This post has been on my heart for so long now and I think it’s finally time to do it! I’m bringing the 30 for 30 back, ya’ll! (Except I’m changing it to 30×30 Remix because ESPN.)
I have been wanting to do this for years now but just haven’t found the time or — well let’s be honest — the courage to post this post. But I’m dying to do one and this post is the first step. So let’s get to it!
Take a quick stroll down memory lane with me. I hope you have your J.Crew pencil skirt on for this. I’m not sure when you stumbled upon KE, if it was something you found from the getgo of style blogging (hello 2009) or how you found me from the last 10 years, but I’m so glad you’re here. If you remember pre-Instagram / pre-Influencer, I started the 30 for 30 in 2010 through 2011, I did 5 remixes. This is where I would take 30 items and remix them into 30 different outfits; to find a creative way to wear and re-wear my favorite things. During my last remix that summer, we were planning on opening the shop that fall and I ended up shelving the 30 for 30, but never formally saying goodbye. I never wanted to say goodbye to it, but at the time I needed to put it aside because I was getting burned out and the shop was taking up my mental capacity where the 30 for 30 had lived. (Brains are funny like that.) So this idea has been sitting on my proverbial mental shelf for 8 years and in that time I’ve had a wonderful go at being a shop girl, an almost travel blogger, becoming a mom and navigating a successful 10 year career through blogging (or what is now called ‘influencing’ but I will never be able to get used to that term. Call me old school but blogging is where my heart lies.) During the time that I stopped doing the 30 for 30, a similar idea shifted into Capsule Wardrobes that took much of the same characteristics of my remixes but more of a limited approach and view. I’ll be honest, I’ve never found myself drawn to ‘capsule wardrobes’ as much as I was to this idea of my 30 for 30 or remixing. I like colors, I like patterns, and most capsule wardrobes are filled with basics and neutrals and that is wonderful — don’t hear me say anything but positive things about capsule wardrobes — but it’s just never caught my attention the way a full, colorful remix does. I find myself becoming bored with the same things over and over again, so the idea of bringing back a remix crept up last summer in my mind. I planned out a whole summer remix last June BUT…I was never able to get myself to write THIS post. I planned another one this spring and the same writer’s block struck again. And to be honest, I don’t even know if these are the words that I truly want to use for my big ‘I’m doing the 30 for 30 again’ reveal — but it’s all I got and it’s published. And that’s more than I’ve been able to do about this. So hooray for big baby steps!
One of the biggest reason I haven’t returned to the 30 for 30 is that I just didn’t know what to say about why I’ve left it open-ended all of these years. I truly put the 30 for 30 away on a shelf to be picked up again but I just never did. The shop got in the way, life got in the way, hell — depression got in the way, and then time got away from me. As someone who has built a whole career on knowing what to say, I’ve never known just what to say about this, so I don’t. And if the 30 for 30 was perhaps why so many of you all started following me and I hope you know what it means for me on this side. Thank you for sticking around and allowing me to grow, change, expand (and maybe sometimes constrict back) into who I am today. It’s been hard to touch this subject because it means just as much to me as it did you, probably more. So I hope that this post comes with as much excitement as it does for me. And if you have NO clue what I’m talking about, I’ll post every detail on Monday along with my first outfit. If it feels rushed, it’s because it is. If I don’t rip off this band-aid quickly, I’ll never do it. So here we go! (Well, technically here we go on Monday…but you get the idea. THE BAND AID IS OFF!)
This is probably one of the few posts I’ve written without an image attached to it, just words. Usually, I let images speak for me in a lot of ways, but this post just needed my words. I hope you can feel all of my good energy and excitement about this challenge. I’m so so so excited and I hope you are, too! And I don’t usually ask for this because you all have been so good to me along this crazy journey, but if you are excited too, please leave me a comment and let me know! I’m all nerves (but good nerves! like piano recital nerves!) and I’d like to see a few familiar smiling faces in the crowd. 🙂
Again, thank you for sticking around and for letting me be me at all times. This blog has always been my favorite place to go.
30×30 Remix + details coming to you on Monday! (Oh and you’re welcome to join in. There’s no time limit so don’t feel rushed. Remixing doesn’t have an expiration date.)
See YOU Monday!
(PS: the featured image on the homepage is kind of misleading as those are NOT the pieces in the remix! I’m keeping that under wraps until Monday!)
95 Responses
Yay! I’ve been following since pencil skirt days and I’m excited you’re bringing this back. I’m also grateful you’ve continued to share your outfits and life with us. Your style and blog have evolved but isn’t that a good reminder that we should all be evolving and not just in terms of fashion. Excited to see what you share on Monday!
Definitely excited – loved the 30 for 30 remixes back in the day
Yay! I just recently went back and nostalgically looked through your remixes from before, so this is very exciting! I’m excited to see what a remix looks like with your style now. 🙂
YES! I’ve been reading your blog since the olden days (like, from the start!) and am SO excited about this. Can’t wait to see what you pull together. I know it will be fab!
SO EXCITED!!! (PS – Please don’t even apologize for growth and living 🙂 All of us long time followers feel we know you as a Person, and enjoy that you share the ride so many of us are on with you <3)
Love that you’re bringing this back!
This is SO exciting! I was a huge fan of 30×30 – your creativity jumped off the blog, and in turn made me think of how I wear clothes and how to see pieces in different light. I also crave nostalgia, so i’m beyond excited!
Ahhh, this makes me so happy! I’ve been following your blog since 2010, and I lived for your 30 for 30!! You truly inspired me during those years, and my personal style really began to develop because of it. Style has changed so much since those colourful, layering days … I can’t wait to see what you come up with for your new 30 x 30 remix. Cheers!
YAY! LOVE this!!! Been a long time follower and have loved watching your style change and evolve.. as well as your personal life with the addition of sweet Gemma! Can’t wait to see your post on Monday! 🙂 xo
I followed you back in the day and always loved your remixes. I drifted away from blogs and then found you again when you were pregnant with Gemma (and I was preg with my 2nd son at the same time.) Evolution is great, going back to your roots is great too. It’s been fun to follow your style and your life over the years. Excited to see your summer wardrobe ideas!
Jcrew pencil skirt….holy flashback! Yes, so looking forward to 30 x 30! I think it’s due for a comeback!
I ❤️❤️❤️❤️ this and could not be more excited. Capsule… Smaptule…. This is something I can get behind! Can’t wait. And girl…. We all have seasons and leaving an idea open for when the creative compulsion happens…. It’s organic and wonderful. Excited to journey with you 30×30 big!
I got butterflies in my stomach when I read your post! You were my OG blog to follow and just loved seeing what you were going to wear everyday. I was obsessed with your orangey red block heels and all your colorful denim. I love seeing you go back to your roots and remix the sh*t out of your wardrobe. It takes some major courage to look back and do something again, you go girl!
Been following you since 2010, loved you then, love you now! So excited to see what you come up with this time around!
Yay!!! And yes: I started following you back in 2009 and that “hold on to your JCrew pencil skirts” line Bwahahahahaha!! you got me, girl. Were we all wearing them back in the day because you made them look so cute? I definitely was! 😂 Can’t wait to see what you come up with in this 30 for 30!
Girl, I’m here for this! Been following since the very beginning and usually just silently cheering you on from the side because that’s just my style, but I’m coming out loud and proud to see you get back to roots! Three cheers, and a couple fist bumps thrown in for good measure. 💗
Yay!! Can’t wait!!
You are the only “influencer” or blogger or stylist that I follow, and I have no idea how I found you about 8 years ago, but our babies are about 2 weeks apart, and most of the time, I swear you are reading my mind! Any time I wear something I found through you, I get complements, so keep it all coming! Excited for this remix!
Yes! I’m here for it! I’ve been following along since somewhere in 2013. I was so excited to find someone blogging from the small Texas town I had just moved near (I’m in Plano now)! 💜
I’m so excited! Your second round of the 30 for 30 where you got people involved was what turned my little old chatty blog into a style blog back in the day. It’s what connected me to a lot of people and I’m still so appreciative of the community you created. In the last few years I finally stepped away from my blog but I think the OG blogging community, was a much more positive one to be a part of that in the current influencer community. But that’s just my old school soul talking 😉 I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
I’ve been following you for, well shoot, almost 5 years now. I had no clue what this 30×30 thing was but now I’m super excited! A reason to look forward to Monday. 🙂
Yay, go Kendi! Very exciting!!
I am very excited for you to do the remix. I started following you in 2012 but went back and read every blog from the beginning. I love how you had a super cute outfit and some good ol tights from Walmart. I still follow you on Instagram but I also had a baby and then another one so my style has changed and I no longer wear short dresses or anything that I cant bend over, scoop up a kid in arms or be comfortable in, so it’s hard for me to relate to most of your outfits and along with the price tags. I hope you include some budget friendly pieces.
Love this! I’ve been following since the early days and I remember every remix! Ive always thought it was such a great idea for so many reasons — 1. Making the most of the clothes you have instead of constantly buying new pieces & catering to fast fashion; 2. It forces you to ensure you have quality staples that will work with lots of outfits and 3. It requires creativity — something we often avoid by going the easy route and just buying more clothes because we get bored with what we have! Anyway sorry for the long comment but I just got SO EXCITED when I saw your post! Go Kendi! Always a fan.
I love the idea of bringing back your 30×30 Remix. Good thing come to those who wait. 😘
I AM SO PUMPED. been following you since around 2010 and these were always my favorite!!!!!
I’ve been following you since 2009!! So glad you’re bringing this back. I’m so tired of the new outfit everyday most “influencers” promote, I can’t do that and love being inspired to use what’s in my own wardrobe! Thank you!!
You got this girl!! So excited you are going back to your roots and LOVE that you are bringing this back. Thanks for sharing so much of your life…it’s been a much needed break throughout my work days for the past 10 years. Thanks for keeping it real and so relatable.
YES!! I loved your 30×30 challenges!! Can’t wait to see what you’re going to share on Monday!!! I’m sure it’s all going to be fabulous.
I’m not sure when or where I jumped into this mix of wonderful blogging, but I’m pretty dang excited about this! I love color too and felt the capsules were a bit dull. Can’t wait for Monday now! 🙂
I have been following you since the very beginning! I loved your 30×30 then and I love all of the wonderful things you shared with this community since then! I’m super excited for this to come back!
You’ve been my FAVORITE blogger for years and years and I am so excited for this remix!
Another follower from the pencil skirt days! Excited to follow along on this new (old) feature again! 🙂 yay for you!
Kendi, I am so excited. I always loved your remixes! I didn’t realize I missed them until you said you were bringing them back. I cannot wait to follow along.
I didn’t find you until about 2012, but I did follow the Uniform Project around 2009…does anyone remember that?! I am so excited to see your remix; I love to see creativity and reusability at work!
Omg I do remember the pencil skirts! And the arrows!!! That’s exactly when I started following you. You and Brian would to work, shoot at some park then eat lunch 🤣. I loveeeee following you since the beginning! I loved your colorful outfits then and will love them now! And I agree, capsule wardrobes are to dry and simple for me. Give me all the colors and patterns! Excited for you!!
Katie | http://www.sunshinestyleblog.com
So excited for the remix!!! Loved these from the old days.
Oh, Kendi, this is really exciting news! I started reading your blog during the 30×30 years and they were my favorite… but I’ve kept reading your blog because of your writing! Even if your outfit isn’t something i’d wear, I ALWAYS scroll to the bottom to see what you write about. I used to love the blog you wrote of life with you and B too.
Anyway, looking forward to your remix! I’m going to try to play along. 😀
YES! I love the focus on a remixable wardrobe.
YES! I have been waiting for the 30×30 to come back. So excited!
Kendi, my sister introduced me to your blog in 2010, and I have followed (and loved) your journey since. I am so grateful for all that you have shared of yourself. I loved and joined the 30×30 years ago, I admire your journey into motherhood (especially having a baby girl this past December myself), I so appreciate all that you’ve shared about depression (I share your struggle!), and so look forward to all that is to come. I believe in having less that is really good quality and what you love, but I struggle with this because I LOVE COLOR and variety, too, for that matter. I am truly looking forward to seeing how you remix pieces in this season of your life and will definitely be joining you at home. Yay for finding ways to wear what you own while still expressing your authentic self through what you wear! Yay for you being where you are on your journey and for sharing it with us! Love to you always! Xo
Kendi this was absolute FAVORITE thing about your blog! I cannot overstate how excited I am that you have finally brought it back. I CAN’T WAIT to see what you do! Congrats on all your success!
I’m excited because this is what I’ve always liked about style blogging and what I feel it should be about. I liked when I could look to bloggers for wardrobe ideas, how to wear the items in my closet multiple ways. So much of blogging and “influencing” is now about pushing products and affiliate links. I find it to be mostly disingenuous. But I’m glad to see a return.
I honestly don’t know when I started following you, but I love your style and I’m excited for the 30×30 Remix! I am looking forward to some inspiration on how to remix pieces I own, a few of them from your shop btw 🙂 See you Monday!
Yay!
Do it – have been reading from the early days and this IS exciting!
I’m so excited! This was alsways so fun and I missed it. It’s fun to have new ideas and be creative and make something like new with what you have.
I was one of those people who first came upon your blog in 2009. I needed outfit-help and your blog as well as AcademicChic really helped me move beyond dress pants and helped me transition in to skirts and dresses. I even had a blog for a few years before I took it down but I still continue to take outfit photos everyday for the past 10 years. I am also a HUGE fan of remixing and am super excited that you are picking this up again. I have a lot of clothes and try as much as possible to remix. I also try not to wear the same outfit twice because of the power of remixing.
Academic Chic!! I loved them so so much! Thank you for reminding me of them!
I’m so excited for this! I love 10×10 or 30 x30 challenges! I’d love to try this with you!! I’ve been following you for about 6 years and recently got my sister to follow you! You two are the same size/height so she’s in love too❤️
I started following you during your earlier 30 for 30 days, and have been secretly waiting to see when you’d do it again. So happy you’re bringing it back! It was and still is my favorite part about your blog.
I’m sooo pumped. Can’t wait
Yay! I’m so excited for this!! This was one of My favorite posts you did in the past! I can’t wait to get inspired and try it with my own closet!
Yessss! So stoked for you Kendi! I started following around 2009/2010 and still love following along with everything you do, but i’m especially excited to see your new 30×30! Also, I’ve been loving your try ons… Even though I live in New Zealand and can’t buy anything you try on no matter how much I love it 😩
Whoa, this is so crazzzzzy. Earlier this week I was reading your blog and thought “I wonder whatever happened to the 30 for 30 challenge?”… Googled it and got a bunch of ESPN lol Then dug through and looked at your old ones. I really missed them 🙂
DANG ESPN. lol. I’m pretty sure the ESPN 30 for 30 started the same year I did the original challenge, such a coincidence and they obviously one the SEO game. HA! I’m so glad someone else was feeling nostalgic too!
Yay!!! I’ve been following you from over the other side of the world for the longest time and i feel all of the things you feel!
I’ve been blogging for as long, had two bebes, and stroll trying to navigate this weird “influencer” world (albeit on a much smaller scale here in New Zealand)
I’m so so excited you’ve found the head space and passion to go back to something you love, and that gives you joy and pushes your creativity!
I can’t wait to see what the next 30 days brings (even though it’s bloody freezing here because Winter 😂)
X
Yes! Long time follower, and I’ve got my pencil skirts ready!
How exciting. It was your 30 from 30 that allowed me to discover you. I can’t wait to see what Monday has to offer and inspire.
This was the best news I got all day! Echoing a lot of the same sentiments here: I also started following you around the remix days – you definitely taught me how to have more fun with my wardrobe too! While it’s been fun to watch the style evolution as well, I’m happy to see the remix back (I too, dabbled in capsule wardrobe, and it was awful). On a slightly related note: I’ve recently outgrown my JCrew pencil skirts and been browsing to replace those. Imagine my delight when I found my same neon yellow pencil on Poshmark for $20! It feels serendipitous.
OH MY GOSH. I remember that exact one!! I still have a few because I just could never part with them.
This was one of my absolute favorite series. I am thrilled you are bringing it back! Watching you restyle your clothes helped me throughout college when I couldn’t afford to buy new items. Instead, you taught me to be creative with what I already had (and to embrace colored tights). Looking forward to seeing you work your magic again.
How do I join your 30×30 challenge?
Hi! I post everything tomorrow! (Monday June 10th)
Long live the 30×30! I’m very excited for you, and for all of us to see what you come up with!
I’m excited you’re bringing this back! I’ve read your blog since the early days and can’t wait to see what you come up with this time around.
So excited!!!! Bring on the remix
Yayyy!! I’ve been following you for YEARS (like… at least 8 years). I loved the remixes and I’m so glad you’re bringing it back! So excited!!!
Just had to comment (I’m not another blogger or anyone you would remember, just a longlonglong-time reader). This is the best post EVER a) because I am excited 30×30 REMIX is a muhfuggin’ thing (!!!) and b) because literally everything you said in this post is perfect and you should never change!
(I am a mom of three kids, and all the bits in here about ripping off the band-aid and just doing it and starts and stops SPEAK. TO. ME. You communicated the necessary information about the project and your excitement about it, and were also relatable as fuck in the meantime! A-freaking-plus; like I said, never change.)
Can’t wait to see the outfits! I’ve never been super into capsule wardrobes either.
I am SO excited for this! I found you when you were doing this in 2011 😊 so happy. This time I hope to join in! It’s perfect timing since I’ve felt so not creative about my clothes lately. I can’t wait for Monday!
Another fan since 2010, your 30 for 30 is what got me hooked!
Yay! So excited for this! I started following during the time of the other remixes and I loved them! Looking forward to seeing you bring them back!
I am so excited the 30×30 is coming back!!!
Omg! So excited, I have all my 2010 worksheets and ready to do this ! Love that’s 30×30 (remix) is back! Woohoo!
YESSS! I love love love the 30×30 remix. I have wanted to do one myself for yeeeeears, but never got oragnized enough to plan it out. So, I totally 100% understand what you’re saying here. Maybe I’ll get it together enough to do it with you this time 🙂 Excited for you!
Kendi! I’m so so excited for this. I’ve been following you for at least a decade — I love the authenticity, style, wittiness and thoughtfulness that you bring to this space. I’m super excited to watch you remix over the next 30 days! Thanks for sharing with all of us!
Kendi!!!! I’m so excited for this! I’ve been following since September 2010, and I attempted a 30×30 around that time. It’s so hard but really rewarding. I’m definitely in to try again, too. I’m trying to add more color into my wardrobe (hell, my life) because I’m a total neutrals/capsule girl and sometimes it gets a bit boring and makes me feel like I have to shop to spice things up. So i am so here for this and so so excited. xoxo
I’ve been around since the early days and am so happy to see the 30×30 start up again! Have always loved your style and creativity!
Yay!!! That’s when I started reading your blog and became a fan! Very excited for this! Hooray 😁
I have no idea what you are talking about but your genuine excitment jumps off the page and is so palpable i want to be in on it 🙂 I almost burned the dinner as i did not want to stop reading. Good luck on your continued journey i will be tagging along. X
Yay!!! I didn’t expect you to bring it back but I’m so glad you are! 😀
SO EXCITED…. I can’t wait!!!
Yes!!!! Thanks for bringing this back! I’m excited to see what you come up with. Totally agreed on the capsule wardrobe thing – I’m a huge color/print person so having a wardrobe full of neutrals does not resonate with me.
Yay! As a super-long-time reader, I fondly remember the 30x30s and am so excited to see you revisit it. They helped influence my style as I was growing up and moving out on my own for the first time! And thanks for sharing your heart behind it!
So excited that you’re bringing this back! And no need to apologize…life happens, don’t be so hard on your self!
Looking forward to it!
HOORAY!!! I am so excited! I can’t wait! Your 30x30s are my favorites. Have fun and enjoy! I know we all will!
I’ve been following since the 30×30 days and I forgot all about this! SO SUPER EXCITED for you to bring this back. I have been feeling so uninspired by my own wardrobe lately – love some pieces but hard to focus on pulling the right looks together. Looking to you for inspiration, yay!
Eeeeeeeeeee! I have often wondered why the 30×30 ended and I am so glad you shared your thoughts. And I am so dang excited to see it come back. I’ve followed since the beginning and the 30×30 were some of my favorite posts. Can’t wait to see how it’s evolved!
YAY!!!!!! I started following in 2010 and loved your remixes and have been thinking about wanting to get more out of my wardrobe. Love this!
I loved your 30 for 30 posts. They really helped me look at my clothes in a whole new way. I don’t think I ever thanked you. I’m excited to watch this happen again!
So excited for this I found you right after the 30×30 and always wondered if you would do it again!!!!
SO excited! Your remixes were some of my favorites! Also, thank you for continuing to be a “blogger”. Your blog always brings such joy and your writing always makes me smile!
Yay! I’m excited to see what you come up with! Love being able to follow along on all your journeys.
Kendi, I started following you back during the 30×30 days and I always loved those challenges. I even purchased your workbook and still have it in a binder to this day! Inspired by you, I went through the challenge myself a few times and always learned so much. Your style of layering and color always spoke to me so much. Since then, my life has changed, styles have changed, and my time became more limited. I have so lost my style mojo and I thought back on your remix challenges as a way to maybe figure out where I stand now, what I like, and what looks good. How exciting to come to look back through them and find out that you’ve brought it back!! I’m so excited for this and can’t wait to see what you come up with! Thanks for being authentic and real.