Sunday, September 4, 2011

21 Day Challenge, Day 21: Work It

Today is the last day of the Challenge! Wow, I can't believe I made it through the whole thing and participated every day. It was a great experience to think of my clothes as an outlet for creativity, and to stretch myself by trying new things with my clothing. I think it helped me get a better feel for my own style, and I hope to carry some of what I learned with me. Also it was great to take on a project that required some blogging discipline and actually complete it. I'm pretty excited about that, and another thing I hope to do is carry that blogging energy forward to new topics (the bedroom DIY projects will get talked about, for sure). Also, it was really fun to see all the outfits of the other ladies, check out their interpretations of the prompts, and get some some feedback about my efforts. I will add a few new blogs to my reader. As positive as the experience has been, I'm kind of glad it's over. I'll be glad to have a little more free time to work on other things. Blogging every single day is a little too much for me.  We'll see what kind of pattern I'll fall into with it now.  

Day 21: Look 1

The final prompt was to put together a great outfit showcasing what we've learned. This dress has been hanging in my closet for a year, and I've never worn it before. After I got it, I washed it, as you do. But then it needed ironing, and it's linen. And the skirt is super full with a ton of those panels. So I knew it was going to take for-ev-er to iron. And it did. An hour. It took a whole hour. I listened to an entire disk of Neil Diamond's greatest hits while ironing this dress. But I'm glad I did it. Closet orphan, no more. I love the dress, and I think in the future I might have it dry-cleaned. :) But it definitely illustrated one of the main things I learned from this challenge. Looking put together and styled requires a lot of ironing! I think I ironed at least one thing for 21 out of 22 outfits. That is a crazy high percentage for me, since my most common method of choosing outfits is to go for whatever doesn't need ironed. This outfit also showcases my new-found love for belts, layering, and statement jewelry. Right now I can only make the one statement, but that is something I plan to work on. 

Day 21: Look 2
And I said 22 outfits because after church today we headed to the toe of the state to spend some time with my family over Labor Day weekend. My husband had to be here for the annual family fantasy football draft, and I tagged along to hang out with my grandmother, aunts and cousins. I changed into something a little more comfortable and appropriate for that part of our agenda. I'm sharing this outfit too, because another thing I learned was to take as much trouble with your casual, hanging out with family or Saturday running errands outfits as you do with your go to church or go to work looks. Although I admit, my outfit for tomorrow involved far less thought. I even forgot to pack shoes for it. Hopefully I'll do a little better at applying what I've learned in the future. It was a really fun ride. Thanks to Kayla for hosting this virtual shindig. Thanks to everyone who has put in a kind word and indulged me in this exercise, and thanks to my husband for taking my picture every day without complaint or mockery.

Church--Dress:Calvin Klein, TJ Maxx; Sweater: DKNY, thrifted; Shoes: Target, Necklace: made by me, beads from Michael's

Casual--Shirt: Clio, hand me down; Sweater: see above; Shorts:Target; Shoes: Liz Claiborne, thrifted; headband: belt from dress

13 comments:

  1. I think this might be one of my favorite outfits of yours! It has been SO much fun to see your style evolve. Can't wait to hear about those DIYs!

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  2. Ok that first outfit is for SURE my favorite of yours so far! You look amazing. That dress is perfect on you and I love the pops of red. Well done all around! Bonus point for sure.

    Kayla
    Freckles in April

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  3. I love, love, love what you did with the dress. Fabulous.

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  4. I love that dress! Definitely my favorite!

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  5. What a lovely outfit. Hooray!

    Also, hooray for Indiana! Love it here. :)

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  6. Both of those outfits are sweet...I really like the dress, too! And your headband!!!

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  7. Both are great! I've learned a lot, too, but am exhausted. I think I'll wear sweats for the next 21 days! I like your observation about taking care with casual.

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  8. Love both of those outfits!! They are so cute!

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  9. Sorry for the late reply! This is def. my favorite outfit. I love it! You can give me the dress as soon as you get tired of ironing it, haha.

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  10. Sorry for the late reply! This is def. my favorite outfit. I love it! You can give me the dress as soon as you get tired of ironing it, haha.

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  11. I really like both of the outfits you put together here, and I too agree with your comment about putting as much thought into casual outfits as you do dressy ones. I must try to do that better. I'm so glad I found your blog. :-)

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  12. You have learned a lot, and thank you for taking us along on the ride!
    Cute!

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Thanks for sharing your thoughts--I love hearing from you!