Again, not really crazy about this outfit. I need thicker tights, for starters and don’t like the proportions. I am learning a lot in this dual post — what I don’t like and maybe I can’t be as much as a clothing minimalist as I would like — I need some other choices!

Today the day was gray and dreary and my outfit kept me warm but didn’t do much to lift my spirits. I know that a black turtleneck doesn’t do much for me (too much black close to my face) but I like the look from afar and it is warm and cozy. Paired with these cords, though, it’s just too much.

Menu:
Breakfast: Homemade bread toasted with butter; cafe au lait
Lunch: leftovers: creamy tomato pasta; brussel sprouts; romaine tossed salad; biscotti
Dinner: Timbales made with leftover chicken, cheese; wine

Old Navy Blouse - Express skirt (thrifted) - Sesto Meucci boots - Silver hoops - Silver chain

I took a trip to the thrift store despite my not a cent in lent challenge. I tried on shoes, blouses, jeans, skirts, dresses, but didn’t buy anything except some more art supplies, which I decided awhile ago, are an investment and are exempt from the challenge. The last time I tried to sell some, someone bought all six pieces, so now time to replenish my stock, so to speak.

Although I love doing a dual post with A this week, I honestly don’t like any of the looks I am coming up with. I am not happy with the tight restriction in my clothing and think I may have chosen the wrong pieces to create a chic look. It’s a good lesson for me. I’m sure A. will do better …
PS This picture was taken of Sunday’s outfit … not part of the dual closet posts …

We both have similar styles and own many similar clothing items, as some of you know from reading the Sweater Project on my blog a while back. We also pretty much stick to the same color palette: grays, blacks and navy.

I am slowly adding beige into this mix and during the warmer months wear my signature color: turquoise.

Anyway, I’ve mentioned this before, but my love of a minimalist wardrobe was sparked by my European friends. I saw how chic they looked with only a few clothes in their wardrobe.

I have found that the secret to style — for me at least — is less is more.

I also love the challenge of creating a chic wardrobe without spending a lot of money. I may splurge on some items, such as boots, a huge cashmere scarf, perfume, lingerie, high-heel sandals, whatever, but more often I try to find what I need secondhand.

This week, A and I have each chosen a number of items from our closets that we will mix up and try to make work each day of the week without drawing on other items. I hope you enjoy it.

light gray, black, charcoal sweaters

black, gray, navy scarves

ankle boots

black cords - levis - black skirt

Information about the clothes:
Sweaters:
I found the light gray cashmere sweater in the men’s extra large section at my local consignment shop. I had credit there for items I had sold so it was free.
The black turtleneck sweater is from Gap but I found it at the neighborhood thrift store with the tags still on. I think I paid about $10 for it, but can’t remember right now.
The charcoal sweater was my husband’s friends. He was visiting one day and I commented that I wanted to find a sweater just like his for myself, so he took it off on the spot and gave it to me.

Bottoms:
I bought the black cords (Union Bay) at Macy’s on sale for $14 or $19, I think.
I found the Banana Republic skirt at the thrift store for about $5
The jeans were also from the thrift store, think I paid a few bucks for those as well

Scarves:
The black one is my husbands. I think my brother gave it to him as a hand-me-down
Actually, come to think about it, that’s how we got the gray one, as well!
The navy one is a special gift I bought for myself in the fall from Banana Republic. I spent way too much money, but I did get it on sale and I adore it. It makes me happy everytime I see it.

Boots:
The mod looking boots I found at the consignment store. They are Liz Claiborne. Again, I either paid next to nothing because I had credit, or I paid nothing at all, can’t remember.
The high-heeled Etienne Aigner boots I bought at Macy’s in the fall of 2008, I believe. I probably paid less than $100, but don’t remember.

Tell me a little bit about this outfit and why you chose it?

Regular readers will recognize this outfit from Monday’s post. This has been my winter “go to” outfit. I usually live in jeans, but got soo sick of them this winter, I thought I’d try out a new look: extra large man’s sweater, small skirt, tights and boots.

I like it because it is chic, but yet still looks effortless. I would love to live in NYC and be dressed up all the time, but  in my little world, which involves preschool pickup, playdates, the park, etc., casual chic is key. Plus I need something that is super comfortable and won’t be ruined by sticky little hands with jelly or by me kneeling on the floor to play with the kids.

 What one item in your closet could you not live without?

Perfect fitting jeans.

What one or two words would you use to describe your style?

I’m aiming toward:  Effortless chic and subtly sexy

Who are your style icons/fashion inspirations?

Clemence Poesy, Julie Delpy, Sofia Coppola

Clemence Poesy

Clemence PoesyClemence Poesy

Clemence Poesy

Julie Delpy

Julie Delpy

Julie Delpy

Sofia Coppola

Sofia Coppola

Sofia Coppola

What bit of advice would you like to give others about finding their own style?

Study yourself. It seems a little self-indulgent, but I’ve spent quite a bit of time thinking about my style. I read Style Statement, which helped, but also every other style book I could get my hands on. Probably the biggest help has been this blog. Partly, as Fiona said, in taking pictures. You can see things you wouldn’t otherwise see through the camera’s objective eye. Also, by all the comments from people who read my blog. In addition, like Andi, I keep a look book, one on the computer where I copy photographs, but also a binder where I keep pages I rip out of magazines of women I find stylish or inspirational. The photos of my style icons (above) were in my computer’s style file.

What are the essential items every woman should have in her closet?

a perfect-fitting pair of jeans; a black blazer; LBD; boots; cashmere scarf;

What cosmetics and skin care products do you use/like?

I’m not particularly brand loyal when it comes to foundation, but wear Clinique lipstick, MAC lipliner pencil and Maybelline professional mascara. I have problem skin and swear by the three step Proactiv system, plus use a retinoid at night.

How much money do you spend on your wardrobe every month? every year?

Boy this is a tough question. I’m not sure I really keep track of it that well, but if I had to guess, I would say about $500, but that could be too high. I’m a huge thrift store shopper.

What is the advice you would give a  new mother?

 As a new mother it is so easy to become completely absorbed and centered around your baby – and you should to a certain extent, but it is important to remember that part of being a good mother is taking care of yourself and maintaining your identity apart from being someone’s mother. I struggle with this all the time, trying to remember who I am besides “Mama.” It helps me be a better mother by remembering this. Take time to do things away from your husband and children and maintain your own life, although this is very difficult at first. I still have a hard time being away from my kids for more than a few hours.

What is your most important beauty product?

Sunscreen, hands down.

What part of your style aesthetic has remained consistent throughout your life? For example, even though my style became slightly edgier and more experimental after I had my daughter–My love of things with a very slight equestrian edge has never changed.

I think the most consistent aspect of my style aesthetic has been my absolute, uneering strong preference for SOFT fabrics, for the way fabrics FEEL. I am obsessed with velvet, cashmere, soft, worn in tees, soft, worn in jeans. I love clothing that is plush and SOFT and always will. I have always hated ”hard” fabrics like scratchy wools and tweeds and other materials that don’t feel silky against bare skin. I refuse to wear most synthetic blouses because the fabric makes my skin crawl. It just feels horrible on my sensitive skin. 
 
Do you find that your clothing style is consistant/reflective of what you are drawn to in other areas of your life (such as with interior decorating)?

I read something recently about how your home’s colors reflect your style colors, but this is not the case with me. My house (as seen in some photos on this blog) is painted in tangerine, salmon, buttercup yellows and other brights I would never feel comfortable “wearing.” 
 
What is your opinion on the idea that your “style” of dressing reveals something of a personality? Do you think this is something that is uniquely American in concept? For example in France, Italy and other more formal European cultures -that put more of a premium on dressing well-it is difficult to draw a personality sketch of a person from the style of dress.

I just read some book – which one escapes me  right now– that talked about how everything you wear is making a statement to other people and that you should decide exactly what it is you want to tell others before you get dressed.
Honestly,  I’m not sure if this is uniquely American or not. I guess I do think more about what kind of message I am sending when I get dressed nowadays.
If you could change/influence something about the way that your blog readers view style, what would it be? 

That it doesn’t take money OR an extensive wardrobe to dress well.
 
Why did you decide to blog about “la bella figura’, which is a definite point of view (style) of viewing the world?

Because I am part Italian and really influenced by that side of me. It is all about the idea that you are not selfish or vain if you want to look good all the time — that actually you are showing respect for others by doing so. For instance, dressing well to go to the butcher shop shows respect for the butcher, rather than schlepping in with sweatpants on. It is about taking the time to dress nice in the morning so you feel good about yourself and therefore, can stop thinking about it and start thinking about others. Plus, honestly, it’s just a fun, escape.

Wow. I almost fell off the wagon last night. I’ve been doing some “window shopping” and stumbled across the most beautiful blouse in the world on ebay a few days ago. I didn’t even think twice and spontaneously bid on the item to my regret!!!!! I kept crossing my fingers that someone would outbid me … no such luck.

I contacted the seller before the auction ended and he said if I won, he would just cancel the transaction. Wow.

How generous and nice. I apologized profusely and still feel like a jerk about it, but am so glad I didn’t buy it.

I’m really trying to stick to my challenge for religious reasons, but also for reasons of integrity.

I think I learned my lesson by having to feel like a heel in retracting my bid. I still am grateful to the guy for letting me bow out.

I think I dodged a bullet, but learned my lesson.

My bookclub had a discussion about not a cent in lent last night (the CREATOR, my friend Jen) is in bookclub.

We talked about how it may seem a little self righteous to say so, but it is frustrating when so many people say, “Oh, how can you do that … it would be so hard, and so on.”

All we are doing is giving up buying NON ESSENTIALS until Easter. I buy food. I went and bought my daughter some dry erase markers her teacher said she needed to replace at school. I am NOT depriving myself. I have everything I NEED. Everything.

Some of my family members were the ones who told me, “Oh I could never do what you are doing Kristi.”

And I thought, “Really?” Why? I don’t get it.

My response to them was honest. I said, “It’s truly not that much of a stretch for me. I try to live this way anyway. I try to really think about my purchases and where my money goes.”

I admit I feel a little superior when I think to myself “I would rather have experiences than things.”

I should not be judgmental about this and need to work on it.

When you look at the world and look at so many people who don’t have the luxury to decide whether or not they are going to spend their money on non-essentials, it brings it all home. I think that is also the point of doing this Lenten challenge:  Realizing that the essentials that we are “restricting” ourselves to during this short time period of Lent, are out of reach for some people.

Most of us are so insulated in our tidy, comfy little worlds that we don’t even remember how others are scraping by to provide food for their families.

We are doing OK financially now, but I try to never forget this because even though I have always been able to feed my family, always had clothes and always have had a roof over our heads, I have been in the position before where I am feeding my kids scrambled eggs for dinner a few nights a week because our food budget was the only place with any wiggle room — and EVEN STILL I was still INCREDIBLY wealthy compared to most people in the world.

All right, I’ll get off my soapbox now …

It is just something I feel passionate about and it’s OK if you don’t agree …

Levis - Men's Cashmere Sweater (consignment) - Etienne Aigner boots - silver hoops - silver chain

Menu:
Breakfast: bowl of whole milk plain yogurt with homemade granola; banana; cafe au lait
Lunch: leftover green salad from last night with added chunks of ham and cheese, pepperoncini

 Dinner: roast chicken with potatoes, carrots, onions; wine

Film

We finished the last episode in the HBO series Rome this week. Netflix has made the winter go so much faster. Looking forward to watching the Battlestar Galactica programs and then the Rome series has been so much fun . … what next? Dexter? I’m not sure.

I also watched “In Bruges” last night.

Tonight my other bookclub meets, which is always a good time. This bookclub is also reading (on my suggestion) Sarah’s Key, which my other bookclub read last month.

JCrew Tee - Cashmere Cardigan - Black Cords - Etienne Aigner boots - cashmere scarf - hoops

 This outfit goes in my DIDN’T WORK folder … you can tell by my smile/grimace that I am not happy with this look … oh well. That’s the beauty of having this blog and taking photos of what I wear, clarity!

Menu:
Breakfast: bowl of plain, whole milk yogurt with homemade granola; banana; cafe au lait
Lunch: peanut butter, apricot jam and banana sandwich; tortilla chips
Dinner: Leftover spaghetti; salad; wine

Gap tee - DKNY blazer - Union Bay cords - Etienne Aigner boots

Menu:
Breakfast: vanilla whole milk yogurt with homemade granola and raisins; cafe au lait
Snack: baby carrots
Lunch: turkey and hot pepper jack cheese with pepperoncini and dijon sandwich
Dinner: Taco Tuesday; wine

French Love

I can’t say for sure, but I suspect my fascination with France and Europe stemmed from reading books about life overseas when I was a child. The books on the left and right were mine as a child.  They may honestly be the only things I still have from my childhood, along with a few pre-teen books I saved. I’m a minimalist and don’t hold onto very many things but these two books made the cut.

The first This is Paris was a gift from my mother’s friend when I was a baby. She had just been to Paris and wrote on the inside that she hoped I could visit there someday (which I have been blessed to be able to do). The one on the right, I’m less certain of the orgins, but if you flip it over, it has Grimm’s fairy tales on the other side (remember those types of books anyone?) The one in the  middle was one I picked up at a thrift store for my own children, hoping to spark their love for Europe.