30 for 30- My April Closet Capsule

Ever since our tauntingly warm February, I've been getting a jump on spring cleaning in our home. I've been taking my time- working on one task at a time. Dusting everything one day, cleaning out the refrigerator another, organizing the linen closet yet another. My latest tackle has been the walk-in closet that I share with Dave.

Hesitantly, I will show you my closet BEFORE I cleaned it out. Let me just say, that for many of us, the closet is a room in the house that we really don't give much love to. We know what is in there. We get in, we get out. And on some mornings, we stand there and stare at the mess thinking "I have NOTHING to wear!" Here are my tips for tackling YOUR Everest- your walk-in closet.

Spring Cleaning : The Closet

1. Take EVERYTHING out. EVERYTHING.

I honestly edit my closet several times a year, taking out the things I don't wear anymore and giving them away or throwing them out. However, this was the first time since we moved in that I actually took EVERYTHING out of our closet. It was so helpful in organizing and really letting me see how much stuff I own. Hopefully some of your closets look like this so I don't feel so embarrassed about showing you mine.

2. Make some piles.

I made four. One for items I love, one for "maybe" items, one for giveaway items, and one for throwaway items. I put the giveaway and throwaway items in bags and took them out to the car right away. I neatly put back the items I love and went through the "maybe" pile two or three more times to sort out what I needed to keep or could let go of.

I did the same thing with my husbands side of the closet. While he played with Riley in the playroom, I brought out shirt after shirt for him to sort through. He is a bit more cut throat than I am when it comes to editing. (Except on his blue plaid button-downs). The man has seven. SEVEN. WHY??? Anyway, here are the AFTER pictures.

Now let's make a Closet Capsule!

After I finished cleaning out the closet, I got to thinking. I have heard about people who make "Closet Capsules" which basically means editing their wardrobe into just a few key pieces that they really love. Anyway, I thought now that I work from home, with the occasional meeting of clients or shopping trips, I could probably edit my closet down to very few essential pieces. I read in a book about a girl trying what she called "30 for 30"- 30 items of clothing (including shoes) for 30 days. After a week or two of sitting on the idea, I decided to do it.

For the month of April, I will be mixing and matching my 30 selected pieces of clothing and only those pieces of clothing for 30 days. To prove it, I will take pictures each day of my outfit (yes, a selfie- ugh) and post them weekly on this blog. I am optimistic, even though I have heard of people trying this and failing halfway through. It's added pressure to be sharing it with all of you guys, but I think it can be done. So without further ado, here are my 30 selections:

1. Relaxed, Magnolia Tee that I can't live without. 2. Sleeveless Tank that can go dressy or casual.

3. Another fun tank to use for layering. 4. Another casual relaxed tee. 5. Basic Striped Old Navy tee. 6. A white tee- I included a short and a long-sleeve for the cooler April days. 7. I also included in my capsule a white cami top (picture not shown).

1. My best fitting skinny jeans. 2. Workout pants for my morning walks or midday yoga. 3. Long black leggings because I wear them pretty much every day. 4. Mint green Old Navy Rockstar skinnies- love these pants- so stretchy. 5. Black yoga capris for warmer walking days.

1. Oversize white sweater- so comfy. 2. Black cardigan. 3. Blue plaid button-down 4. Gray "Hello There" sweatshirt- one of my faves. 5. White zip-up hoodie for chillier nights. 6. Every capsule needs a chambray button-down.

1. Black and white striped maxi skirt. 2. Gray sweatshirt dress- can be worn with or without leggings. 3. Classic jean jacket. 4. White eyelit linen dress for Sunday morning church.

1. Blue workout tank. 2. Black workout long-sleeve shirt. 3. Classic black vans. 4. Tan suede booties. 5. Sneakers. This is the area I'm a bit nervous...shoes. Since I'm currently at 29 items, I might be adding a pair of sandals to finish off this capsule.

So that's it! Wanna see the scary part?? This is what my closet looks like now....

Yep, that's it. For 30 days. You can really make these capsules for an entire season and make four a year. And it doesn't have to be just 30 items- it can be slightly more or less. I think it will be good practice for me for living with less- something I am really trying to focus on this year. So now that you have the idea, who wants to join me for the month of April? 30 for 30? Comment here if you're in or interested. I'd love to have some support along the way, and support you as well!

Good luck editing and good luck spring cleaning!!

#springcleaning #closetcapsule #mastercloset #lvingwithless #30for30