Curating My Closet

As I mentioned yesterday, I cleaned out my closet (again). I started this process several weeks ago, and finally finished up this past Sunday - it is not a task for the faint of heart, nor those short on time or patience. As I've said several times before, I've got A LOT of clothes. A LOT.

However, I am getting rid of a lot. 

132 items is a lot (I think, anyways).
These items range from: purses to boots, to pants to jackets, tops to jewelry, and scarves to sweaters.

I tried (almost) everything on, assessed the fit, how it made me feel, and how it fit into my closet. I also asked myself "Why are you hanging onto this?" if it was something I hadn't worn in ages, or was a gift I didn't particularly care for. When I had questions (which was often), I asked my husband his opinion, or texted my best friend a picture. With their help, I was able to part with some oldies, and came up with a huge pile several piles of clothes, shoes & accessories to get rid of - HALLELUJAH! 

I don't know why, but cleaning out my closet can be so liberating - anyone else feel the same way? I can't figure out why I hang onto things for so long, or why I get such a thrill finding things on the clearance rack. I realized a lot of things I got on super-sale don't reflect ME, or make me feel like a million bucks (or a thousand, or even a hundred). It's more like, I see something inexpensive and wearable, and all common sense goes out the window and my brain screams at me 

"BUY ALL THE CHEAP THINGS!" 

So, my closet was full of lots of inexpensive, but cute and fun, items that don't necessarily reflect that 20-something, fun loving, young professional, wife, bulldog mom, and personal style blogger that I've become. 

So, I sorted through the get-rid-of piles. I put some things straight into the DONATE pile, some into a box for a friend who lives far away (dropped it in the mail yesterday!), some into the rag bag (yeah, I know...), and the rest I'm going to try and sell on eBay and Instagram. Once I get pictures taken and posted with descriptions & prices, I'll share the link here and on my Instagram (SweetBananie), so you can literally "shop my closet." 

My best friend and I had plenty of time to talk and catch up when I met The Pioneer Woman last week. A recurring topic of conversation is clothes. Specifically "curating our closets." 

My friend, L, has done a great job of getting rid of pieces she doesn't LOVE, keeping those that she does, and focusing on quality over quantity. I, on the other hand, like I mentioned above, seem to have an appetite for lots and lots and lots of cheap items. She sent me this picture (below) this weekend. This is her entire winter wardrobe. Not just for the month of November. or December. ALL WINTER.

Can we say impressed?? And those are pieces that she LOVES, and will wear OFTEN (we're talking weekly, not monthly, or once per season, like me). 

I told her this was my inspiration, then got right to work in my own closet. 

We talk about clothes a lot. A lot more than normal people do (I'm sure), but it's great to have someone to bounce outfits & ideas off of. And someone to gently ask me:

"How does this outfit make you feel?" 

"Is this a reflection of who you want to be?"

and also to remind me that spending more than $20 on a sweater is OK, in fact, it's really OK, it's perfectly acceptable. Or to remind me that yes, that pair of shoes is more than I would normally consider spending on a pair of shoes, but that if I really love them, I should get them. And then WEAR them. And determine that my cost per wear (over several years for a well made pair) will be less than pennies. And that that is a very worthy investment - I should spend my hard earned money on less (in quantity) quality pieces that I love, instead of spending it on more (in quantity) cheaper pieces that I kinda-sorta like, will wear once or twice, and then keep in the back of my closet for ages. 

I've got a lot more thoughts on this topic (where to begin?!), specifically how to attempt this task while not spending beyond my means, dressing "Parisian chic", "curating my closet" (like a museum!), and making the switch to quality over quantity, but I'll save those for some other day(s).

Ever feel the need to completely overhaul your closet? What about just clean it out and freshen it up?

linking up over here today, at Because Shanna Said So, and here with My Fash Avenue

30 for 30: Day 6 - when I MET THE PIONEER WOMAN!

me & Ree - so worth the wait in line! and the drive! and the time off from work!

Last week, The Pioneer Woman came to Colorado on her latest book tour (A Year of Holidays - recipes for a whole year of holidays, beginning with New Year's Day, and ending with New Year's Eve). 

You better believe I went. And I got a picture with her (above, from my Instagram. 

And she signed my newest cookbook (and my previous one, too).

My sister-in-law introduced me to her sometime last year, and I'm so glad she did (thanks, KB)! P-Dubs has THE. BEST. recipes. Seriously. Everything I've made from her book is a HUGE hit at our house. I read her blog daily, and have her show on The Food Network set up to record on our DVR every week. I like to think we would be best friends in real life. Can I tell you I was SO awkward when I met her? I feel like I know so much about her, and she has no idea who I am 

*sigh*

I even took the afternoon off of work to make it to the signing, and my best friend came with me, and patiently waited in line with me. She's such a good friend - those are hard to find!

I could go on and on about how much I love the Pioneer Woman, but I'm going to suggest you check out her blog/cookbooks/show - let me know which of her recipes you make (and subsequently fall in love with). We're hosting Thanksgiving at our (NEW!) house, and have already drooled over the Thanksgiving section of her new book. And Christmas. And New Year's. And Valentine's Day...

my best friend is such a good blog photographer - she "directs the shot" and helps pose me

I was really proud of myself for this outfit for several reasons:

1) I don't care to wear tights, as I think they're uncomfortable. However, I wore these all day, and even longer than I normally would, as I didn't get home and into my pajamas until waaay past my bedtime.

2) I did some MAJOR print mixing here. Stripes AND houndstooth?? I patted myself on the back for this one. 

3) I think I look a teensy bit Parisian chic, which is something I'm obsessed with lately. We were sitting in the "fashion" section of The Tattered Cover (the location of the book signing), gleaning as much information about Paris fashion & becoing "tres chic" as we could without taking the new books home with us, as both of us agree it's more important to buy food and gas than books about clothes...

*sigh*

Someday...

thanks for coming with me, L. I really had the best time <3
also, I'm sorry I have blurry picture taking skills

linking up over at Simply Lulu Style, because I LOVED meeting the Pioneer Woman, AND spending the afternoon/evening with my best friend :)