A couple of months ago my big toes were very sore when I walked in shoes or slippers. The skin around the nail beds on the side closest to my second toes was a little inflamed. Bad news for my walking lifestyle. I made an appointment with the podiatrist, who was very helpful with his diagnosis and treatment.

It turns out that my second toes overlap and push up against my big toes when I stride, causing a significant amount of pressure on a small area of my big toe. So much so that it causes discomfort. The podiatrist suggested wearing toe separators with footwear, and soaking my feet in epsom salts at night.

Soaking my feet was easy, and it helped a little, but the pressure build-up in my shoes persisted, and so did the discomfort. I wasn’t keen on toe separators because my past experiences haven’t been good. But I felt I had little choice, so I began my search for toe separators that are subtle, discreet, and streamlined.

Eventually, I landed on the right toe separators for my feet. They even mention them as a way to offset toe overlap in the description. They are small, breathable, well designed pieces of foam that I insert between my big and second toe when wearing shoes. So one toe separator per foot. As soon as I used them, my big toes were relieved of pressure and the discomfort subsided. I was back to walking my fast walk in no time, and no more soaking in epsom salts. It’s remarkable how well they work. I’m impressed! I wear them daily, and in all pairs of shoes except in at-home supportive slippers and some pairs of sneakers.

I’ve gotten good at keeping the separators between my toes as I slide bare feet into shoes. They don’t slip off or move position. They stay put while I stride too. I suspect it will be easier in the colder months when I wear knee-highs with boots and loafers because the constriction of the knee-highs will hold the separators in place.

Maybe you have good experiences with toe separators too?

Unliked ditsy florals, spaced florals have larger flower motifs that are spaced widely apart. The background is often solid and is a larger component of the pattern. Some florals are more widely spaced than others. Sometimes the floral motifs are realistic, and sometimes more graphic and abstract. Some spaced florals are multicoloured while others have fewer colours. 

Personally, large spaced florals are my favourite type of floral pattern both in brights and neutrals. I like them in tops, pants, skirts, dresses (and for knitwear in Winter). Onto some outfit inspiration:

1. Dress

A gorgeous dressy spaced floral kaftan in tropical brights is the star of the show, and doesn’t need much else. A pair of metallic sandals and statement earrings complete the look. Add a metallic bag, or one in a colour that matches the pattern. Easy!

More summery spaced foral frocks:

2. Top

A fluid printed spaced floral tee in black, white and grey is worn over a pair of full length slouchy and wide white jeans. Flat black sandals match the tee, the sunnies, and the model’s hair. A grey and black tweed bag adds texture and a subtle form of pattern mix. Its black strap matches the sandals.

More summery spaced floral tops:

3. Pants

Floral pants are a festive way to mix things up for Summer. Here, an abstract spaced floral motif is combined with a swirly background design to create a maximal pattern in earthy greens, white, black, and a bit of blue. A seaweed green tee with eyelet sleeves is tucked into the floral pants. Ecru sneakers are the casual shoes of choice. A wicker bag in the shape of a shell adds a darling beachy touch.

More summery spaced foral pants:

4. Skirt

Last, a cinnamon midi skirt with a white, light blue, and navy spaced floral design is combined with a tucked white tank top. An oversized light blue shirt is layered over the tank and tied in front to shorten the length and create waist definition. The sleeves are rolled to showcase forearm skin. Flat cognac sandals dress down the shine of the skirt. The straw bag adds another relaxed touch. Add jewellery, eyewear, hat, and watch as desired.

This week’s poll is a particularly summery one. You are on Team Shorter Shorts if you prefer wearing shorts with a shorter hem. You are on Team Longer Shorts if you prefer wearing shorts with longer hems. Note that shorter shorts have hems that finish mid-thigh and shorter. Long shorts have hems that are just above, on, or below the knee.

Personally, I don’t wear shorts because I prefer wearing dresses, skirts, and cropped or long summery pants in the Summer. But if I did, I’d be on Team Longer Shorts. I LOVE the look of knee-covering shorts. Always have! There is something about the length that looks elegant, playfully polished, unexpected, and swish to my eye. I wore dressy and casual long shorts a lot in the ‘90s, and felt great in the vibe. The pleated styles were like short culottes and super cute. I also wore clamdiggers in the ‘00s, which I much enjoyed too.

Over to you. Do you bat for Team Shorter or Team Longer Shorts? Tell us why, and no batting for both teams. If you can’t pick a side, you’re on the bench with me. I’m serving salmon curry and rice, cucumber and red pepper salad, and lemon bundt cake with cream cheese icing, so feel free to sit this one out. I suspect Team Shorter Shorts will win this poll. Let’s find out.

A calm closet is a sanctuary of self-expression. My walk-in-wardrobe, its contents, and dressing area are energizing, therapeutic, and confidence-boosting. This peaceful space is where I prepare body, mind, and spirit for the day. The daily ritual of creating the right outfit is a meaningful component of my self-care regimen, and one that I thoroughly enjoy. 

Of course, I’ve experienced the opposite of closet calm. That’s when my wardrobe and dressing space were a source of daily frustration and stress. Over time, I made the best of it by improving things as I was able to. It’s taken decades of thoughtful planning and resources, lots of trial and error, patience, some soul searching, and a bit of luck to get there. I’m at a point where my closet is the calmest and happiest it has ever been.

Personally, I’m calmed by a mix of visual order, practicality, and emotional ease. Here are eleven ways I’ve created a calm closet.

1. Organized Space

Wardrobe items that are stored and displayed in a neat, clean, tidy, and orderly manner makes me feel in control of what I have, and it looks nice. It gets the creative juices flowing, and fabulous outfit combinations are amplified.

2. Practicality

Wardrobe items have to be visible and easily reachable, or I get annoyed and forget about the items I cannot see. It’s one of the reasons I do not swap out seasons. I need to see everything at all times. That, and the fact that there is nowhere to store non-seasonal wardrobe items in our loft where space is at a premium.

3. An Edited and Curated Wardrobe

Having a wardrobe that supports my lifestyle, sartorial preferences, and style goals simplifies life. It encourages an efficient and intentional way of dressing, and mindful consumption. Items have earned their place and work hard.

4. A Mid-Size Wardrobe

A mid-sized wardrobe suits my needs because it allows for plenty of variety across a four season climate, and it’s easier to manage than a large wardrobe. I like to have loads of options, but not to the extent that I’m wearing most items infrequently because I have too many of them.

5. Pretty Palettes

Colour is a very important part of my life because it creates positive emotions. Opening closet doors and drawers that are brimming with an abundance of my favourite colours puts me in a good mood.

6. No Holding Zone

I used to have a holding zone with items that I no longer wanted in my wardrobe, but didn’t want to pass on. This strategy works really well for many of my clients. However, I’ve learned that it doesn’t work for me. Once I’ve decided to pass on an item, that’s it. I move on and forget about it. So a holding zone is superfluous.

7. Wearing, and Not Staring

Searching for, nabbing, purchasing, and beautifully storing wardrobe items is a fun process in itself. But the best part about shopping for an item is WEARING IT once it’s yours. Decades ago, I used to stare at my gorgeous pieces, but fail to wear them for all sorts of reasons. Thankfully, I don’t do that anymore. Life is too short, and if not now, when? Being on team Wear As Soon As Possible And Frequently, is calming.

8. A Mix of Old and New

I enjoy refreshing my wardrobe seasonally with carefully chosen items that are on trend, or wildcards, or simply signature to my style. After all, I’m a fashion and style professional making it somewhat part of my job. That said, it is absolutely essential that I successfully remix new items with old items. Giving old items continued limelight is satisfying, sustainable, and calming. New items are exciting, and old items are well loved.

9. A Mirror In Natural Light

I’ve had my fair share of full length mirrors is bad light, and sometimes it can’t be helped. Having a mirror in good natural light makes a big difference. I make better outfit choices because I can see the colours and details clearly. I appreciate my wardrobe and outfit more because I see the best version of it in great light.

10. Basics Are Not Neglected

Wardrobe basics like underwear, sleepwear, socks, loungewear, and workout wear might not be fun to shop for or spend money on, but they are wardrobe workhorses that deserve our time and budget too. Once I understood the importance of having my wardrobe basics fully and beautifully sorted, I felt better about my entire wardrobe and style. Wearing superb undergarments is also greatly underestimated.

11. A Digital Representation

Keeping an updated digital representation of my wardrobe through YLF Finds is indispensable to me. I can see my wardrobe at the press of a button so that I always know what I have. This is easier and faster than looking at my wardrobe (especially when I’m not at home). Seeing items more easily allows me to make sense of what I have, which helps control and manage my wardrobe. A digital wardrobe representation makes putting together travel capsules and other capsules easier too.

Over to you. Do these ways of creating closet calm resonate with you? How do you create closet calm?