6 items or less challenge {Outfit 13}

It's really hard to wear Boyfriend Blazer with a non-mini skirt.  So to do this I have to wear this Pashmina to break up the look.  Pashimina's are great for days when you want to wear a casual cami or t-shirt. vs something more dressy for dress codes.  Also I found that when you have more boxy jacket and the fit is not so great, Pashimina's help cover it up. There are days when you just don't feel like wearing a button down or expensive top.  So under a Blazer if you tie it properly, it covers almost of the casual undershirt beneath.  And if you take of the jacket off later in the day.. you can wear the Pashmina as a wrap to cover up your undershirt or casual T-shirt.

Pathmark Sale $1.49/lb Chicken Breast !!!!!!!!

It feels like ages since I've been to Pathmark..truth is their sales have been a lil BLAH lately and I don't get free coupons anymore.  And I actually am still trying to finish my stockpile.  And the Asian Supermarket sales have been pretty sick.  I still have 2 avocados left over from when they were on sale for 3 for $1...The reason I posted is because Chicken Breast is at my all time low price of $1.49 lb!!! But they've put a limit of one family pack per card.  Hint: Bring a Friend or Spouse ... Man looking at the circular really makes me think EVERYTHING has gone up in price.  I miss the days of getting Oatmeal for free or a dollar... now $1.99 is the best price I've seen in a while so I'd pick that up if I were low on my stockpile.  And $.99 for that brand greek yogurt is cheaper than BJ's so if your a health freak this is a great deal! And they're really filling, I still find eating a whole cup hard to stomach but its really healthy.  And for me to see OJ for less than $2 even when its not Tropicana is really rare.  So that is reason alone for me to go before the sale ends Thursday.

6 items or less challenge {Outfit 12}

Just added cardigan to break up the look, you can move the folds closer to chest so its more like loose scarf top.

Bobby Flay Burger Throwdown

I had to post about this episode to represent QUEENS baby.  And she's from my favorite Queens neighborhood Jackson Heights.  So this Throw Down with Bobby Flay is Burgers, and I love Bobby's Burger Palace so I thought this would be a great learning opportunity.


Episode Link


SO the challenger Susan from Jackson Heights does a tour of her neighborhood and she buys her Feta and Special Homemade Greek Yogurt from a local grocer.  I took general notes for BBQ season coming up.


Sauce for her Greek Lamb Burger
homemade greek yogurt 
cucumber 
dill (fresh )
chopped garlic


---Looks like she just mixes and keeps aside for final composition.


Rest of Ingredients


Fresh Ground Lamb
Salt, Pepper, Cumin 

Greek Feta
Pita Bread
Romaine Lettuce (bed)
Egg plant sliced marinated in olive oil, vinegar and fresh oregano




Salt, Pepper, Cumin is what she seasons meat with.  And something super cool she does is mix fresh mint with her meat so that the flavor infuses.  She cooks and doesn't press down (so you don't lose the juices)


Put bed of romaine lettuce on one slice of Pita Bread, then mean, then yogurt mixture and finally egg plant.  And shes's done.


TIPS from Bobby in this episode


Bobby uses 75-80 fat ratio for juicy burger
Bobby doesn't season inside meat.  He just heavily seasons on outside with salt and pepper (helps give meat nice crust)
For his pressed burger, he puts cookie tray on grill, then whole burger, then aluminum foil wrapped brick to press and melt the cheese.

6 ITEMS or Less for 30 days Challenge {Outfit 11}

I personally love this outfit and necklace.. I basically flipped the Cardigan backwards to create a plain shirt.  And I kept the tights and shoes black so necklace would become the centerpiece.

Scarfs as Necklaces

You probably can guess, I've moved on to decluttering and organizing my Scarfs. It's ALOT easier than moving on to Tops yikes.  I came across my spring/summer dressy scarfs from a couple years ago back when head scarves were all the rage.  

I had a mini bag full of  the fake silk, chiffon kind that I got like for 4 for $1 at the dollar store.  Like the above that are 36" by 7.5" rectangles.  Even though their light, I was still thinking of whether or not I should put them in my to pack pile.  These two are probably the ugliest ones that I forgot to put in my laundry pile.

As the true procrastinator that I am I started researching scarfs and their multiple uses.  I already know that their great for corporate dress code, belts, hair bands but ONE of the coolest things I hadn't considered was as statement necklaces!!!

I did the above just like the Hermes instructions, and even though its not luxurious silk...I think it could work and the best part is they work really well with casual outfits too.

I think the funkier the print the cooler the necklace.  This one I did two simple knots and the last note I made it bigger with multiple knots like a tie and tucked in the ends.

I was trying to do this look, but its been a while since I tied a knot...which I admit looks great because of the silk fabric.  I bet that the faux silk would look just as good.

After I complete my move, I'd really want to get some pieces to do the below more complex statement scarf necklaces.

So yeah, I'm definately packing these babies. Especially since I've come to the conclusion that I will probably only packing mostly bland basics.

Decluttering and Organizing your Closet

6 Black Shift Dresses

I know I've mentioned casually in my past posts that grouping will really make you see how much of something you already have and make you realize you do not need to buy another one but this was like WOW.. I mean I really have 6 Black Work Shift Dresses!  This doesn't include the 3 casual cotton ones I can think of somewhere in my clutter sigh....The worst part is one still had tags on!!! 

I'm REALLY starting to question my sanity, I mean what was I thinking buying so many???? And now how am I only going to pick one to pack???

I think I should pack the new one with the tags, looking at the price sticker I see it was a $150 Banana Republic dress marked down to $23.50, ok great deal but I really didn't need it.  The only issue with packing it is that it has this unique origami style front and I think packing a more classic style will be more versatile.

LESSON to ALL: Organize your closet so you can see how much stuff you have that are the same and avoid the mistake I made.  Plus, you may discover some dresses you've completely forgot about like I did.

6 items or less challenge {Week 2 Review}

Another week completed.  I'm thinking more and more that I could totally get away with this.  

Nate Berkus Show Episode on Decluttering

I love love Nate Berkus ! He has the most amazing segments ... it almost makes me wish he were hetero and I just could marry him and he could just organize and beautify my clutter seriously.. I've been at decluttering for ages now...it's been seriously stressing me out.  Again, this segment is going to be a savior I'm just 15 min and I am seeing results.

On his show he had on Organizational Expert Geralin Thomas and she breaks down clutter personalities into 5 types.

• Easily Distracted
• Procrastinator
• Bargain Shoppers
• Sentimental
• Perfectionist 

How bad is it that I'm all of the bolded.. yikes....

The trick that is working is the TIMER idea, basically I just set a timer for 15 min (its been long day and I'm tired).  I realized that I haven't been using my time efficiently because I do get easily distracted and it's easy to feel overwhelmed.  The time helps me focus on time and my the ONE thing.. I'm working on organizing.  Basically the first step is to pick one thing and grab them all and put them back to their rightful place.  Your not sorting or organizing yet.  Your just grabbing all "LIKE" things and putting them back to where they are suppose to be.  

I used this time to grab, toss and sort all my paperwork to the system I developed so far for my first round of Decluttering and Organizing my PAPERS.

I'm doing this because I need to just get rid of all the paper laying around and realistically organizing my papers will really take a long time to organize and file.  And when I have time to watch TV....during commercials, I open all my financial mail from its envelopes and put everything else back into the box.  15 minute and my room does look less messy and I can actually see the other stuff I have to declutter and organize easier.

The expert has an official 5 day plan she put on Nate's website LINK ...I think I'll try it after I get a little more done.

6 items or less challenge {Outfit 10}

If there was one item I wish I had bought more of it would be this wrap cardigan, its so versatile.  I wish I had better camera quality pics but so you could see it better but basically you put the ends of the cardigan in the loop (you can use anything like a bangle) and put to chest area.  Then loop the ends like a halter top.  This look creates extra volume on top and changes up the cardigan.  I put on a white undershirt so you could see the contrast better but in real life I'd probably pick a matching undershirt. Note: Undershirts are not counted in the 6 items or less challenge.

Jewelry Organization on the Cheap

I was researching online cheap Jewelry Organization and Storage Ideas and I found a bunch of great ideas.  Some which don't cost you a dime if you already have them around your house.

RINGS/ SMALL EARRINGS

Chocolate boxes!!!!!!  If you haven't yet thrown away your Valentines Day or Holiday boxes, this would be a great way to reuse your boxes. I've always felt gulity about throwing away such pretty boxes so this is a great way to be more GREEN and save money.   Logically if you think about it chocolate nuggets are the same size as some rings and small earrings, and most boxes come with that carved out separated plastic molding just perfect for you to drop small earrings and rings into.

Like the above from Godiva.

And Rocher is awesome too because they have clear plastic tops so you can store and easily see what you have on hand and protect items from dust.

This one is a deluxe box from high end chocolate retailer but look how it would be perfect for organizing a huge collection.  I love them all better than traditional bulky jewelry boxes especially since most come in super flat boxes perfect for stacking and space saving.  

Large Earrings, Bracelets, Necklaces

Muffin tins are perfect, especially if you have ones that have been scratched up or you've upgraded to silicone bakeware.  I'd use them for Bracelets mostly because I've found out the hard way that Bracelets with elastic bands should not be hung or they will stretch out and become useless.  I love this idea because there are tons of really cute organizers out there but realistically, I need to just dump my jewelry at the end of the day.  Realistically, I wouldn't have the patience to go the extra step and hang stuff...yess I am that lazy.

If you want to take it a step further you can spray paint them a pretty color.  Like this crafter did.  And if you don't have any... you can always go looking for some damaged ones at thrift stores.

Silver Jewelry (small)

I read somewhere, that you shouldn't mix metals with each other because they will react and rust faster.  Not sure if its true but for me since I'm moving, I'll probably bag my more expensive silver jewelry in small zip locks.  They actually sell them one of my local asian gift stores but I'm not sure of the price.  Amazon does seem like my next best bet because with Amazon Prime shipping is free.

Link to Buy

6 items or less challenge {Outfit 9}

I love my Club Monaco Skinny belt, it's actually double sided so I can flip to either black or this dark bronze crocodile finish.  For this outfit, I picked the Crocodile finish so it didn't look like the standard black and grey.  I think the belt makes the dress look like a completely different dress or am I just bias?

Abercrombie and Fitch Sale!!!!!!! Button down shirts for $12.50

Normally, I only shop retail during clearance season and that is when I pick up my basics.  I really think the only time to ever shop retail is when their having crazy sales.  For Abercombie and Hollister, the best deals for a New Yorker is online.  As much as I hate Abercombie's politics, they make some really high quality stuff, and the fit is super amazing!  So finding button down shirts for $12.50 is like a super super deal!!!!!  The Janna shirt is perfect for a corporate work dress code.  And the Fallon shirt is more casual and has more color options. 

And they make really great dressy tops.  I love this one because it looks like the bottom has elastic band so that you get an automatic muffin top hidding poof.  It's a great shirt for work and casual.  

And if you were stockpiling for next years christmas... I'd totally pick up their PJ pants and super cute !!  I would have picked these  up for my lil cousin based on her really shallow comment about how she only gets her friends name brand PJ's (guess who didn't get my target PJ's)

You can top off with free shipping by signing up for their mailing list.

Warning, their sizes run small and stuff goes FAST!!!!!

DIY Shower Curtain for Storage

I seriously have been coveting this shower curtain with built in pockets from Walmart .  The Pockets are made of mesh which drains easily to prevent water buildup. Seriously for a New Yorker with a tiny tiny bathroom, this is a great way to declutter up some of your bathroom especially if you have to share the bathroom with others.  

It's $14.96.

 You can buy this at Walmart but its currently unavailable online but for future reference here's the LINK

The site didn't offer much details for the curtain but here's as close of a look as I could get

I still can't tell if the pockets are inside or on the outside... 

But here's my DIY solution to getting a Shower Curtain with Storage thanks to the DOLLAR Store.

I found this Utility Bag meant to organize common Lobby items like Mail.  But upon opening it, the hook looked like the same size as my shower curtain rings and plastic and clear material made me think WATERPROOF and that this would go great with my currently Clear Shower Curtain.  

I put it in the middle, because I wanted to leave the Utility Bag as undisturbed as possible.

I wanted to use this for storage of things I don't necessarily need all the time or didn't want in the shower space.

So I filled it with 

Face Exfoliator

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil

My more expensive special occasion Philosophy Body Wash

Razor

Emergency Bar of Soap ( I hate it when I just run out and have to step out for just that)

Toothpaste

ToothBrushes

Lotion

Neutrogena Microdermabrasion Tool and Refill Pods

I tested it and everything was easy to reach for and stayed dry ( with the obvious exception of what I actually used in the shower).

It may not look as sleek and fancy as the Walmart one but it works and frees up some much needed space. 

All this stuff would have taken up all this counter top space . Now it hangs vertical and does not hog up any additional space that hasn't already been designated by the tub.

 My Utility Bag actually has more pockets so you can separate more things.  Also I just use one curtain if you use a liner and fancy curtain, you could try putting it in between the two and if your curtain is heavy.. it would hide the utility bag.  Or easily unhook and hide when guests come over.

Anyway my DIY solution (I'm not crafty at all) costs only $1.08 with tax VERSUS $14.96, which I guess if you consider that you use your shower curtain everyday the cost per day is not a lot.  

But one of the goals of my Decluttering mission is not to spend more MONEY than necessary during a recession and to achieve a more clutter free existence.  Personally, I think that ORGANIZATION has become a money making machine for lots of corporations.  Seriously, there popular specialized stores like the CONTAINER STORE, BED BATH and BEYOND, IKEA, CRATE and BARREL on top of Target, Walmart, etc.. all making tons off people who are trying to be more organized in their life.  And I think its great that there are companies out there improving peoples lives but if you look at the price of their products their ripping people off a bit.   Considering so many great solutions, I've found at the dollar store.  A normal person could literally spend hundreds if they bought retail easily while on this mission.  

6 items or less challenge {Outfit 8}

I wished I had a better camera so you guys could differentiate but basically I'm wearing the cardigan with the ends tucked into my skirt so that it's a plain V-Neck Style wrap shirt.

6 items or less challenge {Outfit 7}

This is what I meant about the fit of the ZARA dress, when you put a fitted top on it shortens the length of the bottom skirt portion and it creates this boxy skirt that isn't A line or pencil.  Well it kinda looks like baggy pencil mini-skirt.  Normally, I would never buy a skirt like this or wear one because its just not my style right now.  BUT I think the color blocking and fittted jacket makes the situation a little better.  On the PLUS side, I do look to Reese Witherspoons style for guidance on my body type and she does this kind of skirt occasionally.  I think its because it does a very good job of hiding a muffin top and lacking behind; while showing off legs without high heels.

  I didn't pair jewelry with this because of the color blocking and since none of the shoes I'd used so far were working I grabbed first pair of fancy black flats I had to make up for the lack for jewelry. Hopefully, people look at the detailing on the shoe and legs vs ill fitting skirt bottom.  

**I would not wear high heels with this situation.. I think that would make the look somewhat tacky like Paris Hilton when she tries to dress conservative.

6 items or less challenge {Outfit 6}

I'm really amazed on how a statement necklace can really transform an outfit.  I know I've said it before but statement necklaces are truly amazing and super versatile.  I also rediscovered my love for my nude ballet flats, they really make your legs look longer and give you a more spring/summer look and let you focus on the dress with the statement necklace.

Peach Pants Spotted at Pretty Girl for $3.99

I don't know why I couldn't resist going into Pretty Girl one of my favorite hidden gem clothing stores in NYC but it was so hard not to pick up these pants.  And a couple of other things I saw. The most tempting was these Peach colored light denim fabric straight leg pants.  The could easily be modified to skinny leg pants.  They were really cute and only $3.99!!!!!!!!  And 3 for $10 if you got 2 more pieces they had for that deal like I saw a couple of empire waist tunics that would have worked.  And they had this awesome black floral mini skirt dress in one of my favorite cuts from H&M for $5.99 as well.  And they had basic leggings for $1.99 as well. I really wanted one in mixed grey/white and cream.  But I'm on a fashion diet and I just can't pack it in my move.  So I'm doing the next best thing which is blogging about it hoping someone else gets to enjoy those amazing pants. Perfect for the Boticelli spring/summer look we seem to be having lately... Man I want those pants!

So so chic!!!!!

Pretty Girl

136-21 Roosevelt Ave
Flushing, New York 11354 

Operation Declutter: Going CRAZY organizing my clothes

I feel almost ashamed to say that this is how I feel right now during Operation Declutter and this is just organizing CLOTHES!!!!!

I have literally spent the last 48 hours doing non-stop laundry and drying clothes for storage!!!!!! The drying part is the worst, it's like the top of my jeans don't dry at the same rate as the rest.  Normally I would just put it in drawer or let it hang dry but I'm trying to at least get some stuff ready for storage so everything I'm storing needed to be a 100% dry.

This is what I've been able to organize so far... I've eliminated, grouped, washed, delinted and bagged the easiest stuff first.

• Work Pants (Formal Dress Pants)
• Nice Work Button Down Dress Shirts
• Jeans
• Sweatshirts
• Gym Exercise Clothes
• Premium Denim  (ok just in space bag right now I haven't figured out what to pack yet for Premium Denim)

Thank You... 6 Items or Less Challenge!!  Honestly, I am only wearing the most minimal of clothes right now so I can store all the above away.  If it hadn't been for learning about the 6 Items or Less Challenge, I would not have been confident enough to pack this stuff away.  By doing the mock run for work outfits, I become really confident in the belief that you really don't need many clothes.  My old self, would have ruined all the nice packing and not have been able to put this stuff away in storage because I'd always feel like I'd have to go back and get just one thing.  Hence, why my bedroom flow always has a stream of clothes on the floor.  By limiting your choices, you become a lot more efficient in dressing quickly and decluttering.


I still have tons to do:


Buy More Bags
Figure out how I'm going to sort and store... Sweaters, Tops, Accessories and Casual Pants, Skirts, Dresses (basically the way more unique and challenging pieces)

Operation Declutter: More Dollar Store Finds

I'm seriously loving the dollar store these days they have so much of the organization stuff , I need for way cheaper!!!!!

And as I continued to struggle in decluttering, I've jumped on the Ziplock bandwagon... Gosh I'm so glad I found these at the dollar store for $.99 because Ziplock bags have gotten ridiculously over priced these days. And these are perfect for all the smaller things, I haven't figured out yet how I'm going to organize.

So I'm just grouping right now with these baggies.  These bags are like 2 cents a bag, vs paying 10-15 cent for the name brand ZipLock brand.  It's important to note, I am not using this for food storage.  With all the plastic recalls these days, its important that you want to cautious of plastic and food.  So even though there are a ton of cheap food containers at the dollar store and really cute ones at that, I only would by glass Mason Jars from the dollar store for food storage or my trusted Lock and Lock which is BPA free.

And for my dusting, I thought I'd give the MICROFIBER fad a try.  I saw a bunch of cloths at Target for around $2.99-$3.99 a cloth, which is ridiculous because I remember even seeing same name brand at the dollar store awhile back.  I got alil distracted when I saw something even better, they had Microfiber Gloves and this awesome thing.  I picked this because I wanted to keep as much distance from me and dust as possible.  For $1.29..... I'd say this is another great find.

**I just tried using it and I cleaned some dusty things and I didn't sneeze once even afterwards!!!!!!!!  This is crazy, OMG like I had no idea how amazing Microfiber dust fabric is!! I was seriously worried that I was developing serious adult allergies to dust from my prior days cleaning, I had even starting wearing a scarf while dusting.