Style vs. Fashion

Once you figure out your style, the sky is the limit.  It is about having clothes that reflect you as an individual and don't follow what mainstream society is doing.  The same thing goes for trends.  Trends are over in a flash.  Don't go out and spend a lot of money on something that will be out style in a month or two.  Find pieces that will stay classic for years.  It is okay to have some trendy items in your closet just please don't go trend crazy.  If you are really into chevron prints, get one chevron top.  Don't get a chevron top, skirt, dress, bag, earrings, etc.  That is trend overkill!  Fashion is trendy.  Fashion is what you see on the runways in New York, Paris and Italy.  Style is Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Jackie O.  These are ladies that women today try to emulate because their style was classic and timeless.     Enjoy your clothes be fashion forward, but keep your closet about 90% classic/timeless pieces and 10% trendy pieces.

Happy Shopping,
Christin James

That's About Right

I know I always get very excited when someone re-pins an outfit I pinned!  I want to hear from all of you.  Are you completely addicted to Pinterest?  If so, what do you mostly like to look at while browsing Pinterest?  I love looking at the Women's Fashion board and Humor board.

My Closet Style 365 Kick-off Coming Soon!!!

I am beyond excited to kick-off this blog!  I have one last shopping trip the first weekend of May.  I am hoping to pick up a couple of essential pieces that I have needed like a crisp white button up shirt.  I can't believe I don't already have one!  Anyways, the blog will kick-off after I return from my weekend shopping adventure.

I hope I inspire all of you to re-think the clothes in your closet that you already have.  Think of them in a different way.  Try things you wouldn't normally try.  There aren't many rules in fashion and once you find your style, well then, the sky is the limit.  Who says polka dots and animal print can't work together?  Not me!

The rules for my 365 day no shopping challenge are as follows:

1. Put together a new outfit using clothes already in my closet everyday for 1 year.
2. If I have to buy something it must come from a thrift store or discount store.
3. Share styling and shopping tips weekly.
4. Share my no-shopping struggles and how I am coping with the challenge as need be. 

God has laid it on my heart that I am addicted to shopping.  That is the primary reason why I am doing this.  I want to be obedient to God and draw closer to Him.  I am excited about this challenge I have given myself.  I hope you will be supportive and have fun following me during my journey of obedience and growth.  I also hope I encourage you and help you all become a little more fashionable (and perhaps save some money from shopping too much)!

Christin James

My Love, SHOPPING!

I LOVE to shop!!!!!!  I find that shopping for me reduces stress and helps me to clear my head and think.  Of course, before I set out shopping I give myself a budget or a goal.  By goal, I mean that I decide on something specific I will be out searching for.  This makes shopping fun, especially when you shop at discount chains like TJ MAXX, Ross, Goodwill, ect.  When you are searching for your 'golden item' at these types of stores you have to dig through EVERYTHING or you may miss what you are looking for.

I know A LOT of people who avoid discount stores because they are overwhelming.  There is so much stuff and nothing seems to be organized.  It's not like walking into Old Navy and knowing that all the jeans are stacked neatly on the wall, organized by style and size.  No, these kinds of stores are organized a bit more chaotically.

I recommend before you visit a TJ Maxx, Ross, Marshall's, Goodwill, that you wear comfortable clothes, make sure you are hydrated, try to go without any kids!  Why?, well because the aisles are tight and people are frantically digging through everything and kids are grabby little boogers going to get bored.   You don't need any added distractions and children are distracting!  Also, make sure you are not on a tight time schedule.  You will want to take as much time as you need to look at everything.

Now, I know this all sounds very hectic.  It will get easier.  Once you learn the layout of the store and have an idea of what is where, you'll be able to navigate the store with much more ease.  Also, think of all the money you are saving by buying at discount stores.  You can find name brand items for 20%-80% off retail.  That is AMAZING!  I once bought a Calving Klein formal dress at TJ MAXX for $30.  Who does that?!

Challenge:

Next time you decide to run to the mall for a dress, blouse, pair of shoes, whatever, try going to a discount store first.  Try to be open to slightly adjusting your image of what you want.  By this I mean, if you are looking for a one shoulder navy blue cocktail dress be prepared to not find exactly that.  You may find a light blue spaghetti strap dress, or a red one shoulder dress.  Be open minded when shopping.

Warning:

This will become addictive!  I have to warn you to not go overboard.  Don't buy something just because the price is great.  If you already have 20 pairs of jeans, you don't really need to buy that pair of Lucky jeans just because they are $40.  If the clothes don't speak to you or fulfill a specific purpose in your wardrobe, DON'T BUY IT!!!  I can't tell you how many times I've bought a top or dress just because it was a good price.  All those items are still hanging in my closet and NOT being worn.  That is wasted money and wasted closet space.  Buy what you need and occasionally buy a special piece just because.  Try on clothes before you buy them.  Just because an outfit assemble looks good on some random chick on Pinterest, doesn't mean it will look good on you.  We all have different body types.


With all that being said, have fun and happy shopping!!!

Christin
  

Getting back to it!

I have finally decided on a vision for this blog.  I am going to take what I do best...Shopping, and turn it into a daily blog.  I am a Pinterest addict like I'm sure most of you are.  Pinterest has inspired me to remake my closet.  I didn't have to do much since I already had a closet full of clothes that I never wore because I didn't know how to wear them.  I have been playing in my closet a lot lately mixing and matching different items I already have and making epically adorable and trendy outfits.  I am hoping that this daily blog will help people find new life in the clothes they already own.

It's not just going to be about clothes!  I am also an avid movie goer and foodie.  I am hoping to incorporate this into my blog as well.  I am excited to have a creative outlet and equally as excited to have an excuse to play dress up daily:)

Christin  

Boring Blog

I wish a blog fairy would come over and make my blog look amazing.  Perhaps I have adult A.D.D., but I just can't seem to find the motivation and/or patience to sit down and make this blog look pretty.  So many of my friends have pretty blogs and they share their pretty blogs on Facebook so al their family and friends can see their goings on.  Me, not so much.  I write a blog post once in a blue moon and when I do, I never share it with anyone.  If anyone does happen by my blog it is a mere coincidence or possible very bad luck.  So if you are reading this, welcome to the ugliest blog on the internet:)

Getting My Read On

So far this year I have managed to read three books.  This is already an improvement of last year where I barely read three books for the whole year.  I haven't read these books by choice however.  I decided that with all the hype going on about the movie "The Hunger Games" and knowing I'd eventually cave and want to go see it, that I need to read the book first.  So I pulled out my handy iPad and downloaded "The Hunger Games".  I have OCD so once I start something I have to finish it and quickly.  I started reading the book around 9pm and read until 2am.  I started back the next morning and was done by noon.  Now "The Hunger Games" is the first book of three so given my OCD I HAD to finish the trilogy and finish it NOW.  No waiting, no relaxing reading before bed.  No, I had to get it done, so I downloaded "Catching Fire" book two of the trilogy.  I read through it in a day.  I took time out to feed myself and my children, run errands, and break up fights between my kids, I even showered so I'm not as obsessed as you might think.  By that evening I was downloading the last book of the trilogy, "Mockingjay".  I read through that book in one day as well.  I am glad I am done, because those books are down right depressing!!!  I don't know how it can be categorized as juvenile fiction.  I wouldn't let my kids read them.  The books definitely were not wrapped up in the nice bow that the "Twilight Saga" was wrapped up in.  Regardless of how I feel about the books, it felt good to be reading again.  I've missed it a lot and I hope this year I will read more than last.