I’m pregnant.
April Fool’s. I’m not. It’s just been a long running joke since high school that I say on April Fool’s Day. Of course when I started that joke I never took into consideration that it would suck if I actually was pregnant on April Fool’s and no one believed me because I cried wolf baby for so many years. I guess eventually people would figure out that I was pregnant and wasn’t just hiding a beach ball under my maternity dress all for kicks and grins. Till then, see you next year super original pregnant April Fool’s joke.
Today is a very important day. For one, it’s my best friend’s birthday, whom I adore dearly. Happy B-day, Molly, wish I could be there to celebrate like you were 21 instead of 25.
Secondly, today marks the first day of the “No shopping” month. That’s right I’m not allowed to shop this month, I’m even turning my credit cards in to my husband because I’m that weak. (I’m one of those Americans who thinks that a purchase doesn’t exist if you put it on a credit card. Yay! Free money!) Now, this isn’t a mandate set by my bull of a husband, this is a personal choice and perhaps one forced by two things: 1) that we may or may not have just realized that we are poor and 2) we may or may not owe taxes in a rather large amount that makes me ill when I think about it. Other than that it’s a totally natural decision.
Thirdly, I am also challenging myself to remix 30 items within my closet this month. When I write that number it seems like a lot but it really isn’t or so I tell myself. From shoes to pants to shirts, I will force 30 outfits out of those 30 items. (36 if you count belts, but I see belts as the chips and salsa of a meal, those calories don’t really count.) At first I was going to make a big deal out of this, take out a billboard in my town, place some ads on Facebook that say “Are YOU up for the challenge?” but then I decided that I was fooling myself. This isn’t a gimmick, this is the reason I started my blog — to be completely intentional with what I buy (or do not buy) and to find my closet as a resource and not as just a bottomless supply that constantly needs to be refilled. (And you thought it was so I could get a bit at my local comedy club.) Plus, it’s not like this is a ground-breaking experiment. I’m not finding the cure for cancer, I’m doing what God intended me to do with clothes — wear them. Maybe just with a bit more elbow grease and creativity. No longer do I need to say those 5 little words — I have nothing to wear. I have plenty to wear. And do not need to buy something new when I have plenty waiting to be worn. Let “Project I Have Nothing to Wear” begin.
Fourthly, we’re installing a rockwall inside of our house. It’s always something I’ve wanted to do and April just seemed like challenge month so why not, right? Ha! Got you again. April Fool’s — there’s no rockwall in our house.
Today was the first day of my 30 days to remix. Get used to seeing this little black dress around. Her name is Sally and she says hello. I feel very Audrey Hepburn in it, but I decided to update it a bit and make it more approachable and casual for the office. A little leather belt and gladiator wedges did the trick.
One more thing, I hope you all don’t get tired of my re-wears over the next month. More than anything I want to prove to myself that I can re-mix something and make it completely original, so I hope you follow me along the journey. If not, I’ll see you in May.
(Thanks to Jennifer of Aspiring Fashionista for the feature!)
39 Responses
I wish you lots of luck with your no shopping challenge. I gave up shopping for lent..and I plan on continuing. I personally think that you learn true style and creativity from working with what you have. It's so easy to go out and buy something new. I've been looking at my closet and noticing items that are really cute that have only been once or twice. It's a shame. They are about to be revived.
wow wow! I love this challenge. As I was reading your post I was almost bummed to see you weren't shopping but the 30 in 30 is fantastic! I cant wait to see your matches!
Looking forward to seeing what you accomplish- quite inspiring! I have been avoiding my closet restructuring and downsizing out of sheer fear.
You know, I was thinking the same myself, just not saying it outloud in case I failed. I definitely need to stop shopping because I end up forgetting what I already own, and I know it's cute b/c that's why I bought it in the first place! I think your idea is fab, and I am inspired to maybe say it outloud!
Dea
http://www.beachfloatabroad.blogspot.com
I think the remixing idea is great. I can't wait to see how it goes. I need to make myself do something like that. I should also make myself stop shopping…
I really love that dress. The fit is so pretty. Did you buy it recently? I'm in desperate need of an LBD…there are no black dresses in my wardrobe.
love this holly inspired look, I just bought a trench today! I might have to do this someday. I'm excited to see the remixes and I believe in you, it's going to be fun for your blog!
lovelove, M.
http://marissaexplains.blogspot.com
So funny that you posted this today Kendi – I was just thinking this morning about fasting for a month from shopping – I definitely buy based on what I want rather what I need! Looking forward to seeing your remixes! (AND I too have that trench from Old Navy – LOVE it!)
You look very Audrey! LOVE it!
I love the remix idea! Maybe because it's time to pay my taxes and the IRS won't take gently used items of clothing as payment and I have to do the same thing this month, but I totally know you can do it and I am excited to see what you come up with!
you are one of the only blogger that I read everyday, because I know I can count on you for a good chuckle! 🙂
PLUS you're outfits are super adorable!
April is no spending month for me too. I can only buy food from the grocery store, no eating out!
What a great project! My boyfriend and I are embarking on an eight month trip to Europe at the end of this year, so to save for that I've resolved not to buy any *new* clothes and only visit the thrift store oh-so-sparingly. It's tough to resist the online shopping urge on those "I have nothing to wear" days, but great blogs like yours are great inspiration to dream up new combinations of pieces I already have. Good luck, and looking forward to the remixes!
ok love the dress, so simple and chic. fantastic! also, i have that trench isn't it great? i love it and it's such a great spring jacket to have around.
having a no spending month is a great idea. i'm limiting myself to $20 a month through august, shopping wise that is, because i'm trying to move to nyc – we'll see what happens. but good luck to you!!
You frickin' crack me up!! 🙂 I love this dress! I think it's the perfect thing to add to your 30 day remix. It seems like a very transitional piece! Good luck with the shopping ban!
I said something along the same lines a few days ago!! The idea was spawned by a fit of spring cleaning that filled an entire table with things I was going to give away. Then it hit me- if I have so much crud that I can give half of it away then why do I need anything else? And so was born the "Thrifting My Closet" idealogy.
I decided that I am not going to purchase any other articles of clothing until I have worn absolutely everything I own at least once. I feel as if it may take me awhile….but anyway-here's to "Thrifting Your Closet" and "Project I Have Nothing to Wear"!!
Hello, Sally! The challenge sounds great. And, as I have the same belt, I love seeing how you wear it. I've been loving it with darker colors, too!
What a fantastic idea!
It would be really awesome to see all 36 pieces on a post. But that might make it billboard status.
Seeing you remix will be super interesting, I'll stick around. 😉
Best of luck with your no shopping thing. I tried that last June and instead of shopping I found myself delving into Twilight (which became my crack for the month).
Oh and if you really want to get just your husband, have a pregnant person (preferably someone you know) to pee on a pregnancy test for you.
Good luck with your shopping ban! I can't see what looks you'll be coming up with – you definitely inspire me! Maybe you can list the 30 items you will be remixing?
Great idea! Good luck! I decided I needed to curtail my spending a bit, too. I'm only allowing myself to spend $100 this month. And guess what? Yep. Blew my monthly budget yesterday…that didn't take long.
unravelledthreads.blogspot.com
Not only do I love seeing what you are wearing, but I actually read everything you write instead of just "skimming"…your blog is that GOOD.
And I love your sense of April Fool's humor…I told my son yesterday that my husband and I were going to split up as an A.F.'s joke.
He did not find it as funny as I did.
I actually love seeing bloggers remix their outfits – it's totally inspiring to see how 1 item can have many different looks – so bring it on 🙂
i love the way you looped the leather belt. great look!
i have about 4 items in my closet i have not worn yet … i am telling myself i HAVE to wear them before i buy anything else!
Ahhh, I love my namesake dress. Very Audrey indeed.
And I very much look forward to the grand remixing project. If anyone can make 30 items look perpetually fresh, it's you!
Haha, I told my family I was preggo yesterday also and it was too funny!! My dad called me three times in a row and my little sister got super excited just to be told APRIL FOOLS:) I love it!!
http://www.afashionfixation.blogspot.com/
You look so cute in this outfit! Like if Lily Allen and Audrey Hepburn had a baby.. it'd be you!
Good luck on ur challenge.. I'm kind of doing the same thing with my clothes, but I'm trying to not wear the same thing twice until I've gone through all my clothes. So far, So good
Check out my blog if you get a chance. Many thanks in advance!
http://www.kippisclothes.blogspot.com/
ack! i feel totally convicted. thanks a lot. i need to to do this too. my dream of having an indoor rockwall must be fulfilled.
NOT. (remember when we were little? saying "NOT" was like having April Fool's every day!)
anyway. shopping has become my substitute for doing laundry. isn't that awful? ugh. i have way, way, way too many clothes. i actually think reading fashion blogs has made my shopping habit worse. i REALLY need to work on contentedness.
well, anyway, i think i'm gonna join you in this no-shopping month. i think i can, i think i can, i think i can.
holy long-comment. for a second there i thought we were BFFs.
I really, really need to do this too. I love how you write, btw. Your writing has a lot of personality. 🙂
Good luck – can't wait to see what you come up with!
flnw.blogspot.com
i can't wait to see how you style and re style these pieces!
Yeah… we're tax buddies! I haven't bought anything for two weeks now (well, yesterday I bought too many drinks… not smart). I am pumped for this challenge… work it.
Broken record time…. these pics look amazing.
Good luck with the no shopping ban! I love the idea of re-mixing what you have in your closet for April so I will defn still be checking out your blog daily! 😉 I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with and hopefully it will inspire me to do the same w/ my closet!
Wherever you took your pictures today is SO pretty!!
I'm looking forward to seeing how you remix things!
I love your remix idea. I'm excited to see what you come up with. And super gorgeous pictures today!
First, I love this outfit – so classic!
Second, great challenge – I'm due to come off of my own self-imposed shopping hiatus next week. I think practicing some restraint has actually curtailed some of my urge to shop on a whim (i'm one of those "I had a bad day, I deserve shoes" types).
Can't wait to see your 30 for 30 remix!
ev
archival-allure.tumblr.com
I love this outfit, but more importantly, I love your no shopping month! It's so easy to spend money and lose track of just how much you are spending! Have you ever tried mint.com? My hubs and I really like it for a quick overview of our finances, since we don't keep and record every receipt like "real" adults are supposed to!
I'm totally doing almost the same thing. I am not buying anymore clothes until I get a new job. I'll have to remix my outfits and not spend any $ until I get a new job… it's going to be hard to not use credit cards too but I think it's def for the best.
Can't wait to see what you do with your wardrobe this month!
hahh I always prank pregnancy every year too. I always get someone. This year I was hoping to actually be pregnant so I could tell everyone and they wouldn't believe me and I could say "April Fool's! I actually am!"
I'm really excited for this, Kendi! I've been meaning to do this too – but I have so many new things I haven't worn yet for April – maybe I'll try for May! Such a great idea. I feel so guilty not wearing half the items in my closet!
ps; These pictures are AMAZING!
Hi Kendi! I've just been reading backwards and have to say that this first day outfit and pics are stunning and hands down my favorite!
xx Vivian @ http://diamondsandtulle.blogspot.com