10 Things To Do In September

 Before the month is over, and you end up at the end of it saying, "Now why didn't we do that?" or "I wish we would have..." here is a list of ten thought starters to kick off September and the fall season with...

Get your closet ready for that first crisp fall day - Use a simple garment rack (easy to find at HomeGoods!) to fluff and air out furs & coats.

Check boots for needed repairs - Update your wardrobe with a new bag for Fall.

1. Wardrobe Refresh - Layer the latest trends into your key essentials with a few consignment updates or thrift finds. Try a new nail color, lip color - or if you're really brave: try a new hair cut & color. Check boots and bags for needed repairs - or donate altogether. Try on jeans, sweaters and coats - replace as needed. Wash all fall scarves - but send wool ones, along with winter coats, to the dry cleaner to refresh.

Just moved? Clear garage clutter - purge, donate, and use totes for storage. If you have time & funds available - paint the garage & seal the floor.

2. Control clutter - Rather than try to find storage space for everything you own, rethink: if you didn't wear it or use it this season, seriously consider donating clothing or decor items to a church thrift store or a homeless shelter. Extra towels, sheets or blankets can be taken to an animal shelter. Include clearing out the garage, to make a warmer space for your vehicle this winter vs. digging out of the snow. After clearing clutter, consider taking some like new items to a consignment shop to sell - or have a fall garage sale.  

Soak & clean brushes to remove summer bronzers.

3. Check expiration dates - from the fridge, to the spice cabinet, to the pantry, to the medicine cabinet - and even cosmetics. Purge those summer pickles, last year flour to cold medicine, and stock up on cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, soup, tea and NyQuil. And while you're at it: clean hair & makeup brushes - good to soak in warm water & baking soda + air dry. 



 
A simple shift to shopping thrift can create a space that's light and bright transform to

dark and moody.

 4. Seasonal Decor - stash the fresh greens for harvest gold, shift from lighter weight cotton & linen to heavier weight velvets & knits and layer layer layer -- from throws to lighting. Replace summer baskets of shells for bushels of corks or pinecones, bowls of yellow lemons for red apples, and bunches of hydrangeas for branches.

 

Update builder basic white doors, or renew faded front doors - view more on my previous post at: Painting Interior Doors Black

5. Plan Paint Projects - Painting season is here: temps are ideal for outdoor painting (furniture renewal) as well as interior paint projects too. Want to dive into furniture renewal? Hunting can be just as fun: shop local and salvage discarded furniture finds at thrift and consignment shops. Now is also a good time to paint your doors & trim -- or turn that storage room into a guest room!

View 10 Striking Fall Colorful Plants to Grow In Your Landscape featured at homegardengreen.com.

6. Renew Gardens for Fall - It's time to pull dried foliage, spent flowers and trim trees. Start to downsize plant containers to store for winter. Refresh your curb appeal by giving the front door & trim a fresh coat of paint and flank the entry with a pair of mum filled urns or containers. Remove those cucumber vines, peppers and summer herbs plus cut back tomato plants to make space for hardy vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and lettuce. You can even plant bulbs now, such as iris, for next Spring, Aerate your lawn and seed now - watering once a day, 30-60 mins. for 2-3 weeks for a lush green lawn next Spring.

Bake an American Classic: Apple Pie, featured at SheKnows.

7. Get set to bake - You know all those recipes you pinned last Fall and Christmas season? Gather them up, print out 5 to try, check for ingredients, and plan time this upcoming season to bake them - Send breads as gifts, make pies for desserts, and bake cookies to give to neighbors. 

Have your HVAC system checked - you never know what hazards my be hidden.

8. Seasonal Home improvements - Plan ahead now before the drafts kick in: replace weather stripping at doors, replace damaged screens (before opening those windows for the brisk breeze!), change air filters, add insulation padding behind electrical switches, and speaking of insulation: if you have a room on your house that gets too hot or too cold, it's possible you may be in need of extra insulation in your attic. September is also a good time to plan getting carpets cleaned, before holiday guests arrive later.

View my 10 Fall Tailgating Ideas post at Hadley Court design blog.
(Go Gators!)

9. Plan outdoor entertainment time - From attending tailgate parties & picnics to your kids soccer game to flea markets, carnivals, and jazz festivals -- Disconnect: get off line - get outdoors and live... because if we have another winter this year as we did last year, you'll regret not taking this opportunity to get out in the fall - before you hunker down for winter.

 If you're in the desert, head up to the Red Rocks of Sedona - If you're on the east coast, plan a road-trip up the Hudson Valley.

 10. Travel - Plan to take a road trip - Explore your own state, take in the fall foliage splendor up the coast, go wine tasting in the country, -- and if you live in the country: take a trip to the City -- New York City! Besides the many photos you'll take, pop by a bookstore to buy a book (about your destination) as a keepsake, and pick up a fall leaf to press in it - for a personalized souvenir of your trip.

I'm so excited for Fall! How about you?

Thanks for stopping by!

Welcome August - A Quick Home Tour

Welcome August! I'm so grateful to be back east! So much has happened in the past year - In August last year, we were getting ready for Jeff to have back surgery. In September, just after Jeff's surgery /recovery, he got promoted - to a store here in North Carolina. In October, we had to house hunt, and lucked out finding a new home (within two weeks) in the Triad area. We purchased the home (basically via online from Arizona), and I began the purging and packing process - while Jeff had to report to his new job in North Carolina. In November, the movers arrived, loaded our Arizona rental home, and drove across the country (even in one of the early winter storms). We also closed on the house, and began the process of cleaning and painting (the common areas) before the movers arrived. A few days before Thanksgiving, the movers arrived, and (chaotically) unpacked the truck they unloaded the same day.

Since then, little by little, Jeff and I have transformed this house into our home - updating builder light fixtures, changing switches, refinishing furniture finds, organizing closets + garage, and still purging / donating items no longer fitting our new lifestyle + the energy of our new location, along with also updating the front yard and back deck.

Is the house perfect now? 
Not by any means, but together, we've done a lot, in a little bit of time, and without taking out a loan for any major renovations. How have we done this? By pacing ourselves - taking on projects in phases, a little at a time - and saving some of the larger projects for after living in the space, and living with what we really need, vs. overextending ourselves for what we want. 

Have there been hick-ups along the way? 
You betcha! The first shower Jeff took in this house created a leak downstairs to the (furnished) living room. In April, the dishwasher leaked - so badly, Jeff had to cut the ceiling open downstairs to allow the water to drain out - and aimed a small heater on a ladder to dry it out, before he repaired the ceiling. In May, the hot water heater died (thankfully no burst!), and had to be replaced. 

Best part of the move...
Thankfully, now that we're back east, we've been able to break away with road trips and even a trip down to Florida...

 

Catching up with long time friend, Diane, in Orlando, FL in June...

Yay! Made it to the east-coast beach - even better: in Florida!

 Jeff and Sammi - Graduation Day!

In between home repairs, we've been able to visit with family plus do more traveling: We drove to Atlanta in February - I attended DBC & Atlanta Market Day, while Jeff visited his mom. In March, my mom came up to visit us. In April, I attended High Point Market + the design showhouse. In June, we flew down to Florida for Jeff's niece's graduation, and we took a day trip over to Raleigh. We're planning on Jeff's mom coming up for Thanksgiving, plus my mom and aunt might be coming to visit in October (fingers crossed!) It's so good to be able to see family again...

 Historic Oakwood, Raleigh, NC

 Downtown K-ville, NC

 Architectural Salvage, Greensboro, NC

Living Local
Along with some major travel, I've also gotten to know a little more around my new area: Back in February, we went wine tasting at some local vineyards, and hope to visit more in the fall. I've also visited museums and farmers markets, the Reynolds Gardens in Winston-Salem, toured a historic district in Raleigh - plus check out a few local consignment shops such as the Red Collection in Greensboro, Furniture Emporium in Winston Salem, an architectural salvage shop in Greensboro, and a great Antique-Thrift shop down in High Point. I don't go thrifting here as much as I did in Phoenix - clothing consignment isn't as strong as it was in Scottsdale, so for fashion updates, I have had to turn to online sources such as Tradesy and ThredUp.

East Coast Style
Of course, the 'fun' part of moving, is having new spaces to create, organize, and personalize - pet friendly spaces to live in. I've shared some of the outdoor projects here on the blog, improvements and transformations - now it's time to take a peek inside. I've been sharing the transformations as they've happened over time on Facebook, but not everyone is on Facebook (like my mom or family!! lol) Here is a peek at some of the transformed and settled spaces for Harmon House...

Master Bedroom

 Dressing Room - Accessory Closet

Home Office

Guest Den

 

Entry Hall - Foyer 

Thrift Chair Makeover (Sephora's favorite spot!)

 Painted all doors black - Maintained existing brass hardware...

 

Dining Room

 Summer Style - Living Room

 There is still more we have done and still more to do - such as paint and set Jeff's mancave, a guest room downstairs, eventually remodel the master bathroom, and figure out where the Christmas tree will be this year - but for now (that my summer battle with bronchitis seems be be passing), I hope to inspire you in the next few posts, while sharing some of the details of the transformations that have happened! 

Good-bye July! Welcome August!

Grateful to be back east!

Stay tuned for inspiring transformation details and thanks for stopping by!

12 Things to Do This September To Get Ready For Fall

Yes - the lazy days of summer are ending - even if some parts of the country are in resort or tropical climates - and Back-to-School is in the air. With the arrival of a new season also comes the time to change routines, recipes, and reorganize your home for Fall. Think of these as your new Autumn Resolutions. If you are blessed with a family, take advantage of the extra hands with a Chore Chart for the kids and a loving Honey Do list for the hubs. This can help encourage house pride if everyone is engaged and involved in the tasks vs. everyone expecting one person to do it all - unless of course you're solo, you can do it all, just take it one space and one task at a time. You can get started with these tips inspired from Style at Home on 10 Things to Do this September for purging and decluttering to help making your home serene and inviting (plus I added a few of my own), not only for Fall but the upcoming Holiday Season - plus two to plan on to get out and enjoy the autumn weather...

1. Cut the Clutter
Getting organized is a significantly easier task when there is 'less stuff' to deal with. Before tackling larger home projects, take a house tour and survey your own home - clear out any clutter accumulated from summer, or even collected over past seasons - especially in closets. Ballard Designs recently shared the above closet as the perfect closet cleanse for a master closet. Afterwards, avoid the hassle of a garage sale by taking the best of your purge to to a local consignment shop, and simply donate the rest to a local charity or church thrift shop.

Clutter Clearing Checklist:

Clothing Closets

Handbags, Shoes, Ties and Scarves

Jewelry Drawers

Dressers, Credenzas & Buffets

Linen Closets

Under-The-Bed Storage

Under the Sink + Medicine Cabinets

Guest Room Closets

Office Storage

Laundry Rooms

Garage (and even car trunks!)

Junk Drawers & Drop Zones

2. Prep the Front Hall Closet for Winter Coats
With the Fall fashion season comes a closet full of coats, whether they are new purchases or coats being taken out of storage (and dry-cleaned). So true: "Don't be caught scrambling for a coat on the first chilly morning of Autumn." Get organized ahead of time with these SAH 6 Solutions for Front Hall Closets... and don't forget to also include your mudroom too! In small spaces, simply adding an amoire can create convenient coat organization. In even smaller spaces, wall mounted hooks can help, especially with kids coats and back-packs... just install children's coat hooks a little lower for them to reach.

3. Organize the Broom Closet + Under the Sink Cabinets + Spice Drawers & Baking Supplies
Your household chores will go a lot faster once your cleaning supplies are under control. Check out these suggestions for a clutter-free broom closet -- including organization ideas for those of us without one! Check baking supplies, spices, and their expiration dates (especially on baking powder & flour). Besides also cleaning up the kitchen areas, take a peek under the bathroom sinks as well - clean brushes, condense beauty supplies, purge expired medicines (especially cold medicines from last year).  

4. Organize Summer Photos
Whether your camera is digital or an old-school 35mm, if you want to enjoy the sunny warmth of your summer photos come the cooler months for Fall and Winter, they need to be organized. Style at Home has solutions for both your boxes and envelopes full of photos along with tips for organizing the files on your computer. Personally, when I upload photos to Flickr or to my computer, I automatically will highlight all and rename them, usually with the season + year. I tend to label folders starting with the year, so by years end, I can take all that year's photos, and place them all inside ONE folder of that year.

5. Focus on Clean Air
As the weather gets cooler and you keep windows open less often, your home will be getting less and less fresh air from outside. Help keep indoor air quality high by clearing chemicals, Style at Home suggests switching to biodegradable cleaning products and investing in a few new houseplants -- English ivy, peace lilies and gerber daisies are top picks for cleaning indoor air of pollutants. If you want to save some green while being green. also see this post on How to Make Your Own Cleaning Products. Here in the southwest, we've usually had our windows on lock-down due to summer dust storms. Dusting off vents, fans, window ledges plus ensuring the air filter is changed is a must.

6. Pet Peeves Begone! 

(I LIKE this task!!)
Pick one thing (or more!) in your house that drives you crazy -- whether it be the plastic containers always falling off the kitchen shelves (Jeff's pet peeve for sure!!) or the shoes that pile up in the entryway -- and fix it for your family. Or the mish-mosh of tattered towels collected over the years in the linen closet - organize it before family guests arrive. Then sit on the couch with a cup of tea and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment.

 7. Get a Head Start on Holiday Correspondence
It may only be September, but it won't be long before it's Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years Eve - and POOF! The Holiday entertaining season is over! One task you can accomplish ahead of time is organizing your stationery, cards, and writing supplies (yes - people do still send hand written cards, invitations and thank you notes). Make sure your address book is up to date now. Plan ahead for buying stamps and any cards or invitations you may need - or may be inspired to create your own you pinned last year - although I'm really loving the plaid holiday party invite (shown above) you can order at elli.com - plus see their thank you's and note cards too.

8. Get Started on Fall Entertaining
As patio party season ends, the time for more formal indoor entertaining begins. But don't hesitate to throw a few last al fresco parties if the weather holds up! Why not start testing some of those pinned  recipes you saved and then work on invitations for your next dinner party? Also- take stock in your stemware, dishware, and silverware. Check for chips, hard-water stains and missing silverware - donate odd numbers and watch for sales on replacements. For extra tips on entertaining, be sure to also visit Hadley Court blog where I have contributed a few posts such as:

Top Tips: How To Set A Formal Table

 The Gracious Dinner Party – Top Tips For Making Your Guests Feel Welcome

Top Tips: Table Manners For Gracious Living 

Etiquette Top Tips: Formal Dinners and Business Luncheons

 9. Start Your Fall Garden Clean-Up
After a long summer of enjoying your pool, patio, and garden, it's now time to start preparing it for the winter chill. If you live in the southwest, many plants may have already suffered from a summer drought. Purging this loss now will help in your Fall garden clean up. For more suggestions, visit Style at Home's Mid-September Garden Chores, and then set aside a few hours on a sunny afternoon to get started. Maybe even plan on working in a few hurricane candle-lights into your fall containers for entertaining, like the one above from apartmenttherapy.com

 Build a banquet to customize your eat-in kitchen.

 10. Plan Your Next Project
From a major kitchen reno to a paint projects (moldings + stair railings + doors) or refreshing the guest bedroom, any home project will go smoother if it's well planned. Even if you are still in the dreaming stage (or hoping to move!), still pull together your vision and a plan. Visit a book store (remember those?) order a pumpkin spice latte and flip through some new design books plus  September issue magazines for inspiration... and if that isn't enough inspiration for you, spend a morning with a cup or two of coffee (or tea) flipping through design books you already have - and when all else fails, there is always Pinterest for a plethora of home design and decorating ideas!

 Two additional tasks to Do This September 

(that can get you off line and out of the house!):

11. Support Local Venues

When the heat of summer dies down (especially here in the southwest!), it usually brings out some wonderful Fall concerts, wine tastings, farmers markets, and even art walks. Look up your local parks, cities, and even universities to see what's happening in your area. Who knows - You may learn of a new-to-you wine which becomes your favorite, you could hear a new local band with a sound you can't find on the radio (and live music without a stadium crowd), or you may learn of a new Fall food truck gathering that becomes part of your family Friday routine (plus a fun way to try new foods)!

12. Travel

If you're fortunate enough to live in an area with beautiful Fall foliage, even if it's an hour or two away, take a drive to experience the Fall splendor. The new sights can create some beautiful new images for your family, of you and your spouse, or even create seasonal art for your walls and picture frames. Not to mention, the beautiful memories you can capture with the time shared experiencing different surrounding, fresh air, and getting off line. If your family lives across the miles, and you can't be together for the holidays in November or December, book a flight and celebrate during September (or even October!) Living here in Arizona's east valley, September is a nice time to take a drive up to Sedona. 
  Visit my previous series post - Sedona in September: 
Vistas & Views
Chapel of the Holy Cross
Area Artisan Finds & Shops

 The leaves will be changing before you know it - it's already getting darker earlier - so take the time now in September to make your Autumn Resolutions. Also, stop by Hadley Court blog to read my guest post: Top 5 Organizing Tips for Back To School Families. 

Thanks for stopping by!

HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR FALL WARDROBE HAUL

The end of Summer is near, and so too is Fall. Yes I love interior styling and design, but deep down inside, I'm still a fashionista at heart. While fashion lovers may be swooning over perfectly styled September issues, Fall runway shows or even online editorials, our wallets may be shrinking in fear of the hits that may be coming to our budget. How can your wardrobe stay current, classic and on trend without breaking the bank? These Fall Haul wardrobe styling tips can show you how.

My Sister's Closet Fall Reveal - August 23

1. Create Your Own "Look-Book"
Whether you create a hand held notebook of tear-outs from actual printed magazines, or save paper and create a style board on Pinterest, pulling together the seasonal colors, patterns, textures that appeal to you can be a huge help. Why? Because it will help keep you focused. Just because mini-skirts are trending this Fall, it may not be the right look for you - but long skirts are. When you create your own look-book, you'll notice the repetition of a style you're drawn to. The next task to do after creating your wardrobe style look-book is to shop, organize, and clean out your closet.

 Ann Taylor (boyfriend jeans) Denim Styling Tips

 Fall Trend: Cognac & Tobacco leathers

 Fall Trend: Torn Denim & Heels

15 Fall Trends to consider for your Style Look-Book

- Blazer (especially double breasted)
- Cardigans- softer layering essential
- Turtleneck sweater
- Chiffon (sheer) blouse for layering
- Fringe - just not on everything or all at once: pick your poison: ex: a great handbag
- Prints: Plaid:Tartan, Glen plaid - Animal Prints: Leopard, Python
- Shirtdress - also great for wearing open layered with tunic and leggings
- Black leather details - from trim to leather skirt or pants
- Skirts: Long, full, pleated or drop waist pleated knee-length skirt
- Cognac or Tobacco Leather: Handbag, boots, shoes
- Key colors: Traditional: navy, burgundy, mustard PLUS: greys, browns, blacks and winter whites
- Brown is the new black - but black is still a strong key essential this Fall & pairs great with brown
- Cross-body bags & bucket bags give your forearm a rest, but satchels & totes are still going strong
- Palazzo or wide legged pants (great maxi alternative)
- Denim - especially relaxed (boyfriend), bootcut (great to balance the butt!) or torn denim (just save the uber-crazy tears for your daughter)

Fall Trend: Fringe - Add this hot trend whether it's High like the YSL Fringe Bucket Bag or Gucci's Bamboo Handle Tote - or Low as as H&M's fringe bag for only $30.

 Fall Trend: Edgy looks with Leather details & Deep side-parts.

2. Shop, Organize, and Clean Out Your Closet
After you've surveyed and scoped out what the "it" styles are for Fall, hit your closet. Look for those hidden gems you may already have. While you're at it, take the time to actually try on clothing you've been "hanging onto" - whether for nostalgia purposes or because "one day" you 'think' you may wear again. Chances are, if it's been four or more years, your lifestyle, your career or even your location (or body) have changed. By trying on these items, you'll see they either no longer fit your body or your lifestyle. 

Dust off last years boots, heels or bags. Some styles can still work for this year. Sometimes, just bringing in these fall faves to your local shoe repair can help get them cleaned up (even repair a purse strap!) at a fraction of the cost of what buying all new could amount to.

Of these better items you clear out, collect the better items and take to your local consignment shop. By doing this closet edit, you'll again keep focused on what you truly need for your Fall wardrobe update while avoid buying duplicates of items you already have.

Keep the floor neat beneath your feet!

3. Sell & Shop Consignment
Gathering the best of your closet purge to take to consignment can help build up funds towards new purchases to refresh and update your existing wardrobe. Although they may not take everything all at one location or chain, another nearby location might - and it's worth it. Consigning clothing is so much more productive and easier to do than to pull together a garage sale. To help sell your items to the consignment stores itself, make sure items are looking their best with these Consignment Tips: 

 Material Wrld image.

- Hang all items you're going to sell vs. bringing in a laundry basket of wrinkled cast-offs.
- Make sure items are CLEAN - even if washed but hanging for a year or two, spritz with Febreze.
- Check & remove wrinkles (especially of folded items now hanging like sweaters or tees).
- Check for pills (annoying fur balls on sweaters, knits and wool): Tip: These can be removed with a shaving razor.
- Check for white deodorant marks (it happens: you try something on and change your mind) Tip: Easy to remove by rubbing fabric from the bottom of the item to (light) mark - afterwards, dust off with hand.
- Check pockets in clothing & handbags - You may discover a dollar bill, an old ID, a credit card, or a receipt with your credit info.
- Clean up shoes with leather moisturizer or Goo-Off. Goo-Off works great to bring back a shine to patent and also remove price stickers or label sticker residue.
- Bring in Fall / Winter items to consign now - Save your better Spring / Summer items to consign later in January.
- Recycle dry-cleaner hangers to hang your consignment items on. By doing this you'll help save giving away your skinny hangers. If you do bring in items with your skinny hangers and you'd like them back, be sure to ask the shop to please switch-out your skinnies to their store  hangers for items they do select.

Consignment is said to be more value than thrift. Sell at and Shop online consignment stores such as Tradesy and Material Wrld (who has partnered with Dress For Success!) Read more at MaterialWrld.com

Whatever ever items aren't up to par for consignment, donate to your local charity or thrift store. Some thrift stores even offer an incentive to donate by giving you back a dollar or percent off your next purchase with them (for example: Savers Thrift Stores). And some donation to charities can not only help put the community to work by providing jobs, but other charity thrift donations (for example: My Sister's Charity Thrift in Chandler store's profit is going to Fresh Start Women’s Foundation and animal organizations, such as the Arizona Humane Society and HALO Animal Rescue. Read more at Help a Good Cause and Save Money on abc15.com.

 

50% Off - Saturday August 23 - Goodwill - Central Arizona

 Give back while you shop plus receive 20% off at Kendra Scott in Scottsdale, Saturday, August 23.

3. Time To Shop
Now that you've got your Fall wardrobe shopping list ready (from creating your style look-book), and you've shopped, edited and purged from your own closet, it's time to shop - but where? While you can shop some of the end of season progressive sales happening at your local consignment shops (great to save on key pieces such as a denim jacket or black bottoms - especially skirts), also be sure to visit some of your favorite specialty stores end of season deals too. Many specialty store have not only marked down spring / summer items, but on the weekends, they usually also offer additional savings from 30% - 60% off the markdown price. This can help you save on jeans, jewelry, scarves, blazers or tops.

Besides shopping specialty stores for end of season deals (and department stores too: Dillards is an excellent source for deals on better fashion jewelry!), also be sure to check out thrift stores such as church thrift, charity thrift, and thrift chains such as Savers or Goodwill. Even local chains, for example in NYC: Housing Works Thrift Stores offer amazing deals to its loyal shoppers with special promos such as these:

- Dollar Days at Goodwill (specific color tag on Thursdays are just $1)
- 50% off Saturdays (every-other Saturday at Goodwill AZ)
- Extra 20% off your entire purchase - monthly email coupon from Goodwill
- Extra 30% off Stamp Card at Savers
- $3 off Coupon - received when you donate
- Buy the Bag Deals - Housing Works Thrift Specials - watch for via their social media on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

Gird your loins NYC thrifters!! Housing Works thrift Shops will have their "Best of Fall" event August 30 - September 23!

Now that you've shopped end of season sales at specialty stores plus saved a few more dollars shopping thrift specials, head back to your consignment shop to check your balance on what you've sold - you could be surprised to find free money from your closet has has totaled from $10 - $100 or more (depending on the labels you've consigned). These funds can go towards your 'new-to-you' finds within their store - from a fab new cocktail dress for holiday parties or a splurge on that signature or statement bag you've been wanting. Consignment stores are usually selling relevant, current, on trend merchandise at a fraction of what big box retailers are selling for - and some items are actually new (you know you too have items in your closet you've bought and never worn).

And within all this fabulous Fall Haul swapping and shopping, you can feel good about helping the planet from these items ending up in a landfill, plus we're all helping each other save and create our own signature style - without busting the budget or breaking the bank.

 Mega score: housing Works Thrift Buy the bag Event - 27 name-brand pieces for $25!!

Tip for extra seasonal savings: Shop end of season now - save for next spring / summer + everyday key items! 

Second-hand Style tips to keep in mind when shopping thrift or consignment:

- Stay focused on what you're looking for - If it's clothing, don't go wander off into the home section.
- Most thrift stores merchandise by size and by category (Jeans, Jackets, Tanks, Long Sleeve, etc.) and also by color. 
- If you're looking for something particular (for example a burgundy cardigan or black turtleneck), be sure to look through the next size up and ignore the size marked. Not all secondhand finds are true to size, especially after the cleaning care previous person applied - items do shrink and items from other countries could be sized differently than US sizes.
- Load your cart and TRY ON everything. Some items that look great on a hanger may be there for a reason (example: too small of a neck opening).
- When trying on items, be sure they 'fit' you. If they need to be altered, consider that expense in the price of the item: sometimes it's not worth it - unless you can do the alteration your self or you really love the color / style on you. Style Tip: For an over-sized blazer, sometimes a belt can do the trick to cinch in and accent a smaller waist.
- Check items for rips, tears, or stains - especially on longer items like maxi dresses.
- If you're shopping thrift for maxi dresses: LOOK DOWN - the longer dresses are easier to spot and can save you time vs. going through every item.

When you get your haul home, remove tickets, check labels and wash - whether it be machine or hand wash. Even some labels marked as "dry clean only" (such as a Lycra-knit blend) can be washed at home on gentle, and hung or lay flat to dry - again saving you money on your fall haul.

Although you're shopping for your Fall wardrobe, keep others in mind too - For example your mom. I recently sent a box of clothes to my mom in Florida from finds I scored here in AZ. Seasonal shopping together was something we use to do regularly: She really enjoyed our time together and I really enjoyed being her personal shopper for the day. I'd see things here I thought she would like and hated to pass up, so I double check on sizing + examine and clean the items, and pack a bundle to ship to her. I think she's the only woman on the planet that doesn't enjoy shopping (especially the hunting!) so she's grateful when she receives the package - not only because she didn't have to go shop for it but because I usually get her to try new things she'd otherwise be hesitant to try for herself. If you're fortunate to have your mom nearby, make a weekend (or day) of it - help her organize her closet, shop, have lunch and just spend that time together while you can.

If you're local here in Phoenix or also in the San Diego area or even online at MySistersCloset.com, be sure to check out My Sister's Closet Consignment stores for their Fall Reveal & Floor-set this Saturday - August 23! 

Happy Weekend + Fall Haul Shopping!

Thank you for reading and for stopping by!

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5 Other thrifty reads you may also enjoy:

The Company Behind My Sister's Closet

5 Best Thrift Stores in New York City

Top Online Thrift Stores

Time to Consign - 10 Helpful Tips 

Closet Organizing Tips - Part 1