Inspired By You... 

5 Fall Must Haves By Elle Canada Magazine:

Fashion trends: Modern minimalism

For Fall 2011 the cycle of fashion turns on its head once again with the return of clean, sophisticated dressing.

A clean suit: Nothing says simple sophistication like a great, tailored suit. Opt for those that are three pieces: Blazer, vest and pants (you can break the look into separates). For the more adventurous, go for a suit in a tweed or plaid for that twist on a classic look.

A chunky, knit sweater: A longer version is your best bet so you can wear it in many different ways: Casual with jeans or dressed up with opaque tights and a thick leather belt.

The “Mary Tyler Moore” dress: If you don’t know this reference, Google it immediately, girls! Think the shift dress, but updated. Pair with your tried-and-true boyfriend blazer to turn this dress into one of your classic items.

Cardigans, cardigans, cardigans: No longer relegated to the uber-conservative set, this staple will take you from season-to-season and is a perfect transitional piece. If you want to make it more original, keep an eye out for the details: Oversized buttons, unexpected trim.

Leather shorts: Obviously this is for women who like to play with fashion and trends, but I consider it a definite must! Wear with tights of different patterns and textures. I promise you; you will wear them straight into spring!

SPIFFING UP YOUR ITEMS MAKES YOU MONEY

Making your items look their best gives your goods a boost in resale value. Why? The better it looks, the better it sells. Here's how making your things shine can mean more success:

• Freshly-cleaned and groomed items will appeal to the shopkeeper, which means they will be more likely to be accepted for sale in the shop. Remember, the shopkeeper will not accept items that she or he doesn't believe will sell. If it's not immaculate, that's a big strike against it, no matter how desirable it might otherwise be.

• The shopkeeper knows that things that look good sell for a good price.  So the value of a cared-for object will reflect the extra effort you put into it.

• When your items look good, they will get prime placement in the shop. It's only natural: the cleanest, prettiest, most polished merchandise will be placed in displays, be shown more readily to browsers, and be highlighted.

• Shoppers gravitate to clean and polished goods and they bypass dust, grime, tarnish and fading. Make sure your items are attractive and worth a second look!

PREPARING YOUR ITEMS  

• A few minutes with an iron or a bit of cleaner will make your things much more appealing to the buyer. Make sure it's ready to sell. 

• Are all the buttons secure? Fasteners in working order? Seams still sturdy? 

• Use a good light to examine for stains, discoloration, or fading. 

• Check that everything's there. Forgetting a crucial accessory will decrease the value. 

• Transport your items in luxury. Garments on hangers won't be mussed when they arrive. Breakables and delicate items should be wrapped to prevent transit and handling damage.

• Help the shop process you quickly by grouping sets together.

• Presentation is key, whether you are using a consignment shop or taking things to a buy-outright shop. The shopkeeper, in a sense, is a shopper of your goods, too. Musty, messy, dusty items will be passed over.

• Let the shopkeeper be the judge. They have had experience in what will sell. It may sometimes seem that one of your items may be over-priced and another under-priced, but the shopkeeper knows her customers... which means more money for you!

• Now sit back and relax while the shop ensures that your no-longer-wanted find a new, loving home!



CLEANING OUT, ORGANIZING, FEELING FREE!
  They say it's easy. They lie. Cleaning out your stuff, figuring out what to save and what to pass on, it's hard. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you might even cuss a bit under your breath. But it's worth it to feel free.

FIRST: WHAT REALLY ENHANCES YOUR LIFE?
  The easiest possessions to get rid of are those you don't use. You know what these are: the ottoman you constantly trip over, the dress that was perfect for last year's cruise but when do you ever go dancing at home, the toys Uncle Bob thought would be perfect but which your kids disdain.
   Okay, those things are piled up to get rid of. Next, tackle the things you ought to use, but don't. The heavy-duty pastry mixer (who has time to bake?) and the barbells. And the things that were once useful but now are gathering dust. The stroller (Jaime is so not into sitting still) and the best-selling books and DVDs you'll never look at again. Get rid of them before they become outdated.
  The absolutely, no-holds-barred hardest stuff to get rid of? Your favorite... mistakes. Doesn't matter how costly they were, those Jimmy Choo's (that pinch your toes) or that cashmere baby blanket (does Aunt Maude have no sense whatsoever?): if it is not an asset to your life as you live it now, pass it on!

SECOND: SORT 'EM OUT
  Not everything you've just decided to part with is worth consigning or selling to a buy-outright shop. Some aren't "even" worth donating to a charitable thrift shop.

• The best quality, condition, and style clothing should be freshly-washed and pressed and hung neatly. If you're sorting out decor items, check them for all parts, and make sure they are free of chips, scratches, and tarnish. These are the items you'll be taking to your friendly local consignment or resale shop.

• The next level down, perfectly good and clean items that are no longer in style but useful, will go in your "Donate" pile for the charitable shop of your choice.

• The final level, terribly worn, non-working, or soiled-for-good items should be thrown away or put in a "free" box at your next garage sale. Do not burden a charitable shop with the job of throwing away things you know are no longer useable...all you will be doing is adding to their costs of operating the thrift shop.