resolution time + messy closet

what do these two things equal?..

any of you who know me, know that my closet is rarely never organized... so for another year in a row, i will put cleaning out my closet somewhere on at the top of my new years resolution list. 

finding my motivation

in order to stick to this resolution, i needed to pinpoint the problem and find my motivation.  besides the overflow it has caused into the living room (shared one bedroom apt in the marina= mini office is now my walk-in closet, plus the couch, plus the living room floor...), and i never thought i'd say this *gasp*, but i've started to dread going into my closet; seeing the clutter and wading through piles of clothes becomes stressful and furthers my procrastination to get it together. 

and the sad thing is, it has gotten worse since this photo was taken days ago...

a rule to stick by
if you don't wear it, get rid of it. don't keep clothes you haven't worn in over a year.  i'm pretty sure i still have downtown clothes from my sb days (read: jersey knit t-shirt "dresses," cover ups, halter tops), many pieces i haven't put on in years. i cannot wait to donate every piece to good will; less clutter + donating= peace of mind.

ideas + tips to get it right
organize by clothing type, make the colors visually flow and avoid crowding when possible; i'm more likely to keep it up if i make it easy on myself!

clear a space in your closet for ready to wear ensembles; whether i'm going to the office or have a big holiday weekend coming up, i can keep outfits planned out in a dedicated section- i won't have to stress about putting anything together in the early am before i run off to work or while i prep for holiday guests to arrive (if only i had implemented this before christmas and nye!)

loving this vintage frame canvas pinboard i found on pottery barn's website... great for outfit ideas!

running short  on inspiration? i like to leave my favorite catalogs (jcrew, anyone?) and magazines in my closet; i tear out pages with my favorite outfits i want to recreate... i'm going to pin them up to a board or tuck them away neatly in a drawer- the next time i find myself in an outfit rut and all of the usual combos exhausted, i can look back to the ideas i saved and have instant outfit inspiration! 

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i plan to get started this weekend... wish me luck!