Closet Orphan - Gray Booties

Back in summer 2012, I did a little Closet Ultimatum challenge for myself.  I basically took out all the summer clothes that I hadn't worn, but wasn't quite ready to get rid of, and I gave myself a month to wear everything or it had to go.  I thought I'd do it again in the winter, but then I kind of forgot about it.  Well, in January, Danielle did a Reverse 30X30, and Kate is currently doing her No Longer Neglected posts again.  After my real 30X30, I'm more aware that extra closet clutter makes it more difficult to decide what to wear, so I should really dig out my closet orphans and either rescue them or send them away for good.

I'm not going to do an official "challenge" or anything, but I'm going to try to work in these neglected items in the next few weeks.  So first up are these gray booties.  I bought them in September, from Payless, because they were $7 and I thought I'd wear them frequently this winter.  I think I've worn them once or twice. I like them, and they are very comfortable, but they are just awkward to style for some reason.  I think I need to try them with a skirt or dress and see if that works better.

Top: J.Crew factory
Necklace: Dillard's
Sweater & Jeans: Gap
Boots: Payless

Foreshadowing

I may have hinted on Friday that I'd be wearing these white jeans again.  The Take One, Pass It On challenge is an excellent excuse to repeat my favorites without feeling guilty!

The weekend was nice, but always too short.  On Saturday, I finished season 3 of Downton Abbey.  I had heard that the ending was heartbreaking, but wow.  The Brits sure know how to destroy hopes and dreams!  Now I need to figure out how to watch season 4! 

On a happier note, I'm venturing to the new outlet mall after work today, hoping that the crazy weekend crowds will be gone.  My friend Brooke (you may remember her from Halloween) and I made plans to check it out (which is good, because I probably would have gone on Saturday and never found a parking spot!).  I've been scoping out the J.Crew Factory website in preparation. I'm hoping to try on these shoes and buy them if they are as wonderful as they seem.  Expectations are high, so I will probably be disappointed!  (see what I did there?  Lowering my own expectations with pessimism is one of my top skills!)

Cardigan:Urban Outfitters
Shirt: J.Crew factory
Jeans: Limited
Shoes: Old navy

Plaid Shirt Remix

 

Happy Monday!  I got home late last night from a pretty epic best friend weekend in Arizona, so I will be sorting pictures and posting more about that later this week.  For now, a little remix to kick off the week!

This picture reminded me that I have been neglecting my plaid shirt for a few months!  I specifically thought I would wear it frequently throughout the winter, because it has so many colors that I could pretty much throw any cardigan over it and look put together.   

I'm also learning that a statement necklace doesn't make a very loud statement if it is the same color as my skin.   Be honest, did you even notice that I am wearing a necklace in these pictures? 

If my archive searching is correct, this is only the 5th time I've worn this shirt.   Disgraceful, but still enough for a remix collage!  

1/2/3/4

Plaid Shirt: J.Crew Factory
Cardigan: Gap
Necklace: H&M
Skirt: Old Navy
Shoes: Michelle D via Dillard's

I'm also linking up with AJ for her weekly remix!  You should do the same!

Wreath Party

Stripes over plaid was completely inspired by this pin.  I wish my plaid shirt was peeking out more, but otherwise, I love this layering!  I had a date with my friend Brooke to make some wreaths for Christmas, so I had to pose by her gorgeous Christmas tree!

Wreath-making was a blast. We were missing Anne, so we set up the iPad and Skyped her in for the evening.  It was awesome.

I was hoping to make something similar to this, but I had to make a few adjustments.  I had a bunch of leftover twine from when I made this, so decided to use that instead of yarn.  Then I couldn't find any fake holly berry at the store, so I grabbed this giant poinsettia, and abandoned the felt flowers, too.  When I got started, about 1/4 of the way around my wreath, I realized I would not have enough twine.  Brooke offered to loan me some sparkly red yarn, and I decided to do approximate quarters.  She also loaned me some holly berry sprigs, which I think helped pull it all together.  While I was in process, I was pretty worried, but I think it turned out well.   

Sweater and Jeans: Old Navy
Shirt: J.Crew
Boots: Wanted via Piperlime

I'm linking up with Shanna today for Random Wednesday.  You should go check it out!

Third Quarter Reflection

Where did Jul-Sep go?  I can't believe it is already time to review my goals.  My instinct tells me I am not doing very well, but let's have a look:

1. Be more active!  Um....pass?  Jul-Sep was not awesome for motivation.  I mostly blame my own laziness, but it was also ridiculously hot outside for most of the summer and we were traveling more than usual.  John and I played tennis a few times, but I have not had a consistent routine at all.  I have a coupon for 30 days at Curves, so I am starting that this week.  I've never been to a Curves, so I hope it's a good gym for me! 
2. Be a More Discerning Shopper.  This is so subjective, but I think I am doing better.  I have been trying harder to have list in mind of things I want to add to my wardrobe instead of just buying whatever is cute and on sale.  Just this past weekend, I had an armload of clearance dresses from Banana Republic that I was going to try on, because they were like $15 each!  Then I thought about it, and realized they were all summer dresses that wouldn't transition into fall/winter very well.  And I wasn't sure I would like any of them next summer, so I put them back without even taking the time to try on.  That's progress, my friends!
3. Be a better wife!  Mostly in the realm of dinner preparation.  I haven't been keeping track of this, but I think I am doing better.  I should really have a measurable goal for this.  I'll have to think about that and determine one. 
4. Be more creative!   The beginning of July was a good time for creativity.  I made the July 4th tank top, and fixed up my purse from Goodwill.   I also recently painted my front door, which is kind of creative, right?  I'm also re-decorating the hall bathroom, and am halfway through attempting this project.     
5.  Read 50 books in 2012.  It was a good quarter for reading, at least!  I read 17 books in Jul-Sep and am now at 40 for the year, which puts me 3 books ahead of schedule.   I was worried I wouldn't be able to hit my goal on this, but I feel like I am on track now.  Just have to read 10 books in the next 3 months - shouldn't be a problem!


Top: J. Crew
Cardigan: Gap
Skirt: Old Navy
Shoes: Michelle D via Dillard's

Falling for Plaid

This top is one of my favorite new items from the outlet mall trip.  It's from J. Crew, and it has so many great colors in it. I'm already planning to wear it with at least 4 different cardigans!  The weather has finally dipped back down into reasonable temperatures, so I jumped at the chance to wear jeans and a new shirt.  I played off the different colors with my accessories, and I really like the casual vibe.

When I got home from work, John said "Oh, you're wearing a man shirt!  It still looks nice!"  Just the vote of confidence I was looking for!

Speaking of plaid, I tend to shy away from plaid, and pleats, and polos, because I got my fill of those styles back in my school days.  Just in case you are imagining the kind of cute uniforms with the short skirts, here's some evidence to prove it wasn't cute.  (Please excuse the poor quality!  It's a picture of a picture.)

The sombrero was not part of the standard uniform.  This was at the end of my senior year, when we had an assembly to honor students for various things.  I got the award for Spanish student of the year (AKA "Most Likely to Still Speak Spanish in 10 years").  This was "el mistake-o", as I have forgotten almost everything I learned in Spanish classes.

Top: J.Crew
Jeans: Jessica Simpson
Shoes: Gap
Purse:  thrifted and refashioned Liz Claiborne
Sunglasses:  Fossil