My Chic Life

Danke Schoen

For months and months I’ve heard rumblings about a mythical sausage factory in downtown LA… and today, I found it!

Wurstkuche, while possibly the worst name ever for a restaurant, excels in just about every other category. Although it’s a little tough to find (Erika and I drove around a questionable neighborhood in DTLA for at least 30 minutes) once you find it you’re were smack dab in the middle of the Art’s District and surrounded by adorable bars and restaurants as far as the eye can see. Be forewarned, the building doesn’t technically have a sign (that’s around the corner) but once inside you’ll be blown away by how modern a german sausage house can be.

Their menu boasts everything from Pork to Rattlesnake (apparently the house fave) and includes a litany of vegetarian and even vegan options for your friends who are less than inclined towards Bratwurst. The fries are double dipped, meaning, extra delicious and the beer menu alone could keep you debating for hours. Most delightful though is the totally modern, industrial seating area with long Oktoberfest style wooden tables forcing you to mix it up with everything from hipsters, to artists, to the suit-clad financial district types.

I’m not sure who dreamed this place up… but I so appreciate that something this cool is located in my city. It’s an absolute MUST the next time you’re in the DTLA hood!

Part two in the MCL series on organization…

Out of the Closet

We’re movin’ on up… to the closet! There is just NOTHING that makes me feel more fabulous, pulled together, and in control of my life than an organized closet (no, seriously, I’m not even kidding). Reorganizing my clothes reminds me of all of my favorite pieces: that great vintage bolero I bought when I first moved to LA, the funky fuscia skinny jeans I keep meaning to rock out, or that to-die-for sweater I splurged on from Free People… getting them in order and in the right “department” keeps them fresh in my mind. It also reminds me how blessed I am to have all of these gorgeous clothes since I spent a good part of my life in hand-me-downs and Goodwill specials.

First of all, go through your closet once a quarter. A closet filled with t-shirts that make you feel frumpy and pants that are two sizes to big/small are going to hide the great stuff you should be wearing. Remember, you can’t receive anything in life if your arms are full. And if your closet is full of stuff you never use, you wont really know what you have or what you need. Ask yourself… have I worn this in the last 6 months? Does this make me feel great?? Is this piece timeless, and well-made? Don’t allow yourself to hold on to crap simply because it was sooo expensive when you bought it in 11th grade, or you’re positive you’ll fit into a size 2 again some day. Be honest with yourself, and ruthless with your decisions… chances are, once that clutter is gone, you wont even miss it.

Ah-Shoooo

Secondly, categorize. Everything in my closet is organized by style… dresses with dresses, pants with pants, and within that are subcategories: silk long sleeve blouses, silk short sleeve blouses, etc. I’ve heard that some people organize by color but I can’t even comprehend this: when I get dressed I think “I want to wear a tank” not “gee, I want to wear yellow today”. But I guess if that’s your deal, then go with whatever works for you. The same goes for shoes, bras, panties, pj’s whatever. Get it together and keep it together.

Thirdly , just like Mommy Dearest I believe in NO WIRE HANGERS!! Seriously, if you’re old enough to drive a car you’re old enough to scrape of the money for matching hangers. Target or Walmart could hook you up with nice plastic ones (please use all the same color for the love of God!) for pocket change

Colorful Closet

Lastly, can I just say that your closet is a “room” just like any other. I took great care in picking out this peacocky teal paint for my closet walls. It’s fun and sassy (but still masculine enough for my husband) and it makes me happy when I see the bright happy colors of my dresses bouncing off it. Plus it’s a room that only you see, so go crazy!! Hot Pink, Jet Black… make it as unique as your clothes!

Today starts an MCL series on organization.

Behind Closed Drawers

I realize that not everyone out there shares my particular affinity for a well organized closet or pantry, but I beleive that might be becuase you don’t realize how much being organized could change your life. No seriously… when pieces of your life are in chaos, it becomes symptom of a greater issue. The clutter grows and multiplies and only causes more mess (be it physical, emotional, financial what have you). On the contrary, getting a handle on the clutter can do WONDERS for your disposition.

We’re going to start with the closet… the essence of your sartorial persona. Specifically, the jewelry drawer. Ladies (and gents) listen up…  YOU WILL NOT WEAR IT, IF YOU CAN’T FIND IT!! And in this economy, you’d be shocked out how organizing, categorizing, and taking stock of what you have already can make you feel like you’ve doubled your wardrobe without spending any cash.

Chain Gang

I’m lucky enough to have two drawers specifically devoted to my jewelry, a luxury for an accessory whore like me! (special thanks to my uber-talented carpenter father-in-law) but today’s re-org project was all about necklaces. I HATE when my necklaces get tangled… I hear my mother’s chiding voice in my head “you don’t deserve nice things if you don’t take care of them” so I finagled my own set up here. I lined my drawer with cork (a whole roll from target was maybe $7) and this allowed me to put in sweet notes from my husband or that tear-out of the Versace shoes I covet, or an inspiring quote (“well-behaved women seldom make history”). Though the real reason behind the cork is that it works so well to hold everything in place… I simply organized by style, color, etc and laid each piece out neatly and then pinned them in place with thumbtacks (otherwise every time I close the drawer they slide all over hell and Georgia!).

Having a place for everything (and everything in it’s place) means less time searching for the perfect pendant and more freedom to mix and match and pair things you might not have thought of before. Also, it’s amazing how getting just a small piece of your life in order makes you feel so accomplished and in control.

What about you Chic Readers, any of you rocking well-organized (aka OCD) jewelry drawers like me??

Dear Chic Readers,

My Inner Child

Today I find the need to let you know what’s been going on in my world over the last several months, and to clue you in on my plans for 2010. In the last quarter of 2009, I felt my usual end of the year burnout creeping in. The tough part was, that while I’m usually able to shake this off, I just couldn’t pull myself out of this funk. That’s when it occurred to me… maybe this year, I wouldn’t try a quick fix, I would really listen to what my heart was saying. What was it saying? It was saying I’m exhausted. I’m mentally and emotionally worn out, and I’ve felt that way for so long I don’t even remember when I didn’t feel this tired. Sadly, I don’t think I’m the only one. I think all around me, friends and aquaintances are coming off a tough year and asking themselves “What’s Next?”

For me, I’ve decided what’s next is, a lot more passion and a lot less work. I’m being extremely picky about the clients I’m taking on this year, choosing those that make me happy, or let me affect something for the greater good. I want a year where I remember to feed myself, to walk my dogs, to read a book, or go to the gym (not because I’m trying to lose 5 lbs by Friday but because it makes me feel good). I want to travel more, and cook more, and not work so much that I make myself sick (she says as she hacks into her tissue). I’m really looking at what I NEED this year. Turns out, it’s not the image of the Under 30 Entrepreneur with a client list a mile long and the loft downtown… I’ve had that, and going into year six of this company I realize how much stress, and hours it takes to keep that up, and you know what, I’m just not interested anymore.

So what does this mean for My Chic Life?? It means that this blog is going to be a lot more personal going forward, a lot more about my life… me trying new recipes or going on hikes, or party tips for parties I actually have time to throw! I want to figure out how to cook Quinoa, and make my Grandma’s plum jam, I want to take more pictures, and do more things worth taking pictures of! You see, I’ve always loved the word “Chic” because Chic is the PURSUIT of something better. It’s not a state of being, it’s a state of becoming… so I’m not changing the title, becuase Chic definitely applies. I’m just changing my beleifs about that title… becuase instead of just writing about having a Chic Life, now I plan to actually start living one.

So stay tuned… starting tomorrow I promise to get back in the blogging saddle and share some stories on my journey into a happier new year!

Sincerely,

Rachel