Spring Cleaning

With warmer weather finally coming our way, that can only mean one thing - time for Spring cleaning. I know you all don't get as excited about organizing stuff as I do, but the ending of one season and the beginning of another is a great time to get rid of the old and bring in the new.

I just finished a two day cleaning of my husband's and my own closet. And, 9 garbage bags later, I'm done. And, oh boy does it feel good. The closet has less stuff in it, making the clothes fit better and much easier to see. Oh, and did I mention that I do this at least once a year and I had that much useless stuff in there.

For those of you who are thinking..."I need to do this," but just can't build up the nerve to give things away or for those of you who haven't cleaned out your closet in years, here are some hard-hitting rules for you that I myself just followed...

1. If you didn't wear it this Fall/Winter, get rid of it. Again, the only exception is if it's an investment piece that you paid a lot of money for. However, if you got it at Target or the Gap, chances are you can rid yourself of it. If you didn't like the way it looked on you, you probably never will. Why would you want to keep something that just takes up space?

2. Get rid of all whites and blacks that are dingy or faded. Basically, if you've worn it all season, it's old - get rid of it.

3. Really evaluate your favorite tops. Have you worn them out? Are they out-dated? Are they still age appropriate? I know it might be hard, but if you answered yes to the first two and no to the last one, get rid of it.

4. Look at your clothes for Spring/Summer. Were any pieces really trendy last year and will just not work this season? If so, get rid of them? Do any of the pieces not fit? Or, do any have holes? If so, get rid of them.

5. Lastsly, check out your shoes. If you haven't worn them, get rid of them. If their heels are worn down, either throw them out or if they were expensive, get them re-heeled.

If you can really be honest with yourself and follow these rules, you could definitely be a great Spring cleaner. Buy yourself some storage bins and your closet will be looking like a California closet in no time!

And, for those of you who just need someone to hold your hand doing it or if you need some help figuring out what to wear what you have, check out my website at www.redressbylaura.com

Valentine's Day for Men

Men are usually the hardest to buy for. So, with Valentine's Day right after Christmas, lots of women get stuck and can't figure out what to buy the guys in their life. Well, Red Envelope has some really great, unique ideas that guys probably won't think about themselves.

First, personalized golf club links for the ends of their clubs are a great way to turn their clubs into a sophisticated work of art. Not to mention it's a sure way for them not to lose them.

Another great personal gift is a monogrammed money clip. This particular one has a place to put a hidden message on the inside flap so he can be reminded how much you love you everyday.

And, for those guys who have a bar in the house, get them their own personalized coasters. These particular ones look like they come from an actual vintage barroom.

Lastly, for those men who love to grill, get them a personalized brand to allow them to pretend they own their very own restaurant when serving steaks.

These are some sweet treats that the man in your life is sure to love this Valentine's Day!

Red and Pink Valentine's Day Treats!

I know not everyone likes gifts as much as I do; however, I don't think I've ever met anyone who doesn't like getting gifts every once and awhile. And, even though Christmas usually gets all the attention, Valentine's Day can be a great way to tell someone that you really appreciate them and what they do, whether that be your kid's teachers, your secretary or your best friend. And, with all the red and pink around in the month of February, there are plenty of options out there of other and for yourself!

First, for those fashionistas in your life, this new Christian Dior book reveals all of the designers secrets of style that covers everything from what to wear to weddings to different ways to tie a scarf. And, at only $20, it's a great gift. And, for those Tory Burch lovers in your life, go with a Tory Burch paperweight or Tory Burch Key Fob. These are a little more expensive but still under $100.

Now for those women who you might want to splurge on - or for yourself to tell your husband about - here are a few ideas. What woman doesn't love cashmere? These cashmere pajamas are sure to satisfy and are oh so cozy. Also, every woman needs a pair of red pumps in her closet. And, these Cole Haan ones have the perfect point and perfect height.

Now for all you guy readers who need ideas for your ladies....or for you ladies who need ideas for yourself, here are some great splurge pieces. The jewelry designer Finn is based out of New York and the pieces are sold exclusively at Barneys. And, most importantly, they are TO DIE FOR! I'm so in love with the cupid arrow rings. Also, one of Finn's signature collections is the Love Knot. It comes in a ring, earrings and bracelet. Lastly, Finn has a heart collection. These pieces range from $75 to $600 so it's definitely a splurge, but you will always be reminded of the love of your life who bought them for you.

Winter Ombre

Celebrities have been wearing ombre since last spring. And, with Olivia Wilde as one of the best dressed celebrities on the red carpet at the Golden Globes this past Sunday in ombre, not to mention all of the other award shows that celebrities have been wearing it, ombre is a trend that is here to stay for a few more seasons. And, since it's such a fresh, fun look, it's a great way to update your drab winter wardrobe.

Ombre is actually a French term meaning "shaded." Ombre can be created with different multicolored stripes changing from light to dark or it can be created by graduated or shaded color changes woven right into the fabric.

This can be an easy trend to work into your outfit buy adding a great ombre coat, cashmere sweater, or ombre scarf. And, for all those winter weddings and cocktail parties, try wearing a great ombre dress in a jewel tone to make a great statement. So, create a little rainbow in your winter wardrobe and go ombre!

Winter Update

Is anyone else out there tired of this cold winter weather? Feeling a little dull and drab in your winter clothes? Well, here are some quick winter updates you can do to treat yourself and make a fashionable exit from the winter season.

One easy way to put a little pep in your step is to add a brightly colored cardigan over your winter outfit. A huge mistake that most people make is that they are scared to wear color in the winter. Don't be! A little color is good all year round. But if you are a little hesitate, go for a more subdued jeweled-toned color, and it will be sure to lift your winter spirit.

I've said it a hundred times and I'll say it again...A great scarf is the easiest way to go from drab to fab! Another simple way to not feel so dull this winter is to update your make-up. Fresh colors and a little sparkle makes everyone feel better! I recently discovered this Too Faced Glamour To Go palette and absolutely love it. The colors are neutrals with a twist and are great for day and night.

So, embrace the new year and update your winter wardrobe with a little pizazz!

Winter White & Sequins

The holiday season is approaching. That means holiday parties!! There are two things that are always chic to wear to holiday parities - winter white and sequins.

I'm absolutely obsessed with monochromatic outfits. And, winter white is oh so chic! Wearing all winter white always looks sophisticated. Try wearing relaxed shapes for a soft, luxurious look. However, if you are afraid of looking like an ice-cream cone, try wearing a different texture skirt or darker colored camel pants to contrast the winter white top. And remember, winter white functions the same way white does - so it always looks great with black.

Next up are sequins! And really, does anything say "Hello, Holiday Party" better than sparkles. If you are really into it, go with a full out sequin dress. They come in all shapes and sizes and plenty this season come with sleeves to help with the cold weather. If you are a little more reserved, try a dress with sequins along the neckline or hemline. This will give you just the right amount of sparkle. Or, if you just want to wade in the water, try a cardigan or sweater with sequins on the shoulders or neckline.

So, be the "belle" of the ball and get ready for your holiday parties!

Holiday Gift Guide for Men

Today it's time to focus on the hardest people on your shopping list....the men. It always seems like the men in my life have everything and I can never think of great presents for them. Well here are some ideas for you...

Most men are crazy for sports; however, they already have most sports paraphernalia. But, here are some things they might not have thought of. First is a Washer Game Set. Washers is such a fun game that anyone can play...I even like playing it. Sports Authority website sells the game in almost every college and NFL team. Next, for those tailgaters out there, get them a insulated 24oz tumbler with their favorite team logo on it. You can even get their name on it. My brother-in-law has this cup an absolutely loves it. Lastly, for a gift that keeps giving, get a subscription to Sports Illustrated magazine.

For those guys who may not be so into sports, here are some other great ideas. These days everyone has an IPhone but not everyone has a dock to listen to the IPod while grilling outside and hanging around the house. Next, Jack Black products are awesome. Most men won't spend money on products so this is a great gift to show them how great special products are. My husband is in love with the Jack Black Supreme Creme shaving gel. Lastly, these LL Bean slippers are awesome. My brother wears them everyday and make a great present for a guy of any age.

Merry Christmas and happy shopping!

Holiday Gift Guide for Women

With all of this cold weather, it is definitely starting to feel a lot like Christmas! It's one of the best times of year. However, so often we get stressed out trying to buy the perfect gift that we let it steal the joy of the season. So here are some great ideas for you...

If you are looking for something for someone who has everything, go directly to Sephora. The make-up is so sparkly and fun for the holiday season. Plus, most brands sell holiday gift sets. One thing that I definitely have on my wish list is this Stila Lip Gloss Set. Stila lip gloss is so luxurious and thick, and this set has all their best colors. Another great gift is the Nars Cheek and Lip set in their best selling color of orgasm - it looks great on everyone. Lastly, Philosophy is known for having the cutest sayings on their bottles. This peppermint bark scent is perfect for the holidays. And, the best part is that all of these are $30 or less!!

If make-up and body lotion isn't what you are looking for, don't worry. There are still some great gifts out there for under $30! First is this animal print infinity scarf from Nordstrom. I actually have a version of this and can't get enough of it. It's light-weight and trendy. How can you go wrong? Next, House of Harlow is the jewelry line of Nicole Richie, and the line has some great pieces. All the pieces are plated in gold. This particular ring is rose gold, but it comes in all finishes. And, for the gift that keeps giving, give a subscription to a fashion magazine. My favorite magazine is InStyle. But, some other great ones are Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Elle and Lucky.

If you have a little bit more to spend on someone very special, here are three great ideas. Tory Burch has started making jewelry and oh...la...la, this necklace is stunning. It's silver and gold with just the right amount of sparkle. Any girl would love it! Also, Michael Kors watches are so hot right now. I'm totally obsessed with this rose gold one; however, they come in all kinds of finishes. Lastly, what girl doesn't like a little blue box under the tree! Getting someone a Tiffany's charm bracelet is a great tradition to start. Then, all you have to do is get them a different charm for each birthday and Christmas.

Merry Christmas and enjoy your holiday shopping! Check tomorrow for some suggestions for men!

Tweed It!

Now that it seems Winter is here to stay, it's time to break out all of the heavier sweaters and jackets. And, tweed seems to go simultaneously with winter. When most of us think of tweed, we think of classic Chanel suits and Jackie O. However, most of our budgets can't swing Chanel. But, that doesn't mean we can't take part in this traditional look.

One problem with tweed is that it can sometimes look a little old lady. To spice it up, don't wear a full tweed suit. Try wearing just the skirt with a trendy top and shoes. Or, try wearing just the coat over a solid colored dress. If you are going to wear head-to-toe tweed, try breaking up the dress with a great belt. Another way to spice up tweed is to get a pattern with a bright color in it. Even though it's winter, it doesn't mean you have to wear all dull colors. Pinks and reds make great tweed prints.

Another way to take part in the tweed look is to wear tweed accessories. Tweed bangles will certainly add elegance to any plain outfit. And, one of my favorite finds are these tweed shoes from Banana Republic - so cute with skinny jeans.

So, channel your inner Jackie O and CoCo Chanel and wear some tweed this Winter!