Some Randoms

Oh friends, it’s been far too long!!  Things have been busy with a whirlwind romantic get-away to Maine last weekend, and then my birthday and ensuing festivities this past week with another quick day-cation on Saturday.  Whew! 

Let’s catch up!  Brace yourself for a slew of outfit photos below and a recap of our awesome weekend away to come!

August 11, 2010

What:
yellow beach dress—J.Crew, old
white braided belt--American Eagle, remixed
espadrilles--J.Crew, old

Where:
This was just a work outfit on a day when I was feeling especially beachy!  I love this dress, but it’s old and the stays on the inside poke through the fabric and rub, making it incredibly uncomfortable.  Boo—but I was happy to get another summer out of it!

August 12, 2010

What:
red wrap shirt--Limited, old
black lace cami--Target, old
patterned skirt--Limited, remixed
peep-toe flats--Madden Girl, remixed
necklace--Limited, remixed

Where:
work!

August 16, 2010

What:
red striped tunic--Urban Outfitters, remixed
white pencil skirt--Limited, remixed
peep-toe flats--Madden Girl, remixed
double torsade necklace--Anthro, remixed

Where:
work work work

August 19, 2010

What:
corset dress--Urban Outfitters, sale
pink tutu--Forever 21, remixed
blue belt--Old Navy, remixed
double torsade necklace--Anthro, remixed
beige platforms--BCBG, remixed

Where:
It was my birthday so I took the opportunity to don a tutu :)

August 20, 2010

What:
floral ruffle top--Liberty of London for Target, remixed
black ribbon skirt--Limited, remixed
white braided belt--American Eagle, remixed
peep-toe flats--Madden Girl, remixed

Where:
office, lunch with a new friend!

What:
black & white dress--Limited, old
beige platforms--BCBG, remixed
earrings--Express, remixed

Where:
dinner with friends, surprise party courtesy of my sweet, sweet husband :)

That about catches us up…sorry for the absence—I’ve always been an excellent procrastinator, but it feels good to be back!

The Finale

There they are!  I’m unbelievably pleased with myself for finishing: some work for world peace, research medical break-throughs, and I remix outfits.  We all do our parts, I guess. 

So, fellow remixers, have ye favorites?  I have to say that my least favorite was #22.  Poor dear. 

Favorites included #7, #12, #28, & #30, especially because most of them were re-workings of beloved items that made me love them even more for their new looks and possibilities.

I was certainly stretched in creativity!  As someone who tends to figure out one way to wear something and then always wear it that way, it was great fun to challenge myself to remix the same items in new ways.  I practiced my tried-and-true belting, I rolled my jeans, wore dresses as tops & skirts, and both simultaneously.

And how my perspectives on shopping and the amount of clothing I have have changed…

First of all, I just blatantly have a ridiculous number of items in my closet.  To be honest, while I missed the rest of my clothes, I was pretty content wearing and re-wearing these 30 items and it made me realize I could get by (happily) with much, much less. 

Secondly, remixing requires a lot more laundry than I’m used to.  Maybe I’m just a sweaty beast and it is summer, after all, but I rarely do laundry more than every three weeks or so (another testament to the insane quantities in the bowels of my dressers).  Over the course of this challenge, I had to wash specific items to re-wear, which cost me more.  Although, no, you’re right, not as much as a new dress instead.

I have to say that I also felt incredibly liberated by my limited choices of what to wear.  I’m often guilty of standing paralyzed in the closet for twenty minutes or more in the mornings, overwhelmed with options and unable to settle on anything.  Having already worn certain items or combinations, my choices continued to grow more and more limited, making getting dressed that much quicker and less anxiety-producing.

Blog-wise, I liked having a purpose!  I felt like part of a community of bloggers all laboring through this same challenge, which I loved.  It was fun to watch others remix and see how they got creative, tired, and reinvigorated at the same time.  And I discovered some great new blogs like AJ, Ashley, and Angeline!

As far as the raw materials go…

I have to say, I was actually pretty content with my choices.  My superstars were my blue tube dress, my layering tanks, and my pant choices of khaki shorts & black capris.  Surprisingly, I also got three wears out of this floral skirt, a gold t-shirt, and my teal cardigan. 

I liked the number of each item I had, although maybe fewer dresses and more tops or layering jackets/cardigans next time around.  Call me crazy, but there was no way I could have gotten by with any fewer than six pairs of shoes. 

I can’t wait to hear everyone else’s thoughts as you finish up!  Congratulations, friends and well-done. 

 

So…what’s next?  :)