Tips & Tricks
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Take Charge of Your Closet! 
By Julie Roste, Dynamic Design Consulting
www.dynamicdesignmn.com
It is not a matter of how much space you have as it is about how successfully you use the space. The following are some simple tips to help you take charge of the closet space you are given:
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Start by removing items you don’t wear, keeping only the items that make you look and feel good. If you find this task difficult, try turning all of your hangers so that the head is pointing out into the room. As you wear items put the hanger back as normal (with the head pointing toward the closet wall). At the end of the season any hangers still facing the wrong way should be removed and donated.
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Organize according to season, color (from light to dark) or in some way that makes sense to you.
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Use plastic, wooden or padded hangers. You can use different colors to differentiate between casual, work and dressy clothes.
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Sweaters should be stored flat. If drawer space is limited store jeans and bulky sweaters on shelves.
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Hang hats, bags, belts, scarves & ties on hooks or hang a shoe bag w/ clear plastic pouches to store rolled belts, ties & scarves. If shelf space isn’t a problem, hats and bags can also be stored on shelves or in cubbies. If you want to protect bags and hats from dust, try storing them in a box clearly labled.
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Try and keep the floor free from clutter for ease of cleaning. Store shoes on racks or shelves. To keep shoes free of dust store them in clear plastic shoe boxes or store them in their original box with a photo on the end to easily identify the shoes you are looking for. Group shoes into categories such as
casual, dress, work or by color.
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Hang a nylon bag on the back of the closet door for dry clean items.
To maintain the balance in your closet make a rule to get rid of one item each time you buy a new one (ex: One new pair of shoes in, one old pair of shoes goes out).
When storing items NEVER store clothing in plastic bags, plastic keeps fabrics from breathing and will cause discoloration over time. Storing Leather, suede or silk in plastic will dry out leather or suede and will yellow fine fabrics like silk. If storing, try to use dark canvas garment bags to minimize light and let fabrics breathe.
Now that you have taken charge of your wardrobe-Let’s shop!
Joe Knows!
Email your questions for Joseph
joeknows@chicks-magazine.com
How to Get The Curl In or Out of Your Hair
Hello Ladies!
I have a question for YOU! Why do women who have curly hair want straight hair and why do women who have straight hair want curly hair? My answer is “Who Cares?” Try it all! Give yourself a day, night or week of each. With today’s technology you can do whatever you want.
We’ll start with the “permanent” fixes to create curly or straight hair.
Everyone remembers the permanent of olden days. Harsh chemicals, tight rods and frizzy, damaged hair all in the name of the everlasting curl. Those days of harsh chemicals are gone. Here today are ingredients that make for a safer curl that is gentler on your scalp, better for your hair and makes for a better looking, longer lasting curl. A permanent uses different size and shaped rods to make your curl tighter or more relaxed. A single chemical solution is used to break the structural bonds in your hair, and another is applied called a “neutralizer.” Also keep in mind, a perm takes 28 hours to settle. Give it some time before you get too worried about the end result. Perms will last 2 to 6 months and will cost between $75 and $150.
Straightening naturally curly hair is another chemical process. The latest in this technology is the Brazilian Blowout. (Do not get this confused with a Brazilian Wax, the results are very different.) Through the use of a Brazilian Super Nutrient Complex and a proprietary polymer system, the Brazilian Blowout actually improves the condition of the hair by creating a protective protein layer around the hair shaft to eliminate frizz and smooth the cuticle.
The end result is smooth, healthy, frizz-free hair with radiant shine. Other straightening methods used Formaldehyde and can be very harsh to your skin and hair. There is no down time! The minute you leave the salon, you can wash and air dry your hair, and it will be smooth, frizz-free and radiant! Results last up to 12 weeks and can cost between $200 and $400 depending on length of hair.
If you don’t want to spend the dollars, time or don’t want a permanent change, there are some innovative hair appliances to get the job done.
The new curling stick is all the rage. This is an open-ended curling iron with no spring. You curl the hair around the stick with your hand and hold till firm and then voila! Great curls! You put the curls where you want, the rubberized tip prevents burning of fingers, face and neck and you end up with the kind of curl you want...like the Taylor Swift look. Different barrels, from the single barrel, 3 barrel or crimper, are available to create different curls. These appliances run from $79 to $200 depending on manufacturer. I use the curling sticks from TIGI and Helen of Troy.
For those of you who desire straight hair the Flat Iron is your friend. When you purchase you flat iron, be sure that it is ceramic and thermostatically controlled. Floating plates are the best to use, they give the best results and are the safest for your hair. You can purchase 1” flat irons all the way to 2”.
Whatever heat appliance you use, be sure to spray on a thermal protector. Heat causes water in the hair to boil and form small bubbles of steam inside the hair shaft. Hair is then weakened and may break. It can also lead to split-ends, lack of body and noticeable signs of distress.
When you use a thermal protector before styling you can significantly protect your hair from over-heating. It coats the follicle shaft with polymers to provide topical thermal protection.
So go forth, have fun, see what curly hair does for you or experience smooth and shiny straight hair. Live the dream!
