31 Days of Simple Outfits {Day 1}

Since I've been focusing on simplifying my life and limiting my clothing, shoes and accessories, I thought it'd be fun to show a different outfit each day of October from my small allotment. Sometimes having boundaries helps my creativity and I love the challenge of mixing things up. I want to prove to myself that having a small amount of clothes doesn't limit my options. I'm obviously not a fashionista, but I do want to look presentable. So I'm hoping by the end of this month I'll have a nice group of pictures to reference and hope that it'll inspire you too. My style is self-defined as comfy classic. 

Today's outfit is French-inspired. I love the brightness of the red jeans against the polka-dot blouse. This outfit makes me feel professional with a splash of fun. The flowing fabric is flattering and the elastic waistline highlights my waist. I'm an artist and love color. Red is one of my favorite accent colors but I use it sparingly. I only have this one pop of red in my entire wardrobe. Colored jeans really help a limited wardrobe stretch. It creates more crossover for mixing and matching.

I'm joining up with the The Nesting Place's 31 Days Challenge. There are so many great subjects, you should check it out!

What is your favorite accent color?


Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12, Day 13, Day 14, Day 15, Day 16, Day 17, Day 18, Day 19, Day 20, Day 21, Day 22, Day 23, Day 24, Day 25, Day 26, Day 27, Day 28,

Hello October, Hello Simplicity

I've been debating Project 333 for awhile and finally decided to join this year for the Fall session (you know how I love a good challenge). I've been cleaning out and getting rid of tons of stuff: clothes, books and whatever. Can I let you in on a little secret? It feels amazing!! Me and simplicity are bff's now.

Sooo, I'm joining the challenge of wearing only 33 items of clothing/accessories/shoes (not including undergarments, pajamas, workout or lounge wear) for the next 3 months (333, see?). (You can read more about it here.) I thought it'd be fun to share my 33 items with you. I apologize for the poor photo quality, I was rushing and my camera batteries were dying. I only photographed the clothes but I'll try to show you my accessories and shoes in another post when I update my progress.

Here's the breakdown:

2 Cardigans and 1 Sweater

 2 Coats

 3 Dresses

 2 Jackets

 4 Jeans/Pants

 2 Skirts

 10 Tops

I've chosen to stay within four colors: Black, Purple, Gray, and Blue. I also added red as a splash of color and tones of green in one skirt and some blouses. I made sure all the pieces went together so assembling outfits would be easy. I tried to choose various patterns so I wouldn't get bored or have outfits look too similar (my scarves add additional colors and patterns).

Although this wardrobe needs to last through December, I chose light fabrics and more short-sleeve tops than long-sleeve because lately my body barometer has been crazy. I decided to focus on layers since they can help to stay warm or be shed to cool off. If the weather gets super cold, I'll trade out lighter fabrics for heavier ones.

Do you think 33 items is too small for a wardrobe? Have you ever limited your closet?

Let Her Fly

I stood in the lobby of the dorm with a "Student MOM" button in my hands. It didn't feel real. How was I the mom and not the student?

Seeing my daughter on the brink of adulthood, made me glance back at my own. Had my journey been what I envisioned when I went to college? No, certainly not. Life surprises us like that. Was I disappointed with the turns life had taken? Some dreams had died, others had been born. And no, I wasn't disappointed.

She settled things into her little room. She wanted to arrange it by herself.  I found myself feeling useless, asking if she wanted me to put her books away or make her bed; she shook her head. She wanted her fingerprints on each task.

I stood there wishing for something to do, ANYTHING. I'm a mom, give me a project! I felt uneasy with all the boxes still boxed.

"Just sit down and relax, Mom," she invited.

And that's when I realized, she needed me to just be there. But how do you just be when, from the moment she was handed to you, you've been doing? All those needs, all that tucking in, wiping off and cleaning up; it becomes instinct. It's hard to transition to still hands. I selfishly wanted my hands busy so my heart didn't hurt so much. But she needed me to simply stand beside her and let her fly.

So I sat, on a bed with no sheets, near a pile of clothes unhung, as she unpacked everything and arranged it to her liking. I nodded and smiled. I laughed and listened.

I let her fly.

Bits of Summer: The Tattered Cover

When we were in Colorado, we re-visited one of our favorite bookstores, The Tattered Cover. This is the children's corner of the store. Isn't is dreamy? I would love to have a room like this! :) My only regret is that I didn't get a photo of all the beautiful shelves of picture books.

My Journey: From the Junkyard

My spiritual journey has been like a walk in the junkyard.

I love lines, grace is hard for me to get. I feel more comfortable in perimeters, which is ironic since life doesn't sit within lines. This summer, I stepped out of my box and did a forty day water fast.

I cried the night before I began. I was terrified of failing, being in pain and having to explain it to my family. Fasting is not me. Each day I survived the fast, became a trust-building moment. I had more time for other things. Time to sit and talk. Time to think. Time to work through issues I avoid.

I faced what I don't normally want to face, and cried, a lot. My soul detoxed along with my body. I felt connected to the Bible's forty-day fast in the desert. Not saying I had the same experience (he was in melting desert heat, I was in air-conditioning with plenty of water) but something about it came alive for me ~ a touch of suffering, albeit self-imposed. My auto-drive attitude of entitlement began to fade into grateful repentance.

The fast didn't feel like a big spiritual enlightenment. It felt like a walk through a junkyard where you're just focusing on this step to make it out, because if you look away for one minute you may end up sliced open by broken glass or fall into a hole where no one will find you. But I also see love.

And it's the love; overpowering, forgiving, meet-you-where-you're-at, kind of love pulling me back over and over. Many of my junkyard days felt more carried than walked. And that's the way love is. It goes with you to the middle of your stench-filled junkyard and carries you out.

Hmm, I think grace may be inching it's way into my perimeters.