Spring Cleaning Week - Closet cleanout

On more than a few occasions I have stared into my closet in pure frustration. Shirts layered on one hanger, pieces I had completely forgotten about, and no room to slide anything around in hopes of getting a better look. Throw in a stuffed dresser and getting dressed in a hurry would never be an option. I figured the best way to dive into a week of Spring cleaning would be to tackle the biggest problem area first, my closet. With a few handy tricks and a cut-throat rejection policy, I was able to turn my closet and drawers into a working wardrobe with a little space left over to add some new pieces (always a plus!).


Pull all of the clothes out of your drawers, clean the lining, and scent with a sachet. Next, separate the clothes into the items you will keep and those you will donate/sell. Refold everything you are keeping, separating them into like piles (tank tops, short sleeves, and long sleeves). Do the same for pants, separating them into color options, denim, and slacks. Nice pants should always be hung in the closet however.


For clothing that is hanging up in your closet, make sure everything is zipped, buttoned, or latched before it's put back. This way, the shape will always stay in tact.


Replace old hangers with slim velvet lined ones. This greatly cuts down on space and holds everything (even flimsy little straps). Organize your clothes by style and sleeve length. You'll be amazed how easy it is to get dressed afterwards.

The must have items:
Hammocks and High Tea Bahia drawer liner, L'Occitane lavender sachet, Linen's & Things hangers

Spring Cleaning Week

I've always been the type of person who can't focus on work or relaxing until everything is cleaned and put away. At times it can definitely cause some crazy looks from loved ones, but in the end the fresh and dust free rooms make the cleaning worthwhile. In honor of national spring cleaning week I thought I would share a handful of ways to jump into the new season with a fresh wardrobe, new makeup, and brand new inspirations. Today I'm starting with some great tips from a few wonderful bloggers who shared their organizational musts with me. This should ease you into the Spring cleaning mood and get you ready for a seasonal overhaul by the end of the week.

1. Emma from Gawgus Things has been obsessed with draw organizers lately. There's nothing better than opening a drawer and seeing everything neatly stored in its place.

2. Alisun from California Alisun swears by under-bed storage bins for seasonal clothes and once a year she tries on everything in her closet. It's the best way to prevent future fashion sins (how great is that!)

3. Lena from A Crimson Kiss cleans her hardwood floors with a great ammonia free mixture of equal parts hot water and vinegar, scented with a few citrus peels.

4. Jennifer (@jennacolgrove) recommends organizing your closet by article of clothing, color, and sleeve length. It makes finding a piece incredible easy.

5. Suze from Suze Geeks Out says getting rid of ten things you haven't worn in at least three years is key. If it doesn't fit or you don't like it, you won't wear it, so go donate it!

6. Victoria from vmac & cheese finds that washing her makeup brushes with a mixture of shampoo and antibacterial soap at least once a month is the best way to keep breakouts to a minimum.

Thanks for sharing everyone! I'll be adding more fun Spring obsessions and tips on my Pinterest and Currently Obsessed pages this week, so follow along. Make sure to check back throughout the week too as I dive into a cleaning spree!

Bright days ahead

Old Navy sweater (on sale!), J.Crew pants, J.Crew belt, H&M glitter flats, Chanel belt (worn as necklace), Ray Ban sunglasses

This week was a beautiful preview of the sunny days to come and to celebrate that fact I pulled out my brightest clothes and paired a few neon colors together. Cropped pants, a staple sweater, and a necklace that has been one of my favorite pieces for a while now, layered together nicely to complement an after work stroll through a local park. I threw in a pair of glittered flats just to make the outfit that much more cheery. This weekend I'm looking forward to further transitioning into Spring by sprucing up the house and adding a bit of freshness to the layout. Also, next week will be Spring Cleaning Week over here, so make sure to send me your cleaning and organizing tips to be featured.




Make sure to follow along on my Currently Obsessed and Pinterest boards as well. I'll be sharing my favorite things for Spring, including beauty products, a few wardrobe additions, and tips from my posts next week.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Easy dinner

I definitely enjoy cooking dinner, it's my time to relax or try out a new recipe, but most of all, it's my excuses to cook something healthy that I couldn't get at a restaurant. I grew up on a healthy diet of fish and because of it, I tend to work salmon into my meals at least once a week. Lately a simple salad and smoked salmon have become my go-to ingredients when I still want to cook, but really don't have the time to spend more than 30 minutes in the kitchen. An easy lemon and olive oil dressing, toast, creme fraiche, and layers of the pink smokey meat are all it takes to make a simple and incredibly satisfying meal. Throw in a few shavings of parmesan and a sprinkling of sea salt and the dinner is a unique approach to the standard weekly meal, but so much more gourmet than the quick prep time would lead you to believe.

Also, just a reminder that I'll be featuring a handful of Spring Cleaning tips next week, so make sure to email me your tips for a chance to be featured.

...and congrats to Alicia (@am_bianchi) for winning the Sneak Peeq giftcard! Hope you enjoy spending it.

Life lately

Mini lemon and chocolate raspberry tarts

This weekend was the first real taste of Spring. Sunny days, runners everywhere, and a general sense that lightweight cardigans and cuffed jeans are acceptable wardrobe options from now on. I know I'm jinxing the whole thing, but the mild days made me ready for the season ahead. A fresh coat of nailpolish, a colorful skirt, flowering scents throughout the house, and some sweet treats are just a few of the ways I've been gearing up for the changing days ahead. I even dove right in to swim season by trying on my first few bathing suits during an impromptu shopping trip.

Appetizer night complete with wine

Pearl and gold bow earrings on display in my room

A fresh manicure and pedicure in bright colors. Hands are Chanel June and feet are OPI Dutch Tulips

A striped skirt purchased on a recent Old Navy trip

Just a reminder, I'm picking a winner tonight for the Sneak Peeg giftcard giveaway, so make sure to enter here. It's a perfect opportunity to pick up some fun new things for Spring!

Also, next week I'm going to be doing a special on Spring Cleaning (organization, sprucing up, and a little closet cleaning to make room for those new outfits) and I'd love to hear some of your tried and true cleaning and organizational tips. I'll be featuring people's answers all next week, so make sure to email me what you'll be doing to get ready for the new season and you might be featured on my blog!

A retro night

vintage dress and capelet, Christian Louboutin Simple Pumps

In college I used to make a few to many trips to the vintage store to hunt for new dresses, blouses, and endless amounts of scarves. I probably should have been saving my money, but now I'm left with a pretty good supply of retro wear. This dress has been one of my favorites for several years now and I know it will be something I hold on to forever. The short lace skirt paired with 3/4 sleeves makes it feel ladylike and fun, while the bright yellow color always stands out among a sea of black dresses. I shared this outfit with the lovely ladies from SisterMag (check out their issue here) and I'm pretty sure I'll be moving this into the Spring rotation next time I want to add a fancy little retro touch to an evening. Throw in my well-worth-the-splurge black heels and a vintage throw and the look was perfect for a flashback evening of records and cocktails.




Also, make sure to stop by Five Kinds of Happy for a little interview I did for the lovely Amy and please look below to enter my Sneak Peeq giveaway for a gift card to the social shopping site. I'll be picking the luck winner on Monday. I'd love to hear what you would purchase with the card!

Sneak Peeq giveaway

I am a huge fan of online sale sites and definitely include a pretty big selection of them in my morning website routine, so I was extremely excited when I was introduced to Sneak Peeq. I quickly fell in love with their great artisinal and local selections of food, homegoods, and clothing, plus they're a fun startup and I love supporting new ventures and creative people like this. They introduce people to brands and products (like PUBLIC bikes, Melanie Auld, and more) that have been carefully selected by the staff, hoping you discover something new and fun. Not to mention, the discounts are pretty amazing. The best part is that they are giving away a $25 giftcard to one lucky reader of Stay in the Lines, plus 20% off to everyone who enters. Pretty good excuse to go shopping I must say!

To enter:
1. Click this link to enter through the site (must do this in order to be counted)
2. Follow Stay in the Lines through my blog, Twitter, Currently Obsessed, or BlogLovin'
3. Leave a comment below telling me some of your favorite items you would buy with the giftcard

(only open to US and new customers this time)

I'll pick a winner next Monday the 12th. Good luck everyone!

Margarita moss

1. Juicy Couture, ribbon and chain bracelet
2. Mia Limited Edition, Audrey flat
3. Jonathan Adler, Fig "Pop" candle
4. Anthropologie, Lakarri curtain
5. Current Elliot, ankle skinny zip jeans
6. Chloe, L'Eau de Chloe

I love following the Pantone colors, flipping through the decks of swatches, lining up coordinating shades, and styling my layouts based on the vibrant colors that pique my interest. Since seasonal colors have been popping up in stores, wardrobes, and editorials everywhere, I thought I would pick out a few pieces that were been inspired by the Spring color trends. I love the fresh mossy shade of a muted green and while pops of neon and bright yellows and pinks are always fun, an understated hue can be just as interesting. Delicate flats, patterned curtains, and an extremely dreamy garden scent are a few of the Spring greens I'm looking forward to.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, make sure to check out more of my recent obsessions and colorful loves on Currently Obsessed and Pinterest

Easy appetizer: cheese and honey

On Friday's after work, Paul and I like to put together a plate of appetizers rather than making an entire dinner. Sitting down to a spread of fun nibbles and a few cocktails is an incredible way to unwind, but when our evening doesn't offer such a leisurely amount of time, I still like to pull together something to snack on. This little recipe of goat cheese and honey uses three ingredients and is ready in a matter of moments. The key is to use really good simple items, like a strong cheese (just buy a little piece if it's too expensive). If you don't have rosemary honey, just finely chop some fresh rosemary leaves and sprinkle them on top.

Does anyone else have weekend rituals like this one they would love to share?

Candy and mints

Valentino Roma coat (old), J.Crew blouse, Urban Outfitters jeans, Kate Spade Melinda Satchel, Christian Louboutin Pigalle pumps, vintage brooch, Chanel Rouge Allure lipstick in Adorable

I definitely have my fair share of dark clothing, like shoes, dresses, and my favorite black jeans, but I don't shy away from color either. Since this past Sunday was an exceptionally sunny day, I thought the best way to enjoy the shine was to complement it with a mix of Spring color. This candy colored purse and mint coat will definitely be in heavy rotation in the coming months and paired with some sky-high patent heels, the look felt playful and transitioned perfectly into the evening. I've been holding onto this coat for several years now, but I think this Spring it will truly get the wear it deserves.





Also, make sure to follow me on Currently Obsessed to see what items I've been in love with lately.