Taming the monster in the closet...

“Labels are for filing. Labels are for clothing. Labels are not for people.” ~Martina Navratilova

February. Valentine's. Spring is just around the corner and that means spring cleaning. Ugh. Confession: I am the WORST when it comes to cleaning. Seriously. If I tell you how bad I truly am... well, it's embarassing but that's not the point of this blog. We are going to tackle the 'skeletons' in our closets together. :o)

I realize it's easy to become emotionally attached to clothing. I'm the first to admit I have too many clothes. So, I'm going to use a hodge-podge of what's helped me clean my closet and what the 'experts' say on purging your closet. I figure when the closet is purged and organized, it'll be easier to create outfits.

6 questions to ask:

•Have I worn this within the last 12 months?
•Does it fit me now?
- By the time you're thin enough to wear the article of clothing again, will it still be in style?
•Do I feel good when I wear it?
- This is about confidence. Are you your most confident you when you wear it?
•Do I look good when I wear it?
- I think this goes hand in hand with being comfortable. If you're comfortable and it looks good (both are important!) then keep it.
•Am I comfortable in it?
- If you are readjusting the sleeves, tugging to make it longer, or pulling the pants from your rear, you're probably not comfortable. I can honestly say, when I'm uncomfortable, I get cranky, stressed, and cry. Sounds dramatic, I know, but it's true.
•Does it hold any special sentimental connection for me?

If the answer is "no" it has to go!

Last thing: Are you keeping the piece of clothing because you feel proper alteration will make it wearable once again? Beyond a missing button or a simple hem, the clothing would be best altered by a professional. Before dashing off to the tailor, do the math in terms of time and money. If it's still worth it, then get it altered ay-sap. If not, it has to go.

You know yourself better than anyone, I have to have a friend with me for "emotional support" when cleaning out my closet. Plus, a brutally honest friend can say, "Jana, girl, snakeskin has been out for years. Do NOT keep that skirt!". [true story]

Okay, my very LAST tip is all me. There is a difference between vintage and old clothes. This is going to sound a bit harsh... but I realized my ten-year-reunion is next summer. EEK! Unfortunately, unless it's a "wardrobe basic"**, clothes from high school, unless sentimental, may need to be reconsidered. It's always up to you. I'm always an advocate of being yourself so if these items reflect your personal style hold on to it.

So, let's get those closets purged because one they are, we're going to donate clothes and we're going to learn how to use what have to create great things.

"So much of purging is not giving in to your feelings, but rather using your head." ~ Christopher Lowell [home organizing/decorating guru]




** Wardrobe basic- explanation/blog/ coming soon.... stay tuned!

~Get your fashion on~
<3 Jana Faith

Ruby Red

Slippers!

These beauties are my new steal from Payless. They were only $10. Yay! Black is one of my favorite colors but to avoid feeling/looking drab I like to add a punch of color.... so here they are.



They'll be peacefully waiting until it's dryer out.

~Get your fashion on~
Jana Faith <3

Making a choice...

"Oh...I've had it up to here!
The moment that I step outside
So many reasons
For me to run and hide
I can't do the little things I hold so dear
'Cause it's all those little things
That I fear " ~ No Doubt



I am tired of living this way! Fear and worry have ruled my heart too long. This is not how my Heavenly Father designed my life to be. I am putting Him first. It's time! The "what-ifs" and the "you're not good enoughs" have no place in my mind. Those are lies from the Father of all Lies. I've bought into what satan, the liar, has been telling me far too long!

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7



I choose to live and so can you!

~Get your fashion on~
Jana Faith <3

Grammy's - not just for your Grandma. ha!

Okay - so maybe this is fashion - my FAVORITE performances/artists of the night were Lady Gaga and Pink. You may ask, "What do the Grammy's have to do with fashion?" or maybe you're one of the people who watch for the sole purpose of seeing what they wore, either way...

I may be on a bandwagon with this, but I love Lady Gaga. She is, as my friend said, a catalyst. She gets people talking. I know that gal is as crazy as crazy gets but something about her keeps me entranced. I wait to see what she's going to do next. The Grammy's were no exception. Here is what I appreciate most about her: She is 100% original. She has a team of designers who help her create her imagination's dreams. There are no limits to what she'll do. She is least of all concerned with what people think of her. It's a lesson I am trying to learn. You go, Gaga! Plus, as delusional as she sounds at times, I can appreciate when she says she wants to "create a place of acceptance for all the weirdos out there"... sometimes I feel like a weirdo but I don't care as much as I used to about that. Lady Gaga also says, "Be good to your parents." It's a nice thing. Fashion? No. Being true to your values and yourself? Definitely!

On to the next performance... Pink!


So, apparently, she performed somewhere else in a nude bodysuit. I musta missed that. Either way, what made her performance intriguing was not just that she performed in a body suit with bedazzled 'personal areas'. To appreciate what was going on... I had to look past the awkwardness. Pink! did cirque-de-soleil type movements while SINGING - [NOT lipsynching]and having water poured over her and the co-performers. Sounds crazy, but it was so beautifully captivating. Also, the song she sang was such an emotion-evoking song. So... again you ask, "Fashion?" my reply is: Not necessarily fashion but it was more about personal style. She had to learn something new to be able to perform the way she did. Learning new things is part of growth. She exposed herself physically and emotionally. She left herself open. By no means am I saying to go around in extremely revealing clothing. Modest is hottest! ;o) My point is, allowing non-traditional beauty can be a good thing. Beauty in people's uniqueness. Beauty in finding God doesn't fit in a box. Yeah, I made Pink's performance about God...

God is massively creative. I am so thankful for the uniqueness He's blessed me with. Being afraid of the way God made you... well, let it go. Do your own thing and be concerned with what God thinks of you instead of what other people think. Really, I'd rather Him be proud of me for being myself than being what someone else thinks I ought to be.




"Sometimes in life you don’t always feel like a winner but it doesn’t mean you’re not a winner.” ~ Lady Gaga

"Calling me sugar
You called me sugar" ~ Pink

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." ~Psalm 139:13

~ Get your fashion on ~
<3 Jana Faith

Fashionably late...

It seems like it's been forever since I've shopped for the sake of shopping... I need to make a mall run soon. Even a thrift junket would be fruitful at this point... The beatiful snow needs to evaporate, melt, disappear, [insert synonym here]. Plus, being ill hasn't really given me much motivation to shop. Anyway, here are my recent thoughts:

*said in a high pitched emphatic voice*
Why?! Really? Reeeeallly?! There are some trends no matter how "popular" , "trendy" or "comfortable" they are I can not jump on board with. I have to remain true to myself and my sense of what is cute. For the love of pete!!!

For example all the Hollywood starlets jumped on board the bootie train... and quickly I might add! Those blasted eye-sores were wearing on me and grating on me for months before I finally decided a select few of those could be considered semi-cute. Once I finally got a pair they hurt my feet like a mug! Still cute but not worth the pain!

Another item I can't quite fall in love with is those harem pants. I think to rock the look you have to either a) be very thin or b) extremely tall... Some people can pull it off, but I really can't bring myself too it. Plus, good news for me, it looks like those may not have caught on.

I know, I know, I KNOW there are lots of people who really enjoy a certain brand/style of shoes out there. I am thinking of 2 specific types of shoes... I've decided for the sake of certain friendships these shoes will remain nameless. I will describe them for you as follows:

-Let me tell you, the first ones just won't die! They are freaking ev-uh-ree where! Knock-offs are in abundance. For crying out loud, you can purchase these monstrosities anywhere from "shi-shi" stores in the mall to your local grocery store. No lie. They're everywhere and everyone who wears them claim they're the 'most comfortable' shoes. Let me say this; nearly all my shoes are comfortable AND fashionable. That's all about those.
- The second shoes: Well, they're much better to look at than the first and there aren't nearly as many knockoffs to my knowledge. I just don't like them. They are named after some guy and their website claims the shoes to be semi-ecologically friendly. So kudos to them! Either way, their shapeless canvas and flat sole CAN'T possibly be good for foot health.

So here's my point:
I choose to be "fashionably late" to trends I don't agree with. If you've read this far...I probably sound like I just vented a bunch. I probably did. Be true to yourself. If you like booties, harem pants, and figured out which shoes I'm talking about...stay true to yourself and don't let this fashionista change your mind.

~ Get your fashion on ~
<3 Jana Faith