playing closet: Tate

This is my friend, Tate. And she is great (my rhymes – do you appreciate?).

We joined Zeta at the same time, and we fell in love just after Bid Day. She spent two years with the Peace Corps in Botswana, and came back to the States almost a year ago (I know we’re all glad to have her back – me, her family, her friends, me, her boyfriend, her animals, me).

She’s a smart lady, who loves science, and loves to help people, so she’s going to med school, natch. She starts this summer and asked for my help in putting together an updated wardrobe for this next chapter in her busy life. Being the interested-in-fashion-and-style friend that I am, I wholeheartedly agreed (and by that, I mean I replied with a very enthusiastic “YAAASSSSS!”).

We started by Tate sharing her style "Pinboard" with  me via Pinterest, so I could get a better sense of her style, especially after living abroad for the last 2 years. We discussed her between-jeans-and-business-casual dress code for medical school, and the her style: boho meets young professional. Then we were finally able to get together one evening (after several weeks of planning and "would this evening work? what about this time?" discussions), with the company of her dog and cat.

Currently, her clothes are spread between a few different places, all over the State, so we tackled what she had in her closet currently. We went through each and every item and discussed:

Could she wear this for med school?

What about clinicals in a few years?
Can she pair this with items she already has?

If not, what are some pieces that would complete several outfits?

We came up with a list of items that would be worthwhile to add to her closet, a few of those items are: a black pencil skirt, some new Converse, a chambray shirt, flowy cardigans, and a faux leather jacket, as well as a list of items to replace when she happens upon the perfect item: an LBD, a polka dot shirt, and a big black belt.

We also discussed several ways to wear some of the items she already has, such as her flannel shirt under a pullover sweater, or a cardigan, and the easiest way to print mix: florals and stripes, or polka dots and stripes.

And, just this weekend, we were able to get together again and work on her closet. I don't have any pictures to share, but we did pretty much the same thing as before. And she took a few items off my hands for me, including a really cute floral dress that she might wear for her white coat ceremony this summer...!

playing closet: Amanda

Many many weeks ago (back in March - yikes!) my friend, Amanda, and I decided to "play closet" at her house one evening. We had some wine, Mean Girls, and puppy love from her shiba inu, named Kirin (find him on Instagram: @kirintheshiba).

The plan was to evaluate her closet a bit, and transition her closet from winter wear to spring/summer wear. Amanda works in a local school district, with a business casual plus dress code. She occasionally attends conferences and teaches seminars, and has to break out the suit and heels. She also kicks my rear every time we run together, and teaches a mean Zumba class - girl loves fitness and being healthy and working out. 

Here is her closet before we started. And an almost empty glass of red...

We started by examining each piece of clothing and asking a few questions about it:

1) Does it fit? (getting at if it should be donated or kept)

2) Do you love it? (again, getting at the same as above)

3) How recently have you worn this? (again, keep or donate)

3) Is this wintery, or can you wear it during the warmer months?

Amanda's winter stuff got moved to the back of her closet, so it's out of sight, and out of mind until the fall. Personally, I find that helpful and useful - it's the worst to look at heavy sweaters in the middle of summer; it makes me feel like I have nothing to wear because I can't wear what's in front of me.

There were a few items we hung a little bit to the side - lighter sweaters, perfect for the snowy days in April and May (*cough* Mother's Day *cough*), or a cold office. And when we get to the heat of the summer, they can easily be added back into the winter clothes pile. 

When we rehung the clothes she can wear for warmer weather, we grouped them by sleeve type/length (some people do color, or style). We then moved to pants, jeans, dresses, and skirts, and worked our way through those.

Last were shoes and scarves.

Here is the after shot of Amanda's closet. Truth be told, we didn't really get rid of that many items - I think a handful. All we really did was sort, and condense, and discuss potential outfit options:

"This polka dot shirt is great. What do you normally wear it with? This would also be really great paired with these pants, or under a dress. Or what about this color skirt?"

Dresses and maxi skirts.

We also discussed a few pieces Amanda should consider adding to her closet as a young, hot, fun, stylish lady and professional: #1 being a chambray (she ended up coming to my house a few weeks later, and taking one off my hands. win-win.), and a skirt or two, plus a few dresses. 

So, even if my sweet friend doesn't end up adding anything to her closet, or changes around the organization of it, I think we came up with some great ideas for outfits, and multiple ways to wear some great pieces she has. And, we got watch listen to Gretchen Weiners and Regina George in action. I mean...

Happy Saturday - I'm off getting my toesies did with girlfriends, then to a Zeta event, then a graduation celebration, all in one day! Whew - this girl is going to be tiiiiiired.

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: 30 items (finally!)

Here they are, as promised. 

My 30 items I will be have been wearing for my 30 for 30 challenge for the month of November.

Ta da!

7 tops 

(left to right)

1) pink peplum top (looks neon orange here, but I assure you, it's a nice, pretty pink) [Kohl's]

2) blue plaid flannel [Old Navy]

3) light chambray [Kohl's]

4) cream 3/4 length sleeve top with light brown stripes [GAP Outlet]

5) short sleeve cream lace shirt [gift]

6) long sleeve cream sequined top [Kohl's]

7) black & white striped top, 3/4 length sleeve [Old Navy]

5 pairs of pants

(left to right)

1) olive skinnies [Aeropostale]

2) navy cords [thrifted - Joe Fresh]

3) bootcut jeans [thrifted - Old Navy]

4) pink & maroon polka dot pants [Ann Taylor LOFT]

5) black skinnies [Aeropostale]

2 dresses & 3 skirts

(left to right)

1) navy blue dress [clothing swap]

2) chambray dress [Kohl's]

3) leopard print pencil skirt [thrifted - Target]

4) black pencil skirt [Target]

5) houndstooth skirt [GAP]

3 jackets/blazers

(left to right)

1) pink tweed blazer [thrifted - Express]

2) vegan leather jacket [thrifted - Miley Cyrus / Max Azria]

3) velvet blazer [gift from my brother - Eddie Bauer]

4 sweaters

(left to right)

1) green fair isle sweater [American Eagle]

2) taupe single cable knit sweater [thrifted - GAP]

3) oatmeal cardigan [thrifted - Kohl's]

4) long black cardigan [Maurice's]

6 pairs of shoes

(left to right)

1) brown boots [Rack Room Shoes]

2) black boots [KMart]

3) booties[Old Navy]

4) black flats [Kohl's]

5) oxfords [thrifted - Not Rated]

6) leopard print flats [Kohl's]

Look how little space my 30 items take up in my closet! It's amazing!

We are currently packing up, tossing out, and sorting our things to pack up and move to our new house - one of the biggest challenges I have with moving is my closet (there's JUST. SO. MUCH). I've got a whole blog post on this tomorrow, but just giving you a heads up that I'm getting rid of 132 items! Which makes me feel great! But a bit defeated at the same time, since my closet is still PACKED. However, the above picture gives me some ease...

1) I can completely pack up and move the rest of my closet

 2) look how little stuff there is! and how little space they take up! 

3) not having full use of my whole closet is making me thing of different ways to wear the things I CAN wear, and 

4) it's making me think of ways to wear the other items in my closet when I can wear them again

Here are the items I chose for my last 30 for 30 challenge in June - how do they compare?

Minted in Stripes

Cali girl in the background 

I can't believe I'm saying this, but...

Happy 1st day of Fall!

I'm a summer-lover, and usually detest fall & winter, but this year, I'm ready for a change. I'm sure I'll be singing a different tune by November, but, for now, I'm looking forward (a little bit) to fall. 

We've got football on the TV, a fall candle burning, and I've got plans to swap around my closet a bit this afternoon. I won't put away summer clothes entirely (we still have warm temps into October, sometimes into November), but I'll pull my colder weather clothes towards the front, so they're easier to access. With that said - layering, here I come!

On a different note, I painted my nails this morning and used a new trick an old friend told me about. This friend's mom owns a nail shop, so this friend is kind of an expert. She told me to paint my nails, then put them into a bowl of ice water for a few minutes - the cold water would "set" my nails and dry them. I was skeptical, but I tried it, aaaaaand, it worked! My fingers felt all tingly after, but it sped up the drying process, and who doesn't want their nails to dry faster??? Give it a try and let me know what you think!

shirt: Old Navy

pants: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

sandals: Target

Turbo is like me and prefers warmth & sunshine to cold & snow - he likes to lay in the grass or on our patio and bask in the sun. Cali, on the other hand, LOVES to run (OK, not a real run, more like "hop like a bunny") in the snow. They sure do take after their favorite person in our house ;)

linking up over here today, for "What I'm Loving Friday" [2 days late...] 

I guess you could say I'm kinda-sorta-starting to like fall, it's not love. yet ;)

Clothes I'm Parting With

I went through my closet this last week (I had some free time with all the snow), and have some items I'm ready to part with. There's not TONS of room in my closet now, but I can move things around a lot easier - and that feels great for a nerd like me. 

Here are the items I'm going to take to my favorite consignment store, Trends. Whatever they don't take will get donated to a local ARC or Goodwill.

left to right: Ann Taylor oatmeal sweater; J Crew mustard sweater; black & white short sleeve jacket 

left to right: brown & black goucho pants; pink plaid bermuda shorts (on me they're more like capri length); black tulle skirt; light blue shorts; white shorts

 left to right: strapless white top; red tunic length top; Love & Pink shirt from VS; dark green slouchy top; long sleeved blue shirt; black & blue printed sleeveless top; black crewneck shirt; gray slouchy "bat wing" shirt; brown & white striped shirt

left to right: BCBGirls sandals; white belt; mint colored scarf

There were also some things I already gave away to some friends and my sweet mama. 

(not pictured)

to 1 friend: pair of gray pants

to another friend: 2 dresses - 1 pewter & black, the other purple & teal

to my mama: a purple cocktail dress; pink skirt; pink sweater & striped scarf

In other news, this was my Sunday morning while my Mr. slept in... 

Turbo, lazily observing

Cali, imploring me to snuggle

essentials: a (fancy) new tumbler & Vera Bradley mug, filled (and refilled) with coffee

Here's to parting with things I no longer need, and enjoying what remains of the weekend!