A real piece of ecological furniture should have 100% materials ecological: recyclable and possibly recycled wood and toxic free paint (water based). Trees are the world’s only renewable structural material, let’s use them. The pack took 3 weeks from the order to arrive in America shipped directly from Italy, well packed and with well explained instrutions. My husband helped me mounting the wardrobe and the two beds. We found a ready to mount wardrobe with screws and all pieces needed. I ‘d like every single piece in my house to be part of an ecological forniture. I spent a fabulous weekend with my family.

Searching around the web I found very few articles about this topic. It seems that Europe forniture industry has more care rather than American one. So I found an italian firm called Mazzali producing bio-forniture like wardrobes, beds, bedsides tables. I’ve ordered from the e-shop two beds for my son and me and a wardrobe, pure italian style and toxicfree, hoping we’re just in a better future. I was a bit suspicious but I’ve got to admit the material’s high quality standard. You need to know how to distinguish what is pure ecological from what is not. Is not enough for a piece of forniture to have the label “recyclable”.

When you get to a certain age it slowly starts to dawn on us ladies that over the years we’ve probably accumulated more clothes in our wardrobe (not to mention the spare bedroom’s wardrobes, every chests of drawers in the house, all the bedside tables, the attics, under the bed, kitchen drawers and even in the garage) than we could possibly wear in a year.  And yet we never have anything to wear!

If that sounds like you then follow these few basic guidelines and not only will you suddenly have tons of space in your home for important things like the grandchildren’s letters and pictures, but you will also have a streamlined capsule wardrobe and always something nice to wear.

Firstly – be ruthless.  Sort through your clothes and throw everything that you haven’t worn in the last year in to the charity shop pile. If all the four seasons have passed and you haven’t worn something then it is extremely unlikely you are going to wear it ever again.  Don’t hold on to anything that’s too small in the (vain!) hope that you will slim in to it one day. 

Next, sort out the remaining clothes in to different colours.  How many colours do you have?  Most people over forty should stick to a basic palette consisting of a few colours that they know suit them.  If there’s a little top or blouse standing out on its own because it’s lime green, or custard yellow then are you really sure the colour’s you?  If not, then bung it in the charity pile!

Anything that’s torn or a bit dirty then put into a rubbish pile, as however nice you look in something there is nothing worse than stains or bursting seams. 

Now you have the start of your ideal capsule wardrobe.  The next step is to check that you have the 10 or so essential clothes items that every woman, no matter what her age, should have.  These are the clothes it is worth spending a little more on – spend wisely and they will form the basis of your outfit every day, whatever the occasion. 

These include well fitting underwear, a versatile silk scarf or pashmina and beautifully cut separates that you can mix and match.  Ensure you have a tailored jacket or blazer that you can dress up or down and invest in a cashmere or wool coat in a classic colour and cut as it will go with everything and last you years and years.

If you don’t already, next sort out your wardrobe in to winter and summer clothes.  Now’s the perfect time to pack away all your summer skirts and linen dresses.  Take a little time to fold them properly, place tissue paper in between, and remember to pop in a little sachet of lavender, and you’ll be rewarded next year with a summer wardrobe that’s ready to go as soon as the sun comes out.

Finally colour code your clothes.  Some people advise hanging skirts and jackets and so on together but I would recommend that you put similar colours together.  Not only will this look much nicer it suddenly becomes so easy to find things.  If you haven’t the space to hang everything, put similar tops and jumpers together in to clear boxes so you can see what is inside or label them on the outside.

All this will only take a couple of hours or so and it’s well worth the effort.  You may never say you have nothing to wear ever again!

A new year approaching always gets me thinking about New Year’s resolutions . One resolution that is easy to make, keep and practical is to resolve to update and amend the contents of your wardrobe. This not only makes you feel good; after all you can give the unwanted clothes to charity, but it also allows you to evaluate your clothes and make room for the coming seasons purchases.

The best way to start is to take everything out of your wardrobe and put it all on the bed. Make several piles of clothes: those that you wear regularly, those for special occasions, those that you haven’t worn in the last two years and those that don’t fit you.

It is those that don’t fit you that are the easiest pile to sort out first. If they don’t fit you now, they are unlikely to fit you in the coming year. therefore the best thing to do with them is to donate them all to charity. If you can’t bear to do this have a clothes swap party with your friends – that way others get to wear your cast offs and you never know you might end up with some new clothes yourself.

The next pile to deal with is the ones that you haven’t worn in the last two years. Look at each piece of clothing objectively – is it something that is still fashionable? Does it suit you? Or is it something that you bought on a whim in the sales? Remember if these pieces are in good condition you may be able to sell them at a second hand shop or a car boot sale.

After going through these two piles ruthlessly – you should have freed up a fair amount of space in your wardrobe. the nest thing to do id to look at the remaining piles of clothes. Are they all in good condition, presentable and fashionable? Also look and see if there are any items in you core wardrobe that are missing. Do you have that ever important little black dress? Have you got a suit that will be useful at many miscellaneous occasions?

This will help you to evaluate what is missing and therefore you will know what to aim for when it is time to fill in the gaps – And what better time than now?

Most often than not, in small apartments are in older homes, wardrobes act as closets, or replace the very tiny ones that are hardly closets at all. Instead of being considered a hassle, a beautiful wardrobe can be the central furniture piece in a room, even more than the bed or desk. Choosing one is a big decorating choice because they often are so large and domineering. However, an all-white option can add a minimal sleekness to your bedroom, especially against a white wall. Though seemingly bland, this monochromatic choice lets your accent pieces stand out above their larger counterpart. A highly detailed piece on the other hand, for example one with intricate carvings or brightly colored, can act as the sole object in the room, eliminating the need for accents of any kind.

Whatever the statement you wish to make-simple and elegant or ethnic and wild-you are sure to find a piece that suits your wants. With styles as wide ranging as the people who choose them, from wood finishes to ethnic detailing, the choice is up to you.

The size of your unit depends on the room where it will be housed and the amount of clothing it will hold. If you are sharing your space with a partner, size especially matters. Double door options can give two people access to one full-length unit, while one person might also choose a double unit but with shelving filling the second half. A unit with doors on both sides allows for access on either side and can be placed in the center of the room, to create a division of space, if one is desired. This option is great for roommates living in a small shared-bedroom or loft space.

How wardrobes are internally arranged are an entirely personal matter, but there are some tricks to organizing them, in order to keep your small space from feeling cramped.

Organizing by color is one option when it comes to arranging your clothing, other options include by sleeve length with a separate section for dresses. To create visual cohesion, some people even opt to coordinate their clothing to their hangers, or use just one color hanger. However, sometimes it is easier to use what’s available (and usually that looks like a hodge-podge of hangers from the local dry cleaner). If you lack space for shoes, hang up a shoe organizer; don’t have room even for that? Tuck away the shoes that you use the least underneath the bed in regular shoeboxes, or nifty organizers.

Avoid unnecessary mess and rotate out your clothing seasonally, so you have in your wardrobe just what you will be using. Is it summer? You probably don’t need the scarves from last winter. Is it frigid outside? Then you can probably pack away the bikinis.

Managing wardrobes, even tiny ones, doesn’t have to be a headache. Use tools available to you-hanging closet organizers, baskets, and hooks-to make your small space into a well-functioning haven for everything from your skirts to your jeans.

It is not unusual to plan a basic wardrobe that takes you from day to evening and from casual to formal occasion and coordinates to extend the range of use of each piece. Jewelry is, of course a wonderful accessory to this wardrobe and your basic jewelry wardrobe needs some planning. Some of these pieces will be chosen to complement your basic wardrobe, others to fit within your own personal style and others to be up-to-date statement of fashion. When you buy pieces you will wear frequently, buy the best quality you can afford.

Chains

A classic gold or gold-filled chain is a lifetime investment that can be worn in many ways for many years. When you chose a gold or gold-filled chain, be sure the clasp is strong, properly sized and of the same metal so it doesn’t change colors or wear out early. For a basic versatile chain, you can find a narrow box-clasp or push-release clasp that will allow you to use it for pendants with smaller bails.

If a trendy layered look using different sizes, shapes and metals in your chains suits your style, a more inexpensive fashion jewelry option may be a good alternative. These chains can be used singly or in groups and either braided or twisted for a unique look.

Earrings

While you probably can’t go wrong with post earrings in diamonds, pearls or gold balls, you may prefer another option. You might opt for a one inch simple or decorated hoop earring that is still conservative enough to wear nearly anywhere, but give you a little more movement and works within your own style. These conservative earrings will be appropriate at a job interview, a wedding or a trip to the zoo. You will get a lot of mileage out of a good classic pair of earrings and wear them with a variety of outfits..

If you want to wear some of the new cluster earrings, you might get a fashion jewelry pair and if you have problems with base metals and your ears, you can either wear them for a short time or put some non-allergenic ear wires on them.

Bracelets

Bracelets are a good accent with nearly any outfit. A chain in either silver or gold (or both) adds a little sparkle. A bangle bracelet is a classic, but if it is too big, it can make your work awkward. A cuff can be a stunning accessory when it is wide or a subtle accent if it is narrow. Layering your chain bracelets with cuff bracelets gives a more edgy look. An interesting artisan made bracelet can be a great addition to your jewelry wardrobe if it is in classic rather than faddish stone choices.

Pearls make a timeless statement of elegance, and these days cultured fresh water pearls are an affordable option to salt water pearls. A simple strand of pearls with pearl studs can be worn for formal and work occasions. The new floating pearls strung on a thin chain is a youthful but still elegant look. Fresh water pearls come in colors from traditional white to black, pink and other colors.

Matching jewelry sets can be a valuable addition to your jewelry wardrobe. Two matching pieces such as earrings and a bracelet or a necklace and earrings look great, but more than two is just too much

Once you have your basic pieces, you can add more pieces that suit your style or pieces that suit the current trend to your jewelry wardrobe. Mix and match your jewelry in a wide variety of ways to create your own look.

Wouldn’t it be grand if we had endless funds to spruce up our
fall wardrobe? Well most of us don’t but not to worry. Here’s
some help to build your fall wardrobe on a budget.

First off forget the designe names. Yes they’re great if you can
afford them but if not take their ideas and then go shopping.
There are plenty of similar after market designs that are very
close and won’t break the bank.

Items such as blue jeans, pheasant skirts, v necks, and wool
sweaters can be purchased without the designer name. Also watch
for some great sales as the stores begin to already bring in
their winter stock. This time of year you can save anywhere from
30% to 50%.

Looking fresh and stylish is important and when you get to save
good money you don’t feel so bad about tossing an item that’s
starting to show its wear.

You can also save plenty on shoes by watching for sale or
shopping at a shoe warehouse. The shoe warehouses have plenty of
style choices you just might have to hunt a little bit to find
your size. Well worth the time for the savings!

Most important is fit and comfort, and of course you need to be
certain they’ll work with your wardrobe. This season the wedge
continues in popularity. Slip ons are also still very popular
and we are seeing imitation fur linings this season. Nice and
cozy and still very classy! If you shop carefully you can add
several pair for the price of one pair of designer shoes.

Lastly you can save a whole lot of money on your jewelry.
Costume jewelry is affordable and the selection is great. If you
stick to costume jewelry you can buy pieces for the fall season
and not feel bad because you spent too much and they are out of
style by next year.

There are many good online store with very reasonable prices.
Don’t forget to have a hunt through your old jewelry as well -
you might be surprised at what you find that has made it back
into style. Large clunky jewelry continues to be instyle as well
as wood and bone jewelry. Color is making a big statement this
year. Bold is beautiful this season!

If you need to get some ideas for the spring season – this
months women’s magazines have some great articles and examples.
Vogue, Elle, and In Style are all full of excellent fashion
pages.

So don’t fret, you can look like a million dollars on a shoe
string budget with a little creativity and hunting! Make your
fashion statement

It is tough times for our disposable income. Our hard earned cash is being pulled in so many directions and many of us women are finding that we are unable to spend on fashion this season – as much as we might like to!

So what can we do to bring some new life into our winter wardrobes without breaking the bank?

Well, when the going gets tough, the tough get smart!   So read on for some key tips on how to update your wardrobe for this season without breaking the bank.

The first reassuring fact for us all this season is that there are no ‘new’ fashions this season – all the key looks this season are trends we have seen before – so we can go back to our wardrobes and re-invent, re-style and accessorise many items in there.

Winter coats

If you are in the market for a new winter coat this year, there are a couple of areas you need to give some thought; firstly, do you want your coat to make a colourful statement? If so, you will find fashion colours along the high street, in particular, purple or red will give you the dramatic, eye-catching look you are after.

Secondly, if you are looking for a winter coat which is a little more of an investment, choose a neutral shade such as Charcoal Grey, Chocolate Brown, Camel or Pewter. You can then so easily team it with a brightly coloured scarf, gloves and hat to bring it alive.

For those of us who are bringing our trusty winter coat out of the cupboard, give it a fresh look and have it professionally dry cleaned – many of us forget to freshen up our outerwear each year but our coats take a battering with the weather, hanging on backs of doors, thrown in and out of cars etc.  Then, you can inject colour, for example, with a purple scarf, purple leather gloves etc and you will have instantly brought your look right up to date.

One of the key trends this season is a tartan. A fabulous way to update your winter coat is to add a tartan corsage. It will give a new dimension to the coat itself and create interest for your style. You’ll find them at various high street stores or online Scottish websites for authentic tartan. But why not have a go at making one yourself?

Dresses

Even though as I write this, the temperature has plummeted to -1 degrees(!), in general we are seeing less of a difference in our seasons. This is showing through the fashions and if you take a look at the party dresses in the shops for this season, you will see how spring like they look.

So, take your wrap dress you wore throughout spring and summer, team it with some funky coloured high denier tights and add your long boots. You’ve created yourself a new outfit with existing items from your wardrobe! If your dress has short or three quarter sleeves, why not think about wearing a long sleeved t-shirt in a complimentary colour, underneath. Not only do you keep warm that way but you also achieve the trendy layered look with ease.

Purple

Many of us will have Christmas parties to attend in the coming weeks. You will no doubt have an outfit lurking in the wardrobe which can be re-invented for this occasion. By simply adding a purple accessory such as a bracelet, shoes, necklace or clutch bag, you will give the outfit a stunning new look.

Make-Up

We often are so keen to buy new clothes and update our look that we forget that one of the easiest ways we can do this is through our make-up. Selecting and wearing a new eye pencil in a different shade can transform our look. Make sure you receive advice from your local Style Consultant on your best shades.

Knit

In my work as an Image Consultant, while out personal shopping with clients, I have noticed many woolly, soft scarves in fantastic seasonal colours such as purple and red. However, many of my clients, instead of rushing out to the shops to purchase one of these accessories, are instead, picking up their knitting needles and creating their own! So, don’t be afraid to do the same – you may well find that all your friends want one of your creations too!

Buttons

Knitwear is a continuing trend this season. So why not re-style last year’s cardigans or sweaters? You can do this very easily with changing the buttons on an existing cardigan. For example, I recently removed the coloured buttons of one of my old cardigans and replaced with more glamorous buttons. They were very inexpensive, took just a few minutes to sew on and completely transformed the look of the cardigan.  It can now not only be worn with jeans but with the glamorous buttons, would compliment any party dress.

There are so many things you can do to give your wardrobe an updated look without breaking the budget. I have tried to give you some ideas to start you off but you could always consult your local Style Consultant for more ideas.

To be in fashion during winter can be quite challenging. The right kind of winter fashion apparel can help you win many admiring gazes.

Some interesting ways to ready your winter wardrobe are listed below.

The most important item for your winter wardrobe is a coat. Choose a coat that goes with everything. It must be of good length and color. With a good coat you can not only keep cold at bay but also look fashionable.

Buy a classically designed wool blend suit. A neutral or black color pant is best for cold and can match any colored shirt. Choose evening dresses which provide more coverage than the summer ones.

Your winter wardrobe is incomplete without winter pants. Always have two types of thick tight fitting denim jeans. A pair of black trousers and khaki must also be kept ready.

Buy warm clothes like blazers, blend sweaters, wraps or pashmina scarves. A scoop neck, v-neck, or boat neck cashmere sweater gives you plenty to choose from.

Accessories like brightly colored hats, scarves, purses, gloves and even mittens must also find a place in your wardrobe. Keep a large purse to carry extra winter items such as lotion and gloves.

Apart from heeled shoes, always have a pair of boots. The boots must rise to just below the knee and can be worn both with skirts and pants. They should be tight to the leg to give a warm feeling.

If you believe in clever layer dressing to beat the chill you can have favorite key pieces from your summer and spring collection. Keep your classic long sleeve button shirts, T-shirts, tights or stockings, classic skirts and brightly colored camisoles ready alongside your blazers and sweaters.

Make sure you buy quality clothes for your winter wardrobe. They will last longer and also serve the purpose. So go for cashmere or Merino wool for sweaters and 100 percent wool for dress pants.

All these together help you beat the cold and at the same time help you make your personal winter fashion statement.

Question: How do you wear your ethics on your sleeve when your clothes and lifestyle go together like canal boats and high-heels?

Ask The Busting Diva! The company which promises to take you shopping, recycle your old clothes and re-fit those almost perfect items you cant bear to part with. Busting Diva gives a new meaning to trash glamour through clothes-swapping parties and a preference for consignment shops.

Their Mission Impossible is to revamp ethical fashion and keep it away from its baggy, boring, brown image. Their style consultations, wardrobe edits and re-styling of old clothes prepare unused clothes for consignment or charity, but are a million miles away from a worthy chore.

So Get Ethical set them a challenge. Enter Jenni Doggett who swore she was going to have to go out naked if I dont get a wardrobe lobotomy!?. How would The Busting Diva transform the girl who defined her look as scruffy chic meets sporty hooker??

The Closet Monster

Daniele Hromek, founder of The Busting Diva, strode into Jennis world on a sunny weekend in July. Her confidence was slightly interrupted when her high heels instantly sunk into the jetty. Jenni lives on a canal boat, so high-heeled, high-maintenance fashion is impractical and uncomfortable. Remember we said it was a challenge!

Jennis canal boat is a beautiful, old-fashioned retreat from London life. But moored in a city marine, overlooked by high-rise flats, it causes some serious fashion problems. Her jeans and flip-flops were perfect for both the boat and her relaxed work environment, but she was keen to express the wilder side of her style. Oh, and just to make things trickier buying a whole new wardrobe was definitely off-limits as Jenni was broke for the foreseeable future?, and had a limited-living space.

But a Diva doesnt let such small complications get in the way of glamour. Instead, Daniele just flicked her hair and got down to a sartorial grilling. The interrogation was geared exactly towards what Jenni wished from her clothes and the image she desired to portray.

Daniele explained that while Jennis work environment was casual, dressing down in the office could hold back her career. Instead she suggested Jenni keep her jeans, as they made her comfortable, but work around them to create a more finished look. And her most important tip was to spend most of your money where you spend most of your time?. A self-confessed second-hand junkie, Daniele suggested Jenni visited vintage and consignment shops for those infrequent occasions when she needed particularly smart clothes.

War on Wardrobes

More questions followed until Daniele pointed out there were three aspects to consider when buying clothes; colours, body shape and your style personality. She announced to Jennis mock mortification that hidden under her jeans and flip-flops Jennis style was very feminine, almost girly. Once acceptance had kicked in she advised her on how to wear the clothes she loved, but found difficult to put together. If you dont feel comfortable then its because youre not wearing clothes that reflect your style personality?, she told us. She also advised Jenni to get awkward heels cut down to achieve the look she wanted without the discomfort.

Bargains, she assured us, are not about just cost, but the price compared to the amount you wear it. Investing in clothes or shoes you live in is a better idea then buying inexpensive, throwaway clothes. Accessories should be used to draw attention to your best features?, in Jennis case her lovely eyes and figure?. She then carefully went through each item, discussing their merits and which part of her they complemented.

The final transformation came when Daniele put together an outfit for Jenni, which was somewhere between scruffy and overdressed. A pretty, lacy top with a denim skirt, her leather belt and matching shoes were perfect for the sunny weather – in fact not a sporty hooker in site!

Busting Diva 1 Get Ethical 0

Ok, ok! I admit it The Busting Diva rose to our challenge! Jenni looked gorgeous, and very confident. Now she knows what suits her shell finally be able to put back those would-be-perfect-if-only-it-was-a-different-colour-and-I-was-Kate-Moss items of clothing masquerading as bargains! And even her weakness for flip-flops was brought under control as she considered less casual alternatives.

At the end of the day Daniele glided off into the sunset (with just one more trapped-heel incident) like a fashionable fairy godmother and Jenni waved goodbye after her amazing recycled Cinderella makeover. Suddenly I realised Id missed my own chance to grab some of the transforming magic for myself. Hey! Busting Diva come back!

First impressions count whether we like it or not.

And how you feel about how you look matters even more because a confident positive attitude will create a positive flow of energy around you.

Imagine two identical yous. You come into a room and there you are. What do you think about your image, your clothes, your general demeanour? Are you delighted with what you see? Do you look comfortable in your skin?

Find three words that describe what you see.

What were your words: comfortable, stylish, approachable, sexy, smart?

If your words weren’t so positive it could be time for a change.

How do you want to feel inside your clothes? Find three words that you would like to be able to use about yourself all the time.

Step 1: The Big Picture
There are many roles we live out: worker, lover, mother, father, sports person, clubber, gardener and we tend to have different clothes to fit each role.

What are your roles? Identify them.

Are there gaps in your wardrobe? Is there anything that’s missing? Do you have an imbalance in your wardrobe? Does your wardrobe reflect your current roles?

Step 2: Subtract
When you go through your wardrobe you can be ruthless – look at each item of clothing? What role does each item belong to?

With each item ask yourself the following questions:

Do I ever wear it?
Does it fit and suit me?
Do I love it?
Does it satisfy my three key words?

If it does not fit these criteria just ask yourself: Why do I still own it? Is it time to throw it out?

Step 3: Add
You’ve gone through and got rid of the items that don’t serve you. You may not have very much left in your wardrobe but what you do have will be the things that reflect who you are.

You are half-way there.

Now its time to add to what you love and build yourself a wardrobe that makes you feel a million dollars.

Create the image that you want for yourself. When you feel good you will look good and ooze with confidence and charisma.

1)What are the gaps in your wardrobe?
2)What would you really love to wear but have never owned
3)What colours and styles suit you?
4)What clothes would really suit your personality and inner style?

Now you can begin to build yourself a style that you feel at ease with. A style that reflects who you are.

Less is more: it’s not how much you have it’s what you do with what you’ve got! For lots more free information and help visit: http://www.beclutterfree.co.uk