Monday, January 31, 2011

30x30 Intro, Winter 2011

When I signed up for the 30x30 challenge, I did so sort of reluctantly. It seemed like a lot of work. And I'm lazy. And I won't lie. So far, I've put about 4 hours of good solid work into it. Pulling clothes, choosing how to mix and match them, hanging them up, photographing them, working on my spreadsheet working on this post keeping it real and thanking my tremendously awesometacular husband for basically just being alive. He's just so freakin' rad and also my reason for drawing breath every day. Srsly you guys. He rules. The most. (He may or may not have written some of that while I was putting some blankets in the dryer. But in all seriousness, Nathan participated in 100% of my prep work. It was really fun to be able to work on that with a friend, so if you have a friend you think might enjoy helping you, I encourage you to ask them for help.)

I started the process by purchasing Kendi's guide and reading it cover to cover. If you feel anxious at all about taking the challenge next go round, start there. It gave me the confidence to get started, and it was only 4 bucks.

After that, we pulled out a spare clothing rack we had stowed away. I went into the closet and started pulling things. I pulled things I know worked together and then pulled things that fell into similar color categories. My mix was pretty pattern heavy, which surprised me, but made me that much more interested in wearing those clothes for 30 days.

patterns close up

After I had pulled about 27 items I stopped. I wanted to be able to fill in any holes I found with those last three items. (Like the blazer I later found out I will need for the next EBEW!) Nathan booted up the computer and I called out item descriptions and he logged them in the spreadsheet. We had categories for each clothing type. They were numbered in the order they were in at the time and we did not worry about renumbering.

spreadsheet crop
(if you need to see that bigger, click on the image to go to my flickr page, where you can see it in larger sizes)

Once everything had a number, I started calling out combinations I would wear. Not that I WILL wear mind you, just possibilities. We stopped at 37 combinations. That leaves room for a couple that just don't look right once I get them on, AND once I added my last 3 items, I have even more possibilities. Charting out that many possibilities made me feel much more confident about the challenge. The last column on the spreadsheet was left blank. That is where I will log outfits as I actually wear them so as not to repeat any.

And with all that background stuff out of the way, I give you my items

rack side view

Individual items, by number, not category (for info regarding how may items I selected per category, please see the spreadsheet...)

As before, if you'd like to see any of these bigger, please feel free to click on through to my flickr...

1 Rainbow sweater2 AA Salt and Pepper Hoodie3 AA Charcol Cardigan


4 Army Green Shawl Collar Fleece5 tie dyed jeans6 black slim pants

7 denim skirt8 green lace skirt

9 black lace skirt10 grey lace dress11 large print floral dress


12 Small print floral dress13 Tucker for Target dress14 reversable birthday dress

15 Striped long sleeve top16 black vneck tee17 Banana Republic sheer tank

18 UO grey, blue, black and purple sheer tank19 UO horse tank20 high heeled docs

21 flat doc martens22 sperry boots

23 Eggshell Fleece24 cammo boots

25 Nude net ruffle dress26 Grey hoodie sweater27 Free People Sweater Coat

28 Black Oversized cozy sweater29 Fitted Blue Blazer30 Grey watercolor NR dress

And that's it. I'm ready to get started!

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aweeeesome! I am so excited to see how you mix and match everything!!

Melissa said...

Wow, and I thought I was organized!

You're going to be spectacular, I can feel it. :)

Collette Osuna said...

Ok...so how many ways can I describe your awesomeness?? Umm...Im such a slacker compared to all these well thought out outfits...sheesh girl....you have SOOOO got this one in the bag.....:)

Stop by and say Hello:)
Check out my 30x30 Remix….Let’s do this!♥

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to see everything in action. Neat! I love your choices in pieces - you have such a good eye for style and fun.

Ana said...

Love your choices! I can't wait to see what you do with all your patterns. I ended up picking a bunch of solids, so I think I'll have to rely on accessories a lot. Nathan is a sweetheart, Nate wants nothing to do with my blog and my "stupid fur collars"

Anonymous said...

I love how you photographed your items outside! And that spreadsheet will be critical to your success for sure! I'm excited to see how you remix.

Kyla said...

Wow. You are way organized. I'm feeling a little cocky about this 30x30 and I think it's going to bite me in the ass. hehe I'm so glad that you're doing this, though! It's going to be a blast!

GFS said...

Ok...this process sounds like a second job to me...and I don't no more jobs that aint pay me the chedda, the cheese...the scrilla, the benjamins...the chitty chitty bang (that didn't go but I was on a roll)

Andddddd....HELL NAWWWWWW...You didn't include the striped skirt you were a few posts ago that makes your butt look good....You need to reconfigure some things boo.

(For those of you that are reading this comment and you are NOT Erin...we talk like that to each other. We check out each other's butt and stroke hair and stroke each other's skin in a non intrusive way. Don't judge...just know.)

Vanessa said...

I am blown away by your organization! The chart just sent me over the edge in envy of your coordinating, organizing and everything else skills!
And, it looks like you picked some great pieces! Good luck with the challenge.

C said...

I'm so psyched to see how you remix everything. It's gonna be great!

Tabitha said...

I wasn't kidding in my twitter comment that we could be BFF! :)

TrophyBoutique said...

Lace-up boots galore! I am so excited!

Wow, though, you did a lot more prep than I did. I basically just pretended I was packing for a trip somewhere with weather just like Austin. And I always pack at the last minute, without making any outfits. Oops.

I can't wait to see those tie-dye pants in action. I had better wear mine today so I get the urge out of my system!

Victoria said...

You have a very scientific mind. It really makes me smile looking at your spread sheet. I wouldn't have pulled out 31 pieces instead of 30 if I used your method.
http://lifeisfullofbeautiful.blogspot.com/

grace said...

I've been thinking about doing the 30X30, but haven't done it b/c it seems like it would require so much work/thought. I'll be interested to see how it works out for you. I'm surprised only at your shoe selections--all boots for 30 days?

Louise said...

Ack! You've inspired me! Erin, I haven't even picked out my 30 yet! AAAAAH! Can you fly out here and help me? You've got it together.

The Suburb Experiment said...

I'm happy to see all the pattern! I ended up with a lot of pastel things which is weird because I don't normally wear pastels and it's winter. So I'll live out colorful pattern mixing through you.

But I did do the spreadsheet thing like you and I think(?) I might be able to do this.

Jessica said...

holy balls! that spreadsheet does NOT say "im lazy"!! good thinking, tho. i'm not doing the remix this time around, but when/if i ever do, i'm totally employing a spreadsheet.

can't wait to see what you do with it!!

Jessica
Surely Sonsy

Chalkdust and Boots said...

See, I'M too scared of doing this (maybe next time?), but I'm in awe of your spectacular organization skills.

Linley said...

great pieces! love the breton stripes and all the floral dresses! can't wait to see them remixed!

Unknown said...

Love your picks - they are so very you :) And I also love your organization techniques and the advice to buy Kendi's little workbook - I did that last time in the fall and it really did help in giving me some confidence to make it through the challenge!

Can't wait to see the outfits come alive :)!

Small Time Style

Cara said...

I did a similar, but not quite as organized thing for the last 30x30, and it worked out so well, especially on the days when you're so tired of the clothes that you don't feel you have any creativity. Having the creative part already done was such a relief!
I'm fascinated by the amount of pattern you're using. I'm really trying to get over my fear of pattern mixing, so I'll be watching to see how you do it!

RubyAlison said...

If I could play dress up and pick your outfit, I would put together 5, 10 , 15 & 29.

Good luck, I much look forward to the posts!

RubyAlison said...

I meant 5, 10, 20 & 29... Though 15 now makes me curious with 5 & 10...

Megan said...

I have my lace target skirt in my mix for 30x30, too! I'm on day 13 (early start) and have been wearing the heck out of it!

archives vintage said...

WOW you really did your homework! youre going to rock this!!!!!!!! :D

laura said...

Holy moly, you're organized! Good luck! I can't wait to see your outfits!

Rebecca said...

I'm looking forward to seeing the outfits that you'll put together. You chose some great items.

Melody said...

wow i thought i was organized! my little notes looks like a huge mess next to this! lol I can't wait to see the outfits you put together!

I got up the courage to do the 30x30 too! Stop by sometime : )

http://peacelove-melody.blogspot.com/

Keely said...

Looks like a fun mix! Can't wait to see something floral with something striped!

annogus said...

haha LOVE the excel sheet! I am definitely a fellow spreadhseet nerd. Didn't think to use it for the 30x30!

anna
http://sparkplugminuet.tumblr.com

Debbie Baker Burns said...

Wow...you are super organized. I did get Kendi's guide because this is my first remix. Tonight I've been checking out everyone's 30 picks. I am looking forward to seeing what you do with all the patterns! http://thriftygirlvintage.blogspot.com

Linda said...

Holy hecka momma. Look at the spreadsheet!

The Auspicious Life

Elle said...

.... why didn't I think of a spreadsheet? I did an outfit potentials list with pen and paper haha. I have all my stuff hanging in a separate closet. I love this though, and you have some super awesome pieces, though I'm curious to see what you do with your shoe selection.

Elissa said...

Wow. You clearly put a ton of thought into this. I'm blown away. I mean, who else creates a spreadsheet for their outfits for he 30x30 challenge? Only you do, and that makes you completely awesome.

I'll be eagerly checking in on you to see how you pull this off. I think you chose your items very wisely, and you'll do great.

www.dresswithcourage.com

myownlittleuniverse said...

love it all...i want your closet!