Style Muse - Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow to me is a style star.  Though she and I do not share the same body architecture, aesthetically we have a similar vision.  Below are just a sample of her style choices of late, but the pictures show common threads.  Let's start from the ground up.  Her shoe selections are pretty consistent.  There is the brown gladiator flat sandal, ankle boots - both peep toe and closed toe, mainly in black but sometimes a nude is thrown in.  There is a pointed toe black pump,a flat black boot, and an occasional gray suede boot that coordinates with her gray knee length trench.  She also favors aggressive looking black strappy sandals.  Her color palette is also consistent - neutrals.  Black, gray, olive and a few blush/nude pieces.  Her dresses are body skimming sheaths, gladiator/grecian silhouettes.  Black shorts are a staple both day/night, summer/winter.  Another style classic she relies on is the white blouse, buttoned down or tank.  Black and blue skinny jeans and olive green chinos work day and night as versatile pieces.  Blazers in black, white and tan.  Very little jewelry if any.  How does she differentiate daywear and night.  Her nights are shorter, sexier.  A little riskier and a little more metallic.  But still her.  Nothing over-the-top or blingy.  Still calm and quiet. Her clothes speak for themselves, not in a shout or in a manner that demands to be looked at.  Her look is attainable, quiet elegance.  She doesn't look like she is trying to hard, she is comfortable in her skin. 

Black gladiator style dress, black clutch, black strappy sandals

Black one shoulder mini dress, brown gladiator flat sandals





White blouse, black shorts, black pointed toe pumps






Blue skinny jeans, black pumps, white tank, white blazer

Black blazer, graphic tee, black skinny jeans, brown gladiator sandals

Black see-through sheath, black pumps

Gray mini sheath, black clutch, black strappy sandals

Burgundy floral dress, black strappy sandals



Gray cardigan, gray shorts, brown ankle boots






Project 333 continued

Ok.  On my last post, I couldn't figure out how to get down to 33 things.  I contemplated just making a list as I mentioned, but that didn't work either.  Then, I considered just doing it organically - figuring it out as I went along.  This was not structured enough though.  I found myself going all over the place. The best approach I found was somewhere in the middle...I looked first for the pieces I reached for weekly, then supplemented with items that worked well with this core.  How did I finally make the choices that are now sitting in my closet for the next 2 months?  Well, I finally allowed the fantasy of what I wanted to look like shape my choices - I've always been obsessed with "the parisienne woman", and I thought about if I got the opportunity to go to Paris, what would I pack.  Without further adieu, the list...
1. Gray jeggings  2. Black corduroy skinny pants  3. Gray pencil skirt  4. Tweed dress pants  5. Blue boot cut jeans  6. Black pencil skirt  7. Black sweater coat  8. Blue oversized cardigan  9. Lt. Gray long cardigan  10. Black strong shoulder blazer  11. and 12. Two white crewneck t-shirts  13. Black stripe turtleneck sweater  14. Black v-neck sweater  15. Gray + purple striped long sleeved t-shirt  16. Dk. Gray long t-shirt  17. Gray jersey knit dress  18. Turquoise silk dress  19. Black sheath dress  20. Black jersey halter dress  21. and 22. Tiffany ring and necklace  23. Diamond studs  24. Gray floral scarf  25. Black handbag 
26. Gray small bag  27. Black belt  28. Black sunglasses  29. Gray suede boots  30. Black knee boots  31. Black pumps  32. Black open toe platform sandals  33. Gray long sleeved t-shirt.

Doing this exercise taught me alot.  I learned to embrace my natural tendencies and indulge my aspirations. It helped me to zero in on the best from my closet, so even though I have so severely limited the quantity in rotation, each piece is the best of me.  When choosing each piece, I weighed what was on trend according to "them" versus what I loved and lived in week to week.  What I lived in won.  My narrowed focus cultivated a greater imagination in how to put the items together.  I've also imposed a clothes buying freeze, which is freeing extra money to get other things that are more enriching and fulfilling.  For example, the camera I bought last year got damaged.  I was in the market for a new one, but realized I still had an old digital camera.  I misplaced the USB cable which I replaced and bought 2 pairs of rechargeable batteries - total cost of $23.56 instead of $100+.  All I want now is a tripod to do self photography.  I am pleased so far with this self discovery process.  I have been tempted to cheat, but my husband held me accountable, I told him about my participation in the challenge.   Thinking ahead beyond the 3 months, these new found lessons learned can be applied to a more long term philosophy. 

Fashion Project 333

Friday, I came across this project and thought it would be great to try.  I've been trying to live a minimalist life, so I have been evaluating all my processes and possessions, to only keep what I love around me.  Today I decided to go through my closet to whittle down to 33 things that I will wear for 3 months.  Hence the 333.  All I can say is OMG, this is hard.  I got down to 35 items of clothing - I haven't even tackled the shoes, handbags and jewelry yet.  I am sorely over budget.  I didn't think it would be this hard to choose 33 things.  Maybe I should make a list first then slash.  I think that's the only way I'll be able to do it.  This requires a ruthlessness even I find hard to muster.  I will soldier on though.  I can't let this challenge get the better of me!

Everybody was Kung fu fighting! Huah!

Today was my first Kung Fu class.  Huh? What? Yes, Kung fu!  Watching Bruce Lee, and other martial arts films growing up, got me so excited to try it...and I found a school close to work and home.  It was awesome!!!!!  I learned so many things, and realized that there is so much more to learn.  I only did the basics.  But yet I am so very excited - did I say I was excited?  Yeah, I will be a regular Bruce Leeann by the time I'm through.  And it doesn't hurt that in addition to self-defense, and discipline, it is great exercise.  I'm on this road to good health this year.  The program is 7 months, we'll see what things look like by next spring.  Can you say FIT????
I'm 37 years old - I am having a life evaluation intensive going on.  Looking at all the past unfulfilled desires and letting go of the baggage I picked up along the way on this highway called Life.  I'm all about traveling light, cause those who travel lightest, travel farthest.  And as I'm envisioning my my own path, I need discipline to stay focused.  And that's what I intend to do.  I am packing as much in as humanly possible, as I'm looking down the road and seeing I don't have the luxury of leisure as a younger me would have.  To do this trip to the moon, I need to be in some kind of physical shape to withstand the Gforce.  It's all about clearing out the old - beliefs, priorities, way of living, ways of thinking and doing, to make room for me, my way of living, my philosopy, my theories.  At the end of the day, and at the end of life, no one congratulates themselves on how they lived up to someone else's standards, but that they found their definition of happiness.