Monday, December 6, 2010

Psyche!

No outfit today...I am in my robe and slippers until I get dressed for the gala so I don't get cat hair and cookie crumbs all over my chic black ensemble. Its a glamourous life we lead.

Tomorrow is my last day of the 30 for 30! Can you believe that??? What am I going to do with myself? What are YOU going to do with yourself once its over? What have you learned from the challenge? What were you happy with? What would you have done differently? So many questions!

Elle tagged me a little while ago, and I thought instead of spewing more random factoids about myself, I'd focus on what I've learned from Kendi's 30 for 30 Remix Challenge.

1) I did not take the weather into consideration. At. All. Granted, this has been a very chilly November, but still...I should have added more cute sweaters and warm dresses and wooly trousers, and less silky little blouses. Most of my outfits just got covered up with coats. On the same note, I should have included my Doc Martens. I thought two pairs of boots would be enough, but apparently I am a boot addict. Also, it would have been a good idea to have something a little more rugged, for adventuring/ toughening up all those silky little blouses.

2) Accessories are everything. Tights, scarves, gloves, hats, bags, jewelry...whatever your poison, it is amazing the difference those finishing touches can make. I think I've always been innately aware of this, but watching the 30 for 30 has really brought it home. Whether its cinching an otherwise shapeless vintage dress with a pretty belt, elevating the most inexpensive basics with a classy belt/scarf/boots combo, or adding drama to a drab outfit with bright tights, remixers are proving that its all in the details.

3) I've always had this idea in my head that I am completely clueless about casual dressing. Mostly because once upon a time I was. Very. But a few weeks of observation and...turns out I know exactly what I'm doing, and I even have a formula: Slender but slouchy boyfriend jeans+striped tee+cute sweater+belt and or scarf+statement shoes=go. So apparently I've got that handled. Yay face!

4) I used to be a lot more adventurous about wearing my beloved wacky vintage stuff, because, well, I was a "creative type", and I could get away with it. I mean, I worked in restaurants and went to shows. Normal was not on the menu. Since I became a young professional (*snork*) I've really struggled to find my style niche. What I'm discovering is that people are more open to my eccentricities than I think they are. In fact, rather than being a handicap, my personal style sets me apart and makes me seem a lot more accessible, confident, mature, and pulled together than I am. Sometimes I even fool myself! This isn't necessarily something I learned from the 30 for 30, just a general observation.

5) That said, I've realized that my wardrobe is still lacking. Last summer I purged the vast majority of my closet, keeping only what I genuinely loved. It was incredibly freeing, but now there are some noticeable holes, especially in the cozy transitional dept. Once the Challenge is over, I'll be hunting for a cute military inspired utility coat to help me ease into spring, a few more luxe slouchy sweaters for layering, the perfect vintage wide leg jeans, and plenty of pretty patterned tights. I will NOT be buying any more shoes for a while! What about you? Do you feel like the challenge gave you more perspective on what you should add/subtract from your wardrobe?

6) Before signing up for the challenge, I had flirted with the idea of rocking a seasonal "capsule" wardrobe, where I would pull a few key pieces from my closet to remix, and pack everything else away. So chic! So easy! Well, turns out, I'd rather just play dress-up.

7) I can haz friends on tha interwebz?! Every single one of you, whether you are old friends reading to keep in touch, fellow remixers reading to be supportive, or random people reading because you just ran across my blog and think its cool, is amazing. The sense of community I have felt through the challenge has just been awe inspiring. Hyperbole? Nope. I mean it. I am so happy to have met you guys! Please keep in touch when the challenge is over, yeah?

Ok, time to spread the love...
Pretty in PDX and The Auspicious life are both written by Portland girls with wit and style.
The ladies behind City Mouse Style and Unusual Form do things with color that blow my lil mind.
Blue Paper Lanterns is another adorable nerd girl crush.
Watch Me Dress  owns quirky ladylike style.
Classic noise I just discovered this morning...

You know the drill! Link back to the person who tagged you, Tell us 7 things about yourself, and tag 7 other bloggers you find inspiring!

6 comments:

  1. I like what you have to say about accessories and eccentricity making you seem accessible!

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  2. Thank you so much for the tag, I'm going to make my list about the 30 for 30 too! ;)

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  3. Aw, thanks for tagging me! I just did the seven secrets thing a few days ago... maybe I'll do it again ;)

    And I'm just totally thankful for Kendi's challenge, even though I didn't participate in it. It was like a mini blogging community of people doing the same thing and everyone SO supportive of each other. I can't wait for her next one!

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  4. Thanks for the tag Rose! And I will definitely be sticking around, LOVE your style and witty words.:)

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  5. Awww, thanks so much for the tag and the compliment! I definitely agree with about the sense of community - I'll be sticking around.

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  6. I'd agree the remix was just the kick my closet & imagination needed. I intend on capturing my lessons learned from all this soon. Pretty cool challenge all in all. I got so much out of it, fashion and friend-like:)

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