My 30 for 30 Items - Spring 2014 Edition.

I am so sorry I am posting late this evening. I was supposed to start with the first Outfit of my 30 for 30 which I announced on Saturday but life got in the way of blogging and my personal life always comes first. Blogging has to take a back-seat. I am a busy Mom-on-the-go, so unfortunately I rarely get to schedule ahead posts, but I applaud all of you who do. =)

Anyway, before starting with the first Outfit, I had to post the 30 items I chose for my 30 for 30 Challenge. And let me tell you since my closet and drawers (and boxes, for that matter) are overflowing with things, this was no easy task. I told you before that this challenge would have a couple of other challenges within it. First of all, it comes in late March (to get a head start, I started my challenge at the end of last month) and continues through most of April and these two months are so fussy, weird and uncertain when it comes to our lovely weather in Tirana. Temperatures can go from cold, to pretty hot, to warm, to chilly evenings within one day. It is also rain season. So I had to pick out items that would work for all of these meteorology conditions. But I think the biggest challenge within this challenge was choosing some clothes that would be dressy or business-like, among others that are more casual, since I am currently applying for jobs and going on interviews.

I knew in my 30 items I would include some Basic pieces like my Black Skinny Jeans, Cobalt Pencil Skirt, Chambray Shirt, Black Shirtdress, Denim Jacket, a Black+White Striped Tee, a Black Blazer, my Cognac Boots and some Leopard Flats. When picking out my clothes I wanted to show love to items I haven't worn but have had in my closet for years, new items I have purchased in the last few months, or items I had only worn once or twice (with the exception of the Chambray Shirt and my Cognac Boots, which I have worn a ton, of course).  I finally chose 30 items but there is a stipulation or a condition to this challenge. I am not counting Puffer or Faux Fur Vests (if I wear them) in my items because though they are part of an overall look, I consider them outter-wear. To me they are Coats without sleeves. If I am going somewhere, I take them off if I am inside. Also, Camisoles that are worn underneath Shirts don't count (I am sure most people who have done this challenge haven't counted those), since they are basic Layering pieces. Last but not least, I chose 5 pairs of Shoes to wear, but not included in the 30 count, I have decided to wear My Nude Pumps. (to be worn if needed for interviews or a business outfit) and My Rain Boots (to be worn if needed on rainy days). OK, so below are all of the items I chose. What do you think of what I picked out? Do I have a good amount of options for creating outfits?

(Items' Descriptions from Left to Right, Up and Down.)

Red, Loose-Fit, Silky, Button-Down "Portofino" Blouse: Express.

Light Chambray Button-Down Shirt w/ Chest Pockets: Meijer's.

3/4-Sleeve, Gray Blouse w/ Magenta Polka Dots: Old Navy.

Brown, 100% Silk Blouse, w/ 3/4 Bell Sleeves: Express.

Cobalt+White, Plaid Button-down w/ Gingham Print inside: Joe Fresh (JC Penney's) (New).

Black+White Striped, 3/4 Sleeve Tee w/ Silver Studs/Crystals on the front: White House Black Market.

Burnt Orange/Brick, 3/4-Sleeve, Crew-neck, Graphic Tee: Old Navy (New).

Nude, Short-Sleeve, Lace Tee w/ Beads on the front: White House Black Market.

White, Long-Sleeve, V-Neck, Graphic Tee w/ Bow: c/o B+B Fashions (New).

Oatmeal-Gold, Flyaway Cardigan w/ Long Collar: White House Black Market.

Black "Tiger" Face Sweatshirt w/ Quilted Shoulders: A Local Boutique (New).

Heather Gray, "Owl" Statement Sweater: Old Navy.

White w/ Black Polka Dots, 3/4-Sleeve Cardigan w/ Royal Blue Chiffon Rosettes: White House Black Market.

Coral, 3/4 Sleeve Cardigan w/ Silver Buttons: White House Black Market.

Light Silver, Silk Blazer w/ Pinstriped Silver+Gold Lining: Urban Behaviour.

Light Medium Wash, Classic Denim Jacket: H&M (Thrifted; New).

Modern, Black Blazer w/ Rounded Collar: White House Black Market.

Black, Belted, Ponte, Elbow-Sleeve Shirt-dress w/ Silver Buttons & Chest Pockets: White House Black Market.

Black+White Striped (w/ Cobalt), Boat-neck, Cotton, T-Shirt Dress: Express.

Cobalt, Ponte Pencil Skirt w/ Gold Buttons off the Left side (on the front): The Limited (New).

Black Faux Leather & Red Plaid Pencil Skirt: Mango (New).

Hazelnut-Brown, Corduroy Pants (come with Skinny Belt): Bershka (New).

Dark-Wash, Boot-cut "Noir" Blue Jeans: White House Black Market.

Navy Skinny Pants w/ Black Tuxedo Stripes off the Sides: Pull & Bear (New).

Black Skinny Jeans: Sublevel (New).

Navy+White, Suede Leather, Pointy Toe Ballet Flats: Gap.

Bronze/Taupe Metallic, Round-Toe Wedge Pumps w/ Buckle Decorations: Andrew Geller (New).

Cognac Brown, Leather, Riding Boots: Payless.

Leopard & Black, Calfskin & Patent Leather, Cap-Toed Ballet Flats: White House Black Market.

Black, Suede Oxford Shoes: Forever 21.

OK, so 5 Blouses/Button-downs + 4 Tees + 5 Cardigans/Sweaters + 3 Jackets + 2 Dresses + 2 Skirts + 4 Pairs of Pants + 5 Pairs of Shoes = 30 Articles of Clothing. I got enough variety of Basic/Neutral Colors, some Bright Colors as well as enough Patterns (Stripes, Polka Dots, Plaid & Leopard). In my original layout as I was selecting the clothes, I had a couple of other cardigans, an additional sweater instead of the sweatshirt, a couple of other pairs of pants and one more tee which only left me 4 spots for the shoes. Actually, shoes were the most difficult category to choose and I literally left the choosing for the last minute, on the morning of the day I started the challenge. I think the use of Scarves, Necklaces, Belts and other Accessories will make this fun. And most likely I will get at least 35-36 Outfits in the 30 days I do this challenge, because there are many days when I switch Outfits from the day/afternoon to the evening. 

My main reasoning for doing this is to challenge myself to remix my closet and wear both new items as well as old favorites. Hopefully, I will do no shopping what-so-ever while doing this challenge because clearly I have a ton of clothes and I need to wear the ones I already own. I want to maximize my closet and show you both casual, semi-casual and dressy options with these pieces as well as the accessories I choose. Since I am already a day behind, tomorrow will be a Two-fer. Stay Tuned and Thank you for making it through this entire, super long post. Let's do this!!!