A bird, a dog and the Cat in the Hat

I was reminded that I didn't share pictures from the final two days of the Closet Challenge.    I made it the full 30 days with no repeats (minus jeans), except for the  60 minutes on Valentine's Day when I wore the red t-shirt again.



This birdie sweater makes me giggle!

 

Not my typical weekday look since I stopped working outside the home, but I had a meeting that required dressier attire.  

But what you really want to see is what I wore TODAY!

And since you might not be able to tell, I'm the cute one on the left in red!  Today was book fair preview day so my co-chair, Christy, and I sported these fabulous costumes (she is Geronimo Stilton) to greet the buses and car-riders as they arrived at school this morning!! 

And if that wasn't enough, we finished the day seeing the 2nd grade musical, Suessical Jr.    It was a great show with lots of fun music!  And with Dr. Seuss' birthday/Read Across America Day right around the corner, it was wonderful timing.    Matthew was awesome and we enjoyed front row seats that we won in the Family Fun Night auction in the fall.  Perfect ending to a very long, but fun day! 

Closet Challenge --Week 4

I've completed the last full week of the Closet Challenge, although technically I still have 2 days to go. 

I've doing pretty well on the purge.   I've taken one kitchen-sized garbage bag to the Goodwill already.    There is definitely more on the way.  I will confess, my closet is definitely not in it's tidiest state right now.   What's that saying? It has to get worse before it gets better?    Yeah, that's where I'm at.   

I love all the yellow they are showing this year and think this sweater that I plucked up at the GAP is super fun.   I volunteered at school this day and virtually everyone in Gracie's class managed to tell me that I looked like a bumble bee!  They're 5 what do they know?    I still love it!

Love this butterfly scarf!  Made me feel like spring, even though this was one of the coldest days of the season.  Not a great picture . . . sorry about that.

Dressed for church.  

Bassam calls this the "Amazing Technicolor Dream Sweater."    I'm not sure it's said with love, but I think it's fun.   He also cringes when I tell people I bought it at the car wash (technically the little boutique within the car wash called Retail Therapy).   And really, anyone from around here knows it has a fun selection of gifts, jewelry and clothing.   The fact that it's in the car wash just makes it funny.

 



After this day, I watched the Nordstrom's video on how to tie scarves.  I know two ways. Neither of them were right for this outfit.



Confession:  This t-shirt is a repeat from week 2.   Bad!!!    I unexpectedly had a meeting at school at 8:30 in the morning on Valentine's Day.  In my defense, I had to look presentable (no jeans) and  I had about 15 minutes to get ready.  I also felt intense pressure to wear red.   Who knew I had so little red in my closet?    But for what it's worth, the meeting was a bit stressful and it was in stuffy room with no windows and a closed door.  Needless to say,  I came home feeling all sweaty and gross and changed right out of it. 

 

So now I needed to find another red top.   Not easy.  Had to settle for a red tank and then tried to make it more Valentine-y by adding the acrylic LOVE bracelet (confession:  I bought it at Forever 21.  And yes, I know I'm 38 and have no business being in that store) and the key necklace from Charming Charlie.   Unfortunately, I didn't snap this second picture until after running around school at 2 Valentine's party, hence I now have a "chip clip" in my hair. 



This would have been a good time to show off another scarf tying technique, wouldn't it?    This blazer has a cute cut, but it is hidden by the scarf hanging every which way.



Closet challenge --week 3

The worst part of this closet challenge is really the pictures.   Every day, it's photographic proof that I need a stinkin' haircut.      And probably some new blush.  I am a pasty, pasty soul!

Alas, my haircut is not scheduled until next week.  Maybe I can work on the blush.   

There are still a lot of yet-to-be-worn-this-season sweaters in my closet!  Maybe we'll get some winter weather here next week and I can take them out for a spin!!
 
But for now, here is my week in pictures . . . . .

I am wearing yoga pants here.  And although my day consisted of nothing more than errands and a Daisy Scout meeting, I felt kind of uncomfortable all day.  Not because the pants weren't comfy, but because I felt like I was out in my jammies (ironic--since I have my t-shirt tucked in, right?) and that it was putting my big thighs front and center.    I have friends  who swear by and/or live in yoga pants.   More power to you, girls!   Lesson learned this day was I am clearly a person who can put them on at the end of the day and lounge around in them . . . but not wear them out and about. 



I think there is a website called "awkward poses" or something like that.   This pictures seems like it would be a contender.  That jutted out knee is so funny!  This is actually a dress (at least that is what short people would call it) layered over skinny jeans.  I decided not to repeat last week's leggings experiment. 



It might have been nice to straighten out my clothes before letting Matthew snap this picture.   I'd like to think I looked a little better than this when I left the house.  Regardless,  I love this 3/4 sleeve cardigan because it is my favorite color (although it looks more like 2/3 sleeve here) and I think adding a scar it always fun.  This one is grey/white striped (not sure if you can see that) and was a bargain find from J Crew that I wear LOTS!



I'm fairly certain my husband doesn't like this dress, but I do.  It is knit and sooo comfortable.   I also dig the mod design and always feel put together in a dress.  



Really hoping that an unflattering camera angle (picture by Gracie!), is why I feel like I look a little chunky monkey here.   I love this sweater, but next time I might try wearing an open collared blouse under it instead of a tank. Maybe it would look slightly more polished?

Omigosh!!!! Please get me a haircut and put me out of my misery.   Me thinks this sweater is too shapeless  for this blouse.   It has a rounded collar, giving it a Mad-Men, girly look --and the sweater is casual and loose  Wrong!

Tank, skinny jeans and a cotton cardigan with lace around the edge.  Nothing to write home about, but okay for a day volunteering at school, although my booties have heels and Gracie said they made me look like a "fancy mom."   I know some  fancy moms, they are always fully made up and wearing 3 inch heels---these are so far from that, but I think it was a compliment, so I kept my mouth shut.   



Closet Challenge--week 2

2 weeks down in the Closet Challenge, 2 to go. 

As I look back at the week, I noted that I made some pretty unremarkable choices.  Don't get me wrong, I you know you can't always overload yourself  with fringe and spangles like Charo (thank goodness!) and every day is not a fashion event (actually, very few in my world, but I digress.).   But I can say, other than jeans and shoes, no repeats. 

I think the unusually mild weather is hurting me a bit, too.  There are sweaters ready to go, but when it's 60 degrees, it just doesn't work.  

Speaking of, I think I've actually gone over to the dark side.  I'm with the kids--I would like to see a little snow.  And not just because they both have brand new (and unworn) snow pants and boots in their closet. 

But back to the oh-so-interesting topic at hand.    Here is the week in pictures.  There are only 6, because I failed to take a picture on Saturday. But I was wearing jeans and a long-sleeve Vanderbilt t-shirt for the game.    Unremarkable, for sure!

The closet challenge continues!

I like the idea of these dark trouser-style jeans, but admittedly, I'm never 100% comfortable in them.  I think it's the higher-rise.  Am I on the verge of "Mom Jeans" here?

 

Does anyone else struggle with Leggings?  I love long sweaters and tunics.   But I'm 5'10, so I can't pretend it's a dress.  Leggings and tall boots seemed like a great option, but my big thigh anxiety (even though covered by this long sweater dress/tunic thingy) reared it's ugly head and made me a bit uncomfortable.  Confession:  Midday I swapped out the leggings for skinny jeans and felt much better, although probably didn't look as nice.





First impression?  I need a haircut.  I frequently wear this sweater in place of a jacket, but on this day I ended up wearing it all day.  Ruffled knit shirt purchased at Costco.  I am soooo fancy!

This dress is probably a size too big.  It fit when I bought it and I would never complain about going down a size.   But I still love it so tried it with a slouchy belt.  I'm not sure it totally worked, or maybe it was the wrong belt.  



It was 65 degrees today!  Short sleeves seemed like a must, but most of mine are stashed away, less some layering pieces which are best used as layers only (on the bottom, no less!).  The funny thing is while I like this top, I actually prefer it layered over a burnout t-shirt.  Alas, it got the job done.  And yes, I still need a haircut. 





I had a lightweight cotton scarf on, which I think was more interesting, but I actually felt myself getting too warm (back in the 60's today), so off it came.   I bought this tee because it has some interesting pleats around the neckline, in addition to not being a solid red, but more of a marbling of a couple tones of red.  But of course looking at this picture, neither the pleats or fabric/color are at all noticeable.  

 

Closet Challenge--week 1

One week down in my "Closet Challenge."

In theory, this should have been the easiest week, because it was the first 7 days, so I could have worn ANYTHING.  I could have done 7 days of my "stand bys" and it wouldn't have mattered--I just couldn't wear them again in the next 3 weeks.    But because I never make life that easy, I tried to reach to the back of the closet early on and pull out some less-worn items.

Truth be told, this was harder than I thought.  It made me mad it was harder than I thought because I don't think clothes should be "hard."

But I can honestly I say I have already identified a pair of pants, a sweater and a blouse that have found their way  to the Goodwill pile.  The pants bothered me because they have been in my closet for a couple years--and I actually really like them. 

Okay . . . I like them on the hanger.  

Believe me, today I tried to make them work. . . . to the tune of 7 different shirts and multiple pairs of shoes.   I wasted more time than I care to admit on trying to convince myself these pants had a place in my closet.  

I'll go back to my earlier statement, I don't clothes should be hard. 

A note on my photos.  All were either taken by my 5 year old daughter or by setting up my timer and setting my camera on a piece of furniture.   Either way, it made for an awkward picture that was shot from a lower angle than is ideal.  But I told myself I would keep a photo record--and at my pal Mindy's suggestion, I'm going to share them.

I know, really compelling blogging here, right?   But really, I need the accountability. 

On to WEEK 2!!!


Love this sweater, but I rarely wear it?  Why?   Moved to the front of the closet!





60 Degrees today!  Yay for bare legs and cowboy boots!  I don't wear this sweater much because it has a tie belt that kind of bugs me and doesn't stay closed.  Only this week did I finally just cut off the belt loops and wear it without the belt    




Nothing special here . . . a long sleeve tshirt I found shoved in the back of my drawer, layered with a tank.  But I can't even tell you when I bought this shirt. 




Bought this dress this year on a fab sale and could not figure out what to wear on my feet so it sat unworn in my closet for over  2 months.    Picked up this pair of taupe boots on an end of the season sale (with coupon, too!)  a couple weeks ago. Not sure it's ideal for this, but I was so happy to wear the dress, plus I figure the boots can be worn with other stuff as an alternative to black or brown. 



I like these waterfall cardigans, but I'm not sure if this one is the most flattering since it is a bulkier knit.  But it is very comfy and gave the perfect amount of warmth when I wore it  on Saturday when we were going to a Vandy game (black and gold).  Go Dores!  Gracie said I looked like a bumble-bee.



This vest is similar to the waterfall cardigan in that it is shorter in the back.  I bought it at holiday market booth (for the boutique that is in our CAR WASH--  a story for another day) in November.  First time I finally wore it, despite having tried it on multiple times since purchasing. 



These are "the pants" I referenced above.  I love the idea of them, especially the military-style stripe down the side.    But the reality--at least my reality -- was not so lovable.  When I actually found myself looking online for different shoes that might work better with them (I think I shrunk them a bit early on, because the length is too short unless I'm wearing the very flattest shoes), I realized they were probably not going to make the cut.

Closet Challenge!

So I didn't make any New Year's resolutions this year.   Okay, that's not exactly true.   I did resolve to do a better job using my reusable grocery bags at Publix.   I probably remember to bring them in 4 out of 5 times, which isn't so bad considering how often I am at the grocery), but I'd like to do better.  Besides they hold more than the dumb plastic bags and the likelihood drops of my groceries being bagged horribly, EVEN THOUGH I arrange things on the belt so they can be bagged quickly and correctly.

Yes, this is clearly an issue for me.   I cannot tell you how badly I want to volunteer to give bagger training at the grocery store.  They don't know how easy they have it with those reusable bags.  Back in MY day (Dominick's Store #121, Union Local 881), it was virtually all plastic, all the time.   And unless you have plenty of boxes to create a good shape for your bag or stellar bagging skills (like me!!), there is a chance stuff will be bagged badly.

Whoa!  I have totally gone off-topic here.

So, no official New Year's resolution for me.  Let's be honest, it's January 22nd, they would have been broken by now, right? 

When I was in Michigan with Amy and Dana we stayed in a hotel near D's house. We've never done that before.  But D's house is under renovation and actually, the weekend we were there they only had running water in their bathroom.   Fond memories of washing dishes in the bathroom while our kitchen was torn up flooded my head.   But for Dana and Tony, it also meant their washing machine wasn't hooked up.   Now Dana has massive amounts of clothes.   She and Tammy would have a fierce competition on this front (Tammy who yesterday admitted to owning a dozen black skirts, a dozen denim skirts . . . and oh would I like one?  Sure if I could fit in a SIZE 2!!!).

Oops...tangent again.

I was inspired by Dana's situation in that it made me think if I was couldn't do laundry regularly, I would probably wear more of what I had.   My closet is far from empty, but I'll be honest, there are things I wear to death because I love them (and usually they are items that look great right out of the washer/dryer).   There are also things in my closet that are never/rarely worn--sometimes because I don't know what to wear them with and sometimes because I forget that I had them. 

So starting last Wednesday, I gave myself an unofficial challenge to wear everything in my closet.   Okay, I won't really wear everything, but I'll wear more of it.   I'm aiming for  30 days on the challenge and have even been snapping a picture each day to keep a record of it.   If at the end of the 30 days, I should be able to make educated decisions about what I can truly get rid of.   Things I didn't like wearing or weren't comfortable will go.   And hopefully I'll add some things to my list of tried-and-true favorites.   

I'm even trying to wear more of my jewelry, as I have tons and tons of costume jewelry and a lot of it doesn't get worn.

The exception to trying-not-to-repeat-things goal?  Jeans.     Before the holidays, I was fussing about my lack of good fitting jeans (thankfully, too big--a nice problem to have!), and I donated a large stack to goodwill and went out and invested my time and some cash in a couple pairs of really good fitting jeans that I felt great in.   Those will definitely get repeated wears in the 30 day challenge, although I am going to try to do better about inserting some of  khakis, cargos and other pants that may be languishing in the back of the closet in to the rotation. 

This may be frivilous project.   But in the end, I think it will help me work towards my on-going goal of decluttering and organizing.