It’s that time of year. Truth be told it happened a lot earlier this year than any other year. I’m shopped out. I’m spent out. I feel overwhelmed with the offers, deals and bargains in my inbox. I am craving simplicity and calm. The New Year almost always starts with resolutions and I’d like to start mine with my closet. Do you feel the same way? Would you like to join me?

I have to credit my good friend Kimmy Lipka for this “dietetic approach” to shopping. Kim and I managed a store together in Massachusetts for over 10 years. Not only were we good friends but “thicker than thieves” shopping partners. We often ended our work days with a “Want to make a Bloomingdale’s run?” We also had a “shopping hotline.” We would call each other when we were out shopping…”I found this fabulous tote and it’s all about the airport… do you want me to get you one too?” And then one day, I called Kim about an item… I don’t remember what it was now, but I was disappointed and confused when she said…”I can’t - I’m on gas and groceries.”

How I’m feeling at the moment. Overwhelmed by what’s in my closet.

She went on to explain that she was only going to buy “gas and groceries” (just the necessities) for the month. As much as I was disappointed in losing my shopping buddy to this new “diet” I thought it was brilliant! I hopped on the “gas and groceries” diet! I have shared this with clients and friends throughout the years. They love it too. Sometimes it happens twice a year but ALWAYS in January.

Are you with me?

All month long on social media, I will be offering tips on how to make the most of what is in your closet. You’ll hear tips on how to style what is in your closet and how to get more out of things you don’t wear often. I’ll offer advice on what to keep and what to toss when it comes to weeding through your clothes. I’ll even offer ideas on how to stick to the budget when it comes to filling in items that you need to round out your wardrobe.

Now, I have been on enough “diets” to know that if I deprive myself of too much I’m setting myself up for failure. So, here’s “my clothes-shopping diet goal” for the month of January.

My goal is to buy only what I need. I will look away from all those tempting items I tend to buy because they stop me in my tracks! I also want to wear the things in my closet that I don’t wear often.

What is your goal?

Keep it simple. Try not to give yourself too many things to do. Perusing through your closet and not shopping might be exactly what you need. Maybe your closet is already paired down and you would like to wear the things in your wardrobe in different ways?

Whatever it is I’m here to help! All month long, I will have tips to help you get the most out of your wardrobe you already own. I’ll also be there to help keep you on track by offering a private facebook group to those who want more support than I can give on posting on social media.

If you are up for the challenge, join me! It’s easy:

Follow me on https://www.facebook.com/chachaolivias/.
I’ll invite you to join the private Facebook group, Shop Your Closet Challenge.
Watch for an email from me with an invitation to join.
If you have any questions about joining the challenge, feel free to email me.

I hope you enjoy the next couple of weeks with family and friends!

Fashionably yours,