Day 57: I'm exhausted and so is my wardrobe

Fifty-seven solid days without repeating an outfit at work. Truly amazing.

Today marks day 57 of My Wardrobe Challenge as well as the last working day of 2010 for me. With the year coming to an end, it seems like the perfect time to bring my challenge to an end as well. Actually, the bigger reason for bringing the challenge to an end is the fact that I've run out of things to wear. There might be a few articles left hanging in the closet that weren't lucky enough to make an appearance over the last three months, but in all honesty, they aren't worthy of the challenge and would be better served on the rack at the local Salvation Army or as part of a horrible Halloween costume. There are some pieces of clothing that I just won't wear no matter what.

I'm pretty excited for the New Year and ready to start repeating some of my outfits. There are a few really cute items that have had to take a back seat while they wait for their turn again in the rotation.

For today, I'm wearing a pair of my gray slacks paired with a gray, white and yellow striped 3/4-sleeve top. I'm wearing a cute pair of gray flannel flats that I hardly ever wear (they were ecstatic to come out of the closet) and a warm gray cardigan since it's cold here in Kansas. The slacks and cardigan are both from Gordman's and the top and flats both came from Target.

Overall, this challenge was a HUGE success! Fifty-seven days?!? I thought this was impossible! Now I know better! And, I know that I have absolutely no reason to buy clothes for awhile. Not quite sure if that is good or bad news....

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

$0.42 for a sweater dress? Why yes, I think I will!

I just have to share my most recent super score. I know that part of this challenge was to not buy anymore clothing but since $0.42 rounds down to zero, I consider this purchase free :)

As a Kohl's charge card holder, I receive coupons in the mail on a regular basis. Sometimes the coupons rock, other times they suck and are nothing more than an evil ploy to get you in the store and buy crap you don't need. However, on this occasion, the coupon was actually for 30% off a purchase, which I consider to be pretty darn good. I knew there was a sweater dress I wanted - in fact, I'd been eyeing the same dress for weeks wondering when/how I would make the purchase - so when this coupon came in the mail I knew I had my answer. I paired the coupon with a gift card I'd been holding onto for months and as a result I walked away with an absolutely adorable sweater dress! SCORE!!

This is one of my favorite sale stories to tell and people are truly amazed. What can I say? I take sale shopping, coupon-ing (yes, I created another verb) and saving money very seriously. Well, at least now I do. Ask me what a sale or a coupon was 10 years ago and I would've looked at you with a look of sheer confusion and been appalled that anyone would have to use a coupon or shop the sale rack. Does this mean I'm getting old???

Here's to savvy shopping!

Day 46: I have amazed myself...

December 8, 2010 marks Day 46 of My Wardrobe Challenge. Unbelievable. I had no idea when I started this endeavor that I would make it this far. At this point, I feel that if I wear something that I've already worn I am defeated. I hope to make it another 10 days but at this point, it's slim-pickins' in my closet. I have had to become very crafty and have resorted to the archives on more than one occasion. Lucky for me, I rarely get rid of clothing (unless I can absolutely 100% convince myself that I will NEVER need/wear it again). Today, I appreciate my tendancy to hoard more than ever, and also for the fact that my boyfriend doesn't require much closet space.

The outfit I am wearing today consists of a burnt orange cropped wrap sweater that I picked up off the JCPenney sale rack ($3) back in 2006 or 2007 (?) with an embellished tank (cream color) by A.N.A ($12, purchased at the same time). These two pieces have been in my wardrobe for years, literally, and today I'm so glad they exist. I paired these with a pair of my brown slacks and my wonderful Madden brown wedges. I am so glad that I purchased these wedges because they have proved themselves time and time again. Prior to the foot surgery I had back in late February 2010, I wasn't sure if these shoes would ever be worn again. But, thanks to Dr. Galliano and his expertise, my foot is better than ever and I have no problem wearing any of my shoes!

Overall, the outfit really looks good, especially when I put on the NEW coat my wonderful, fabulous, loving little sister got me for my birthday. It is a plaid pea-coat she purchased from Victoria's Secret and it ADORABLE! So classy and the fit is perfect. Thanks Corinne!

Unfortunately, no picture since I don't have a camera with me :(

Here's to another day and another outfit! I wonder if I can make it all the way through the month of December???

I can't believe I've made it this far!

Today is November 17th and believe it or not, I'm still going strong on My Wardrobe Challenge - I'm on day 37! That's 37 days of work w/out repeating an outfit. Amazing! Selecting outfits is starting to get more difficult with each passing day and I'm finding myself digging into the archives more often. It's also becoming more difficult to remember if I've worn certain pieces already. I should've kept taking pictures so I'd have them to reference :) My new goal is to see this adventure at least through day 45. That's eight more outfits and I think that I can do it!

The attached picture has absolutely nothing to do with my Wardrobe Challenge but boy did I ever get a good laugh. Hopefully you do too!

Halloween/Freaker's Ball 2010

One thing I really like about my boyfriend is his taste in music. I've always had a pretty open mind for music and will generally listen to anything at least once. My boyfriend is a rocker and over the past few years has introduced me to many rock bands of which I have become a huge fan. Case in point: Five Finger Death Punch. I friggin' love these guys! On October 23rd, Kansas City was lucky enough to have 5FDP in town to headline the annual Freaker's Ball (a rock concert/costume contest). Along with 5FDP were also bands like 10 Years, Drowning Pool and Sevendust. All of these bands pretty much rock, at least in my book, so I was quick to cop two tickets (the event sold out in about 10 hours). Patrick and I decided to go with a theme this year: 5FDP. He dressed up as their "mascot," if you will, and I was his hottie. Overall, the costumes were a HUGE success and we felt like instant celebrities. We were in tons of pictures and I'm sure are all over random Facebook pages everywhere. My costume was hot enough to earn me a spot in the Top 10 for the costume contest although I wasn't a winner. I did suffer from a near panic attack when I realized that I had to parade across stage in front of nearly 4000 fans. Whoa! Now that was something I've never experienced before! It was fun and my 60 seconds of fame got me lots of "Congratulations" and "we voted for you" and even a free bottle of water to boot. After the show, we turned into groupies and hung out near the tour bus for awhile. We did get to meet Ivan Moody (lead singer, 5FDP), get some autographs (I had him sign my costume :) and a picture. When he asked Patrick if "this was your lady" and his response was an emphatic YES, Ivan responded with "You're a lucky man." Aw thanks Ivan! Patrick thinks so too... :) I can't wait for next year and you better believe I'll be coming up with an awesome costume. I've got a reputation to live up to now! Enjoy the pics!

Day 20... I made it!

Top: Banana Republic Factory Store
Pants: Banana Republic Factory Store
Shoes: Madden Girl (Gordmans)
Necklace: gift

Well, I made it Day 20 (although I'm a week and half late on posting) and all I can say is, thank goodness this is over! One thing I learned about myself over the past month is that I hate blogging. Having to keep up with daily blogs and updates is tiresome and just doesn't take priority in my life. Blogging is apparently not for me. Lesson learned. However, I have enjoyed the outfit challenge and have continued to challenge myself each day with finding something I've have yet to wear. Technically, I'm now on Day 27 and I've yet to repeat! I wouldn't be surprised if I make it past 40 days. Since the season has changed on me I can now wear more long-sleeved shirts and sweaters which leads to many more options. VIP tours at the workplace have allowed me to utilize dresses and skirts that I normally wouldn't wear too. Overall, this experience was pleasant and has given me a new appreciation for my wardrobe (yes!). I've even received compliments from coworkers about my wardrobe and how "cute" and "put-together" I always look. Thank you ladies and I do appreciate the compliments!! I suppose I will keep this blog up-and-running and post every now-and-then just because.... Thank you to all who at least pretended to care :)

I did it again...

Shirt: Banana Republic Factory Store
Skirt: Tommy Hilfiger (hand-me-down)
Boots: Gordmans

I have to admit that one of my best qualities is my ability to laugh at myself. And, that's exactly what I do when I look at this ridiculous Wonder Woman pose I'm showing off today.

Day two of the VIPs and I managed to pull off this adorable Tommy skirt my little sister gave me a few years back. It's only been worn one other time, and that was to my MBA graduation where I wore a gown throughout the entire ceremony. I could've worn a wife-beater and Chuck Taylors and no one would've been the wiser. I've always wondered why more people don't just go naked underneath their gowns...

Anyway, more compliments came my way today and I'm kind of getting used to the attention. I might just try to dress up more often :)