I recently took my daughter clothes shopping for her back-to-school wardrobe. We enjoyed a fun day out, she scored big with some very lovely outfits for quite reasonable prices...and I even bought a new sweater for myself.

Before every clothes shopping adventure with my daughter, I always give her the same advice. 'Only buy clothes that you absolutely love, that look great on you, and that make you feel amazing when you have those items on. Otherwise, leave them in the store.'

This advice has served her well. Her closet contains a more-than-adequate selection, although it isn't stuffed full (which is amazing because she's a teenager). Most importantly, she likes every piece of clothing she owns, which means she wears a huge percentage of her wardrobe (barring a few fancy dresses for very special occasions) on a daily basis.

I know how valuable this advice is, because I give myself the same speech before I buy anything new to wear for myself.

Look in your clothes closet. Out of all the clothes in there, what percentage do you wear? Be honest with yourself. I'm not talking about the gown you wore once on a cruise you took, or a frilly dress you bought for a wedding shower. I'm talking about your everyday casual clothes and work clothes.

Hint: Most people wear only 20% of their clothing 80% of the time.

Twenty percent. That's it.

Any why is this?

It all began with your original purchase.

Sometimes it's a glittery, sparkly shirt that catches your eye and your heart...and you're not paying any mind to that part of your brain trying to tell you things like a) you'll never wear it because it's too flashy for work, 2) you rarely go any place fancy enough to wear it, and/or 3) once you wear it a few times, you'll have to bring it to the dry cleaner and the likelihood of you doing that is one in a million.

Other times, you're buying something to wear 'someday'...like IF you lose a few inches around your waistline, IF you get that dream job, and/or IF you end up traveling to Tahiti.

Maybe it's simply an impulse buy because it happens to be on sale. Heck, sometimes folks will grab four of the same shirt in the same style, in four different colors...not because they have any real love for these shirts, but rather because the store is having a 'buy three-get one free' sale.

Perhaps you see a skirt or pair of slacks that 'might' work, BUT you're not in the mood to try it on. Your intention is to return it if it doesn't work out...but then days, months, years pass and that item is still hanging in your closet...perhaps with the store tag still attached.

Goodness...sometimes clothes are purchased and they're 'so nice to wear' that they hang in your closet because you don't want them to get ruined!

All of these reasons, and more, end up in cluttered clothes closets and dressers.

To organize whatever is CURRENTLY in your closet, this link will take you to an article on my web site entitled, '10 Steps to a Happy Clothes Closet.'

getorganizednow.com/organizing-article-happy-clothes-closet.html

That being said, to prevent buying any clothing from now on that is going to end up being part of your clutter, come up with some shopping criteria for yourself.

For instance, I will not purchase any clothing unless:

a) I really love it. Not just 'hmmmm...I think I like it.' NO! It has to give me an 'I must have this' type of feeling.

b) It has to look great on me. If I have even the slightest feeling that something may be 'off' (too short, too long, too frumpy, too frilly, etc.), I don't buy it. If you're not good at this, bring someone shopping with you who is, or ask a sales associate who you trust.

c) It has to look amazing on me...which means, I 'have to' try it on, while I'm in the store. If I purchase online, which I do now and then, I try it on as soon as I receive it and make the decision right there and then if I'm going to keep it. If not, it gets shipped back the very next day while I have the box/envelope and all the return materials handy.

d) It has to have a 'special touch.' For me, I like clothing I buy to have something special about it...nice stitching, a fancy neckline, an interesting shape, etc. I will occasionally buy a basic T-shirt, but I lean towards an item that's a bit more interesting. Note: This doesn't, in any way, mean it has to be pricey!

e) Except for buying a special occasion dress, it has to be something that is appropriate to wear often (at least 2 to 3 times in a month.)

A cluttered closet begins at the source...and that is the original purchase date of every item in there. Be very discerning when you're clothes shopping. It's better to have some nice outfits you really like wearing, versus tons of clothes that never see the light of day.

Don't Study Harder...Study Smarter!

Introducing the Speed Study System
Anyone Can Use to
Get Better Grades
in Less Time and With Less Effort

To fast-forward to getting better grades, visit:

http://www.getorganizednow.com/rd-grades.html

In my neighborhood, back-to-school is happening in just a few weeks. Whether YOU HAVE a son, daughter or grandchild in school, or YOU are in school yourself, NOW is a great time to be sure those grades are where you want them to be. If they're suffering a bit...I know an excellent secret for getting better grades-- without the hassles, the cramming, the endless hours of studying, the frustration, or the agony!

This resource I found, and love, is perfect for anyone in grade school, middle school, high school, college or beyond.

Here are just a few of the things you'll discover...

* The simple formula to help you hop from the grades you have been getting, to the grades that make you and your family proud, without studying harder

* How to wipe out bad study habits and achieve academic excellence

* How to finish your homework faster, get ready for your tests and exams in a split-second, and spend the rest of the day doing the things you want to do

* The 5-step system you can use to organize your academic work, social activities, sports and family responsibilities around your 'peak performance periods' for maximum results

* How to excel at sports, have an active social life and still get As and Bs in most of your subjects WITHOUT staying up past midnight to do your homework

* 6 powerful methods for remembering everything the teacher says and passing any exam or test (while still having fun)

* and so much more!

Here is what just one fan had to say...

'I can't believe I have stayed up so many nights trying to cram for exams, when all along I could have been doing it the easy way! I'm so much less stressed since I got my copy of 'Get The Best Grades With the Least Amount of Effort' because I have more time to relax AND I'm confident I have studied effectively.'
--Maleia

For more information, visit...

http://www.getorganizednow.com/rd-grades.html

P.S. Because we are BIG believers in this program and in helping anyone in school to do as well as possible, when you order anything from the Get the Best Grades web site, BEFORE SUNDAY, AUGUST 20TH AT 11:59 p.m. (CST) email me and I'll send you $125 in complimentary bonuses as follows...

* Smart Schooltime Recipes: The Breakfast, Snack and Lunchbox Cookbook for Healthy Kids and Adults

* Holidays for Family Travel Tips

* Directions for Improving Your Life

* Grad Expectation: The essential guide for all graduates entering the work force

* A Plum in the Syrup: 17 Suggestions, Observations and Truths You Can Adopt to Live a More Fulfilled Life

P.S. Because these bonuses are exclusively available for my readers, you won't see anything about them on the description page. To get your complimentary bonuses, just email me at: getorgnow@charter.net along with your order number and I'll email your files immediately.

Storage: I love coffee. I love tea. And I love storing the cups properly
getorganizednow.com/storage-coffee-tea.html



Top Ten: My top 10 ways to be a better, more organized cook at home
getorganizednow.com/topten-organized-cook-home.html



Featured Video: Are you a procrastinator? If so, this video will make you laugh
getorganizednow.com/video-procrastination.html



Dirty Little Secret 1: When I get a gift card to a store or restaurant, here's what I do to ensure I don't forget I have it
getorganizednow.com/dirty-little-secret-gift-card.html



Dirty Little Secret 2: To ensure my social engagements don't overtake my calendar, here's what I do
getorganizednow.com/dirty-little-secret-social.html



Dirty Little Secret 3: Can't find anything in your purse? Here's one thing I do to keep mine organized!
getorganizednow.com/dirty-little-secret-purse-organized.html



Mini Challenges: Small accomplishments give us the energy we need to move on to bigger and better challenges. Here are 5 things you can start...and finish...this week!
getorganizednow.com/organizing-challenge-small-accomplishments.html



In ADDITION, on our home page, you'll also find lots of NEW and featured STUFF including...

Social Media Spotlight. How to throw away the memories our kids leave behind
getorganizednow.com



Theme of the Week: Being Average. Enjoy our home page quotes, that reflect our theme, for added inspiration and motivation this week
getorganizednow.com

1. Get jewelry cleaned and inspected. Years ago, my mother lost the diamond in her engagement ring...never to be found again. She was devastated. If you have any jewelry with precious stones, bring them to a trusted jeweler for cleaning this week...and get the settings inspected while you're there for any needed adjustments or repairs.

2. Weed out old magazines and newspapers. If you have a large collection, weed out a bunch this week. Recycle them...or give them to somebody who would like them.

3. Reorganize your coffee and tea mugs. Donate those that you never use, have seen better days. Be sure you're not keeping enough for an army. In other words, a family of four doesn't need 20 mugs. Remove what you have from your cabinet and wipe clean the cabinet well. Place your keepers back in...or find a new storage solution for them to free up cabinet space, like a mug tree or cup hooks under a cabinet or shelf.

4. Bid farewell to 25 computer files you no longer need. Documents, spreadsheets, text files, PDF files and more...this week, delete 25 of them.

5. Check immunizations. Are you, or someone in your family, due for any immunizations? Consult with your family doctor and schedule time to take care of any that are needed.

As if you were on fire from within. The moon lives in the lining of your skin.

--Pablo Neruda




I'd love to hear from you.
Comments, suggestions, or just to say hello. Just REPLY to this email with a short note.

And remember...Being organized creates a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!

getorganizednow.com

(c) Copyright 2017 by Maria Gracia, Get Organized Now!

* Copyright, contact and reprint information:
getorganizednow.com/contact.html

* You signed up to receive our Idea-Kit and/or our Newsletter at our Get Organized Now! Web site. We never add names unless you have voluntarily opted in.

* We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list.

* If you happen to purchase anything I recommend in this or any of my communications, its likely I'll receive some kind of affiliate compensation. Still, I only recommend stuff that I truly believe in and share with my friends and family. If you ever have an issue with anything I recommend please let me know. I want to make sure I am always serving you at the highest level.

* To subscribe, visit:
getorganizednow.com/free-ezine.html




* To unsubscribe, if you absolutely must go, please click the link below. However . . .

YIKES! - If you unsubscribe, you'll lose all the complimentary organizing resources I share with my loyal readers each week. You'll lose the Weekly Tips, Reader Tips, Reader Clinics, complimentary videos, ebooks, resource recommendations, and the many valuable bonuses I offer each month (some totaling hundreds of dollars). Please don't go. I love sending you all of this free training. I'd be lost and lonely without you. If there is something more you would like from my newsletters, then please reply to this email and let me know.
-- Maria Gracia