Okay, so spring’s here (I swear) & I think everyone can agree that we’ve just all about had it with this weather. I know I have. So I’m going to challenge you to do a little spring cleaning in your clothes closets only I’m gonna help make it easy for you.
When I’m working with clients, ideally, I like to be able to view all of their inventory so we can take stock of what’s worthy of their precious closet real estate. The closets of my dreams have 3 key things…
1.) Great lighting
2.) All items in one area
3.) All pieces arranged by item, then by color within the item, i.e. all trousers together, darkest to lightest, etc.
The idea is to make your closet look as much like a boutique or retailer as possible. This provides you a visual snapshot of what you own so you can identify what’s missing and can access things quickly, not to mention, put them away.
Here’s how you do it:
Take out each item in your closet (this includes shoes, belts and for ladies - handbags), and decide if you love it or don’t love it. Here’s a hint: most people wear 20% of their clothing 80% of the time so this is where the truth rubber meets the road. Be honest. If you don’t love it or just don’t have strong feelings about the item, then it’s time to go. They’re not getting any younger and chances are you purchased it either thinking it was a great deal or that you’d have something at home it’d go with - but you don’t.
Make 3 piles: keep, toss & donate. Then re-org your clothing putting them back in the closet with like items together, from darkest to lightest. I also recommend using either padded or wooden hangars as these will help protect and preserve the shape of your garments. Good luck!
April 14th, 2008
You’ve experienced the ups and downs of single parenthood. Recently, you have come to the conclusion to put yourself out there on the dating scene again. You’ve decided to stop putting your happiness on hold and give this thing called “relationship” another go. You’re looking for the right person with whom you can share a happy and healthy life. Fantastic! Now—what about those kids? How much should they know about what you’re up to?
It is recommended that you don’t introduce a person you date to your kids until there’s a fairly solid relationship. In fact, until there is some sort of commitment, you would be well advised to not involve your children in the process at all. In the beginning, children need to know only the basics: you’re going out to meet a new friend. They need to know you love them more than anyone in the world, that you will be back soon, and life will go on as normal. Sure, you may think it’s cute to see your date interact with the little ones right from the start. You might even have some pretty good reasons, such as wanting to make sure s/he is good with kids. Still, please spare them the early introductions. Here’s why:
- Kids tend to form attachments rather quickly. Should the relationship not work out, they easily feel hurt, betrayed, or abandoned.
- When there are too many introductions without substance or staying power, too many premature family transitions, too much emotional stress, children enter protective mode. From there, it is difficult to reach them or help them form healthy attachments even when it is safe.
Kids need to feel you’re on their side first. Make sure you’ve talked about them with your date. Can you imagine this person to be part of your family? Is she or he someone you can trust? Do you share similar values about raising children? If not, is your partner willing to assume a more supportive role on the side-lines, while you continue to be the main parent? Sorting out such considerations beforehand helps bring down the stress level for all parties involved—you, your date, and your kids.
April 9th, 2008
