I’ve spent hours, probably days of my life trying to free the precious strands of jewels (read: costume jewelry) that has gotten destroyed in my jewelry box.  I am not even sure it would be possible to recreate some of intricate systems of tangles going on in these giant clumps of what was once beautiful pieces of jewelry goodness.  That all changed a couple of months ago when I came across the simple two dollar hook at the hardware store.  And Viola, we’ve created something pretty to look at for your closet, bathroom, bedroom wall while managing to keep your jewelry separate and most of all wearable!

I get emails via the website all the time asking for tips for how to change up your wardrobe on the cheap and as you know this site is dedicated to entertaining on a budget so today I bring you “The Swap N Meet Party.” This Party is basically the collision of all things awesome: Clothing, Friends, Cocktails, and Food….I mean, is there anything else?

Here’s how it goes: Invite a bunch of friends over who are relatively the same size, set a price point and number of items for each guest to bring and swap away!

We all know that no party is complete without snacks and cocktails, for this party I suggest an oldie but goodie, The Dirty Martini, as this puppy won’t stain any of the clothes if it spills.

Brookie P’s Dirty Martini:

2 oz vodka

1 tbsp dry vermouth

2 tbsp olive juice

2 olives

It’s a great way to freshen up your closet and spend some quality time with your friends!

Ever meet the girl who seems to have the perfect closet? Just the right amount of wicked tall stilettos in proportion to her sensible little Chanel flats and Havaianas? Well screw her. I hate her. My life feels like an endless quest to the day when I will be able to shut the door to my closet and say DONE! Never going to happen because Vogue comes out every month and, like a diabetic needs insulin, I need me the latest and greatest of whatever Anna Wintour is hawking that month. (Usually in the knock-off version because really who spends $1200 on a freaking skirt? That’s why all those NY fashion girls are so damn skinny, by the way. They spent all their money on YSL instead of a sandwich.)

I have decided this is the year where I become Anne Hathaway in the car at the end of Paris fashion week where she tells Meryl Streep to suck it. I will become the girl with the perfect wardrobe and I will leave Ms. Wintour and my closet envy behind like last season’s Choos. I just need a little help…

> Three Black Skirts: For the girl who is just starting out in the this thing we call ‘the real world.’ This is the book my mother gave me when I left home for college and it is a brilliant collection of all things girlie, like how to build a wardrobe with three black skirts. Genius for the budget crowd.

> The One Hundred: The ultimate acquisition list. Some of Ms. Garcia’s items are for those who do not have to worry about putting money into their 401k. But for the most part, the editor of Marie Claire gave us all a wish list with some attainable items and a few ‘holy shit that’s expensive’ investment pieces.

> The Lucky Style Guide: This is for the chica who needs to decide what her look will be…are you bohemian (I am not…. that hippie ‘Jane Birkin’ look only works well on girls without tatas) or American Classic Miss Jackie O? Whatever your thing is, this guide helps you lock it down.

Mom may have told you to update your closet every season and invest in ‘classic pieces,’ but what if you can’t even pay your dry cleaning bill? Seriously, they won’t give me my fall peacoat and I am chilly. Karma is a bitch, Sunset Cleaners! And don’t even get me started with Saks Fifth. Apparently you can’t buy new shoes until you pay for the last pair… that you bought in June… ‘07.

So, I thought I would attempt to do a little wardrobe revamp. Here are some ways to give your wardrobe an update without having to be wary of getting a snippy call from VISA where they might as well say… “Do you ever plan on paying this thing off?”

1. No-Sew Tape: Changing hemlines for the sewing-impaired for centuries

You can change the hemline on jeans, skirts, and pants. It is also awesome for keeping draped items in place and tweaking their shape.

2. Rite Dye: How that hideous mustard yellow bridesmaid dress became your new little black dress

Buy the dye at any fabric store and read the directions but basically ya just toss it into the wash with whichever garment you want to dye. Here are few quick tips for this:

• * Make sure the garment that you are dying is washable!
• * Always pick a dye color that is darker than the original color
• * Run an empty cycle on your wash machine after your dye cycle

P.s. This is also great for getting a set of matching colored garments in your wardrobe. For example throw an old black turtleneck, leggings, socks, t-shirt, etc. in one load and then all your blacks will match perfectly this winter!

3. Accessories: Big Pieces… Little Cost

Any chick worth her salt knows accessories bring drama quicker than Courtney Love. However, girls, here are three things you might not know however girls about accessories for fall:

> Rachel Roy has just launched her line at Macy’s. For those of you who have been living in a cave, Rachel is a fashion goddess who has an incredible knack for making pieces that just make you feel freakin’ rock star cool. Check her stuff out at Macy’s for designer taste at a non-designer price.

–

> Target does the same thing with their accessory designers that they do with their Boutique designers and right now they have Hollywood Intuition which is the perfect wardrobe pick-me-up with oversized sunglasses, snake skin totes, and sophisticated leather bracelets. Check ‘em out at Target.com

–

> Continuing with the trend of Rachels, Rachel Zoe has launched a line on QVC. Now although I feel Miss Zoe should be a little more concerned with eating a sandwich than designing an accessories collection… the collection is fabulous. It is a modern take on old Hollywood glam meets Boho, and just one of these very reasonably priced accessories will put some serious wow in your wardrobe. Try the faux fur vest… just trust me.

4. DIY to the stale-wardrobe rescue.

Here are two great tricks to turn old stuff into hot new stuff:

SCARF TANKS

MAKE YOUR OWN CLUTCH

Happy Wardrobe Redo… you may now answer your phone without anxiety!