Switching to my Spring Capsule EARLY!

I just wanted to give you guys a heads up to be on the lookout for updates as I transition my wardrobe over for spring this week. It's getting warm here and I need cooler clothes :)

SHOES, SHOES, SHOES!!!

Today's post is, as you can guess from the title, all about shoes. Today, I noticed a problem with my shoe collection. It stressed me out, so naturally I decided to cull my shoes like I have culled my clothes. I know some people have done their shoes with their wardrobe, but I didn't...until today.

It all started when I went to the shoe store after work. I know, I know I am on a no-buy, but I said that I wasn't including shoes in that. Mostly because I knew I would need a couple pairs of new ones. One of those needed pairs was a good, sturdy, comfy pair of sandals. I found the perfect pair today for my spring and summer capsules!

They were also on clearance for $15! It was perfect. 

...Then I got home. 

I was enjoying my new shoes, and I was going to put them away because even though we have had a warm weekend it's still pretty chilly here. That's when I noticed it... the bin I keep my shoes in was OVERFLOWING. How did I let this happen? What's even at the bottom of that bin? Do I wear all of these shoes? were the questions I was asking myself. 

I decided to gather all my shoes in my room (just like with my wardrobe) from both the floor and the bin and go through them... In the process, I found many gems. I found some really cute red flats (that hurt my feet, and I am totally over that one red phase I had long ago as a teenager), and I put them in the to go bag. I found my great pair of black wedges (the thing is, I have realized that I can't wear heels of any kind) and I tossed them in with the red ones. I found a lot of cute flats, but flats hurt my feet (I seriously haven't found many that don't), and I threw all but one pair in with the other cute shoes collecting dust. I got rid of 8-10 pairs in all. 

Now I still have a bin full of off season shoes, but it's no longer overflowing. It's pretty reasonable, I think. It's still a good deal. I don't need all these shoes, but I will keep wearing them all until they wear out. 

I also decided to pull out a capsule for my winter shoes. I have only been wearing about 5 pairs of shoes consistently this winter anyway, so why not make a space for them? So here they are. I don't have a need for super fancy shoes (obviously, by how many I got rid of), and I do keep 2-3 pairs if an occasion arises. These are just my daily shoes. 

I have five pairs: black moto boots, black Bob's, black converse, blue converse, and grey walking shoes. This will change pretty drastically come summer, but it's really put my mind at rest once again to have made my life just a little simpler!

My Minimizing To Do List...

Hey Friends!

I have come quite a way in my minimalist journey. I have dramatically (and still am to a degree) pairing down my down my clothes, but it's far from over. I still have a lot of unused and unloved stuff in my life. I wanted just to share with you what I am planning to do next. Disclaimer: I don't know when I will get to the items on my list, but I will update you and take you along for the journey when I do get there.

1. Shoes. I have done clothes, but I have yet to tackle my shoes.
2. Bags. I don't have a lot of these, but I can think of at least a couple that need to go
3. My desk and the area surrounding it is not even usable right now... it's bad you guys. 
4. My books and book storage
5. Area surrounding my closet

Those are the next five areas that I am going to tackle. These are in no particular order... I hope that by blogging everything I am working on that I can stay more accountable to the vision that I want to achieve! 

Let me know what you think! What is your next decluttering challenge that you are going to tackle?

Love, 

Sherayah

Blogging Schedule

Hey Friends!

I want to bring you quality content. That is my goal.However, because I am a full time student and I am working right now, I am not going to be able to do that as often. My semester is now in full swing and it needs my full attention. I am going to try to get in a blog post or two once or twice a month and then really pick it back up in the summer. I hope you all can bear with me during this time!

Love,
Sherayah

Capsule Update and Some January Favorites

Hey Friends:

I just wanted to give you an update about my capsule since it's the end of the month and there have been a few changes. I also wanted to try something new and share a few of my favorite things this month with you.

So first thing's first! My Capsule!

I just have a small update for you in this department. I am really loving my capsule, but I did notice a couple of things that I had to fix. The first one was that my gold bag was wearing out. REALLY wearing out and I didn't notice until I started using it again. It made me sad, so I went ahead and switched it out for another favorite, my brown Aldo messenger bag.

Mine is similar to this one

I also had to add a pair of grey slacks. I normally wouldn't add or even need slacks, but I have been having a medical problem that makes my beloved jeans just a little bit too uncomfortable sometimes, so I need the slacks on days when I need a softer, stretchier material.

That's it for the update. I am loving it so far!

Now for a few favorites of the month...

None of these are revolutionary. I am striving for my products to be more natural, but I don't have a whole lot of that kind of stuff right now. These are just a few things that I have been using a lot/loving/excited for in the month of January. Also, none of these are sponsored, but I will have links to stuff that I can get links too in case anyone wants to check any of it out

1. A good lotion is essential for the cold weather and this Aveeno Active Natural Daily Moisturizing Lotion is essential for my cracked hands, feet, and elbows. It also absorbs really quickly and doesn't make me feel greasy. I adore this stuff! It's on Amazon (here) and probably at your local grocery or drug store too.

2. Cute Owl Folders! I love making school a little more bright and cheery and folders like this do the trick! I got mine for $1 at my local Big Lots and couldn't find them online. 

3. Crochet hook set. I recently got back into crocheting and I needed a new hook set. I found these on Ebay really cheap from an individual seller, but you can also find them on Amazon (here). I love these, and I am really excited to use them!

4. My final favorite this month is a tea. I am kind of a tea fanatic and this month I have been in love with Celestial Tea's, Mint Magic. It's very soothing and is great for helping me to chill out after a long day of school. I found mine at my local kroger, but you can also find it on Amazon (here)

That's all for today. I hope you enjoyed this. Let me know what else you would like to see from me in the comments!

Love,

Sherayah

Thinking About Buying Things Differently and How That Looks -My Minimalism Journey

Hey Friends!

If you follow my blog, you might know that I am currently doing a no buy for a year challenge. I started that at the beginning of this year, and as of January 1, 2016, I have not bought any clothing. I have the rules to that challenge in an earlier post (I didn't write the post at the very beginning of the year though because I wasn't sure until I wrote that post if I was actually going to commit to it, but I am!)  Anyway, in my rules I didn't completely rule out shoes, jewelry (if there was a need), and I gave myself three saves (if a need should arise or something gets damaged, etc.). All of this, paired with the fact that I am a poor college student on a tight budget right now anyway, has made me think and rethink about shopping a lot.

My attitude and approach to shopping has started to shift. I used to just go to the store when I was bored. I would go to a thriftstore and find really cute bargains, buy them, and sometimes they would get used... usually they wouldn't though. It was a bad habit. It was one that wasted my time and money. It also didn't fulfill me for very long and it's made my room the mess that I am currently trying to minimize. I am not doing that anymore. I have learned MY secret to minimalist shopping. It's three fold.

1. I have to have patience. This is really hard for me. I am an impulse shopper. Those cute little accessories, candy bars, gum, and stuff displayed by the cash registers were made for shoppers like me. I make an effort not to even look at that stuff if I can help it now. Also, I am learning to examine most of the stuff I buy for quality and learning to wait. Usually time will cure the desire. If not, I can think about it some more and make a more informed decision to go buy it. I can also shop around and see if I can get it cheaper in the time I am waiting to purchase it.

An example of this is that I have been wanting to get back into crocheting. I wanted to buy a new hook set because I am pretty sure that I got rid of my old ones a while back. I waited two days to see if I could borrow some hooks from my mom or a friend (that didn't work for various reasons). I checked Amazon, and I almost bought a set. I decided to sleep on it though. The next day I thought to check Ebay for a set as well and found the same set for half the price. I finally bought them. Patience pays off!

2. I am making a list of needs and possible needs. You make a grocery list... why not a list for other stuff? If it's on my list, I know it's an upcoming need. I can keep on the lookout for it and for some reason it makes it less urgent for me.

Right now my list is short

• Rain/snow boots
• I might need to use a save on some nice jeans since mine are wearing out fast. I am waiting this one out longer than the other one though because I still have some that work for the moment.

That's it. I might have other things crop up, and as they do I will put them on the list. Very rarely are things like this a true emergency. I could have really used rain/snow boots this weekend with a record snowfall in TN, but I got by without them. When I do buy boots, they will be good quality and worth the wait! 

3. I will be saving up for quality/durable stuff that will last me a long time. This point is really self explanatory. I am willing to save some money for some nicer rain boots because I KNOW I will use them. :)

That is really all I have for today. IF you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please comment below. I would love to hear from you!

Love,

Sherayah

How to Style a T-Shirt in a Capsule Wardrobe.

Hey Friends!

Today I wanted to address something that I am sure a lot of you may be wondering. Why does she have t-shirts in her capsule? I thought capsules were supposed to be classy, fashion forward, etc.

The answer is simple and three fold... I like them, they are comfortable, and they work well with my life style at the moment. I know t-shirts and especially graphic tees like the ones I have are what some people are trying to get away from in their wardrobes or what some might consider loungewear, but I ADORE t-shirts. I find them pretty versatile as well. Today I wanted to share with you a few ways that I have styled just one of the 6 or 7 different t-shirts in my capsule wardrobe. Please keep in mind that I am no style expert, but I think these look pretty good.

Here's an example:

This is one of my favorite t-shirts of all time. It's from a camp that I used to work at a few year ago. I love the vintage look of it. I adore the colors, and it's one of the few bright happy pieces in my wardrobe. I am totally cool just wearing it by itself with my favorite jeans (as pictured above). I feel great in just that outfit. However, I can (and usually do) add a couple of things to complete this look.

One of my favorite options is my grey flyaway. It tones down the yellow a bit and it makes me look more pulled together. I would probably also put in my pearl stud earrings (which if you have been following my blog, you know I wear ALL the time!) and braid my hair. Simple. Easy. Me.

I could also do my cream flyaway for lighter, almost more feminine feel. This one also adds a lot of texture to the outfit. Add pearl earrings, put my hair in a messy bun, and I am ready to go!

I could also pair it with my blazer for a more structured look. (I plan to take this is for tailoring soon, but I think you get the idea).

And finally... The last fun thing that I can add to it and put with any of the other looks as well....

My green scarf goes so well with this, and I didn't even realize it until I started playing around with stuff in my capsule for this blog. This also goes to show that you can have some bright fun pieces in a capsule and work them in many different ways :)

I hope you liked this post. Please let me know in the comments below if you did and suggestions you have for styling t-shirts in your capsules.

Love,
Sherayah