Failure

Okay, so here is the thing. I am not living by my 33 pieces. I have for about two months now, but recent circumstances make it nearly impossible. First the washing machine went out. I was able to use a friends washer and dryer and it wasn't a problem that week. The washer got fixed. It was fine, but now the dryer keeps breaking. I know that it's a lame excuse and I could just wash my clothes and hang dry them and I have done that and am doing that, but the loads are smaller and few and far between, so I find myself taking a few pieces out of storage.

It's also hard to rewear pieces while the weather here is 100 degrees and humid. I am not doing well at this challenge, but I am not giving up. I know fall and winter will be better!

Please stay tuned for more updates, and feel free to comment any suggestions, tips, or how your capsule wardrobe is going.

nearly a month in...

I am nearly a month in, and while I am not bored yet... I am eager to rethink things for the fall.

I am already playing with ideas for my fall wardrobe and I am definitely ready for cooler weather. I have identified my "keepers" from this capsule and what will not be carried over into fall.

Here is something else I noticed and again it has to do with being seasonally appropriate (my biggest downfall with this wardrobe)... I have four scarves out right now, which would be fine EXCEPT for the fact that I DO NOT wear scarves in the summer. It's just too hot here. They are going to be put away.

I do enjoy a few of my necklaces, but I do feel like I could get rid of a few of them too.

 Below is an out of the day that I love and am proud of. It's my maxi dress with my tee shirt underneath. I love that it looks like it was meant to be that way. I am still completely in love with this dress and probably wear it more than anything else I have out right now. :)

Yeah that is a really random and kind of choppy update. If you have any questions please feel free to ask in the comments. I would love to hear from you!

Why am I keeping underwear that doesn't fit? and other good questions.

I was doing my laundry (which is not hard now that I don't have so many clothes out, but we will talk about that later) and as I was putting away my underwear I noticed that I had underwear I haven't touched all month so far. Maybe this topic  is TMI, but it's true.

 I got them out and upon further inspection it's because they were either too small, uncomfortable, or just plain worn out. I began to wonder to myself, "why is this still here?" and then I remembered. I never cleaned out my underwear drawer when I was dealing with all this other stuff. The thought never even crossed my mind. I did purge them today and found out that I have about two weeks worth (13-14 pairs) that I wear all the time (which sounds like a lot, but you women understand why!) and about 10 pairs to throw out... 10 pairs of underwear don't take up a lot of space, but they are yet another thing that adds to my stress level. I was constantly making a conscious effort to avoid half the drawer because I couldn't wear them. Now that all those excess pairs are gone I can close my eyes and pick any pair out and now that I can wear them, like them, and are comfortable in them. It's a small thing, but also helpful in my everyday life.

Besides underwear I have also noticed how much of these 33 pieces of clothes I do not wear or actually need. I have 33 pieces of clothes (as I have said in previous posts I didn't exactly follow the rules with project 333 and I didn't count accessories or shoes) and it still seems like too much. There are pieces I have not touched or rarely touched.









Remember these three cardigans?

I wear one of them. The thin grey one. I am not sure what I was thinking adding three of them to TN summer capsule wardrobe! If anyone knows please tell me. Also the striped, polka dot, and white tops hanging right beside those... yeah I don't wear them either. The striped one does not look very good on me, the polka dot one is too warm for a hot TN summer and the white one is silk and is hard to take care of.
I also don't wear my grey slacks. Again I wasn't considering the season very well. That will change with my next capsule. I have also decided that my next capsule will follow the Project 333 rules more closely!

What do I wear a lot?
My favorite grey and black t shirts
All my shorts (yeah all 5 of them)
My printed shell top from Chicos
My thin grey cardigan
My black crop pants
My black and green maxi dress

and that is about it. Above are all of my MUST HAVES.

So, if you are doing a capsule wardrobe or cleaning your clothes out, what has surprised you? What are your must haves? I would love to hear from you!

Another OOTD for work

This is another work outfit. Jeans, boots (Because of rain and which eventually were changed out for toms that day). my favorite shell, and my favorite grey flyway.

OOTD- day 13

Just a quick outfit of the day. Avenue Navy shorts, Loft graphic boatneck tee, and converse (not pictured)

OOTD from my capsule- very casual

Today's outfit is my favorite tshirt of all time (a grey mens tee that was thrifted, but it j crew brand), my new relaxed skinny jeans (now my new favorite jeans (from LOFT), a blue pair of earrings, and flip-flops (not shown here)

It's so simple, but I love this outfit. :)

2 OOTDs and another switch out. :(

I have probably switched out clothes more than any other project 333 participant ever and it kind of makes me feel like a failure, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do. I switched out my thrifted (much thicker) jeans for a more comfortable (thinner) pair of skinny jeans from LOFT.

And with that confession here are two Outfits Of The Day for this week. Enjoy!

This cute outfit includes my black crops, sparkly sandals, printed shell, grey flyaway, and sparkly statement necklace (one of my favorite combos for sure)

This one is the new skinny jeans, black tee shirt, long pearl necklace, sparkly sandals, and sparkly earrings

Project 333- Month 1, Day 9

Okay, so because I just narrowed my clothes down to 33 and didn't exactly follow the rules (I didn't count accessories, tank tops I wear under things, or shoes) this doesn't seem that hard. I have learned a few things though.

1. I have yet to really wear either of my blue cardigans. I still might at some point, but realistically it's TN in the summer. It is stifling hot and a cardigan is the last thing I think about, so I think these items are better for fall or winter. However, I do wear the grey fly away quite a bit because of how thin it is. It's been a must have.

2. I wear a lot less than I think I do. I could live for the most part with less than what I have out for the capsule and definitely less than I have over all.

3. I said it before in my last post (or at some point), I should have picked a base color I think


Oh and I should mentioned I kind of CHEATED a little bit. I did buy something new, but it's for next season or possibly winter. I bought a sweater nearly identical to one I already have and love (and that I know I will wear and enjoy because it was $4.88. I agonized over the decision, but I did buy it and put it away with my winter clothes. I know I will enjoy it when the weather gets colder, so I don't have any qualms about it now.

I also switched out the black peasant tee for my black t-shirt that I love but could not find at the beginning of the challenge. I actually didn't like the peasant tee very much because the fabric caused it to ride up on my torso, and it also didn't have enough sleeve for my comfort level.

I think that is it for today's update. If anyone is actually reading this blog and has any questions, feel free to comment! :)

Capsule Wardrobe- day 4 OOTD

OOTD!

I didn't get a picture of my dressy outfit for work (grey slacks and a black top with white polka dots), but pictured below is my casual Outfit Of The Day. :)

Bad photo again. Sorry guys. 

My casual outfit consists of my favorite soft grey J Crew mens vintage top with pocket (thrifted) and a pair of turquoise green 7 inch shorts from Christopher and banks I believe.

Day 3- How it's going so far.

Pros: Smaller amount of clothes = a cleaner room. Most of the mess in my room has been from clothes everywhere. Now they are on my closet rack or in the one small laundry basket. I love it. The room feels more open.

Also I enjoy almost all my clothes. I am realizing what I need to do differently already for my next capsule, but I can live with this one for the summer.  For instance, next time I will pick a base color, either navy or black. right now I have both in my closet and they are competing and sometimes clashing. Also I will pick at least one solid top in a color. I have plain white, grey, and black, but i find myself wanting one in blue as well.

Cons:  I need a base color (see above. easily remedied when I make my fall capsule)

Need one more solid color top. Preferably blue or even olive green

I work in a clothing store. It's really tempting to buy new clothes all the time. I haven't given into the temptation for clothes, but I did buy a new necklace. it was a different buying experience though because I thought more about it than I would have in the past even though it was only $5

I really like that it's gold (unlike my other necklaces which are silver or pearl [all costume I might add])

I also found that my seersucker crops only work well with two tops. Although I can pair them with a tank top and my navy or possibly grey cardigans.

I will also be getting another black top because while I enjoy the shape of the LOFT peasant tee, it rides up on me :(

OOTD?

Disclaimer: I have not figured out the best way to do this, so I don't have as nice of a pic as I would like, but her is my outfit of the day for work
Black peasant tee, new necklace, seersucker crops, black Bob's shoes.

Final tweaks-update

I thought I wanted the denim jacket, but once I got there I realized it's not what I needed it. What I needed were a black tee shirt. I got both and black tee shirt and a 3/4 length sleeved shirt that will match more than one of the other shirts in my closet.

I think that this peasant tee (pictured above, not my picture btw) will serve me extremely well and be very flexible in my wardrobe.

I adore this tee shirt. It goes with everything and I think it will serve me better than the shirt I switched it with.

Tomorrow begins my first official day! No more changing things!

Tweaks and official start date.

Okay, I have made some tweaks and will finish my tweaking tomorrow. After tomorrow, I will be living with the same 33 pieces of clothing until September 1st.

What did I change from my post yesterday?

I got jeans. I don't know if I love them yet, but they fit. I don't wear jeans much during the summer, but they are there if I need them. Plus, they have cute embellished pockets!

I said I was going to get a maxi skirt, but I got a dress instead. It's all good though because I can throw a shirt over it if I want the effect of a skirt :)  (I am not modeling the dress in the pic below. I am a much larger, curvier woman. Also it didn't come with the belt)

 I did ditch one of the grayish colored shorts for a very soft, comfy pair of navy blue drawstring shorts, like the one pictured below. I am excited to wear them all the time!

I bought another shirt that I thought I liked, but decided to exchange it for a denim jacket. The last and final piece of my capsule wardrobe for Summer 2015

I took the project 333 challenge!

Sort of. The official rules are here. I did NOT include shoes, accessories, or bags in my 33. I also didn't include undergarments, undershirts, or pajamas.

Here is a break down of my 33. Keep in mind that it is not finished yet. There are still two pieces I want to add and some i might switch out if I find better pieces.

So here is what I have:

9 T-Shirts (it's a lot but I live in TN and i wear them a lot)
5 Shorts ( 1 black, 1 brown, 2 denim grayish ones, and 1 green turquoise color. Might ditch one of the gray ones)
2 crops (1 seersucker, 1 black  I wear these to work all the time!)
NEED 1 pair of jeans (working on that)

7 nice tops (for work and when I feel like looking nice)

3 cardigans (1 navy, 1 grey flyaway, 1 navy/grey print flyaway)

2 dresses (one navy top with colorful skirt, one black and white with mint shrug)
1 lightweight workout sort of jacket (might ditch this one, but You never know when you'll need a jacket)
NEED 1 maxi skirt ( I have one picked out and will probably buy it tomorrow)

Grand total? So far only 30 items! if you count the three pairs of shoes I wear most often that is 33!

I am looking forward to seeing how this challenge works out. Right before school starts back at the end of August I will switch it out again. :)

I will update this blog if anyone is interested with how this is working out for me soon. :)

Hello and my journey toward a minimalist wardrobe

Hello everyone:

My name is Sherayah. I am a college student, in my mid twenties, and a lot of other things. I love to read. I work two jobs. Basically, I am a busy person! I don't know why I decided to throw a blog on top of that, but here I am.

One thing that comes with the territory of being a full time college student, working, and being a busy person is the need to get dressed and get out the door quickly... AND look nice!

I will admit I have been guilty of being the person slumming it in sweatpants, a messy bun, and a T-shirt to classes. Don't get me wrong, some girls can ROCK that look. I am a larger, curvier woman and I... I can not. It also NEVER made me feel good about myself.

All of that above is not why I decided to minimalize my clothes... This decision came last week when I was stressed because of school and everything else. I was doing my laundry and I was frustrated by not being able to find the clothes I wanted to wear amidst the sea of clothes that was my room. I also realized that I wasn't even using my laundry hamper anymore because it was full with are you ready for this...

Clothes I had not worn nor washed in months... yep, I know I was disgusted with myself too.

That night and the next night I did 5 loads of laundry and filled up 6 grocery bags and one black trash bags full of clothes. I cleaned and organized my closet area. I felt so much better.

BUT I am still not done!

I have done my initial huge purge, but I still find myself editing my clothes, being more conscious of what I actually wear and why. I am striving to love what I have and not be tempted to buy more (even though I work in a clothing store and help drive our consumer culture).

Now, I will say I have bought about three or four pieces I felt like I was missing from my wardrobe, but I was careful while buying them. I bought a blazer, a white silk flowy top (both from ebay. fingers crossed that they work), and two (black and brown)  thicker belts to put over top blouses and dresses.

I also stored away some "maybe pieces" (things I am not sure I want get rid of yet) and some off season clothes.

So, without further ado... here is what my closet looks like so far. Keep in mind that I have a ways to go and it is not perfect.

Here is the break down of my new wardrobe. The top shelf  holds my nicer t-shirts (about 8 of them), 7 pairs of shorts and capris (TN summers are warm!) and a stack of jeans and crop pants. The bar holds the rest of my daily wear clothes and there is less than 50 pieces there.  There is another bin beside the closet that holds really casual t-shirts (too many of them probably) and then a rack with bras, underwear, and tank tops on the top. Then on the bottom three shelves of that rack I have shoes (about 15 pairs).

Oh and the white hanger on the sides holds my belts and the four scarves I chose for the spring summer season. Then I have necklaces on the wall.

If you have any questions or comments please leave them below. The capsule wardrobe has been fascinating me and I am hoping to apply this simplicity to other parts of my life as well!