How do you organize?

MessVisiting CSN stores online reminds me of living in NY. They have over 200 online stores and sell everything from upholstered dining chairs to handmade clutches. The two are a bit different though. Living in New York is part blessing and part curse.

The bright side to it all is that everything is at your fingertips, from personal contact, to entertainment, all the way down to twenty four hour access to the candy bar of your wildest dreams. I guarantee there is some place on this insomniac island that has it. Therein lies the problem with New York! It doesn’t have the luxury of internet space to store all these goods and then use other states to shift around space.

Photo Credit: DeviantArt User MiamoJolene

There are so many people, places, and things available, that space is becoming as valuable as air and water! Though architectural advancement has us expanding vertically in additional to horizontally, it is hard to imagine how this city could ever contain everything we New Yorkers like to call prized possessions, and harmoniously so. Storage centers are erected quicker than you can say ‘charge it’ and living quarters are slowly starting to resemble said storage rooms in size. So what’s a New Yorker to do? Get creative or get to minimizing.

Storage and organization in a house isn’t always easy at face value. Sure you may have a box and some items, but is that really the best way to store it? What about ease of use?

As a self proclaimed obsessive compulsive organizer, I can share some secrets with you, and while I’m at it, you might be able to tell that CSN has become my go to site for my reogranizing impulses.

  1. Formulate a plan – you can’t stand at the entrance to a room and figure out how you will clean it from floor to ceiling by dinner time (if you can – we need to chat). Instead, figure out a battle plan. Will you be working from top to bottom? From the floor up? Will you collect all the items you plan to donate/give away first so that you can organize the rest? Once you decide, remind yourself and try to stick to the plan. Sure, you may want a cookie, yes there is a Facebook update, but nothing will get organized if you don’t get focused!
  2. Make space – before you decide to hang up all your necklaces, or fold all your denim, make sure that once you are done, there is a place for them to go. My trick is to clear out an area completely and then fill it back up. This technique generally takes up a full day, so copy at your own risk.
  3. Use all the space you have – shelves and closets are ready and available, but what about on top of closets and under the bed? I usually put items that I won’t use for the season (like boots in the summertime) out of reach because I won’t need them for a while.
  4. Get creative – look at what you have and what you can get for cheap that will organize your things better than anyone can ever think of. For example, why get a jewelry organizer, when you can use your tea box (they have plenty of compartments and some come with clear covers). Need to store underwear/bracelets/socks? Why not use cutlery organizers? The ridges will act separators. They also work great for makeup brushes, glosses, and pencils. My newest favorite and upcoming purchase? A mirror with a secret door to jewelry organization heaven (over the door and standalone available)!

Most importantly, keep track of the ‘what’ and ‘where’ you place items. The last thing you need to do is get the same item twice… who knows, now you might have space for both!

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MOJ Makeover

MyOwnJudge.net underwent a bit of reconstructive surgery in the wee hours of the morning and looks a bit different now. After a long time with the old setup, I felt like the site needed more than just a tweak here and there. The major overhaul has resulted in what you see now, and though I am still working out some minor kinks (like how to get the darn ‘read more’ link to reappear!!), this is just about how it’ll look for a while.

What do you think? Do you like it? Liked the old one better? Let me know!

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Rihanna’s New Album is in the Red

MyOwnJudge - RihannaLest you thought Miss Riri was all about partying and catching sun, you will be pleased to hear that Rihanna’s new album; Loud, is set to hit shelves November 16, 2010. This is her fifth studio album.

The cover for the album has been released and is featuring a sultry Riri with fire red hair and lips sporting a demure look. I love this shot because quite honestly, you can only take so many shoots of spikes and leather before you want more sugar than spice. The songs will no doubt have some flavor to them, with the first and second singles “Only Girl (In the World)” and “What’s My Name?” She filmed the latter in NY this past week, check out after the jump for some footage from Music Video Life.

http://www.musicvideolife.com/jwplayer.swf

Rihanna – What’s My name (Official)

Head over to Amazon to check out the singles and to pre-order the album.

Are you looking forward to this one?

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Sparkles Galore in the Drugstore

Sally Hansen PolishThere’s a confession in order, every time I pass a drugstore, a sudden urge to go in and see the new stuff overwhelms me. Sometimes they’re not equipped for my eager eyes and I leave spending nothing (good) and seeing nothing (eh, not so good).

The last visit was pretty eventful though, I felt like I unearthed a gem!

What I think are new Sally Hansen colors (sometimes the displays get bombarded by consumer hands and you can’t tell what’s limited edition from the vets, and what’s new from the clearance) in Purple Gala and Mystic Lilac are shimmer heaven polishes. I love that the shades are not your typical reds, blues, or purples, as many collections have brought out, and instead are using the most popular neutral shades and spicing them up a bit.

Sally Hansen Polish
Sally Hansen Polish
Doesn’t all that shimmer speak to you? (No? Just me then…)
Sally Hansen Polish
I bought mine at Duane Reade but you can get them at any drugstore or Walmart conveniently located and fully stocked around your way. Stay tuned for when I rock a full mani with these babies!

How do you like these colors?

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Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato attended the 25th annual gala for Padres contra el Cancer (Parents against Cancer) looking as fresh and grown up as ever.

She walked the red carpet looking pretty flawless, even if I say so myself, with soft waves in her hair and a soft lilac/grape colored dress. She toned down the accessories to include some gold bangles and hoops, matching her shoes.

The photo stood out to me because of how seamlessly she pulled of the look. Yet again, I have to say that when rocking out in a one shoulder dress, parting your hair to match the dress creates optimal symmetry.

Her look was pretty simply as well, lots of attention to lashes and lining the eyes, a hint of coral on the cheeks, and a similarly grape-y shade on her lips as her dress. Do you like it?

Check out the charity and how you can help here.

Photo Credit: HotCelebsHome

How do you dress up a bold shoulder?

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Jimmy Choo’s Uggs

Jimmy Choo UggsWould the correct term be Jimmy ChoosUggs or Jimmy Choo‘s Uggs?

The buzzed about and long awaited collaboration is available to ship straight to your house should you have a rent payment or two you could pony up. Though not a fan of Uggs myself, I have to say, these designs aren’t too bad. I especially got cozy with the idea of the studded (and most expensive) pair and the camel colored pair with star studs. The price though? It was almost like my invite to window shop was revoked. That’s how serious it is.

Are you tempted or just admiring from afar?

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DWTS – to clear or not to clear?

I’ve been enjoying my party weekend and my day of downtime with lots of television. Dancing with the Stars hit the spot as my cable-less behind missed out on football (I’m just not home enough to warrant paying for cable!). I was suckered into watching yet another reality TV competition by the darling Florence Henderson as well as the fact that everything else on at the time wasn’t interesting.

DWTS Brooke Burke
Co-host Brooke Burke looked fab in a navy dress with an interesting top (ha! check out my photos of the tv – clearly I don’t own a flat screen :)!), it was made to look like the dress peeled back a bit for some studded cleavage. I loved it, but I was wondering about the remainder. The clear bra straps. The gal must share a hatred for strapless bras with me. They always feel as though they start fighting against you, instead of with you at the most important events.

DWTS Brooke Burke
So yes, I can understand the need, but do you guys feel like it’s enough of an excuse? I’ve generally stayed away from clear straps because they’re a bit too close to the tacky category for my comfort. From my experience, clear straps also dig into your shoulders and create too much friction with the skin.

What do you think? To clear or not to clear?

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Beyonce Temptu(rary) Tats

BeyonceAfter her bombshell photo shoot for Dereon, Beyoncemania had a rebirth similar to the renaissance. Gone was the Single Ladies two step and everybody wanted some (don’t lie – you wanted them too!).

My best friend (in my head) rocked a blonde bouffant hairstyle with bodysuits and heels. She straddled motorcycles and bared skin. And it was that quickly that Chanel temporary tattoos were forgotten.

The diva has now partnered with airbrush co Temptu for temporary tattoos to be available to the masses. You can sign up for the wait list to get them as soon as they come out (go ahead, I won’t judge).

Check out the rest of the details about the deal on WWD. Keep reading to see some more images from the inspirational photo shoot and a screen shot of Dereon‘s lookbook. It scrolls horizontally and the clothes are too cute as well.

Beyonce Dereon

I love it much too much!

Dereon
The styles on the far right and left are my favorite. Check out the lookbook and pick your fave!

Are you into the temporary?

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Gucci’s bright take on SS11

Gucci SS11
My favorite luxury brand (Gucci) had their spring and summer show in Milan and as I clicked through each look from their main website, I was overjoyed to see the supersaturated bright colors and the precise details visible on accessories and head to toe.(Photo credit: Gucci)

The pieces had interesting draping and creative techniques for cinching in the waist or feet of the pants, as well showing off an open back. Check out the money shots for yourself here. The best part may have been though, that the runway was in perfect harmony with the brand’s colors.

How do you like it?

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It’s My B-day, I’ll Giveaway a Shopbop Gift Card if I Want To!

Shopbop Giveaway
Hey y’all! Today is my birthday! I’m planning on having a dinner with family on Friday and party with friends on Saturday, but today – today is all about you! Today I’ll be starting off my Shopbop.com $100 gift card giveaway. Shoot, I even made an image from scratch (minus the background). Are ya proud of me?!

The gift card will be perfect for back to school and goodbye summer/hello fall shopping. You can stock up on the back in trend flare jeans or the still trendy denim leggings. On a denim diet? Even denim brands like Paige Denim are fully stocked with non-denim items like cargo pants, skirts, and more.

If you need ideas for what your card will be buying up, check out the Shoptalk blog on Shopbop.com for ideas and copy a look from their latest shoot!

To enter (only one entry per person):
1. Subscribe to MyOwnJudge.net (by RSS or e-mail subscription).
2. Leave a comment about what you would buy with the gift card (and the username you are subscribed under).

One (1) winner will be chosen on October 4, 2010. Good luck!

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