Lost Time, Less Stuff

Outfit details:
Anthropologie Clinton Trench (similar options: here, here, and here)
Anthropologie A-Bit-Unruly top
Anthropologie Lost Time skirt
Bass Enfield oxfords in Hemp/Cocoa
J. Crew Timex traveler watch 

I am still slowly and painfully working through my belongings, trying to lighten the load and finally shake the title of "hoarder extraordinaire." As for how that applies to the closet? I've decided it's use it or lose it.

A little red flag started frantically waving in the back of my mind when my favorite, most maximalist friend revealed that her method to approaching her wardrobe was that anything goes, as long as she had less stuff than I did. My eyes widened and I shrieked back at her, "Mine too! With your closet! We need an intervention!"

And so, in a frantic attempt to continue to hoard my favorite past hits, I returned a slew of new items that weren't nearly as near and dear to me, and am pulling some oldies but goodies back into rotation. Thus, the skirt and jacket. The top, admittedly a new addition, matches with 95% of my skirts, so it stays.

Hello, my name is Jinah, and I am a shopaholic.

Out For a Stroll

Outfit details: 

Anthropologie Jacqueline Dress (similar here and here)

Anthro Looping Lanes belt (similar here and here)

J. Crew Jackie cardigan

Camper Twins 21159 sandals

I've mentioned before on the blog that I have the tendencies of a First Class Hoarder. It's been slow coming, I've been breaking out of this mode of consumerism one step at a time. This requires more shopping cart editing and closet cleanouts than I would prefer, but progress means more closet space and a bigger vacation fund.

One quirk I've noticed about myself and from observing other "maximalists" on various documentary shows is that I like to hold onto things just in case one day I will maybe need it.  Sometimes this results in multiples of the same item, mostly in different colors, in case the first one wears out or gets lost or damaged. This dress (which is finally seeing the light of day) somehow fell into that category.

The yellow version has been out and about several times, but for some reason, even though navy is one of my favorite colors to wear, this dress still had the tags on it this morning. I stood in front of my closet for a long time today, knowing it was stuffed to the brim but feeling like I had nothing to wear. Finally I drew a deep breath, and grabbed this frock and decided today was the day. Today was the day I forget about just in case and worry about right now.

I'm glad I did--it suits me perfectly! Phew, now to move onto the yet other unworn dresses lurking in the secret back of the closet hidey hole. Just in case I have a ball to attend, just in case I have a cocktail party to run to, just in case I throw a tea party--I'm looking at you.

And breaking away from this serious talk, here is my favorite outtake from today. Some wacky things turn out from my self-timer sessions, but this felt like a magic moment. I wish my hair was flippy uppy all the time!

Feeling Bright

 




Outfit details:
Anthro Double Torsade necklace
Anthro Walk-a-Ways Dress (similar here and here)
Gap leather ballet flats (much like these)
Orla Kiely classic handbag in crosshatch stem print
The Look for Less: (necklace), (dress), (flats), (bag).
 

I'm definitely a dress kind of girl, and the recent trend of top and skirt combo dresses is my favorite. This piece in particular is what I still consider to be the grandmother of all "twofer" dresses. When the catalog featuring this piece came out, there was a frenzy for this frock. I had never seen anything like it, and apparently neither had my customers. For the first time I could remember, we had a waiting list long enough to sell all of them before they even made it onto the sales floor.

At first I resisted since the skirt was a really bright traffic cone orange in person. But I knew that it would fly out of the store and it was one of those pieces that would get away if I wavered. So I took a chance on her, and it's been a great relationship together ever since. I originally griped that I wished she was peacock blue instead of safety orange, but then eventually that colorway was available too. I bought her sister too and they are both here to stay.

I don't know how the orange one made its way into maybe territory, but I'm claiming it back. So far, it looks like this rack clearing project is resulting in a lot of keepers (whoops!). However, there are still plenty of stragglers, and it looks like some of those pieces some of you have emailed me about might be sent away soon.

Reclaimed: Cream and Rainbow Specked Dress

Outfit details:
Vintage 70s dress (similar here and here)
Anthropologie Looping Lanes belt
Madewell the Wooden Wedge
Rebecca Minkoff MAC clutch
The Look for Less: (dress), (belt), (wedges), (bag).

Continuing my shopping off the rack de-hoarding project, comes the debut of this little vintage (I think!) dress. I found it among the racks at Rag-O-Rama and was thrilled when it fit perfectly. This piece was actually on the "needs alteration" side of the rack with my Carrillo dress. When I bought it, it came pre-loved and full of holes!

I still haven't patched it back up, but for the day, my trusty belt covered up most of the gaps. I just told myself the holes on the side just added to the much needed ventilation for this heat wave weather in Atlanta. Like I had gills to swim through the thick humid air.

I'm definitely keeping this one. It feels a few different needs in my closet--a cool 70s vibe dress, a cream colored frock, a tweedy rainbow chip speckled piece, and the obvious easy peasy Roman or pre-AD costume base.

Wearing a Seafarer's Map

Outfit details:
Anthropologie Double Torsade necklace
Forever 21 striped sweater top (similar here and here)
Lithe Seafarer's Map skirt (from 2007?) (similar here and here)
Rebecca Minkoff clutch in Harewood
Target Wakeisha sandals (similar to these!)
The Look for Less: (necklace), (top), (skirt), (bag), (flats). 

This entire outfit (well, the clothing part anyway) was built from pieces on my maybe rack. It's funny how things can end up there. I try to weed out older items all the time, and new things automatically go here until I wear them. This project is feeling successful so far; the rack is half empty and for the first time in a while, I have enough empty hangers to do laundry.

I picked up this sweater after failing to snag the Milly cashmere version (of Emma Pillsbury fame). Those were mysteriously and disappointingly sold out in my size long before I got to them.  So I knew the sweater was definitely a keeper, but the weather has not been very permitting for dark colored knits. When it cooled down a little bit this Independence Day weekend, I jumped at the chance to pull it out. I never thought I'd be relieved that it was 80 degrees outside, but 80 instead of brutal 95 degree weather felt glorious and cool enough for sweaters.

Anjali managed to spot this lovely skirt among the many things I had crammed on that rack. I've been on the fence for several months about this skirt. It's white, which I rarely wear on top or on the bottom; and I felt like I never had quite the right top to pair with it. In fact, the last time I did pull it out, I wore an almost identical outfit. It's hard for me to justify having a skirt that can only be paired with one kind of top.

I still can't figure out what I want to wear with it, but I've been holding onto it for so long since it has that classic Anthropologie feel. This is what I shop for, especially there--really quirky standout pieces you don't see anywhere else. I think this one's going to hang around for a while, even if I end up wearing it with a black tank the next time around. (And atleast this time I didn't spill curry on it!)

Something Old, Something Blue

 







 

Outfit details:
Anthro jeweled headband (similar here and here)
Anthro Carillo Shift dress (similar here and here)
Rebecca Minkoff Clutch in Harewood
J. Crew Caden Cork wedges
The Look for Less: (headband), (dress), (bag), (wedges). 

To clarify: no I did not and am not going to (in the immediate future, anyway) get married. I just shopped this little number out of my closet; so it's "old" and technically it's blue.

I actually adore this dress. The only reason it made its way into any maybe territory is due to the minor sewing it currently requires. It's only been out of the house on one other occasion--to work, and that day literally half of the buttons fell off! Since then, I was worried I'd lose all of the other ones too if I attempted to put it on again. And in the meantime I completely neglected to sew any of them back on.

This morning, while browsing through my maybe rack, I stumbled upon it and brought it back to life with the help of a few safety pins. I still haven't sewed the buttons back on, and you can see how some of them are pinned in place in the last photo.

The pins actually seem like they'll hold better than the thread, so for now I have a makeshift shift dress. But atleast with the minor alterations I can reclaim it instead of hoarding it. Welcome back, dress! I saved a spot just for you.

Factory Girl

Outfit details:
J. Crew Factory pearl necklace (almost identical here)
J. Crew Factory dress (similar here and here)
Boutique 9 Gilla (Great Crossing) Sandals
Rebecca Minkoff Clutch in Harewood
The Look for Less: (dress), (necklace), (sandals), (bag). 

I really loved Rosa's beachy keen look yesterday and decided to put my own spin on it. This dress and these sandals were on my mind all morning--they were just screaming to be worn with each other! But interestingly my ensemble ventured over into simultaneously 40's and flapper costume territory. I almost called a friend to borrow a boater.

The dress and necklace are two more purchases from the J. Crew outlet on my Disney trip. The dress was a no brainer--it's nautical cream and navy striped and was on promo for $19.99. I love simple jersey dresses to throw on and go in the summer.

The necklace was a little iffy. I have this notion in my head that pearl strands are uber preppy, as seen on Stepford wives and certain cachets of college girls. But something about it just drew me in, and knowing that I could (though painstakingly) drive to the Crewlet back home and return it if it didn't work helped seal the deal.

Like I've mentioned before, sometimes when I pull out a J. Crew piece to wear, I find that my other J. Crew pieces always want to be worn with it. I decided to take the J. Crew "casual luxury" look for a spin--you know how they like to style their blingy jewels with art tees and easy jersey knits? I took the plunge and tried another Crew-styled idea and found it was perfect with the laidback vibe of the dress. Gosh, I guess they really know what they're doing.

So with today's outfit, two things were saved from the return and donate bins! However, some were not so lucky today.

Later, Buds and Bunches and Insouciant tanks!

I took back both of these bordeaux tanks that were just languishing in my closet. While the idea of an embellished jersey tank to wear with skirts seemed like an excellent idea, I just never really reached for them in the past few weeks. I'm sure that someone else in Anthro-land will enjoy them. I'm just happy to have a little bit more funding towards moving expenses.

And thanks so much to everyone that responded to my initial post about this project! It was so awesome to hear about how some of you are and aren't able to keep your wardrobe in check. I will keep all of your stories and advice in mind during this process.

So progress on the audition rack? Day 1, 4 items sorted out. Whew! At this rate, this feels like it's going to be easy breezy!

Field Trip and the Hoarder Project

My sister in her natural state--texting. Me in my natural state--goofing off.


I look Cullen-pale next to her!


A quick bite to eat--It's Atlanta tradition.


This was the part where a car was coming our way. Watch out!


Outfit details:
J. Crew Frances Stripe Ruffled  Tuxedo shirt
Forever 21 dots skirt (similar here and here)
Gap tomato red leather ballet flats
Amanda Gary handmade leather bag
The Look for Less: (shirt), (skirt), (flats).

Since my sisters are concerned for my well being and both love to help me out so much, I invited them downtown to help me go apartment hunting. Since all of the appointments I made for viewings were spread out across the entire city, we made a whole day of it!

Ultimately, it felt like a big field trip kind of day (especially with the IKEA excursion), so of course we had lunch at the Varsity. While not tailored for the most gourmandise of tastes, it is an Atlanta institution. And well, I love the onion rings.

And recognize my shirt? Well, you probably don't as I've never worn it. I found it stashed in a consignment store earlier in the spring and was absolutely thrilled. It was brand new and from the current J. Crew offerings and all of a sudden within my financial reach at $20. And then it sat in my closet for several weeks until this recent rediscovery of its existence.

Which leads me into my next endeavor. As I've mentioned, I'm moving soon. If you follow my Twitter or have ever seen the full extent of my closet, you know how expansive it is and how close I am to becoming a Gold Star Member of the Hoarding Society.

That's where this rack comes into place. Closet space is limited in my current home, and it's impossible to tell what I've really got shoved in there without some kind of order. This extra garment rack serves as my limbo rack--the items undergoing the "audition process" as Jacquelyn would say. New items go directly onto this rack and older items I haven't worn in a while make their way back to this rack so I can decide if they should stay or if they should go.

Having a whole rack of clothing like this makes me feel itchy and anxious that so many items are in flux! My goal and project for the month of July is to clear off this rack, Clean Sweep style. Things unworn will either go back to the store(s), be sold, or get donated at the end of this month.

This is working up to my ultimate goal of having a closet full of things I L-O-V-E love instead of having an overflowing rack of maybes and that one skirt I wear every other day. Please chime in with your "yeas" and "nays" during this process, since shopping in my closet can end in mixed results!

Here are some new things I desperately need to summerize during this process since I love them so:

I found a few Lift Off Jackets left at my local store during inventory.
I immediately grabbed the last one in my size and added it to my discount pile.

Lost Time skirt. Similar story with this skirt. It immediately struck me as classic Anthro and I ran to the fitting room with it thinking mineminemine. It's been a challenge to style so far, though and is getting lonely.

And even worse are the things I am literally hoarding. These oldies but goodies still have tags on them! I'm in that mentality that I don't want to use them because I don't want to spoil/ruin them. Which, if I learned anything from the Hoarder documentary series, is a red flag. I would like to use and enjoy all of my good stuff.

Jacqueline dress, version two with grosgrain ribbon. I wear the yellow, but despite my penchant for navy dresses, never have pulled out this version.

And the infamous Bold Boutonniere dress. I spotted this the day Anthropologie added it to their website. I was on vacation out of the country at the time, and thought it would be silly to order it right away since I was still working for the brand. The day it came in I took it home and have enjoyed pulling it out, looking at it, and putting it back. It's decision time for this dress.

I've got my work cut out for me. How does everyone else audition and sort their belongings? I find myself wishing I had a really bossy and opinionated friend around to be strict with me and this rack...