My Refrigerator Is a Disaster

My refrigerator is a disaster. On the surface (aka front row of every shelf), all looks fine. The items we use the most are easy to get to and the revolutions of daily items such as butter, half and half, and a variety of condiments stay relevant. It’s the next layer of each shelf that becomes problematic and the lower you go, the worse it becomes. Containers are not arranged where I can see them and then they expire and become unidentifiable to the point that I’m not even sure what they were on their best day. I also have two or three different types of containers so there is a lack of consistency. Then every month (or two), I go on a search-and-destroy mission to relieve this crucial appliance of what is no longer suitable for consumption.

Perhaps an odd analogy but you see where I am going?

Bad habits are hard to break. Getting into lazy routines ultimately create chaos or, worse, deplete our resources, our productivity, and our bottom line. I’m dedicated to correcting this refrigerator problem of mine, but I’ve realized I will need to commit to some new ideas in order to achieve the results. I’ve come to realize I fall short in shopping for groceries and often buy what may be fresh or on sale, but I don’t necessarily have a plan. The result is a waste of time and money.

Sound familiar?

We all have areas in our lives that need attention — fitness and finance are two that come to mind, where staying consistent to the maintenance is paramount to having a balanced body and spreadsheet. While it seems we should be able to take care of our closets, just as I should be able to maintain an organized refrigerator, it can be tough since we are apt to fall into the same traps.

So often women don’t realize what is hiding in the confines of their closet or miss some pairings. Keeping me involved on a consistent basis offers an ongoing exchange of ideas and a more efficient use of time, so I’m now offering my clients a new approach to tackling their closets. I typically see my regular clients twice a year and occasionally when there is something specific they need help with, such as a wedding or packing for a trip.  What I have come to realize through discussions with women is that what many need is a quarterly meeting where we touch base and prepare for the extremes of summer and winter.

In addition to the meetings, a monthly email keeps a conversation going where we can stay focused and build our list.  In essence, I’m offering to manage their closet remotely while still tackling the larger projects seasonally, but with better information.  Payment options for this type of plan range from monthly to annual, with incentives for paying for the year up front.

A Seasonal Overhaul

This preps your wardrobe for the upcoming season in a way that is in touch with your lifestyle. In March, April, or May and again in September, October, or November, I will:

• Swap out seasonal items
• Create a seasonal style profile
• Detox your closet
• Review your lifestyle for the season
• Take time to give your wardrobe consistent structure — creating your formulas and defining your overall “look”
• Identify missing pieces
• Create a shopping list
• Create a few favorite outfits
• Reorganize your closet

Mini “Touch Base” Meeting

Here I adjust and refine for the extremes of summer and winter:

• Checking on warm- and cold-weather essentials
• Find missing pieces

I’m currently redesigning my website to include a password-protected area where I routinely keep a list of links, looks, and inspirations that you can access anytime. This area can be developed to be as robust as you desire. We can keep a library of looks here, or even document what you have in order for me to assist putting looks together for you for specific occasions without necessarily needing to meet.  Having access to images of what you own can also help me suggest items to you that I come across throughout the year.

I will still offer an a la carte menu of services to clients. While twice a year works fine for some women, I wanted to expand my services to offer something more beneficial and comprehensive to women. Contact me for more details or information regarding my First Time Client Offer.

• About the author
• The latest from Alicia

Alicia McCaslin

Stylist | The Tulle Box

http://www.thetullebox.net/

aliciamccaslin@me.com

Alicia was born and raised in Alexandria, and married a local boy. She is happily married and the mother of two amazing children and one adorable and terribly smart border terrier named Dixie. Alicia has always known she was a creative. She collected editions of Vogue from junior high on and has always loved clothing and design. She studied interior design at VCU and parlayed that degree into commercial interior design, the web design, and ultimately found herself managing a local boutique and serving as a stylist to many Alexandrian women. She now has a successful full-time styling business, The Tulle Box, and makes it her business to make her clients feel great about themselves and the way they look.

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