20/30 The Home Stretch

We are in the home stretch of the 30-for-30 challenge. I must say that I'm kind of ready for it to be over. While I have really enjoyed mixing and matching such a small cross-section of my wardrobe, I'm ready to wear the rest of my clothes. It's nice to know that I could survive on just 30 items if I needed to, and I have really learned how to truly mix up some of my more classic pieces, but I really miss some of my other stuff.

No make up yet for this picture. I really need to start taking my picture after I put on my make up! It is COLD here. 27 degrees today, cold. I really wanted to wear my recently added booties, but it was just too cold for that. So I'm wearing my cozy and warm black studded boots, black maxi dress, lace cardi and topped it off with my long self-made necklace.

This kept me nice and warm all day, although, these boots lose their luster when hidden under a long dress. A healed boot would be much better.

Hey all you 30-for-30 remixers, how are you feeling about the challenge so far? Are you ready to get into the rest of your closet or has the challenge inspired you to clean out?

19/30 Different Shoes

Today, I'm debuting a new pair of 30-for-30 shoes. They aren't exactly new shoes, but my gold flats have been chewed by a cat, so I decided I could pick out a replacement pair.

I went with these fun five-buckle booties that I got shortly before the 30-for-30 started. I figured they are perfect because they haven't been featured on the blog before and since I got them shortly before the challenge, they have hardly been worn. I really like them, but I think I like them better under a pair of skinny jeans. I wore them like that right after I got them. I think that will have to be my next 30-for-30 use for them.

For the rest, I went with my new go-to LBD, purple cascading cardi, grey tights and topped it all off with a my purple paisley scarf for added warmth. It's getting cold here.

Karma for My Cheating Ways

Got my package from 6pm.com with my Tsubos. Unfortunately, they are both going back. Per the customer reviews I ordered both pair in my usual size 7.5. One pair was too big and one pair was too small. How is that even possible when they are the same brand? What was even more disappointing is that you can't do an even exchange on 6pm.com, even if they have the item that you need. You have to return your item, get a credit, and repurchase if you want it. I'm not going to because the shoes are no longer on sale, so for instance, to get the green booties in an 8 will cost me an additional $35, not to mention paying to ship the return and then paying for shipping again.

I apologize for the rant, but online shopping is just completely ruined when a site has a poor return policy.

On a brighter note, I have several 30-for-30 outfits to post, they are all patiently waiting on my camera. I also decided to make my own rule, my gold flats are no more. They fell victim to a chewing-prone cat. So I've made the decision to replace them with a different pair of shoes.

To bring some color to this boring-ass post, here is a crappy cell phone picture of our tiny tree and two little holiday cats. The one to the right is the chewer!

18/30

I should have taken my pictures outside today to show you the snow we got this morning.



Yes, my hair is still wet in these pictures.

Red sweater, last seen here, with pretty much the same outfit. Just a different dress.

Black tank dress that has become my new favorite item, last seen here.

Grey tights, I've worn these a few times now, and I really do love them. I'm going to get another pair at Target tomorrow. A purple of some sort, I think. Black studded boots and a crystal bauble necklace.

Just throwing in this picture because I thought it was funny that they auto take caught me adjusting my glasses.

17/30

I can't remember if I've worn these shoes in the 30-for-30 challenge yet. So this might be a not-yet-seen item again. I've been doing very well working new items into the challenge.


Pardon the less-than-great hair and lack of make-up. It was raining and I wasn't interested in redoing it all day.


I'm using my brown blazer again. The blazer was last seen all the way back on day 4! I think I need to work my blazers into my wardrobe more often. I'm not sure why I don't. I think it's because I'm not in a formal office anymore so I just don't think about wearing them. It's really too bad, because it looks great with this totally casual look. I look structured and nipped in at the waste. Note to self, wear your blazers more!


This time much more casual with a studded tank and skinny jeans. I went with the gold flats because I had a lot of walking ahead of me today. I was going to do the ruffled booties, but I knew--although they are very comfy--the all-day walking would do me in.


Do you have items in your closet that you know always look great, but for some reason they get ignored?

P.S. Be sure to enter to win a $250 Best Buy gift card from ...Love Maegan.

Cheater

I must confess, I totally cheated on the 30-for-30 challenge. No, I didn't wear something outside of my 30 items, I shopped! Yes, I did it. I totally bought two pair of shoes today. But I couldn't help it, 6pm.com has Tsubo Shoes for up to 70% off. What's a girl to do? I mean, really, could I sound like more of an addict?

I got the green booties and the nude pumps. I'm most excited for the booties and I really did need a pair of nude pumps (again, total addict rationale). The boots that are in this set are an item I'm still lusting after. I want them SO bad, but they are not as deeply discounted as the two I already purchased. The booties and the pumps were both the full 70% off, but the boots are only 40% off and still slightly over the $100 mark. Oh, what's a girl to do?

Tsubo by Sara 2579

*Note, when you mouse over these items they are not all giving the 6pm.com prices so Polyvore is showing them as much more expensive that what I paid today.

16/30

I incorporated another not-yet-seen 30-for-30 item. The lace, ruffled tank. I thought I had worn this already in the challenge, but I think I must have worn it before the challenge started.

I added my purple cascading cardi, studded skinny jeans and brown boots. I was going to go with black boots, but I decided that was too predictable. Plus my hubs commented the other day that I wear my black boots too often--whoops! I know it's bad when he notices something about my wardrobe.

The only accessory that I had time to add was this cute little bobby pin for my hair. It's a fabric covered button glued to a silver bobby pin. The fabric is pink and white and kind of flowery.

15/30--A Re-Mix Fail, Saved

I'm trying to have a bit more fun with my pictures. I hope it reads well today and not lame:)


Day 15: Half Way!

While getting dressed this morning, I knew it was supposed to be warm-ish and windy, so the hair went back and I wanted to be comfortable. I nearly committed a re-mixing fail by wearing an outfit that consisted of challenge items, but not re-mixed at all. At the last second, I decided to swap my leggings for skinny jeans and my boots for pumps. I left on my black socks. I think it worked just fine. I added my hot pink scarf and bundled it up tight around my neck to cover that bit of exposed chest. Right before I was about to leave I noticed how sunny it was outside so I grabbed my shades to complete the outfit.


These jeans have little silver studs that go all the way down each leg. I thought they might be a bit too much with this sweater, but I think I was wrong. I'm surrounded by people that are not very creative with their clothes and they don't take chances or mix patterns/colors/embellishments, so sometimes I worry that I'm a little over-the-top. I need to get over that and not worry about what other people might think of my outfit. I think I succeeded with that when I wore my green tights the other day.


Do you ever do that? Worry about other peoples style modifiers defining you and what you wear? How do you get over it?

Day 14 Going Green Again

I went for it again with my new green tights. Last seen here. I think I like the outcome. Again, it is unseasonably warm here in Michigan, 65 degrees the day I wore this. I took my coat with me, but didn't really need it.


Day 14: Almost halfway.


Blue empire waist dress, last seen here. I think I did a better job with it today. Still very simple, but the pop of the green tights adds so much and I think the dress works better with the brown boots over the black boots.


For a final touch I added my brown scarf and I pinned it all in place with a little hat pin that I have that belonged to my grandma. It's a little star with a tiny blue stone in the center.

Day 12 on the weekend

Ooops! Day 13 got published before Day 12. Sorry about that. Sometimes I schedule my posts to show up the next day and I accidently published day 13, instead of scheduling it.

I'm showing a weekend outfit for the first time! Oh, that's not true because I showed an outfit that featured my Bears gear. Okay, well my second weekend outfit, then. We had a little event to go to for my husband's work, so I got to dress up a tad. A lot of not-yet-seen items in today's post! Woo hoo!

Day 12:




This is my long black maxi dress. It's a fabulous tank dress that I got at Faith 21. I love how it can be dressed up or down. It's great with tall boots or pumps. I went with my burgundy pumps here.

For accessories, I added a crystal bauble necklace and my lightly woven shawl/scarf that I got in Egypt. It has tons of colors woven through it.

Because of all of the colors in the shawl, I decided to really go for it here and I wore my green target tights. I love how they worked out and how I could give a little peek-a-boo through the slit if I felt like it.

I'm not sure that everyone at the party felt the same way about my pop of green tights--I received some "Oh, interesting idea."--comments, but I loved how they looked, so that's all that really matters.

13/30 My New Wardrobe Workhorse

I think it's clear that I have discovered my newest wardrobe workhorse through this challenge.

Day 13:


I am yet again sporting my basic black tank dress. This is the fourth time I've worn it already! It's so basic that it is just the perfect template for creating just about any type of outfit. It's also so basic, that people don't seem to realize that it's the same dress.

Today I paired it with my grey leggings, purple point cardi and my berry slouch boots.

For accessories, I went with my pink-ish ribbon scarf that I have had for ages. It always garners compliments. After looking in the mirror, I felt it needed one final touch, so I grabbed my purple geode necklace.

Do you ever do that with an outfit, where you look at it and you just feel like it needs one more touch?

10/30 & 11/30

Whoa, I really dropped off the face of the blogging Earth this week. Very busy. Sorry about that.

Without further delay, here is 10/30 and 11/30:

Day 10:

I had to leave the cat in the shot because I love the way he is looking at the camera like "What the hell is going on here."

This is my blue empire waist dress, red cardi and black studded boots. I think the only repeat item here are the boots! Yay me!

The only other thing I added are these flat grey tights. They are from Target. They have these little $5 rolled up tights in all sorts of colors now. At my Target they are in the sock/tight section. They go from XS to 2XL. I bought two pair, the flat grey and a green. I love them so far. Very comfortable and they don't make that awful whooshing sound if my legs rub together.

I wore the grey back-to-back days and I think I like them with my Day 11 outfit better.

Day11:

Here I'm wearing my basic black tank dress, which you have seen here and here. It's been super warm here lately, so I paired it again with my lace cardi. I knew I could get away without a coat and this would provide just enough warmth. I added the flat grey tights again, my burgundy patent pumps and these fab enameled earrings.

Let's Talk About Bags

I am in the market for a new bag. I've picked out several. Let me know what you think.

Handbags by Sara 2579 featuring a chain shoulder bag

Chain Leatherette Handbag
$36 - canada.forever21.com
Chain shoulder bag »

Designer Inspired Studded Grey Satchel
$69 - mimiboutique.com

Designer Inspired Mustard Yellow Satchel
$57 - mimiboutique.com

I really love all three of these bags. I think I have a tough decision ahead of me. I seem to really be into the chains and studding this season.

9/30

Yesterday I talked about how I wished I had worn my grey leggings with my black tank dress. So today, I fulfilled that wish by pairing my grey leggings with a different black dress.

9/30:

If you remember, I mentioned a while back that I needed to swap my turquoise vest for something different. I decided to swap it for this black kimono dress. Previously seen here. It's a good mixing piece because it's so neutral.

My mix today was a bit lazy. I wanted to be comfortable. Black kimono dress, grey leggings and berry slouch boots. I added my grey and purple scarf necklace for a bit of pizazz.

9 days in and I'm already finding myself longing to wear items from the rest of my closet. Especially my shoes. Maybe that's why I decided to pick my item to swap for the vest today. I wanted something different.

What day is it? 8/30, Yeah, that Sounds Right.

Posting my outfit this often is starting to make my brain feel mushy. I like to post my outfit a couple of times a week and then that leaves me the rest of the week for other posts and for wearing the same thing twice and being lazy. I know, lame, right? I do like this challege because it is forcing me to really think about how I mix my pieces. I do get it ruts sometimes where I wear the same several items, the same way every time. So there's that positive.

8/30:


Today is the first time I've remixed a main item from my 30 items. I've remixed shoes and pants, but today I'm re-mixing the same dress from Day 2. I paired it with black leggings, purple cardi and tall black boots. I wanted to wear my diamond patterned tights, but I couldn't find them this morning. Looking at the outfit, I kind of wish I had gone with my grey leggings. Too much black, I think. I added my pebbles necklace for the finishing touch. I was going to add more jewelry, but I was running behind.

Busy day today. Sorry for the short post.

Double Duty, 6/30 and 7/30

I decided to skip Saturday because I didn't go anywhere all day. So here is Sunday and Monday.

6/30:

Football Sunday. My trusty Urlacher jersey, black skinny jeans and brown lace up boots. I accessorized with my Bears beanie (It was cold here!) and an orange AE boyfriend tank for under the jersey. I hope that's not cheating. I forgot to pick a layering tank for under my jersey and it would not be socially acceptable for me to go out with nothing under it!

7/30:

Today I spent the morning running errands, I even picked up a few holiday gifts! Bonus. I needed something warm, cozy and comfortable for a lot of walking.

I went with my taupe layering tank (the one with the pink stripes on the shoulders), my pink crocheted sweater, black skinnies (yesI wore them two days in a row, scandelous!) and my brown lace up boots. I accessorized with my brown pashmina scarf.

I got this sweater ages ago at Steinmart. It was a total steal. It's one of those items that can't be put in the drier though and my husband put it in there one day. I had to really work on it to get it stretched back out. Ever since it's been a little shorter than it was, but I think with a long tank, it still works. Thoughts?

I also noticed that I mixed black and brown two days in a row. My younger sister things this is a fashion no-no, but I disagree. I think black and brown mix just fine. How do you feel about that?

5/30

Have to do a polyvore today. Yesterday was crazy busy and there just wasn't time to take pictures.

I needed a super easy outfit to get me through day 5 of 30:

5/30 by Sara 2579

My striped long sweater, sparkle tank, grey leggings (not pictured) and studded boots. No accessories. I had an important doctor's appointment in the morning that required something ultra comfortable to get me through. The appointment went really well! Hopefully some day I'll be ready to share, but not yet. Then after my husband and I blew off the rest of the day and we had Terrific Lady Day*, we drove about an hour and a half from where we live and visited a micro brewery that we love, walked along the river, blew some cash at a casino and then visited friends that live about an hour away. It was a great Terrific Lady Day. Actually, I think I have a phone picture of us at the river. Can't see much of my outfit, but something is better than nothing.

What are you doing for the weekend days? I'm not sure I should count today. We don't have any plans right now, so I might not even leave my house. I'd hate to whip up an outfit just for a post.

*If you don't watch The League on FX, you really should. It's very funny.

3/30 and 4/30

So I got busy yesterday and a post just never happened. I took the pictures, though, thank goodness!

I present to you, day 3/30:

This is not an adventurous outfit for me. I wear this combo often. The only adjustments I really make with it is swapping out black leggings for brown and brown boots for black. That's about as crazy as I get with this piece. The tunic is from Mark. I really like it, the material is great, very light. The fit is a bit off though. It's a tad big in the bust and a tad small at the hips. Not

so much that I can't wear it, but enough that I notice. It has a zipper all the way down the front. I love the look of the zipper, but I wish it was double ended so that I could notch it up a bit at the bottom when I sit. As is, I get the zipper bubble, which is annoying.

I accessorized with my dark brown poncho, which doubled as my coat for the day and some dangly earrings. I was lazy and pulled up my hair and skipped my contact lenses. I love my poncho. It's great for a cold office and for wearing as a coat when it's not super cold. My husband makes fun of it and calls it my blanket. But believe me, there have been times when we have been out somewhere and it was chilly and he became jealous of my blanket.

Moving on to day 4/30:

I am beyond in love with my outfit today and I think it shows on my face in the pictures. I definitely rolled with the spirit of 30 for 30 mixing today, because I never would have mixed this outfit this way before. Ignore the hair and glasses, I employed the L-Factor again today. That's my hubby's term for laziness.

I wanted to be a bit dressed up, yet keep my edge (I'm so lame that I think leggings under my dress is edge). I love this printed dress with this brown jacket. I think it's very slimming for some reason. I added the black leggings because I didn't feel like doing tights and my ruffled brown booties. I love these shoes because they are somewhat chameleon-like in that depending on what you pair them with they can look grey or brown.

I accessorized with my Alex and Ani bangles and some fun earrings.

How do you accessorize with heavily patterned pieces?

I employed major pattern on my primary items both yesterday and today and I feel like I got a little timid with the accessories. I had a brown scarf with me today in case I got chilly, but I didn't need it.

Day 2 -- Monochromatic

Today, I was apparently in a monochromatic mood. I'm not really sure how it happened, it just did. I easily could have swapped my necklace for something else and same for the boots, but I really just kind of liked it the way it was. I hope you do too. I had a meeting today, so I needed to get a little more dressed up than usual.

The sweater is from Target. Boots from JC Penny. Necklace from NY&Co a long time ago. Hair clip is something I've had since I was about 10 years old.

The dress is the key mixing piece here, I think. It's from Fashion Bug. I got this dress for a whopping $4 about a month ago. I added it to the challenge because it's so very simple. I figured it would be a good piece for mixing in a multitude of ways. So far, so good. It's just an easy tank dress with a slightly sinched waist.






I also went on a quest to find a better photo location. My spare bedroom was always perfect, but lately the camera can't figure out if it needs the flash or not and it's driving me batty. I'm thinking maybe the lighting is being affected by the time change. I guess that's a possibility. So I tried my office. Pretty good. Lighting is better, but I think the color of the walls is a bit too much flair for a decent picture. It takes away from the clothes in my opinion.














I decided to try one more place before putting the camera way. I tried the upstairs hallway. I actually like this lighting the best here. The wall is a tad more neutral, so I think that helps a lot. But I can't seem to get a good angle to get my whole body. Grrr.

Maybe I should try out on my back deck for some out doors photos. Nice thought now that it's in the 50's here in Michigan, huh!









I also grabbed a tight shot of my necklace and my hair clip today. No particular reason. I just like them both. The necklace looks a bit more red in this picture than it does in person. It's much more of a wine color.

1 for 30

Okay, I'm ready. Got my camera working! So today I'll post my first 30 for 30 outfit and the pictures of my items. I'll apologize in advance that I'm still having a lighting issue with my camera. It seems that it doesn't know when it needs the flash. So some pics are super bright and then others are a little dark. Something is better than nothing though right? Uggg.

Day 1 for 30:
Purple cascading cardi, black leggings, black sparkle tank and tall black studded boots. I added the necklace for a pop. I need to get a tighter shot of this necklace because it's fabulous.

I hope I'm happy with my 30 items. And I hope that they mix well. I'm a little concerned that I selected too many shoes. I'm also concerned that I didn't choose enough casual items. We'll see how it goes!

30 for 30 Items:

Shoes/Boots: Six Pair. This was the hardest category for me. I have quite the shoe collection.

Three Cascading Cardis: Two long sleeve and one vest. I realized I made a mistake here. I need a long sleeved t-shirt for under the vest and I didn't select any. I think I'm going to swap this for a sweater dress. I hope that's not cheating.

Four More Cardis.

Four Layering Tanks.

Three Misc. One tunic, two blazers.

Two sports shirts. I nearly forgot to include my Bears and Red Wings garb! That would have been a problem.

Four bottoms. Two leggings and two jeans.

Below: Four Dresses.

Ugg, Camera!

I'm still having camera problems! I finally got it worked out this evening though. Unfortunately, I'm just too tired to take photos of my 30 for 30 outfits. I will post them first thing Monday, promise! Not a good start. Sorry.