wardrobe basics

Recently, I've spent a lot of time going through my closet to get rid of things. I go in my closet every morning and feel like I have absolutely nothing to wear. I have a lot of pieces, but very few "looks." Over Christmas break I was able to get rid of two full bags of clothes, and over my spring break I was able to get rid of one more. I have to admit that during the process I've realized I'm a cardigan hoarder. I wear them practically every day to work. I had six black, five gray, and three tan cardigans that were pretty much the same (minus a ruffle or button detail), along with about ten other cardigans in various other colors and patterns. I was having a hard time figuring out what to do because I really do like something about all of them. Luckily, that same day The Nate Berkus show had a special about editing and organizing your wardrobe!


His guest made 30 completely different looks using items from a well-edited wardrobe. This is one week of looks. 
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Here is the list he had for wardrobe basics. Yes, I took notes:
- white tank top (need, basic)
- white button down (need, without ruffles)
- black or gray sheath dress (love, sheath dresses. I also have them in navy and pink)
- colored t-shirt (need)
- striped t-shirt
- printed blouse (need)
- bright blouse
- bright cardigan
- dark straight jeans
- white jeans (i'll pass on these!)
- black pants (need a longer pair, mine shrunk)
- black or gray skirt
- bright printed skirt
- black belt
- bright belt (need, in pink)
- black pumps (need!)
- nude pumps
- flat sandals
- bright flats
- strappy heels
- striped blazer (want)


I'm not sure I could ever get it down to only these items, but the list definitely helped me pare down even more. I cut my cardigan collection in half and realized that I don't need four variations of a white tank top. I've been meaning to get a lot of these items on the list for awhile, so I took the opportunity to browse for some bargains over the break.


I just purchased these on sale for close to 50% off! I've had my eye some very similar pumps at J. Crew. I can't wait to get these in the mail!
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I have a ton a black heels, but no closed-toe which was a bummer this winter when I wanted to wear tights. I'll be on the look out for these as well as a bright pink belt, and a striped blazer. I've found quite a few blazers, but each one always ends up having some weird detail that I don't like, like pea coat-style buttons, or sweatshirt material. If you find any, let me know! :)


new york, new york

I took Tobias to the vet this morning. The poor guy has horrible allergies and keeps scratching himself to the point that he bleeds, and he's also been constantly shaking his head from an ear infection that he got from the allergies. He got some antibiotics for his scratches and medicine for his ears, so he should be like new in no time. The best part of my day was when the veterinarian came in and said, "Tobias. Was he by any chance named after that character from Arrested Development?" I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT! Tobias is now a patient for life.

I also went shopping today. Gap had a 30% off coupon so I stocked up on work clothes for Charlie and myself. Then I headed over to the Container Store and got a lot of containers to organize our pantry and books for my kids, and the best part is that I get 15% off of everything I buy for being a teacher! Finally, I went over to Border's. They're closing a store right by my house so everything is on sale. Since I had originally planned to teach in the very early elementary grades, I only have children's books for my kids to read, so I stocked up on a ton of chapter books for my older kiddos and got them all for 40% off. I feel pretty good about my money saving skills today.

I spent the rest of the evening cleaning and organizing. I feel a lot better than I did yesterday evening. Mostly because I just booked my flight to visit Charlie in New York! I almost booked it right before he left, buy I'm glad I waited because the exact same flights were almost $300 less today. It's still almost two weeks away, but at least I know when I'll be seeing him again. I absolutely hated not knowing when he was coming back home. I'm staying for four days, and I'm so excited for my first trip to NYC! It really comes in handy to only be obligated to work three days out of the week during times like these.