Inspiration Doesn't Cost a Dime

This past week has been one of those weeks were a little fun and inspiration was needed to remind me exactly what's important in life. And as I perused the interwebs looking for that bit of mid-week magic, I came across some wonderful reminders about being true to yourself, living life to the fullest, and to learn from one's past.

Here's my weekly dose of inspiration:

Sara Bareilles' new single "Brave." Listen to it first. Hear the words. Let them sink in. Then, listen a second time. And dance like no one's watching.



Sophia Grace of the Sophia Grace/Rosie/The Ellen Show fame has such an adorable video out called "Girls Just Gotta Have Fun." If you have a little girl -- or heck, just your own bad 30-year-old-selve -- make it your 2013 summer song!



Saw the trailer to what looks like an outstanding, star-studded movie called The Butler. It looks like its going to be a fabulous movie. And, very inspiring!

Embrace Your Style

Style is an essence. It’s a feeling. It’s a catch-your-eye-can't-look-away look. To have a style is to have a presence.  A presence that is remarkable. Strange. Decidedly normal. Consistent. Style is a person’s wearable calling-card – their visual nomenclature. 

You can have cyclical style. Wear navy blue on Monday and Wednesday; black every other day – except on the weekends. Or, there is also uniform style: Khakis and polo shirts. Every day. How about brand style? Only The Gap jeans. Only Hanes t-shirts. Only black Converse.    

Audrey Hepburn
in Breakfast at Tiffany's

My favorite style, though, is YOU style.  Clothes that make YOU feel good about yourself. Clothes that define YOU, enhance YOU, compliment YOU. That is the kind of style that is perpetual and memorable. It’s the style of Coco Chanel, Audrey Hepburn, Katherine Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Jackie Kennedy, Madonna. These women found a look, a designer, a silhouette that enhanced themselves. Their fashion choices didn’t dictate who they were – their clothing was merely a means of expressing who they already were. 

That is what style is all about. Finding what makes you happy, what makes you sparkle, and what exudes the essence that makes you YOU. 

So, when you are deciding what to wear tomorrow, think about who you are and what your clothes say about you. Maybe you like your khaki pants and converse shoes – they define exactly who you are. Or, maybe you’ll think…hmmm…that bright orange top hidden in the back of my closet needs a fresh start with a new pair of Wednesday-only black pants. 

For some inspiration at some great prices, here are some calling-card style staples that can help anyone start chiseling away at their own masterpiece style.

1. Tricolor Dress, Zara, $89.90. 2. A Whole Neutral Outlook Dress, ModCloth, $77.99. 3. Camille Dress, J.Crew, $99.99. 4. Striped Unstructured Blazer, Gap, $69.95. 5. Good as Goldfinch, ModCloth, $58.99. 6. Floral Lace Henley, The Limited, $39.90. 7. Convertible Cruise Top, ModCloth, $32.99. 8. Rivington Trousers, Madewell, $54.50. 9. Palette Trousers, Madewell, $79.99. 10. Ivory Dragonfly, BaubleBar, $36. 11. Ocean Bauble Bib Necklace, Anthropologie, $68. 12. Nomad by Mia, Piperlime, $39.99.

Let's Get Organized!

Today was a record day in Phoenix – the first day this year that temperatures have soared well above 100. 108 to be exact. It happens every year at the beginning of June, and when it occurs, it becomes a serious reminder for those new and old to this desert land that you must do everything you can to stay out of this heat. That means, either submerging yourself in the cool waters of a pool, enjoying a two-hour respite in a movie theater, shopping in an air conditioned mall, or staying home with all your blinds shut, fans on full blast, and A/C as comfortably low as your wallet will allow. 

Today, I chose to do the latter. I stayed home and performed tasks that would make Martha Stewart proud. I organized my filing cabinet, shredded documents, cleaned out my medicine cabinet, and read through old cards and letters. Cleaning, organizing, and purging old stuff is always cathartic for me. I actually enjoy going through things, deciding what’s important and what’s not, and chucking things as a way to say “goodbye” to the past and “hello” to the future. 

In my quest to organize a simple filing cabinet, I decided that it was also about time to tackle other organizing quests. I’ve already made an effort to compartmentalize my linen closet. And then there’s my spare room closet, which will eventually become a small craft/writing nook that could potentially house an old (yet functional) typewriter I received from my parents for graduation. There might eventually be efforts to better organize my bedroom closet (which I’ve already done a good job at organizing – especially the shoes) as well as my kitchen cabinets. 

In the meantime, though, I’ll just start organizing what I’d like to organize with the help of some great stores like The Container Store, IKEA, and Target, and products that will feed my need for organization.

 Clockwise: Goldenrod Linen Basket, $29.99-$39.99, The Container Store; Kassett Box, $6.00 /2pk, IKEA; Square Smart Store Tote, $5.99-$8.99, The Container Store; 3-Drawer Desktop Organizer, $12.99, The Container Store; Silver Mesh DVD Bin, $12.99, The Container Store; White Mesh Magazine File, $6.99, The Container Store; Drawer Organizer, $3.99-$7.99, The Container Store

 Clockwise: Double Decker Turntable, $27, Organize.com; Store & Pour Dry Found Dispenser, $8.99-$9.99, The Container Store; Stoneware Canister, $14.99, Target; Kngaren Bottle, $14.99/set of 3, IKEA; Limmaren Bottle, $9.99/set of 3, IKEA; Lilholmen Glass Shelf, $19.99, IKEA; Hair Dryer Organizer, $27.49, Organizer.com; Spice Rack Set, $24, Organizer.com