a creative journey of refining my wardrobe to reflect...me

Good afternoon, readers. I'm back today with a bit of a different sort of post, but one that's about a creative journey I'm on. I hope you enjoy my rambly musings...

I shared these thoughts a bit on Instagram earlier this week, but wanted to chat about it here, too…and to hear if you’re on a similar creative journey with your wardrobe.

As I get a bit older, I find myself wanting to refine my wardrobe to feel and look more like “me”. I feel I’m at an age and place in life where I know myself and my preferences, likes/dislikes, etc. quite well. I know more of what makes me feel like myself, what I feel comfortable in, and my wardrobe needs a bit of tweaking. 

I’m not going for a specific aesthetic or one style. I don’t believe in that sort of thing. I’m just going for what feels like me…and my personal taste tends to be simple, casual, comfy, and cozy. And I quite like it that way. I’m going about this tweaking very gently. Not my personal tastes, but rather how I make my clothing fit my personal taste. Simply making mental notes and even taking pictures of outfits that I wear that feel like me. I’m using Pinterest to inspire me in using pieces I already have, and I’m finding this to be quite a fun creative journey, too. I’m styling and pairing things up differently than I have before and also keeping my eyes out at thrift stores for specific pieces I may want to add. 

I do not believe that in order to create a wardrobe that one truly loves you have to spend lots of money, buy specific brands or expensive clothing, or completely unhaul your closet and drawers. That goes completely against my values and beliefs. Instead, I believe in seeing this as a creative journey, as with making a house a home, for example, and using what I have, putting my imagination to use when getting dressed, shopping wisely, and utilizing thrift stores, which is where I prefer to get most of my clothing anyway.

I do believe in creating a wardrobe that makes you feel like yourself, that sparks joy, and makes you happy, and that makes you feel comfortable in what you wear. However, I don’t believe in trends, aesthetics, limiting oneself to one style, etc.

While I want to refine my entire wardrobe, for all the seasons, I do believe this will be much mor fun and easier during the autumn and winter months, as I much prefer the clothing during that time of year, as well as I just feel way more like myself during the autumn and wintertime anyway. Summertime clothing simply means keeping as cool as possible for me...and early spring is a favorite time as well, before it gets too warm or hot.

As far as my wardrobe goes, I do not embrace, nor do I believe in minimalism, so you won't find me "curating a capsule wardrobe" here. However, I do find that I love making different pieces work for different seasons. That is a fun, creative aspect of my wardrobe for me. I do keep a seasonal wardrobe: spring/summer and autumn/winter, with quite a few pieces that are year-round. I am a thrift shopper and have been for the last three years. However, I also own many clothes purchased from your typical chain stores, as I see nothing wrong with filling in with bits here and there that you are specifically looking for and can't find whilst thrifting. But I will say that I am quite obsessed with thrifting and get especially excited when I come across that perfect piece that fits my taste, which has happened a handful of times. (And other clothing pieces I don't thrift out of preference.) I also have clothing in my wardrobe and drawers that I've had for over a decade...they're not expensive pieces; I just like to take care of my clothing and make it last. 

I do consider my wardrobe to be a collection of pieces that have sparked joy at different times through the years, and now I'm simply wanting to refine those pieces into something that suits my tastes. Some will get donated, some will get paired up with something else, and others will simply remain as they are. It's all part of the creative journey for me...nothing serious or life-altering. Obviously, it's just clothing. But I do believe you can have fun with what you wear and in making your wardrobe to be more "you"...or in this case, "me".

I’d be curious if you have done a similar thing with your wardrobe, or are on such a journey, too. And if you’d like me to share more about this as I go about my little rambly wardrobe tweaking. Would posts on these things I shared about here interest you? Topics such as my wardrobe refining journey, thrifting, using clothing pieces in different seasons, etc. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Creating a Cozy Wardrobe

Clothing is a fun aspect of life! There are so many ways to incorporate your unique tastes and preferences into what you wear. And cozy clothing is what I'm all about! While I always tend to go for a more casual, comfortable, cozy type of clothing all year round, my favorite clothing always comes out at this time of year. In the summer, it's loose shorts or comfy capri pants or jeans with the bottoms folded up. It's cute tops or casual t-shirts and always, always sandals or flip flops. And they have to be my favorite pairs...I tend to stick to just a few pairs and wear them out over the course of several years before buying new pairs that look exactly like my old ones. I also love light, flowy sundresses in the early spring, before it gets too hot. But as soon as I am able to pull out my autumn and winter clothing, you'd better believe I'm all for it!

Cozy clothing to me means being comfortable and being myself and not "putting on" any fakeness. There's this terrible idea out there that in order to be "put together" one must dress up, spend hours on their hair, wear makeup and put on a pair of high heels. I'm here to say that is an awful, horrible, terrible, no good, very bad belief! I've shared before, but I, in no way, believe in wearing makeup, nor do I spend hours on my hair. I am of the very firm belief that the best kind of beauty is all-natural, authentic and genuine, and anything other than that is just fake. In a world of fake eyebrows, fake eyelashes, fake freckles, fake beauty marks, orange skin, big lips, and other ridiculous ideals for beauty, I am even more of the belief that natural beauty is best and the important message it sends to the world.

As I've already mentioned before, I am not a minimalist. And that also applies to my clothing...I don't have a capsule wardrobe, nor are all my clothes in the same color scheme. I enjoy a variety of colors, textures, and styles. I am not always in the shops or scouring magazines or online stores. All of my clothing has been collected over the years and lots of pieces are at least five to eight years old, with some being over a decade old. I do not get a whole new wardrobe each season; typically, I just pick up a few new pieces just for fun. I shop at regular retail shops like Target, different places online, as well as thrift stores. I love the freedom of not tying myself down to any one sort of clothing style or shopping method...it makes for a heck of a lot less stress that is often unnecessarily placed on people in regards to clothing and fashion and shopping.

Creating a cozy wardrobe doesn't have to happen overnight, nor should it. That would be expensive, stressful and honestly, not as fun as allowing it to naturally be collected over many years. Today, I thought it would be fun to share some of the clothing pieces that I consider essential to any cozy wardrobe.

Cozy attire is anything that you feel comfortable in. Think plaid patterns, big woolly sweaters, leggings, scarves, toques, flannel shirts, plush socks, and cozy winter boots. Don't forget some big fluffy slippers!

Clothing tends to be casual. There's no need to fuss over how you look. Life isn't a fashion show, after all. Nobody cares about that when you're having a good time. If you feel like you have to be too stylish, you're feeling the need to pretend. Don't pretend. You have to feel at home. If you don't feel at home, then it's not hygge.

-Pia Edgerg-

Let's start at the bottom and work our way up...

First, shoes. I'm a lover of boots, particularly brown boots. I have several styles, some ankle boots and others that come up mid-calf. I have two pairs of rainboots and snowboots...one of each in an ankle style and the others are mid-calf. This nice because it offers choices depending on what pants I'm wearing as well as how wet or cold it is outside. I also love a comfy, cute pair of clogs and sneakers. All of these shoes look great with nearly any sort of outfit, too, so they're very versatile.

Socks...I like warm socks that keep your toesies all nice and toasty. There are so many cute patterns and designs out there that you can even have fun with what you put on your feet! And they look so cute with boots, too.

For pants, I'm a leggings gal myself. I just love them! You can dress them down or up, with a dress or a sweater or sweatshirt or just a cute top. I also like my skinny jeans...boot cut or straight just don't suit my taste. For lazy days at home, or if I just feel like it, yoga pants are also a nice change. Corduroy skirts are my favorite for this time of year. Several years ago, I was able to find a variety of colors in several styles for a great price and they're great on their own or with leggings or tights under for extra warmth. (see above photo)

Next comes tops...I am a sweater lover...and sweatshirts. Both of which I have quite a few. Whenever we go on vacation, I love getting a sweatshirt from the place we're visiting. So far I've gotten them from Chicago, Florida, Nashville, New Jersey, Vermont, and Ireland. We also love showing support for our local or favorite sports teams with sweatshirts, too. Sweaters in all sorts of colors and textures are my kind of thing. {{smiles}} Where I live, I don't get a lot of use out of the super thick ones, so I opt for the medium or lightweight ones instead. And when it comes to regular tops, I think soft and comfy is the way to go. Flannels are, of course, always delightful, too! (The same ideas go for dresses...soft, casual, comfy, warm and cute.)

Jackets and coats are essential for the colder weather. I find it smart to have a few different styles...one lightweight rain jacket, a heavy waterproof coat, and a dressier coat. To be honest, I have a couple of each style that I've collected over the years...all on sale for bargain prices. I love cardigans to wear as part of an outfit or as a sweater, and I think they are such cute additions to any wardrobe.  

Now for some of the most fun parts of a cozy wardrobe...

Scarves and cowls. I'm of the belief that one can never have too many of them! {{winks}} I have enjoyed collecting quite a few over the years, also picking up several on our travels. The cowls in my collection are all handknitted by me as I just love doing that on cold evenings around the fireplace. I love having a variety of colors, styles, textures and weights when it comes to scarves and cowls in my drawer.

Gloves and mittens. I think the cozier the better when it comes to these items. Truly, how much better does it get than to have warm, thick woollen gloves on your cold hands on a freezing wintry night. And, of course, a pair of waterproof gloves are a must for snowball fights and building snowmen!

Hats. I love cute hats! The ones with the pompom on top are just the best, though I also love the handmade ones I've gotten in Ireland at a craftswoman's home shop. All of the items in this section here are also great for gift ideas come Christmas time and perfect for stocking stuffers. {{smiles}}

And the final section of a cozy wardrobe is pajamas! In our home, we love comfy, cozy pjs! Flannel, fleece, sweatshirts or sweatpants...we're there for it! Warm socks with the little rubber bits on the bottom to prevent slipping down stairs and fluffy slippers are also favorites, especially of my mom. She's a bit obsessed! 

Well, friends, there you have it! My idea of the perfect cozy wardrobe!

I'd love to hear what your favorite clothing is this time of year and what you consider "musts" for a cozy wardrobe, so do share below!

Stay cozy! 

♥

June Ramblings ♥ From My Inglenook

for the beauty of the earth
I think that green quite possibly may be becoming one of my favorite colors. This is the first year that I have truly appreciated the beauty of springtime and the welcoming of summer. The earth is so lush and bright green and you can't help but just sit and admire the splendour of it all. Our June has been splendidly warm but not too hot, which is a real treat for us southerners. Usually, we're already nearing 100 degrees outside and it hasn't gotten close to that yet. July and August are just around the corner, but for now, we're soaking up every minute of this blessed weather that we can.

musical treasures
Christy Nockels' album entitled Be Held: Lullabies for the Beloved has been on repeat these last few weeks. All of the songs are beautiful, but at the moment, my favorite is "Always Remember to Never Forget". If you haven't heard these songs before, I highly suggest you take a moment to do so...you will find your heart refreshed and encouraged.

bookish ramblings
I've been terrible about reading this last month. We were on vacation for a week and that threw off my routine like crazy! I did finally read a book a couple weeks ago (Katherine Reay's "The Printed Letter Bookshop), but I didn't really care for it. It was a letdown, to put it lightly. You can read my review HERE. Since completing that book, I've picked up several books here and there, but none grabbed me. I've learned that when I read a dud of a book it really kicks my enthusiasm and desire to read out the window. However, two nights ago, I began "Smitten Book Club", and well, I'm already halfway through...and I rejoice because I finally found another book that I am enjoying and my excitement to read has returned.

in the world of TV and movies
Since I took a wee break from reading, I ended up watching several movies...

P.S. I Love You- 3.5 out of 5 stars

About Time- 3.5 out of 5 stars (the beginning was so repetitive and that got a bit annoying, but after that, it ended up being a pretty good movie)

Serendipity- 3 out of 5 stars (definitely not the best movie, but not the worst either)

Letters to Juliet- 5 out of 5 stars (one of my ALL TIME favorites!)

Julie and Julia- 5 out of 5 stars (another all time favorite)

Leap Year- 5 out of 5 stars (yet another favorite)

Sweet Home Alabama- 3.5 out of 5 stars (funny story: this was my favorite movie when I was 7!)

I also came across a show that has, over the last month, become one that I love. I binge-watched 9 seasons, almost 200 episodes, of Blue Bloods over about 5 weeks. I've never been into cop shows before, but this one is different. There is a lot going on besides police chasing bad guys. The strong emphasis on family and standing up for what you believe in and fighting for the good is what I really love about the show...and I love the comical moments as well. Danny is a hoot!

a grateful heart
flowy dresses and sandals, music that gives me all the feels, finding a new show to love, favorite movies, a new iced tea recipe that is perfect for summertime, sunshine and puffy clouds, sunsets that look like sherbet in the sky, canopies of trees, our new basil plant, a wonderful trip to Amish country last month,  the delight of hearing your favorite music live in concert, seasonal fruit, the scent of the grill on a June evening, the first sweet taste of watermelon this year, almost-summer nights where you can roll the windows down and take a peaceful drive in the countryside

from my kitchen
Whenever I watch Julie and Julia, I always find myself wanting to make bruschetta. It's something I've never done before, but every single time I watch that scene in the movie, oh it just looks sooo good. Over the weekend, I finally made my first bruschetta. I made the traditional, classic tomato basil bruschetta, and then because it sounded so fresh and summery, I chose an avocado cucumber recipe...both were so delectable. So fresh tasting!

fashionable fun
I picked up a few flowy dresses for the season earlier in the spring. Target was especially having some cute styles out this year...I'm super picky about pretty much everything, clothes included, so I was pleased to see such pretty dresses on the racks. This one, however, was a quick find at Walmart one late evening...if you know me, you know the flowers are what got me!

home and hearth
I've been thoroughly home life here recently...we have a goal to make more and more of our foods from scratch. This has been a dream of mine for so long, but of course, one must start simple. So bread it is! This week will see me baking a loaf or two of honey wheat bread, as well as trying a new granola recipe. But there are so many recipes that I want to test out and perfect. My goal is to be able to make as much as I can from scratch, both for the health and financial benefits. Plus, for me, it's just plain fun!

my cup overflows
I found a few boxes of tea that I brought back from Ireland, so I'm enjoying a cup of blackcurrant and blueberry tea as I type this post out...hmmm, it's utterly delightful1

these are a few of my favorite things
this and this bruschetta recipe
(I used onion and garlic powder because we don't like the strong flavor of fresh)

for the love of words
"I withdraw from people and places from time to time, I need space from a world that is filled with millions of mouths that talk too much but never have anything to say."
-Kaitlin Foster 

creating and crafting
No crafting at the moment, but plenty of cooking, which is a craft all its own. Over the last few weeks I've tried so many new recipes and it's been the best getting to experiment in the kitchen again.

Hope the rest of your week is lovely all the way through!