the sum of it all.

spring.

Verb Move or jump suddenly upward or forward.

Noun The season after winter and before summer.

Synonyms verb.   leap - skip - bound - hop noun.   source - fountain - fount - well - leap - springtime

Crate and Barrel summed it up very well on their web page, start with a 'Clean Slate' as we inch forward into spring. And while it is still fairly grey out there, get your cleaning done and get organized before the sunny days whisk you outside to be lost in the vast green space, without a thing to wear....

1. get cleaning products
2. wash & fold away winter stuff
3. bring out summer stuff
4. throw out old stuff
5. acquire new stuff!

See all items to get you started:

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/SpecialOffers/CleanSlate

Room for a view.

Scary, no??

Hopefully it doesn't reflect your bedroom!! If it does, Please keep reading...

 

A room to be desired can be the room that will make getting dressed a joy. Beside the obvious uses to the bedroom, sleep and intimate happenings, consider it the relaxing inspirational room for easing yourself into your clothes and defining yourself. If you have a bedroom which you love to spend time in, it is obviously going to add to the pleasures of getting to your clothes, going through your closet and drawers. A beautiful room with good soft or bright lighting, great furniture and accessories and painted in a shade which together entices the need for lazy lounging, will be a great asset in your life. Truly. 

I was browsing through one of my favourite blogs, been a fan for years, Emma's Design Blog (http://emmas.blogg.se/), and decided to look through her images logged under her 'Design Hotels' section. Emma has a fantastic perception of and perspective on Scandinavian design, in particular the pure sublime beauty of black and white. Lots of incredibly awe-inspiring images. I am a fan.

Interior design is unbelievable today, design in general I would say, so much to choose from, endless resources on the net, heavenly inspirations for sure. Get yourself inspired to take a solid look at your own personal space. Does it create an inviting place to spend some surplus time indulging within your wardrobe? If not, make a few changes. it could be how you have arranged the room. Remember it costs nothing to move furniture around and you might be surprised how the layout affects you (might even improve your sleep!). Or paint it, again an inexpensive option to update your room. Neutral shades are a good choice because they are flattering on your skin and let you see the colour and patterns of your clothes more objectively, which will lead to a better coordinated look.

Of course hotels have it down to an art form when it comes to designing a bedroom for utter relaxation. Check some of my fav picks from Emma's Blog:

http://networkedblogs.com/Km2cX

I love them all, hard to choose between the pale vs the darker shades, but I must say below is vonderful!

To see more images of the 'scary bedroom' photo at top:
http://www.katewithacamera.com/2010/03/10/master-bedroom-scary-before-photos/

Runners up!

Runners, trainers, tennies, sneakers, sneaks, call them what you will, they are as staple in everybody's wardrobe as much as a pair of black shoes. But how do you wear them? And how many do you actually own? They have so many possibilities, take them to the gym or pair them with a suit to go the office. I do so admire those who manage to bring excitement into their look when they pull it off with non-gym clothing. From plain black Nikes to pop color sneaks that add a punch to your look. 

Unfortunately it's not a look I have mastered myself, but it definitely is a fabulous option for all to try if you are keen. I would definitely invest in a good pair if you want to wear them to the office or heading to an event (leave the smelly gym ones at home!), it will make all the difference.

http://www.gq.com/style/blogs/the-gq-eye/2012/10/the-gq-guide-to-sneakers.html

Age is not relevant.

 

http://www.thesartorialist.com/?s=sneakers

http://mypreciousconfessions.blogspot.ca/2012/01/top-10-fashion-blogger-sneakers.html

Khaki sensation.

I've talked about them before, the next best thing after denim: khakis.

They are all age appropriate (seriously, from babies to a mature gentleman), they kind of fade in & out of fashion, but always remain on the sidelines for men, always coming back to surprise us with their simple practicality. And they could look cool, as 'The Sartorialist' captures so well in these photos. Love them!

I guess I will have to get my husband a navy shirt...

http://www.thesartorialist.com/photos/if-youre-thinking-about-the-perfect-summer-outfit-for-a-man/


 Need more convincing reasons to wear them? See the Hudson Bay's link:
b-insider.com/2013/mens-essentials/