Comforts of Home

What comes to mind when you think of the comforts of home? 

For some, it may be memories from childhood that they think of first.  For others, it may be what they most look forward to when they walk in their front door after a long day of work. 

For me, the comforts of home are a meal made from scratch (and the scent that floods from the kitchen), old music playing, fuzzy socks, a fireplace roaring, and sometimes a glass of wine or a mug of something warm to drink.  A candle burning.  Family photos on the wall.  A game of monopoly.  Opening a jar of home canned cherries from summer.  That big blanket I’ve had for decades. 

But even more, the comforts of home are not things.  They're the people we share that home with.  Laughing, dancing, playing, talking.  What defines “home” for you may be less about the four walls that surround you or the stuff you fill them with.  It doesn’t have to be about the money in your bank account or the newest and best of everything.  These comforts are not complicated, but rather, they tend to be the simplest things.

When I think of the home I want, I picture the atmosphere I hope to have.  One of functionality, yes, but more so of contentment.  A home that is inviting and cozy.  One that is always a pleasure to visit…not because of what is in it, but who is in it and how it makes you feel.  A home filled with laughter, love, and simple comforts that cannot be purchased from a store.  Comforts that take time to build and nourish, but that build you up and nourish you in return, right down in your soul.

On that note, I am announcing that we are moving!  We have been blessed in so many ways to be able to buy a home of our own.  It will be a bit of a downsize from our current 1200 square foot rental that we have loved so much over the past two and a half years, and we are so excited for that challenge.  So many memories built in this lovely space, and so many more to build in the next lovely space.  I am very grateful for these upcoming changes, and even more grateful for who I get to share them with.  

I will be sharing more details in the near future, but as for now, I will be taking a couple weeks off to focus on moving and unpacking our new house.  Thank you for reading.

            

Stale Bread

Do you ever wonder what to do with stale bread?  Or bread that comes out of the freezer and sounds like a brick when it hits the counter, even after it thaws?  If you are like me and prefer to make your own bread, you know that it is really only great that first night and maybe the second day.  But who eats a whole loaf in twelve hours?  Ok, maybe we have done that once or twice, but certainly not every time.  Here are my suggestions for bread that is less-than-fresh:

Egg in a basket.  This is my favorite (and my daughter’s favorite) thing to make with day old homemade bread.  Cut thick slices, butter each side (Earth Balance for dairy-free peeps), and use a round (or other fun-shaped) cookie cutter to cut out the center of the bread.  Place the bread, both pieces, into a frying pan on medium heat.  Crack an egg into the cut-out part (the one with the crust) and cook the egg, flipping once, to your preferred texture.  By the time the egg is cooked, your surrounding bread and the cutout piece should be a nice golden brown.  

The second thing to do with stale bread is to tear it all up into crouton-sized pieces and fry it in a pan over medium heat in a generous amount of olive oil and salt until golden brown.  Best.  Croutons.  Ever.  And so simple!  Top salads, soups, or just eat as a snack- these babies will last a week in an airtight container, unless you eat them all first. I particularly like making them in a scallion infused olive oil, but plain or other infusions would be great too. 

If you don't want to make croutons before your bread seems unusable, toss it into a blender or food processor and make homemade breadcrumbs.  Store these in the freezer until needed in your recipe.  

And if the bread has no hope in transforming to something edible in your kitchen, you can always take a trip to a park and feed the birds.  Just make sure it isn’t moldy.  

I hope these ideas are helpful the next time you think your bread has seen its day.  Thanks for reading!

Overhaul

Whew- Friday blew by me this week and it wasn’t until this morning that I realized I forgot to post a blog entry.  However, it may have actually been good timing since I spent this evening working on something a little unconventional for the capsule wardrobe world: a mid-season overhaul.  I decided that the Spring capsule that I have been wearing since March 20th was much too scattered.  In trying to plan for the unpredictable weather we have throughout the season, I ended up with a few of each type of clothing (pants, tees, sweaters, etc) and no real depth or personal style in my outfits.  Having too few of each item made for wearing the same few outfits over and over again in a week if the weather stayed at a constant temperature. For example, I had one pair of jeans and a few tees.  If it was cool weather, I would end up wearing the same jeans and tees over and over again, while the other thirty pieces in my closet sat untouched. 

One of my favorite capsule wardrobe bloggers suggests that when you get in a bit of a wardrobe rut, sometimes it is better to take things away rather than to add things.  So that’s what I did- I switched out some of the tops and skirts for dresses, and removed items that I had not touched in the past 6 weeks.  I ended up going from 40 items down to 32 items- a 20% decrease that I am happy about.   

You may be wondering why I chose to swap out some items for dresses, and my reasoning is that I believe dresses to be very versatile.  A little bit of layering, like leggings and a sweater or jacket, and they are a great cool-weather option.  But by themselves, they are also a complete outfit.  A complete outfit, and it only occupies one of my 32 spaces?  Awesome.  When I think about my long term goals for my capsule wardrobes, I really see a handful of nice quality dresses, a few layering pieces like cardigans, leggings, and a jacket, and a pair of jeans with a few tops, all of which I hope will total under 16-18 pieces per season.  I feel like this little revamp will allow me to experiment to see if that is a feasible goal for my current lifestyle.  I really love how Jennifer over at the Daily Connoisseur Blog structured her 10-item Spring wardrobe; eight out of her ten core pieces were dresses.  I would LOVE to have a ten item wardrobe…I hope to get there someday.  

Have any of you started your capsule for a season and had to give it a makeover before the season was over?  I’d would love to hear what you did.  I hope you all have a great week, and thank you for reading!    

Spring Capsule Check-In

I want to check in with you about your Spring Capsules and see how you are all faring.  I know several of you have begun to take on the capsule wardrobe challenge, and I have heard fantastic feedback about how it’s been going so far.  I can’t tell you how ecstatic I am that so many people are getting excited about this more minimal and, over time, more frugal way of dressing.  I have had the great privilege of helping several of you with the beginning stages of clearing out clothes and planning for shopping trips, and it is so encouraging to see the piles of cheap clothes move out to make way for fewer, but better quality, staple pieces that you have carefully chosen to represent your personal style.  I love seeing clothing in our closets that are all color coordinated and lined up neatly rather than all crowded together and shoved willy-nilly onto bowing, creaking rods.  And I hope you have been enjoying the freedom from shopping and the ease of dressing yourself that comes with creating your capsule wardrobe. 

On the home front, the weather has been starting to warm up a bit, and most of my warm, cozy winter sweaters and my down jacket are tucked away in a storage bin, and my lighter layering pieces are taking the spotlight in my airy closet.  I have decided that I needed more color this season, not only because everything is in bloom around me, but also because I have gone so neutral in my Fall and Winter color palettes.  So in addition to the grey, white, and ivory hues that usually occupy my hangers, I have added jade, olive, navy, and more blush pieces to my color palette for Spring.  I hope to carry these same colors over to Summer too.  I am so excited to have a full year of capsules under my belt after Summer so I can focus on maintaining what I have now.  I am sure there will be items each season in upcoming years that I will want to purchase as new core pieces, and I am sure my style will change too.  But I have a much better grasp of my likes and dislikes, what fits and what’s not for me, and what my personal style really is.  And instead of work, I am hoping that maintaing my existing capsules will become fun.  I also hope to challenge myself in cutting down my number of forty pieces (including shoes) for each season; I would love to eventually see the twenties or even (gasp!) the teens.  

Here’s what I learned after putting my Spring capsule together:

-Because the weather is so unpredictable in Springtime, it was harder to incorporate enough of each type of piece so that I can layer and remove pieces as needed each day.  And this goes for shoes too- I needed to keep a range from warm rain boots to summer sandals.  I found that I used all 40 of my slots this Spring.  I hope to learn a lot after the season is over so I can adjust what I did and didn’t need for next year.       

-Choosing timeless colors that are also flattering is very hard.  When I commit to a piece now, I am committing to wearing it for years to come, so I know if I choose a color that I will think is crazy or boring in future years, it will mean more work.  Jewel tones seem to be pretty safe for every skin tone and they also seem to be somewhat timeless in the fashion industry.  We will see how it works- only time will tell.

-I have a desire to be more bold this season, but I have found that accessories can sometimes be all I need to accomplish this.  A belt, hat, or bag can be just the ticket to get the overall look I want.  I hope, as I get into future capsules that I can find a statement piece or two for each season that is a little edgier (I love Marissa Webb’s line, for example).  

Here’s my 40-item breakdown:

4 pairs of pants

2 skirts

3 dresses

2 layering tanks

2 tanks

7 tees

3 short-sleeve sweaters

4 long-sleeve shirts

3 long-sleeve cardigans

1 chambray

2 jackets

3 pairs of booties

1 pair of knee-high boots

1 pair of flats

2 pairs of sandals

I decided to purchase another handbag, which is not included in the capsule number since it is an accessory.  I had only one (my brown tote) but I decided to get a black satchel that zips closed; it will be better for travel too to have something that closes securely.  I also added a leopard print clutch- I have always loved how they finish a look and I found a great sale on a good quality one.  

What I am currently ISO (in search of): a floppy hat.

Thank you for reading, and please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or comments!   

Excitement!

Exciting things are happening!  Like the arrival of a sweet little "honorary" nephew within hours from now, a potential move (and downsize!) for our family, clearing out of even more of our belongings, and planning...lots of planning.  And all while spring has finally appeared to have sprung here in our beautiful city.  More to come on these things in the near future, but for now, we relish in the beautiful changes that are happening all around us.  And we are thankful.    

Game Changer

I love coffee.  And I used to be one of those people who bought a coffee every day, maybe twice a day.  I was that person who charities would be talking to in their commercials when they said “for less than the cost of one coffee a day…”  Yep- I was a guilty coffee consumer, all day, every day.  I didn’t like that I had this habit, both because of cost and also because (being dairy-free) that meant I was consuming soy every day.  But we had owned almost every kind of home coffee maker- regular drip, keurig, french press, espresso machine, and a chemex, and I still couldn’t seem to make the perfect cup at home.  The espresso machine was the closest, and by the time I got the machine cleaned after using it, my coffee was cold anyway.  

But then our friends introduced us to the little contraption that saved our bank roll: the aeropress.

Photo: Firebox.com

The aeropress is not only the easiest coffee maker to use and clean up, it is also plug free.  All you need is your favorite ground coffee and boiling water.  It is small too, so it takes up very little room in the cupboard (less than your bag of ground coffee).  It is very portable, so it is perfect for taking on trips, especially camping.  It’s paper filters are reusable- the inventor of the aeropress has reused his paper filters up to 20 times, and a deployed navy seal used his up to 30!  Or, like I did, you can buy a reusable metal filter for about $7 on amazon.  The aeropress costs only $29.95, so it is one of the most affordable forms of making coffee.  And, what was probably the biggest benefit to us, it is now my only coffee maker; we freed up so much space in our cupboards when we purchased the aeropress, aiding in the minimizing of our possessions.  

On top of all of these awesome benefits, the aeropress is self-cleaning and best of all, it makes my perfect cup of coffee.  I use Peet’s house blend coffee- it’s not organic, but the company uses fair practices and I just can’t top the flavor.  Since I prefer to drink lattes, I use heated organic almond milk with a touch of organic honey, and then I froth the milk just a tad with the $2 ikea milk frother.  Pour the almond milk over two shots of coffee, and hello perfection in a cup.  The coffee that comes from the aeropress is just so smooth, and I don’t even need to leave my kitchen.  You can make espresso for lattes, but you can also make regular black coffee.  The invention of the aeropress is pretty awesome too.  I will share the link below so you can read about it for yourself.  I hope it is a game changer for you as it has been for me.  

https://medium.com/backchannel/first-alan-adler-invented-the-aerobie-now-he-s-created-the-perfect-cup-of-coffee-c5e94ccc538e

Thank you for reading!

My Favorite Breakfast Smoothie

I have been really enjoying my morning smoothie (that is, what I actually get of it after my daughter drinks most of it).  I thought I would share the recipe with you, although these measurements are just an estimate.  Also, I love how well the Vitamix blends this into such a smooth treat.  

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

1 tbsp organic chia seeds

1/4 scoop Garden of Life Raw Organic Green Super Food powder

1/4 scoop Garden of Life Organic Raw Meal (vanilla flavor)

3 tbsp organic peanut butter (make sure there are no hydrogenated oils)

2 tbsp Organic Cacao Nibs 

1 large frozen organic banana

Enough original unsweetened organic coconut milk to cover the ingredients

Put all ingredients into a blender and blend on high until smooth.  Add more coconut milk if needed to reach desired consistency.  Enjoy immediately.  

You could change up these ingredients.  Try almond or sunflower butter instead of peanut butter.  Or use another non-dairy milk, like almond, hemp, or rice. You could even use flax seeds instead of chia.  I just love chocolate peanut butter cups, so I prefer this particular recipe.  It tastes like dessert for breakfast, but it is so healthy.  Of course, you don’t NEED to use organic ingredients, but I prefer it for our family.  Here is a picture of the powders and cacao nibs that I use, just for reference.  

I hope you enjoy, and thanks for reading. 

On Loss

If you had told me at any point in the last 30 years that I would be sitting next to my grandmother as she took her final breath, I would have told you that I don’t think my heart could handle it.  And for just a moment, I can still swear that my heart stopped right along with hers.  That day, exactly one month ago, was one I had dreaded for as long as my mind can recall; I could not imagine a world without that sweet woman in it.  In the days that followed, I grasped at anything that she had ever given me or written me and any photo that she was in, and I tried to fit it all into our already overstuffed fireproof safe.  I failed.  I cried.  No…I sobbed.  

Some people say, after they lose a loved one, that God must have needed another angel in heaven.  I see their sentiment, but I would politely disagree.  You see, God doesn’t need anything- everything is a gift from Him.  It’s us that need those kind souls that He places in our lives, be it for years, decades, or just a few moments.  For 93 years, He gave us one hell of a woman that I got to call Grandma, and I’m so grateful.  Because someone like that never really dies- their legacy lives on in our memories, and hopefully, in the people that we become. 

To my Grandma- you did well.  You lived a life to be proud of.  Thank you for the love.  Thank you for the memories.  Thank you for the example.  Thank you for sticking around to meet our daughter- she loved you instantly, as most people did.  You are thought of often, and with joy.  We miss you and we will love you always.

To my readers, my friends, thank you for your kindness during this difficult time.  Your kind words, encouragements, and prayers, along with the unwavering support of my husband, were my therapy.    

A Break

Hello Dear Readers,

On Tuesday of this week, my family suffered a deep loss with the passing of my Grandmother.  I will be taking the next several weeks away from blog-writing.

In the meantime, go tell those that you love just how much you love them and cherish your time together.  And don't forget to take lots of pictures.  These things, you will never regret.

Thanks for checking in.

Capsule Wardrobe Follow-Up

Hello all- I hope you are all doing well.  I have heard some great feedback about the capsule wardrobe post that I wrote several weeks ago, and a lot of people have decided to try it out- hooray!!  For some, the beginning of the capsule wardrobe will be easy.  But for others, looking into a full closet will feel very overwhelming, both because of the task of trimming it down and the fear of doing it wrong.  But let me just ease your mind and tell you that you will make mistakes.  See, don’t you feel better (wink, wink)?  But as you learn more about your signature style and your clothing preferences through those mistakes, you will gain more confidence in your decision making processes, and eventually the mistakes will be fewer and fewer.  I heard one of my favorite “capsule experts” say that each piece you choose for your wardrobe is a case-study; some will not wear well or shrink after washing, some items you just won’t wear much, and some items you will wear quite a bit but you will realize that they don’t, after all, reflect your true style and they should be donated.  I have had all of these things happen.  

I think one of my biggest mistakes to date with the capsule is when I stray from my comfort zone to try the latest fashion trends.  Let me just say, boyfriend jeans are super cute on some, but really not made for everyone.  Also, women who wear a larger-than-average shoe size may feel like pointy-toe heels will make your feet look even bigger.  And the combination of the two, which is a super-hot trend right now, is probably (um, ok, definitely!) not for me.  But these are lessons you will want to learn about yourself, and it’s great- everyone is different, and that is a beautiful thing.  These lessons are learned by making mistakes, so be encouraged.

Another lesson I’ve learned is that stores that I used to love may not have what I am looking for anymore.  I used to love Anthropologie…like LOVE it.  Now, I can’t find anything in their current selections that will work for my spring/summer capsule.  That is so strange to me, but I love knowing exactly what I want and not settling for something different.  I still plan on shopping at Anthro- they have great quality clothing and their selection is always changing.  But I find that I now favor the stores that I used to consider “boring.”  So know that if you are starting out with your capsule, it might be helpful to “forget” what you think you prefer and you may be surprised at how much more there is to choose from out there in the retail world that suits your true style and body type better.  I am also still a big advocate for second-hand clothing stores- they carry so much variety, they cost less, and it’s like recycling clothing- win-win…win.       

Now let’s talk about a topic that I hear most minimalists/capsule wardrobe enthusiasts talk about: minimalism looks different for everyone.  This carries beyond the closet.  What’s minimal for you and your family situation will be completely different than what is minimal for someone else.  What your minimalism looks like will be dependent on your lifestyle, where you live, your hobbies and interests, family size, if you work or not, and even sometimes gender.  Here’s what you need to remember: if you have things in your wardrobe or in your home that you use daily, weekly, monthly, etc, then keep it.  Don’t feel like you need to get rid of something because your friends/family have less in their home.  That is not what minimalism is about.  It is about living with YOUR minimal.  So if you need more in your capsule wardrobe than what I have or what your friends have, then you’ll have more.  And that is just fine.  As time goes on, you may even find that you can trim down- and that is the beauty of it; minimalism is a continual process.  

An example of how minimalism looks different for everyone is my husband’s capsule wardrobe.  He has two capsules: a Fall/Winter/Spring and a Summer.  Some people will have one for each season.  I fall somewhere in the middle, with what I like to call “Capsule Overlap.”  I do not have four distinctly separate capsule wardrobes, but rather, I have pieces that I wear through two or more seasons, or even year round.  For example, my layering tanks and my utility jacket are worn year-round, while my down jacket and sandals have specific seasonal capsules that they fit into.  This, again, will look different for everyone, but it is nice to know that if you are on a budget, you can have overlap and get more use for your money.  Moment of total transparency: I have 77 capsule items, including shoes, in my current and off-season capsules (most of those items are in a storage bin because they are off-season).  I have a handful of items to get for spring and summer when that time comes, but I hope the number of items in all four of my capsules never exceeds 90.  If my limit for each capsule is 40 items and there are 4 seasonal capsules, (40x4=160) you can see how much overlap there truly is.  Ninety is a number that I am very happy with, especially if that is 90 items of clothing/pairs of shoes that I actually wear and love.  But 90 may be way too high for some people, and it may be way too low for others; it is all dependent on your personal needs. 

I mentioned above the topic of getting more use for your money, and I don’t know that I have discussed my long term capsule goals.  My goal is to stop creating new capsules each season after I have completed one full year, and just maintain/tweak the core that I have on hand already.  This will probably take a lot more mistakes as I discussed above, but I have hope that I can get to a point where I love everything in my closet each season, and the only time I shop will be to replace worn out or damaged items.  I am hopeful that I will be able to trim down to my necessities, but also have enough good quality and well-fitting clothes to be really happy with that minimum.  To say that I will never shop again would be a total lie- I know I will age and my figure will change, and so will my tastes.  But I hope by that time I will know my signature style well enough to shop smart, and keep considering quality, fit, style, and longevity of what I purchase.  I feel hopeful that I am on the right track.  And having a great core that only needs maintenance instead of total overhaul will be when the capsule wardrobe really starts working for me, instead of the other way around.  To love your clothes and only spend a small amount of time and money on your wardrobe?  I’d take that any day!    

I hope your transitions to a more minimal wardrobe are going well, and please let me know if there are any specific questions you would like to discuss on the topic (or other topics, for that matter).  And as always, thank you for reading!           

    

When It Rains...

Hello friends.  Please excuse my absence these past couple weeks.  I’d love to be able to say that I’ve been off traveling or doing research for the blog or something really awesome, but the truth is, it’s been a hard couple of weeks for my extended family, and we have been doing our best to be present with them whenever possible.  I’d hate to bore you with details, because honestly, everyone has tough weeks, challenges, stresses, lack of time, and a whole array of hurdles to overcome.  That’s life, right?  But how we deal with these difficult times determines how we will get through them.  For us, we are just praying for opportunities to serve our family and each other.  Period.  No drive is too far, no favor too small (or large), and we are learning that just being present and showing love is sometimes the most powerful gift of all.  We all need it that kind of support.  And we can all give it.  

Wishing you a lovely week ahead, and thank you for reading.           

Aging

Hello readers, how are you?  I hope this past week has been a good one for you, and if it hasn’t been great, I hope you are headed into a nice, relaxing weekend.  Since my last entry, our family has been very busy.  So, I am going to keep this short. 

There is something a little personal that I would like to ask you about.  So let’s take a moment to talk about a hard topic, shall we?

As a parent of a young child, as many of you may also be, my time is completely occupied with the day-to-day task of taking care of my growing daughter.  But for some parents who's children are grown and out of the house, their focus may have to shift toward taking care of their aging parents.  That has been the story of my family over the past couple of weeks as my grandmother, at age 94, struggles with dementia.  

I’d rather not bore you with the details about what we have decided to do as a family.  But standing here now, looking forward, I have to ask myself what I plan to do if my own mother or father, or my in-laws struggle with the same things.  Have you had this conversation with your parents?  Have you asked them the tough questions about their preferences should their health decline so much that they become a danger to themselves and others?  What if they need 24 hour care?  What if their finances don’t allow them to bring someone into their home to provide that care?  In a culture where we spend so much time planning for our own future with finances (retirement funds, 401k, Roth IRA, etc, etc) wouldn’t it also be worthwhile to figure out how we will care for our aging parents should they need care?  It’s a very difficult topic to discuss- it is family, after all.  I have no wisdom to offer on the subject other than to just brave it and have the talk with your parents.  Someday, you might be very glad you did and that you have a plan everyone has agreed upon.  Good luck to you as you prepare for your future, and thanks for reading.   

Beauty Products (Sorry, Men)

I’m a big fan of the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep program.  You can go to the EWG Skin Deep website and see how the ingredients in your favorite beauty and body products rate on a scale of least to most harmful.  It is a great way to screen what you buy in order to avoid toxicity by way of exposure to harmful chemicals.  After all, chemicals applied topically are still absorbed by the bloodstream.  I check the Skin Deep website before I make any skincare or cosmetic purchases so I know which brands are going to be the safest to use daily.  Although the EWG has reviewed over 70,000 products, there are still some newer products that are not yet rated, so keep that in mind when searching their database.  Although there are men’s products on the Skin Deep website, this blog post is targeted toward women.  However, all Honest Company products are co-ed, so they’re fair game if males are interested; my husband loves their shave oil.  Note: a few of these items may seem costly, but I use them very sparingly so they last quite a while.  

 Photo: sgirlbybay.com

Make-up: (Even though I only wear make-up once or twice on a normal week, I still feel much better about not using products that are chock full of harmful chemicals.)

Concealer, blush, bronzer, eyebrow pencil, and highlighter- Physician’s Formula (Organic Wear) 

Eyeliner- Stila eyeshadow (with a damp eyeliner brush)

Mascara- Boots No. 7.

Lips- Burt’s Bees lip balm or Honest Company lip balm  

Skin Care:

Cleanser-100% Pure Organic Lavender Seafoam Facial Cleanser

Toner- Pure Luxe Apothecary Rosewater Hydrating Face Tonic

Moisturizer- Medicine Mama’s Apothecary Sweet Bee Magic All-in-One Healing Skin Cream

Eye Cream- Acure Organics (I LOVE Acure Organics- they make wonderful products) 

Mask- Aveda Tourmaline Radiance Mask 

Body Care:

Body Wash- Dr. Bronners Pure Castile Soap

Body Moisture- Herbivore Botanicals Luminous Body Oil or Honest Company Body Lotion

Deoderant- Honest Company

Shaving- Honest Company Conditioner (Yes, I meant to say conditioner- try it instead of that chemical-laden shave gel and you might just love it as much as I do.  Plus, there’s the added moisturizing.)

Bath- Herbivore Botanicals Coconut Bath Soak

Hair:

Shampoo- Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Retention Shampoo 

Conditioner- Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner

Leave-In Conditioner- Honest Company

Styling- Got2b POWDER’ful Styling Powder

Teeth:

Toothpaste- Honest Company

Mouthwash- Honest Company

Photo: Hometalk.com

Fancy Pants:

Nails- Jamberry Nail adhesives (Chemical and BPA free, easy and quick to apply, long-lasting, super fun, and all around awesome.  Check them out at www.berrysweetnailz.jamberrynails.net)

Fragrance- Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt (This is not rated on the Skin Deep website, but my nose doesn’t care.  Not one bit.)   

Let me know if you have any suggestions- I would love to hear them.  Thanks for reading.

Simplify Your Days

My husband and I are always looking for ways to simplify.  That may mean having minimal possessions, yes, but it also means simplifying the many processes fill our days from the menial tasks to how we think about them.  When you simplify some of these tasks, you may find that you can focus more on your priorities.  Here are some tips that may help you, if only a tiny amount.  You probably do many, if not all of them already.  Disregard them if you choose, or add some in the comments if you’d like.

-Put a basket or hook by the front door to put your keys in when you come home.  You will always know where they are.

-Keep a basket on top of your washing machine- this is to toss dish towels, cleaning rags, and sponges into, which typically come from a room that does not have it’s own laundry basket, like the kitchen or the bathroom.  

-Keep a recycle bin in your kitchen, preferably next to your garbage so your recyclables have a place to live that isn’t the countertop or in a pile by the door.

-Keep medicines and “sick foods” (ginger ale, saltine crackers, and other items that you can have in the pantry that don’t spoil) on hand so you are prepared for when you get a cold or flu and don’t have to run to the store while you or your loved one(s) feel awful.  

-Have flashlights by your bed in case the power goes out- you’ll always know where to find one if you need it.

-Have wrapping supplies and greeting cards on hand so you don’t have to worry about getting them when you buy a gift.  And don't forget to reuse the gift bags that are given to you on birthdays or other celebrations.

-Clean as you go- be it doing dishes, hanging up or putting away clean laundry, cleaning up with your kids, etc.  Then you don’t have to stare at a giant mess at the end of the day when your energy is already low.

-Follow a cleaning schedule.  I have a list with one chore each day except weekends.  Monday is vacuuming, Tuesday is dusting and cleaning surfaces, Wednesday is bathrooms, etc.  Just find what works for you and your home will always be clean and ready for unexpected visitors.

-Do a load of laundry every day or every other day.  One load a day seems like a much easier task that one day of 6 or 7 loads.

-Please, oh please, put your DVDs/CDs/records back in their correct cases.  Self-explanatory, but saves you a lot of trouble and time.

-Keep a small toolbox in your closet- just having the basics on hand like a flat-head and philips screwdriver, a hammer, and a pair of pliers means that you are able to fix things immediately rather than setting them in a pile until you remember to get your tools out of the garage.  

-Keep a stash of batteries and light bulbs on hand so you can replace them as needed instead of running to the store every time you need them.

-Put a grocery list in your kitchen (we use a chalkboard).  This way you can write things down as you run out of them (don’t forget household items) rather than standing in the aisles of the store wondering what you are forgetting.  

-Keep a donation box in a closet so you always have a place to put unwanted items until you actually take your donations somewhere.  My husband and I agree that this one is a game-changer.  It’s two-fold because you have a spot at your fingertips to put unwanted items, but it may also become the encouragement you need to actually get rid of things you don’t use anymore.  There is something very satisfying about filling a box and passing on its contents.    

-Keep your chargers (phone, iPad, laptop, etc.) in the same place.  Always put them back when you are done so you aren’t looking all over for them when they’re needed.

-Menu plan- weekly, every other week, or monthly; it doesn’t really matter- whatever is easier for you.  You’ll never have to wonder what’s for dinner, and making your shopping list as you plan will make for a very easy trip to the grocery store or farmer’s market.

-Clean out your email inbox each day and respond to what you can immediately so your emails don’t stack up.  Some of you may have a job that makes this impossible, so feel free to skip it.

-Keep a monthly family calendar posted somewhere in your home (we put one on our fridge) so you can each jot down important thinks like appointments, meetings, visitors, and fun outings that you have planned.  This will help eliminate schedule conflicts at the last minute.  

-Stay organized and keep clutter to a minimum.  Clear surroundings can mean a clear mind.

-If you’re a parent of young children, find another family with young children that you can swap childcare with.  You’ll always have someone you can call, and they will too.  Win-win.  

-I am a huge supporter of online shopping that ships products right to your doorstep, but especially the Honest Company.  They have helped simplify my life tremendously.  I get the diapers/wipes bundle delivered to my front door every 6 weeks, and the essentials bundle comes every 4-6 weeks with items like baby care, body care, and household cleaners.  They also offer a wellness bundle.  That’s right, they're not JUST for families with children- anyone can use their products.  You can choose what you need each month and you can choose when it is delivered.  The prices are better than you may think for what you're getting, and they take awesome care of new and existing customers.  Plus, the quality of the products and the safety of the ingredients is eases my mind so much.  Another plus- their delivery boxes make awesome on-hand donation boxes…double duty.  Here's a picture of our latest essentials delivery:    

-Shop for gifts online.  Save yourself the hassle of driving out, fighting crowds, and not knowing where to find what you’re looking for.  A lot of retailers offer free shipping, and you can find nearly anything on Amazon.  And since you already have a stash of wrapping supplies and cards (wink, wink) you are all set.

-Make a budget that is below your means, then stick to it.  Take it one step further by getting your emergency fund set up in a savings account (according to Dave Ramsey, that is six months’ worth of expenses).  You could even start a savings account for unexpected expenses, like medical bills or car repairs.  Want to go one step further still?  Set up a savings account for blessing others- friends in need, causes you support, etc.  

-Slow down and enjoy the process, even if the process is just cooking, washing the dishes or folding laundry.  If you’re not in such a rush, you may find that these little tasks are not so bad, especially when they are shared by the whole family.  And go ahead- play your favorite music while you work…you’ll be glad you did!  

Mother of the Year…or…Not.

In the seven months that our daughter has been home, I have learned a lot about myself as a parent.  Things that I don't like, it seems, more often than things I think I do okay or even well.  The truth is, it’s hard…like, really hard sometimes and kinda hard the rest of the time.  I can count on one hand the number of days in the past seven months that my husband has come home from work and I have had zero qualms about the proceedings of the day.  (I don't even need the whole hand, just two-fifths of it, really.)  I learn each day how much I need quiet, sleep, coffee, and Jesus.  And sometimes wine.  And sometimes chocolate.  What’s even crazier is that we want four children!  Four little Nya’s running around would be like the most awesome and scary thing that there ever was.  And I love that child so much that any arrangement of words to describe that love would pale in comparison to how much I actually FEEL love for her.  That is why we keep going as parents, right?  Because we love those little stinkers.  But it doesn’t make it easier…in fact, does it make it harder?  Do we love them so much that we don’t want to mess up?  So we research what all to do to be a “successful” parent and raise a “successful,” thriving child, and we judge the differing opinions of other parents and say we would “never do that!”  And when there is an exceptional child that can do things that our child cannot, don’t we judge ourselves a little bit too?  And we get stuck in the cycle of trying to figure out how to perfectly raise a child who is currently only 18 months old, and make sure they are hitting all of their milestones, and we only have three years and 6 months to figure out homeschooling versus public schooling versus un-schooling…

Whoa.  Hold on.

Do you ever get caught in this cycle too?  Do you feel like each day is a crapshoot (metaphorically and literally if your kiddo is still in diapers)?  Today I felt like mother-of-the-year for 25 minutes and for the following 25 minutes, I watched in awe and wonderment as my toddler in all of her pint-sized toddler glory had a meltdown that would knock anyone’s socks off.  I can make excuses in my mind about how she’s fighting a cold and how she’s only 18 months old, but that doesn’t erase that tiny thought in the back of my mind that always hangs around: am I doing something wrong as a parent that encourages her to act this way?      

Photo: cutebabygallery.com

I don’t know how you reason with yourself about similar issues (please tell me I’m not the only one who experiences these things).  In a world of opinions and options and theories, it seems we can go wrong in so many ways.  Can I just make a promise to you though?  I promise not to judge you or your decisions as a parent.  I promise to encourage you in those moments when your little angel has turned toward the dark side as they try to figure out self-regulation and how to control their emotions and whims.  I promise to give you a kind smile so you don’t feel like people are seeing your short-comings aired out like dirty laundry.  And instead of choosing sides, I promise to always assume that you are giving all that you’re capable of giving, and making decisions that are best for your children, EVEN when you don’t feel like it’s your best day.

 Photo: Today.com

What if we lived in a world where we all made these promises to each other?  Like we were all on the same team, trying our best to accomplish the same things.  Because, Mama, you’re doing great.  Dad, you’re doing great.  Grandparent, guardian, care-taker, sibling, foster parent…whatever you are to that child, you are doing great.  You’re figuring it out, day by day.  Children don’t come with instruction manuals; they are little blank slates that are impressed upon and influenced by the world and the people that surround them.  Even parents of very successful, well-adjusted children, who could argue that they did most things right for their children, will still tell you that it was only by the grace of God that their children turned out the way they did…how fascinating, right?  No matter how much you love them, or how much you study or research or prepare as a parent, it’s still a very brave thing, raising children.  So I must tell you that you inspire me.  

And you’ve got this. 

Thank you for reading.    

     

    

Recovery

This year I learned that sometimes the morning after Christmas can be just as enjoyable as Christmas morning itself, especially when “Dada” is home and Nya and I get to enjoy three whole days with him.  Our living room was filled with the sound of wooden train tracks being assembled, new art supplies being opened, one bouncy little girl on her trampoline, Peppa Pig’s Christmas DVD on the television, and lots of laughter.  The Christmas tree lights remained on, and leftovers were combined into a tasty breakfast skillet alongside good, hot coffee.   

The flurry of Christmas is over, and it was a very merry day filled with family, good food, and a very happy little toddler as she celebrated her first holiday season.  I hope your holiday was all that you hoped and more.  For the next week, we will be reorganizing our home, making lots of donations of clothes and toys, and celebrating my husband’s 30th birthday with a day at his favorite coastal town- a yearly tradition.  Notice, I did not say we would be taking down our Christmas tree yet…some things are just too pleasant to take down before you're done enjoying them; that task will have to wait until next week.  Wishing you lots of peace and rest, clarity and recovery, and joy and fulfillment as we prepare to enter the new year.  Thanks for reading.    

 photo: stellaresque42.tubmlr.com

Christmas

Since this will be the last post before Christmas, I would just like to wish everyone a very happy holiday.  I hope you are able to celebrate with loved ones, be it friends or family.  During this time of year, our family likes to remember that Saint Nicholas was a real man born in 270 AD who believed in selling what you have to give money to the needy, the poor, and the sick.  He was also known for secret gift giving, which is where our modern idea of Santa Claus originated.  Somewhere along the way, Christmas has become a very commercialized holiday.  Although it can be very hard to escape this type of thinking, especially if you have children, my hope is that we can focus on those who are less fortunate than ourselves.  It is not hard to find a cause to support at this time of year- there are many different organizations that need help, and you can choose something you are passionate about.  But also don’t forget that there may be people right around you that won’t have a warm meal or a small gift for their children on Christmas Day.  I would challenge you to reach out to them as well, and getting to see the smile on their face(s) will bring you as much, if not more joy than watching your loved one’s faces as they unwrap a gift on Christmas morning that they have been wanting all year long.   

May we also remember that December 25th was a very important day in history, when a baby was born in a manger who would grow up and give us the greatest gift of all.  Wishing you warmth, joy, and gratitude on Christmas Day, and every day.  Thanks for reading!

   

Community

I would love to use this week’s post to talk about the community we live in.  So often, I think we forget about the awesome “freebies” that our neighborhoods have to offer, especially to children.  Recently, I was reminded of a few that I wanted to list here, and I would love some feedback if you know of any that I missed. 

Trader Joe’s has their “find the monkey” game always going for kiddos.  There is a stuffed monkey hidden somewhere in the store (different location each day) and if your kids see it, they can tell the cashier and they will get to choose a fun or healthy treat.  Also, the cashiers always have stickers on hand for the little ones.  I love TJ’s- I think they are a wonderful company and they take great care of their staff, suppliers, and customers…with a smile.

Whole Foods Market offers children one healthy treat as they are leaving the store.  I have seen oranges, apples, bananas, applesauce, and fruit juices, among other things.  I know that it doesn’t seem like much since their groceries can sometimes be expensive, but it’s all about appreciating the small generosities, right?  Plus, the staff is always so nice there too and I really value that!    

  

Bridgeport Village Outdoor Mall- when we took Nya there to get a picture with Santa, I didn’t even know how festive it was.  Retailers kept offering her candy canes (which she loved), and they have their huge Christmas tree all lit up. They also have these awesome star lights hanging up that twinkle overhead as you walk around and listen to the music that plays on their outdoor speakers.  Their fountain and fire are usually going, and they have an enclosed heated area around their outdoor seating so you can enjoy food from the kiosks without freezing.  They also have a great play area for kids.  Just walking around there was fun- Nya was having a little dance party out on the bricks under the twinkling star lights, and loving it!  The info center is also loaded with helium balloons that they tie to little rubber duckies for small children so they don't float away (the balloons, not the children), and a little train takes families around the grounds for $2 per person.  

Portland Children’s Museum offers free admission on the first Friday of every month starting at 4pm.  It gets a little busy, but that place is huge and awesome, and it was worth it to us to brave the crowds.  There is something for every age group to see, and there are plenty of quiet places to play and learn if you just look for them.  I highly recommend getting there a little before 4pm to get a parking spot and get in line.  

Tigard Library has lots of free programs and activities for children.  There are story times and crafts to take part in, and you can also check out cultural passes for free admission to local museums and gardens (so awesome).  Besides the obvious checking out books, music, and DVDs, it is also a great place to participate in donation drives and teach kids the importance of giving to those who are less fortunate.  Check out your local library too- you might be surprised by all it has to offer.

Home Depot offers free children’s workshops for all ages.  Kids can build little crafts with their parents’ help and they get a free certificate of completion and apron, plus the awesome learning experience.  Not to mention, there is probably an underlying confidence instilled in children when they are allowed to use “adult” tools to fix and create things.  

What are some things that you enjoy taking your children to?  How about fun and free local adult activities?  Thanks for reading!      

Drumroll...

It’s the third of December.  Can you believe that?  This year flew by!  At the beginning of the year, I embarked on a $100/month challenge for grocery spending throughout 2014.  Early in the year, we decided to join a CSA, which spent about half of that budget, and we also brought our daughter home in June, giving us another mouth to feed…and that girl can eat!  In case anyone is wondering how we fared, here’s the summary:

I spent $1065 on food from from the grocery store from January to December.  That puts me at $135 under my budget.

Our CSA cost us $580 for about 18 weeks of produce (we split the CSA with my sister’s family, otherwise that cost would have been double for double the produce). 

So the total per month ended up at $137.08, and you know what?  I will take that! 

To be completely transparent, I will mention the cost of my husband’s hunting expenses and the produce I bought for canning, which was about $800 total.  My husband brought home two deer, and will hopefully get an elk and salmon before the season is done.  I also got to go on a salmon fishing trip, which was a gift from my dad.  That trip provided us most of the salmon we will need for 2015.  So we have a stocked pantry of produce and enough meat and fish for the upcoming year included in that number.  I hesitate to add this to my 2014 total because about 90% of that food will be consumed in next year, but hey, we spent it so I should at least explain, and you can add it in where you see fit.  

Here’s what I learned after this challenge:

Our most expensive item turned out to be our organic non-dairy milk.  Since our daughter came home, (aaaaaand since I discovered hazelnut milk in my morning coffee ;)) that has taken about 30% of our spending. 

Our pantry is still stocked!!  We could probably do zero shopping for several months and be totally fine on food.  I just love fresh produce way too much to do that. 

I probably won’t do this budget again, and I don't think I will do once-a-month shopping every month either.  There are two reasons for this.  First, we want to eat as close to 100% organic and local as we can.  That means spending more on higher quality foods, which will raise the total cost.  I do mostly organic/local foods now, but not all of them, so I’d like to make that change.  Second, I actually really enjoy going to Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s and picking out my fresh produce every week or two.  It gives me inspiration and I don’t have to worry about the food going bad by the end of the month.  So while we are not members of a CSA, grocery shopping will probably occur a couple times a month, and that’s okay with me.  

Lastly, I have been reading some really amazing books lately about cooking, and I have learned that scratch cooking with simple ingredients packs so much more flavor and nutritional value if the ingredients are of higher quality.  So there may be a few things that we opt to spend more on, like olive oil, vinegars, spices, eggs, flours and sugars, coffee and tea, and fresh herbs to name a few.  So if paying higher prices means enjoying our food more, then that’s what we will do.

Now we are off to the beach for a birthday celebration with family for the rest of the week, where we will be blissfully unplugged until we return (hence, the early post today).  I hope you have a great week, and thank you for going on this food/budgeting journey with me!              

Capsule Wardrobe (or My First Novel)

“The more you leave out, the more you highlight what you leave in.” -Henry Green

Where to begin…

Different people define the capsule wardrobe in different ways, but essentially, it means a French-inspired seasonal small wardrobe that ranges from 10 items to 40 items (or whatever number you feel comfortable with) including clothes, coats, and shoes.  It does not include things like undergarments, socks/hosiery, lounge clothes, swimsuits, scarves, hats, jewelry, formal/special occasion clothing, or handbags.  Think of the items in a capsule wardrobe as the clothing that you would wear on a daily basis to a number of locations- church, the grocery store, dinner and a movie, or to visit friends or family.  But there is a little bit of a process behind how to come up with your personal capsule wardrobe: how to choose colors, choosing a “uniform,” how many of each item, how you define your personal style, quality of the clothing and shoes, and appropriate dressing for the weather.  Then you must blend all of these things together while staying in a budget and creating a final wardrobe that you wear daily, without any shopping until the following season arrives.  Ok, so it sounds like a lot of work, and it is…at first.  But the rewards of trimming down your wardrobe far outweigh the preparation that goes into figuring it out.  Hang in there and I will explain my steps, show you my final Fall capsule wardrobe, and point you toward a couple of fantastic blogs that helped me get my capsule wardrobe together.  I will discuss benefits of a capsule as I take you through the process, and I will also finish this post by listing some things I learned, including even more benefits.  Bear with me- this is a long post! 

Let’s start with colors.  Most people have an idea of the colors that they prefer to wear.  For me, it was light neutrals.  I could wear light neutrals like ivory, white, and heather grey every single day without complaint.  Throw in a little blush pink and sea foam green, and I’m set.  But I also have a toddler, and light neutrals and toddlers don't mix well.  So I had to branch out a bit.  I followed Anuschka’s advice from into-mind.com and came up with my personal color palette.  She breaks up color palettes into three categories: main colors (3), accent shades (4), and neutrals (2).  Main colors are the ones that you like to wear a lot, accent shades are what make your neutrals pop, and you will probably have the fewest items in your accent shades, and neutrals are the trusty colors that you will make up most of the “basics” in your wardrobe- pants, tees, tanks, cardigans, etc.  Here’s my color palette:

Main colors: Ivory, Grey, Navy/Denim

Accent shades: Blush Pink, sea foam Green, olive green, tan/light brown 

Neutrals: Black, White    

       

Having a color story is a great way of making sure that you don’t have too many accent colors that don’t pair well together or that you won’t wear very often, and it is a great way to help define your personal style.  Also, it might be wise to choose colors that all look well together, just to aid you in the process of choosing your outfits when you get dressed.  The more you can mix and match, the more outfits you end up with. 

The next step is to determine how many items you want in your wardrobe- what will your end number be?  For me, it was 40, but you can choose any number that you are comfortable with.  I have heard anywhere from 10 to 40, but most of the blogs I have read are somewhere in the 30s for women.  It is helpful during this stage to figure out your “uniform.”  This is your go-to outfit: the one outfit you reach for more than any others.  For me, this was a pair of dark skinny jeans, some type of sweater, and a pair of short boots.  Here’s an example:

Photo: anthropologie.com

The reason for determining your “uniform” is to see which clothing items you will probably want the most of in your wardrobe.  Because of my uniform, I chose to have two pairs of dark skinny pants (one denim, one black), two pairs of short boots, and four sweaters.  From here, you can determine you other favorite outfits and styles.  For example, I wear a lot of cardigans over short sleeve tanks or tees, so I added 3 cardigans in my neutral and main colors, and several layering tanks and tees.  My advice for filling in your wardrobe from this point is Pinterest, Pinterest, Pinterest.  Start yourself a seasonal capsule wardrobe board where you post pictures of outfits you like that will keep you warm and dry (depending on the climate where you live), styles or themes that you like, styles that you wish you could wear but that you aren’t sure if you could pull off, and even color palettes that you tend to like if you are having trouble finalizing yours.  Look at what you pin often and consider adding these “constants” into your wardrobe.  

After considering my Pinterest board themes and coming up with my 40-item number, my wardrobe breaks down as follows:

Clothing

Pants: 3

Dresses: 3

Skirts: 2

Layering tanks: 5

Other tanks: 1

Tees: 4

Long-sleeved shirts: 3

Long-sleeved blouses: 3

Sweaters: 4

Cardigan sweaters: 3

Coats: 2

Shoes

Flats: 3

Oxford pumps: 1

Short boots: 2

Tall boots: 1

Everyone’s breakdown will look different, but I will also show mine broken down in percentages: 

Tops: 23 pieces or 57.5%

Bottoms (including skirts and dresses): 8 pieces or 20%

Coats: 2 pieces or 5%

Shoes: 7 pieces or 17.5%

I found that this breakdown was a great percentage ratio, so if I decide to trim down my 40 items, I can use this chart to create a balanced mix for my style. 

The next step, after you determine your number, your colors, and your breakdown, and after you have an inspiration board on Pinterest or even on a bulletin board, is to see what you already have.  Take everything out of your closet and only put in the things back in that you are going to want to keep in your capsule.  This is also a good time to get a storage container out to separate “off-season” capsule items into.  That’s right, my friends: you get a “cheat.”  You don’t have to get rid of that awesome summer dress that you love so much, or those shorts that fit you just right, or even those new sandals that you got last season…you get to tuck them away until spring and summer come back around, and you'll be able to switch out your cold weather clothes for your warm weather clothes.  I would challenge you, however, to keep ONLY the items that you love and wear, and that are of good quality.  In six-ish months, when you open your storage container, you should already have a good start on your spring/summer capsule and only have a need to fill in the gaps.  The other cheat is that you get to have a “special occasion” wardrobe for things you don’t wear on a daily basis, like formal/semi-formal event clothing.  I have three special occasion dresses that also hang in my closet for weddings, showers, benefits, etc.  But I digress…back to the closet.  When you are considering each piece that you might want to add back into your capsule, I would encourage you to try everything on and consider colors.  Anything that you put in your closet is going to be worn a lot, so make sure you love it and aren’t on the fence.  Be ruthless!  Anything that doesn’t fit the bill gets sold, donated, or recycled (I have an awesome pillow that I made from a great old sweater).  And the best part is, if you didn’t love it enough to keep it in your capsule, you probably won’t miss is when it’s gone!  

Next, determine your budget if you need to buy new items.  If you are not at a spot to buy anything new or can’t afford much, that’s A-okay.  Consider thrifting or just save until you can get a few things.  But, by no means, does this mean you should go out and buy crumby, low quality clothes.  The purpose of a capsule wardrobe is to have fewer, high-quality pieces that look smashing on you and that will LAST.  After all, if you buy five cheap shirts that will fall apart in a couple months and that you will need to replace, instead of one that will last years, it’s actually less frugal than starting off with quality clothing.  I am speaking form experience here- I used to fill my closet with as much cheap stuff as I could get for my money.  But I ended up with cheap clothes that I didn’t truly like, and therefore, didn’t wear.  Buying for your new capsule wardrobe also doesn’t mean going out and having a heyday, and buying a bunch of super expensive, designer quality stuff that’s all dry clean only.  Find your balance here, friends.  Know your budget, and be patient to find the right items.  Look for sales, too.  With the holiday season approaching, this is a good time to be starting out.  For me, I knew my budget and I knew exactly what I wanted to find.  

You also need to take a little time to determine your personal style: those styles that you like, respect, and favor.  And go ahead- throw in something a little daring if you so desire, like leather, heels, or something “stolen from the boys,” as they say.  I determined that my personal style is classic and feminine, with a hint of masculinity to give it a little edge- sounds like an oxymoron, right?  Have you ever researched Coco Chanel?  She is a huge inspiration in what I like…not even her brand, just her.  She was a pioneer in women’s fashion, adding a tie, a hat, or even suspenders to the stereotypically feminine clothing of her time.  She single-handedly changed women’s fashion at the turn of the twentieth century in France, and eventually all over the world because she determined what her signature style was, and she wasn’t afraid to see her ideas through, making her one of the most influential people in the history of fashion.  But I digress  yet again…      

Another tip that I learned from Caroline over at un-fancy.com (remember those blogs I mentioned recently that changed my life?  This is one- check it out) is that you don’t need bright colors or patterns to add interest to your wardrobe.  Personally, I tire quickly of bright colors and patterns.  Go for textures instead: different knits, lace, chiffon, leather, tweed, buttons, and/or sheen to add “pop” to your outfits.  Then, you can always accessorize with simple jewelry, a belt,  or a scarf/wrap to finish out your look.  The only pattern that I chose to incorporate into my wardrobe was stripes.  Four of my tops have stripes, the rest of my capsule items are solid colors, and for my personal style, this worked out beautifully.   

The next step is to research and make a plan for your shopping trip(s).  I did some online searching to find the exact styles I wanted at quality retailers, and at prices within my budget.  At some places, you can even reserve items online and the stores will have them there for you when you arrive.  Note: I did not do any online BUYING, just online LOOKING.  You will want to try on all of the items that you are buying.  Test the seams, feel the fabrics, check the fit, etc.  And that is impossible to do from your computer.  However, by the time I was ready to buy, I was a woman with a plan thanks to my online looking.  I knew where I was going, if the items were in stock, and what the current prices were.  Without this preparation, I would have been completely lost and wasted too much time and energy trying to find what I was looking for.  Think of your online looking as your bird’s eye view- you can see where you want to go, but you still need actually get there.  

And finally, the shopping part (if this is included in your plans or budget, that is).  Here is what I asked myself about each piece that I tried on to determine if it was going to be a purchase or a pass (again, thank you Caroline for these tips):

-Is the item good quality (seams, fabric, etc)?

-What are the care instructions (does it have to be dry cleaned?  If so, I passed)- can I wash it at home?

-Is the item flattering from all angles when tried on?

-Would I pay more than what’s on the price tag? If so, I must really like it.

-Would I reach for it tomorrow over my favorite item in my closet?

-Can I make several outfits with it?

-Can I wear it several places (church, store, dinner, etc)?

-Will I reach for it tomorrow when getting dressed (am I excited to wear it)?

-If I could only have one of this type of clothing (tee, cardigan, pant, etc), would this be the one?

If the answers to the above questions about an item were “yes,” then I made the purchase.  On a personal note, I only purchased 12 new items out of the 40 in my fall capsule.  Four of these items were layering tanks at $5 a piece from H&M.  I checked the quality, loved the fit, and made the cheaper purchase, and they have been awesome.  Two of the 12 new items were shoes, and one was a jacket.  One item was purchased from a thrift store, with the original ($100) price tags still attached, for under $20.  Almost everything I chose was on sale or clearance, and I also used gift cards that had been in my wallet for a while.  Lastly, I took all of the clothing that I was not keeping after cleaning out my closet to a local resale clothing store and made $150 cash to put toward new items.  Sadly, one item that I really wanted just didn’t make it into the budget, so it did not get into the Fall capsule this year…but there’s always next season, IF I still want it.  The moral is to be creative and be patient.  It is not about impulse buys, but rather, its about getting items in your capsule that you love and that will last.   

So those are the steps of building your capsule wardrobe, but I would also like to share some of the things I learned after my first season.  Hopefully you will find these notes encouraging or at least informative:

-Forty items was too high for me.  I am a stay-at-home mother, and although I appreciate fashion, I spend most of my days at home doing things like cooking, cleaning, laundry, and playing with my daughter, which are not conducive activities for wearing nice clothes.  Next season, I will probably drop down to 36-38 items.  I plan to keep lowering this number as I become more familiar with my capsule and style preferences until I have the most minimal, good quality seasonal wardrobe I can have. 

-I played it pretty safe in my style.  My “daring” was wearing black, which I typically don’t do.  I would like to add more textures and maybe even some leather accents into my winter capsule to more accurately reflect my style.  I’m turning 30 in a few days, and if I can’t wear these things now, I know I never will! 

-The first capsule that you do will probably teach you a lot about your likes and dislikes, and you can learn from it when you are planning your next season.  Even the expert bloggers that I have learned from will all tell you that creating a beautiful capsule wardrobe that you love is something that takes practice.  

-I might actually be a shoe person after all.  I was never a shoe person, but I have learned that shoes can actually add a lot of style to a simple look.  And having more shoes and fewer clothes might actually make my planning easier- I know what I like and what I can wear on my feet, and sometimes trying to figure that out for clothes is a little harder.  

-One purse goes with everything.  In the spirit of minimalism, I decided that I would own only one purse.  This works for me because it is a color that goes with everything (typically referred to as whiskey or cognac brown), and it can be worn either on my arm or as a cross-body bag, so it is multifunctional.  I used to be a purse person, so owning only one, no matter how beautiful I think it is, is brand new for me.  And I haven’t regretted it for a second.

-Getting dressed in the morning is super quick and easy.  I know that everything I have fits well, and I know I really like everything.  I chose things that can be worn in several ways (for example, tops that can be worn with pants, a skirt, or layered with other tops) so I have several outfits to choose from and I don’t feel limited.  And having fewer options to choose from is self explanatory.  

-Men can do a capsule wardrobe too.  We did one for my husband, and he really likes the what he has now.  Although we did not do a color palette for him…or spend nearly the same amount of time.  In fact, he didn’t even do any shopping because he had plenty already.  But hypothetically, it would be the same process for a man.  

-Some people might see this whole thing as materialistic and way too involved for something as simple as clothing.  But it interests me- fashion interests me.  If it doesn’t interest you, don’t do it.  But this is a way for me to integrate two things that I really enjoy- fashion and minimalism.

-You just may end up wanting to “capsule” other things too, like your pajamas and lounge clothes, gym clothes, and even jewelry and accessories.  I’ve done them all. 

-No shopping for months is awesome!!  I’m actually not a big fan of shopping, especially just for hobby.  I want to know exactly what I am going for and get in and out of a store (grocery, clothing, or any other store) quickly.  No shopping also means spending less money…win-win. 

-Laundry is a breeze.  I can literally wash all of my husband’s and my clothes in 2-3 loads, saving time, energy, and money. 

-Have fun!  You might make mistakes, and look back and wonder what you were thinking (although this is probably inevitable no matter who you are or what you wear- style trends just change over time…look at the style of the 1980s), and it’s okay to laugh at yourself. But you also might look back and realize you got it right.  You may not have complete success the first or second time you create a capsule wardrobe.  But I think you will learn some great lessons about yourself, like your preferences and how little you actually need in your home and closet.

Here's a quick photo of my Fall capsule (my tall boots did not make the picture):

Good luck, and let me know how you fare if you choose to do a capsule wardrobe.  Happy Thanksgiving, and as always, thank you for reading.