2011 spring cleaning

try before you buy

4 Ways to Fix a Hem on the Fly: Watch and Learn!

We've all been in a situation where we need to fix a hem on the go, but knowing what materials to use and how to actually mend your hem can be a little tricky.

We've all been in a situation where we need to fix a hem on the go, but knowing what materials to use and how to actually mend your hem can be a little tricky. Luckily, we have four easy ways to help you fix it quickly and effectively. If you're out and about and need an instant fix, safety pins or tape will do the trick. In need of something a bit more permanent? No problem, hem tape and sewing a blind hem are simple, no-fuss solutions. Just watch the video to add all these great wardrobe tricks to your arsenal!

accessories

Inside Her Wardrobe: Table Tonic's Louise Bell Lets Us Snoop!

We're wrapping up our great, big September Spring Cleaning special on a high!
Inside Her Wardrobe: Interior's Blogger Louise Bell from Table Tonic Show Us Her Stylish Closet!

We're wrapping up our great, big September Spring Cleaning special on a high! Louise Bell's interiors blog Table Tonic has been favourite-ed in our browsers for some time, and given her ex-mag lady credentials and keen eye for homewares-candy, we're as pleased as punch that she let us inside her snoop-worthy wardrobe. From her dainty jewellery displays to handy belt holders, step inside to see how the professionals go about organizing their closet space. Take the tour!

Whitney Port

Snoop Whitney Port's Amazing Wardrobe Makeover

Looks like Whitney Port has been taking our Spring Cleaning advice!

Looks like Whitney Port has been taking our Spring Cleaning advice! The Hills alumn' shared this sneak peek inside her fashion-filled wardrobe, posting before and after shots of her walk-in-robe. What a difference! Whitney must have been inspired by our wardrobe makeover tips by Arianna Belle, coz she called in the big guns to get your closet sorted. She said, "My room was filled with clothes while LA Closet Design was constructing my closet and it’s finally done! This was the disaster that was my room before." Then after the re-vamp, "I hope I don’t mess it up — everything is just so perfect right now." Are you a little jelly of Whit's schmick new closet? We are! Might need to wave the organizing wand over our own wardrobes...

Fab Exclusive

Arianna Belle Shares Her 5 Top Spring Cleaning Closet Tips!

With our current obsession with all things Spring Cleaning related, we've become very regular visitors to Arianna Vargas' ever-inspiring interiors blog Arianna Belle.
Top Tips for Organizing Your Wardrobe Space by Interiors Blogger Arianna Belle: Shoe Storage, Jewellery Displays and more!

With our current obsession with all things Spring Cleaning related, we've become very regular visitors to Arianna Vargas' ever-inspiring interiors blog Arianna Belle. This LA-based decorating guru is an authority when it comes to beautifying any space — so we picked her brain for the best ways to cull, organize and style up a less-than-inspiring wardrobe. From her caring-for-cashmere must-have, to nifty ideas for displaying jewellery, Arianna's top five closet-makeover tips will turn your wardrobe into one well-organized fashion fantasy. Inspired? Scope her just-opened interiors store.

vintage

How to Buy and Sell Vintage Like a Professional

When it comes to the dreaded task of cleaning out the wardrobe for Spring, we need all the help we can get.

When it comes to the dreaded task of cleaning out the wardrobe for Spring, we need all the help we can get. But with a little know how, you can turn that closet clear-out into a money-spinning venture that will leave you with an organized wardrobe and coin to hit the shops with! The Frock Exchange in Sydney's Clovelly one of the finest emporiums of pre-owned vintage and designer threads, so we sought the counsel of VIP customer manager Danielle Draper on the best ways to on-sell your wares, as well as what to look for when buying vintage.
FabSugar: What's the best way to go about selling your second-hand clothes?
Danielle Draper: Firstly, visit a cross-section of second-hand, vintage and recycled clothing stores to get a feel for who to target with your wares. Be familiar with the sort of product they sell, be it high end labels, vintage or chain store pieces. Evaluate the standard of the clothes you're wanting to sell, and target the stores accordingly. You'll have better success with your pieces selling this way.
To learn more from Danielle . . .

fragrance

5 Tips For Storing Your Fragrances So That They Last Longer

Fragrance, like other cosmetics, has a shelf life.

Fragrance, like other cosmetics, has a shelf life. But unlike most makeup, it can be hard to replace, extremely expensive, and once something happens to it, there's no putting it back together. Because fragrance is so vulnerable to degradation from a number of factors, smart storage practices are important. Want to know how to keep your favourite fragrances smelling exactly as they should for as long as possible? Here's what:

  • Keep them away from temperature extremes. Most of the time, this means heat, but people who attempt to put their scents in the freezer to keep them fresh often also end up destroying the integrity of the fragrances. The best temperature is a good bit colder than a comfortable room, around 13-16 degrees. If you want the perfect conditions, try storing your stuff in a esky.
  • Keep reading . . .

Fab Tip

Quick Stain-Fighting Tips For Untimely Disasters

No matter how hard we try to keep clean, stains happen to the best of us.

No matter how hard we try to keep clean, stains happen to the best of us. They usually occur at the most inopportune time landing on some of our favourite tees, sweaters, and fashion god forbid, white dresses. That said, we compiled a list of tried and true easy stain fighting tips from designers, clothing care gurus, and fellow editors. Now if only we could look just as glamorous as Lily Donaldson and Gemma Ward, seen here in Vogue, while cleaning our clothes...

  • Oil stains (pizza, grease, sauce): Grab a white absorbent cloth and place under the stain. Create a solution with two tablespoons of dish washing liquid, like Palmolive, and one tablespoon of white vinegar. Dab the stain lightly until it breaks down and passes through into cloth, and then flush with lukewarm water. — John Mahdessian, Madame Paulette
  • Deodorant stains: "Get rid of embarrassing deodorant stains on your clothes by rubbing the affected area with an old pair of pantyhose." — Chi Chau, FabSugar US Associate Editor
  • More handy tips plus how to get rid of lipstick, blood, and sweat stains.

    Spring Cleaning

    Check Out Bella's Top 5 Makeup Storage Products

    I'm hoping you took our advice and completed a thorough Spring Clean of your makeup and toiletries so your collection is looking a little more manageable.
    Bella's Top 5 Makeup Storage Products to buy Online

    I'm hoping you took our advice and completed a thorough Spring Clean of your makeup and toiletries so your collection is looking a little more manageable. Now that's done, we're moving on to keeping it all in order, being able to easily find what you're looking for and most importantly, keeping it in good condition — trust me, there's nothing worse than finding a beloved palette shattered all over your bathroom bench. Check out our top five makeup organiser buys to get you sorted.

    Fab Closet

    Top 5 Trans-seasonal Buys to Get You Through Spring

    Now, don't get us wrong.
    Top Five Trans-seasonal Spring Buys For Spring: Midi Skirts, Button Downs, Half Shoes, Cropped Blazer and more!

    Now, don't get us wrong. We LOVE that Spring has sprung. But that crazy, in-between-seasons weather can play havoc on our morning what-to-wear routine. Stinking hot one minute, freezing cold the next — we've had enough of playing victim to the fickle weather forecasts. So we're taking action with five online buys that are sure to see us through the most temperamental of temperatures. Luckily, this season's newest styles are made for this stuff: midi skirts, button downs and half-shoes tick all the trans-seasonal style boxes.

    online shopping

    Get Your Bedroom Storage Sorted with 5 Online Stores

    Spring cleaning is one thing, but sorting the space for your clothing, shoes and accessories is another.  We're always on the lookout for ways to maximise the space in our bedroom, keep it organised and avoid the morning panic of not being able to find an outfit.
    Get Your Bedroom Storage Sorted with 5 Online Stores Howards Storage World, IKEA, Freedom Furniture

    Spring cleaning is one thing, but sorting the space for your clothing, shoes and accessories is another.  We're always on the lookout for ways to maximise the space in our bedroom, keep it organised and avoid the morning panic of not being able to find an outfit. To ease the stress, we've found five online stockists with clever bedroom storage solutions so you can avoid the weekend trek and fix that closet mess from the comfort of your couch instead. Your new wardrobe is waiting for you...