the emotional feeling of being understood and loved. It is in understanding the emotions and behavior of ourselves and our family and we can empower and affirm each other.

About the Author

Certified Professional Organizer ® and Family Manager Coach, Ellen Delap, is the owner of Professional-Organizer.com. Since 2000, she has worked one-on-one with her clients in their home and offices, streamlining their environments, creating effective strategies for an organized lifestyle, and helping them to prioritize organization in their daily routines. 

She holds ADD and Chronic Disorganization certificates and specializes in working with ADD and ADHD adults and students.  Ellen has been featured at The Woodlands (Texas) Home and Garden Show, on ABC13 Houston, in the Houston Chronicle, and is an Expert on The Clutter Diet, an online organizing resource.

Connect With Ellen: Twitter | Facebook | Web | E-Mail

Get your fridge in on the action when planning for the holidays. Sarah Beckman has a plan for you to follow.

We’re nearing that time of year when every other week means another holiday party and reason to cook up a storm. And, is it just me, or does your refrigerator seem to shrink come this time of year?

Rather than pushing to the back those items that never seem to run out, this is the best time of year to clean out your refrigerator so it’s ready for a season that calls for lots of good food.

What you need:

• A large trash can lined with a heavy-duty trash bag

• Coolers packed with ice (unless you happen to have a spare refrigerator

• A refrigerator coil brush

• A solution of ¼-cup baking soda and 1-quart warm water or soapy water

• A multisurface spray

• Kitchen sinks full of warm, soapy water. Or, a larger laundry room sink tub or bathtub would work well

• A couple of rags and a sponge

• An old toothbrush

What to do:

1. Gather everything you need first. You’ll want to be as quick as possible when cleaning out your refrigerator.

2. Unplug the refrigerator.

3. Throw away anything that’s expired. Also throw away anything that’s nearing its expiration date that you know you won’t use.

4. Throw away those random items that have sat in your fridge for ages and never seem to get eaten. It could an obscure ingredient that you used for one recipe and you have no idea what else to do with it.

5. Remove what’s left from your refrigerator and put the items in the coolers. Group like-items together. So, condiments go together, lunch meats and cheeses go together, fruits go together, and so do veggies.

6. Remove the refrigerator’s drawers and shelves and put them in the sinks/bathtub of soapy water or the baking soda/water solution (this is purely your preference). Wash them off with a rag or sponge. Rinse. Let them air dry.

7. Spray the interior of your refrigerator with the multisurface cleaner. Wipe the surfaces with a clean and damp rag.

8. Use the toothbrush to get small crevices, as well as the rubber gasket that lines the edge of the door.

9. Take the refrigerator coil brush and run it under the refrigerator’s kick plate (along the floor). This will clean up food debris that become lodged under the fridge.

10. Plug the refrigerator in and make sure it’s set between 35 and 38 degrees.

11. Wipe off all jars and containers that you’re putting back in the refrigerator.

12. Now it’s time to put your foods back inside. Because you already grouped like foods together, put them back in the refrigerator in these groups. Keep in mind that:

• Cooked foods should be located above raw meats.

• Fruits and vegetables should be stored in the warmest part of the fridge, which is at the bottom. They should be stored separately, which is why the two drawers most fridges have at the bottom are best for fruits and vegetables.

• Bottles and jars do well on the inside of the refrigerator door because they stay preserved even with temperature fluctuations that happen with the door opening and closing.

• Eggs do best on the top shelf, where it’s coldest.

• And, you’re less likely to lose little items like pudding cups and string cheese if they’re on the top shelf.

What are you waiting for? Get cleaning!

About the Author

Sarah Beckman is a writer and editor at Affordable Scarves where she develops content on celebrity style. As a lover of fashion, she must keep her closet organized at all times!

Connect with Sarah: Web |  Twitter | Tumblr

Today’s guest blogger, Jennifer Tankersley, has some timely tips on how to keep the holidays calm and peaceful.

October, November, and December are three of my favorite months of the year. It’s a time to enjoy family, reflect on what’s important in life, and demonstrate kindness to those you love and goodwill to those that are less fortunate. Unfortunately, these three months can also be a time of mounting stress and multiplying to dos. The key to a peaceful holiday season is to start early and plan ahead.

Here is a list of things you can begin to do now to lessen the anxiety of the holiday season and make this your most beautiful Christmas yet.

1. Gifts

Inventory the gifts you’ve purchased throughout the year. Sit your family down with catalogs to discover what is first on their Wish Lists. Create your own thorough Gift List with space for each person you plan to make or buy gifts. Don’t leave anyone off. You’ll only cause stress if you have to make a last-minute run for a forgotten gift for your child’s bus driver. Begin shopping online and in stores whenever you are able.

2. Cards

Although this is a completely optional part of the holidays, many people find it the perfect way to stay in touch with friends and loved ones both near and far away. This week, focus on choosing a card or design, purchasing materials and stamps, scheduling a photo opportunity, addressing envelopes, writing an update on your family, and assembling the cards. Please keep in mind that nothing completes a holiday card like a personal note to each recipient.

3. Meal Planning

You can cover two holidays in one sitting if you will take time to make both your Thanksgiving menu and Christmas menu. Don’t forget any cookies/candy or food gifts you may have planned for December. Gather all of your old, favorite recipes. Scan the internet for new possible food traditions. Once your menus are established, create a shopping list for each menu. Note which recipes can be made ahead and schedule baking days.

4. Cleaning/Decorating

Many people will be hosting feasts involving their dearest friends, neighbors, and family. Once the turkey has run its course in leftovers, Christmas decorations of all shapes and sizes will begin to emerge from basements and attics. Vow not to put anything out until it has a dust-free surface to rest on. This is a good motivation for thoroughly cleaning your house in time for the holidays.

5. Party Planning

Whether it is a brunch, an afternoon tea, a cookie exchange, or an evening gala, many people will find themselves host to some type of holiday event. Guest lists must be made, invitations sent, menus created, activities scheduled, and a myriad of other details must be confirmed.

6. Giving

What are the holidays if not an opportunity to give? Yes, there are expectations from family members. Yes, there are traditions that must be carried out. However, if we forget that the meaning of the holidays is to give, whether it be through some sacrifice of our time, our abilities, or our resources, we forego the happiness we allow for ourselves and others. It truly is better to give than to receive.

7. Cooking

There are few associations with special occasions as important as food. Once you’ve planned the menu, then you’ll need to stock your pantry and refrigerator. It will soon be time to apply the magic of food preparation to create mouth-watering memories and continue traditions that have been passed down for generations.

About the Author

Jennifer Tankersley knows a thing or two about planning ahead for a peaceful holiday season. She is the author of the 100 Days to Christmas 2011 eBook, now available for Kindle and Nook. She is also the creator of ListPlanIt.com, where members have access to hundreds of lists and planning pages all geared to helping to live a more organized life, including the holidays.  

Connect With Jennifer:  ListPlanIt.com | 100 Days to Christmas eBook | Twitter | Facebook 

 Today’s guest author shares a personal story of what happens when things don’t go according to plan.

We recently planned a surprise party for my grandma’s 70th birthday with all of her kids and grandchildren flying in without her knowing. We had family flying in from all over the country: Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta, and New York City on Thursday morning. The plan was to meet up at the hotel and meet her at one of her favorite restaurants and surprise her there. My grandpa booked a party room and planned to leave well after the last flight was scheduled to get in. While we coordinated everything perfectly and gave ourselves plenty of time to get to the restaurant, Mother Nature was not on our side.

We were all scheduled to fly into Ft. Lauderdale early on Thursday morning. My uncle and his family flew in to Chicago on a very late flight Wednesday night which got to Chicago very early Thursday morning (due to the time change). My family was on the same flight as his and we left Chicago on-time for Ft. Lauderdale. Roughly an hour and a half into the flight, the pilot came on to let us know that we were going to be taking a different route to fly around storms that were approaching south Florida. He said that this would be adding an additional 20 minutes of flying time, but that we would beat the storms.

Two hours later, I could tell that we were circling over Ft. Lauderdale. The pilot told us we would be circling for another 30 minutes and that the storms should lighten up enough for us to land. As we were making circles over Ft. Lauderdale, I had an uneasy feeling that we wouldn’t be landing in 30 minutes. Sure enough, almost an hour later the pilot told us that we would need to re-fuel and were being diverted to Orlando to wait out the storm. We landed in Orlando at 2:30 leaving us with four and a half hours until dinner time. When I turned on my cell phone, I saw I had a text message from my cousins from New York that they had been diverted to Orlando as well.

We pulled into an area to wait for the storm and parked right next to a Jet Blue plane which, to this day, we are convinced was the one the family from NYC was on. Another 2 hours passed and we had no idea when we were leaving for Florida. The family from Atlanta landed, but they are the only ones to make it to Ft. Lauderdale. At 5:00, we get a text that the Jet Blue flight would be taking off soon and within 5 minutes, we were told that we were scheduled to land at 5:50 into Ft. Lauderdale. However, it would still take time to get our rental cars and luggage, and a 7:00 dinner would be cutting things really close.

We called my grandpa and told him he needed to stall. He called the restaurant and pushed dinner to 8:00. We were off the plane by 6:00 and my dad and uncle rushed to get the rental cars while we waited for the luggage to come off. It took us over an hour to get our bags from baggage claim, but we all made it to the restaurant by 7:30.

My grandpa stalled again by making a wrong turn and getting lost for an hour.

My grandma nearly fainted when we all surprised her. Despite the nightmares we went through flying down, we all made it to celebrate with her!

About the Author

Adam Bruk currently works as an online marketing specialist analyzing retail trends in socks for diabetics. When he isn’t busy at work organizing philanthropy, outreach, and the diabetes guide, he enjoys traveling around the world and visiting a new place every chance he gets!

Connect With Adam: Socks4Life | Heel to Toe

Today’s guest author, Clare Kumar, has a few tips for conquering the end of summer blues and getting ready for fall.

In early August, with just less than half the summer remaining, I started to feel a little anxious about September coming.  It’s not so much the back-to-school part that bothers me. In fact, as a work-at-home mum to two, I’m quite looking forward to having the whole of my “home” office in its normal, quiet, concentration-supporting state.

It’s the busyness that I know returns in September, with the launch of not only school schedules, but numerous activities and the impending increase in traffic. It’s simply more people doing more of the same things in the same space and the same twenty-four hour window. More pressure on the system, if you will.

I can never last long worrying about something though – it’s unproductive energy. Better to move quickly to figuring out ways to address expected challenges. So here are a few ideas that might help if you’re feeling some of the same end-of-summer angst.

1. Keep summer alive during the year.  It’s the feeling of summer that we want to hang onto. Find ways to remind yourself of the warmth, relaxation and joy of hot summer days. It may be incorporating visualization of summer memories into a yoga meditation. How about enlarging a photo and displaying it in a prominent place. Grow fresh herbs indoors to remind you of your summer garden.

2. Establish smooth routines to avoid stress during morning and after-school stress. Involve your kids in figuring out how long it takes to get ready. Teach them to be responsible for as much of their own routine as appropriate for their age.

3. Make sure the activities subscribed to are sustainable. Kids and adults have varying stamina for long days. Is there a chance you’re signing up for more than you can handle?

4. Meal plan to the degree that it helps take the stress out of your week. Find meals that everyone likes – okay, that might be a dream – rather find dishes where it’s easy to pick out the things kids don’t like! Identify healthy takeout options for nights when there isn’t time to cook. Have breakfast for dinner for a change. Take the pressure off.

5.  Plan for next summer. Nothing keeps the feeling alive more than thinking about what you’ll do to enjoy next summer.

Hope this helps you feel more ready to dive into fall. Isn’t it a good thing summer comes round again every year?

About the Author

Clare Kumar “takes the bumps out of life.” Using organizing principles to solve a multitude of problems, Clare helps people become more organized at home and at work. Since creating Streamlife®, an organizing company in 2005, Clare has coached residential, small business and corporate clients to improve productivity and achieve greater peace of mind, while creating inspiring spaces in which to live and work.  

Connect With Clare: Facebook | Twitter | Web

Today’s guest blogger (who wishes to keep his identity a secret) shares great travel tips. Check them out!

Who doesn’t get thrilled on the very thought of going on a vacation? All of us do. But what are the things that you should take with you? If you are still clueless about the things that you absolutely must take on vacation, this list of items is surely going to benefit you.

You must prepare a vacation checklist before starting to pack your baggage. The quantity of things that you would have to carry depends upon whether you are going alone or taking your family along with.

Make a checklist

To streamline the process of say moving to Sydney and reduce stress, make a packing checklist for each person in your household. Each person should carry his own traveling bag or suitcase so that there is no confusion at the time of unpacking the luggage. Check items off as they are put in a suitcase to make sure that you pack everything.

Don’t pack too much

Do not stuff your suitcases with too much clothing. Pack clothing that is wearable with several outfits. For unexpected invitations, along with your casual outfits, always carry a formal dress when traveling cross-country. Pack multipurpose footwear which are suitable with many outfits and can be worn on several occasions. Carry less to travel stress-free.

Pack some warm clothes

Do not forget to pack some warm clothes, even if you have decided to spend your vacation in a not-so-cold region. You never know when you may fall ill. You may need your cozy jacket in the air-conditioned room of the hotel where you are staying while on vacation. A light fleece jacket can be worn on cold evenings, so carry it with you.

Medicines

If there are people in your family who take medicines regularly, do not forget to carry them. Do carry prescription medications in their original bottles, and remember to pack allergy medications.

Pack your camera

While moving overseas for short trip, do not forget to pack a camera so that you may capture those special moments of your trip. If you forget this item, you may curse yourself for years to come. These pictures are so fun to look at years later, and do carry some extra batteries.

Hand sanitizer and wipes

A good quality hand sanitizer is a must, especially if you are traveling with small kids. Children have this habit of creating a mess with their hands when they eat. A sanitizer makes sure that they keep their hands clean. 

Don’t forget your passport and any traveler’s checks you may have. Inspect everything before putting it into your suitcase. If it’s a maybe, leave it out. Have a safe journey!

About the Author

Today’s author has been associated with removals in Sydney from a long time. Presently with his vast experience, he is helping people choose the best service provider for them for their safe and hassle free move.

Sarah Beckman is back to share a few tips on how to get the best bang for your buck when shopping for fall clothing.

As August ends and September begins, it’s time to start thinking about your fall wardrobe. Many use this time of year to evaluate what they have in their closet and decide what they need to get through the chillier months.

Follow these 5 tips as you build your fall wardrobe.

1. As you put away your summer clothes, make sure they are all clean before storing them. Clothes that haven’t been washed have deodorant, sweat, and other residue that attracts bugs. You’ll want to store your clothes folded up in containers with lids. If you leave clothes hanging for an extended period of time, they could become stretched out. Under-the-bed cardboard boxes and plastic tubs are great for storing clothes between seasons.

2. Now that you have space in your closet, you can start shopping for your new fall clothes! Keep in mind this fall’s trends as you go shopping for your new clothes: Plaid, lace, mod retro, mustard yellow, jade green, polka dots, plaid, and menswear are all wearable trends for this fall.

3. Trends in mind, remember to not buy items that are too trendy. The goal is to buy pieces that you can get a lot of use out of. So, for example, a pretty Oxford blouse fits into the menswear trend, but it’s also a classic piece that you can wear for years. Cardigans with touches of lace or polka dots fit into the trends, but these versatile pieces can be mixed and matched – and carried into future seasons.

4. As you shop, calculate the cost per wear for pieces you’re considering. To figure out the cost per wear use this formula:

Total price of item ÷ Estimated number of days you’ll wear it = Cost per wear

So, if you’re considering buying a really great, classic blazer that costs $200 and you see yourself wearing it 100 days per year for 5 years, it costs you $.40 per wear.  The initial investment in the jacket is expensive, but if it’s a classic you’ll wear a lot, the cost per wear is low.

In the same vein, if you’re considering buying a super trendy top that costs $20 and you see yourself wearing it twice, that’s a $10 cost per wear. So, even though the coat initially costs more, the inexpensive top isn’t as economic of a choice.

5. When shopping, also be sure to pay attention to washing instructions. Paying $15 for a top that needs to be dry cleaned once a month makes an inexpensive piece of clothing costly. If you purchase clothes that are hand wash only, will you be able to keep up with the maintenance of these? Ruining a piece of clothing due to not following washing instructions is a waste of an investment.

Are you going shopping for new fall clothes this season? What shopping tips can you share?

About the Author

Sarah Beckman is a writer and editor at Affordable Scarves where she develops content on celebrity style. As a lover of fashion, she must keep her closet organized at all times!

Connect with Sarah: Web |  Twitter | Tumblr