Summer To Fall Closet Switch With Barbara McKay + Simplicity Organizers

It is almost time to put those spring and summer clothes aside and bring in those for fall and winter!  But if you're really on top of things like one of Charlotte's longest most loved personalities for all time, Barbara McKay, then you've already made the switch.  A few years ago I had the delight of assistance with getting my closet together thanks to Charlotte's own Simplicity Organizers.  If you need help getting it together (like me) these are the folks to call. Below are some before and after pictures of my then closet. 

The over extended exhausted drooping bar is my favorite.  For the sake of visual sanity, I am a firm believer in having all of the same hangers.  I use these black felt ones by slim line.  I also recommend clear plastic shoe boxes in order to keep your shoes in their best shape while being easy to find. You can do this yourself, or call Simplicity to take care of any and everything organizational thing for which you are able to find no time.  Now back to the fashion...

Let's see what Barbara McKay has to say on the matter of swapping out your closets for a new season.  Read about her cutie patootie fashionable self HERE and check out her tips. Have a great weekend everyone!

Streamlining Your Wardrobe + The Impact Of Clothes + Southern Spring Show Giveaway Winners

One of my favorite parts about my work is knowing I have done something to help another person feel good about themselves. The clothes you wear are not just that.  They way you see yourself in your clothes, in the mirror, is a very powerful psychological thing.  Putting your best foot forward impacts not just the way others view you but is a reflection of how you view yourself.  

It was a fun surprise waking up to an awesome review about an upwardly mobile young lady's experience working with me to streamline her wardrobe in order to help break the cycle of over-consumption. At age 30, Caitlin is interested in having fewer, more quality pieces that will allow her to have a more refined and sophisticated wardrobe. Thanks to a joint effort with Simplicity + Spunky Avocado, I think we were able to help her achieve just that!  

I'm a working mom to two young VERY busy boys, and despite the fact that dressing up is part of my job, I wear my work out clothes many days just like everyone else.  It is true.  Your appearance sets the tone for the way others view you, so when you have a day "off," you don't have to always reach for those easy comfortable clothes.  It really does help to take a few more minutes to make the effort and put something on that is good looking.  If you think you or someone you know might enjoy a closet consultation or personal styling session with me, email me at whitley@thequeencitystyle.com.  I'd love to help!  Thanks to Simplicity, Spunky Avocado and Caitlin for this great opportunity.  You can read about Caitlin's full experience HERE. 

Last but not least, please read my comments in the blog post to see if you were the recipient of the Southern Spring Home & Garden Show ticket Giveaway!

Less Is More (You Know I'm Not Talking Accessories)

My home organizing partners at Simplicity are joining forces with Spunky Avocado to launch Less is More: a year long movement to help break the cycle of over-consumption and its resulting clutter.  The goal is to make space for what matters most to you.  If you follow me on Instagram you might recall my closet rebuild thanks to Simplicity.  Here is the before...

And the after, so fresh and so clean clean...

This lively, yearlong collaboration will kick off with a Junior League Lunch and Learn onThursday, April 7th, 2016 at 11:30am.

GUEST SPEAKER: Bruce McIntyre with Choices Do Matter

He will be focusing on how our every day decisions greatly impact our life.

What to bring: A salad topping to share.

Cost: $10 + Free for all Junior League members but Click Here to Register

RAFFLE GIVEAWAY!  If you would like to be entered into our fabulous RAFFLE, please bring at least 3 articles of clothing to donate to the Junior League Warehouse. (This may include women's, men's or children's clothing).  There will be 2 lucky winners for the raffle.  One will include 3 hours of services by Spunky Avocado, and the other winner will receive 3 hours of services by Simplicity Organizers.

WHEN: Thursday, April 7, 2016 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM (EDT) - Add to Calendar

WHERE: Junior League of Charlotte - 1332 Maryland Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28209 - View Map

Organize Your Closet

Here's your quick and easy, free advice folks!  My friends over at Simplicity, Charlotte's organization guru squad share the quick and dirty on how to organize your closet.  Check it out for yourself, or learn more about Simplicity here.

Simplicity

Just because I love fashion doesn't mean I am orderly about it.  Overall, I think I am an organized person, but the right brain side of me always seems to creep into the picture.  I guess that's what you called organized chaos.  In this month's Charlotte Parent Magazine,  I shared Four (unexpected) Ways To Treat Yourself This Mother's Day.  I wanted to take a moment to highlight one of them.  My husband and Precious Peanut #1 have been at ski school since Thursday, and while being with Precious Peanut #2 for four days with zero break is utterly exhausting (holla if you hear me), I always seem to get so much more done around the house when there's only one.  I'm going to take a quick moment just to say that after taking my creative frustration out on our yard and patio, I think it is now borderline Charleston Gardens material. My closets have made some notable progress as well, thanks to the mad organization skills of Simplicity Professional Organizers.

Here is the BEFORE...

My Closet Before Simplicity Entered My Life

And now, here is the DURING, then the BEFORE again and the AFTER...

Here's the thing.  Could I do this on my own?  Yes.  Do I have the time, energy or interest?  The time, no, but you make time for something that is important.  Energy or interest?  H E double hockey sticks to the NO.  With all the hats I wear, just taking the time to figure out where to start with a project like this was daunting.  Simplicity came in, and BOOM.  They told me exactly what I needed to do and what tools were needed to fix the problem. Some of the biggest changes you will see are the coordinating hangers, the amazing clear shoe boxes, my husband's new shoe rack, the band for my baseball caps and the biggest thing... Jon was given the task of literally raising the bar.  Did you see how bad that clothing bar was bowing?!  Bravo!

If I never get that extra bedroom turned into a closet all for myself in this house, I'm gonna make the best out of what I have.  I still want to paint the interior and change the lighting and perhaps throw down a little rug for color.  Having professionals like Simplicity come into your home is an indulgence, but it is worth every last penny.  I know for a fact ain't no mama out there going to argue with me that this one is better than........ a pedicure!  Get the 411 on Simplicity here.