Yes, I realize it’s January 14th, and that the new year started two weeks ago, but it’s taken me a while to get myself together. The boys were out of school until January 7, which felt like 100 years (of joyous family time, of course!) and I spent all last week trying to get my house clean and my to-do list under control.
So today really feels like the start of the new year over here.
What have I been up to, other than vacuuming every single inch of carpet in my house and wiping all the counters with bleach? I started training for a half marathon on December 31; I’m running and swimming, and last week, on a whim, I went to a yoga class at my gym and it was the best thing ever. So now I’m working on my down dog and my balance, which should help with so many other things around here.
I feel like I’m s l o w l y starting to get my feet under me, after a long fall of just faking my way through the day. Over the holiday I cleaned out my closet (yes, again) and packed up all the pieces that I want to like but never wear — then I spent some time pulling together outfits with the pieces that are left. Yesterday I bought new mascara, which of course meant that I needed to clean out my makeup bag — and that lead to detailing the bathroom and getting rid of sunscreen that expired last spring (among other things). My goal for this year is to only have things in my life that I truly love or need — no more extra stuff.
I would like this to be the year when I have less and do more — Charlie and I are trying to explore more places in OKC, and I’m recommitting to regular manicures and pedicures (if only out of politeness to the other people in my yoga class).
I have managed to photograph everything I’ve worn this year (go me!) and I’m planning to keep it up. Because that guarantees that I will get dressed every day, which is a huge feat some days. I know you understand.
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- Color block!
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- All Gap, all the time.
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- Running in the 20 degree cold.
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- Hot pink pants. Oh yeah.
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- J. Crew cardi from 1999. Still a fave.
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- Slouchy.
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- Yes, those are velvet pants. Love.
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- Leopard is a neutral, Right?
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- Woo it’s cold.
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- No socks. That’s right.
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- J. Crew cashmere crew from 1997. Half of a twinset.
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- Navy blazer. Best investment ever.
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- My weekend uniform: cashmere and denim.
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- Stripes! And more stripes.
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- Half tuck.
I’ve been noticing the running thread in so many blogs iI read, this culling our lives down to those things which we find most important and necessary, beautiful and wanted in our lives, and nothing more. I’m on board as well, and have been spending my free moments going a drawer at a time, a shelf at a time through our home, double-checking with my husband before tossing or donating anything to make sure it’s not hated by me but beloved by him.
It helps that the bulk of my wardrobe has suddenly started to fall apart, so I’m tossing most of it and looking with fresh eyes at what I truly wear and want to wear.
I love this: “packed up all the pieces that I want to like but never wear”….something I totally need to do. What mascara are you currently loving? I’m still impressed with all you get done! Work, kids, running etc… I seem to always get distracted by the internet or something…don’t know what but I have grand plans for each day and seem to get nothing done.
I can’t quite bring myself to put them in the giveaway pile just yet, but I’m tired of seeing them in the closet and having no idea how to make them work. So they’re all nicely folded and tucked away in a box. We’ll see if I miss them …
“My goal for this year is to only have things in my life that I truly love or need — no more extra stuff!” Susan I put this down as the summary of my goal for 2013 as well, along with my others goals on Health, Relationship, and Finance. I still remember your principle on buying clothes in your 2012 blog is to buy clothes that is classy with quality material. So they can be kept for years. And it also reduces the pressure on environment. I can’t remember your originals, but I can’t agree more. And all my friends love shopping with me due to that principle. Another principle I’d like to share is before I spend, I ask myself :”is buying this more important or financial freedom more important to me?” I found that more than 50% of the time I put the thing down. Thank you for your inspiration for the new year. Keep up the good job!
Thank you for the picture of you in the navy blazer. I was sitting here feeling frumpy and not dressed. Today is one of those days when nothing seems to fit and nothing looks right. Then I saw that picture. Ding, ding, ding. I throw the navy blazer over the turtleneck and jeans I was alreay wearing and BOOM! I have an outfit. I keep forgetting that when in doubt, add the blazer. It never fails.
Where are the red pants (in the photo near the top of this post) from? They are just what I’m looking for!
Amy, they’re from Old Navy — last winter’s Rock Star jeans.
Oh wow, I love your navy blazer, striped top and red jeans outfit so chic
When you where a blazer like that great navy blue one, is that your “coat”? Or do you wear a coat over that? I feel like there is such a short window of light coat weather here in the Northeast – pretty much the months of October and April, I never wear blazers like that…but would like to!
I can usually get away with the blazer as outerwear — I’ll pile a scarf on over if I have to, but it’s just not that cold here and I’m not really outside long enough to need a real coat.
The secret to wearing the blazer under a real coat is to go up one size when you buy the coat, to allow for the blazer. Also think about layering a blazer over a short sleeved or sleeveless top during the spring and fall, to get more wear out of it.
“wear”, not where – oh boy!
Have less and do more. What a great goal for the year!
I love all these outfits! Must buy myself a striped scarf ASAP to top off an outfit that has a stripe in it! Genius