Shop Smarter, Not Harder

What's in your closet? Seriously, what does your wardrobe look like? How do you feel about it as a whole? How do you feel about the clothes individually? How often do you wear every item you own? Do you have a quality, functional wardrobe or one where "I have nothing to wear..." is a daily saying? These are important questions to ask yourself and to honestly answer as you evaluate your wardrobe.

Prioritizing "quality over quantity" definitely should apply to your wardrobe. If you own many pieces that you don't wear, it's time to re-evaluate what's in your closet. If you don't wear what you own, then why is it still in your wardrobe? Try each item on and be honest with yourself. Do you like it? Does it fit and flatter your figure? Any unworn and/or unflattering items just clutter what could be a fabulous boutique-like closet (that is, if it doesn't already look like that, of course).

We want options so we may buy a large quantity of clothing, but how much of it actually fits and flatters? How many of those clothes are actually worn once purchased? It's time to "shop smarter, not harder." Changing it up is important so it's extremely important to shop smart and with a plan. If your wardrobe contains QUALITY pieces that fit and flatter AND mix and match and coordinate, then you will have many more outfit options with fewer items. I'm not saying not to fill your closet. I'm just saying to have more options and less of the "I-Have-Nothing-To-Wear" syndrome, it takes strategy and effort.

Basic wardrobe staples and accents, including trendy items, should be tracked so when shopping you know what's missing from your wardrobe and what will work well in and with your current wardrobe.

Below are some outfit "switch-ups" to illustrate how you can transform an outfit by simply switching up the accent pieces.

Day Look 1
Imagine: Lunch with the Mother-in-Law

Main Staple: Calvin Klein dress  

Accents: NY&Co. earrings, bracelets, belt and bag, Bakers heels, For Love headband

 Evening Look 1
Imagine: Cocktails with coworkers

Main Staple: Calvin Klein dress  

Accents: NY&Co. belt, Express earrings and clutch, Charlotte Russe heels

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Day Look 2
Imagine: Shopping about town

Main Staples: Max Studio dress, Forever 21 coverlet

Accents: Jessica Simpson bag, For Love earrings, Target flats

Evening Look 2
Imagine: Dinner with old friends

Main Staples: Max Studio dress, Forever 21 coverlet

Accents: Express clutch, Express earrings, Target heels

For even more of a switch-up here, 

I could have left off the coverlet for day or chosen a black cropped coverlet instead for evening. 

This dress could also look more casual and just as charming with a cute denim jacket. 

Add flats or wedges and voila, perfect fall weather carnival date outfit!

Of course, any switch-up has MANY options if you're creative. :) I just want to drive the point home that quality staples and switching up the accents are important in any functional wardrobe.

It's fun to take pieces and dress them up or down, for whatever the occasion calls. 

Styling outfits, just like applying makeup, is an art form because dressing often relies on your emotions/mood of the day. How do you feel today? Translate that into your outfit and see what happens.

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Day Look 3
Imagine: Brunch with girlfriends

Main Staple: Scarlett dress

Accents: Miztique bag, Bakers heels, For Love earrings, Belt (n/a)

Evening Look 3
Imagine: At a winery

Main Staple: Scarlett dress

Accents: Steve Madden booties, Tommy Hilfiger wallet as clutch, For Love earrings

You may have noticed that:
I used the turquoise Bakers peep-toe heels in 2 of the above outfits. I also used the smoke and pewter For Love earrings in 2 of the above outfits. Additionally, I used the black Express clutch and the Express earrings twice in the above outfits. The strategy of choosing outfits early and being able to mix/match and coordinate also makes packing for travel much easier and maybe even fun instead of stressful.

It's not about how many items you have... it's about the quality of each item and your confidence to style each outfit with the pieces that work for you. As always, have fun and have a fabulous day every day!

<3 Catherine

Lime Lemonade

Summer is bright and so are many of my outfits. :) I love color, and I also love neutrals so the pairing makes me swoon.

When life gives me lemons, I make a lemon-inspired outfit.  :)  Since I LOVE lemons, I use them for everything- cooking, cleaning and decorating. I am easily inspired by just about anything. I think it's clear that my love of lemons inspired this very outfit.

The Outfit: 

Talk about lemon-lime or Lime Lemonade!

Yellow Cropped Sweater- Express, Yellow Lace-edged Cami- Bozzolo, White Sunglasses- (cheap kiosk knockoff), Ruffled Green Top/Earrings/Necklace/White Purse- NY&Co., Jeans- Seven7, Orange & Lime Nail Polish (free gift at Foot Locker), Buckle Flats- Soda via http://www.cutesygirl.com, Yellow Clutch used as wallet- For Love

What inspires you?

Hello & Welcome Beauties

Each one of us is perfectly unique and uniquely perfect. 
Our differences are beautiful. We are beautiful.

Thank you for stopping by my new blog and taking an interest in my very personal endeavor. I truly hope you enjoy what I share. And for the record, I absolutely love (constructive) feedback. I will try to respond as often as possible. So please, bring on the questions, comments and requests.  I look forward to "meeting" and "talking with" you.

I have many blogs that I have been maintaining for years, but this one seems more personal. Here at My StyleLife Philosophy, I will share photos, videos, personal stories, reflections, q&a, features, reviews and diy projects. I will also try to answer as many requests as I can as often as I can for tutorials, reviews and diy projects. Here at My StyleLife Philosophy, I aim to uplift, inspire and make you smile while sharing with you my opinions and experiences and asking about yours.

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My Background- in case you're wondering :)
Obviously, I love to talk and write. I also love to help people and make a positive impact. I'm always searching for ways to do just that. My StyleLife Philosophy is one of my attempts at putting positive vibes out into the world.

For the longest time, I have loved style, fashion and beauty. That said, style to me is more than just a great outfit. Style is about a great attitude, confidence and the know-how to work what you have. That's right, work it, girl! :) Beauty is more than just perfect eye liner. Beauty GROWS from within and GLOWS outward. I will post many articles on my outlook of beauty and style, but for introduction sake, I will leave it at that for now.  :)

In addition to blogging, I have been a StyleLife Consultant for years. Did you notice I said "StyleLife consultant," instead of "style consultant" or "stylist," yes? I'd like to think that this terminology has a very important distinction.

"StyleLife" is more than just a play on words. Yes, it is a lifestyle, and it is my philosophy. StyleLife does mean style for life and living stylishly. However, it's more than just the above. My StyleLife Philosophy is about being a good person, being positive in outlook and being stylish and chic in every aspect of life. My StyleLife Philosophy also includes an exploration of human nature, more specifically woman nature in all areas of our lives. (For those of you who may have guessed already- yes, I majored in philosophy.)

Style seems to affect every aspect of our life in this society.  I accept that style is in everything we do. From communicating, to cooking, to parenting, to gardening, to throwing parties and events, to decorating our homes, to what we wear and how we wear it. Style is a way of life.

From these reflections, My StyleLife Philosophy emerged. I hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as I have already. Have a fabulous day every day!