Wardrobe Capsule Challenge Recap...

Day 1:


Day 2:


Day 3:


Day 4:


Day 5:


What I learned about myself:
(1) I am super-proud of myself for injecting more color into my daily outfits and not falling back onto neutrals for this challenge.
(2) I can go longer without wanting a new piece of clothing than I can without wanting some variety in my accessories. Seriously, I could have gone on a LOT longer with this challenge if I could have changed out the jewelry or shoes.
(3) Even with a good dose color and different stylings, the same pieces get boring to me. Others in my office didn't realize that I was wearing the same 10 pieces, but *I* did, and that's what made all the difference.
(4) I would totally use this method of selecting clothes when going on a short vacation. Only I would take a lot more accessories!
(5) I need to use a larger purse on a daily basis! I was amazed at how many times throughout the week I reached for my purse to get something, only to find that I didn't have said item with me, due to carrying the smaller purse for the week.
(6) I am more creative with the way I style my clothing than I thought I was. I was constantly trying on different outfits with the same pieces. I often read other bloggers' posts and think how creative they are, but maybe I don't give myself enough credit.
(7) I am my own worst critic. Heck, I may even be TOO hard on myself! For example, on Day 3 of the challenge, I pointed out the boot marks on my legs and that the skirt wasn't a perfect fit for me. The comments I received pointed out that no one noticed the marks on my legs, and most people thought the skirt looked great! Sometimes I need to go a little easier on myself.

Which outfit of the week was your favorite?
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	Thursday
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Wardrobe Capsule Challenge, Days 4 and 5...

Apologies for the delay in posting, but on with the rest of the challenge photos!



Green Sweater: Marshalls?
Gray Cowl Neck Top: NY&Co
Gray Pants: NY&Co
Purple Heels: Vera Wang for Kohl's
Scarf: Laila Rowe
Earrings: NY&Co
Purse: Nine West via Marshalls

I wasn't sure if i liked the scarf as a belt with this outfit, but I received several comments around the office, so it must have been a hit! I initially tried the belt-over-scarf look I saw on S. over at Academichic, but the belt and scarf I had selected for this challenge just didn't work. Rather than force it, I decided to hold off on that experiment until I had the proper tools at my disposal.



Dress: Moda International via swap
Green Button-up: Merona, thrifted
Purple Heels: Vera Wang for Kohl's
Earrings: NY&Co
Purse: Nine West via Marshalls

I spent Thursday evening trying on TONS of combinations. Despite having several outfits planned on paper, the only way to know if they truly work is to actually try them on -- and several on-paper outfits just didn't look right in real life. Added to the fact that I was seriously growing weary of these pieces, I finally settled on this combo. I probably should have worn tights under the dress since (1) my legs are glow-in-the-dark white, and (2) the dress is a bit short on me.

Wardrobe Capsule Challenge, Day 3...

I was *thisclose* to actually getting this outfit posted the same day I wore it, but then my camera battery died. Oh well! Today's another day, and maybe today's outfit well get a same-day post!



Top: Merona, thrifted
Skirt: Old Navy
Shoes, Urban Outfitters
Belt, Marshalls?
Earrings: Body Central
Purse: Nine West via Marshalls

I received a lot of comments on this skirt when I posted my capsule pieces. Everyone seemed to love the skirt! I admit, I do love the colors, which is why I bought it. However, the light, floatiness of it makes it difficult for me to wear, and I don't think the proportions of the skirt are right for my body: it hits me at a wider part of my waist and a strange section of my knees, and the pleats add volume to my hips where I really don't need any. This is the first time I have worn something tucked into the skirt and belted. I rarely tuck tops into my skirts, but the few times that I have, I like it only when I have the belt in place. Unfortunately, the belt doesn't like to STAY in place, and I was adjusting it all day.

Oh, and please ignore the strange stripes on my legs in the photo -- those are from my rain boots, and they were there for most of the evening! Does anyone have any tips on how to get those types of marks to fade faster?

I realized today that it is 2 weeks until dear fiance and I have the food tasting for our wedding! The tasting is on St. Patrick's Day, and I can't wait -- the catering company is supposed to be amazing! (I think I'd better remind myself to have a light breakfast and lunch, because I'm sure I still be stuffing myself that night!)

Wardrobe Capsule Challenge, Day 2...

Top: Old Navy
Vest: H&M
Pants: NY&Co
Shoes: Urban Outfitters
Earrings: Body Central
Purse: Nine West via Marshalls
Belt: Marshalls?

All new wardrobe pieces and accessories for my second outfit, no overlaps other than the purse (which I only included in my accessories so that I wasn't cheating). I usually use purses more for function than fashion, but I do like for my purses to add a little something to my outfit. I didn't want to cheat on my first time out doing the Wardrobe Capsule Challenge, so I selected a purse that would work with all of my outfits. This purse is much smaller than what I normally carry, and I have been missing the items I had to leave out of it in order to make it work. You never know what you use until it is no longer at your fingertips!

This outfit is mainly blue and gray, but I love how the small touches of green in the purse, earrings, and shoes add a layer of depth to the look.

I have a great look planned for day 3 of the challenge, which aside from accessories (which I have maxed out), uses yet all new wardrobe pieces!
And since so many of you love this skirt, keep an eye out, since it will be the focus of the outfit!

Are there any questions you would like to ask me? I'd love to have more interaction with my readers, so please, ask me anything!

Wardrobe Capsule Challenge, Day 1...

For the first day of the challenge, I wanted to start out with something simple.
Wrap dress, scarf, hoops, heels. Easy Peasy. Since hosiery was a freebie, I decided to add in a pair of blue-gray tights.


Dress: Moda International, swapped
Scarf: Laila Rowe
Shoes: Vera Wang for Kohl's
Earrings: NY&Co
Purse: Nine West via Marshalls
Tights: Target?

I originally intended this scarf to be a Christmas gift for my future MIL, but I ended up finding something I liked better for her, so the scarf defaulted to being mine. I don't mind so much, trust me. I love the colors! Surprisingly, this is the first time I've worn it!
I've seen E. from academichic wear her scarves under tops so that they look like a layering top, and I've always found it to be a very chic look, so I thought I would try that here. I really love that the purple in the scarf ties in the deep purple of the shoes. (Yes, those shoes are deep purple, not black!)
There is no other olive green in the outfit besides the purse, but I am quickly becoming part of the camp that sees olive green as a neutral. I'm not fully-converted, but I do think olive green can go with most anything. And if not, let's just consider it a pop of color!

What are your thoughts on my attempt for Day 1 of the challenge?

Spring Capsule Wardrobe Challenge...

Jane over at The Small Fabric of My Life has kicked off yet another Capsule Wardrobe Challenge, and this is my first time participating!
I'm sure most of you are quite familiar with the challenge, since most bloggers seem to participate, but in case you haven't heard about it, the rules are simple:
Choose ten items of clothing from your wardrobe and mix and match them for five days between Monday March 1st and Friday March 5th.
You can have any combination of shoes, dresses, skirts, tops and jackets as long as it adds up to ten individual items.
You are also allowed five accessories which include jewelery, scarves, bag, belts etc.
Underwear and hosiery do not come under the ten items and five accessories!
In addition, because it is freakishly snowy in so many parts of the country at the moment, she added this addendum to the rules:
In addition to your ten items and five accessories you are permitted one functional coat, one pair of functional gloves or mittens, one functional hat, one functional scarf and one functional pair of snow boots or other essential footwear needed to get from A to B without your feet freezing off!

With no further ado, I present to you the ten wardrobe items I will be using for this challenge:


Blue Wrap Dress: Moda International, swapped


Gray Pants: NY&Co


Floral Skirt: Old Navy


Blue Floral Blouse: Old Navy


Green Sweater: Marshalls?


Green Button-Up: Merona, thrifted


Gray Cowl Neck Top: NY&Co


Gray Vest: H&M


Purple Heels: Vera Wang for Kohl's


Green Flats: Urban Outfitters

And here are my five accessories:


Purse: Nine West via Marshalls


Scarf: Laila Rowe


Green Dangly Earrings: Body Central


Hematite Hoops: NY&Co


Black Stretch Belt: Marshalls?

I really tried to make an effort not to fall back onto all neutrals, so I based my outfits mainly on blues and greens. For the neutrals I did use, I wanted to NOT use black; hence the gray pieces. I've always thought gray adds a certain depth to an outfit.

I really look forward to seeing what everyone else comes up with for this challenge!