4 tips from The Laundress about Fabric and Cashmere Care

Tip 1...
Only store cashmere and wool in breathable fabric like cotton or linen.
Moths can't get in and it help prevent discoloration. Same rules for silk. (Clos-ette always Preaches this one, and even wrote this into my book SHOP YOUR CLOSET!)
Tip 2
Always treat underarms,collars and cuffs with a stain remover on white shirts even if the stain is not visable. The stain builds up over time and can breakdown the fiber- (LOVE THIS)
Tip 3
If you have to use bleach. Please know that bleach cancels out detergent. Run a separate cycle.
Tip 4
To prevent colors from fading, hang darks to dry or use the dryer on low heat and always wash your item inside out in cold water with a detergent that has color guard like the laundress darks detergent.

Thanks for the extra tips guys!!!

XOXO
Clos-ette

House of Lavande

Like most lovers of fashion, I love fabulous dress or a coat but I ADORE accessories. Without accessories where would be? Indeed a great accessory can make a great outfit... unforgettable. And honestly the bigger, the more dramatic the better.

This is exactly why I've become a fan of the House of Lavande... I honestly had no idea how many amazing pieces they have thanks Tracy Smith, House of Lavande's founder, who hand picks every single featured piece, including designers like Alan Anderson, Julianna Black, Schreiner and several curated pieces from decades ago that will astound you by unknown designer who we must continue to wear and celebrate.


See the images I've included below ranging from the bold and unique to whimsical and elegant! I promise that you'll find only the most sensational statement pieces!! House of Lavande has been featured in vanity Fair, Vogue, Bazaar and many more! the pieces have been worn by Anne Hathaway, Kate Hudson, Sienna Miller (shown), Isla Fisher, Drew Barrymore and the list goes on and on...these statement pieces are the fashionista recessionista's dream come true! Gallant statement pieces which are the fraction of the price as buying at say a Harry Winston, Graff, Neil Lane or Fred Leighton!

if you want to shop the collection online or for inquiries go to www.houseoflavande.com or call 561 832 3737.

XOXO
Clos-ette

The Queens of Garment Care - The Laundress

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber started The Laundress product line because of their frustration with toxic cleaning chemicals and detergents used to both dry clean and wash their clothes ...so they combined the most potent friendliest cleaning concoctions with the most beautiful scents into their luxurious garment and home furnishing care line was born.
Made with organic materials, renewable resources, plant based dye and free from chlorine, bleach and artificial fragrances not to mention animal and cruelty free, you can certainly feel good inside and out!!! And too boot their products still have a higher efficacy rate than grocery store products as a result of incorporating several enzymes which are more expense but far safer and much more efficient in banishing stains. The current collection is available in four fabulous The Laundress scents


Classic
Baby
Lady
Cedar

We LOVE the wool and cashmere shampoo, the ironing water, static solution and travel paquettes!!! Oh and the wash and stain bar!
The best part is that the entire The Laundress collection will soon be debuting on Clos-ette's online shop!

XOXO
Clos-ette

Truffles, Truffles, Truffles! Thanks to the Urbani's of Alba, Italy.

One of my favorite things is an amazing meal (with diving company). Fortunately last night I had both and rather than wax poetic about my husband I thought that I would share the most amazing truffle dish with you (recipe below).

Hands down, truffles are one my favorite food groups J I love them on everything! Unfortunately, it is not the most affordable taste to have acquired, until now… thanks to the Urbani's of Alba, Italy who have been growing truffles for several generations. In addition the actual truffles, the Urbani's produce the most divine truffle oils and pastas, which I was actually able to find at New York's D’Agostino grocery chain. Thankfully you can purchase your own goodies directly from them through their website www.urbanitartufi.it

The website includes online shopping, information about the Urbani Truffle school and recipes (in addition to the one from last night) from the Urbani's as well!!

Bon appétit!

XOXO
Clos-ette

Trouble folding your clothes? Try Caldrea!

Having trouble folding your t's, dress shirts and sweaters? Well use
what the retailers use... the folding board! Yes its that simple a board that you fold clothes your clothes around in
order to achieve that in store retail aesthetic. Although you could
make your own I recommend investing in a professional model. In fact
Caldrea makes a great one! www.caldrea.com $15 877-576-8808

And if you want to keep your perfectly folded stacks smelling as good
as they look I'd recommend using a lavender aroma fold.

Trust me, with these two handy tools you and your closet will be better for it

XOXO
Clos-ette

Sites we love! Designspotter.com, splendora.com, stylebakery.com!

Home and Style

* apartmenttherapy.com
* cribcandy.com/
* blueantstudio.blogspot.com
* thecoolhunter.net
* designspongeonline.com
* designspotter.com
* luxury-furniture.biz
* betterlivingthroughdesign.com
* padstyle.com
* designspotter.com
* treehugger.com
* design-milk.com
* Bagsnob.com
* DailyCandy.com
* fashionista.com
* notesonaparty.com
* fashionweekdaily.com
* glam.com
* glamour.com
* iamfashion.com
* iVillage.com
* elle.com
* Julib.com
* mystyle.com/mystyle
* Painfullyhip.com
* people.com
* Splendora.com
* Style.com
* stylebakery.com
* stylebubble.typepad.com
* Styleiton.com
* the-coveted.com
* themoment.blogs.nytimes.com
* TheSartorialist.com
* TopButton.com
* whattoweardaily.com
* www.refinery29.com
* www.trendcentral.com
* www.wwd.com
* luxist.com
* allthebestblog.com
* hautelook.com
* closetcouture.com
* franklinreport.com
XOXO
Clos-ette

583 Park Avenue - Designed by Delano & Aldrich - Restored by Louis Rose and Alex Lind Rose.

New York is full of some special spaces that remind you why New York is well... NEW YORK !! These spaces include restaurants, museums, shops and (drum roll please) 583 Park Avenue. If you are not familiar with this space, I strongly recommend that you acquaint yourself!!

583 Park Avenue is one of those special spaces that is large enough to hold 500 of your closest friends yet still feels intimate, it is managed stupendously and has a second to none catering operation. Believe it or not, outside of a handful of the world's greatest grandest hotels spaces there are very few 583 Park Avenues out there and none that has such an illustrious history

Designed by the firm Delano & Aldrich and completed in 1923, 583 Park was restored to its rightful state by Louis Rose and his wife, clothing designer Alex Lind Rose. I was recently fortunate enough to attend an event at 583 and was completely blown away by the food, the service and beauty of the space itself. It most certainly does leave an impression, but don't take my word for it... see below...



XOXO
Clos-ette

Where to Donate? Try Housing Works, Room to Grow, Build it Green! NYC, or Housing and Advocacy Foundation for Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter

Ok, so we preach to you constantly about editing and giving it away, resell it or donate it but recently I've been asked about next steps... Where do you donate to??? Well in typical Clos-ette style we are going to give you a guide city by city and hopefully, if we've missed yours you'll let us know.

So let’s start with our own city: New York!! 

1. We love Housing Works for donating almost anything furniture, clothing, books, jewelry, accessories, china, lps, dvds, cds, all in good to perfect condition and as an added bonus they pick up as well but there are some things that they won't pick up (see list below) Listed below are items we will NOT pick up:• pressed wood or Formica furniture• wall units that are not cost effective to pick up• all major appliances (e.g., refrigerators/stoves/ac’s/etc.)• mattresses/futons/box springs/platform and bunks beds• baby/children’s furniture/strollers/car seats/etc.• exercise equipment & medical equipment• copiers/typewriters/old computers & TV’s/microwaves• old consoles with radio and turntable/old large speakers• unbound carpeting
 Housing Works has seven locations in New York City and the money made on resold items goes to fund programs dedicated to those living with AIDS that other organisations deem “too challenging to serve.” By offering a comprehensive array of health, housing, AIDS prevention, legal and case management services, they help the whole person. And Housing Works is easy to contact www.housingworks.org 212-366-0820 x 2
 

2.However if you have baby furniture to donate contact roomtogrow.org 212-260-7800 since Housing works will NOT accept these items. Room to grow will make sure impoverished parents receive the baby items you no longer need or can store! 

3.Tools and building materials are also challenging to donate but do not despair the Build it Green! NYC, a nonprofit that sells surplus and used building materials for cheap. Pick up service is for high quality items only; call to ask if your load qualifies. 718-777-0132, bignyc.org 4. Lastly, electronics and books can go to Housing and Advocacy Foundation for Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter takes your in good condition books, comic books, CDs, DVDs, VHS cassettes, video games and electronics to sell through its Emporium Online program, which gives on-the-job training to the homeless clients who run it, while also raising money for the organization. Pick up requires a minimum of three boxes, 212-537-5424. 212-537-5420; ncsinc.org

XOXO
Clos-ette

How to Fold a Sweater

Step 1:
Lay the sweater facedown, Place a lavender sweater fold in the center of the sweater to keep the shape of the sweater, make stacking of each sweater uniform and to repell bugs and freshen your closet air! Then fold each arm straight across.
Step 2:
Fold over one side to the middle.
Step 3:
Fold over the other side, so that the sleeve edges meet in the center.
Step 4:
Fold up once or twice, depending on the length and bulk of the sweater and the depth of your storage space. Flip over.
And finito!
Stay Tuned for more "how to tips"!

XOXO
Clos-ette