Domino Effect...

No new pictures today.  I'm thinking of slowing the picture posting down a bit and maybe doing a recap of the week's looks on Sundays.  It's getting difficult to find the whole minute to get my picture snapped each day. No, seriously it is.  But that's not really what I wanted to write about today. Topic du jour is: Other areas in my life that Project333 is affecting.

You see, this month in addition to clearing out my closet and dresser, I am also clearing out my house to make way for my new tenant.  Trouble is I currently live a 2.5 hour drive from that house. And I'm in school full-time, 5 days a week.  Add in that I share a vehicle with my mother and have an 11 year old to get to and from grade school each day (no bus service..grr) and it gets a bit stressful.  My weekends end up being a whirlwind of driving, cleaning, sorting, purging, packing. The result of all this is me, (usually) collapsing in a tearful, exhausted heap, overwhelmed by the amount still left to do.

I have A LOT of stuff. Albeit useful interesting stuff, but still A LOT.  Books alone number in the hundreds. Add in my other hobbies and interests and the body count mounts. Oh, did I mention I have a kid?  Any of you who have children are well aware of how much STUFF comes into your life when that bundle of joy arrives.  Any of who don't have kids, and think that you can really control what people will give you (or give to said child directly...often surreptitiously because you've already explained eleventy million times that you really don't have room/space/any desire for xxxxx item(s) ) well, you're kidding yourself.  You will be thwarted, ignored, countermanded at every turn by loving, well-meaning relatives and friends.  Don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful for every hand-me-down, and gift we've gotten over that last decade.  The generosity we have received has kept Lani clothed and amused for all of her 11 years. But  WOW!  Cleaning-out/packing up her room yesterday was exhausting.  Luckily, she is a pretty savvy kid.  When I showed her the car this morning, still filled with what I brought out of her room, she completely agreed it would be best to sort through and donate any unused/outgrown/unneeded items to friends, the local Goodwill, and our other favorite the Seton Center (a local group of nuns who serve the poor in our area).

What I am trying to keep in mind, focus on, and cling to to keep me sane in all of this, is that I don't really NEED so much stuff.  But it is hard...I look at all my crafting supplies and think of how happy it makes me to make cards. Or at my fabric stash, and how much I enjoy sewing. Or even all my kitchen equipment and how I love to cook for friends and family. How I love to create menus and develop new recipes.  I truly do need a certain amount of equipment to accomplish that.

I am hoping that by clearing out all but what I really love, use, and have room for, I'll create space in my life to get back to doing all those things.  Because sadly, even though I do derive so much happiness from my hobbies and interests I do not have space to pursue them.  Ironic I guess, but probably not unique.

So here's to the idea that Project333 is infiltrating my brain, and will help me tame these other areas as well.

How about you? How is this project affecting other areas of your life?

The things you realize....

...when you blog.  One thing I've realized is that I need to step a-way from the table.  As my old high school bio teacher used to say, "just push away, push away!" .   Seeing myself in photos everyday is both interesting and horrible. On the one hand,  I am enjoying seeing the outfits, and noting how I can improve my look. On the other hand, ay yi yi!  Can anyone say Jenny Craig?  Yeah, I know, compared to a lot of my fellow Americans I am a petite treat, but I would be much happier if less of my personal real estate was in those photos.  Jus'Sayin!

Snow boots,

black pants

snowflake cardi

black drape neck top

Sheltie/Pom mix

Tomorrow is supposed to be snowy as well.   Oh goody.  Have my ensemble planned, with lots of color because I'm starting to feel like a Sicilian widow with all my black and grey.  

Blog Break Over!

Yeah, so it's a been a couple of weeks since I wrote anything.  But I've not fallen off the Project 333 wagon...quite the opposite.

See, I took a trip to NYC with the Man, and as he has a tiny awesome car, I had to pack light.  Which, by the way I was in the process of doing when he announced we wouldn't be driving INTO the city, but instead would park in Jersey and take the Path Train in and then walk to our accommodation.  10 Blocks. In the freezing cold.  After Dark.  Yeeeee-aaaaaahhhhhh.    So I started UN-Packing.  Did you know you can spend a week in Manhattan and get by with ONE pair of black pants, ONE pair of jeans and 3 shirts? Add in a cardigan, and a couple of scarves and you're pretty much set. I did take two pair of boots, one flat and one with a heel.  Our days  were mostly spent walking, eating, window shopping, eating, walking some more, having wine, eating, walking, and having long talks about where we would eat the next day.  See a theme?  We did have a couple of occasions to look nice: 1. Taping of the Jon Stewart Daily Show (FUN) 2. Dinner at our favorite Upper West Side Resto  3. A fantastic party at Ace Hotel on 29th.   Still, I got by with just what I'd brought. Those black pants got a workout! I did also pack a very cute hat I got for Christmas, and my mostest favorite hat--the one with fake fur and earflaps.  Turns out that second one was THE ONE to have in Manhattan!  All the fashionistas were wearing them.  I felt so deliciously stylish!  Man said I looked like a Russian Motorcycle Cop in the hat, boots and leather jacket.  I'm taking that as a compliment.

This week is Back-To-School week for me.  Spring Semester started on Monday, and I'm already overwhelmed with reading and papers, but my new pared down closet is making mornings less stressful.  I know whatever I grab will fit, go together, and be weather/lifestyle appropriate.  Today's ensemble is pictured below.  In addition to classes, I had to (wo)man the French Club table at the Student Activity Fair, so wanted to look particularly chic.  I think I achieved my goal.

Turquoise Sweater Dress

Blue silk scarf

Black tights

Black HH Boots

It's currently snowing gangbusters, so tomorrow's look will definitely be more casual! 

No school today due to snow and ice...mostly ice. So we had a pretty casual day.  Took down the Xmas tree, packed up the decorations, vacuumed approximately 4 million pine needles off the rug.  Movies, reading, hanging out.  All in all a very nice day.

One thing that kept running through my head though, was a comment (several actually) made to me  recently.  I was talking about Project333 and how excited I was to be starting this, and she said something along the lines of "oh sure, YOU"LL really be able to do that!  you with all the shoes and how you always need to look nice".  Bear in mind, this person wears sweat pants 90% of the time.

I have discovered that I am really bothered by hearing that people think I'm shallow or materialistic.  I'm neither actually.  I do like looking nice....well dressed, groomed, appropriate.  But I don't crave the latest trend, nor do I spend frivolously.  I tend to buy classics, and keep them forever.  That's why I have a large wardrobe.  Not because I buy randomly, but because I buy well made timeless pieces.  I have always purged the closet at the end of each season, and sometimes at the beginning as well. I don't keep things that don't fit, or are worn out.  But I will keep a particularly sentimental piece now and then.
At any rate, I was rankled by this comment.  I'm not sure exactly why...still working on that.

Here's today's outfit,

Grey Scoop Neck Sweater

Dark Boot Cut Jeans

Black HH Boots

Perfect for Happy Hour with sister and friends. 

Today has been an odd day.  We were supposed to get a snowstorm overnight but didn't.  Then all day the forecasters kept saying we were just about to be snowed on, but nothing ever materialized.  Schools were dismissed early anyway, and in true Murphy's Law fashion it began sleeting just as I walked out the door to  drive across town and pick up my daughter.  Driving on slick roads is nothing new for me, but it always makes me hyper aware of all the potential hazards in my car, and what a pain it would be to be stuck on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck,  if I were to be involved in an accident.   Thus I resolved (and not for the first time) to clean out my car.  I kept hearing my boyfriend's voice saying "your car will be so clean, the only thing in it will be car".  That's what he said the day he took lil blue and me to the AutoSpa in Timonium and got her the deluxe spa day.   I guess my new commitment to clothing minimalism is bleeding over into other areas of my life.  I did indeed unload a bunch of crap out of my car today, and hope to do some more tomorrow.  Who knows, maybe I'll go whole hog and get her washed and waxed!

At any rate, today was a very, very casual day at Casa Curmudgeon.

Blue V Neck Cashmere Sweater

Old Jeans

Brown High Heel shoes. 

Yup.  Majorly boring outfit.  Later I did add a brown embroidered scarf and my brown vest, to go to Target and the grocery.   

I'm delighted to have the desire to declutter more areas of my life.  But I also wish I didn't feel so blah today.  Maybe I'll feel sparkier tomorrow.  

It's a Twofer!

Yup I missed blogging yesterday.  I spent the weekend out of town so didn't have access to my computer or the time really.  But I did find it extremely easy to pack for my overnight trip.  I knew what my activities would be while I was away, and with my newly pared down wardrobe it was a cinch to throw a couple of items in my bag and hit the road.

Saturday evening we went to the Baltimore Emerald Isle Club ceili and had a fabulous time with our friends, dancing, talking, laughing.  The ceilis are always fun,and a great way to spend an evening.  The dress is definitely comfort first.  You burn a lot of calories when you dance, and staying cool and comfy is the key.

Sunday, was devoted to Ravens football!  We headed down to Cross Street Market in Federal Hill to meet up with a different group of friends, watch the game, drink beer and eat seafood.  What could be more fun?   Game day apparel always runs to Purple and Black.  I definitely had the black covered, with just enough purple to stay on the good side of my Charm City crew.

Black EMS tech top (with purple top stitching detail)

Old Jeans

Black HH Boots

awesome hat! (thx MOM!)

Today was a laid back at home day, with the exception of a pre-dinner appointment.  So for the most part I just wanted comfortable, but still pulled together.  We're expecting snow tonight and the temperature here definitely is commensurate with that forecast.

Grey Ruffled Cardi

Black Drape Neck Top

Old Jeans

Black HH Boots.

So far I'm finding the ease of dressing enjoyable.  I haven't worked too hard at accessorizing, aside from the obvious hats.  I expect when the semester starts up again at the end of the month, I'll be more attentive to using accessories to vary my looks.  For now, the dogs and the kid don't really care about my "flair".  

Day 2

Alrighty then! Spent last night pulling out all the clothes from closet and dresser and only putting back the items on my list. I know, quite an exciting Friday night!

I still need to get a bin to put all the removed items in, but that can wait until tomorrow.  Looking at my closet now is both an anxious and exciting thing.  On the one hand I am delighted to have space and lightness.  On the other hand, when I pulled back the curtain this morning to put together today's look, I was a bit shocked by what at first seemed a distinct lack of choice.  But I quickly rebounded and put together the outfit below.  Since it is Saturday and was snowing when I got dressed, I have a definite casual thing going on.  Today's agenda included groceries, cooking, and hanging out at home.  Later I'll be driving a couple of hours north to attend a monthly Irish Dance (ceili) in Baltimore.  Versatile and layered was the theme.

Flare Jeans

White V Neck top

Snowflake Cardi

Black Mary-Janes

accessories not pictured but worn earlier: faux fur 'trapper' hat

See you all tomorrow!

Project333 and Me!

I briefly considered starting a new blog entirely to document my progress with Project333 which you can learn more about HERE  .  But that would require too much effort, and if nothing else I am a master at taking the easy way out.  So instead of wasting time thinking up a great name and catchy hook for a new blog, I'll just repurpose this one.  Jus'sayin, will for the next three months, be devoted to my progress, feelings, and struggles, with Project333.  

Today is my first official day and thus far I have made my list, and documented my outfit du jour with a photo. I am also tracking all of this in a delightful little black book I purchased specifically for daily outfit descriptions.  This way, if I am away from the computer (oh no!) I can still update you. You're welcome.

I am also bending/customizing the rules a bit to accommodate my lifestyle.  In the basic rules, sleep wear, at-home lounge wear, and workout wear are excluded from the 33 items.  Well, sorry, but I don't do sleep wear, or at home lounge wear.  So, I am combining those two categories and renaming them "Scarves, hats, gloves, purses, shoes, coats" and including in the workout wear my sport/fitness/outdoor items...ie my ski gloves/boots/jacket, my motorcycling clothes/helmet, and hiking boots.  The originator of this program stresses that it has to work for  the person doing it.  So that's what I'm doing.   But before you cry foul, know that I am limiting my purses to: Teal day bag, Brown day bag, Red day bag, recycled sari evening bag.  My shoes will be: Black high heel boots, Black low heel boots, Brown high heels, Black mary-janes, Black Satin evening shoes, Metallic evening sandals.  Coats will be limited to: Tan Trench, Brown vest, Black leather jacket.  I actually don't have a decent pair of gloves at the moment, and I received two ADORABLE hats at Christmas that I just can't stop wearing.

So here is my list of 33:

1. Flare Jeans
2. Boot Cut Jeans
3. Old jeans
4. Black pants
5. Purple Drape Neck top
6. Black    "         "       "
7. Cream   "         "        "
8. Black V Neck top   Black Lace top
9. White V Neck top
10. Blue  V Neck top
11. Red Blouse
12. White Blouse
13. Black Blouse
14. Grey Ruffled Cardi
15. Snowflake Cardi
16. Black Turtleneck wool sweater
17. Red Turtleneck wool sweater
18. Rose Cowl Neck wool sweater
19. Blue V Neck Merino wool sweater
20. Brown V Neck Cashmere sweater  Grey Scoop Neck Silk/wool Sweater
21. Blue V Neck Cashmere sweater
22. Black and White print dress
23. Black wrap dress
24. Blue sweater dress
25. Black wool pencil skirt
26. Grey flare skirt
27. Green Velvet jacket
28. Black cocktail dress
29. Black shrug
30. Gold silk Tank
31. Black silk Tank
32. Maroon REI shirt
33. Black EMS tech fabric shirt

So there you have it.  My 33.  

And here is what I put together today, based on my scheduled activities of helping stuff envelopes for a school fundraising auction, and shopping for new black boots to replace my falling apart pair. 

This outfit is: Purple Drape Neck Top

Flare Jeans

Grey Ruffled Cardi

Black HH Boots

Rust 30's crochet hat w/flower

Hmm. maybe I should consider just putting the numbers for the items, who knows maybe they'll hit in the lottery and we'll all get rich!


****edited already!****  I made the decision to swap out the Black V Neck top for a Black Lace top, and to swap the Brown V Neck Cashmere sweater for a Grey Scoop Neck Silk/Wool sweater.  I reserve the right to continue to make adjustments if needed.