remixing in review: 30 items, 30 outfits

The award of item worn most often goes to...my black flats. I guess I can see why...they're comfortable and go with just about anything, dressy or casual. I suppose you can say they've been the all-star of this remixing venture.

This process was definitely a challenging one that started out easy enough. But as the days pass and the weather becomes colder, I realized that I didn't choose enough sweaters to add into my remix! Dresses, as much as I love them, unfortunately just aren't practical for my work or this time of year. I have to say, this is probably the most difficult time of the year to embark on a fashion challenge that limits clothing selection (well, at least in Atlantic Canada)!

If to redo the 30 for 30 again, I'd likely add more items that are versatile and easily incorporated into a layers. I have to say I learned a quite a bit from this process:

• Layers aren't just a strategy for warmth; they give a simple outfit new dimensons.
• That you can wear an item outside of the conventional way (i.e. tucking a cardigan into a skirt, belting a scarf).
• The major key to styling an outfit, at least in the finishing touches is the accessories: jewelry, scarves, belts.

I'm really glad Kendi encouraged other bloggers to join her in the 30 for 30. It was a great learning experience, but I'll admit I'm happy to be able to use my entire closet now and shop freely again! :)

my top 10 favourite remixers...

As you might have known or heard me mention, 337 bloggers participated in the 30 for 30 Fashion Challenge as started by Kendi of Kendi Everday. I have to give credit to all these bloggers: living on 30 articles of clothing for 30 days and not shopping: now that's a real challenge. For those who were able to follow the rules religiously I admire your strength...and for the rest of who might of, er, bent the rules a little...well I think we all learned a thing or two from this challenge, gained some insight into our styles, and learned a few things from each other.

Kendi of Kendi Everday

Kendi, on the 3rd round of the 30 for 30, makes remixing look effortless.

She sweet, stylish, modest, and I enjoy the sense of humour with which

she writes her blog posts. Her blog is a must-follow!

Check out her round-up of outfits for this 30 for 30. 

There are a number of bloggers I came across through this challenge that I will be adding to my blog roll, because they inspire me and I truely enjoy their style. I checked out the blogs of fellow remixers gradually over the course of the challenge. Here are my top 10 (aside from Kendi, of course) favourite remixers (in no particular order) that I'll continue to follow (and suggest you do too!):

1

Jen Lula of Jen Loves Kev

A blog I had heard about previously, but I didn't quite get acquainted with

Jen's blog until this challenge: and I'm glad I did!

2

Keira of A Pretty Penny

APP was a new and pleasant find for me!

3

Tania of What Would a Nerd Wear

I've followed her blog for a while now and I'm impressed that she always

makes the time to look good while battling the stresses of grad school!

4

Sydney of The Daybook

I'm a newcomer to Sydney's blog about life with her

husband and her adorable sense of style.

5

Linley of Dwelling & Telling

Linley has great, creative personal style and although Dwelling & Telling

isn't purely a style blog, I hope Linley continues to share her personal

style and outfits with us! 

6

Liz of 26 & Counting

Liz's blog was developed through her pursuit of assembling fun and office

appropriate outfits. I recently encountered 26 & Counting by randomly

clicking on links to fellow remixers' blogs. 

7 

 Ashley of Hudson's Happenings

Ashley's blog may focus on her family's day to day life events,

but I hope that she too continues to showcase her unique

and bold sense of style! Ilike how she remixes!

8

Linda of Rose a la Mode

I came across Linda's blog recently and enjoy her

well-put-together outfits!

 

9

Bre of 27b

I'll give Bre credit for the most interesting prop I've ever seen in an outfit photo!

 But that's not the only reason I've included her in the top 10...be sure to check out her blog.

10

Jill GG's Good Life for Less

Stay at home mom of 2: Jill happens to be one best dressed momma!

I've followed her blog for a while now. 

 Who are your favourites from the 30 for 30?

the big finale!

I have to say, I knew remixing only 30 items for 30 days would present some challenges,  but I suppose not in the ways I originally anticipated. Keeping up on laundry is definitely a must! It was best to pull my 30 items from my closet and keep them separate from the rest of my wardrobe- just so I wouldn't be tempted! Meeting the ever changing weather in Saint John can be a little difficult when you only have a limited number of garments on hand. I have to admit it was hard to keep it interesting, although there was some fun in the remixing and trying to create 30 unique looks. And the way mother nature has been acting lately, well, she's all over the board with cold spells, warm breaks, snow days, and downpours... 

While it's been a worthwhile experience, I have to be honest and say I'm glad I'm done and free to wear the rest of my clothing. I've gotten some great styling ideas from other blogs and learned a new appreciation for what's already in my closet. What they say is true: absense does make the heart grow fonder!

are we there yet?

So, technically, Monday had marked the end of a 30-day period that started on November 7: the 30 for 30 Fashion Challenge. I've been taking daily photos but haven't been able to keep up with the daily posts! Given that I'm about 11 posts short of the full 30 now, I thought I'd play catch-up by compiling my remixing in a round-up style. Above is outfits 19 through 24!

In her latest blog post, Kendi talked about uncovering a new personal philosophy this time around out of the 30 for 30 experience:  "There is no such thing as a perfect wardrobe, there is only such a thing as your wardrobe." I have to agree: it's quality over quantity; having the most doesn't mean you have the best. Everyone has their own style and different things are going to work for them. So choosing any items to add to my wardrobe in the future should be a selective, smart decision. (For goodness sake, I'm running out of room!) 

"Are we there yet?" (as said by the typical little child in the backseat). Not quite, but almost! Coming up this week would be the conclusive outfits, numbers 25-30. I'd have to say I've learned to appreciate my wardrobe much more through this process and I'm glad to have access to all my clothing again!  

remix round-up 13-18

I have to say I've found remixing 30 items not only a wee bit limiting, but it has also been a challenge to keep in fresh and interesting. So I have to give kudos to Kendi who is on her 3rd round of the 30 for 30! Also, great job to all the fellow remixers- we're almost done and the mission almost complete!

So, looking at the upside of things, here are some of the great things so far that have come out of the remixing process:

• I've come across interesting blogs in the process of checking out many of the 300-some participants.
• I've also found a little inspiration from other fabulous bloggers (creative ways to layer, particular colours or patterns that caught my eye)
• I've came up with a few new ideas of how to layer and tie accessories in
• I have a greater appreciation for my wardrobe as a whole!

Coming up this week would be the rest of my outfits as well as a blog post on some of my favs from the crowd of remixers!

Mother Nature's mood swings...

The rain is seriously putting a damper on the Holiday cheer. Everytime it snows, it seems that Mother Nature follows up with a rainfall to wash the seasonal decor away. If it's not within a few hours, it'll happen within 24. I can maintain all the other decorations I have put up: the outdoor lights, the garland, the holly-adorned centerpiece; just not the finishing touch: the snow. Come on, it's the only time of the year I tolerate the otherwise evil S-word (haha). One day there's snow in the background of my pictures...the next day I need to seek shelter with my camera because it's raining cats and dogs...

The Outfit

Plaid shirt- Joe Fresh Style (SJ, Oct '10)

Brown-tee- American Eagle (SJ, Oct '10)

Cords- American Eagle (ordered online, Fall '09)

Shoes- Aldo (Halifax, Sept '10)

Belt- from another shirt

Necklace- Swarovski (gifted from B)

Hat- Urban Outfitters (Montreal, June '10)

The Outfit

Blazer- RW & Co. (SJ, May '10)

Top- 03 Everly- Pseudio (SJ, Oct '10)

Skirt- American Apparel (Halifax, April '10)

Pantyhose- Ardene's (SJ, Oct '10)

Necklace- Swarovski (gifted from B)

Booties- Aldo (Toronto, Sept '10)

I have to say, the 30 for 30 Challenge has indeed been a challenge for me! I tend to be running out the door last minute, and sometimes it's not as easy to throw an outfit together under pressure when you have a limited number to choose from- I've been doing my best but I'll be glad to include the rest of my wardrobe again soon!

So, fellow remixers, have you found it easier or harder assembling outfits with only 30 to choose from?

sweater craze...

So I bring you another double feature post of outfits from the 30 for 30 Challenge. As I had mentioned before, I`m a little behind on posting since I`ve also been trying to cover other content of interest that has arisen while doing this challenge!  I might be only posting outfits 16 and 17, but I`m actually on Day 25 out of 30! Six more days to go until I can include the rest of my wardobe back into my day to day wear!

The Outfit

Sweater- In Wear- Peepshow Girly Boutique (Halifax, Spring `08)

Tank- American Eagle (ordered online, Aug `09)

Pants- R&W Co. (SJ, May `10)

Shoes- Aldo (ordered online, Oct `10)

Scarf- American Eagle (SJ, Summer `09)

Headband- Splurge (Halifax, Fall `09)

The Outfit

Sweater- Kensie- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Sept `10)

Pants- Ricki`s (SJ, Dec `09)

Top- H&M (Toronto, Sept `10)

Belt- Eddie Bauer (Moncton, Aug `06)

Necklace- Banana Republic (Freeport, Nov `10)

Shoes- Nine West (Freeport, Nov `10)

Well fellow remixers, how`s it feel to be almost done? Have you gotten any great outfit ideas or inspiration from other bloggers along the way? I know I have...look for an upcoming post on my favourites from the batch of 337 bloggers doing the 30 for 30 Fashion Challenge! 

baby it's cold outside...

I don't think I've ever paired this top with bottoms other than a pair of leggings- just because of it's long, loose fitting nature. I try to fit loose tops with form fitting bottoms, just to have some shape to the ensemble. But since I've got a number of outfits left in the remix of 30 days, I am going to have to try something other than the usual formula to strength 30 items into 30 outfits!

That's one good point to this challenge I've been embarking on with 336 other bloggers that Kendi Skeen of Kendi Everyday started and arranged. The challenge of making your items stretch in your imagination and coming up with other combos and outfits that you may not have put together before: stretching outside the usual and still being stylish!

The Outfit

(Faux) leather jacket- La Classe Couture- Winners (Toronto, Sept '10)

Top- 03 Everly- Pseudio (SJ, Oct '10) 

Black leggings- TNA- Aritzia (Toronto, Sept '08)

Booties- Aldo (Toronto, Sept '10)

Belt- Le Chateau (Halifax, Nov '07)
Long-sleeve tee- H&M (Toronto, Sept '10)
Necklace- Anne Marie Chagnon (Montreal, June '09)


The first...well, second...snow this season (the first occured very late on Halloween night and melted as the sun came up) I grabbed my camera and tripod, deciding it would be a good idea to catch the flurries in my outfit photo. I feel this outfit lacks a little creativity...perhaps a belt, but it was just one of those days where I needed to be out of the house quickly and the top priority I required of my outfit was comfort- my job often has me sitting on the floor, climbing under things; so really, a restricting outfit in anyway isn't practical. I wished I could wear more dresses and skirts day to day, but for the same reasons that doesn't really work out either! (Hence while I wittled my selection down to just one dress for my 30 items).

The Outfit

Military shirt- Mango (Toronto, June '10)

T-shirt- American Eagle (SJ, Oct '10)

Cords- American Eagle (

Shoes- Aldo (Halifax, Sept '10)

Necklace- Charm Diamond Center (gifted from B, May '10)

Can't believe this marks the last day on November! Since the Holidays draw closer, Ive converted my shopping wishlist (see the tabs at the top of the page) into my Christmas wish list!

remix round-up 7-12...

So this far into the 30 for 30 challenge, I have to say I'm a bit surprised I haven't worn all 30 items quite yet...but I suppose it's only 1 piece that I have yet to incorporate: the grey blazer.

I would say it's accessories that make the remix a little bit interesting: that fact that there are no limitations in this area allows you to bring in small touches to an outfit that give it individuality. For example, outfit #10 incorporated some rather basic pieces: a black long sleeved tee, skinny jeans, and a grey vest. Add some strands of gold bling and suddenly the outfit has been jazzed up! 

I have to admit, I've fallen a little behind in the outfit posting while trying to cover other content of interest, but I assure you, I'm still remixing and wearing items from my 30 and taking the daily photos. To catch up, I'm going to include at least 2 outfits in a post each time I share what I'm wearing from the 30 for 30!

Also, I've been introduced to so many other great style bloggers through this fashion challenge: thanks to Kendi for posting all the participants. I plan to do a feature blog post on some of my new favs I've come across in this challenge! For others not involved in the challenge, if you're on twitter, you can catch everyone's tweeting their outfit posts via the #30x30 hash tag!

playing catch-up....

So Ive been a little behind lately on my outfit posts for the 30 for 30 Fashion Challenge. In order to play a little catch-up I'm going to double up on outfits in my 30 for 30 posts starting this morning. I have to say, this challenge has proven to be trying in a number of ways...and I have to remind myself that the rest of my closet is off limits! It's been an interesting experience, but I can't wait to make use of my full wardrobe again- and just in time for holiday events and parties! I can say that finally I managed to find a spot to hang my 30 items...that didn't include the back of my couch...

The Outfit

(Faux) leather jacket- La Classe Couture- Winners (Toronto, Sept '10)

Blouse- H&M (Moncton, Aug '10)

Belt- Winners (Toronto, Sept '08)

Skinny grey pants- RW & Co. (SJ, May '10)

Shoes- Aldo- (ordered online, Oct '10)

Necklace- Forever 21 (Portland, Nov '10)

Hat- H&M (Moncton, Nov '10)

Scarf- Winners (SJ, Feb '09)

The Outfit

Top- Gentle Fawn- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Nov '10)

Skinny jeans- Nissi- Pseudio (SJ, April '10)

Sweater- Kensie- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Sept '10)

Boots- Aldo (gift from my parents, Dec '09)

By the way, all these Black Friday sales, even if they are just online for us Canadians, are oh so tempting! Emails from my favourite stores with discounts are continuously taunting me! Must...stay...strong!