He Said, She Said: Sven Goran Erikkson

The greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure. – Sven Goran Erikkson

I’ve had fear stop me in many places in my life.  If I don’t think I’ll succeed, then I just won’t do it.  Fear of failing.  You know what’s funny about that?  If I don’t try something new, I fail.  If I do try something new, I might fail but there’s a very good chance that won’t.

Starting this style challenge has taught me so much more than how to pick out an outfit at the Gap.  So. Much. More.

I suppose I still fear new or hard things but I’m much more willing to try them out anyway.  And just based on the action of trying something new, I’ve succeeded already.

Isn’t that so cool?

What are you fearing right now?  What are you too scared to try, to admit, to want?

How to Spring Clean Your Closet and Why You Should

I ran into this excellent little post about style and spring-cleaning your closet.  Not only does the writer offer suggestions on how to clean your closet, she offers a great perspective on why you should regularly re-visit your wardrobe:

I think my wardrobe should be a reflection of my style and my aesthetic judgment. Every item that I don’t really like or that just doesn’t look good on me, is tainting that reflection a little bit…

Things in excess, even seemingly trivial ones like clothes, are burdensome and stress us out. This effect is amplified for people who are into fashion and see it as a means of self-expression: for us a closet filled with clothes that aren’t our style is literally restraining our ability to express ourselves. So, less is more. Or more is more. It’s fine if your closet is close to bursting, as long as everything in there reflects your style. –Anushka Rees

I like that the writer is merging practicality (cleaning out spaces that quickly get filled with excess) with personal growth (taking a moment to re-examine where you are and who you are – it’s an evolving process).

Maybe this week I’ll take some time to go through my closet and purge the items that don’t really reflect me.  Who knows what the process might teach me.  Any one care to join me?  I’d love to hear about (by the way, I love hearing from you).

She Believed She Could, So She Did

Okay.  I’m back from vacation.  Sequim, WA may be in the Banana Belt but it was just plain ol’ northwest gloom when we were there.  Not that I minded too much.  We still had tons of fun (I visited the best Goodwill in Seattle I’ve ever been to.  Fabulous brands, shoes and everything.  Prices were incredible.  Employees were kind and helpful.  Amazing.  Uh-maaay-zeeen).

To get myself back in the style-search groove, I re-read a recent post about my issues with skirts.  After reading the post, I rolled my eyes and shook my head.  There I go again, over-thinking my life.  What I really need more than a closet full of new skirts?  A little conversation with my friend. The one that can get away with telling me to “get over yourself, Betsy”.  Yeah – she shoulda called me up that day.  No wait.  She should call me up every day.

Anyway, I felt so stuck after I wrote that post.  Like I just couldn’t make it happen.  And then I remembered a key point I’ve learned during this challenge. Take a step forward. Big or small – no matter. If I want to figure out something, then I just need to do it.  Simple as that.

Thanks to the advice in some of your comments (Cosmo and Char),  I decided to consider a dress since less is involved in one piece.  Let’s make it real simple here.  I ran over to our local thrift shop and found a dress (that cute yellow thing in the photo).  Just like that.  Because of what I’ve been learning about myself lately, it was easier for me to find something that was me – not something I thought I should wear but something I truly loved (I love flowy things).

The moral of this story?  When a challenge presents itself, when I start to feel sorry for myself, when I’m not going anywhere?  I’m reminded of a little saying I’ve seen here and there, “She believed she could, so she did.”  And so I will.

He Said, She Said: Julia Barbee

I know a funny, slightly eccentric, lovely woman.  She is odd in all the right ways.  Everyone I know adores her.  I especially love her laugh.

I asked her about her sense of style (she is a clothing designer so she should have some sense, right?!).  I loved her response:

I came up with a new statement about my fashion line, and I think it reflects my way of dressing pretty well.

My way of creating is a curatorial practice. I spend most of my time looking, honing my eye, examining nature, technology, people, objects; I collect form, texture, line, color and put together puzzles based on my own frameworks, from the objects I find.

In addition I’d say I keep my wardrobe pretty basic and add one or two accessories to draw the eye to different areas. Sometimes precisely to the place I’m feeling most vulnerable about that day (it’s a great way to get a compliment on something you’re feeling insecure about!).

I just love that last part!  Julia’s honesty is something I appreciate about her most.

*The reason why I didn’t link to Julia’s clothing line.  Good luck, Julia on your new and exciting design adventures!  Like Julia on her Facebook page.

Despite the Objections of my Friends and Family

So, I’m a little stumped you know?  Trying to figure out how to create a unique look?  I decided last night that I was getting on my nerves over-thinking the whole process.  I think I may have mentioned before how I can be silly like that.

What it comes down to, I think, is that I just need a little inspiration.  Real inspiration.  So I’ve found some people that are doing something I admire and asking for their point of view.  As my father-in-law likes to say, “There’s no sense in trying to re-invent the wheel.”  I’ve asked the question, “How does one go about putting their personal touch on their wardrobe?”

Let’s start with one of my favorite buddies, Julie Edwards.

My motivation to maintain my style is my passion for visually interesting and unconventional things. As a graphic designer, I live and breathe art and I usually tend to express that through my clothes and my surroundings. I am constantly inspired by my work, bloggers, unusual thrift finds and my very creative friends who push me in new directions. As far as creating my own uniqueness, my main motto is to be true to myself. It’s easy to get caught up in trends, be influenced by other bloggers, or feel the pressure of what people might think. However, I try my hardest to maintain my confidence in my clothing and home decor choices despite the objections of my friends and family! -Julie Edwards

I have been trying to come up with a perfect answer to my style challenges and it’s dawning on me that this just won’t be happening anytime soon – if ever (nuts). The inspiration here?  To be true to myself and not get caught up in what others may say.

So for today? Move on girl!  Be yourself.  No matter what you think people might think (because usually they don’t even think it…).

A bit of style, a bit of truth

The beautiful Amanda Johnson

I just had to link to this lovely post about style, self-confidence and grace written by Amanda Johnson over at Here’s Looking at Me Kid.  I’ve been needing a little extra inspiration lately – I just found it!

He Said, She Said: Bea Johnson

I used to think that each season, trendy clothes needed to be purchased in order to have “style”. I now believe that style is something that we (already) own, pair with flair and wear with dare (confidence). -Bea, The Zero Waste Home

He Said, She Said: Tanya Ilarde

Quite simply, style is being ourselves, and there is nothing original about that answer. But what I’ve realized is that style is a practice, and I must always be conscious and tenacious about it. It is not only a reflection but also a measure of how authentic I am living. –Tanya Ilarde

He Said, She Said: Anonymous

here

This idea of moving into a fear rather than avoiding it has really inspired me lately.  And the benefits I get by doing this?  Incredible.  By not allowing a fear to dictate my life, I move forward in life full-steam ahead!

Don’t get me wrong, I still let fear hold me back.  For example, I wouldn’t go kayaking the other day because my mind was full of fears: sea-sickness, falling into the ocean, getting bit by a shark and overturned by a whale.  People – it happens!

I’m doing my best but I’ve got a long way to go.  What fun, this Life journey is!

He Said, She Said: Judy Garland

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. -Judy Garland

I’m sure I’ve said this before but it’s worth repeating.  In regards to fashion, it’s so easy to get caught up in another person’s style.  Many of the bloggers in my Reader follow current trends and are able to happily keep up with it.  They look great, I want to look great and so I find myself wanting and trying to be them.  Good luck with that, Betsy.  I can’t compete and even if I could, I’d still be a “second-rate version of somebody else.”  Not really my ultimate goal in life.

Some of my favorite people wear looks that I don’t jive with at all.  But the reason why I like them?  They are clearly a “first-rate version” of themselves.  Totally awesome.  And my aspiration.  To become the best version of me.

A few of my favorite first-rate-ers?  Check them out!

• Pencil Box
• Little Chief Honeybee
• Love Aesthetics
• B. Jones Style
• Calivintage