the end: outfit 15!

This is the end!
15 items to 15 outfits.
Here's a quick review of the past 14 days!

And now, last but not least...outfit 15!
This last outfit features a buttoned-up cardigan underneath a vest, with a floral skirt and wedges.
Sunday ended up bursting into a rainy day in the evening, which was quite fitting since I was holed up in the apartment all day, sick and miserable.
Both my friend and I have a terrible cold/flu virus and have been completely lazy all weekend, which ended up being really great. We watched a lot of TV (I personally slept off and on until 3pm), and even pulled out an old childhood favorite, The Labyrinth. Don't judge.

I threw on the last outfit, what I would have worn if I wasn't dreary and pajama-clad all day long. While it may be cheating a little bit, because I only had it on for 15 minutes, I think it's the thought that counts.
Challenge complete!

My friend was impressed that I was able to un-sickify myself for these photos, but all it really took was a brush through my hair and a lot of blush and some lipstick. I definitely sank right back into my blanket pile on the couch as soon as this shoot was over!

I hope you all had a better weekend than I did, and I definitely can't wait to be back to 100% for the long holiday weekend!!
Thanks for joining me for this fun 15 day challenge. :)

calm before the storm: outfit 14

Outfit 14:

This was my Saturday outfit, although I didn't actually take the pictures until today.
Right as we began taking pictures, it began to sprinkle, and as soon as we hurried inside it began to pour!
It seems determined to be rainy and cloudy all week long.
Anyway, on Saturday, Dusty and I went downtown to the farmer's market, picked up a few veggies, and then we went out to breakfast. It was such a fun little date!

I also had the amazing discovery that my absolute favorite coffee shop, which closed down, actually has another little coffee shop in the lobby of a downtown bank and still serves my beloved lavender latte!!
I thought it was gone forever, so it truly was a life-changing discovery.
The rest of my day was spent having afternoon tea with my visiting friend Amber, and shopping around some downtown antique shops and boutiques.
It was a great day!

double digits: outfit 10

Outfit 10 has really brought it home that my coworkers probably think I've gone crazy.
Or that I just really like this shirt.
Either way, there are just 3 days left of this mix and match challenge (I'm currently wearing outfit 12) and I'm starting to really itch to wear some of my ignored clothes!
As Holly says in P.S. I Love You, 

"I should get my [clothes]. They're all over the place. They're gonna think I don't love them."

Outfit 10 featured my cream top and cardigan, and my lovely purple lace skirt from LOFT. 

This week is overcast and rainy, and it's rather beautiful out. We've had a few storms come and go, but overall it has been mild and enjoyable.

I have a friend visiting this week, which has been so fun! There's nothing better than always having fun plans, and a tiny apartment full of laughter and good food and friends. 

Top/Skirt: LOFT, Shoes: Zulily

I wore this outfit on Tuesday, and that night we made pasta and had a grisly marathon of Hansel and Gretel, and Warm Bodies. It was an evening spent all bundled up on the couch and it was delightful.

Hansel and Gretel is just a typical kitschy horror flick, but it was enjoyable.

Warm Bodies, on the other hand, was definitely one I'd watch (and even buy) again. 

Having the inner dialogue of a zombie, and seeing life through his perspective, was definitely a refreshing twist on the classic horror trend. And that love was at the center of it all? Adorable.
Another bonus is that the soundtrack is awesome. 

I'd definitely recommend it to even the most squeamish of people, because while it is a movie in the midst of a zombie apocalypse, it's really a light-hearted story about how "love is what makes us human". Love is what unites us.

And keeps us from eating brains.

self-portraits: outfit 6

I haven't done a whole lot of self-portrait photo shoots. I'm always self conscious, and definitely have no idea how to work the settings for a self-timer, or how to position myself, etc. The second outfit during this challenge was the first time I've taken photos of myself not on my back porch or in my own apartment complex. It was extremely nerve-racking, but luckily there weren't any people around and I was able to get a few usable shots!
I knew I was going to have to challenge myself to put myself behind the camera and give my husband a break from daily photo shoots. I need to push myself to be adventurous with my pictures and my locations, and try and get better at understanding my camera and how to best use it for different situations.
The more you practice, the easier it gets!

Outfit 6 featured my classic orange gingham top, and the purple lace skirt, along with a few accessories.

Top: J. Crew, Skirt: LOFT, Necklace: Francesca's, Shoes: Zulily

I got off work early on Friday, so I was running around doing some errands before having to go back to get Dusty. While I was driving around, I found this odd little lake behind several businesses and grocery stores. I spotted a flock of geese as well, so I was somewhat drawn to it. I decided to bite the bullet and take a quick photoshoot, even though it was still a bit too sunny and hot out!

I feel like this town has a lot of secrets, and with only a year left to explore them before we move back home after law school, I'm more motivated than ever to explore and try new things.
I look forward to finding more nooks and crannies to discover and capture.

creative layering: outfit 4

Dress: Ruche, Shoes: Zulily

The fourth outfit in my mix-and-match challenge (taking 15 items to create 15 outfits!) utilizes my patterned skirt with a solid dress tucked into it.

This may be my favorite outfit so far.
There are many reasons why I love dresses, but the most recent reason is because they're so versatile. While they're simple and an outfit in and of themselves, they can also be tucked into a skirt to act like a blouse, or worn beneath another blouse to act like a skirt.
I love this dress because of the beautiful sheer details, and also because it's probably my favorite color to wear. I recently noticed that I have an abundance of this bright coral color, and other variances like peach and pink, in my wardrobe. I'm always drawn to it.

While this photoshoot was taken rather humorously in a mall parking lot with a couple of friends right before we went to see a movie, I always enjoy finding bright patches of grass and flowers all over a city. Sometimes it's easy to overlook, but landscaping is such a huge part of the upkeep of a property. It makes a huge difference. I remember in college, always being in awe of the pristine lawn and the giant basins of flowers, and the fountains. It's a lot of work (and we often witnessed the upkeep as we walked to class) but the effect is easy to see and appreciate, if we take the time to do so. 

the mint dress: outfit 2

There's nothing more basic and delightful than a favorite dress and a soft cardigan.
This is yesterday's outfit, number 2 in the 15to15 challenge!

I love the length of this dress. It's one of the first longer dresses I ever purchased, and it has remained a favorite of mine. This week has been cloudy and muggy, and having this dress be a part of this challenge was a great choice!
I also happened to wear this dress on a snowy day in Paris.
I almost always wear an extra layer on top of what's necessary during the summer, because my office is always pretty cool. So while I probably wouldn't wear this cardigan with this dress during the hot summer weekend days, it's perfect for work!

Dress: Ruche, Shoes: Zulily

Today I took two huge bags of clothes down to our local consignment shop.
I had never consigned before, but I took a bunch of jewelry and lightly worn clothes there a few months ago and had a lot of luck! So I decided to do another thorough sweep of my clothes this month, and made the trip. It feels so great to clear out my closet of clothes I love but just don't wear anymore.
There's always that classic rule of "if you haven't worn it in a year, toss it!"
While I definitely don't follow that on a regular basis, I really did a clean sweep this last time and feel great about saying goodbye to the clutter. I don't know why I have such a hard time parting with things, because as soon as I do I feel lighter. Never once have I jumped into a panic saying, "I can't believe I got rid of those pants! They would go so great with these shoes."
In fact, most of the time I find myself having trouble remembering what could possibly have filled those two huge bags of clothes.
Out with the old, in with the new. A constant recycling of clothes and furniture and decor, it's the way life goes! The bottom line? Don't weigh yourself down by assigning value to things that isn't there. While some things may have sentimental value (I have had my fair share of prized possessions that may seem completely trivial to others), at the end of the day they're just things.

15to15: outfit 1

I announced earlier that I wanted to launch a new outfit challenge - some sort of summer closet remix that would spur into the spirit of summer and help get my creative juices flowing once again.
Enter, the 15to15! Using 15 basic items from my closet and creating 15 consecutive outfits.

Introducing outfit number 1!

Featuring a simple studded beige bag, a checkered J. Crew blouse, a "cleopatra" style necklace, my new floral denim skinnies from Old Navy and some neutral pewter flats.

Top: J. Crew (similar), Pants: Old Navy (similar), Necklace: Francesca's (similar)

Speaking of Francesca's, their jewelry collection is nuts.
We finally have a little developing shopping center near Lynchburg (a LOFT coming soon!!) and walking into Francesca's is so overwhelming. It's a small boutique, but the selection is enormous, especially in the jewelry department. I could stare at the multitude of colors and shapes for hours. It's delightful.
I definitely plan on building on my Francesca's collection!

I wore this outfit all day yesterday, and while it was a surprisingly muggy day, I couldn't help but wear these pants. I've become a sucker for floral pants, but this denim version is my new love.
I really look forward to wearing them all year long!
I snatched them up on the sale rack at Old Navy (shopping for some new clothes for my husband - he was sweet enough to let me tag along and get something for myself!)

What do you think?
Stay tuned for the next 14 outfits, including today's dress!