Not Your Mama's Tuna Casserole

So we ate it before I took a picture.  I would make a terrible food blogger...  Tonight I made a tuna casserole that was quite tasty.  Here is an approximation of what I put together.

Not Your Mama's Tuna Casserole

Cook 1/2 box of noodles I used rigatoni (If this is the first time you are making noodles, read the box.)
drain and mix in
1 can Tuna
2 T cream cheese
1/4 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
1 tsp ground cumin seeds
3T low-fat Cesar dressing

Serve on a pretty plate with some fruit and a green veggie of your choice.

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.