Capsule Wardrobe #2: Breaking it Down and Doing More Experimenting

I've had a lot of people say that they want to try to create a capsule wardrobe using the items in their closets to introduce variety into their wardrobe following my last post.  I also realized while wearing my first capsule that it didn't have some of my very favorite items, and that I missed them.  I thought I would break down my process here, so that if you want to try it yourself (and you are easily overwhelmed by this sort of thing) you can see how I created another capsule wardrobe.  Again, I am creating this capsule from my closet without purchasing any new items.  (Yes I have too many clothes.) You will see a few of the things that I used in my first capsule wardrobe, because they are some of my favorite pieces.  

Step 1: Organize your closet.  (Anyway that suits you.) 

Right to left:  Winter, workout, short sleeves, bottoms, jackets, dresses

Step 2: Pick Items that coordinate (all tops go with all bottoms)

Jackets: Jean, Black Corduroy, gray suit
Shirts: Aqua solid, triangle pattern, teal, floral, diagonal shapes, little circles
Bottoms: Gray tulip skirt, jeans, gray slacks, black slacks

  

Now you'll see that I went ahead and added jackets to this capsule, but lets be realistic.  I will only wear multiple layers if it's below 55 degrees.  

Step 3: Add Accessories (This step is really only 100% necessary if you are sticking things in a suitcase.  Otherwise just pick what suits your day in the morning.  I might pick heels to wear (if I were going to church or the theater) as long as there is little walking involved.  They are not my thing.  

Step 4: Hang the capsule together in your closet, so you will wear the items together. 

Here are pictures of each top with each bottom.  (Yes, I own a lot of shades of blue.) 

Aqua Solid Top

Triangle Pattern

 

Teal Solid Top

Floral

Diagonal Shapes 

Little Circles 

Here is one that I paired with each jacket.  Since we already are having 75-80 degree days it is unlikely that I will be able to stand a jacket, but here's the look 

I hope this break down is helpful for those who said they'd like to try to create their own capsule wardrobe.  

Capsule Wardrobes- I finally get it...

So all of my shopping life I've been told to buy pieces to go with multiple pieces and of course that has always seemed obvious, but since I saw this
 http://outfitposts.blogspot.com/2012/12/summary-one-suitcase-beach-vacation.html#.UZUM67WTj94

blog while looking for things to pack for our upcoming beach vacation that I started to get "it."  I thought how easy this would be to do for the vacation (cause you know I'm the queen of packing light anyway.)  I like how while not matchy matchy everything goes together to create a variety of outfits.

I am notorious for wearing the same 7-8 outfits in the same 7-8 ways and it wasn't until I saw this

http://www.insideoutstyleblog.com/2013/02/how-to-create-a-capsule-wardrobe-on-a-budget-emerson-big-w.html

blog that it was explained to me in a way that even I can get.  This lady took

2 Jackets
6 Shirts
4 bottoms

and created 21 outfits.  (See her blog for a break down and a great picture of all 21 outfits she created.)

After reading her blog, I thought "I could do this" (without buying a single piece of clothing) and change up my wardrobe.  So I picked things directly from my closet.  And I took her advice about not worrying about how many shoes or accessories.  I just wear whatever floats my boat each morning.  The point of this exercise for me was to wear things differently than I always do.  Here's what I chose.

2 Jackets 

a pink Jacket (I know. What???  Me in pink...I already owned it and it's a trendy color this season, so I'm stepping out of the comfort zone)  and a jean jacket

6 shirts 
solid green, solid blue, black button up, sea foam button up, a white tank, a navy and white tank (I have a pattered shirt in the picture, but decided that I didn't really like the way it looks in this particular capsule after taking the picture, but before actually starting to wear the outfits.)

4 bottoms
Black pants, gray pants, red shorts, and blue and white striped pants

And I threw in my stripy dress for good measure.

Here are a few pictures of the outfits that I've created.  (Please note that most of these were taken after a long day of working with very small children, so I'm a crumpled mess.)

I have to sew the front of my button- up shirts together or they pooch and show my bra.  If that isn't something you do, you could use the button ups for layering.  (The very idea makes me sweat.) 

( Miles took this one)

And here are some pictures of me changing it up by just pairing different jackets.  

And here is one that I think is kinda a fail... I just don't like the overall look... 

Anyway the point of this experiment has been successful.  I am wearing things in different ways than I have previously.  Today I'm wearing the green shirt with gray pants and my green and silver polar bear necklace.  I have never worn this particular combination together before.  But now that I have, I like it.  

And as they say on those fashion shows... Dollars spent = $0.  

I would encourage each of you to shop in your closet and pick out 2 jackets (or sweaters), 6 shirts, and 4 bottoms that coordinate and start mixing things up.      

It's fun.  And even those of us that are not particularly "girly girls" enjoy "dress-up" play from time to time.  

Pendulums are AWESOME!!

I geek out with introducing science to young children.  When I was in second grade we were given a science worksheet to do and asked to answer the bonus problems and then walk up to the teacher and show her our answer to see if we'd gotten it correct. ( I believe that we were offered a new eraser if we got it right.)   I took my time and was near the end of the line and heard a steady stream of nope, nope, nope, nope.... and then it was my turn to show my answer and she glanced and went no... YES!! She proceeded to have me teach the problem to the rest of the class.  It is the first time I remember being the best at something among my peers.  And to say that it encouraged me to love science is an understatement.  

To me Science was the most fun class because you got to throw things, play with water, grow bacteria, dissect and figure things out why things work the way they do.  

So naturally, when I saw a post that showed kids painting with pendulums I thought it was super cool and had to make one for the kids to play experiment with.  

This one is the frame of an art easel, a string tied on the top and then hug between the 2 bars, so it would be in the very middle, and a water bottle with a hole in the lid.  I made the hole using a drill bit with my hand.  

The paint needs to be thinned, but not too watery or it doesn't make the pattern correctly.  It worked out to about 1/3 paint to 2/3's water for me.

I also figured out that it worked out better to put the paintings on the drying rack shelves and then move the whole shelf to the rack.  This kept the pictures closer to how they looked when the children were finished.  

I've talked about the importance of multiple experiences to build connections between the 2 hemispheres of the brain and encourage brain synapses.  Miles enjoyed the second time with the pendulum even more than his first and really got into creating patterns.  

I introduced a variety of vocabulary to the children including pendulum, concentric circles, pattern, patience, eclipse, etc.  

One of the first few children to paint asked if they could put it on the water table and so when we were done with the paint we put it on the water table.  With astonishing results.  

I was able to use the vocabulary that was introduced with the paint, but also add ripple, force, and a few other things that aren't coming to mind.  Because it is up on the water table it was easier for the children to put the water in the cup and didn't need my assistance.    

This was a hot center today, and so I put a sign up sheet and a timer and everyone got a 5 minute turn and then they were aloud to play for as long as they liked after everyone had a turn.  Making a list allowed there to be less fighting and now that they've had a taste of the experience they are able to really explore the area.  

I found that a lot of the children just wanted to watch the water make ripples in the tub and were holding it still while the other person really wanted to have it swing, so I added a second top of a plastic bottle with a single small hole in the lid.  

The neat thing about working with a pendulum is that it requires the children to have patience to see the affect.  They have to watch and see what happens.  

The reflection of the lights from the ceiling intensified the visibility of the ripple.  Maybe we can hang some colored lights from the top bar and see how that changes the experience.  

Like Father Like Son: Part 4: What if it Rains?

He had not previously planned for all contingencies.  He (and Chris) worked together to make "driver operated windshield wipers." as is required to be street legal.  

As he moved the windshield wipers he was making incredible accurate windshield wiper noises.  It never ceases to amaze me at how good boys (making a gross generalization here) are at making noises.  

  

They also created an engine under the hood out of Legos.  This has Chris dreaming about him having a real go-kart or RC car.   I'm thinking that the cardboard version is just fine with me.