how comfy: August 2014

I'll be the first to say that I could have done a little better with this month's summer remix challenge. Wellllll, maybe I could have done a lot better. I will give myself some credit for 1) linking up each week - even if I was a few days late, and 2) creating over 30 outfits with my 20 pieces - even if I just swapped completer pieces with basic outfits. I mean, no need to reinvent the wheel, right?

When I decided to do this challenge, I had a lot of good intentions. I even started a blog to document my outfits and have something to link back to. I wanted to do a good job by posting daily outfit photos on Instagram. I also wanted to create a uniform layout of a weekly collage of outfits for each week's link up. Although not all of that took place, I did my best with what time and resources were available to me, because the bottom line is, life happens. Because I'm a teacher, I get to spend my summer at home with my kids, and that means I need mom-friendly outfits. Looking back on this challenge, I found that I gravitated towards my t-shirts and my pants and shorts. Those pieces are just so much more practical when you're bending over tying shoelaces, picking up crying children, and cleaning up all kinds of messes. I threw in a few dresses for church and special occasions and I guess I could've worn them more, but most days it was a comfy momma outfit for chores and running around with the kids. I also found that I didn't wear my tanks as much as I thought I would.

What I love about Caitlin and her blog, Greater Than Rubies, is that she helps women (like myself) to realize that life is more than just a "to do list." Her weekly "Remix Rewear Restyle" link up is a challenge to do just that: remix pieces we already have in our closets, rewear pieces to get more use out of them, and restyle pieces to create other fun looks! Because of Caitlin and other style bloggers who have similar goals, I have learned to be content with what I do have. I don't have to spend a ton of money and I don't have to own a lot of clothes to look put together. The style tips I've learned have helped me to be comfortable with what I'm wearing, which then helps to motivate me to do the things I need to do, and also frees me up to do the things I want to do.

Before I end with a few more outfit photos to wrap up this challenge, I want to say thank you to Caitlin for being such a great friend (IRL!) and accountability partner these past few years. I just can't put into words how you've encouraged and inspired me in so many ways. Your posts and articles are about so much more than "style." You truly are a woman after God's own heart!