I'm enjoying this challenge, it has made me think about how I wear items rather than just sticking to the same outfits all the time. I'd recommend trying it with any new additions to your wardrobe. See Part 1 and Part 2... only one more instalment to go after this.


Zara Jeans

I don't think I've told you this yet but I received an iPad2 for Christmas. It was a complete surprise, I hadn't asked for one or showed any interest in having one but now I have it, I use it constantly, I love it. Most of the time.

I love it until it decides to randomly delete my draft posts. I have started to write this particular post twice. This is my third attempt. Fingers crossed that it makes the transition from draft post to published post. If it doesn't you'll never get to read this, because I am not writing this again!

Part 1 of this exercise is here. To quickly recap I promised to create three different outfits from each item in a recent (or now not so recent) haul by shopping my wardrobe.

H&M t-shirt.


I'm not sure that I ever really 'style' a t-shirt, I think it's the sort of thing that I just wear. The most obvious way to wear it was with jeans. So, to keep all three outfits from being the same I dragged the trousers (on the right) from The Mend Pile. As one of my NY resolutions is to mend everything in it, I was rather chuffed to have made a start...

Zara skirt.


The more I look at this the more I wonder if I actually like it. Perhaps I need to style it differently? What do you think?

Custard Designs bag.


I found Custard Designs via an #ff. They tempted me, taunted me - I gave in and treated myself to this bag. It's a gorgeous deep pinky-red leather with a pink lining. I often use it to add a pop of colour to another wise neutral or monochrome outfit. I know that I'm going to be using this bag for years. I've currently got my eye on the their reptile print leather bag. It's more of an orangey-red and in the sale too! Should I?

After shopping comes the fun part (not that shopping isn't fun), what happens next, for me, is to get my new purchases on my body as soon as I walk through my door, then I wear them for a while… seriously. I've always done it - no idea why.

But this isn't the REALLY fun part. No, the REALLY fun part is discovering how to make new purchases fit my wardrobe.

I have, in the past, made many purchases that simply had no place in my wardrobe, this resulted in more shopping to make them 'fit'. But I wanted to start making smarter choices, to reduce my spending and limit the amount of rarely worn items in my wardrobe. I have recently sent 50 items to a charity shop as a result of a massive wardrobe cull, most items hadn't seen the light of day in years, others had simply never been worn.

After a recent haul I promised to style each new piece in three different ways, which is one of 'The Rules', and here is the first item - a grey sweater dress from H&M.

 
It is ridiculously easy to wear and it has pockets (I find this very exciting - I have a thing for pockets). I was worried that it would be a tad to long to wear with jeans but I think it works, don't you?

Next up, a black sweater, also from H&M.


I love this, it's so versatile - a real wardrobe staple. I've worn this so may times since buying it, it's perfect for simple, classic outfits.

More to follow soon...

Do you upcycle? recycle? go vintage? buy secondhand? or make your own clothes?

Love

I've been shopping and when I was done, I shopped a little more.

So, as a mini challenge I'm going to see if I can shop my wardrobe for the next few months and allow my bank balance to recover in time for the festive season.

Here's my splurge...



Following one of my rules I'm going to style each piece in three different ways to prove that each item deserves a place in my wardrobe (and ease my post shopping guilt in the process!).

Watch this space...

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

I can't believe I've been blogging for a year now, at the beginning I thought it would be something that I'd tire of and forget about. But I love it and am more passionate about it than ever.

Looking back over my posts has been fun, so I thought I'd share my (random) observations about year one...

This nail varnish needs to be worn more (Nails Inc. Palace Garden Terrace)

as does this one (Ciate´Paint Pots Dangerous Affair)...

Tights are not the enemy.
I have well and truly conquered my fear of hosiery, with some encouraging words from Laura and Amanda (Thanks Ladies!), I now have quite a collection which has opened up my wardrobe options considerably. Bring on the cold weather!

These will definitely be added to my collection this year...

Discovered...
Through blogs I read regularly I have discovered Cherry & Joy, Stolen Thunder and Regal Rose. Three fantastic places to discover cute, sassy jewellery.

Through blogging and tweeting, I have happened upon, and now never want to be without, the following: 

Lee Stafford Treatment for Hair That Never Grows Past a Certain Length
I.Love.This. my review is here.

Benefit's They're Real Mascara
I.Love.This.Too. review here, but I have to add that the results I get with this improve the more I use it.

Avon MagiX Face Perfector
This is a fab product, which is why it made it into my giveaway. Smooth it over moisturiser and use it with or instead of foundation for a smooth, flawless finish.


I'm slowly defining my style...
My Three Little Words which, since posting, I have changed my mind about. Casual has become relaxed. Whilst they are similar there is a distinction, albeit a subtle one. I'll be looking at this in future posts.

Anything strapless should stay in the store...
I love the look but it's just wrong for me and my shoulders. I vow never to contemplate strapless again, I shall send strapless to reside with halter necks in the dungeon of thou-shall-not-be-worn. Long live the V neck!

No one is safe from a bad hair day...
This fringe should never have been allowed to leave the house (let alone be posted on the world wide web!).

I love a challenge...
In a year I have worn four tops different ways for four weeks, worn nothing but 12 pieces for 40 days and worn my entire wardrobe one piece at a time. I find that a challenge really makes me think about what I am wearing and as a result I have made my wardrobe work harder for me and have discovered outfits that would have otherwise never come to light. I'm already planning the next challenge.

So, that's year one. Which bits have you enjoyed the most? I'd love to know...
Love

I had no idea what to put on this morning. Do you ever get days like that? This dress doesn't look much in this pic, it is a lovely fluid material with HUGE pockets on either side and buttons down the back. Looking at the photo I decided to add a necklace and another bangle. Socks patiently looked on from above.
And then jumped down and informed me that it was time for his close up.

Monday morning again. I have to admit to being a little lazy over the weekend. I think I have decorating fatigue, I just had no inclination to pick up a paintbrush, so my wardrobe remains unfinished...

On Friday I decided it was time to wear one of my dresses before I ran out of jeans and was left with no option. This maxi dress was a bargain at £7.00 from Warehouse (there are some sale items that I actually wear and like!).

Saturday I was back in jeans. I only wore this tunic a few times last year and I spent all day adjusting it, it doesn't sit right and makes me feel uncomfortable. It ended the day in the 'no' pile, which is part of what this challenge is all about - finding the items that just aren't right.

The sun shone on Sunday so I needed no more than a pair of jeans, a strapless top and some bangles (or so I thought).


When I nipped into town I popped a shirt on over the top, I just couldn't bring myself to wander around town in a strapless top. The beach? Yes. The town centre? No on your nelly.

But by the end of the day I had become so uncomfortable in this top that I gave up on it altogether and threw it in the 'no' pile. The lesson? Strapless and I are not friends. Strapless met halterneck.

This morning I stuck with a tried and tested outfit. White jeans, navy jumper and wedges. I just couldn't bring myself to crop Socks out of this picture, he got there by climbing the ladder - so cute.

I do have another cat by the way, Tink, she just isn't such a poser.

In addition to the tunic and the top I also relegated three cardigans to the charity bag and a shirt that no matter what is always covered in bits and fluff - I am mystified by this shirt. It will laugh at me no more ;o)

What did you do this weekend?

I can not quite believe that I can't wear this top again for a while now. I love it and genuinely believe that it can be worn anywhere, no matter what the occasion, which is exactly what makes it such a classic piece.

Stripes are super versatile but one of my favourite ways to wear them is with florals, they go together like strawberries and cream, Pimms and lemonade, gin and tonic… mmm pub anyone? It seems I've got that Friday feeling a day early.

Socks digs stripes too.

A much shorter post for you today - just a quick look at today's outfit. It's a little more exciting than yesterday's effort and not just because I'm wearing new sandals (purchased within the the boundaries of all three rules).

Thanks for your comments so far, I've still got a long way to go... I tried sorting all of my clothes into piles last night, jeans, skirts, dresses etc but got in a muddle and then in a huff so everything is now back in bags. I still need your help to decide on the wide leg trousers and wrap dress from yesterday's post. I can't make up my mind.

How is your week so far?

Another challenge for me today! I'm wearing lace as part Everybody, Everywear... I found this site via Country Girl Does Norfolk - thanks Sophie!

Each month EBEW choose an item to style and bloggers participate in their hundreds by submitting their looks. Last month the style was florals and I can't believe I missed the breton top back in January - I practically live in mine! Go take a look at the site if you haven't already, there are some great looks and photographs.

As I said, this month the item is lace. This skirt is from Next. As soon as I saw it in the Summer 2011 catalogue I knew that it would be mine. It's been hanging in my wardrobe for a while, since before my 12 Piece Challenge, before The Rules. Today is the first time I have worn it, I hadn't figured out how to wear it, so today's outfit is pretty straight forward - I just added a t-shirt and sandals.

I'll look forward to putting together some more exciting outfits with this skirt.  First up I have a bright orange t-shirt that would be a great contrast. I also think that this could easily be dressed up for a great evening outfit. How would you wear it?

Do you have any 'rules'? I'd love to know what they are and do they work for you?

Wish me luck.