BEFORE                                          AFTER

Some of you may remember a story I did last year on The Twenty Pieces Project.  It is a post that is very near and dear to my heart, not only was it motivational but it blasted out a call to action!  I threw down the gauntlet and challenged you ALL to do a MAJOR closet clean-out!

For my new readers here is a refresher:  The Twenty Pieces Project is the brainchild of two sassy SoCal gals who found theirselves with closets packed so full and overstuffed with clothing that either didn’t fit or they didn’t wear so they decided to do something about it.

The basic premise of the project is to narrow down your closet to the best pieces and then live for one year with only twenty items of clothing and NO shopping!

Yeah, it took my breath away too!

When I interviewed the Twenty Pieces gals -Cate and Julie- it really hit home with me.

They turned a huge spotlight onto a problem most EVERY woman faces. We abuse ourselves.

The first thing we do every morning is walk into our closets and give ourselves an emotional punch in the face.

This area that should be a safe haven is in reality an overstuffed unorganized mess packed with emotion baggage and stuffed with clothing that is either too big or too small. Those unwearable pieces sit there staring at us, calling us names and bullying, right there in our own homes!  Making us wish we were skinnier, taller, prettier or that we had more of this or less of that.  

We hold onto unwearable clothing just in the hopes that we will someday fit that size 4 from 10 years ago or in the fear that we may suddenly gain 30 pounds and need our “fat clothes”.  We EVEN go so far as to buy clothing knowing its too small with the reasoning of “This will fit great when I loose 15 pounds”.  Really ladies?  Really?

Basically we start of our day off in an emotional catastrophe, then we move forward through our day feeling defeated, depressed and unhappy, letting all of that carry through into our relationships with others, our work, etc.

They were totally right. That was me, holding onto everything from a size 4 to a size 14!  Yeah I had tons of clothes but nothing I could actually wear!  So totally unhealthy!

It inspired me to do a major closet cleanout and then a revamp.

(above: my closet BEFORE)

After taking my 15 bags (yes 15 bags) full of clothing to Buffalo Exchange to resell.  I then set forth on a total overhaul!

My goal was to build a place where I could start my day in a good mood,  feeling happy about myself and about my clothing choices for the day, knowing where everything was and never having to hunt to find something.  A positive start.

I had always dreamed of a custom closet and thought that it was unobtainable- mostly for price reasons.  After doing some research I discovered that it can be quite affordable, as long as you draw yourself a price line in the sand and pledge to stick by it.

Building my dream closet……

I scoured the web for ideas and composed a Pinterest board packed full of the designs I fancied.  

Next was the mission to find the RIGHT company to build it.

After tons of research, referrals and interviews I decided on California Closets.

(above: The plans for my closet)

The main reasons I chose them were first, the came highly recommend and I had seen work they had done on friends closets AND Secondly, I really felt comfortable with the designer, Renee. She just “got it”.  She knew what I wanted AND what I NEEDED!

I shared my ideas and then she improved on them!  Bringing to light issues I hadn’t even thought of like: where I would hang my scarves, was I right or left handed and how I would store my larger patent leather handbags that were developing dimples from they incorrect way I had them shoved in my closet before.

(above me in my closet.  Image by Andrew Sea James from Vegas SEVEN article “My Object of Affection” )

I couldn’t be happier with the results and it’s nearly impossible to explain how good it feels to start my day in such a friendly environment!  Now instead of a punch in the face my closet give me a smile and cheeky flirty little wink each morning.

So, like the Twenty Pieces Project, I am making a pledge.

From this day forward I pledge to “Just Say No” to over stuffing my closet with Fast-Food-Fashion (cheap, poorly made pieces that I buy simply because they are cheap or on sale which may not even fit and I will most likely never wear- or wear one time and they fall apart). My new closet deserves so much more than that.

I will only fill my glorious Le Placard with classic, quality pieces that are deserving of entering the wonderland that is my closet.

My giveaway this week is for each and every one of you!

It’s a Quote from one of my favorite masters of de-clutter Peter Walsh of Peter Walsh Designs :

“Make room daily for your own time and space, so that you are able to open your door generously to others.” 

Check out Peter Walsh’s amazing collection of Organizing goodies at :


Last weeks Lucky winners are: Wendy (Gold) and Jessica (Onyx) Congrats!

Please leave comments.  I truly appreciate each and every one of them.