How to Transition Your Straw Accessories Well into Fall

And like that, Summer is over—for most of us anyway. Down in Charleston, we're still enjoying a few late sunsets and endless beach days.

I will say, however, it did feel like this season went by in the blink of an eye. Admittedly, I’m excited to get out my fall favorites—ankle boots, denim jackets and start stocking up on cozy blankets and textiles for the home. But I’m still trying to get some last-minute wear out of my new Summer pieces while I still can.

I recently got a pair of gorgeous rattan slides from Carrie Forbes and I haven’t been able to stop wearing them since. They're the perfect accent to my end-of-summer outfits and looks good with anything, even more structured pieces. It's spurred somewhat of a straw and rattan addiction. I keep spotting woven pieces on Pinterest and while I'm out shopping. I just can’t help myself—I even want to start introducing some rattan into the home!

From hats for you to baskets for your home, I’ve rounded up some of my favorites here.

The Lean Closet Edit

I love the feeling of a freshly edited closet. However, I know how hard it can be to part ways with items that often hold sentimental value—or worse, impulse purchases and those pieces that you save for "when it fits."

Paring down your wardrobe to the items that you actually love and wear is an incredibly liberating feeling and a great way to get ready for Spring. So set aside a low-key evening, grab yourself a glass of wine and get your plastic bins at the ready. Here are my tips for lightening up your wardrobe.

Take it all out

First things first. Pull everything out of your closet and drawers, and I mean everything. You can't sort through things if you can't see them. This also gives you a better idea of how much stuff you actually own or forgot about.

Pull and sort

Next, you'll want to go through your items and group them by category—clothing, bags, accessories, shoes. This is the best way to make sure you don't lose sight of anything. I usually go a level further and sort by item type, i.e. jackets, tops, denim, etc.

Grab a friend

Enlist the help of a trusted friend or partner that can give a valued opinion. (It helps to lure them over with pizza or beer.) It helps to have someone who can be honest with you and knows your lifestyle. You're going to need someone who can talk you out of keeping those boots you haven't worn since college.

Prep your tools

Set aside three bins to help sort and manage your edit. One for keeps, one for reselling and one for donating. I buy mine from The Container Store or Target.

Divide and conquer

Start with clothing, as this takes up the bulk of your wardrobe. Ask yourself some key questions: Does it fit? Does it make you feel good when you wear it? Are there any rips or stains? Your answers to these will help you make an honest call about where they should go. 

Resell

Any items that don't fit properly but are in great condition can be consigned or resold. (If you really love them, there's a chance they could be salvaged by a good tailor.) I use The RealReal for high-end and designer items and Poshmark for more casual brands. I used to work at a consignment store, so I have a pretty strong understanding of the types of items that have resale value.  I've made over $10,000 selling my gently used clothing! (I plan to write a post spilling my secrets soon.)

Donate

Give your items a nice home to people who could use them. We recommend Goodwill, United Way and Dress for Success. Pieces with rips, tears or stains can still be salvaged—many thrift stores will take pieces and sell them as bulk fabric. Not only will you have a cleaner, more organized closet, but you'll be doing good in the process. 

Rinse, repeat

Repeat these steps with all of the categories.

Keep an eye out

Start to notice any trends or gaps in your new wardrobe. This will help you find balance. Do you have a penchant for stripes or floral prints? Are you in need of a pair of jeans that fits properly? Think about your lifestyle and how your wardrobe fits into that. I spend 70% of my time at work, so the majority of my closet should reflect that.

Take a break

It's understandable that some items will be harder to part with. For those pieces that you just can't be without, store them away in a separate bin or suitcase and stow them away in the top of your closet. Revisit these items in six months to see if you still feel the same.

Store Properly

For all of the pieces you've decided to keep, try finding a more organized system to make sure all of your items have a proper home. The phrase "out of sight, out of mind" holds true in this case—it's easy to know what you have when everything is displayed nicely. I use a simple white bookshelf to give my closet a custom look for a fraction of the cost. Artfully arrange your pieces to decorate and bring in a boutique-like feel. For any items that hold sentimental value or heirloom pieces like jewelry, store them away in a where they'll stay protected and free of tangles.

Fill in the gaps

If after your closet detox you still feel like you have gaps in your wardrobe, check out my roundup of capsule items that every wardrobe should have:

What pieces are you adding to your wardrobe this season? I'd love to hear!

The Best Minimalist Pet Accessories

Dogs are simple creatures. They don't need stuff. 

Yet there are so many pet products out there that with poor designs and loud colors.

I try to live as minimalist a life as is realistic. I'm not a fan of excess stuff and try to make considered choices as often as I can. Eliminating the excess means less time spent cleaning and organizing and more time on the important things, like spending time with our dog.

My philosophy is to spend on quality items that I know will last. We choose toys and accessories that feel considered and collected—I don't mind seeing a few ropes or antlers laying around because every choice was intentional. And he loves them!

When it comes to choosing items for our pet, there are a few things I try to keep in mind:

Muted colors—I'm drawn to pieces that are neutral. Whites, tans, browns and blacks are all great options because they blend in with the home. It's easier to keep the home looking clean when everything feels like it belongs. That's not to say everything has to be neutral. Teddy has a big pink ball that he adores and we wouldn't take that away from him.

Natural fabrics—Wovens, woods, bone and even denim are all great for dogs. Not only are these materials you would find in nature, but they're safer for your pet, too. Traditional pet toys are often made with synthetic dyes, silicone, and other materials that might not be so healthy for your pet. 

Embrace the idea of one—It's easy to go crazy and come home with a shopping bag full of pet toys. But how many of those pieces does your pet already have? Pets are not multitaskers—they are content playing with one thing at a time. If you bring any new toys into the home, how many can you take away? Anything tattered or torn should be disposed of.

Here are a few pet accessories that fit perfectly in the minimalist home:

Dog Bed—JAX & BONES / Honeycomb Treat Jar—Olive Green Dog / Natural Rope Collar—Found My Dog / Striped Dog Bowl—btw Ceramics / Paw Balm—Whiskey Whiskers / Peace Sign Rope—JAX & BONES

My Approach to Healthy Eating

I love to peek into other people's carts when I'm shopping and see what they're buying. (Nosy, I know.) It's weirdly interesting to me.

I'm of the camp that believes wellness starts from within, so I'm very conscious about what I put in my body and try to eat a balanced diet most of the time.  

When you work a 9-to-5 and try to fit in other things on the side, it can be hard to cook full meals and always keep a well-stocked kitchen. A general rule of thumb is that I try to eat in-season produce and products with as few ingredients as possible.

What I always buy at the grocery store

Here's a list of items that I pick up grocery store and how I work them into my routine:

- avocado
- fresh veggies, like asparagus, zucchini, peppers, tomato and onions
- sweet potatoes
- quinoa
- romaine, kale or arugula
- hummus and salsa
- unsweetened almond milk
- whole wheat sourdough bread or bagels
- corn tortilla chips (we love the Whole Foods baked in-house brand)
- salmon
- chicken breast
- cold brew coffee
- greek yogurt
- fruits, like berries, bananas, cherries, lemon and pineapple
- granola (Purely Elizabeth is my favorite)
- pesto
- brown eggs
- goat and feta cheese

I shop at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's most often because I love the quality and variety of their selections. In the summer, I stock up from my mom's garden because it's free. (Thanks, mom!) 

A lot of people equate eating healthy with spending a ton of money, but I try to buy the store brand when possible and only grab what I know we'll eat in a week. This is where meal planning can be a lifesaver.

Baking Pan—OXO / Water Bottle—S'well / Cookbook—Kinfolk

My day on a plate

I'm a creature of habit. My breakfast is almost always avocado on gluten-free bread with a dash of pink himalayan sea salt. It's quick and easy to make and keeps me full until lunch. (On the weekends when I have more time, I like to add a poached egg on top.) I pair it with an iced almond milk latte and I'm good to go.

Lunch varies. I eat at the cafe at work, so I have a lot of options and it's easy to go crazy. I try to stick to hearty salads with a protein and some carbs. I also love vegetable based soups.

I usually have a small snack prior to working out, so I always keep nuts (like walnuts, almonds or pistachios) on hand. Sometimes I throw in a few dried cranberries or apricots. However, I try really hard not to snack during the day because it can add up quickly.

Dinners vary! I do love to cook, but when I get home from the gym late and I'm starving that doesn't always happen. Bowls are easy to throw together—I usually start with mixed greens (like spinach or arugula), throw some quinoa on top and add in a whole bunch of veggies. Hummus or goat cheese adds a nice flavor and I top it off with a balsamic dressing. It's quick, easy and filling.

I love breakfast for dinner. Omelettes are easy to make and load up with veggies. My mom has an amazing recipe for rosemary sweet potato hash that takes only a few minutes to whip up (I plan on sharing it soon!). Eggs and sweet potatoes are on constant rotation around here.

Dessert is a non-negotiable. I try to keep it on the healthier side by swapping out ice cream for greek yogurt. I might do a parfait with granola, sliced almonds and cherries or an acai smoothie with banana and chia seeds. 

Wooden Utensil Set—Amazon / Marble Cutting Board—Amazon / Canvas Tote—Amazon

Etc.

We do like to eat out on the weekends. Mexican food is our favorite and we have a local place that we frequent far too often. I usually opt for fish tacos on corn tortillas with guacamole on the side. Other than that, I love seafood. I could eat crab legs, french fries and cole slaw every day for the rest of my life. (Maybe a bit of an exaggeration...)

I love hearing what others eat + other quick and dirty recipes, so please share!

—Olivia

*Because diet is such a personal thing, I want to add that this is what works for me. In no way do I think you should give up the foods you love if you don't have to. I'm all about making the right choice for your lifestyle.