30 for 30 Remix Challenge

Kendi of Kendi Everyday is having a 30 for 30 Closet Remix Challenge which I've decided to participate in. The premise simple: take 30 items from your closet, style it into 30 different outfits to wear for 30 days.


STEP 1: Take 30 items from your closet

Well, I kinda cheated on this as half of my 30 items are new. :P
But that's ok coz I think I really deserve a mini shopping spree after the predicament I've "suffered" as documented in my previous post here.

So, here are my 30 items. Well, it's 31 actually!! I don't want to squeeze my brain anymore just deciding which 1 item to remove from the list.

Gosh, I've already cheated twice, and we're just on step 1!
Am I disqualified now?!?!?!

SHEATH DRESSES

SD1 - gray Banana Republic v-neck sheath dress.

SD2 - two-tone Calvin Klein sheath dress.
SD3 - black Magaschoni sheath dress.
SD4 - black Ann Taylor flutter-sleeve sheath dress.

I think I'm setting myself up for failure by posting the stock photo of these models! :D

Oh well, moving on...


SKIRTS

SK1 - gray Dolce & Gabbana skirt

SK2 - black Moschino C&C A-line skirt
SK3 - white Carolina Herrera pencil skirt
SK4 - brown Banana Republic pencil skirt

BLAZERS, JACKETS, CARDI

B1 - gray Theory blazer
B2 - navy blue Anne Klein suit
B3 - khaki Ann Taylor blazer
*the cardis will be a wildcard pick!


LAYERING TOPS

T1 - gray Ann Taylor satin sleeveless top

T2 - pink Banana Republic satin dress
T3 - pink Marc Jacobs hearts satin top

T4 - floral pink Ann Taylor halter top
T5 - gray Ann Taylor satin sleeveless

T6 - polka dot pink Ann Taylor ruffle top

T7 - tie-dye pink Ann Taylor top

T8 - floral blue dress from Saks

T9 - salmon A|X tee

T10 - blue A|X pleated pocket dress




PANTS


P1 - black A|X snap leggings
P2 - black 7 for all Mankind skinnies
P3 - blue 7 for all Mankind skinnies
P4 - black JBrand jeans

SHOES!!!


S1 - Prada nude pumps
S2 - Chanel burgundy patent pumps
S3 - Dries van Noten python heels
S4 - Stuart Weitzman black patent pumps

S5 - Gucci gray suede pumps
S6 - Vivienne Westwood Melissa flats


It's the shoes selection that I was most excited about! So much so that I seriously contemplated on picking just 30 pairs of shoes and nothing else. But then it would be very indecent to show up for work in nothing but a pair of shoes -- that would sure end my career, well my career in the corporate world, at least!! :P But I do love my job, so there, a happy compromise of 6 pairs!


STEP 2: Style 30 different outfits for 30 days

Styling 30 outfits for 30 days is not a problem. Posting those styled outfits here is!

I seriously don't know how in the world would I be able to manage posting an entry everyday for 30 days. The longest posting streak I did so far is probably just 1 whole week and I was just at home staycationing.

If I end up cheating a little bit, please forgive me in advance. Such cheating, which I'll hereby refer to as "creative alternatives" will include but not limited to:

• Taking pictures of the said outfits not on the day as I wear them -- could be before or after depending on how crazy my work schedule gets.
• A wildcard shoe selection (outside of the list) - because I really love shoes!
• A few wildcard clothing pieces -- perfectly excusable as I'm in a unique position as I take on this challenge: I will be traveling midway through this challenge and I will transition from winter to summer as I travel!
  

STEP 3: No shopping for 30 days

I did not shop for 64 days prior to this and I consider that one of my major achievements in my adult life. :D

30 days should be E-A-S-Y! But we'll see!



So there, let the remixing begin!



Be sure to check the other 337 bloggers who are joining this challenge!

Office Uniform

I've never worn pants for the past 8 months now! I really love sheath dresses and been buying them every chance I could! I probably have a dozen already with no plans of slowing down!

-- Chetta B sheath dress from Neiman's Last Call -- Jimmy Choo watersnake pumps --

-- Marc New York sheath dress from Neiman's Last Call -- Gucci 'Paloma' peep toes --

-- Banana Republic sheath dress -- Jimmy Choo watersnake pumps --

Narciso Rodriguez for Kohls - Part 7 (A Sheath Dress to Drive the Point Home!)

I thrive in giving meeting presentations.
The bigger the meeting, the more I invite the challenge!

My secret: I always make sure that my outfit makes for one bold statement long before 

I even go through the meeting agenda.   

This sheath dress accomplished all that and more.

It's the best $45 career investment I've ever made! 

At one point, I even almost freaked out when I realized all eyes in the boardroom
were all on me!
No iPhone fidgeting, no keyboard tapping -- just everyone's complete and
undivided attention -- on me, on what I have to say, and surely, on what I wore!

 

                                              DRESS:  Narciso Rodriguez for Kohls mulberry/burgundy colorblock dress
                                              SHOES: Christian Louboutin black patent "Simple" pumps

                                           

 

Office Uniform Part5: Sheath Dress as a Skirt

I had a light bulb moment in this outfit realizing that a sheath dress can also be worn as a skirt. I had another light bulb moment soon after, realizing that with the dozen sheath dresses I currently have, it's like having a dozen new skirts too! And so the 3rd light bulb moment - the best one of all, came all too obvious: If I could wear sheath dresses in many more ways than one, then I must shop for more of them!

And so I did just that yesterday, with my good friend Faye.

-- Daniel Rainn cream sheer top from Nordie's Rack -- Tahari teal sheath dress (worn as a skirt) -- Prada nude pumps -


This is my hotel room in Dallas, which has been my home on weekdays for the past four months now!

Michael Kors Sheath Dress

I have been such a good girl this year! I have not shopped a single piece of clothing yet since the year started. As difficult as it was, I was able to resist the tempting rounds of clearance last January -- a few times I almost gave in but realized I already have so much in my closet ( take a peek here)!

The last time I went shopping a few months back, I got a little bit overboard at Michael Kors and got about 20 or so pieces -- sheath dresses, skirts and tops. It was my very first shopping experience where I bought items not because they were on sale but because I like them and they fit me well. It was also, to date, my most expensive shopping in a single trip.

It was worth every penny! My office outfits the past 2 months has been nothing but remixing the items I bought that day.

Here's one remix I wore a few weeks back.


-- Michael Michael Kors tweed sheath dress -- Michael Kors skinny belt -- "souvenir" boots from Brazil --
-- black bolero from Manila -- thrifted necklace for 25 cents! --

Office Uniform Part 2

...And so the saga of the sheath dress continues!

-- Milly of New York sheath dress from Neiman's Last Call -- Manolo Blahnik 'Ravel' snakeskin pumps --

This dress currently sells on ebay for more than twice of how much I paid for. SCORE!!

Narciso Rodriguez for Kohls - Part 8 (It's a Switch!)

This is exactly the same outfit as here, except I wore the dress as a skirt,

and I wore the layering top over the dress instead of underneath it.   

These 2 pieces are perfect for traveling light on business trips because they instantly create 2 distinct outfits! 

...Though I still can't beat my old record here
when I wore a skirt in 3 ways: as a skirt,  as a halter top and as a scarf!

 

                                              

                                              DRESS:  Magaschoni black sheath dress.  Other ways to wear, please click  here and here

                                              TOP:  Narciso Rodriguez for Kohls pink peplum top.  Other ways to wear this, please click  here and here
                                              ACCESSORIES: Chanel reversible logo necklace 
                                              SHOES:  Gucci black patent pumps
                                   

 

Office Uniform Part 3

I hope you're not tired yet seeing me in yet another sheath dress because I'm far from done with this style!

-- Banana Republic sheath dress -- Manolo Blahnik 'Ravel' snakeskin pumps --

Narciso Rodriguez for Kohls (Part 15) - Distraction vs Alteration

If I lived in the prehistoric times, I'd probably die of hypothermia before I turn 8. 

Should I live past it, my whole life would be spent in dire cold and without any bodily coverup.   

I'd be the talk of the entire tribe for being that cave lady who dresses herself in dirt and not much else.

And whenever it rains, I would probably resort to leaves strategically placed here and there and pray that the wind would not blow them away.

Sorry for the melodramatic intro.  

All I wanted to say is that I could not sew to save my life. 

This lovely dress sat in my closet unworn because I intended to take it in a bit 

but lacked the skill and the will to do it.  

I thought of just plastering dirt and glueing leaves randomly all over it.

That would have worked well.  

Distraction is always key to hiding flaws. 

But I was too darn lazy to do that too. 

                                                                     DRESS: Narciso Rodriguez for Kohls colorblock sheath dress  

                                                                     ACCESSORIES:  Chanel necklace
                                                                     BAG:  Chanel GST in black caviar 

                                                                     SHOES:  Dries van Noten curved python heel pumps

LBD Monday (#1)

I feel like no matter what I say, as long as I say it wearing a sheath dress, I'm ten times more convincing! It's formidable in the most feminine way.

I need 20 more of these to assure success at work! ;D

The cutest $4 purchase ever!



Basic pumps with bow DIY ala Lanvin:
Satin bow knotted a few times over the heel and around the ankle so it would hold up.



Today's formula: SD4 + S4 replacement
(I left my patent Weitzman pumps at the hotel!)

-- Ann Taylor flutter sleeve sheath dress -- Stuart Weitzman pumps with DIY bow --
-- Target necklace --

Summer Shopping

Whenever I go shopping, I feel a surge of natural high, my endorphins shooting through the sky. Whenever I go shopping, I forget about any hunger, exhaustion, aches, pain and discomfort. Whenever I go shopping, I stride like a gazelle, prey like a lion and roar like a tiger in triumph.


Shopping is in my very DNA. It's the only plausible explanation for all that I've written in the paragraph above.

Or in less scientific terms, I am simply born to shop (and have a keychain to prove it). And chances are, you are too, otherwise, you won't be lurking here in my little blog, curious about the recent shopping haul I've got!! ;)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

My souvenir from Saks in Chicago, a Longchamp toile shopper tote!
Still available at Nordies, if you want!

Fresh from today's haul at the shopping equivalent of Disney, aka "the happiest place on earth!" :P

Got this Magaschoni sheath dress in black.



And this DvF Roni tall boots.

And this package was waiting for me when I got back!!!

Here's a sneak peak... Any guess on what's inside?
Clue: this makes it for my vitaMinn P3 this summer!


And that folks, is the end of my summer shopping. The next few months will be a period of drought... or so the hubby hopes!

The Mastercard Analogy (#2)

Braided necklace on clearance at Target: $6
Classic gray sheath dress on sale from Banana Republic: $57
Chanel classic pumps in patent burgundy: $$$
To stand out as a woman in a man's world: priceless!

There's some things money can't buy. For work outfit shopping, there's always...
Well, you all know how the quote goes.



Let's face it, it's a man's world out there. But I'm not going to hide my curves nor stop curling my hair in an effort to blend in. There's more to me than my lacy camies and 4-inch stilettos!



Today's formula: SD1 + S2

-- Banana Republic sheath dress and belt -- Chanel burgundy patent pumps -- Target necklace --




So far, so good. Let's see if I still smile this big on the 3rd week of the challenge ;)