Own Your Style: A Cheerful Winter Wardrobe

The first couple months of every New Year is my favorite time to 

clean and organize my closets.

Is is yours too?

No room is off limits.  

Kitchens, bathrooms and pantry's are usually full of weird odds and ends

 that end up in the garbage pail.  

Why do I always have an extra can of pumpkin?

and what's up with all the red pepper flakes?

Clothes closets are always challenging because it's sometimes hard to giveaway a beloved skirt or handbag that might be the item you wish you had saved down the road. 

 Remember that denim skirt you made from a pair of jeans Sophomore year?  

Yea that one....don't ya wish you still had it?

BTW....just for laughs google: home made jeans skirt...no words can describe these skirts

 how about the tooled leather thingy from Cabo circa 1993

(clearly a case of too much Cerveza)

  I actually have seen furniture that I have sold/consigned or donated show up in antique malls.  

Always a weird feeling....especially when I see the prices!!

I recently consigned two side tables....which I received $250 dollars for....not too shabby 

about a week later I ran into them (hello tables) in a rather upscale antique mall

priced at $1250

really? 

weirder yet, I looked inside to see if I had left anything!

even weirder, the shop owner said 

"can I help you with anything?"

to which I answered:

"yes, I would like to buy these amazing tables for

one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars"

just kidding about the last part 

but I did peek to see if my book was still in the drawer

 Last year I did a major purge and it felt really great.

So this year is more about organizing the things I wear over and over again 

and updating accessories and basics 

I tossed a few pairs of old boots, which was actually kinda hard ; )

truth:  I rescued a pair of Frye riding boots at the very last minute....I felt like I was saving a dear friend from certain disaster.  

They will eventually find their way back into the donation box.  

That's what boots do....they go walking

I did purchase these

this is a beautiful basic black boot that hits just below the knee,

they look great with everything and were soft and comfortable right out of the box...always a plus because I'm just not into blisters any more, I don't care how awesome the shoe is!

not sure if you can still find this boot 

it's the Suzie boot from Sigerson Morrison

always a staple for me are light weight running/walking shoes 

which look great with jeans and khaki's

These are New Balance 711's 

love these in black and the other fun colors

hoarder alert...I own 3 pair! 

I wear my fave vintage Donna Karen Collection (circa 2004) cashmere coat with everything...

it even looks good with pajamas ; ))

 love this coat from Theory

It has a wonderful menswear appeal

 Invested (luggage is an investment) in some new duffels 

and totes from Filson

In addition to being beautifully made these should last forever...

probably much longer than I will want to keep using them, cause forever is a really long time

 I love/need a big cross body that I can open up and see everything I've thrown in there 

and this one can double as a weekender in a pinch 

Will someone please write a post about purses and analyze why we put so much stuff in them...

it's truly amazing.

It's as if we women were taught at an early age that the ability to cram your entire life 

into a smallish bag 

(which you will then carry around you neck until you need surgery)

 is part of growing up...but I digress

I love white and cream in the winter too and found some great Levi 501's in white

these are a boyfriend fit and a bit distressed 

super cute and comfy

found these at Macys.com ...I think they were around $50 dollars 

add a few more lovelies like a great big chunky black sweater

and a floral scarf and your sure to feel cheerful

even in the rain

Eddie Bauer

Cath Kidson

other items:

Sunnies: Krewe

Watch: Longines

Jeans:  Polo

Blue boyfriend shirt:  Polo  

I didn't use links but you know how to get there ; ))

xo

Late Summer Getaway Wardrobe

We have not been able to get away for any long trips this summer but we have a few weekends planned and love to take off in September when the weather cools a bit

I'm not an advanced awesome packer but I have learned a few tricks, one of which is to take a wardrobe that essentially is all in the same color family 

In this case I'm taking every thing in 

white

khaki 

&

soft blush pink 

I try to keep jewelry to a minimum,

 usually one necklace, a great watch and two pairs of earrings

(do you own an Apple watch?  I don't but they look pretty darn fun)

I always pack a hat...it's that crazy hair thing that happens to me ; )

Maxi's work because that can transition from day to dinner fairly easily 

This is a pretty light creamy skirt from Zara

and I like easy comfortable pants

usually jeans or drapey linen

and tailored cropped trousers are a great call

For a quick weekend trip, I wear one pair of shoes and bring a spare but never more than that because I never wear them!  

Seriously..... I have packed more shoes for vacations 

and wind up wearing only two pair the entire trip

Always a pair of sneakers

chucks are a great choice 

and a pair of low heals or maybe a great comfy boot

I found these on Zappos and I loooooove them

Our little getaways are alway by car 

so luggage is simple 

with duffles that work both as a purse and for clothes

I love this classic Branch Tote

from LL Bean

you can have these monogramed too

and throw a simple clutch inside the tote for shopping or dinner

this simple white one is from Brooks Brothers

So here is what I have planned for two days 

on a foodie getaway in Northern California

 turquoise necklace @Nordstrom

bucket hat @UrbanOutfitters (Stussy)

belt @JCrew

heels @Macy's

sunnies @Salt

chucks @Zappos

sweater@RalphLauren (Denim & Supply)

vest@BannanaRepublic

cashmere wrap scarf@White+Warren

basic tee@Gap

tote@LLBean

white jeans@LaurenRalphLauren

knit maxi@Polo 

clutch@BrooksBrothers

nails@Dior (Tra-La-La)

lips@Dior (Creme de Rose lip balm)

eyes@UrbanDecay

(I didn't give you all of the links but these are all items that are really easy to find)

oh and don't forget the wine opener

HiCoup@Amazon

see you soon!

xxoo

The New Uniform: letting go and owning your style

Do you have a uniform?

Is there a look 

or a certain combination of items that you seem to gravitate to

 when  you get dressed?

For me, the awnser is Yes....yes and double yes

Try as I might to be as chic as a Parisian

 I am pretty much a California "basics" sort of a gal.

Sadly, in the past I often purchased things that had no business in my closet...

by that I mean they will probably never get worn, at least by me.

 It's not because many of my fashion choices are not cute or stylish...it's because I wear the same really simple, comfortable things over and over again and pass on the new and trendy thinking that today is not the "right day" to wear it.  

Weird....I know  

So if today is not the right day to wear something 

that pretty much sums up the theory 

that I'm buying things that just are not working with my lifestyle

The photo above is Matilda Kahl an art director at a big New York Ad house.  

She grew incredibly frustrated with the daily chore of finding the right out fit for work......so she decided on just one and now wears it to the office every day.....always accessorized with the little black bow

 read the whole story here.... 

she wrote in her article for Harpers Bazaar:

 "The simple choice of wearing a work uniform has saved me countless wasted hours thinking, "what the hell am I going to wear today?" And in fact, these black trousers and white blouses have become an important daily reminder that frankly, I'm in control.

Today, I not only feel great about what I wear, I don't think about what I wear."

Hoo Ray!!!!!

Matilda found her uniform

This is not a new concept by any stretch 

The French are famous for it

Chic women know how to do it...and they do it really well 

one of my favorites is Ines de la Fresange,

model and Chanel fashion muse

Ines is often seen in the same flats, comfortable jeans and wonderful Chanel jackets 

Style legend Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, always simple and chic

in her classic black and white

Even my favorite bloggers know how to pull it off....Janet for instance,

has written so many great posts about small wardrobes,  fashion on a tight budget

 and owning your own style

so cute and so very Janet!

Janet knows her style and she owns it

another chic blogger  

Cindy just wrote a great post 

about the classic tailored white shirt 

personally, the way I dress now 

is just one part 

of the ongoing process of letting go, 

moving on and finding freedom in living more simply

When we sold our home in Ojai and it came time to pack it all up 

(...there actually was not much to pack)

I made the decision to try to simplify my life even more. 

 I purged....I tossed, I donated and I purged some more.

I gave away the impractical super high pumps I wore just once, I tossed coats, blazers, pleated trousers and handbags. 

 I chucked pantyhose, itchy lacey boy briefs, push up bras and knee socks. 

Interesting combo right?

Gone are stupid bathing suits (never worn) silly hats and too tight tops and bottoms

Adios to the puffer coat, the mens leather back pack and 

the hawaiian print vacation clutch that got packed but never made it to the Luau.  

Siyanara girlie golf shoes(except the lucky pair I wore when I hit that long drive)

see ya stupid running cap

so long uber chic pointy toes....you will never make me blister and bleed again

all gone....

I donated at least 30 container store clear shoe boxes...full of shoes!

Was it hard?...well kind of, but when I started making trips to the Goodwill, sometimes daily,

 it got easier and easier.

And what was more amazing?  When I looked at what remained in my closet 

(which is now 1/3 as full as it was)

I finally had a glimpse of what my style really was.

I felt good too, donating things that I knew would be purchased and used by someone else. 

 There was some really good stuff in those donation bags!

After the closet

I tackled the bathroom with the same gusto

My make up drawer was just down right silly

lipstick....yucky colors...check...see ya

sticky foundation....the wrong shade....done...out a here

under eye cream samples....all 25 of them...what is up with all those eye creams?....in the trash 

I kept the basics...

One foundation, one mascara, one shadow box  etc

I chucked all of my old makeup brushes and purchased new useful ones

I chose a makeup brand or two that I really like

(Bobbi Brown and Clinique)

I have really enjoyed heading off to Sephora to purchase new items, 

in the right shades and in small quantities.

  Makeup that is super good for my skin and easy to use

My collection of nail polish was edited to just 4 or 5 favorite shades 

(down from about 30 half empty uninteresting nail colors and an inordinate amount of clear, base, top coat, healthy nail hardener etc....you know the stuff...)

And what started as cleaning and packing project

 has morphed into a lifestyle change

One area that I have always probably shopped and used correctly is jewelry.  

I look totally ridiculous in lots of jewelry...sort of like an overdecorated christmas tree, so all of my jewelry is simple and I don't have a lot.

 I like really good or great pieces, just not too many 

and I love big mens watches instead of a bracelet.

I have started to purchase clothes that I know I will and can wear...every day...for business, running errands, shopping or walking the dog.  

*An important side note on this uniform thing is my need for comfortable shoes.  I refuse to wear shoes that give me blisters or that I can't make a mad dash down the street in.  

Here are a few of my favorite items

from my "style me" pin board

 big chunky

sweaters

denim and chambray

 anything Ines wears

white jeans, simple tops and an awesome jacket

(great handbags are a must)

 camel hair and loafers

slouchy boots, simple skirts and comfy sweaters

I put together a style board of a few things I wear all the time 

slouchy cuffed trouser: Anthropology

basic cotton long sleeved T:  Gap

denim jacket: J crew

fun scarf:  Madewell

comfy shoes: Zappos

bad hair day cap: Ralph Lauren

shopper tote: Madewell

readers: Warby Parker

sunnies:  Ray Ban

what is your uniform?

does it look like mine?

these are really fun posts to write and they really get you thinking...

especially the idea of owing your style 

I should probably try this technique in my kitchen but that's a whole other can of beans

Have a great week and don't forget to be awesome!

K

Pure Ralph Lauren: Denim and Supply

I'm a fan

You?

Totally love this new line from Ralph Lauren called

Denim and Supply

It is edgy and fun but also very vintage
"Ralph"

Much of his clothing these past few years has been a bit boring...I have actually been buying "vintage" Ralph for quite a while 

because I loved his old stuff so much

But this new line is really wonderful

A bit of camp 

with some grunge 

and Americana thrown in!

great jacket
check

Warehouse lodge...yummy sweater

need that

check

wish I was 20
check

Even the puppy needs

 some  new Ralph

no caps  on the dog
thank you very much

I really hope he continues with this for a while
and maybe works in 

some things for the home too

The look above is really pretty and fun

got boots?


love boots too

details matter..yes sir they do

Need the vest...badly

great packs and totes 

I showed the photo above to my husband and he said...

"my friends would think I have finally snapped"

ha...little does he know they already think that

And

he could sooooo sport this in Ojai...and totally fit right in...not kidding!
they probably pulled these off a guy in Ojai last fall!

hoodie love 

our new closet
well maybe not

Hey mister..
actually it should be...

hello son...I'm that old
bummer

Here is a link to view more

What do you think?
very fun right?

~kelley~