Red, White, and Blue

thrifted: 
navy sweater $3.99 Basic Editions
newly thrifted jeans $1.74 Jag
scarf $1.40
purse $7.31 Rockport
canvas slip on sneakers $4.99

Converse All Star Sneakers

thrifted:
Converse All Star sneakers $3.59
jeans $4.20 Forever 21
gray hooded zip up jacket $2.79 Old Navy

Casual Blue Striped Zip Jacket

 It's hard to believe this jacket retailed for $79.  I would have never paid that...but for under $7 it makes a nice jacket for a casual day.  
It would have would have looked better if I'd have pushed the sleeves up on both the top and jacket. :)
I have on earrings w/ blue in them (which you can't see).  I kept it super simple and didn't even add a necklace.

jacket $6.50 (new w/tags $79) Jones New York
white long sleeved tee $2.09 Faded Glory
white jeans $6.39 Miracle Body
sneaker $6.49 Keds

My Casual Uniform

We're back from our trip!  Had a good time, but we were SO glad to get home and back into our routine.  We ate soooooo much while we were gone that we both gained 10 whole pounds!!!  Eeek!  I've lost about half of that already just getting back to our healthy eating.  Five more pounds to go to get back to where I was.

This casual outfit and was worn before we left, but was also taken on our trip.  I wore a variation of this nearly every day while we were gone and loved it.  Jeans (or other pants), tee (long or short sleeved), and necklace...and most days also adding a scarf. 
This is such a comfortable look for me that I plan on adopting it to use as my staple "uniform".
Since I do have so many other clothes I will continue to rotate and wear those as well, but over time I'll gradually be eliminating more and more things from my closet.  Eventually I hope to be left with a more minimal and casual looking wardrobe.

The blue long sleeved tee is Great Northwest Clothing Company.  I have several of this brand and love them.  They're so soft.
The jeans are a high rise denim legging by Mossimo.  Love these too.  They're stretchy.  Thank goodness.  With that 10 pound weight gain these just stretched with me while we were gone. haha
I'm not sure what brand the jacket is.  The label was torn off when I thrifted it.  
The sneakers are Keds.  I am surprised at how often I've opted to wear these.  I always figured myself to be more of a "sandal girl", but these sneakers are not as big and clunky as some others I own (old Sketchers) and I like them much better. 
Well, I'll get around to posting some pics from our trip within the next week or so.
Thanks so much for stopping by and thank you to those who left nice comments while I was gone.  :)

Sneakers...and Minimalism Revelations

These thrifted Ked's sneakers are just what I was looking for.  They'll provide comfortable walking, they fit my lifestyle, and they'll be perfect for our July trip.

I talked previously about being inspired by a lot of "minimizing your closet" videos.  Planning my wardrobe for our 10 day trip was another big eye opener and source of inspiration.

I chose items that I can mix and match, items that I like, shoes that are comfortable, etc. and that will all fit into 1 carry on suitcase.  Looking at the pieces I'd chosen I realized I could create numerous outfits (1 of which I'll be traveling in and won't have to pack) with 4 pr trousers (+ 1 pr shorts), 11 tops, 3 cardigans, a casual cotton hooded jacket, 3-4 pairs of shoes, 6 scarves, and some jewelry.
(I will photograph and show you my travel wardrobe in a later post.)

The areas we'll be traveling to will range in temperature from a low of around 58 degrees at night to a high of about 90 during the day.  The coastal area will have a daytime temperature of about 70-75 degrees, but the inland area may be up around 90 degrees.  So I'm bringing a variety of sleeve lengths and layers in accordance with the expected weather conditions.

But...as I hung everything up in sight where this whole collection could be viewed...I realized that collection could be my minimalist wardrobe right there! And I could probably be happy with those clothes and still have plenty of choices.  I would have to add in a few pieces such a couple of heavier sweaters and fall/winter shoes...but not a ton more.  I could probably double that amount of clothing (not counting shoes and accessories) and bring my wardrobe item count to roughly 50 pieces.  That amount could conceivably see me through all seasons.
I'm excited and astounded by that thought!

(I just did a quick count of the items of clothing I just have hanging in my closets and on double hanging rack in my dressing room...and I counted approx 250 items.  That doesn't even count the clothing I've got out for our trip, or what's in my big dresser or shoes/jewelry/scarves/coats, etc.)

Sooo... my current and first goal is to work on cutting that amount in half and go from there.
I have recently pulled out 3 more bags of things to donate.  I'm finding the prospect of a smaller closet exciting and a bit liberating! :)

Navy Stripes

jeans $4.80 Forever 21
striped top $2.99 Lindsey Blake
navy cardigan $11.14 (new w/tags $40) Croft & Barrow
gold chain necklace $5.99
navy earrings .99 cents
navy purse $7.38 Liz Claiborne
striped canvas sneakers $4.99

New Sneakers and Leopard Tote

Canvas Sneakers $7 Merona
Leopard Tote $4.80 Neiman Marcus
Skinny Jeans $4.80 Forever 21
3/4 Length Sleeved Tee $4.20 Talbots
Cardigan $6.80 Jeanne Pierre
Necklace .25 cents