Capsule Wardrobe Shopping

Back in August I wrote this capsule wardrobe update post where I talked about how I'm trying to limit what I buy. I haven't given myself a set number of items but instead am focused on making sure I have my basics and that I love everything I own (which means replacing some things I have).  So far I have been sticking to that quite well!

I definitely find it a lot easier to get rid of stuff now. I used to really hang onto things especially clothes but right before we moved I donated a TON.  I went through my wardrobe again last week and have even more to give away.  No emotional attachment.

My list of basics looks something like this:
Jeans: white, distressed, high waist, dark, black, light wash
Pants: black leggings, leather look leggings, jogger
Blouses: white, black, bright color, plaid, chambray, peasant
Shorts: white, black, distressed, high waist, pattern, lace/crochet
T-shirts: black, white, oversized, stripes, tunic, olive, bright, graphic
Tops: long sleeve, striped long sleeve, black tank, grey tank, white blouse, graphic tank, muscle tank, striped tank
Dresses: sweater, shirt, bodycon, maxi
Skirts: black pencil, striped pencil, midi, skater, maxi
Sweaters: oversized cardigan light + dark, black cardigan, tunic, red, fishermans, bright pullover, grey vneck
Outerwear: puffer vest, trench coat, anorak, peacoat, down (alternative) coat, denim jacket, black blazer, colored blazer
Shoes: brown riding boots, black tall boots, rainbows, black ankle boots, brown ankle boots, white sneakers, black runners, black flats, leopard flats, bright flats, black pumps, printed pumps, black sandals, brown sandals, heeled sandal, bright sandal, espadrilles

Do I own more than that? For sure. That's just a general guidelines of my "must haves".

Currently, for Winter, I'm looking to get a down alternative coat, Winter boots, a trench coat (well, that could wait until Spring), a black skirt and new white jeans.  When the warm weather arrives, I'll re-asses. I'm sure a lot of what fit me last Summer won't fit anymore since I was almost 20lbs heavier then.

1. AE leggings in white 
2. Native Shoes Jimmy Winter boots
3. Just Fab Long Trench in taupe
4. Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket (not exactly in my price range ha!)
5. Mod Cloth En Pointe Accompanist Skirt in Black

Recent Outfits

All about cozy layers these days.  Short post because I'm still really forgetful when it comes to getting outfit pictures since having a baby (7 months ago)!  I suppose I can add it to my "2016 goals" list... haha

Victoria's Secret sweater (similar) & jeans (similar)

Forever 21 scarf (similar), Target jeans + jacket (similar), Old Navy boots (similar), Madewell t-shirt (similar)

Target sweater (similar), AE jeans, Old Navy boots (similar)

Beckett: Target sweater, Covered Goods nursing cover, Old Navy socks

Old Navy cardigan (similar), Target leggings

AE jeggings, Target sweater cape + sweater

October Outfits

I've been trying to remember to snap more outfit pictures lately! Just have to get back into the habit. I'm loving having my full wardrobe back after living out of a small suitcase for a month.

Sweater cape Target, skinny leggings American Eagle, ankle boots Old Navy

Blazer Walmart (I think), boots Target, jeans Victoria's Secret, blouse Old Navy

Beckett's cardigan thrifted, jeans Gap, top gift

Cardigan Suzy Shier, pants Old Navy, shoes Payless Shoe Source, top Victoria's Secret

Shirt Target, jeans American Eagle, shoes Target

Beckett's socks Target

I think my whole outfit is Target haha

Top (currently under $4!!) + vest + booties Old Navy, jeans Victoria's Secret

Beckett's outfit Old Navy

Hat Forever 21, vest + sweater Old Navy

Beckett's hat Old Navy

shoes Old Navy, jeans Victoria's Secret, shirt + vest Old Navy

Beckett's top Target

Capsule Wardrobe Update

So... capsule wardrobes. Remember when I was pregnant and thought "hey, I'm gonna try a capsule wardrobe!" hahah I don't know what I was thinking! A maternity capsule wardrobe is totally possible but to try and do it in the middle of your first pregnancy... a bit ambitious.  That said, while I did not stick to it, I did learn a fair bit. I think being forced to only wear a small portion of my wardrobe really made me realize that I had way too many clothes. It made getting rid of stuff a lot easier. I thought I would be SO excited when I could fit back into my clothes and have more options but you know what I found? I wasn't excited about everything I owned. There was stuff I didn't really care to wear! That's what really made me realize I needed to scale back, give more thought to my purchases and figure out what I really loved.

I still love the idea of a capsule wardrobe and may give it another go but right now I'm focused on just pairing down. I move soon so that's extra motivation to get rid of things! My goal is simply to have less but wear more. I want my clothes to work together better, make me feel confident and still be practical to my lifestyle. I really love how Unfancy sums up a capsule wardrobe...

a mini-wardrobe made up of really versatile pieces that you totally LOVE to wear.

Here are some realizations I have come to...

- If you know what you love, don't be afraid to stick with it! I think my love of fashion makes me want to try all sorts of trends but if I really think about it, I know what I always love and I should stick to that a bit more. I used to think it was wrong to own more than one striped shirt and I'd try to buy items that were unlike anything else I owned... only to find myself reaching for that same striped shirt again and again. I now own a few more striped shirts and they ALL get worn.
- Don't be afraid to define your style. I was always afraid of this! As if defining it would put me in this box that I couldn't get out of. Not true. Defining your style just means embracing it and honestly it makes it a lot easier to shop. When you know your style, it's easier to know what you will still love a year from now. My style does tend to lean classic. That doesn't mean that everything I wear fits into that category, just means it's what I gravitate to most.
- Think before you shop. I'm definitely guilty of buying stuff on a whim. Sure, once I've tried it on and liked it I'll think about what items in my wardrobe will work with it...  but I think a better idea is to think about what you want to buy BEFORE you shop. Think about it while you're at home, looking at your wardrobe.  Then think about it while in the store BEFORE you try things on.  Once you try something on and are like hey girl, you look awesome, it's a lot harder to put that item back if you know you don't really "need" it. Right?
- Be practical but also fabulous. What I mean by that is buy items that you know work for your life but that also make you feel really great!  Don't just choose one and not the other.  The fact that I'm breastfeeding and hope to for a long time has made me re-think what I buy. Tops and dresses have to be nursing friendly! But that doesn't mean I'm settling. I still want to feel confident and beautiful in my clothes and you should too!

More on this soon. I plan on making some inspiration boards, writing down my "must have" items, organizing what I do have etc.

Outfit Catch Up

I know I haven't been posting outfits lately but it's not because I'm not wearing them! haha I just haven't gotten around to getting a new battery charger for my camera, oops. I do take the odd iPhone shot these days though so I figured I could post those for now.  I'm not the new mom living in sweatpants, just not my style, but you will see a lot of repeated items here because for a while I only fit into so many things...  as of last week I realized I fit into way more of my clothes now so yay! Variety! haha I also did a little damage at Old Navy recently... perhaps I'll do a "haul post"? 

I wouldn't say my style has changed since having a baby but it has helped me narrow it down (which was long over due).  I've gotten rid of bags and bags of clothes.  This will sound stupidly obvious but I realized that just because I LIKE something doesn't necessarily mean I will WEAR it or at least not a lot. I used to think it was better to add unique items to my closet rather than things that were similar but now I know that those unique items simply don't get as much wear. Sure the odd unique piece is nice but it's better to have mainly things that mix n match easily.  I know, duh, right?

I'll link the items that are still available for purchase!

Target shorts 

 love the hi rise, loose fit of these and that they are booty-showing short!

Old Navy pants

Comfiest. pants. ever. My only complaint is that they stretch out so maybe I should have gotten as size smaller.

Old Navy tee

Target blouse currently in stores

Solly Baby wrap

Old Navy blouse (different pattern)

Target shoes in stores

Life Lately

Sorry about the lack of posts! Third trimester is just a busy time tackling my to do list, birthing classes, midwife appointments etc Plus I'm trying to rest and get extra sleep (like everyone tells you to do haha).

My dang camera battery charger is still missing! I have been snapping some outfit pics with my iPhone though so I figured I'd do another "Life lately" post.

People still tell me I look so small but I'm 5'10! That does make it easier for me to hide "extra weight".  The belly is feeling pretty big these days anyway haha

I wear these shorts a ton now that our weather has really heated up! They're from ASOS but I don't see them on the website anymore. Shoes are Target. Shirt is Everlane.

Spirulina smoothie bowl with homemade granola

Old Navy jacket. Old Navy maternity top. Target shorts and shoes.

I dyed my hair purple! I figured it'd work okay over any red I had left. I plan on trying Artic Fox's purple soon. I also have a couple aquas to try... oh and a dark green. hehe

I attended a Solly Baby warehouse sale and snagged a wrap at a discounted price! Super excited to wear B in it. The other stuff is Target.  How tiny are newborn leggings??

Enjoying a tropical smoothie I made

Chocolate covered frozen banana!

Buckwheat pancakes with homemade soy yogurt

Steel cut oats (lots of protein and fiber!) with blackberries and lemon zest.

Jamberry love!

Eli's Farms CSA with a Groupon deal. I am going to sign back up with a CSA though! It's just more convenient than getting to the farmer's market each week.

I swear I am not always at Target... haha  Target top and sandals. Old Navy maternity skirt.

Gardein "chicken" soft tacos!

Oatmeal with another batch of homemade yogurt (I used firm tofu instead of soft so it's thicker here) and Teeccino <-- alternative="" awesome="" coffee="" p="">

Orange smoothie and pancakes!

Cauliflower lasagna. 

Mint smoothie

Outfit: Midi Skirt

These pictures are from a few weeks ago. Pretty sure that skirt won't fit now, haha. It's not maternity but it's so cute, I couldn't resist it! I love the length. 

I'm still missing my camera battery charger... ugh. Preggo brain makes it impossible to find things, I swear!  I had to buy a new laundry card this week because I couldn't for the life of me find ours.

 Target skirt

Life Lately

Target shopping during a hot spell we had recently. Top is Everlane, shorts are ASOS maternity and shoes are Target.

30 weeks!

Jamberry "Cup of Tea" 

Outfits I wore in San Francisco last weekend.  

At Fisherman's Wharf

Loving Hut. So good.

Zpizza! Yum!

So we drove to San Francisco and back last weekend which is about 8 hours each way. We stopped at Pea Soup Anderson's on our way back. I'd read on Happy Cow that their pea soup is actually vegan so I got that and it was SO good! The other food was mediocre.

Baby is about to hit a growth spurt so I'm curious how big the bump will be in a couple more weeks!

Loving cooking steel cut oats lately instead of my usual old fashioned oats.

Giant bag of red raspberry leaf tea! Great for that third trimester.

Delicious.

Obviously I've been wearing these shoes a lot lately. Target!

Lunatick Cosmetics Labs lipstick in Grave Heart Shift. See my review here!