I waited two days before wearing these Isabelle Bow Pumps even though I was going crazy knowing I had them. Thank the weather for that. But Thursday was a beautiful day and required these shoes to be worn.

Keating Boy Blazer in Linen, J Crew Factory ~
~ White Denim Jeans, Express (J CrewGAP) ~
Isabelle Printed Bow Pumps, J Crew Factory ~
So far, for Week 2 I’ve learned that I need a new pair of white jeans. I bought these from Express waaaaay back in 2006 when I still a skinny-minnie and could wear low-rise jeans. Jump to my almost 42-year-old self and mid-rise jeans are high on my radar. As soon as I find a new pair of white jeans that are 1) mid-rise but not mom jeans, 2) thick enough that you can’t see through them, 3) just skinny enough and 4) ankle length I will find a new home for these. I’m glad I stuck with this week’s remix even with the weather challenge. 
Have a Great Weekend!

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I’ve been asked about how I go about selecting what I am going to wear for the week in my Capsule Remix. I have been using the Stylebook App for a while and have most of my clothes entered in the app. Polyvore is great for creating outfits but doesn’t help when trying to keep track of when I wore an outfit or a single piece of clothing and doesn’t keep track of Cost-per-Wear.

Let’s take my beloved Tory Burch Cropped Skinny Jeans.

Since I have purchased them I have worn them approximately 11 times. I know there were times when I just threw them on at the last minute to run an errand so I didn’t count those days. I’ve created 14 different outfits with them. I originally paid $185 but the CPW has been brought down to $16.81. That will go even lower as these are my go-to jeans. There’s a Notes and Tags box that is free-form so you can add anything you want in that section. 

As far as picking what I’m going to wear, I find something I like and want to wear and then build around it. Right now, I’m trying to add at least one item I either haven’t worn in a while or never worn (and still with tags in my closet). The first week were several of my current favorite pieces. This week has been about dressing for the cold and rain we had. Once I have everything picked out and outfits or Looks put together I stick to it for the week.

Here’s a glance at the Looks I’ve created.

Here is the first week’s main Look with all the pieces I planned to wear, including those TB Jeans.

From this main Look, I created all the outfits I could with the bottoms.
From that Look I created individual Looks, complete with Shoes. 
With the exception of a few days, My Calendar has been pretty full for the month of May. Creating a Look doesn’t count towards the CPW. You have to add it to the Calendar for it to be calculated. You’ll see at the bottom of the image my Most Worn (TB Robinson Open Dome) and Best Value (Express White Jeans) for the month. (Today is not filled in as it’s Laundry Day.) If I can wear an outfit 5 days a week then I think I’m pretty successful with this Remix.
You can add or remove Categories & Sub-Categories from your Closet. I’ve even created a Closet section for Sold/Returned/For Sale items. I want to be able to keep track of that so I know why I sold or returned an item (fit, color, didn’t wear, Husband hated). I use the free-form text box to add why I removed that item from my closet. 
When I purchase something new, I create Looks for that item within the first week. That helps me decide whether or not to keep it. And it also helps me to wear it right away. 
Here’s a glance at my “Black & White” Week. I am going to be pretty busy running errands and prepping for two graduation parties so I’ll need dressy and casual. Laundry may take a back-seat that week so I’ve added a few extra pieces just-in-case I can’t get to the laundry. It will also help me stick to just these items. I may switch this to the week prior, but for now I have it set up for the last week of May. My reasoning for a week like this was because I don’t wear this color combo unless it’s already patterned for me, like the Carrie Dress in Big Dot. I’ve not worn the Silk Crepe Maxidress with my White Linen Perfect Shirt, tied at the waist, so there’s another option. This Capsule is pushing me out of my comfort zone of bright color. All pieces seem to have some visual interest but the Maxidress will require a necklace at least. 
It’s sooooo easy to just throw on shorts and a sloppy tee everyday since I work from home. This Capsule Remix keeps me from doing that. Something I’ve noticed is that I feel great all day and it’s motivated me to start working out and eating better again. It’s also a little less stressful, now that I am no longer standing in front of my closet every day figuring out what to wear. If Husband wants to meet for Happy Hour or have a date night, I’m already dressed or can pull something together from that week’s pieces. Easy-Peasy!
I’m sure there are other apps and programs out there but the Stylebook App is what works for me. My favorite feature, by far, is the Cost-Per-Wear tracking. I will buy items at full-price and this helps me keep track of how many times I’ve worn it. And then eventually decide if it needs to go to a better home if I’m not wearing it enough. 
Have a Great Evening!!

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While making a few quick purchases for The Boy for Prom I found myself in the dressing room with a few items. I have the J Crew Pleated Short in Structured Cotton in Ivory from last year (this year’s version, Factory version) and have been wearing that and the Black quite a bit so far this Spring. I started looking for another pair of white shorts* as a back-up and the White Eyelet Short are perfect. I love the eyelet detail and they are a true white with a 5-inch inseam.

The Silver Pleat Skirt was right when I walked in the door and immediately caught my eye. I tried on the size 8 and it was a perfect fit. I am going to play around with it to see what kind of outfits I can come up with.

The store had 30% off regular-priced items. The current collection is a neutral palette which is refreshing from all the brights. Also, if you spent a certain amount, I’m thinking $100-150, you received nail color high-lighting the Marimekko Collection coming May 22. All these colors are great for Summer.  
One thing you can count on with Banana Republic is that there will always be a promo off full-priced items. In fact, to encourage me to shop the new Marimekko Collection I was sent a 25% off card, to use just for the Collection. 

More of the new Collection I am drawn to.

Have you seen the new Neutral Collection at Banana Republic? Are you interested in the new Marimekko Collection?

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*Laundry Confession – I had the same pair of white shorts and washed them in the machine on delicate (front-loader). I thought they came out fine and I laid them flat to dry. Once dry I noticed a large yellow stain on them. I know I didn’t put any bleach in the wash, nor in the load before that one. I tried to blame the cat having an accident on them but they were high up on the machine so it’s really not likely. I was, again, lucky enough to find them on a pop-back and have been dry-cleaning them ever since. This is seriously so embarrassing. I would suck as a 50s housewife.

There are quite a few of my Tory Burch purchases and favorites that have just hit the Sale Section. Everything I have purchased I LOVE! My absolute favorite being the London Blouse.

Kerrington Tote: $206.50
Robinson Open Dome (I have the Ivory): $385
Nori Wedge Sandal: $227.50
Audra Sandal (I have the Navy.): $192.50
Sadie Metallic High-heel (I have the Silver Metallic Slingback.): $227.50
Sadie Snake-print Mid-Heel: $227.50
Kaylin Dress (Striped-Version): $357
Merrit Top: $150
Alexandria Top: $117
London Blouse: $177
Zora Tee: $136.50

Happy Shopping!

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I headed in to Anthropologie last Saturday when they had 15% off for Mother’s Day. I hadn’t been in a while so everything looked fresh and new to me. I spotted the Moineau Bouquet Tee by Vannessa Virginia but in a size 6 then a 12. I grabbed the 6 even though the arms looked pretty small. Sure enough, when I tried on the blouse, it was tight. Luckily, another lady in the fitting room had a size 8 she wasn’t going to buy and I found that to fit a little better. I loved it in the store but after seeing it in a few pics I don’t think I’ll keep it. It is very sheer but you can’t tell as I have on a nude cami underneath. I love the embroidery on top but the swing/a-line on the bottom makes me look larger than I am. I think the online model image has it pinned in the back to give it a little more structure.

I spotted the Reverie Pendant Necklace on a mannequin at the front of the store and immediately liked it. I love the long length though it is a bit delicate. One of the pendants had the larger stone missing from the middle. 
  
Two Christmas’s ago I put the Molly Hatch Peony Portrait Cake Platter on my wishlist, and received it. Then last year during the 15% off during Mother’s Day Saturday, I purchased the Peony Portrait Platter and Serving Bowl.
I would love to see different sized serving bowls or even mixing bowls in the Peony Portrait, though the paint may scratch or fade on the inside. 

My birthday discount is in June so I have a few more picks I’m waiting to try.

What has caught your eye at Anthropologie? Did you shop the 15% off on Mother’s Day Saturday?

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