I guess that the answer to this question depends on the style and colour of your hairstyle, and the amount of work you put into styling it each day. I put the same amount of effort into my hair each day so that part remains constant. I have my short pixie crop cut and highlighted every six weeks. A little trim, a few foils and I’m out in an hour and 15 minutes. Quick, painless and very effective.

But my hair does not look its best straight after the appointment. It always looks best two to three weeks into the cut. It’s as if the style has to settle, lie a little flatter against my head, and grow into shape. Week four is still pretty good. But by week five I’m frustrated with the heavy bits and it starts taking longer to style. By week six I’m climbing the walls desperate for another hair appointment.

Does this happen to you? How often do you have it cut and styled and when in the cycle does it look its best?

I love editing our lives. It probably stems from being a bit of a control freak, but that’s the way I’m wired. I thrive when my environment is neat, clean, organized and uncluttered. Seeing perfect piles of colour-coded clothing in our wardrobe puts me on an absolute high! I like to know exactly what we have and where to find it at the drop of a hat. This makes me feel in control of my life, which in turn relieves my stress levels. Odd but true.

So I’m especially perky this week after spending a good few hours editing our closet (I get stuck into Greg’s side too, since we share a walk-in wardrobe). For me editing is an ongoing thing, which makes it easier and faster. But every so often I  do a more thorough sweep. While I was doing that over the weekend I got to thinking about some of the less obvious benefits of the process:

1. It clarifies what you have: It’s easy to forget what you own especially when limited closet space forces you to keep wardrobe items all over the show. Your memory is refreshed when you sweep regularly. No unnecessary duplications and not wearing items because you forgot you had them.
2. It encourages you to wear items that you haven’t worn in a while: When I clean out my closet, I come across items I haven’t worn in months or even a year and it makes me want to wear them again.
3. It sparks off a sense of creativity: I come up with new ways of combining clothing, footwear and accessories when I go through my closet. The process sharpens my style tools.
4. It keeps the space neat and organized: Our closet is always tidy, but a monthly edit makes it even more so and that makes my toes tingle.
5. It forces you to reorganize storage space: Your wardrobe can outgrow a storage space. For example, my handbags and boots required a better storage solution which meant that I had to rearrange storage space within the walk-in wardrobe in order to accommodate the extras.

I prefer a small wardrobe because it’s easier to manage and it forces you to be more strict about new additions. Something has to go before I can add anything else. Apart from our coats, underwear, socks, sporting gear and Greg’s shoes, all clothing, footwear and accessories fit into our small wardrobe and I want to keep it that way.

Do any of these additional benefits resonate with you? How often do you edit your wardrobe? Do you enjoy the process? Do you find it hard to let stuff go? Do you forget what you have? Are you happy with your storage solutions?

Yes! Another fun revived 80’s trend, only this time sans the shoulder pads. You’ll find ruched sleeves on tops, knitwear, shirts, blouses, jackets and coats, and there’s no stopping the look as new Spring collections swarm stores. I much prefer this type of voluminous sleeve to the short poufy sleeves that are simply gathered at the crown and hem. Somehow, the integrity of the sculptured ruching seems more grown-up, especially when the sleeve is elbow length and longer.

This design feature is a no-brainer win for lasses with dainty shoulder lines because it instantly widens the width of the shoulders. Surprisingly, a more subtle ruched sleeve works well on broad shouldered gals too. I had the INC ruched short sleeve cardigan (the  one on the right below) on a strong shouldered client last week and it looked fabulous. The shoulder seam was cut deep past the shoulder closer towards the neck. This shortened the shoulder line to compensate for the shoulder extension that is achieved with the effect of the ruching. The actual volume in the sleeve is less dramatic too. So clever. The two ruched styles immediately below this paragraph illustrate these points perfectly, whereas the ruched sleeves on the black dress pictured at the bottom of the post are more voluminous, AND the shoulder seams are cut wider on the body. This automatically makes for a broader shouldered look.

Ruched sleeves are a definite nostalgic yay in my book. It’s probably a fad but fads are fun! You can pick up inexpensive items with ruched sleeve detailing at Macys, Asos, Charlotte Russe, Forever 21 and H&M at the moment and that’s precisely what I did. I purchased a citron cardigan with crazy over-the-top ruched sleeves from H&M, and a more mainstream subtle take on the trend from Macy’s. Does this trend inspire you too?

I love the beginning of each new year! It’s a time to re-purpose, reflect and recharge. Leave the cobwebs behind and start again.

Did you stick to the style, fashion and shopping related resolutions that you made in 2009? One year ago I summarized the New Year’s resolutions we had discussed on a forum thread. I thought this was a great list and decided to adopt it for 2009. Here’s how I did:

• To spend less overall and become more of a bargain shopper: I failed miserably at this one. I’m still a bad bargain shopper because when I see something that’s hot off the fashion press at full price, that’s when I want it. I usually lose interest once the item goes on sale.
• To purchase fewer fabulous items of greater quality: Scored A+ here. This has been my shopping mantra for the longest time.
• To pass on items that are not absolutely perfect (minor alterations are obviously permitted): I’m a perfectionist so this one was easy.
• To shop for your dominant season: I’ve got this down after burning my fingers several seasons ago.
• To focus on footwear and accessories like handbags, scarves, specs and jewelry because they are cost effective ways of changing up a look: This was my year for adding the very best handbags to my collection so I feel particularly good about this one.
• To do regular closet sweeps: I enjoy editing and am in the habit of doing it every few months.
• To improve closet organization: Our walk-in wardrobe is organized but I could kick it up a notch. I need better boot and handbag storage solutions so I’m busy building a bag and boot shrine.
• To shop with a plan: Yup. Easy.
• To learn how to correctly fit garments: The new trends bring new fit challenges. I eventually got my head around the proper fit for newcomers like boyfriend blazers, boyfriend cardigans, harem pants and mid calf boots after fitting them on many body types.
• To get out of clothing ruts: I’m wearing jeans far less frequently. I moved from a predominantly smart casual dress code to a business casual one, and it feels right as I approach 40.
• To shop more at thrift and consignment stores: Another complete failure. My size is hard to find and I don’t fancy the musty smells of thrift stores. I’ll leave thrifting to the thrifting pros as I have finally accepted that I am not cut out for this way of shopping.
• To eliminate closet orphans: Hmmm. I don’t think I have closet orphans.
• To get a great hairdo: I’m happy with my do. It’s a little longer and darker at the moment and I much prefer it that way.
• To let go of T-shirts: I don’t wear T-shirts so this one was completely effortless.
• To make an effort to look nice every day: I do! And have fun in the process..

These were my additional resolutions:

• To add more skirts to my wardrobe: Nah. That didn’t work out. I’m still a dress gal at heart.
• To add more knitwear to my wardrobe: Yup. I finally have enough non-itchy knitwear for Winter and Spring.
• To wear my cocktail rings: Didn’t happen. They’re still hibernating which means that I just identified my closet orphans.
• To have regular facials: Yes! I’ve had one a month and my dry skin issues are sorted.

I would rate my performance as fair. Not stellar, but not hopeless either. I’m still thinking about how I will adjust my fashion and style priorities for 2010.

How did you do? Are there style related resolutions that you would add for 2010?