A Winter Wrap Up.

This fall I did two big things in my wardrobe. The first thing I did was take a pledge not to buy myself any new clothes. If I wanted or needed anything I had to get it second hand or make it. The second thing I did was to embark on a color palette challenge which was suppose to guide my choices in what to make and wear.

This was the palette:

Both things are over though the way I shop and sew has forever been changed and for the better. I won't get on my soap box since I've gone on about it before but I definitely have a better wardrobe and a way more defined style then ever before. I have such nicer brands of RTW clothing and my sewing skills are about three times better then when I started, as is my confidence.

After the kids were born I really went through a frumpy frump stage. I felt like the things I could afford would always just look blah on me. But now I see that there are so many options!!!! Not to mention all the cool second hand boutiques and Indie sewing companies I've discovered along the way.

Okay, keep in mind my camera's not great and keep in mind my palette as you take a tour of my fall "closet".

Here you see the items I made. A dress, bolero (jacket), shirt, more casual skirt, and scarf with matching fingerless gloves. I think I did well with the colors. But wait until you see everything together!

I couldn't get a good photo of everything so here is one of the shirt paired with a handed down jacket. Also a black Anne Taylor cardigan (oh how I love cardigans) and it doesn't show up but an absolutely fabulous pair of Chico jeans.

A London Fogg dress, A super elegant vintage slip, A beautiful Talbots blouse (it would have looked great with my unfinished skir0t. And a Limited sweater paired with the skirt.

Here is a close up of the slip because it is truly the prettiest thing I own. I think I got it for $12 at an antiques shop in MD, and wasn't sure if it would fit. It does it fits! I feel so amazingly pretty in that thing you can't imagine.

Tada! The pink cardigan was also a Limited brand from this fall. It's my most versatile piece, surprisingly. You can see it will transition right into spring nicely.

Having made such thoughtful pieces with my own hands and having discovered so many great upscale pieces makes me feel good. This is the most put together my wardrobe has ever been. And this isn't including all my amazing accessories and things given to me as gifts.

There are a lot of people who helped to encourage me along the way but I want to give a special thanks to My husband for letting me use our money and all the sewing time and taking lots and lots of outfit pics. I want to thank my friend Beki for suggesting we take the "no new clothes" challenge together. And, to my sister Heather for not only being the most encouraging about my wardrobe endeavors but also for showing me that you can get away with a lot as long as you wear it with confidence.

What I Wore, Sort of.

Shirt: Good Will
Skirt: Good Will, Talbots brand $3
Bracelet: My charm bracelet.
I think I wore this to youth group.

A close up of the Talbots skirt (what a great find) and the bracelet.
I got the bracelet when I was a young teen and I love that the charms show
all these things that were important to me at different times in my youth
(horse and horseshoe, Hello ten year old me). I also love the sound it makes "tinkle tinkle"

So far I'm loving this clothing challenge. I'm having fun exploring new consignment shops and I'm actually having fun putting outfits together.  However, I've noticed a strange phenomenon. When I look in the mirror I think "All right that looks pretty cute." but if someone takes a picture of me it's like a totally different person is now in the photo or inhabiting my body.  It's super weird. I am going to call it the Dork Principal.

The dork principal works the same way the vampire principal works. If your wondering if someone is a vampire you hold a mirror up to them or take their picture and they won't show up. In the same way, if your wondering if someone is a dork take their picture and their true identity will be revealed. In my case I can go a pretty long time with out revealing my nerd (my sister says, "your nerd is showing.") I just have to remind myself not to make too many Battle Star Galactica or Fire Fly references.  So I put on a really cute outfit strut around pretending I know what I'm doing and some people are fooled.

Pull out a camera, however, and my real identity is revealed. I was at my writers group this weekend and I brought along my camera because I was wearing a super cute outfit. A "new" sweater which is short sleeved and perfect for this in-between weather and it looks sort of like it's from the 1930's (I could totally see this sweater at a sepia toned football game). And a skirt which was also thrifted and flattering. I'm serious I got some nice compliments at church. So, I'm thinking I'll get a few photos of me in the really neat coffee shop looking all deep and authorish, but as soon as they pull out the camera I can't remember how to stand properly, and my arms feel like robot arms (what are you suppose to do with your arms in a photo?) and my smiles are too goofy but my deep introspective face looks like I just passed gas. I feel like the photo reveals my true identity; a slouchy nerdy girl. It even reveals a comic book thought bubble that says, "If only Captain Adama were my father!"

These are author photos of my friend Susie.
See how her expressions says,"I have so
many deep and amazing ideas I don't have
time to brush my hair." but still looks
mysterious and sexy?

When Susie get's famous I'm going to go
to one of her book signings and readings
and say really smugly to the person sitting
next to me, "I know her, we're friends."
If your interested in her writing's check out
her site.

All that to say that I feel like these photos aren't doing justice to the really nice clothing I'm getting second hand. I'm no model that's for sure and my camera is old and been dropped on it's head numerous times. But I'm still having fun and I hope you can see through my wonky photos and get a glimpse of how fun this thrifting is. Also, if you have any suggestions for posing or cameras or anything I'll take them!

Now these photos show you that I am a horrible fake laugher.
And the top photo really showcases my glasses and out of sorts hair
that was totally looking good before the camera came out.
These are the best of the photos taken FYI.

This one is all right.
Sweater: Thrifted from 360 in Kzoo $9?
Skirt: Thrifted from Double Exposure in Kzoo
Lace Camisole: hand-me down from my mom, altered by me.
Pearls: Gift from my sister.
Worn to Church and my Writer's group in Grand Rapids.