Monday, January 3, 2011

Twelve for Thirty

Maybe it's because of the economy and so many people out of work, maybe it's the poverty and tragedy in Haiti and other parts of the world, maybe it's just my age, but I have been thinking a lot about excess this past year. I look at all we have and all we actually need and I see the chasm.


Jim and I talk a lot about paring down, hoeing out, getting rid of the excess. That is probably because we have emptied out both his parents' and my mother's homes and laughed at all the crazy things they kept. We don't want our daughters to say that about us.




Now, if any of you know me at all, you know that I have a huge weakness for clothes. This dates way back to my high school days and has probably grown with age. I just love clothes. I spend a lot of time thinking about what I'll wear where and how I will accessorize it.


A few months ago, I read an article in a magazine suggesting the experiment of choosing ten items of clothing and wearing just them for a month. I was intrigued by the idea and found myself thinking about it at odd moments of the day. Finally, I decided that I would like to give it a try....after the holidays.




Today is my first day. I have adapted the plan to suit me, just a little. I am doing Twelve for Thirty for the month of January. At this point, I must clarify that I have chosen twelve items of clothing and have not limited my accessories at all. I'm hoping to be so creative with accessorizing that no one will really notice my dearth of outfits.


So, join me, will you and see if the Clothes Horse can actually stick to the experiment?



Here are the twelve items I have chosen: black slacks, grey slacks, denim jeans, one white top with a screen print, one white turtleneck with snowmen, one plain white turtleneck, one black turtleneck, one black long sleeved tee, one long sleeved grey tee, one red vest, one black jacket.


Here I am on day one ready to spend the day with my friend Karen.


I need to add here that I did not count my workout clothes, or my house pants in the mix.


Stay tuned and see if I can actually do this.


Self confidence is the first


requisite to great undertakings.


~Samuel Johnson~


~Hippo Hugs~

8 comments:

Lynilu said...

I'm not so brave! I really think I could do it, but, uh, er, well, I don't want to! LOL!

I actually picked out a slim wardrobe a few months ago with that in mind. But then I asked myself why I was considering it, and I didn't have a good enough reason to give up the rest of the clothes for a month! I know, I know!

I will say this .... I went to Hawaii for two weeks, plus travel days, and excluding shoes, swimwear and underwear, I had 11 items. Admittedly, that was just 16 days, not 30, but being on vacation, I thought that was pretty good!

You go, girl!!!

Nancy said...

You look great!!! Welcome back to Blogland! I am going to try to do more posting, too! And also more blog reading! :)

Love your idea of the 12 items...but I can't do that myself. I just lost 54 pounds and now have an entire new wardrobe to wear, once I unpack some containers! My clothes are now bagging on me! LOL I have some of those huge tubs filled with clothes with the tags still on them that I've never worn, so I just HAVE to get them out and pressed and wear them! I am excited! I have several pairs of brand new jeans that I never shortened, too! So that is what I'll be doing this winter, along with painting and laying more ceramic tile.

Looking forward to your posts! Hi to Jim!

((( HUGS )))

CAmport said...

I am so intrigued! I have to ask, are these outfits you wear often anyways? Or did you pick out just solids with the idea of mixing and matching with basic colors?

I find myself wearing the same outfits over and over anyways, so while it seems like a tough task, I think I might just be able to do it. In theory, not in actuality. I'll see how you do first! :)

hippo chick said...

Chrissie,

I do wear these things often. I picked them knowing that I could probably make them look quite different with accessories. We'll see. I'm already thinking about tomorrow. It's our lunch and movie day, so I'll go pretty casual.

P,

Tracy said...

great idea. I was just thinking about my own closet today. there are things I need to donate because I probably won't wear them again. I like to go by the 3 F's rule: does it fit? is it fashionable? is if flattering? If there are any "no's," than I pass them along.

Sharon said...

Welcome back and I must say that you sure do look good in day 1 photo.
I am sure you will be able to pull this off.
I am in your corner, so you go girl.
Hugs

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

You look great and I know that you can do it. Interesting that your love of clothes that you picked this project.
I would have no problem doing it because the last few years I don't like the way clothes are made and I seem to wear the same things a lot. Bad habit but I too was use to working in a uniform everyday too. lol
Good luck and with what you picked out you won't have any problems
Love
Maggie

Country Mouse, City Mouse said...

Well, you look adorable on the first day. Have fun with it!