365 + 10

Lesson # 10:

This is gonna sound like a cliche, but I can actually do lots when I really commit to it.

I set a goal for myself. It was a crazy goal and I felt like quitting a few times, but I just pushed through and did it. This was a life changing experience and I'm glad I did it. I'm proud of myself - there, I said it.

Day 375 - Outfit 375

Sweater, jeans, sneakers and a long necklace.

365 + 9

Lesson # 9:

Fashion is fantastic.

I find fashion and clothing just absolutely fantastic and I love dressing up and creating new looks. I know there are people out there who thinks it is a waste of time and money but I think that fashion and the creating of something new is absolutely art. Designers are artists. They think something up, sketch it and then create it into something fabulous. Okay, I will be the first to admit that not all creations are necessarily beautiful, but I do respect all designers for trying to create something new, forward-thinking and revolutionary.

I love fashion!

Day 374 - Outfit 374

Cashmere sweater, H&M dress, ballet flats and House of Harlow earrings

365 + 8

Lesson # 8:

I love dresses!

Not only are dresses pretty and feminine, but they are also such an easy way to dress. You just throw it on with cute shoes and some accessories, and you are good to go. I have always loved wearing dresses, so I own loads, but during this challenge I started wearing my dresses in new ways. For instance, I started wearing more dresses in Winter by adding a cute sweater and some boots. There is no reason to go a season without wearing dresses, even if you live in a cold place like Colorado. Yay for dresses!

Day 373 - Outfit 373

Vera Wang sweater, Yumi Kim dress, boots and Swarovski necklace

365 + 7

Lesson # 7:

If you are forced to create more outfits with what you have, you will be surprised how many cool looks can come out of it.

Most outfits that I created were done because I had them in mind, but occasionally, I would be able to create the coolest new look with things that I've had for years, and that is the thing that made me really happy about doing this challenge. It forced me to be really creative and I loved it.

Day 372 - Outfit 372

Tuxedo jacket, black top, lace skirt, boots and VSA necklace

365 + 6

Lesson # 6:

Not every outfit is going to be fabulous.

I have learnt this year that if I force myself to create new looks with what I have, and I don't fit into all my clothes, I might make a fashion faux-pas here or there. When I look back on my outfits (and I'm not counting my "chillin' at home" looks), there are a few that just didn't work.

Day 371 - Outfit 371

Grey sweater, python print top, black slacks and ballet flats

365 + 5

Lesson # 5:

You can add some amazing items to your closet on $200 per month (or less).

This year, I enforced a strict budget of $200 per month and I am happy to say that I basically stuck to it. Yay! This budget forced me to look at what I was buying and it encouraged me to become a better bargain hunter. I thought I was a bargain hunter before, but I think I may have been promoted to a real bargainista.

Day 370 - Outfit 370

Tommy Hilfiger nautical striped top, boyfriend jeans and brown boots 

365 + 4

Lesson #4:

I love matching high end items with bargains. Not only does it make your outfit look cooler, but it also gives it a more layered look. Plus you can afford more on trend looks.

Day 369 - Outfit 369

Grey hinge sweater, skinny's and Uggs 

365 + 3

Lesson # 3:

Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize.

I've said it and I'll say it again: Accessories can take your look from drab to fab. From normal to extraordinary. From unfinished to complete.

Day 368 - Outfit 368

Tweed jacket, chiffon pussy-bow tie top, black pants and ballet flats 

365 + 2

Lesson # 2:

The first step is admittance. Okay, I admit it, I am a clothes hoarder. There...I said it.

Day 367 - Outfit 367

Sweater, BCBG top, black skinny's, ballet flats, bangle and bauble necklace

365 + 1

During the year that I have done the "shop-my-closet-365" challenge, I have learnt many things. I will post one thing every day on the 10 extra posts that I'm doing, just in case I accidentally repeated an outfit unknowingly.

I have learnt that:

1. It is possible to wear a different outfit every day for a year and still have clothes in my closet that I was not able to wear (because they were perhaps a bit too small) and have no intention of getting rid of.

Day 366 - Outfit 366

Sweater, Yumi Kim top, skinny's and gold flats

Day 365 - Wooohooooo!

Oh. My. Word!!! It feels surreal. It feels weird. It feels crazy. I am ecstatic!

I started this "Shop-my-closet-365" challenge 365 days ago and today is my last day. I have done it. I set a goal for myself and I achieved it. I feel proud, grateful, happy, and even a little sad. This has been an incredible year. I have learned to force myself to wear more of my clothes instead of always grabbing one of my go-to pieces and I have succeeded. I have set a budget for myself and for the most part I managed to stick to it. All-in-all, I would say that the challenge was a big success.

The question now is...is this it? Am I going cold turkey? I posted about it a few weeks ago and decided that I will continue for at least 10 days, just in case I doubled up on an outfit by accident. After that, I might post something weekly. Perhaps a photo of a new outfit or a favourite oldie or something that now fits that didn't when I was doing the challenge or a trend report or maybe, something I saw and loved. 

I will for the next 10 days, try to post something that I have learnt while doing this experiment.

Thank you to everyone who followed this crazy challenge. Your support meant a great deal and gave me that extra push that I needed to succeed in the challenge. You rock!

Day 365 - Outfit 365

Black sweater, dress, black boots and VSA necklace

Jason Wu at Target - 2 & 1

Target has done it again. They have teamed up with fashion designer, Jason Wu to create a fabulous collection.

Unfortunately, I was too late and by the time that I went on the website, most items were already sold out. Bummer.

Below, are a few pics of this great collection:

What a great collection - I love most pieces. Jason Wu is fab! No wonder the first lady wears his outfits.

Day 363 - Outfit 363

Caslon sweater, skinny's and Ed Hardy sneakers

Day 364 - Outfit 364

Caslon sweater, silver top, black pants, ballet flats, silver necklace and baccarat ring

Goodwill exchange and swap - 3

On February 8th, something great is happening in Denver. It is the Goodwill Exchange Swap and show where you can go see the fashion show and then you swap 10 or more of your items of clothes for items at the event.

The fashion show will be by students of the Goodwill youth programs and an original Mondo Guerra (my favourite Project Runway designer, ever) design will be auctioned. off.

It promises to be a great evening. For more details, click on the link below:

http://www.goodwilldenver.org/exchange

Day 362 - Outfit 362

Cashmere sweater, silk top, black pants, ballet flats

New sweaters - 5 & 4

This week I bought a few sweaters at Nordstrom. I always thought that you had to spend a lot of money to shop at Nordstrom, but I must say, when they have a sale, its good. I spent less than $80 on all three sweaters below, which is pretty good, considering, that was the original price of at least one of them.



Caslon sweater




Caslon



Trouve

 Day 360 - Outfit 360



Black sweater, blue dress, leggings and black boots

Day 361 - Outfit 361

Brown Michael Kors leather jacket, blue scarf, white shirt, skinny's, brown boots

Trend report: Tribal - 6

This coming Spring, the tribal print/look is going to be huge. Below are a few examples of this trend.

Michael Kors




Burberry




Burberry




Donna Karan




Indikka




Jimmy Choo



Jean Paul Gaultier



Pamela Love




Donna Karan



Day 359 - Outfit 359

Black Vera Wang sweater, white shirt, skinny's, Kenneth Cole shoes and VSA necklace