Wardrobe challenge, who’s in?

I read a few blogs and saw a few YouTube video’s about wardrobe challenges, I even tried it out a few months ago.  The concept is to pare down your wardrobe to 6 essential pieces and only wear those pieces for a month.  You are also free to add in Outerwear, athletic cloths and whatever accessories you like.  I lasted 24 days with 12 items. J Here are the pictures from my adventure.  If you planned to take the challenge, what would you choose? How would you pair them up? And how long would you last?

Above you can see what I selected (sort of)

Blue Shirt

Red Sweater

Blue Pattern dress

Animal print dress

Black/white skirt ( not in picture)

Black/White pattern top

Cream blouse (not pictured)

Boyfriend Jeans

White T-shirt with embellishments

Red pants

White Skirt

Blue/white pants (not in picture swapped out denim skirt in picture)

First Outfit

Blue dress shirt and Blue/white pants

Accessories included Gold Necklace, red skinny belt, gold flats (not shown) and a white tank that I convinced myself was "athletic wear".

Next outfit was my black/white top and pull on white skirt.  I threw in the Dansko clogs Jolly Roger style, mixed color beaded necklace and a pop of pink in my bangle bracelet.

Day three, Blue Pattern dress, red sweater and Red skinny belt shoes were again my gold flats

Blue Shirt and black/white skirt with Red belt

Animal Print dress worn with cream blouse over it with Belt and accessories were matching set necklace and bracelet.  Red Shoes from Nine West

Boyfried Jeans and T-shirt with Flip flops

Blue pattern dress (worn as a top) red sweater and blue/white pants

Red pants, cream blouse, yummy shoes and outwear denim jacket

Not shown combinations.

Wore Black/white skirt with White T and red sweater

Animal print dress with red sweater

White skirt with Blue Shirt

Boyfried Jeans with cream blouse

Red pants with White T and blue shirt as jacket

Black/white top with red sweater and jeans

White skirt, black/white skirt as top, red sweater 

Animal print dress with T-shirt over it

White T shirt blue/white pants with red sweater

Black/white skirt with cream blouse

Black/white top with red pants

Animal print dress with Blue shirt over it

Blue pattern dress (worn as shirt) red pants

Red pants, black/white skirt as a tube top, blue shirt belted open with red skinny belt

then started to wear the same combination over again and got frustrated and stopped :)

LikeTwice Review

I have been using a website to sell and purchase good quality gently worn clothing.  Liketwice.com    I have sold items to the site by requesting a free postage included bag which arrived within days of my request.  Once I had the bag in hand I reviewed the listed acceptable brands and checked against the items I had already gone through and decided not to keep in my closet.  I sent off about 8 items and within 7 business days I had an offer to purchase from them that included a store credit option as well as a check amount option.  I then used the store credit received along with a referral credit to purchase some items to update my closet.  Technically nothing came out of my pocket to receive the “new” items.  The clothes that I sold to them were in really good condition but were not in my current size and would have sat in my closet for years.  Because of my profession there is an expectation that I look business appropriate at all times.  When you move up and down in size like I do, this can be difficult to maintain a suitable wardrobe.  I use consignment shops and discount venues to keep my capsule wardrobe as up to date as possible.  I always stick to basics with very little “trendy” pieces in my work wardrobe.  I look at inexpensive accessories to add to my look that include scarfs and costume jewelry to update my look.  For casual options for the weekends or vacation I look for wardrobe builders in consignment stores and clearance sections for seasonal items to add flavor but do not invest in much money as the bulk of my wardrobe is specifically work related.       If you have used this site please comment on your experience below or In box me.

Is it too early in the season to sparkle?

I’ve been hemming and hawing about whether or not to sport my light weight sweater that has full frontal sequins.  It’s totally a fall color and with these crisp days upon us I say, why not?  Today’s outfit includes the animal print scarf purchased at Wal-Mart, sequined sweater from JC Penneysimiliar and trousers are from Lane Bryant.  Shoes are ballet flats in a deep burgundy with gold detail from Bass.    

These boots are made for walking

As the trends change from year to year, over the knee, ankle, shootie you may be left wondering what you can still wear this year for boots.  Well the answer lies within my friend.  You can rock all styles of footwear as long as it fits your overall style.  That being said, over the knee boots were never a good idea for anyone not a street walker or a Kardashian.  If you are feeling like you do not have key boots in your possession some great on-line stores you can try include JustFab , GoJane even Target has some great styles at affordable prices.  If you are like me and like to shop and support local, check out a consignment store in your area and talk to the people who shop and work there.  Learn when new items come in, how the store is set up and if you let them get to know you, they can point you in the right direction for a new find.  Just today I scored a beautiful pair of boots at my favorite consignment store in Putney, Swirl.  I wouldn’t have noticed them if it weren’t for a frequent shopper who pointed them out to me.  LOVE these boots.    

Thrifty shoppers where do you shop on-line?

On-line shopping can be hit or miss in my book.  You have to know which brands fit you before purchasing on-line regardless of whether new or new to you.  Since I am a huge fan of digging, I prefer thrifting in brick and mortar stores.  That being said I have found a place that I truly LOVE to shop at LikeTwice  Liketwice is an on-line “consignment” store that you can purchase and sell selected brand name clothing at a fraction of the cost.  I just recently sold a handful of gently worn clothing pieces from that brief minute that I got down to a tiny size.  I had been hanging onto these lovely items for well over a year and frankly looking at them hanging in my closet was upsetting me.  I sent them off in a pre-paid bag and BAM I had a choice between a store credit or a check to be mailed to me.  Also, because I suggested the site to a good friend of mine who did purchase from the store I received a $10.00 credit from that as well.  If you sign up to use the site and invite friends to shop or consign (or both) you spread the word about this great on-line shop AND reap some fine clothing too.  Win Win in my book but like I said, I don't really like to shop on-line so don't really know to much about any other places like this.  Do you have a favorite on-line shop you visit often?  If so, please comment and link so I can check it out.     

Who turned on the Heat?, What to wear on a hot out there day!

Today’s outfit needed to be both professional for the office and casual enough for a lunch date with a friend.  The weather is steamy hot outside but the air conditioning is blasting.  Layering is the only way to go today so I can take off or put on layers to keep myself comfortable.

My outfit includes: 

Denim full skirt by Jones New York, Cream sleeveless top by LOGO, Tan cardigan by Ana.  Jewelry all by Lia Sophia    

The most exciting parts of this outfit today are not viewable in the above photo...My shoes are platform sandals with animal print purchased at Dress Barn on sale last year for $6.00 and my animal print infinity scarf  I got for a $1.00 at the Salvation Army last winter. 

 

 

The infinity scarf can be worn as a shrug if the long sleeve cardigan was too much ~ options and versatility!

Summer to Fall Fashion Transition OOTD

Okay Ladies, you wake up and its 36 degrees outside and the weather man says it’s going to warm up to 77 by early afternoon. You know fall is in the air but you don't want to let go of your summer favorites just yet. What is a lady to do? LAYER!

Layering up your summer dresses with shirts, boots, tights and jackets can extend your wardrobe and choices while transitioning into fall. Using these options also gives you opportunity to change up your look throughout the day as things heat up.

Here I have used my summer animal print tank dress and layered a cream blouse and belt over it to accentuate my waist. Tall chocolate brown boots add additional warmth and coverage while grounding the outfit.

 

To add additional warmth, throw on a scarf, chocolate colored Jacket or sweater and tights.

Dress was purchased at Dress barn $29.99, shirt was a find at Label shopper for $3.00! Belt was .99 cents at Salvation Army. Boots were purchased last year at Savers for only $9.00.