{Color Me Pretty}

Accessorize yourself with...

Pops of Color

I know I probably sound like a broken record. Color, color and more color. Sure, I love neutrals. Yes, I have plenty of brown, grey and black clothing to go around a time or two. But this season, I've decided to stop my routine of wearing mostly brights during the spring and summer seasons and start adding them to my fall and winter wardrobe as well. For instance...

I decided to invest in a few new items for my closet, including colored jeans. Cobalt, teal, maroon, rose, mint...I wanted to have more of a variety when it comes to pants. It's already proving to be worth the investment. I love a good, dark pair of jeans...but for those days when I want to wear a neutral-colored, over-sized knit sweater or spice up an otherwise traditional 'winter' outfit, these definitely do the trick!

Sometimes, just one piece of brightly colored clothing is enough to make a bold statement. Another item of clothing I love in a great color is a coat. Over the years, my coat collection has grown...and I'm slowly working my way through my favorite colors.

My top-pick color is red. It adds such a pop to your look and compliments every skin tone. I also have grown fond of mustard yellow, burnt orange, bright purple and kelly green. I've got my eye on a certain color this winter, but may need to practice a little self-restraint and add it to my wish list for now.

For me, a perfect fall outfit is a chunky sweater, paired with colored jeans, a lot of gold accessories and a fabulous pair of boots! Or perhaps a little black dress with colored tights and an eye-catching overcoat. Or maybe even...well, the possibilities are endless!

Images via Pinterest 

{Instagram Moi}

Follow me on Instagram

@vmaruca

(and join in on my adventures!)

www.instagram.com/vmaruca

Images courtesy of © 2012 Chateau de Victoria

{Closet Refresh}

Indulge in...

A Closet Refresh

"If you can't see it, then you probably won't use it." 

That's my motto when it comes to the refrigerator, pantry, bookshelf...and closet. I like to visually account for what I own in order to maximize its purpose. I'm borderline OCD when it comes to organization, but I enjoy switching up my wardrobe and playing dress-up! So in preparing for the fall & winter seasons, here are some tips on getting your closet (and dresser) in check:

Once a Year: Start off by doing an inventory of everything you own. Make piles of the things you (1) love & wear often, (2) sometimes wear, and (3) haven't worn in a year (or more). For the latter two piles, try on every piece of clothing. If it doesn't jump out at you as exciting, comfortable and/or stylish, put it in the (4) "giveaway" pile. Yes, breaking up with material goods can sometimes be difficult, especially if they hold sentimental value, but there is no reason to hold onto, say, your old prom dresses or other various items that you will never wear again. This goes for shoes and accessories as well. Do the right thing and donate these "once-upon-a-time treasures" to someone who will actually use them! Not only will you make someone else's day a little bit brighter, you now have room for new additions! Win-win situation.

Once a Season: Some things stay in style and some things never should have been in style in the first place. I'm a firm believer that you should re-evaluate your closet at the start of every season (specifically spring and fall), tossing items that keep appearing on hangers (and in drawers) but are never actually worn. Helpful tip: Turn all of your hangers backwards and as you wear things, turn them back around, facing the right way. This will show you what you do wear and what needs to be re-considered! If something is stained or ripped, trash it. Your closet should be filled with things you want to wear, not things you have to avoid.

Once a Month: Clean up and get organized! Take time to put things back in their proper place. Group clothes together based upon color, cut and/or length. This will make your closet easier to navigate and also allow you to come up with better outfits in a shorter amount of time. 

I mentioned here about a few charities that welcome clothing donations, but there are so many local and national organizations that will not only take your goods, they'll pick them up from you too! Use resources at your church, office or school to give away your no-longer-needed clothing, shoes & accessories, and check out these sites as well:

Soles4Souls

Donate My Dress

The Princess Project

Planet Aid

Images via Pinterest 

{Factory Girl}

Today, I am loving...

Andy Warhol

by Nars

Pop Factor. Colorful. Fashion Statement. Vibrant.

As soon as I spotted this collection I knew I had to share it with all of you fab readers (unless you already know about it, in which case let's just pretend you are as giddy with joy as I am!!). Nars has a pop-art inspired collection currently selling in Sephora and a factory-inspired collection that will hit stores November 1st!

What kind of Warhol girl are you?

Pop Art or Factory?

I am and always will be a huge Andy Warhol fan. His work first inspired me back in the early days of college and even in the early days of this blog. If you ever find yourself in Pittsburgh, do yourself a favor and go visit his museum! 

[snapshots from my visit back in 2008]

"People need to be made more aware of the need to work at learning how to live because life is so quick and sometimes it goes away too quickly."

-Andy Warhol

Images via Sephora and Chateau de Victoria