What's In Our Bags?

I am borderline OCD when it comes to organization in my handbag. I hate HATE when people rummage through their purses trying to find change, a pen or gum. If time really was money I would have lost a small fortune just waiting for that lady in front of me to pay for her $10 salad. Some people like to carry their whole life inside a handbag (which may be sharing a bit too much of yourself) but I prefer the necessary everyday essentials that will help me make it through my day.

Elaina’s handbag essentials:

1. Gum – Just in case because you never know who you will meet!
2. iPhone – Okay so it doesn’t need to be an iphone…well okay maybe it does. It’s the people contactor, social media medium, music provider and good companion all packaged into one highly marketable pretty chuck of technology. I cannot be the only person who feels naked without her phone?!
3. Lipstick – Not only does it happen to complete my look of the day, but it also helps to keep my lips conditioned and looking oh-so-good.
4. Cash – because money can buy you pretty much all the materialistic things that your little heart desires
5. Pouches – They are wonderful little organizers that help you to not be that rummaging lady in line. They are affordable and comes in a variety of cute patterns, shapes and sizes; adding a bit more personality to your handbag.

I have big bag syndrome, somehow the phrase the bigger the better stuck with me in this case. I like to throw in everything I think I'll ever need ever so if by some freak accident I'm stranded I'll be prepared. New year new me I figure I should at least try to keep things super minimal so I only take the barest of necessities with me:

 

Margaret’s handbag essentials:

1. Phone – If I could only take one thing this would be it.
2. Kiehl's Lip Balm – Sadly one of the only lip balms I can safely use without risking balloon lips
3. Oil Blotting sheets – nNcely packaged with a mirror which is always handy
4. Gum – Because you never know
5. Roller ball perfume – I'm a big fan of the roller balls, it ensures that I don't over spray and it's perfectly sized to throw in a small bag
6. Hand cream – I'm slightly OCD when it comes to the cleanliness of my hands I despise the grimy feeling of unwashed hands on piano keys and cringe when I see others do it, unfortunately this means drier hands as a result of excessive washing so hand cream is a must

Tell us what are some of your handbag essentials?

 

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

With the onset of spring the need for organizing and cleaning suddenly grips me and I can’t for the life of me shake it off until some heavy duty cataloguing is done. There’s something very invigorating and renewing about putting up new shelves, and cutting down the unnecessary clutter that’s built up over the winter months. 

 

KEEP                    GIVE AWAY                TRASH

Nothing is more satisfying than clearing out old garments and shoes collecting dust in the back of the closet, but the fundamental question arises: what to do with the cast-offs? It seems a bit cruel to haul the bags to the dumpster as the garments were once loved and treasured. Now no longer needed it would be cold hearted to toss without a second’s thought. Thankfully there are many wonderful organizations in and around the lovely city of Vancouver that we can take our old wardrobes to. 

Photo Credit: Google Image

There are several large establishments such as the Salvation Army, big brothers and the like that are always accepting clothing donations for those in need. There are donation boxes all over the city that are conveniently located for you to make a quick drop off on the way to work or school. 

Apart from these there are also numerous smaller organizations that cater to specific needs such as the Cinderella Project, their main goal is to provide formal wear and dress shoes for underprivileged high school graduates who would others be unable to partake in the celebrations.

Another fun idea is to organize a swap meet with your friends and “shop” each other’s closet. Good company, clothes, and refreshments, why not make it an idea for the next girl’s night out.

Photo Credit: Google Image

The Cinderella Project
315 Mathers Avenue
West Vancouver, BC
V7S 1H2

The Salvation Army
2714 W Broadway
Vancouver

My Plus One

Top: UO 20 | Cardigan: Zara 20 | Jeans: F21 19 | Shoes: Zara 35

 

With birthdays comes the inevitable +1 to your age. Whatever I may actually be is not how I feel or live by, for instance shopping is of course a favorite pass time of mine (typical right?) but with age I tend to forget what I throw hang up into my closet. Those old lady moments lead me to the treat of shopping my closet.

Isn't it a wonderful thing when you rediscover something you love and it’s practically free? I mean at some point you paid good money for it, but it costs nothing to find again. I loved each of these pieces dearly when I picked them out, but with time and my ahem "senior moments," they have been sitting there, unfairly neglected over the last year or so. Since my love of fashion can beat down my magical plastic card, I've challenged myself to fall back in love with the same pieces.

Absence makes the heart fonder and love does grow with time, so while I cannot love them in the exact same way, who said love only comes once?

Put Your Back Into It

We often hear the term cleansing your aura, meaning that there is too much crap (for a lack of a better word) in your life and you need to take a moment, maybe sit down and prioritize the chaos. Now I can apply that to my closet, sometimes I can stare at it for longer than I care to in order to reach total zen or I find myself frustrated looking for that sweater I SWORE I put behind that other sweater but it somehow magically grew legs and wondered far far away.

 

As spring comes upon us, spring cleaning also comes to mind. It’s time to rotate the closet or dig up the pieces that we haven’t worn in years but still believe that one day it will come back in style. But let’s face it, we can’t hold on to the worn down, out of style or ill-fitting piece any longer. Besides why would you turn down the idea of out with the old and in with the new?



Vintage clutches + Italian vintage cross body

A little check list of pieces that are worth keeping no matter how long they have been sitting there begging for your attention (quick breath). The qualifications for these are:

 

1. Well-made pieces, ones that you cannot only fit still but may even be able to pass it down to someone else

2. Classic tailoring and detailing; pieces that never go out of style

3. Basics that are not discoloured, worn down, hole-y or stretched out

4. Potential DIY pieces, a little nip and tuck and the piece will shine brighter than it ever did and the best part? You can say you “made” it

 

So what has your closet been hiding?

 

 

 

Walk-in to My Dream

Photo Credit: Google Images 

A closet can speak volumes about a person’s personality. Are they boring? Vibrant? Or bold? Taking a peek at what they buy or own would be difficult if the space looked like a tornado hit it. Closet organization saves me from the embarrassment of wearing mismatched socks, or being late because I can’t find the top that goes with that cute skirt. Since we might not meet a Mr.Big and be granted that magical shiny beautiful walk in closet that we of course all deserve, we need to look to different and heart breaking realistic ways to keep organized and have a closet that is functional yet pretty in its own way.

Inexpensive Ikea closet storage Solutions

1. Svajs, $2.99 set of 3
2. Komplement, $24.99
3. Garnityr, $16.99
4. Bumerang, $0.99 each
5. Komplement, $9.99
6. Brallis, $4.99 each