Remember last year when I talked about creating a love list? 

No? 

That's ok, I'll refresh your memory.

Last spring I read a book called Soulful Simplicty by Courtney Carver. 

In the book Courtney says, "Make a love list including every possible thing you would like to consider in life, love, business and relationships. What would you really love to do? What would you like to see? Who will you be and who will you be with? Before you start your list, eliminate the roadblocks and dream killers. This is not a list for accountability. You won’t be crossing things off or crying over your undone tasks at the end of the year. Instead, use your list to fuel your creative pursuits and to encourage routine breaking behavior. Let your love list remind you what is most important in your life."

Well, today Charlotte and I sat down while Naomi was napping and we came up with a few things that we would love to accomplish this spring. 

10 items, 10 outfits, 10 days. 

Can you do it?

This summer I made the decision to attempt a capsule wardrobe. After years and years of having an overflowing closet but still feeling frustrated when it came time to select an outfit-- I said enough was enough. I tried out Project 333 created by Courtney Carver. In that challenge, you reduce your wardrobe to a total of 33 items that you love. You challenge yourself to only wear those items for 3 months. The goal is to simplify, appreciate what you already have and wear only what you enjoy. I enjoyed that challenge so much. Now, each time I crack open the door to my closet I no longer feel discouraged with the impression I have nothing to wear. 

So, when I came across others talking about the 10 x 10 challenge I needed to find out more. The 10 x 10 challenge created by Lee Vosburgh from Style Bee. The challenge involves picking 10 items and styling them in 10 outfits over 10 days. The first step involves selecting 10 core items from your closet, including shoes. Accessories are not included. Well, in just under thirty minutes I was able to come up with my 10 items. Thanks in part to my already slimmed down wardrobe.  

My 10 x 10 includes:

- one pair black high waist jeans 

-one pair dark wash ripped knee jeans

- one sweater

-one layering cardigan

-one short sleeved tee

- three long sleeved shirts

- one dress

-ankle boots

I did not include my diaper bag or my jacket in this round of the challenge. 

Style Bee's Basic Formula goes as follows: 


2 Pairs of Shoes (1 heel + 1 flat)

4 Tops (Consider pieces that layer well like a fitted long-sleeve, a button-down and a cardigan)

1 Dress

2 Bottoms

1 Top Layer

-Pick practical items for the weather.
-Don't think too hard about it, just choose.
-Go for an easy and coordinating palette.
-Think neutrals, denim, white, black and grey with 1 or 2 colors.
-Pull your favorites first.

The current challenge starts today, October 22nd. Join me! 

Let's simplify our closets, our mornings and our life together. Two hashtags that you may find useful are #fall10x10 and #10x10friends. You can find inspiration and observe others who are participating. 

First of all, I like clothing- every aspect of it. I like the fabric, the details, the textiles, the colors, and the silhouettes. I have a degree concentrating in fashion marketing and I had originally enrolled as a fashion design student. Growing up my mom and I would shop until we dropped and plan entire weekends around shopping trips to King of Prussia. I used to make lists and plan and pack wardrobes for trips and vacations weeks in advance. So the fact that I'm sitting here writing a blog post about having a minimalist wardrobe of only 33 items is pretty ironic BUT my needs have changed and so has my lifestyle. Today, I’m a mom of three-- and most of my days are spend in athleisure but when I do get the chance to put an outfit together or have somewhere to go I just stand there in front of tons of hangers- plain frustrated, thinking to myself…‘I have nothing to wear.' Which is pretty ridiculous because I do indeed have more than enough to wear, the problem is I have too much and only love half of it. So, after reading Chapter 15 in my book Soulful Simplicity I decided that it was time to strip my closet down (pun intended) and really take a good look at what I have, what I love, what I don't love and what I want to create.

Ultimately- I wanted to create a wardrobe that was interchangeable and easy. A mix and match of sorts and the best part-- ready to go. Project 333 is a little bit different from a capsule wardrobe because it’s - and I quote - “A small collection of 33 items including clothing, jewelry, accessories and shoes that encourage you to wear your favorite things every day (not the trendiest things, the most stylish things, or the perfect things … your favorite things).” And that’s where I’m at in life — my body is different, my mindset is different and how I want to present myself to the world is different. I like trendy and I like stylish but I also like comfort-- clothing that makes me feel comfortable. And I’m not talking about all sweatshirts and yoga pants, while I do love those things.

Three reasons to consider building a capsule/minimalist wardrobe:

-figure out what matters

-reduce decision fatigue

-create more space and time for what you love

First, make several piles on your bed - a love pile, a maybe pile, and a donate/trash pile. After your done, walk away, get a drink, do the dishes, watch a show and come back later. This time go through those piles again until your happy with what you have left. Next, make a list of 33 items by category, start with the items you already have and you have started with the 13 core items or tailor to your needs. The 13 core items could (not should) include: jeans, a dress, a skirt, simple tank, and t-shirt or v-neck, button-down shirt, blazer or cardigan, earrings, a bracelet or watch, sunglasses, purse, flats, heels, walking shoes. The first list below is my finalized closet of my Project 333, it wasn't easy but I'm so glad I did it. Now, since I’m starting out during the summer months this is what I came up with for myself,  my personal style preferences and yours will be different -- the key is to narrow down what you really need and what you really love into 33 pieces, or 34 or 36...its ok to give yourself some wiggle room to get started. Also, it’s worth noting that for this partiuclar project you don’t count your intimates, swimwear or workout clothing but I did simplify those areas as well; thats all listed in the second list.

|| TIP ||
 I found that finding a common color themed helped me once I needed to start adding in pieces that were missing. I'm a pretty basic and neutral girl and I'm really drawn to navy as my staple color.