Day 21 and 22 - Black is back

This week I decided to find some items (those being black) that I had not worn for sometime and knew that they would also be work appropriate. This was just to test my skills when it came to digging for items that can be forgotten about so quickly when new items take place in front of the wardrobe.



I wanted to stick with the chic and stylish all black ensemble. And it wasn't as thought I thought about doing it two days in a row but more about searching for items that I have never worn together or worn for many years.

The first outfit was an old Cue top with a pencil skirt which believe it or not was purchase from K-mart. It is amazing what you can find when in department stores. Shoes are the Aldo ones which get a look in at least a couple of days per week. These were purchased in the states over a year ago and they are comfortable and go with most plain outfits that require a little something extra.


My next outfit for Day 22 was another black set. Again these pieces had not be worn for sometime. I think the skirt for at least a year (it didn't fit while being pregnant) and the top for at least a couple of years. Again I tried not to do a black shoe but a nude/brown shoe.


These shoes were also purchased from Aldo but only a couple of months ago. The skirt from Sussan a couple of years ago. This has been a great skirt, not only can I wear it to work but I have also worn it with flats for a weekend look and a pair of stilettos for an evening look. You can definitely create a simple and diverse wardrobe with only a few key pieces. The shirt is at least 3 0f 4 years old but really gives it a corporate type feel with the skirt and patent belt.

I am starting to find that there are so many options just staring at you each day when you get ready for work, but if we only take a few minutes to look a little deeper into our wardrobes we might actually find the unexpected.

I think you can also be more creative with less pieces (I can't believe I just said that, please don't tell my husband). All of these items are somewhat staple wardrobe essentials and can be used with so many different pieces to create different looks for a variety of occasions whether it be work, going out, running errands or simply going out for lunch on the weekend.


Looking back at some of my combinations so far in the challenge I can see that there are many pieces that will start to go with each other. Hence I am sure you can do this type of challenge for longer than 60 days. Gone are the days of nothing to wear.

Day 20 - Key Pieces

As the weather warms up its time to bring out some of the cooler items from the wardrobe. Today I wore a new season skirt from Country Road, an old top with a belt. I am loving the maxi skirts that are starting to come through for this season. I am a huge fan of the maxi dress however due to feeding commitments, dresses are a little hard to do at the moment. I originally saw this skirt in one of the monthly fashion magazines (either Madison or Instyle) and thought it would be an excellent staple for the summer ahead. I think I checked their website weekly and would go into the store to see when the item was being released. How tragic is that. But you you see something you know you want and will wear then it certainly is worth the effort. I teamed the whole outfit with a pair of gold gladiator sandals.

The sandals were purchased a couple of seasons ago from Nine West. Great investment and will go with just about anything during the summer period. The beauty of this challenge is really uncovering items from your wardrobe that you simply forgot existed and then thought 'why don't I wear these more often'.

Inspiration comes from many sources and magazines is certainly one of those. This was a great idea for a summer look, simple yet easy to wear with a classic vibe. This skirt alone is such a key piece and will have a long and prosperous summer.

Day 19 - 1st time for everything

For the first time in I don't know how long (lets say 10+ years) I decided to wear a relatively new pair of shorts (new being, purchased pre challenge). I have never been overly comfortable in shorts however I found a pair which I quiet liked and suit an hourglass or pear shaped figure. I hate shorts that don't sit right, are uncomfortable and you can see that they just don't look right. These shorts have a more tailored side to them and together with a classic singlet and my wedges it was a pretty good casual look for the day.

I have noticed that over the past few months, shorts are certainly on their way back. The short ones as well as the ones that come just above your knee. I remember wearing shorts many years ago that would be quiet fitted and come just above your knee and with a platform shoe. It is funny how fashion goes around in circles. Its a pity that we cleanse our wardrobe so often as I am sure there would be many outfits I have given away that could be worn today. Although I am not sure they would fit. Probably best we do keep cleansing and then we don't have those ugly reminders of how fantastic we used to look in a tiny outfit that would bare scrap over my thigh...oh they were the days.

Day 15 - Working it

I am finding that this challenge is easier on a work day. Why,because that is when you can wear a lot of your wardrobe and are not limited to only casual non work day outfits. You can sometimes be a little more creative on these days rather than the uninteresting ones you wear when at home for the entire day where you don't really need to make much effort.

Today's outfit is a combination of old meets new. I teamed a fantastic print top with black pants and a shear cardigan with a pair of heels. I recently bought these at Aldo and on sale nevertheless. Aldo has one of the best ranges of shoes and their soles last forever. Not only comfortable these were a nice take on the boring work shoe we all seem to have.

The top is one of those items that I have owned for a while now and it just seems to go with everything so it might pop up every now and then throughout the challenge due to its diverse nature.

My apologies for the dark picture.

Day 14 - Cheating

You have to admit that over the past couple of weeks since starting this challenge I have been cheating. Well common, I haven't really been putting myself to the test by going to the shops or even out for coffee to James Street where the shops are funky and fabulous and where it is easy to either window shop or spend up big in the space of a couple of hours. Since starting this challenge I have added an extra day to my work schedule and with a busy job and many projects on at once I have even taken some work home which then calls for me to be glued to the computer for at lease a few hours each day.

I realise that the temptation is still there (online stores are open 24 hours), but that would mean I would have to use my credit card. And at the moment that is a no go zone, my Chief Financial Officer monitors it closely so I would then have to explain the unforeseen transaction or the unidentified parcel waiting for collection at Australia Post. Seriously, it's not worth the hassle. It's not like I can't use the credit card, its just the conversation that goes with using it, 'do I really need to go shopping online' and 'why do you need more clothing (or shoes)'. That my friend is the downside of a sharing and caring relationship.

I have gone down that path of a secret credit card. And please if you were to tell me that you have never heard of such a thing... YOUR LYING if not to me but to yourself. Most of my friends have the 'secret credit card' or 'secret women's money'. This is the available balance that lets us do that little bit of guilty free shopping that doesn't come with the conversation. It's great while you can keep it a secret after that you have to become more creative. I will talk about that later throughout this challenge.

Today's outfit was for work and I am happy to report that the top had never been worn... or that is until today. I bought it years ago and forgot I even had it. It was a little tight around the breast area but I have to be forgiven as my boobs are huge due to breastfeeding. The pants are different from the ones earlier in this challenge but nevertheless great for work. I think the whole combination was a little on the creative side and really thinking about what you have and taking the risk in putting it all together. The belt was really the focal point. Tan leather with diamante embellishment on the buckle. I love this belt but disappointed that I never seem to bring it out more often. All in all I think this was perfect for a day at the office.

Day 13 -Winter revival

With all of this windy and unpredictable weather I found myself going through the winter collection of my wardrobe over the past couple of days. This faux fur vest would have to be one of my favourites, and trust me it has had its fair share of daylight. Bought for me by a friend overseas it has been a staple in the wardrobe. It is warm yet comfortable and I think it goes with most outfits.

As it was a little colder this morning and we decided to go out for breakfast I went straight for the denim, boots and fur jacket. The boots are also a great investment. Bought on sale from Nine West (although when I say sale, they were still $150). However money well spent. These boots are a wedge calf boot and in brown leather they are perfect for the winter months. Since purchasing them a few months ago, I have given them a good work out. Wedges are one of those great inventions, they give you the height of a heel would but with the stability of a flat shoe and without the incredible pain heels might give after many hours on your feet. I have worn them with denim, tights, dresses and skirts. And know that they will be around for a few more seasons yet.

While I love winter and the winter wardrobe you start to look forward to mixing it up and unleashing all of those cooler options once the weather warms up. This year I am certainly going to the bottom of the wardrobe in search for spring outfits without the spring price tag. In other words for the next 40 + days I am unable to do the yearly 'shopping for summer' ritual. I am going to find those summer outfits that I have put away, so lets hope they fit. Every year summer comes around and it is always a perfect excuse to do a little retail therapy, especially if you have added a few winter kilos after eating pudding and pie over those cold months. Again another excuse.. my clothes don't fit, I NEED new ones (yes we always NEED them, don't we!!). I think I am going to surprise myself this year and pull out some old favourites or even those little dresses they were a great buy at the time but since then have had nice time stuffed in the back of the wardrobe.

Day 12 - Shopping..yay

Today I went shopping.... but before you run off and think I have failed. Sorry not likely. Today I went shopping... for my husband. See it wasn't so bad after all. It's my husbands birthday so the little guy and I took for the shops. And yes it is hard to resist when Myer is having a sale and so is half the other retailers at my local shopping centre. However on the other side I was able to purchase my husband some much needed attire.

He is one of those people that doesn't think buying new clothes are necessary until they are falling apart and has multiple torn marks (and that's just his underwear.... another story some other time). He thinks that wearing the same t shirt and jeans that no one will notice (sorry I mean the same selection of a 5 day wardrobe). The fabulous Gok - from Gok's Fashion Fix (on Lifestyle You) talks about having a capsule wardrobe consisting of 24 pieces. Seriously my husband possibly does this in 10 (shoes included). And without sounding as though I am the one shopping and taking up all the spare room in the closet. Actually, he takes up just as much room. There are more t-shirts than he knows what to do with. But like more of us he only wears 20% of his wardrobe... more likely 5%.

Men are just as bad as women, however at least we admit to it. And at least I clean mine out every now and then. He has drawers full of clothing that would never see the light of day in a million years. That wardrobe space could really come in handy...for me!!

Today was a little revisit from the winter collection of tights and tunics. Sorry not picture but it was a basic black tight with a simple cotton tunic and a pair of flat knee high suede boots. These boots were a god send during the winter months while being pregnant. They were flat, comfortable and stylish while giving me some much needed rest from the 5inch heels. They were the best investment and hope that will be for a few more seasons to come. The combination today was the perfect shopping outfit, especially since I had my little boy in a sling so it was easy to get around while being comfortable.