Shoe Sale

This week, Tradesy, an online consignment site, is taking an additional 10% off already reduced prices.

Liz Claiborne peep toe wedges for $32.24.

These Tory Burch boots retail for $495, but are $325 at Tradesy.

These Kate Spade pumps that for retail for $598 are $291.50.

 Minnetonka moccasins for $27.64

Tradesy is an awesome place to buy and sell clothes. The search engine to shop for clothes is quite good. Type in a keyword and a relevant result appears. It also can save filters such as size, color, and brand. The shipping price is built into the price displayed. For selling, the seller keeps 91% of the proceeds and Tradesy keeps a 9% commission. Payments are available for withdrawal once the item has been shipped. I highly recommend this site for both buying and selling.

How to Clean a Closet

Closets are a best friend and a worst enemy. They never contain the right clothes for the right occasion. They are perpetually filled with more clothes that do not fit, are out of style, or do not make the owner feel good than they are filled with clothes that the owner actually wears. 

Thus, closets become a storage ground for hording clothes. It is difficult to let go of that one shirt you wore practically everyday two years ago, but no longer fits right. Or the Christmas dress you have photos of yourself wearing when you were ten. Or the outfit that needs to be taken to the tailor but you've been putting that trip off for an entire year. 

It is hard to wear anything but that expensive sweater that fits you like nothing has ever fit you before. But there comes a time when a closet becomes so full that pushing the hangers together creates no more room.

Cleaning a closet

Be ready to trying on every piece you have not worn in the last year.  It is absolutely crucial to try on clothes that have not been worn in over a year.  The tendency to place the item back into the closet becomes far less when the item no longer fits the way it used to.

Ask yourself the following about each item:  Does this still fit? Do I feel good in it? Would I buy this at a store? Will I wear this again?

Donate an item when: it cannot be sold or returned, is not discolored or stained, or it is not damaged.

Sell an item when: it was expensive, it no longer fits, or it has no signs of wear. Tradsey is a great website to sell clothes and accessories on. Tradsey takes only a 9% commission, which is far less than most consignment stores and websites. 

Double the closet space with a closet doubler: Purchase a hanging rod that hooks over an existing closet rod to gain two tiers in one closet.

Twice the hanging space

 Separate clothes: whether by season, color, or long sleeve and short sleeve, make a system.

Fold sweaters: Heavy clothes lose their shape on hangers.

Use garment bags: Where there is wool, moths will find it. Place wool and silk pieces in garment bags over the summer.

Maximize space: Place shoes on the closet floor and belts on a belt hanger.


And lastly, 
Always remember, clothes are frustrating: There will constantly be times when a closet full of  clothes produces the reaction I have no clothes - I have nothing to wear.  It is crucial to clean out closets frequently so inventory can be taken. When this happens, shopping becomes more efficient as you know what pieces you have enough of and what pieces you do not.

Summertime Heat

Summer in Virginia is brutal. 95°+ turns into "feels like" 110 with the humidity. Imagine casually walking outside with a camera expecting to take photos, but no, that's not possible because its so humid the camera lens keeps fogging. Late afternoon storms with torrential downpours are normal.  The sun shines most of the time, but by golly it's nasty out. I can fry eggs on the sidewalk I wanted to. And I can't forget about having sweat beads on my face when I'm simply standing still. So here's to trying to catch a break from the heat:

1.  Go to the pool: Take a break and go swimming.
2.  Protect yourself from the sun: Yes, this means Mom is right (hard to admit, I know). Wear sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses.
3.  Wear shoes that don't suffocate your feet: Try Rainbow Flip Flops. The support these shoes give is well worth the money. Plus, they're durable.
4.  Keep hydrated: Drink plenty of water. Have a bottle or glass of water on hand every where you go. Try iced tea too!
5.  Exercise early in the morning or wait until after 6pm: Don't even attempt to run during the heat of the day... not a brilliant idea.
6. Read a book you can get lost in: Maybe it will be set somewhere cold.

Bag: Old  Bikini top: Rampage Bikini bottoms: Target Baseball hat: The Black Dog (similar) Sunglasses: Cole Haan Croakie: The Black Dog Sun hat: Michael Kors (similar or similar) Flip flops: Rainbow

The "It's Almost Summer" Playlist

It's finally 70 degrees and there's leaves on the trees! So here's to driving with the windows down.

     1. Put You in a Song - Keith Urban

    

     2. Beachin' - Jake Owen

  

   3. See You Tonight - Scotty McCreery

     4. Springsteen - Eric Church

     5. Boys 'Round Here- Black Shelton ft. Pistol Annies

     6. I Want Crazy - Hunter Hayes

     7. Beat of the Music - Bret Eldredge

     8. We Are Tonight - Billy Currington

     9. Take A Back Road - Rodney Atkins

     10. Long Hot Summer - Keith Urban

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Tuckernuck: A Class Act

Love, Lilly Flamingo Catalina Top, photo from tnuck.com

"Tuckernuck is an online retail destination curated for the classic, all-American lifestyle." This line is the first read on the About Us section of the classy e-commerce site Tuckernuck. It is clear with only a little browsing that this line defines the company. From anchor bracelets to printed shorts, this site offers it all for those looking for classic, elegant, and sophisticated. Tuckernuck is a toned down preppy: a little less fratty and a lot more classy. It offers a more grown-up wardrobe selection, but at the same time is fun, vibrant, and youthful. I am 17 and would buy close to everything on the site if I had the money.

Saint James Navy Galathee Shirt, photo from tnuck.com

Tuckernuck offers a large selection of smaller brands. This makes it a very good place to look for specific things because there is a good selection of items from brands you may never have heard of (I found out about Sail to Sable this way). I went on Tuckernuck looking for a dress for a wedding a few weeks ago and found The Baja Sea Fan Kilpatrick dress from Persifor, which is now a serious contender for purchase. The website is very easy to navigate and has multiple photographs for each item. This alone keeps me coming back as most e-commerce sites don't have this feature.

Toucan Hats packable wide bow sunhat, photo from tnuck.com

I have not purchased anything from Tuckernuck yet, and if I do, my opinion of the business might change. That being said, the only negative thing about Tuckernuck are the prices! For me and my budget, most of the items would be a splurge; however the items are high quality and timeless, which makes buying worth it if the piece will hold up.

Tuckernuck is based out of Georgetown (go to this section if you're ever in D.C) in Washington, D.C. 

  

10 Things You Didn't Know Before: The Hannah Edition

1.     I am an avid fanatic of country music. Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, Kieth Urban (I saw him in concert the summer after 8th grade, and if you ever get the chance to see him live, DO IT! He is just as good live as in recordings), and George Strait are on the top of my list.  

2.     If i don't go outside for more than 20 minutes a day, I get headaches. I think this is more of a mind over matter thing for me, but I really enjoy being outside. Even if its 5 degrees out, I have to be outside for some part of my day. Call me crazy, but fresh air truly makes a difference in my overall productivity of the day.

3.      I really like school. Well parts of it... I absolutely love the learning aspect of it, but I hate the social aspect of it. I'm one of those people who would rather have a conversation with an adult than with someone my own age. Knowledge is something that can never be taken away from me and that is in part why I find learning and schoolwork fun and enjoyable. However, being in such close quarters to a thousand plus people between 14 and 18 years of age for 6 hours, 5 days a week is a daunting task. That part wears me out more the most.

4.     Reading is my one of my best-loved hobbies.  There is something to be said for getting so involved in a book that when you put it down, your confused as to where you are. Read The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet and you'll understand.

5.     My dog is my best friend. 

How can you not fall in love with him?

6.     I love baking. Cooking not so much, but baking is fun. The finished product is usually a sweet and the dough  has to be tasted of course. And the spatula licked. And the bowl. And the beaters. It's also rewarding. A tangible and edible (most of the time) is created.

7.     Nike shorts and T-shirts are my after school uniform. They're comfortable and more of a motivation to get moving... No changing required to go running or do crunches, you can just get up and go!

8.     On the estate I will someday own, will be a  mile-long winding drive, lined with trees, leading up to a historic house with white columns  and double doors facing the rolling hills of the countryside. What can I say? I have large goals ahead of me.

9.     I really like the ocean. The appeal for me is its vastness and the lack of its full understanding. It is something that mankind does not truly know everything about and for that reason, I am drawn to it.


10.     I am a nerd, if you can't already tell. And I am so utterly proud of it.

The Best Chocolate Cake Ever Tasted

I came across a photo of this chocolate cake on tumblr  and it was one of the one's you can taste in your mouth just by looking at it. The recipe is from addapinch.com and is titled The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe {Ever}. And let me tell you, it is all that and more. It is very easy to make (the prep time is only 15 minutes) but does call for espresso powder, which took a few minutes of searching for at the grocery store.

I made this cake a week ago and had the last piece today. It tasted the exact some. If you put a piece in the microwave for 15 seconds, the frosting turns into a chocolaty lava... You have to make this, however be prepared for comparing any and all cakes to this cake and never finding a superior one.