Conversation #114: Wardrobe Checklist (and retail detox update)

I read something a while back that sort of spurred me into thinking I needed to do this whole retail detox thing. I'm just going to get it out there - it has been way hard for me and I'm super embarrassed and disappointed by that. I did well for the first two weeks, and then I got into this buying and returning things habit because I felt bad after buying it. I told myself that I could still buy things, but only with extra money I earned from ebay. That worked for a while too, but then I caved to the Lands' End Canvas sale last weekend. I bought three tees, a skirt, and a cardigan. I think that all but maybe one tee will be going back and hopefully I can stop this extra shopping.

Okay, back to the "thing" I read...

It was an article in Real Simple magazine targeted at helping you never buy the wrong thing again. It has great tips in it, and the wardrobe checklist it includes really brought it all back home to me. I started going through the checklist and realized I had multiples of many of the items on there. If you want to read the whole piece (which I encourage you to do): click here. However, here is a picture of the checklist that I copied from the previous Real Simple link - it is pretty small so you'll probably just want to click through the link.

I'm going to start really taking inventory of what I have compared to the list and try to fill any holes (I think there is only one) and then quit shopping. Hopefully this will get me back on track with the extra shopping for things not on the list. Obviously, this is an essential list so I think it is good to throw in a few pops of colors or accessories, but hopefully in a much more thoughtful and restricted way. I think my husband, closet, and wallet will thank me :)

Now for a hopefully inspiring outfit photo for the Texas Rangers -I'm dead tired after the game last night but I sure hope they bring home the title this evening. GO RANGERS!!!

Outfit breakdown (Rangers edition - red and blue are the team colors):

Cardigan, Gap, $13 (not sure because it was on sale and I used a Groupon)

Red Tank, New York and Co, $? (no idea, I have had it for three or four years now)

Jeans, Lands' End Canvas, $20

Boots, Sonoma, gift

Necklace, Coldwater Creek, free with gift card from market research

Watch, Armitron, Kohls, $30

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Conversation #32: Kitchen Design Help!

Okay, I don’t really know that too many people read this blog since I moved to a new address, but I’m begging if you do, please help me. I am at a loss on what to do with part of my kitchen. Here is how I painted my kitchen 3 years ago: It was fun, bright, and I like it, but we decided it needed to be a bit more grown-up these days. I knew we would have to paint it before we moved so we decided to just go ahead and do it now for a change. We decided to go with a gray so that it would be neutral but not boring. However, the gray had a strong blue tone to it on the walls and now I need to phase out my turquoise decor I think. Here are some afters (still putting it back together): Some of these are the same shots but with/without flash to show the colors. I think I really like the new color, but the turquoise trim does not go anymore in my opinion. I’m trying to figure out what to do with it, and I need help!!! ...

Conversation #123: Open to Interpretation

First, I apologize for two posts today. The other one was supposed to post yesterday. I wrote it during lunch, but it didn't post properly. Oh well. So I started reading Kayla's blog during her last wardrobe challenge, and I loved it. I also loved when she and Amy and Erica started doing this series called Open to Interpretation. I have no idea why, but I never thought of taking an outfit I saw in a catalog or a magazine and then recreating it or something like it with what I already own. This has really helped me not only stretch my closet but also push me to try some new fashiony things (without going out to spend a ton of money). Here is the photo inspiration (I just copied it from Kayla's blog): And here is my interpretation: Outfit breakdown: Sweater - Old Navy, $8 Striped Shirt - LOFT (from the event last week), $20 Pink pants - JCPenney, Juniors section (don't tell Stacey and Clinton), $10 Leather Oxfords - J.Jill, $30 Mine is...

Conversation #22b: Fashion help!

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