Ah, spring. The birds are singing, flowers are blooming, and fashion is flirty and fun! Well, hold onto that optimistic spring spirit– it’s time to tackle a little closet spring cleaning! We know that this can be as scary as neon ruffles on the runways, but that is exactly why it’s crucial to do it at least twice a year. Purge the past and make room for the present. There is a delight in this daunting duty! End-of-season sales are perfect opportunities to find great deals on this season’s pieces that will transcend into fall and even next spring. And with a little cleaning, you’ll have all the room you need to house your new fashion friends. So, before you dive into the closet cleansing, make sure to educate yourself on upcoming trends so you keep the right things (and know what to hone in on at the sales)!

Ok, here we go! Pick a day and set aside a solid few hours. You’ll need a good full-length mirror - yes, that’s right, you’ll be trying everything on - and a can-do attitude. Focus on the positive! After today, you won’t have to look at an overstuffed closet, baffled as to why you can’t find anything to wear. Be strong, be firm, and be liberated! Don’t get overwhelmed; just take one step at a time. Think of it as a stroll through Fashion Square on Memory Lane.

Start by completely emptying your closet. As you pull things out, separate them into three piles, boxes, or bags: Keep, Ditch (Give/Sell), Trash. If you haven’t worn something in a year, it’s time to let go. This goes for shoes and accessories too! If a pair of shoes doesn’t match at least two outfits, say adieu and move on! Consider things in the present - your current body shape and the needs of your lifestyle right now. Try on everything, and don’t let fashion be your foe. If you don’t feel good in something, ditch it! Get rid of as much as possible. Trust us, it’s cathartic!

Now that the closet’s empty, clean it out. Dust bunnies are not pets! Throw in a cedar block and potpourri sachet to keep it smelling fresh, and you’re ready to start restocking. Remember, only the items that you truly like and feel good in should be allowed in the sanctuary of your closet. And don’t forget the magic ingredient - organization! You want to see the fruits of your labor at the end of the day! Invest in a few hanging organizers to maximize your space, and/or clear boxes to store certain clothes away. Ditch the wire hangers! Take a Bed Bath & Beyond break if you need more appropriate hangers — it’s worth it. Now sit back and enjoy your skeleton-free closet! Make a mental note of the specific qualities of items you love most, and keep in mind the key similarities in items you don’t feel good in, so you are armed and ready for a successful spree at the end-of season sales!

Nope, that is not a typo! We know it’s only July 2009 - and here in the Northern Hemisphere, that still means the middle of summer, which leaves plenty of time to enjoy the fabulously fashioned trends of Spring 09! But fashion’s always forward, and Fall 09 has already rocked the runways and has been spotted making its debut in stores. You know what that means … spring sales are on the horizon! So we checked in with CAbi’s Design Team to get the inside scoop on next spring and help you make fiscally smart choices at this season’s sales.

Color will continue to be a driving force! Look for bright tones, especially corals and blues. And what’s better than dazzling white to complement these vivid hues? Lucky for us, white denim will be bigger than ever next spring. Plan on tailored jackets in textured fabrications, nautical influences in bohemian styling, patchwork, tunics, and of course, we can’t have spring without a little romance.

We hope this gives you at least a few helpful hints as you hit the sales! Be sure to keep an eye out for shoes and accessories to complement the upcoming trends! See a few of our top picks below…

Once you make it to the afterglow of your closet clutter liberation, here are a few organizational steps to help you continue your quest defeat the disorder!

Protect your clothes: Now that you know every piece in your closet is something you love and feel great in, protect them!

	Hanging cedar in your closet, always packing boxes with cedar blocks, and even lining drawers with cedar paper made by Woodlore, will protect your clothes from hungry bugs.
	Avoid mold with an Eva-Dry Mini Closet Dehumidifier, which was specially designed to absorb moisture from small, enclosed areas like a closet. And as a special note for our green friends, this innovative device needs no power to operate and is environmentally safe!

We all know moth’s have great taste, so keep them from chewing on your favorite pieces with Moth Away Non Toxic Sachets.

• When it’s time to put the whites away for winter hibernations, keep them looking snowy by wrapping them in acid free paper. Try acid free tissue paper by Unbuffered.

	Make the most of floor space: Invest in a few stackable containers to keep seasonal and/or non-hanging clothes organized. Plastic stackable drawers and canvas chests with cedar are great options. For total organizational peace, invest in a label maker to clearly mark the containers so you always know what’s inside. For seasonal dressers, try a cart that can be wheeled out of storage and straight into your closet!
Over the door storage: Don’t your purses and shoes deserve a home of their own? An over the door shoe hanger or purse rack will help you avoid cluttering the floor with shoes and save space for your stackable drawers and carts.

Optimize hanging closet space: Let’s face it, we all dream of a bigger closet! But since closet construction may not be at the forefront of your mind right now, here are a few instant gratification options:

	Double closet space for under $10 with the Double Hang Closet Rod by Whitmor.
	Canvas dress storage bags and hanging shelves can also multiply your space. Try Richards Homeware’s version, which comes with cedar inserts.
	Add an Accessory Loop Tie and Belt Organizer by InterDesign for scarves and belts.

Our trick for storage success: label storage containers numerically and keep a spreadsheet of what is in each box.

What is your best organizing tip?

Seems easy enough, right? Not so, friends. Studies show that 70% of women are wearing the wrong bra size, so we’re here to save you from the sag! Closet cleanout is the perfect time to get rid of undergarments that don’t fit.

Size Matters -
Put on your best-fitting unpadded bra and grab a flexible tape measure. You’re looking for two key measurements: band size and cup size.

1. Band Size: Measure around the top of your rib cage, directly under your bust. When you have the measurement, round it off to the nearest whole number. If the number is even, add 4 inches; if it’s odd, add 5 inches. Your band size is the sum of this calculation. (For example, if you measured 32 inches, your band size is 36. If you measured 33 inches, your band size is 38.)
2. Cup Size: Place the tape measure around the fullest part of your bust, making sure it stays as even as possible around your body. The tape should be snug without digging into your skin. Round that measurement to the nearest even number and calculate the difference in inches between this number and your band size. A difference of 1 inch equals an A cup; 2 inches equals a B cup; 3 inches equals a C cup; and 4 inches equals a D cup. So if you measured a 36 band in the first step and you measured a 38 here, your cup size is B.

Here are a few clues that it’s time to get re-measured:

• The center panel of your bra should lie flat against your breastbone. If it gaps away from your body, your cup size is too small.
• Check your silhouette. Your bust should be midway between the top of your shoulder and the bend of your elbow. If they’re hanging out anywhere else, your bra is the wrong size. If there is a bulge above your bra line, your cup size is too small.
• Shoulder straps shouldn’t dig into your shoulders. It is possible to be comfortable!

If you’re comfortable getting up close and personal with a stranger, and let’s face it, if you’ve been to a CAbi party you probably are, the sales associates in most lingerie departments will be happy to help.

Ever wish you had a front row seat at Fashion Week? Well, twice a year that daydream is a CAbi Consultant’s sparkling reality! Before the start of each season, CAbi Girls attend The Scoop for the unveiling of CAbi’s upcoming Collection at an exclusive fashion show. It’s exhilarating, it’s exciting, and it’s oh-so-chic! After this exclusive launch, Consultants will attend top-notch workshops to equip them as fashionistas extraordinaire to help you with all of your style needs! More than anything, though, The Scoop is a special time for the community of CAbi Consultants to gather together to encourage one another, celebrate each other’s accomplishments, and get ready to rock a new season!

Sounds fun, right? You kind of wish you could come? Well, don’t worry, friends, we won’t let you down! This little songbird is soaring to The Scoop to bring you a sneak peek of the excitement that ensues. Ever wish Tuesdays came more often? Well, next week it will! Check back throughout the week for fun photos and updates from The Scoop. We may even sneak backstage to give you a tantalizing taste of the Fall 09 Fashion Show!