Tour my closet!
One of my favorite things about the house we moved into in October is that there is enough space for me to have an entire room as a closet. Yes, you read that correctly: an entire room.
I’ve been promising to blog about it for a while, and I finally organized enough to snap a few photos.
The room definitely has a cabin feel to it—it is a room in what seems to be a finished attic. The small doors I don’t open in any of the photos simply go into the attic.
Since it is a finished attic, everything is pretty short. I can actually touch the highest part of the ceiling while standing flat on my feet. Luckily I’m pretty short, so the room fits me perfectly. And I can’t tell you how great it is having all that extra storage space.
I’m always looking for ways to make it feel more me in terms of décor, so any suggestions are appreciated!
In case you’re wondering, I live in a very old house in Atlanta (where rent is less expensive than in many other cities), which is why I’m able to have this kind of space.
Navy stripes
I was sick yesterday. I didn’t really get off the couch. While I was there, I thought up this outfit.
(Boots: Target. Pants: Old Navy. Striped T: F21. Blazer: Thrifted. Necklace: Family)
Don’t I look like I’m on my way to the country club for happy hour? Or about to go take a horse out for a ride? These pants are actually crop pants, and I’d been trying to find a way to wear them in the winter (without my ankles freezing off). They are perfect for tucking in to boots. The navy stripes and navy blazer are a Pinterest inspiration. I am such a Pinterest addict.
I have to go drop some stuff off at Goodwill this weekend. I’m kinda hoping I have the willpower to resist browsing the selection…I will keep you posted on my progress.
My Top 11 of 2011
Last year I considered doing a 2010 roundup but passed, mostly because my “Top Picks” were maybe Easy Mac and a peacoat after surviving bare-bones internships. 2011 was my first year of continuous full-time employment, and hot damn, I spent my money wisely! (Mostly. Does not include Black Swan Halloween ’11 weekend.)
The theme of my top picks is Cole Haan, shoes, and quality over quantity.
(Full disclosure: a friend of mine works at Cole Haan, receives a very generous discount, and reaps the benefits of sample sales. I did not spend hundreds on these items, and am very grateful I’m able to snag them at such a reasonable price. I’m aware a $500 bag is absurd for most — it is for me! Nonetheless, they’re still my favorite items from this year.)
1. Cole Haan brown satchel
This is the first nice bag I’ve ever owned. Before this one, I was wearing Kohl’s purses until they ripped, in the $30-$50 range. This one will surely last me a few years.
I love the dark brown belt-like strap on this, and the burnt siena (can I get away with that Crayola namedrop? Is it siena?) color of the leather. The inside is generously sized and has nice small pockets for phones or lipstick or whatever. I’m wearing this bag 9 times out of 10 during the week, as it mostly goes with everything. Unfortunately, it’s been caught in the rain a few times and has a bit of wear and tear from that. Otherwise, I never let it touch a subway floor and it’s always by my side when I’m out and about (never trust a coat check with a nice bag!).
2. Cole Haan black interview/messenger bag
This one will only be taken out for special occasions. It’s very “I’ve made it in New York” to me. Fits a laptop and tons of other crap. The next important work meeting I have, this bag will definitely be in tow.
3. Maria Sharapova for Cole Haan ballet flats
Maria Sharapova for Cole Haan Ballet Flats, $178.00
I got these in black, not sparkly, but I couldn’t find them online.
THESE ARE NOT JUST ANY FLATS, so don’t freak out that they’re $178. These are the queen flats, the best of the best. The shoe is made with Nike Air technology, meaning the soles and heel have these cushiony pads that make them super durable and comfortable. After going through several $30 pairs of black flats in my lifetime, I’m psyched that these are going to be able to take a beating on NY sidewalks.
4. Brilliant blue GAP legging jeans
GAP legging jeans in brilliant blue, $69.95
One of the best things about being unprepared for a night over at the significant other’s is that you’re “forced” to “have to” buy a new outfit for work the next day, instead of the unthinkable repeating the outfit from the day before, or concocting something smelly and horrible from whatever has accumulated at his place over the past several months. Such was the reasoning behind this purchase — bright blue legging jeans from the GAP.
The legging jeans here are so unbelievably comfortable and offer a flattering fit (not too tight/not made for Amazonian-esque models). It’s amazing how much of my wardrobe is boosted with bright blue as its bottom half. I’ve worn these over and over and they still feel brand new.
5. TOMS shoes in black
TOMS, $44
As described here, I love my TOMS shoes. Unless it’s raining, you don’t have to think twice about throwing them on and going to run a couple errands in your neighborhood. They’re easy, comfortable, and match with mostly everything.
The tops of 2011
As I was budgeting out my section for tomorrow, I realized…I think it’s time to do my best of the year list. Last year, I went all out and made a video. The year before, I cranked out about 12 favorite picks. This year was a little harder. It wasn’t that I didn’t buy enough things (trust me, I bought PLENTY) or that I didn’t love what I got, it was just really hard for me to narrow it down. There were a few things that immediately jumped out to me, but there were others that I required me to go through all of my posts from the year and narrow it down. I came up with five, and I think that’s a nice concise list to round out the year.
The first are these jeans.
I call these my magic jeans. They are the Skinny Mini Flare from Old Navy. Why are they magic jeans you ask? Well, they seriously make your legs look ridiculously long (and skinny to boot). I’m only 5′ 3″, so anything that can make me seem taller works for me. Every time I wear these jeans, I get compliments. I have them in two colors (of course, not the color above, which I might have to go procure), and they have replaced my skinny jeans and jeggings as my go-to jean.
The next is my Pandora bracelet. This was a graduation present from my parents, and I’ve worn it pretty much everyday since I got it. When they gave it to me, it had five charms on it: the present, the stack of books (nerd alert), the graduation cap, the football (obviously) and the tea pot. This past weekend, I added the cupcake, the little Buddha and the pink glass charm. I had another charm bracelet growing up, but never wore it. I don’t know what it is about these Pandora bracelets, but I just love mine so much. I also love how these charms perfectly describe me: I’m a huge nerd (duh) who loves football and cupcakes; I drink a lot of tea and I try to be as zen as possible at all times. Boom.
Then come these glasses. I blogged about them and how I got them off the internet for a ridiculous price. I wear them almost every night, so it didn’t occur to me to include them. But I love them. Each time I put them on, I just love them even more.
The next one I think is pretty obvious. If you learned one thing about me all year, what was it? Oh yea, I’m obsessed with all clothes with stripes.
This was the beginning of my stripe obsession, which I blogged back in July. Since then, I have probably added at least six more striped shirts and a striped shirt dress. Yea. I had (well still have) a problem. I don’t know what it is about stripes, but I still love them. I think it is an easy pattern to wear for most people. It is hard for me to pick a favorite, but I’d have to say either the pink and gray striped one above (from Zara) or this short sleeved navy and white top from Forever 21.
I had some pretty good thrifting finds this year. I only went a few times, but whenever I went, I found piece that I love. So here are a few of my favorites.
Jacket, via Goodwill.
Navy blouse, via Salvation Army.
Gray and navy striped top (duh), via Salvation Army.
So those are my top picks for the year. My New Year’s Resolution is to stop impulse buying…specifically online clothes shopping. I’m going to take my credit cards out of my wallet. That’s how serious I am. This whole getting married thing is sorta expensive…
Hope everyone had a happy holiday!
Trend Cycles
When cleaning out your closet, does anyone else have a difficult time parting with a few older items that may one day come back in style?
On more than one occasion recently, I’ve noticed the reappearance of a trend involving an item I used to own — or at least I remember a time in the past when that item was in style.
What am I talking about?
Combat boots
Even though I was young during the grunge era of the early ’90s, I’ve seen the boots. Whether it was Clarissa or Elaine Benes, these were a hit back then. Recently, both Shannon and I (she was first) bought combat boots of our own.
While this is the only example I can think of right now, I know there have been others. It’s somewhat frightening when styles I’ve long-since dismissed as passé suddenly start to look appealing.
So when I’m cleaning out my closet, I can’t help but think, “Maybe I should hold onto these corduroy pants in case I feel like wearing them again someday.”
Luckily I do have the space for that type of storage right now (closet photos soon, I promise!), but that doesn’t mean I want to keep to many things around that I don’t wear.
When cleaning out your closet, how do you best determine what to keep and what to hold on to?
