{STYLE} A Day in the Life of Shoe Clips

Remember LOK Designs —> Fabulous For Sale? Well, I completely fell in love with their taffeta and tulle rosette shoe clips and recently ordered myself a pair. I wear them all of the time and I love swapping them out on different flats and heels. They are fabulous and also durable.  Just look at all of the places they traveled last Saturday!

Straight out of the package

Sweltering at swim lessons

Riding the escalator at Macy's

Taking a walk in the woods

Wear them on your shoes, shirt, purse... or in your hair! For $12 you can have one of the most versatile accessories ever. Click HERE to pick up a pair, and be sure to use code "URFAB20" for 20% off your order!


xx Well to Do

*** LOK Designs: http://www.LOKdesigns.etsy.com ***

{STYLE} One Skirt, Four Ways

As I picked through my closet this morning, I pouted a little — just wasn't feeling the love from any particular outfit choice. And then I remembered something I saw on Pinterest the other day: one skirt, four ways. Check this out if you need the occasional inspiration to creatively repurpose your prized possessions!

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“You come first, the clothes later. Reinvent new combinations of what you already own. Be creative.”

—Karl Lagerfeld

xx Well-to-Do

Green Your Halloween

Halloween: Ranks right up there with Christmas for hating on Mother Earth. With a little creativity, though, you can still par-tay and also reduce your carbon footprint. Here are three tips to make this year's Halloween more EEK-O-FRIENDLY! {Sorry, couldn't resist}.

MAKE YOUR OWN COSTUME

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Since you probably already have your kids costumes picked out, let's talk about you. You and your closet. Believe it or not, you probably have a costume just waiting to be put together. Click here for Audrey McLelland's genius suggestions for DIY costumes!

OPT FOR REUSABLE BAG

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Cloth or canvas shopping bags, or even pillowcases, make perfect alternatives to paper or plastic bags, or to the molded plastic jack-o-lanterns. Reusable bags are also more durable!

DECORATE NATURALLY

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Instead of buying decorations made of synthetic materials, decorate with natural materials like pumpkins, hay, straw, flowers, and leaves.

See, it's easy being green!
xx Well-to-Do

{GIVEAWAY} Eco-Chic Bébé

Love at first sight is how you’ll feel upon first glance at The Cuddle Loom. After having kids of her own, designer and California mom Suzette Mohun opened her shop for the littlest of lovelies with a belief that "every baby deserves to wear the healthiest garments possible," and that organic baby clothing should be colorful, fashionable and fun. 

True love always is how you’ll feel after we tell you about The Cuddle Loom's eco-chic credentials: "♥ High-quality combed, ring-spun yarn and dyed with eco-friendly low-impact dyes (lead and phthalates free) ♥ Super soft 100% certified ORGANIC cotton ♥ Enzyme washed for extra softness ♥ Lead free snap closure."

Constructed from fine organic cottons and natural materials, each Cuddle Loom design is a hand-me-down in the making.

Perfect for baby shower gifts... 

or a special holiday photo...

...Cuddle Loom is eco-chic bébé all-the-way.

Suzette is spreading The Cuddle Loom cuteness by offering one lucky Well-to-Doer a pair of her gorgeous. Have you ever seen more fabulous leg warmers? Definitely not. 

*** FOR ENTRY ***

Mandatory

Fan The Cuddle Loom and Well-to-Do You on Facebook

Optional — 1 Extra Entry

Follow The Cuddle Loom and Well-to-Do You on Twitter  OR share THIS PHOTO on your Facebook wall.

The Cuddle Loom Facebook | Twitter

Well-to-Do You Facebook | Twitter

Leave a comment here or on Facebook letting us know how you've entered!

Contest is open now through Monday, November 7th. As with all of our contests, one lucky winner will be picked randomly via random.org. Good luck!

Giveaway is now closed

xx Well-to-Do

Images courtesy of The Cuddle Loom, Kimeo Photography and Shey Marin Photography

{31 Days of Going Green} Day 26: Shoe Shrine

As if you needed another pair of shoes, but you just couldn't resist those metallic flats {75% off at Mardens} this week. Perhaps you require a reminder that your shoe collection is comparable to that of a hoarder. See for yourself when you get organized and display your foot candy as art. Say what? Your shoes: they're pretty and they serve as the finishing touch to an outfit. But art? 

Yes, wall art. Allow us to suggest Shrine Rack's wall-mountable shoe rack fixtures. As seen in stores, they are now available for personal purchases – and they're currently on sale {25% off}

Shrine Racks work for every shoe style — from sneakers to heels to flats. Flaunt it if you've got it, right?

xx Well-to-Do

Images courtesy of Shrine Racks

MY SIGNATURE STYLE

We've covered easy ways to find your signature style already so now let's talk about me :) As I mentioned previously, I wasn't sure if I had a signature look or even  a style personality, but after following 5 easy steps, I uncovered the obvious: my signature style is Classic With a Side of Trendy.

CLASSIC WITH A SIDE OF TRENDY

What's Classic With a Side of Trendy, you ask? Well, for starters, it's a made-up category. In all seriousness though, it just means that I cater to the basics and occasionally will splurge on a timeless branded piece or gaudy accessory {for the love of fashion}. 

I'm most comfortable in straight leg jeans, a sweater or turtleneck, printed loop scarf, flats, super-sized pearls, and a large bag over my shoulder. Long gone are the days I buy trends that *might* look good on me. These days I do the laundry of four people. I see clothes and undergarments all day long – sometimes in the laundry, sometimes on the floor, and sometimes in the toy basket{s}. 

So here's what I ask myself at the checkout line: is this going to end up on the "laundry chair" or am I going to wear this so often that I want to sleep in it and never ever wash it? If the answer is the latter then it's haute haute haute.

Now let me ask you: what's your signature style? Go HERE for the 5 easy steps if you haven't already figured it out! Think of it as a necessity or think of it as a fun rainy day activity. Do yourself a favor and just think about it.

xx WelltoDo

{31 Days of Green} Day 19: FIND YOUR SIGNATURE STYLE

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Inspired by an archived piece on Slow Fashioned, I've been mulling over my signature style and style personality this week. Sure, I know what I like {loop scarves, pearls & ruffles} and don't like {lace}, but I stumbled and stuttered when thinking about my signature look. Distressed to think I didn't have one, I went to my drawing boards {Pinterest and Polyvore} and worked up a how-to game plan. So here are my five easy steps for identifying a signature look – helpful to me and hopefully helpful to you, too!

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#1. DETERMINE YOUR LOOK: Ask yourself: what do you like to wear most? What image do you want to project? Are you edgy, preppy, hippie chic? For inspiration, think of celebrities whose styles you try to emulate at times. Perhaps the classic Reese Witherspoon or casual-chic Jennifer Anniston? Or maybe it's the over-the-top Lady Gaga. We won't judge! Create a style board on Polyvore or "pin" collections and ensembles on Pinterest to make the process easier and more visual.

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#2. CLEANSE YOUR CLOSET: Now that you know what looks you like best, cleanse your closet! Only keep clothes that maintain your look and accessories that complement your style. Those pre-partum jeans you think you'll fit into once you get back to your pre-baby weight even though your hips somehow shifted by way of birthing an 8 pounder? Get rid of them! Stay on track: your signature style awaits.

#3. WEAR THE RIGHT SIZE: If it doesn't fit you or make you look fabulous then why is it in your closet? If you haven't worn it in the last 6 months, are you really going to wear it in the next 6 months? It's taking up precious signature style space!

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#4. FIND YOUR COLOR PALETTE: You take days {possibly months} figuring out the perfect paint color for your home renovation project. Put in the same effort when figuring out which hues work best for your skin tone and hair color. 

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#5. GET A FLATTERING HAIRCUT: A great haircut {long or short} is the final piece of your signature look. Your hair is your most constant accessory, after all! Find something flattering and manageable, and stick with it!


So there you have 5 steps to find your signature style. What do you think?


Tomorrow I will tell you more about my signature style. And coming on Friday: a Merah Muda giveaway!
xx WelltoDo

Don't miss out the rest of our {31 Days of Going Green} series HERE or our four current giveaways HERE!

And while you're perusing, go see our friend Creative Kristi and check out her fab, free printables HERE!

{31 Days of Green} Day 18: Pia Barile {GIVEAWAY}

With all of the winter accessories on the market, how do you know which one is right for you? Start with a cozy piece from Pia Barile, a collection of winter knits sold on Etsy.

We suggest you nuzzle into a neck warmer...

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...then burrow into a capelet...

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...switch it up with a skinny loop scarf...

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...and then slide on fingerless gloves or an arm cuff when the chill hits.

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As you can see, Pia Barile has everything you need to fill your cold-weather collection!

The lovely Pia is offering one lucky WelltoDoer a $25 shop credit plus free shipping. There are so many cozy goodies to choose from!

For entry, fan both Pia Barile and WelltoDo on Facebook. Leave a comment here on the blog {or on Facebook} letting us know you did! Contest is open Tuesday, October 18th through Tuesday, November 1st. Good luck!

xx WelltoDo

{31 Days of Green} Day 17: Caroline's Boutique {GIVEAWAY}

Though my daughter's vocabulary is limited at age {almost} 2, she's very clear when it comes to certain things. For example, she likes being dressed to the nines, she enjoys performing recitals, and she longs for lots of admirers. 

So, in thinking about her upcoming birthday, I found her the perfect celebration outfit: a frilly, fluffy tutu from Caroline's Boutique. It will be hard to choose from the stunning selection. See for yourself in this sampling below!

The tutus come in a variety of styles {every color combo you can imagine!} and sizes {newborn to size 5}, and can be customized for any special occasion.

Aren't they gorgeous? Way tutu much fun!

Caroline's Boutique is offering one lucky WelltoDoer a custom tutu plus matching flower headband! 

For entry, visit Caroline's Boutique and tell us your favorite color combo. Leave a comment here on the blog or on our Facebook post. Contest is open Monday, October 17th through Tuesday, October 25th. Good luck!

xx WelltoDo

{31 days of Going Green} Day 11: Fall Detox {CLOSETS}

Kate Nicholson is back with more of her FALL DETOX plan. 

Intro

Fall Detox {Food}

DETOX YOUR CLOSET!  

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When there is too much stuff in my house, I easily feel stressed.  We don’t realize the impact our physical spaces {home, car, office, etc.} can have on our mood and our health. Do yourself a favor and clean out your closet.  I love taking last year’s fashions to my favorite consignment shop and then going on a treasure hunt for that perfect “find."
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For detailed closet detoxing, take advice from the professionals. Click here for the Closet Factory's tips and reminders regarding serious closet cleaning!

And check out two of our favorite organizing / making the most of your wardrobe posts: SHED Happens and Closet Full of 'Nothing.'

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Kate Nicholson is a mom to a 3-year old fairy princess, massage therapist, yoga teacher and holistic nutrition counselor. When she’s not sneaking kale into her daughter’s smoothies or jogging with crazy black lab she is usually found coaching other young moms into getting their body, their life and their mojo back!  Kate is available for coaching & consultation by phone or Skype.  www.KateNicholsonWellness.com  

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{Guest Post} Serious Closet Cleaning

A BIG WELCOME to Walter Munsen of the Closet Factory! He's here today sharing suggestions for serious closet cleaning. Follow along for his helpful tips and important reminders about keeping closet clutter under control!

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Are your closets and drawers in need of some serious clutter clearing?  Do you have trouble finding the pieces to your outfit when you have five minutes to get out the door or be late for work?  If this sounds like you, consider an all out assault on the problem.

Approach the problem like boot camp – you’re out of shape and drastic measures might be called for. These five steps should get your drawers and closets under control.

#1 Ask for a friend’s help. Pick someone with good taste and the ability to be tactful.  Everyone makes fashion mistakes. Let him or her suggest items that just aren’t flattering.  Consider providing wine and snacks and definitely offer to return the favor.

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#2 Take everything out of the closet or drawers. Studies show that you will get rid of 20-25% more items if you consciously have to put items back in the space you are cleaning than if you are simply cherry picking items to take out.  Take the time to clean or paint the empty spaces if needed.

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#3 Most people wear 20-25% of their clothes 75-80% of the time. This means that there is a lot of opportunity for thinning things out. Unless it has sentimental value, if you haven’t worn it in a year or two it is a candidate to go.

#4 Confront two stereotypes that we see all too often. For women, consider size issues. If you are a size 10, it isn’t a problem holding on to the size 8’s, but be realistic about anything more than a size removed from your current wardrobe.  If you do get back to a size 6, you deserve some new clothes!  For men, there is no way you will ever use the number of ratty t-shirts and jeans that you’re hoarding for “painting” or “working around the yard."  Let them go!

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#5 Don’t just move the clutter.  Have a plan for what you will do with the unwanted items. Donate, sell or dispose, but whatever you do, do it immediately. Relocating the clutter to the basement or garage really doesn’t solve the problem.

Follow these steps and you should have clutter under control.  A final tip for keeping it that way: consider a replacement strategy.  No new items go into the wardrobe until another piece goes.

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For more than nine years the Closet Factory has been designing and manufacturing custom storage solutions. Closets, laundry rooms, home offices, pantries and more! Search and shop online at www.closetfactory.com or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

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Looking for additional closet organizational tips? See our popular post Shed Happens!