Day 143: This is it!

After 143 days, I have worn all of my clothes! If it's in my apartment and it's wearable, it has been on my body at some point since July 6, 2011. The project didn't take as long as I had expected, especially when you consider that the first way I envisioned the blog is that I would wear all of the clothes I could for a year, and then give away everything I didn't wear in that year. But I wore lots of items, whether I love them or don't know why I own them, or somewhere in between.  Thanks to everyone who has read along or listened to me strategize and analyze the project as I went along. I appreciate the blog comments more than you realize--I love learning what your favorite pieces of my wardrobe are. It definitely helps me as I plan what to buy next! A big thanks to Steph K. for being a big blog and real life supporter, who really encouraged me to start a blog in the first place. And of course, this blog would have no pictures if it weren't for my husband Dave, who wants to keep taking pictures even though the clothes I'm wearing now have been on this blog already (Day 2, in fact. I missed that dress.).  I know I didn't win a Grammy, and this isn't even your favorite blog, but I had a lot of fun and it is the season of gratitude, you know. So thank you, thank you, and thank YOU!

You haven't seen the last of me! I will be back when I get new clothes, and probably also when I wear outfits that I want to share and remember. I also have a few round-up posts planned so you can look back on my favorite outfits of the past 5 months, as well as the pieces that I have gotten rid of as a result of this evaluation.  Stay tuned!

Sweater: Banana Republic

Hat: Urban Outfitters

Scarf: Gift from Steph Consoli, from U.O.

Day 141: Happy Thanksgiving!

Way back in 2008, the Phillies were awesome. As a life-long fan, the excitement and surprise at their talent was unfamiliar and the best feeling ever. In one play-off game the next year, when we were still feeling good, the Phils were down and nerves were high, when Ryan Howard came to the plate and saved the day with a double. The legend is that he was in the dugout, ready to deliver a game-winner, and told his teammates, "Get me to the plate, boys." And that quote was great, because it worked. So then Dave gave me this shirt for my birthday, and when I wore it--in the middle of my birthday party--the Phils lost to the Giants and the season was over for the good guys.  You may remember that Ryan Howard was particularly asleep at the plate. And he's been in a slump ever since. So while this shirt was once awesome, now it is just sad, which is why it is now my Thanksgiving shirt. Thanksgiving with Dave's family is casual, and there were plenty of boys there, so it made sense to me!

Tee: Gift from Dave

Red shirt: Betsy's

Chinos: Banana Republic

Jacket: Gift from Mom, Old Navy

Shoes: Converse via TJ Maxx

Day 136: Everyone Loves a Theta Girl

Is it just a coincidence that when I babysat for a few nine-year-old girls in the neighborhood this weekend and explained what a sorority is, they came downstairs wearing togas a few minutes later? I promise that I focused on the friendship and volunteering aspects, and said nothing of fraternity parties. I didn't even mention the Greek connection, but they dressed up like Aphrodite and Demeter, and the little brother was Hercules. I think I was Hera. 

Cardigan: Old Navy

Shirt: Kappa Alpha Theta, Kim's design!

Jeans and Sunglasses: Gap

Shoes: Nike via Famous Footwear

Day 130: A perfect fall day

Sunday was a full day of exploring Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. Dave and I woke up early and went for a run down to South Philly. Our first stop was Federal Donuts, a new shop that is very exciting for us donut-lovers. They were warm and fresh, and the Indian Spice one was tasty and not so bad for us as far as donuts go. Then we headed to the Italian Market before going back home to change and get ready for the rest of our day. I based my outfit around this purple ruffled tank top that is so hard to wear because it never looked good in the summer with shorts because of its high neckline, but the ruffles also mean it doesn't work well with cardigans. The cardigan and vest provided just the right amount of warmth to make the outfit work okay, but this shirt's days are numbered.  We stopped at Ikea to pick up a few things on our way, and then drove to Terrain for shopping and brunch with Stephanie and Dave. While they were finishing up, my Dave took my outfit photos:

Steph and Dave headed home, but Dave and I ran some errands and then went for a big walk at one of my favorite places, Winterthur.  Then after a stop at the Total Wine, we headed home at 6:30, when it already felt like 11 pm. We had neither the patience nor the ingredients to make dinner, so we took our Jose Garces gift card and treated ourselves by rounding out the day at Amada for some of the best food this city has to offer.

Tank and vest: Old Navy

Cardigan: Gap

Skirt: Anthropologie

Boots: Gift from Mom, Marshall's

Bag: Target
Earrings: Three Sirens boutique

Day 129: Circus Flora

In the summers of 2005 and 2006, I was a nanny on Nantucket and kept very busy with families of four each summer. I had a blast taking the kids to the beach and the playground every day, and think back on those summers fondly as some of the best times of my life.  I kept extra busy while I was there, though, and also worked for Nantucket Nectars, and in 2005, also at the Nantucket Atheneum (which is really just a library). As an intern at the Atheneum, I helped plan for the circus to come to town, and also count the donor preview day of the circus as one of the most fun days of those summers. My friend and co-intern Laurel and I got dressed up and walked around the cocktail hour, showing off a piece of jewelry and an incredible circus-themed piece of embroidery so they could be auctioned off later in the evening. We mingled, enjoyed hors d'ouevres, were amazed by the circus acts, chatted with some performers, and stayed late to enjoy many Stirrings cocktails. I also got this kid-sized tee shirt out of the deal. Good times.

Tee: Nantucket Atheneum

Cardigan: Gap

Jeans: Old Navy
Bag: Coach

Day 128: A Bucknell Classic

Not all of the fashions from the 1980s were bad--take a look at this shirt! I'm lucky to have attended the same university as my dad for many reasons, one of which is that I have access to this baseball tee my mom picked up when she first visted my dad's alma mater around 1983. I was surprised when my husband said he'd never seen this shirt until today, but it's true that I don't wear it often. The first time I wore it was during College Day in high school, when I leaned back in my chair and got gum on the back of my shirt.  All of the Goo Gone in the world can't get the weird splotch off of the back of this shirt.

I wanted to channel my mom when I was figuring out what else to wear with this, but 1. I don't have any pants that I made myself and 2. I don't know what else she wore when she was my age. Mom, what should I have done?

Top: Bucknell University

Jeans: From Laura, Gap

Chucks: TJ Maxx

Necklace: Gift from Alicia

Bracelet: ??

Day 123: Sunday Funday

Jen and I went shopping downtown on Sunday, and I just picked up a few sale items from Anthropologie. I actually wanted to get started on Christmas shopping, but it's just so much easier to shop for myself! I wore this cozy gray sweater with pockets, and put the other sweater on top to go out for dinner at Barbuzzo and to Alyssa's last day as bartender at Brauhaus Schmitz.  I only have two pairs of pants that look good with boots, so I apologize for the lack of diversity here. I'm working on it.

Gray shirt: Kohl's?

Sweater: Old Navy (party cardi)

Jeans: Old Navy

Boots: Gift from Mom, Marshalls

Scarf: I think another gift from Mom

Belt: Gift from Betsy, Old Navy

Purse: Coach

Day 122: What I wouldn't have worn

After a run on Saturday morning, the day consisted of a trip to the grocery store, Target, and the liquor store. We headed across the bridge to New Jersey for this so we could mix it up and go to Wegmans instead of our little neighborhood Super Fresh.  I really love Wegmans. I've been able to wear most of my hoodies on trips to and from the gym, and none of them are really so exciting, so you're not missing much when I don't photograph them. Here is a bright orange hoodie that my parents gave me when I was about to go to Bucknell because they didn't want to pay $65 for a sweatshirt. I've since bought some school-sprited clothes, but I understand their hesitation to pay full price at the bookstore.

I think this top was $2.50 about 10 years ago, and has some random stains on it, so it's time to say good-bye. I don't even think this one deserves a thrift store.

These pictures were taken at Retrospect, a vintage store on South Street, where I was tempted to buy a leather skirt. I put it back.

3/4 sleeve top: South of the Border in South Carolina

Hoodie: Adidas from Kohl's

Jeans: Were Laura's, Gap

Chuck Taylors: TJ Maxx

Day 121: What do you think?

As I'm nearing the end of my project, I want to know what you liked about it. Would you be willing to scroll back a bit and let me know what some of your favorite outfits are? You can also click on the keywords to the right to find older outfits that way.  If you hate an outfit, I probably hate it too, and may have already given away parts of it, so you don't need to tell me that, unless you think it's really important, and you're sensitive about it! I have decided that there is certainly room in my wardrobe for some additions, so I would love your feedback to learn what you think I should add to my closet.  For instance: jeans. I know I need new jeans! I have been adding components along the way, either just for fun (leopard print blouse) or because taking daily photos of my outfits tells me what is lacking (boots, until recently!).  So the project has helped me expand my wardrobe a bit, but I'd like to hear how you think I can improve it some more.  Thanks for reading and encouraging me along the way!  There are still plenty of outfits to come, but I promise they're not necessarily the highlights of my wardrobe. There are some fun pieces left though!

I am picking Chloe up from ballet and then babysitting tonight, which may have partially inspired today's bun in my hair.

Notice how the sign says "Watch Children". That's what I do best!

Sweater: Gift from Dave's Aunt Edie

Phillies shirt underneath, in case of extreme heat or itch: Gift from Easter Bunny, K-Mart

Jeans: Tommy Hilfiger via TJ Maxx

Boots: Gift from Mom, Kenneth Cole via Marshall's

Bag: Old Navy

Coin pearl earrings: Gift from Dave, Syracuse shop

Day 117: Spooky stripes

Happy Halloween! I stayed home from work today and made Halloween chocolate covered strawberries for the neighborhood kids I do know and tissue-covered Tootsie Pop ghosts for the kids I don't know. (And also the ones I do know, who were very lucky this year!) For the trick-or-treaters, I wore my wedding dress, but the rest of the day I wore this ill-fitting striped sweater that creates some unfortunate optical illusions.

Sweater: Gap

Jeans: Old Navy

Day 116: Camping in Old City

Okay, I admit it. I need some variety in my sweater collection. I have this brown one, the black one I already wore, a white one I haven't worn yet, and I think Betsy has the pink one right now. They're not all exactly the same, but you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the styles. Do you think I could add some elbow patches on this one to add a bit of excitement?

These photos were taken in front of the window display of the store called Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.

To work through my wardrobe, I was wearing this outfit with a light-weight (summery) zip-up melon-colored hoodie overtop. It wasn't a great look, which means I think it's time to get rid of that top.  One time in college a girl was wearing that hoodie and I didn't realize until later that I had the same one.

Hat: Gift from Mom, From Etsy

Sweater: Gap

Jeans: Old Navy

Boots: Gift from Mom, Marshalls

Day 114: Warmth

I'm really working through my sweater collection already. I don't necessarily wear one at a time, and I like to wear big ones, like this yellow one, around the house and to sleep in at night. I almost always wake up uncomfortable from the warmth of a sweater like this, but it's worth it for the pre-bedtime hours. I have two yellow Ralph Lauren sweaters: one was my mom's sister's, and the other was my dad's dad's, so they are a special sentimental component of my wardrobe.  On Friday, I wore the yellow sweater (with the scarf pictured below) while tidying the house and to the Italian Market, and then changed into the blue cardigan for dinner at Amis to celebrate October birthdays.  I still couldn't take off that scarf though: I see what Dave loves about it!

Yellow sweater: Was Aunt Kim's, Ralph Lauren

Blue Sweater: TJ Maxx

Jeans: Tommy Hilfiger via TJ Maxx

Socks and boots: Gift from Mom, Boots from Marshalls

Scarf: Dave's, from Ireland

Day 111: Santa Monica to LAX to PHL

Is it really time for my final LA outfit post? It's hard to believe that this trip was really so short, since we packed so much in! For the final night in Southern California, I wanted to stay somewhere outside of downtown, and I wanted it to be special. I did a tiny bit of research on places worth staying that weren't far from the airport, and I couldn't stop thinking about the Oceana Santa Monica, which I found out about from Cup of Jo. We got in late and went for drinks at Bar Chloe with Chris and Rosalie, and met up with Dave's (and my) friend Matt and our new friends Baily and Mesch. We spent a few hours enjoying the hotel room in our sleep, then enjoyed a fresh buffet and a big walk around Santa Monica before heading to the airport. Do you like the binoculars necklace Dave gave me for my birthday? I do! How about my running shoes? I know it's not stylish to wear sneakers around, but these aren't as bad as they could have been, and I needed a break from the heels I was wearing all weekend!

Cardigan: Betsy's, Target

Tank and Jeans: TJ Maxx

Running Shoes: Brooks, City Sports

Purse: Coach

Sunglasses: Gap

Necklace: Kate Spade

Day 110: From work to play and back again

Monday started with a nice, long meeting for work, and ended with a casual work dinner. I wore this shirt with a black pencil skirt and the blazer from the day before, but changed into something a little more comfortable after the meeting.  This outfit to me to Phillipe's and around Chinatown and then the Grove, before I had to get back downtown for dinner. I am so jealous of all of the shopping opportunities in the Los Angeles area. Anywhere you look, there are stores worth stopping into, and though I resisted the temptation since there was so much to do, it didn't stop me from wanting to bring the shopping districts home with me. Philadelphia is absolutely lacking in this regard. By the way, I realized why I didn't have flats before I just bought this pair: they all hurt my feet! Why am I more comfortable in heels than flats? Does anyone else have this problem?

Top: Gap

Jeans, Bag, and Flats: Old Navy

Earrings: From Mom

Necklace: Gift from Lauren

Day 108: California Cool

We packed so much into our first day in Southern California. After waking up at Chris and Rosalie's apartment in Hollywood, we met up with Denise and Dan and we explored everywhere! We first went up to Chris's rooftop and admired his pool and the Hollywood sign, and then we jumped in the car for our full day of adventures. We went to the Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and Graman's Chinese Theater. The next leg of our trip was all sight-seeing by car: Mulholland Drive, Beverly Hills, and I felt like the Fresh Prince, coming from Philadelphia to Bel Air.  Saturday was my first time ever eating at an In 'N Out Burger, and I thoroughly enjoyed my burger and shake. The majority of the evening was spent at the Getty, which is one of the best art museums I've ever been to. Not only that, but it was even more than just an art museum. They have a great outdoor space, and the whole place is so big that I wanted to spend days there! We came back downtown toward the hotel for dinner at a noodle shop, and reflected on the full and exciting first day in Los Angeles.

Top and boots: Old Navy

Tank top: Kohl's

Jeans: Tommy Hilfiger via TJ Maxx

Sunglasses: Gap

Necklace: Gift from Lauren

Day 107: Happy Birthday, Dave!

Let's all wish a happy birthday to my bright, beer-loving husband and photographer, Dave! We're celebrating his 27th by working almost all day, and then flying across the country tonight. The best part is that Dave gets three extra hours because of the time difference, so it will still be October 21st when we land! As part of Dave's present, I ordered a bunch of pictures we've taken over the past year and a half since we've been married.  It's incredible how many places we've traveled together since last April. In addition to various places in Maryland (including Baltimore), New Jersey (including Stone Harbor), and the Philadelphia area (including King of Prussia), we have spent quality time in these great places:

• Providence
• Nantucket
• Boston
• Atlanta
• Charleston
• Savannah
• San Francisco
• New Orleans
• Costa Rica
• Pittsburgh
• Jamaica

All of these trips were so special and memorable, and I look forward to many, many more explorations with Dave.  My recent experience in travel means that I know just how to be comfortable on long plane ride from one climate to another. A light sweater with a substantial tank top underneath, with my comfiest jeans. I'll also change into sneakers or sandals so I can curl up in my seat, and I'm packing a trench coat.

 

 Sweater: Macy's in Minneapolis

White tank: ??

Jeans: Old Navy

Boots: Kenneth Cole via Marshall's

Bag: Target

Day 102: Birthday blouse

I spent Saturday night and all day Sunday at my parents' house, and only packed all of the clothes I needed to wash because I still need quarters at my apartment. So I reworked the same jeans and boots from the day before, and paired them with a new birthday present shirt from my parents. In these pictures, it's nice and wrinkly from a long day of baby wrangling.  I also spent a good amount of time buying a few new things from Old Navy today, but I'm going to wait a little while to wear all of it so that I can make a dent on the pieces that are still sticking around from the beginning of the project. My birthday is Sunday, October 23, and Christmas is also coming up probably before my project is over, which means that it might never end!

Shirt: Gift from Mom, Old Navy

Jeans: Tommy Hilfiger via TJ Maxx

Boots: Gift from Mom, Kenneth Cole

Necklace: Gift from Margaret, Banana Republic