Pros and cons to planning a wedding abroad

Laura Rose Barth April 12, 2015

Our plans leading up to the blissful moments this photo was taken can be described two ways. I've decided to use details from our Riviera Maya wedding to highlight the pros and cons in planning a wedding abroad.

Here's a priority list Clint and I made before planning for our wedding. You may remember it from our Chicago elopement post. Missed it? See all the photos here.

1. Marry in a quiet and non-frilly way
2. Create memories with our parents and siblings on a warm and relaxing holiday
3. Have really amazing photos
4. Pick out classic wedding clothes we would still love in years
5. Write our own vows

There is a massive amount of photos and information to share so this will be a multiple part post. Let's tackle a few of the topics right now; Location, Beauty, Travel and Clothing Details.

Narrow your choice of location, until you do it will be impossible to begin planning.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!

PROS : Endless choices, Pinterest is a helpful tool to see both the fancy resort photos and actual travelers snapshots, If you've found a resort - look it up on Instagram to see what visitors are actually posting. A very raw, unpolished look at what your getting into.

CONS : Endless choices! Don't allow the idea of a perfect location let you miss a great location. This was the hardest part for me, slowing down our process SIGNIFICANTLY. Securing dates for your event can be very competitive, specifically if you are looking for a certain date and time.

We created a monster for ourselves by trying to make wedding plans within 3 months time. Not impossible, but not recommended either. Both families run similar small businesses allowing a small window of opportunity to travel each year. Top it off, both our leases in Chicago are up in May so the practical side of us won as we began merging our lives together in only 3 short months.

Be a skeptic, make sure you have a recommendation from a trustworthy travel agent or friend. You're not just planning a trip for 2 but considering your whole party (no pressure!). Dive in, the internet is your BFF. What's being said about this resort? Which holidays fall during your dates? Take note of seasonal weather trends.

BEAUTY - Build a theme for your wedding that begins with YOU.

You are probably wondering why I think beauty holds such a prominent place in your wedding planning? Right, well here's what I've learned in the last 10 years from my clients and now personally that made the biggest difference. Ever.

You HAVE to feel the part.

Early in the planning process I didn't have a theme for our wedding, at least not one with much cohesion to it. Honestly, I had a hard time knowing what part to tackle first. Location, dates, guest list, style, travel, clothing reception, food, entertainment??? So I took on everything. 'Besides, I knew talented people in all these areas I wanted to work with.'

I had nothing to base my decisions on, EVERYTHING was in limbo. I couldn't even choose a dress, which NEVER happens. I almost always have a vision before I even go shopping. This felt like a colossal waste of time.

So I quit.

Insert ah-ha moment. I was planted in a salon chair in Gold Coast responding to e-mails as fast as I could, not wanting to waste a whole afternoon getting my hair done.

My phone chimed with a client's text asking which outfit would bring cohesion to her family photo... we already knew where it would hang... And thennnn it hit me...

I refuse to help anyone else with clothing for a family photo shoot until I KNOW the mom is TOTALLY happy with what she's wearing. But, I don't want her to just be happy, I want her to feel amazing about herself.

You're right, I do get a lot of kick back... but only the first time I have to be firm about my rules. Once her canvas are on the walls, we are scroll bars deep in texts about which outfit is more flattering to wear at her niece's wedding and whether or not she should still be wearing under eye liner.

I AM the mom in this situation. I'm wanting to zoom ahead to take care of everything (and everyone) first. I don't want to slow down long enough to figure out a plan that I adore. A dress I LOVE. A hairstyle that fits my entire vision. Shoes I can give to my future daughter.

Instead I'm spinning. The worst is, I know, literally KNOW from ten years of experience, that if I'm not happy with how I look I won't cherish these photos like I should. All because I didn't take a bit of time for myself.

Sounds selfish you say? Maybe. Try to put yourself in these shoes. If we're truly honest, it hits pretty close, eh?

*Special note... the Pros and Cons section on beauty is DIY. We all have different priorities. Its up to us to be honest with ourselves. Don't feel confident... maybe ever with your beauty routine? Its OK. Ask for advice from a trust worthy source. It can be as simple or involved as you decide. No need to constantly reinvent your routine. If it works, own it. Even extra sleep can be part of this beauty routine! Please do take a sliver of time for yourself, its reflective and It's interesting what manifests itself in other negative ways when we don't take the time.

Naturally, I woulddd kick-start this destination wedding series talking about hair. Seriously, here's why I think it's important to plan your wedding hairstyle MONTHS ahead.

Hasty decisions are often ones you live to regret. Don't change your color OR significantly cut within 6 months of your event. (I'm talking to Bride and Momma here, we know you care just as much how these pics turn out, and you should!)

Leave yourself enough time to get comfortable with your style. This topic is similar to why I think its a terrible idea to wear new clothes to a photo shoot.

Oh, you haven't heard this rant? The KEY to outstanding photos is LOOKING COMFORTABLE. Until you wear an outfit once or twice you can't possibly know how it will photograph or how it will make that strange wrinkle that looks like a gut when you move a certain way. I could go on...

Only buy what you LOVE and wear what makes you feel good. Same applies to your hair. New doesn't always hold the trump card, even if it makes you feel good for the moment.

Practice perfecting your ideal hairstyle instead of reinventing.

I chose a simple hairstyle for my sister and I. I knew we would be battling wind most of the time so we found a style that actually is perfected with weather. I think I still underestimated just how much wind and humidity we would have but I was over all happy to have stuck with my plan.

I wanted a style that wasn't too far off from my everyday look but longer, thicker and no too perfect. I began far in advance finding my wedding hair style. I knew for me an updo would never stay totally in place with this weather, so I built my bridal theme around that soft, free spirit look I envisioned, keeping everything else simple. I call this statement hair. It doesn't need other accessories, its the main show.

If you're curious about my wedding hair style... I've shared more detail here of my love affair with permanent extensions. Curious about how to find the more cost effective non-permanent extensions? Sign up on our home page. I can hardly wait for this feature with my friend and stylist, Bonnie Knobloch.

TRAVEL CAREFREE

PROS : Find a travel agent you trust. Did you know there's no extra cost in working with an agent? I've traveled internationally frequently and felt confident I could assist in this task. I quickly decided planning for 18 instead of 1 is a job I don't need or want.

As a wedding gift our agent, Julie, from Suzi Davis Travel upgraded our suite to a beach front. This walkout was perfect for us and just steps from everything! She also was privy to other travel discounts with her position. Most agents are required to visit resorts. Again, find a like-minded agent. Ours knew our goals and was not afraid to tell us the truth about resorts that looked far better online then in reality.

CONS : I only wanted to travel to locations I could have first hand recommendations of, so this limited us. We traveled with Apple Vacations. Navigating O'Hare Airport was simple thanks to the vacation agents waiting for us. Travel home was very different. Cancun's International Airport was a right mess. Not many agents waiting in their blue Hawaiian shirts to direct our group (moving 18 people is no easy task).

Make sure everyone in your party has current passports, yes, even babies. Birth certificates are no longer accepted crossing a boarder via air. #noquestionisadumbquestion

We needed to find a resort that would allow monkeys. Ahhhem, small children. My two nephews plus brother/11 year-old-man-child, Henry, planned to attend our wedding, so the elimination process happened naturally for us.

You can't do this sort of four-wheeling at just any resort. We ended up at the Now Sapphire Resort which is a branch of Secrets Resorts that welcome children but still have a classy feel with loads of chic photo opts!

Zara kids, have you been?! Loved these beach friendly outfits for the littles.

Remember I mentioned the suite upgrade? Clint and I ended up with Preferred Club status as a wedding gift from our agent. This quieter, adult-only pool/lounge area made for magical photos. The Now Sapphire Resort has smartly staged another area called, "Kids Club", near the main pools but separated by landscaping. Kids definitely are treated like VIP instead of unwelcome guests here.

The nearly hidden entrance to the Preferred Club was a perfect fit for the casual photos I planned to take. I love my wedding dress but knew I wanted a more casual (yet bridal) look for some of our photos. You can find our clothes here : Suit (similar) / Sneakers / White Shirt / Belt / Watch / Cropped Top (sold out) / Leather Skirt / Flats

(Many of you have asked... we have decided not to share the source of our rings. It's our one secret. Anything else we will gladly share our opinions! Hope you understand.)

WARDROBE DETAILS - the beauty of pairing high end and low.

PROS : We agreed early on that we would try to choose simplicity over excess for our wedding. As minimal lovers we would rather have one item of great quality then five items so-so. Think fewer better things. It became a game for us to find items with multiple uses.

We choose a wide selection of colors to make it simple for guests to choose their clothing. This is another area hard for me to not micro manage, but thankfully for everyone's sakes I found far too many other obligations. Clearly I NEEDED a wedding photo coordinator and thankfully I had one in Chicago - but wished I had brought her to Mexico!

In the end, a shoe-free wedding was a choice I'm glad I made instead of approving 18 pairs of shoes. Remember friends, only take on a few important tasks and delegate the rest. Besides, the best man had lovely bare feet thank to his spa visit earlier that week.

CONS : Finding great quality items is very time consuming. I spent days trying on gowns before finding the one. Hours and hours in search of a pink stone and the thinnest band possible (for both of us), White sneakers only worn once b/c of the nasty blisters they leave behind. Remember what I said about never bring a new item to a photo shoot? I'm eating my own words!

Share a sample of your colors with all your guests unless you trust your perception of blue grey and blush to be on point with theirs, just trust me, they never are.

Want to make the best suit choice? Check out this article where we break it down for you... everything you need to know, plus a little manly style.

Maid of Honor Gown  jewel belt + Bridal Gown — Maid of Honor Gown jewel belt + Bridal Gown

I'm excited to share the next few posts with you ... images of our wedding and the celebration following that live in that tender place in my heart and head... Thanks to Tami Page Photography and Charming in Love for your hard work in telling our story with your photos.

Please don't miss this... as much as I bang on about colors and style and vision, your wedding is about two very unique people building a life together. Now that's something to celebrate and if I can share my thoughts to make your day just a little sweeter, then I will, plus some.

Until next Sunday - Laura

Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber lashes (2 coats) — Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber lashes (2 coats)

2 simple tips for thicker lashes in less than 30 seconds

Laura Rose Barth April 6, 2015

It's a little hobby of mine to write (or talk!) about anything related to making you feel more confident in front of a lens. When I opened a note asking which mascaras photograph best, I grabbed Jaclyn and we rolled up our sleeves and got to testing.

We hear this question often, so we've compiled a short list of versatile mascaras (both drugstore and name brand) for many or few lashes and lengths.

Mascara options are endless but for the purpose of wearing for a photo shoot, we keep these options close.

If you have a mascara you love that isn't on our list, tell us about it!

Tips to try before mascara :

Remove your mascara to allow your lashes to breathe whenever possible. We suggest using coconut oil to remove your makeup. These oils will moisturize your lashes and keep them from getting flaky and dry.

One of Jaclyn's best kept secrets is to apply castor oil overnight to promote new hair growth... I mean, check out these lashes and brows!! Clearly just looking at her pics, its working.

Use a Q-Tip or clean mascara wand to apply castor oil (I've just bought it for under $10 at Whole Foods) to your lashes or eyebrows. Specifically sparse areas or gaps.

Remember, consistency is key. Apply faithfully every night and expect to see obvious increase in growth within 4-6 months.

*Clean length, what's that? Typically, when you're having a portrait taken the focus is on your eyes. When your mascara is messy, it's distracting. That little bit of mess on your lids takes away from the sparkle in your eye. Here's a few ways to get clean length.

2 simple application tips, for more realistically thick lashes in less then 30 seconds:

When applying mascara, start at the base and wiggle your wand upward instead of straight swipes.

You're not done yet!

Don't allow your lashes to dry then coat, instead continuously apply for 30 seconds and keep that slight wiggle going the whole time.

Mascaras : The short list

Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber lashes - for a bold, dramatic look. Application is three part; gel base, fiber coat, then gel finish coat. Fibers will fill in sparse lashes, leaving a fuller end result. This application is buildable, so take your time applying. We noticed with more than 2 coats you may begin to see the fibers on the ends of your lashes.

For our favorite results using only Moodstruck; apply a light coat of gel, a heavier fiber coat from the lash base for a dramatic lash. We prefer not to do as many coats towards the end of the lash. From a photography perspective, the most natural look was achieved with one application from base to tip and then adding additional layers near the base.

Keep a clean medium sized brush handy to clean up any stray fibers on your face!

Telescopic - a drugstore favorite we suggest for precision and length. Telescopic is a good choice if you have thicker, closely lined lashes. The wand looks like a wide tooth comb. This brush allows you to comb mascara threw your lashes and avoid those ugly clumps. This wand it's not great for sparse lashes. If your lashes are thin consider pairing this wand with a fiber mascara to comb threw for a "clean" lash.

Wet n' wild, Mega Length - this wand has a few more teeth then Telescopic's and I like best for average to thick lashes. This mascara stays wet longer then most and allows easy manipulation and long length. Again the wand is more comb like and will give you "clean" length like we've been talking about.

This is my cheapie favorite for medium lashes. I've used it for years in between more pricy mascaras and keep going back.

Notice I've curved my Mega Length wand to match my eye shape. It's not difficult to do if you have a pliable wand. Simply pull the wand out of the tube to the brush base, then bend to mimic your eye curve. This will allow you to get closer to your inner eye comfortably.

Not all wands will be flexible enough to bend to shape your eye, but you'll never know till you try!

They're Real - I always keep a tube in my bag. Benefit has built a nice (not so little) mascara empire for themselves, boasting length and volume for all. I'm among the believers as this brush grips lashes, adding fullness and length but few clumps. There's a extra long comb on the tip of the wand that lets you get to each lash, even the corners.

Side note, I would not recommend the purse sized version of They're Real. Using the miniature wand and brush head I'm never able to get the same effect.

Special note, we have been asked to write this review but the opinions are 100% our own and based on how we feel looks best in photos. We have not been paid to promote any one brand, but rather items we love and think you will too. - Laura + Jaclyn

What you need to know before buying a suit.

Laura Rose Barth March 22, 2015

I've dedicated quite a few hours (or days rather) researching suits with my new hubby. What have I found? To begin with, many everyday terms that I didn't know the exact definition to. Come along with me a second.

Slim, Regular, Classic. Not sure? Here's the differences.

Slim

• shoulders are less constructed

• a high armhole eliminates extra fabric and creates a more form fitting look

• suppression in the waist gives shape to the jacket

• trousers are tapered to the leg opening

Regular

• shoulders are moderately constructed

• armhole height balances shape with movement

• slight suppression in the waist gives the jacket more form

• trousers feature a higher rise and a straight leg

Classic

• shoulders are more constructed for a fuller look

• a low armhole provides an increased range of motion

• less suppression in the waist limits constriction

• trousers are cut with a wide leg

(Compliments of Bloomingdale's fit experts.)

Ok, now that we're on the same page with the lingo let's talk about brands.

A few brands to take note of.

Hardy Amies : a English label who's fully embraced what is being called "casualization" of tailored clothing.

What does this mean for you? Look put together while wearing one of Hardy's unlined, breathable suits. A cool perk for warm weather.

Tailored, casual items with everyday comfort.

Hardy Amies separates can be worn year round.

John Varvatos : A Detroit born, American designer who became famous for his creation of the boxer brief in the early 90's.

Besides influencing your underwear drawer, Varvatos was named 2007 GQ designer of the year.

His charcoal chambray three-piece, super lightweight suit is just one more reason to add him to your radar.

Hugo Boss : A style house based in Metzingen, Germany named after its founder Hugo Boss (1885–1948).

Keep your eye on Boss' suit section in high-end department stores. Often you can find a Hugo Boss suit discounted and it will be your most prized position.

Truly fine craftsmanship that's built to last.

Guys, ever worn a stretch suit before? So comfortable!

J Crew : 2 suits = tailored style for anyone, any size, not just the slim. Check out the Ludlow and Crosby style guide.

*Be cautious of J Crew factory suiting. J Crew's outlet appears to offer past season suits that seem like a nice savings but the quality is far less.

Lightweight suits :

Summer suits can seem frivolous. The fabric is lighter, which means the suit overall is thinner and will not keep its shape nearly as long as a year round suit.

Should you buy one? Yes, a warm weather suit worn for the proper occasion is a wardrobe staple.

The Ludlow suit jacket in délavé Italian linen just arrived here at J Crew ... Review's are very positive, 4.8/5 stars.

How much should you spend on a suit?

There are 3 price brackets to expect when suit shopping.

$100 - $300 Department stores such as JCPenney, Sears, Men's Wearhouse carry a basic suit that can typically withstand everyday wear. The down side to an "everyday suit" is the cut and fabric may appear budget.

$400 - $900 A suit at this range can be found at Suit Supply, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, and some designer shops. Closely examine fabrics. Finer, delicate fabrics will look nicer to the eye but cost you more and not hold up with daily use.

$1000 - $2500 will buy you a designer suit such as, Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, Theory. These suits are created to last you a lifetime of special occasions. Fine details and fabric need TLC. Treat this as an investment.

How to fake an expensive suit :

If you would like to save money, choose a well fitting suit and find an even better tailor. You can take a low end suit and make it look much more expensive.

Remember, its all in the cut and fit. A sloppy fit would make even an expensive suit look cheap.

Questions to ask... how often will this suit be worn? What season would I like to be able to wear this suit?

You can buy an all season suit in a lighter color that will pass as a "warm weather" suit but last for many more wears then the thinner material of summer suits.

#1 rule in finding a suit, get the shoulders right. The single most important rule.

#2 find a trustworthy tailor. Honesty & resourcefulness are key when selecting yours.

Adjustments are investments in looking good.

As kids we often stole our Mom's sewing machine to tailor our own clothes. I remember watching my brother, Pete, sew the sleeves of a nice button down shirt to fit his arms perfectly.

To this day I look to Pete for affordable and effortless style. He's traveling in Europe this summer and may make a guest appearance on my blog.

"1 suitcase, 30 days, 30 outfits for the traveling man."

...if I can get him to agree.

I asked my husband to read this post and he said, "Money. You need to have a lot of money before buying a suit!" We've both have enjoyed researching men's tailoring before suit shopping for our Mexico wedding in March. I loved the blue one he chose from Suit Supply... and here's how it looked.

How to elope on a dime in Chicago

Laura Rose Barth March 15, 2015

Dads always joke with their daughters about passing them a wad of cash if they agree to quietly elope, right? Maybe that's just in my family.

I have to think somewhere, deep down, everyone who's been faced with planning a wedding has thought of eloping, even if it was a fleeting thought. There are so many pressures with wedding planning but when we are really honest with ourselves we think of eloping as the easy way out.

To be honest, we legally were married at the Chicago courthouse because it would make things much easier for our small destination wedding in Mexico. However, in hindsight our courthouse ceremony marked a very intimate and special day in our lives, one that I wouldn't have thought would mean as much as it did in the end.

Even my mother-in-law, who is known for throwing huge and fabulous parties said, "that was so nice we wouldn't have to have another ceremony." I took this as a compliment since I know tradition and large weddings are very important to both families.

The warm fuzzy feelings we now associate with our courthouse wedding and the intimate moments we shared with our parents have left me wanting to share small bits of this day. I wanted you to know, in all the flurry of weddings and fulfilling every obligation, often the small simple things are the most meaningful.

We've returned from our destination wedding in Mexico just two hours ago and thoughts about this little post have been churning in my head all week.

I have always felt strongly about saving and splurging. Sounds contradictory, right? Let me explain.

Fewer better things.

I've been trying to practice this mantra the last few years and it is a theme in our new life together and was in wedding planning as well. Especially our registry!

Here is the priority list Clint and I made before planning for our wedding.

Each of these priorities begin to show up on our budget, some with more dollar signs then others. I have rather strong opinions on what items should be splurged on for photography sake and where we could save.

Here's how that list ended up looking for our courthouse ceremony.

CLINT
suit $$$
shoes $
boutonniere $
ring $$
watch $$ (old)

LAURA
dress $
shoes $
hair $$$
make up $$
bouquet $
ring $$
coat $ (old)

OTHER
black car service $
photographer $$
breakfast $
courthouse fees $

More behind the scenes notes:

Flowers : I choose to have silk flowers to save money and use on three events; courthouse ceremony, Mexico wedding and Chicago reception. I typically LOVE fresh flowers but I knew if I wanted to cut some cost I could here, plus I often cannot tell the difference in fresh over silk in photos.

Photography : A courthouse wedding (depending on the time of day) is short, ours was at 9:30am, lasting only 10-15 min. I REALLY did not want outdoor photos since it was February. The nice thing about the Cook County Courthouse is the interior has a European flair and we could stay in one location for photos. We took all of posed shots in less then one hour. Another savings was, I opted for a better/more expensive photographer but a more conservative time line. We spent a total of three hours with ours. I saved time also by getting ready in one location and riding together. I opted for only one really talented photographer instead of two, which is another savings. Most photographers are willing to shoot elopements on an hourly fee especially during a weekday. This is a big savings compared to an all day wedding on a weekend.

For more info on our photographer, Tami Paige Photography or Everyday Charming wedding photographers Charming in Love - don't miss these links.

Clothing : An exceptionally well fitting suit is key to great wedding photos. Clint completely agreed and found his in only ten minutes. We splurged on his suit knowing he would continue to wear it for years and the color and cut were perfect. This is an area that often is over looked. Even a little oversized or a poor color choice can be tragic. White shirt, bow tie and shoes we found at a great savings. His watch was a little more pricy (#fewerbetterthings) but a gift that he already had so it didn't add to our budget.

My dress I envisioned to be classic, fitted and simple. Pictures of Marilyn Monroe and Jackie O came to mind. I found it right away and was even able to price compare online since it's a common brand at under $100. With a small embellishment I didn't need to spend on jewelry. I always seem to shop for Clint and I and many of our clients at Bloomingdales. They have the best end of season sales so my budget allowed for a nicer pair of shoes but on a 70% off sale, yes please! Nude kitten heals would be comfy yet make my legs look longer and slim. My coat I've had nearly five years so a good cleaning and minor alterations and my outfit is done!

Hair and Makeup : Take your time here. Find a style FAR in advance that doesn't look too unlike your everyday. The regret I hear most often is how a bride doesn't feel like herself on her wedding day. Take your everyday makeup and give it a special twist but be cautious getting caught in a trend or going overboard. I did (and do) spend a pretty penny on my hair. I'm not ashamed to admit this since it is part of my budget. I do wear permanent extensions which need changed every 6-8 weeks and color that needs the same upkeep. I think well groomed hair is the best accessory a woman could have. Save your clothing budget and find a dependable hairstylist, this will make you look a million times better then one new outfit could ever.

Rings : Clint and I chose rose gold rings since it reminds us of two of my great grandmothers both named Rose, as well as my middle name. I have always loved soft pink and this ended up being an easy choice for wedding colors along with nudes, ivory, warm grey and tans, a palette for both winter and a beach wedding that all our guests would already own. Tossing in some blue and coral just as a pop in our outfits.

Breakfast : Tasty treats make for pretty pics and kept us full in-between our vows and flying out that afternoon for a quick beach getaway just the two of us.

I hope you can find some inspiration from a day that will be a strong memory in our minds for a lifetime. - xo Laura Rose Davis

Want to look like this traveling? — Want to look like *this* traveling?

What stylists won't tell you about creating a DIGITAL closet in 5 easy steps

Laura Rose Barth March 8, 2015

I'd like to introduce a brave woman and personal role model of mine. She is the Customer Expectations Manager at Caterpillar Inc., a wife, step-mom, leader, advocate, engineer, volunteer, friend, aunt, listener, encourager... identify with any of these roles? I thought you might.

Jada Hoerr, spends a good deal of her time living from a suitcase. She even confessed to me that occasionally she doesn't even unpack it.

When you actually feel like this? — When you actually *feel like this*?

Jada recently invited me into what I consider a sacred area, one that reveals so much about a person. Yep, I'm talking about her closet.

Today we felt the first hint of spring, yes 45 degrees counts, and the best time to tackle your own closet. Whether you neatly stack by color or hoard black shirts, it's time invite some fresh eyes over to reassess.

Jada agreed it would be smart to digitize her closet for easy packing on her many trips. Before we could begin this process we first had to THIN OUT!

I really like this list of questions from The Every Girl when assessing your own wardrobe. Be a tough critic if you are attempting this on your own. Better yet, ask your most honest friend or a professional to help.

Checklist thanks to the creative minds at TheEveryGirl.com - Read the rest of the Valerie Chen's article here.

Your own digital closet in 5 easy steps!

1. Thin out clothing, only keeping things you love to wear. Be ruthless, everything else must go.

2. Take a snapshot of each item

3. Create a digital log for each category - organization is key!

4. Assess needed or missing items - shop from a list, I promise you will be happier with your purchases!

5. Create outfits using items in your digital closet. (I like to keep mine on my phone so it's always with me.)

Jewelry is the most affordable way to freshen up your wardrobe. Jada has collected each of these pieces that tell a story or represent a friendship or experience. Pearls from friends in China, handmade beads from her relief work in Tanzania, glass rings from her years in Brazil. I'm gonna tell you a secret... it took me 30 minutes to untangle these. I had good company but finding a way to keep jewelry organized and accessible is key to accessorizing!

Never underestimate what you already have! A fresh pair of eyes in your closet could quickly pair an unlikely duo. NEVER over fill your closet. What you can't see you will never wear.

Stylist notes* Her arms are extra long and we added to our shopping list a few wrinkle-free button down shirts. This is an area for Jada to splurge since in order to flatter her figure these shirts will need to be taken to her tailor. (She also shared with me she only irons immediately before wearing so wrinkle-free fabrics are well worth the search.)

Layer, layer, layer! Mix and match your clothing before you buy something new. You will be amazed at the combos you can create.

Jackets are your best friends and the fit is everything. More on proper fit here. Don't be afraid to toss an ill fitting piece, even if it was expensive. You will need a honest second opinion to see angles you might not be able to see on your own.

Stylist notes* We quickly assessed Jada's skirt and pant situation. Her figure is most flattered with a knee length A line skirt. Pants are a major problem for Jada. She is 5'10 and very slender. Only one pair of her pants fit properly. Brown pants and grey are now on our shopping list. Here are the pants we vetoed.

New shoes are on the shopping list too. Comfort and durability are paramount as Jada catches flights, visits work sites and is on her feel for hours on end. A bit of fun can be added here with a leopard print or colorful shoe.

Sample outfit: 1 outfit, 2 locations, 40 degree climate change

Tights and a jacket keep you warm in Chicago then shed it to stay cool in Dallas later that same day.

Shopping list :

1. Brown pant and grey pant with a straighter leg, more tapered with a bit of stretch.

2. White fitted cropped pant with a sateen fabric and some stretch.

3. One white button down long sleeve top and one in blue or lavender.

4. Red shoes - flat, wedge or kitten heel

5. Leopard print pumps

You can refresh your closet yourself, with a friend or with us! In a matter of a few hours that scary dark hole can be a beautiful closet you can enjoy and easily manage.

Want the details to get a closet like Jada's? We've spent only 4 hours doing our magic and at only $45 per hour. E-mail me at laura@everydaycharming.com to share your closet secrets, I'm sure we can find you a solution that's pretty and smart just like your wardrobe will be.