Outfit Inspiration

I love waking up and taking my time in the morning.  The early morning rush to work is not my thing and so that is why I try and plan my outfits for the week over the weekend.  I try to take a little bit of time, sift through some magazines and catalogs, take a peek at some images I have dogeared and get to work in my closet.  I keep my magazines, J. Crew and Anthropologie catalogs all in one place and when I can't think of anything new and fresh on my own I flip through for some inspiration.  I may not have every piece in an outfit, but I find it pretty easy to subsitiute pieces I do have, or change the color scheme to better fit my closet.  I find that taking the time to sit down and think about what I am going to wear, before I actually need to wear it makes my mornings a lot easier, and my "go-to" outfits are used less frequently.  I also hop on to Instagram, Pinterest, and some of my favorite fashion blogs and take a look at what others are doing and figure out how I can make them my own.  Another really great way to find an outfit is to take a piece from my closet and Google Image it.  People love to post OOTD pics (thanks everyone!) and sometimes that can give some great inspiration as well.

Here is how I usually do my planning:
1. Either in my planner or a piece of legal paper I leave on my vanity I write down each day and my scheduled activities.  If I have meetings at work I will need to dress up for, I can see them and plan accordingly.  I also write down one "back-up" spot.  Let's face it...we all have those days when "nothing feels comfortable."  Having a back up plan allows you to figure out a comfy and chic outfit before it's needed, rather than in the heat of the moment.  
2.  Let the brain storm begin.  Flip through magazines, browse the internet, look through your own closet and pull out something fabulous you haven't work in awhile and take it to the next level.  
3. List your outfit, shoes, belts, jewelry and all.  Figure out what type of underwear you need each day.  Make sure it's clean!
4.  Look at what needs ironing/steaming/washing.  Get to work!  I like to steam a day in advance or often, the morning I am going to wear it.  I think clothes just feel more polished and put together when steamed right before leaving.  Polish up any dirty shoes.  Make sure you can find all your jewelry without digging around too much.  Plan any dry cleaning.  (I just experimented with a ton of new washing/hand washing/dry cleaning products and styles - a new post to follow!!)  The more that is ready right away the less hustling around you will need to do.  
5.  Try things on!  See if you like the combinations.  This happens to me all the time: I plan out an outfit I think is going to be great and a perfect fit.  The next thing I know I get it on and it is a miserable failure and I am rushing to make sure I am out of the house on time.  Trying things on before you get down to the final hour will help make things so much easier.  If you need to adjust you will know that what you are looking for is clean and ready to go - not wrinkly at the bottom of a hamper, like my favorite options usually tend to be.  
6.  Figure out which coat or piece of outwear you need each day.  I love reaching into the closet knowing which jacket I'm going to wear.  Sweater and hems hanging too far underneath the bottom, skirts and dresses that don't show under a trench coat...all my pet peeves.
6a.  I also use this process (because I am VERY type A) to plan my mani/or manis for the week.  There is nothing I dislike more than not having the right manicure to match my outfit.  Or having a mani that chips mid-week.  I plan a color that will go with all of my outfits, paint my nails at the end of the weekend, and have a second color listed that will go with my outfits for the rest of the week.  This step is optional, unless you are very type A like me!  I also really enjoy painting my nails (post on this to follow as well).  It is very relaxing and instantly lifts my mood for the next days that follow.  
7.  Get to bed early and set your alarm 10 minutes later!  Yay!  So much time is saved each morning by having a plan.  I love to think in the shower and so instead of trying to decide what I feel like wearing and if I will have enough time to pick out and outfit and do my hair, I can slow down and prepare myself for the day.  OR keep that alarm clock 10 minutes early and pack and healthy lunch and make a nice, warm coffee for the commute.  

I hope this helps streamline your morning routines!