All Black

Yes.. it is all black again :)

Wearing now -

Top - The Limited
Skirt - The Limited (seen here)
Tights - Target
Boots - IMPO via DSW (Seen here, here, here, here, here, here, here)
clutch - Payless (seen here)

Compliments!

 How do you react when someone compliments you? It is only recently I have realized that I am not very good with receiving compliments. Instead I try to justify as to why they are complimenting me or my outfit or anything for that matter. The other day someone said I was wearing a pretty top and I, instead of saying thank you started off saying, "oh I bought this from Macys and for just $5 dollars. I love that store." Never once did I say Thank you and we moved on to other topics. Another time when someone said I was looking good you wont believe what my reply was!! "I was in a good mood today." What does that even mean?? I dont know!! After some thought and major thinking, today when someone said they loved my top............ instead of rambling something silly or explaining where I got the top and how much I paid for it, I said "Thank you" :) It is seriously that simple. I have learnt to accept compliments. Have you??

Wearing now -

Top - Ann Taylor
Cardigan - Esprit
Skirt - Romy (seen here and here)
Tights - Target
Boots - Impo visa DSW (Seen here)
Bag - Coach

How I survived the shopping ban

I have not update this blog recently as there has been a lot going on, on the personal front as well as in general. Having said that, I'm very happy to say that this might have been the longest spell in the recent years where I have not shopped. It is close to 4.5 months and I want to tell you how I managed it.

I'm not the kind who makes resolutions but this year I wanted to try and see how much I could make my wardrobe work for me. These are a few key tips that helped me - 

1. Don't go cold turkey - Don't ban yourself. The moment you think you are on a ban, the itch to shop is even stronger. Trick your mind by thinking, I'm not on a ban but I wanna see how long I can go without shopping. Or say, I will not shop till I have worn every item in my closet atleast once(This is what I am following)

2. Donation - Pulled out all my clothes and decided what I wanted to keep and work with. Others went into the donation pile.

3. Arranged them accordingly -   I don't do them by color. But I segregate them according to sleeveless  sleeves, long sleeves, tank top, casual dresses, formal dresses and blazers. 

4. Regular Laundry - Doing laundry regularly helps you have access to all your clothes. Honestly, there has been times when I wanted to wear something that was in the wash pile.

5. Promotion and sales emails - Unsubscribe or put them in the separate folder so you are not temped to check out the sales. If you missed one sale, there are always others. 

6.I have nothing to wear syndrome - It happens quite often than you can imagine. Those are the days I reach out for my favorite effortless pieces that require no thinking.  

7. Avoid malls and stores - Normally when I am bored, I plan a trip to the local mall. Just to hangout and see whats new or whats on sale. When you are bored - try going for a walk in the park or trail, take up a hobby, hangout with friends, try new restaurants or cuisines and so on... 

8. Don't buy because it is on sale or for the cheaper price - While surfing sales and clearance racks, I used to end up buying random items just coz it was on sale for ridiculous price. E.g. a top which is originally priced at $45 was on sale for $5. Here I'm not looking at how versatile the item can be. I'm just getting sucked in for the price factor and end up with another top which after 1 wear will sit at the back of my closet and then forgotten till I do my next round of cleanup. 

9. I have nothing like this in my closet - We all cant have everything. Ive learnt this :) No matter how much you try there will always be that something missing. Instead of trying to fill that hole(beware: it is a blackhole) try to work around it. 

10. Want vs Need - When you look at something, always try to recognize the purchase as a want or a need. You will be surprised at how much you can avoid by just doing this one thing. 

11. Trends - Not every trend is for you. It is good to give into occasional trendy pieces but it is classics which will always serve you and make for the best purchases. 

12. Try to be creative - Honestly, most of the stuff you see out there can be recreated with what you already have. 

13. 30X30 - I have seen many bloggers do the 30X30 challenge. I haven't done one yet but it can be a good way to mix and match your items. You will be pleasantly surprised by the combinations you can come up with. 

14. Don't mask your feelings - Many of us treat shopping as a retail therapy. Think why you got this urge to shop. If the urge is after a few months then please reward yourself but otherwise it could be general feeling like depression, jealously, hunger, anger or even loneliness. Try to get to the root of the cause. 

15. Careful when you get out of the ban -  I have overindulged in the past after my ban which defeats the whole purpose. So when you are back shopping always ask yourself, if your purchase is a want or a need? 

Other than that....  I have nothing else to say :)

Disclaimer - I am not an expert or a qualified professional who can advise you on how to go about your own ban. However, these are the tips that worked for me and may or may not work for you. If you have any questions or queries regarding this, please email me at newpetite(at)gmail(dot)com. 

Adding color

Adding color to an otherwise plain boring outfit is not that easy for someone who normally works with solid colors aka me. Simple accessories can add color and make the outfit more you. A statement necklace, a fun bag, heels or even a belt can elevate an otherwise simple outfit. I chose a colorful scarf in bright hues.

The key is to choose one focal point and downplaying everything else. You dont want to accessorize with all the stuff you can lay your hands on.

Wearing now -

Jacket - Bitten by SJP(sadly they are out of business now)
Sweater - August Silk via Macys
Shirt - H&M
Scarf - ?
Pants - Nordstrom Rack (seen here, here and here)
Boots - IMPO via DSW (Clearly they are my favorite. You've seen me wearing them here, here, here, here, here and here)

  

Black and white trend

Im loving the Black and white trend :) I know you are not surprised but I'd still like to say... Im loving this trend. Black happens to be my favorite color. You might remember this top as I wore it with white pants here.  Im also glad that flats are making a huge comeback :) I live in flats and heels are my dressup and going out without baby luxury. I just cant hobble around in heels with a 3 year old.


Wearing now -

Top - INC via Macys (worn here)
Bottom - H&M (worn here)
Tights - Target
Shoes - Ann Taylor