The #RemixFix2015 recap

I was originally going to post the recap this past Friday, but since I debuted the challenge on a Manic Monday, I felt it only fitting to also end it on a Manic Monday. I apologize in advance for this being photo heavy. It's been two months of outfits, so no matter how I decided to organize this for you guys, I know it's going to be a visually long post! 

The Capsule: Original post HERE

First, let's start with my capsule. You can go back and read all the details about it HERE but the short story is that I ended up with 48 pieces of clothing/shoes and 23 pieces of bags/other accessories. That yielded 48 outfits that I ended up wearing in real life, though I had about 15 more outfit combinations that I planned out, but just never got around to wearing. For example - I only wore my poncho once!!

The outfits: 48 outfits from January 12th through March 12th

If I learned anything from this challenge, it's that capsule wardrobes are not for me. First, I have way too many things in my closet to segregate pieces for a couple of months. It kind of pains me that I ignored some of my most favorite pieces during this challenge. But, it did push my limits for remixing and I'm comfortable that I will have no problem surviving on a trip by simply remixing a small amount of pieces vs. overpacking.

I also feel like dressing up is my creative outlet, and when I'm limited to a certain amount of things, I feel like that creativity gets suffocated and I start to feel unmotivated as a result. Yes, I realize how superficial that sounds - wah wah wah, I can't wear what I want! But it's true, and I know that I've been extra cranky weeding my way through this. I feel sorry for Gina for listening to my rants!

But, what is gratifying about all of this is seeing the amount of outfits I was able to come up with. And while each look is a little bit different, I always love seeing how I style the same pieces different ways. I took a look at all my outfits to see trends in which pieces I styled the most and grouped them together for you below.

Basic black blazer: 6 ways

Graphic tee: 3 ways

Checkered vest: 5 ways

Striped zip cardigan: 3 ways

Maroon, long sleeved striped tee: 4 ways

Denim jacket: 4 ways

Camel sweater: 4 ways

Breton stripe sweater: 6 ways

Olive military jacket: 5 ways

Olive cargo skinnies: 4 ways

Leopard pumps: 6 ways

And there you have it! I will probably never ever ever do a capsule again unless it's due to force majeure! But I don't regret doing this. I've honestly been wanting to do this just to see if I could get through it, so I'm glad that I at least *know* it's possible to live it in real life and not just out of a suitcase. I hope you guys enjoyed riding along with me, though, if I were truly successful, I would have made you forget along the way that I'd been living out of a capsule! Thanks for all of the sweet comments and words of encouragement you all gave me during this journey!

Bloglovin | Facebook | Instagram

SHOP THE POST:

Linking up for Style to Inspire and Rachelle and Cha Cha for #HowIFall.

<div align="center"> <a href="http://morepiecesofme.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Linkup Button" src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k269/clephobuck/clephobuck004/31b52868-3d00-44eb-964d-ad89c59fbb00_zpsae8d8a0c.jpg"/></a>

We'd love to have YOU link-up with us for Manic Monday (any topic is fine!)

Please make sure your post has links back to both More Pieces of Me and On the Daily Express, and thanks for linking up!

An InLinkz Link-up

READ MORE... "The #RemixFix2015 recap"

Last but not least

Sunnies: Tom Ford | Sweater: Neiman Marcus (option) | Necklace: Stella and Dot | Bag: Tory Burch (option, budget option) | Top: Express (option) | Bracelets: Nadri | Bottoms: Express (option) | Boots: Frye

And here is your last official outfit of the #RemixFix2015 challenge. I started this challenge two months ago, you guys. TWO MONTHS! While I love this outfit, these are my favorite Fryes I own by the way, I am giddy with excitement to wear what I want in my closet without feeling guilty or accountable to stick to my capsule. I'm pretty sure that if I didn't have my trips and other special occasions mixed in to give me relief from the capsule, I would have died a slow death. But I won't focus on that now - I'll be recapping everything in detail on Monday!

Bloglovin | Facebook | Instagram

SHOP THE LOOK:

Linking up for: Thursday Favorites, What I Wore to Work, Spotlight Weekly Linkup with Elle and Jacqueline, Look What I Got with Sharon and Tara

READ MORE... "Last but not least"

Springing forward

As I sit here writing this, it's 60 degrees outside and I find it very hard to relate to this outfit because I am ready to move on from winter. But alas, I'm sharing it with you anyway because this is one of two remaining #RemixFix2015 outfits I have left to share with you. I will be recapping the full remix on Monday of next week, so be sure to check back for the full scoop.

Sunnies: Vince Camtuo (option) | Necklace: CS Gems (c/o) | Bag: Michael Kors (option) | Vest: JCrew | Sweater: JCrew Factory (option, option) | Bottoms: Express | Shoes: Valentino

Springing forward is my most favorite day of the year! I've decided! I realize we lose an hour of sleep, and I also realize it kind of sucks for all you parents whose kids now have disrupted sleeping patterns, but seriously, it just makes me so super happy! More daylight means longer days, new beginnings, the sense of having more time in the day to accomplish things, newfound motivation for things like working out, and most importantly BASEBALL! I love you winter and I love you boots, but I'm ready to breathe fresh air without the chill hurting my lungs!

Bloglovin | Facebook | Instagram

SHOP THE LOOK:

Linking up for: Oh, Hey Girl!, Thrift Sisters with Ayana and Keren, What I Wore Wednesday, Random Wednesday, I Feel Pretty, Whatcha Wearin Wednesday.

READ MORE... "Springing forward"

Random roundup

Well, hello there, and welcome to another edition of Random Roundup! As you read this, I will be en route to Denver, so I hope to have pretty pictures of my trip to share with you next week. For now, here are some outfit selfies that I have accumulated! I will only be linking to the items that are still available!

Jacket: J Crew Factory | Earrings: Nickel and Suede | Necklace: The Foundrie | Buffalo plaid top: Express | Tee: That Mom Chic | Bracelets: Nadri | Leggings: Express | Shoes: Ash

When I posted this outfit on Instagram, I made a reference to Jordan Catalano because I totally felt like this is a 90's inspired outfit! I can't remember where I was - I think at one of the malls in California over Christmas break, and a girl walked by me in leggings, a denim jacket, and a plaid shirt tied around her waist. I thought about how I've always loved how effortlessly casual the outfit looked, but I cannot remember the last time I tied anything other than a belt around my waist! Running errands one weekend, I figured I would try it, and 90's or not, I still loved it.

Left: Original Post | Right: Original Post

I've worn this tee three times already during this #RemixFix2015 challenge, so I thought it would be nice to showcase these looks side by side by side. The fit is really great on the tee - I love that it still looks seamless under the cardigan even though the cardigan isn't a chunky knit. A good graphic tee is certainly a wardrobe staple!

Necklace: CS Gems (c/o) | Earrings: Stella and Dot | Cardigan: Caslon | Top: BP | Bottoms: Express | Boots: Vince Camuto

I'm sorry to taunt you with this cardigan. I wish that it were still available because it's pretty amazing, as you can see. And I had purposely picked it for my capsule hoping that it would be available for the duration of the challenge. But alas, it's gone. You can see how else I've worn it below!

Left: Original Post | Middle: Original Post

I need to wear it with my white skinnies and cognac boots next! Or with a vest layered over it! Or even my army green jacket over it! See! Such a great piece. The possibilities are endless.

Earrings: Stella and Dot | Necklace: CS Gems (c/o) | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff | Vest: J Crew | Sweater: Target | Top: Gap | Bottoms: Express  | Boots: Naturalizer

The day I wore this outfit, I had a two hour meeting in a conference room where the thermostat literally read 80 degrees. Oh my gosh, I was dying. I took the vest off, but the sweater over the long sleeve FLANNEL was still so hot! In 80 degrees!! We kept trying to open the door to let some cooler air in, but it was right off the lobby and very noisy, so we couldn't keep it open for more than 5 minutes at a time. Thank goodness my hair was in a top knot, because I would have probably passed out!!

Necklace: Express | Vest: JCrew | Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim | Top: JCrew Factory | Bottoms: Express | Booties: Nine West

This outfit is just a little famous. I posted a flat lay of it on Instagram (with different booties), and it ended up getting regrammed by a mega account here. One of the first comments was that it is the ultimate man outfit, and I was thinking - oh my goodness, do they really think this is meant for a man?! Certainly not with my necklace and bracelets, right?! But, you know, it really could pass for a man's outfit, so I guess I can't blame them either way! I cheated a little with my capsule and chose these leopard booties over my cognac booties, because, well, LEOPARD. 

I feel like leopard and buffalo plaid are pretty overdone on Instagram, but I don't care because I still love it. But it's funny because I wore this to the mall (hence the dressing room selfie), and I got a couple of compliments from people telling me how they loved how I paired leopard with the plaid. I will certainly take that compliment, but at the same time, I know it's not a Carylee original since it is EVERYWHERE on Instagram. But it just goes to show you that no matter how massive the Instagram network feels sometimes, it's really just a drop in the bucket compared to real life population!

And on that prophetic observation - I shall bid you ado! Ahem. I meant, adieu. :)

There's still time to enter the ultimate cash giveaway HERE!

Bloglovin | Facebook | Instagram

SHOP THE POST:

Linking up for:  Midwest Bloggers, Fashion Friday, Friday Favorites, Favorite Fashion Friday

READ MORE... "Random roundup"

Internet friends

Sunnies: Vince Camuto (option) | Blazer: Express | Necklace: Stella and Dot | Bag: Tory Burch (option) | Top: BP (option) | Bracelets: H&M | Skirt: Express (option) | Booties: Cole Haan (option)

Oh hey, guess what! I get to go to Denver this weekend, which I'm extra excited about. I'm meeting some of my internet friends out there - ha! But it's true. And I don't know if it's funny or sad that my husband doesn't even bat an eye at it because I seem to have more internet friends than I do real life friends that are local! I've met a few of these girls in real life already, so it's not going to be all brand new. Though, I've never been to Denver before outside of the airport!

Annnnd, I get to meet a couple of other blogger friends there, too, and I can hardly contain myself! I may as well just tell you guys I'm breaking my shopping ban again this weekend. But, I mean, I'm meeting internet friends that I met on a SHOPPING FORUM. It would be blasphemy for us not to shop while we're together! I promise to do it in moderation though. Because I really don't want to check a bag. :)

Bloglovin | Facebook | Instagram

SHOP THE LOOK:

Linking up for: Thursday Favorites, What I Wore to Work, Spotlight Weekly Linkup with Elle and Jacqueline, Look What I Got with Sharon and Tara

READ MORE... "Internet friends"

Looking back

I've been very retrospective lately because I'm nearing the end of my time in my current job role that I've been doing for almost the last 9 years of my life! Many have asked what I do for a living. I work in the real estate development/new construction department for a restaurant chain. My background is architecture, and while my current role interacts with architects, it's certainly not a requirement for the job. My new role will be in the design creative department, which means I get to wear my architect hat again to a certain degree. And it's awesome because the work that I will do will effect the entire system verses just the particular markets I was previously working in.

I'm even getting a new cubicle at work, even though my new boss is equidistant from where my current boss' office is! And that move will certainly make the transition feel like a brand new job. (Yay for getting to design my cube from scratch!) While I'm excited for the change, there's certainly a huge part of me that is sad to leave the team members I loved working with on a daily basis. And there's also that fear that I won't succeed since I've been in such a comfort zone for so long, on cruise control.

Sunnies: Vince Camtuo (option) | Earrings: Express | Necklace: Express (option) | Bag: Lauren Ralph Lauren (other colors here, budget option) | Top: Gap (option, option) | Bracelets: H&M (gifted) | Bottoms: Express | Shoes: BCBG (option, option)

But, since I try and be creative in the way I dress and what I do for this blog, I'm excited to have that creativity back in my day job again! I say that, and then this outfit today isn't terribly creative! Sometimes when it comes to the way I dress, I have to force myself to NOT be creative and just be basic! So, here's a flannel and jeans for you. And leopard. I had to add leopard!! 

Don't forget to enter the Ultimate Cash Giveaway happening HERE!

Bloglovin | Facebook | Instagram

SHOP THE LOOK:

Linking up for: Oh, Hey Girl!, Thrift Sisters with Ayana and Keren, What I Wore Wednesday, Random Wednesday, I Feel Pretty, Whatcha Wearin Wednesday.

READ MORE... "Looking back"

The dishwasher incident

I don't know if it's the fact that I just can't be monochromatic or the fact that I naturally gravitate towards cognac when I wear anything marled, but I had to finish this outfit off with my cognac booties. I could have easily worn my black booties or my black over the knee boots, but the cognac makes this cozier!

Sunnies: Tom Ford | Earrings: Stella and Dot | Necklace: Stella and Dot | Cardigan: Express (option) | Top: That Mom Chic | Skirt: Express | Tights: Target | Booties: Hinge (option)

You guys were cracking me up yesterday with your comments! I'm so glad you enjoyed the little anecdote about my name. And of course, you can continue to call me Carylee whenever you're referring to me as the fashion blogger. I mean, Carylee can be my stage name! Ha!

I feel like I can't even top that story today! Well, I guess I can tell you about the dishwasher incident. So, yesterday morning, I was unloading and loading the dishwasher. We noticed that the dishes still seemed a little murky though, and we realized that the detergent was never released in the last wash. That made two cycles in a row, so I thought that maybe those pods had gotten too old, and were no good anymore. I looked under the sink to see if we had any liquid detergent, and I found a sample of another brand I had never heard of before, but figured it was worth the try. So, I popped it in and went about my morning getting ready.

A few minutes later, the husband says, "Um, the dishwasher is leaking!" He runs off to grab some towels, and I walk out of the bathroom perplexed. I guess the dishwasher was broken after all. Except. He opens the dishwasher a little and says, "This smells like laundry detergent!" Wait, what?

So I go digging in the trash to find the box I just threw away and show the husband. He reads the label, and sure enough. It's laundry detergent. Whoops. 

As we're driving to work, I giggle a bit about what happened and said, "I can't believe I did that! But those pods look awfully similar!" And he says a bit timidly (I think to soften the blow of me feeling dumb), "Well... except for the fact that the front of the box has a ginormous picture of a front loading washing machine!"

So the husband may have a point.

Bloglovin | Facebook | Instagram

SHOP THE LOOK:

Linking up for: Tuesday Talk, Tremendous Tuesday, #AllAboutYou, Erin and Laura for Trend Spin Linkup.

READ MORE... "The dishwasher incident"