Adult hot Fall Wardrobe Essentials - Accessories - lookmybody - lookmybody

Autumn is well underway, and my outfits are changing to reflect the season!  Even though I'm moving towards minimalism, there are still several essential accessories that I have either purchased or pulled out of hibernation in celebration of the best season of the year!  The best part is that all of these high quality accessories are simple enough to make the perfect addition to any basic outfit without overwhelming my style.  All of the items pictured below are items that I either own personally, or would recommend without a doubt to anyone looking to purchase a high quality item.  If you feel the urge to splurge on an accessory that will last you several seasons, don't hesitate to check the items out!

Now, on to the list!

1. The Blanket Scarf

Cotton Plaid Blanket Scarf from Etsy, $33.03 

Aztec Blanket Scarf from Dynamite, $32.95 (regular price)

I have always been obsessed with scarves, but the fact that blanket scarves are in this Fall season makes my little heart sing!  For someone like me who likes to switch up my room decor, these scarves also double as a throw for the end of my bed!  It's important to choose a scarf that is made of a durable material that doesn't irritate your skin, so try the above pictured Aztec Blanket Scarf from Dynamite made from viscose, or the woolen blanket scarves from Aritzia pictured below.

Wilfred Wandering Blanket Scarf from Aritzia, $85.00 (regular price)

Wilfred Medina Blanket Scarf from Aritizia, $95.00 (regular price)

Wilfred Tangier Blanket Scarf from Aritzia, $85.00 (regular price) 

2. The Ankle Boot

VITULAZIO Ankle Boot from ALDO, $99.99 (regular price)

I'm an ankle boot fiend, but these shoes are perfect for that in-between weather!  Dress them up with a dress or skirt, or dress them down with a pair of cuffed jeans and an oversized sweater.  Don't be afraid to splurge on a pair of these!  A good quality pair of ankle boots will be a closet staple for the spring as well!  I always buy my ankle boots on sale from ALDO or Call It Spring, as I find the quality is great for the price, and I get great service when purchasing online.

CORTAZZO Ankle Boot from ALDO, $99.99 (regular price)

CREAN Ankle Boot from ALDO, $99.99 (regular price)

ADELIZA Ankle Boot from Call it Spring, $79.99 (regular price)

GROIVIEL Ankle Boot from Call It Spring, $64.99 (regular price), $27.99 SALE

RAYMONDIENNE Ankle Boot from Call It Spring, $79.99 (regular price)

METHAIDE Ankle Boot from ALDO, $89.99 (regular price), $45.00 SALE

MARGUARITTE Ankle Boot from Call It Spring, $69.99 (regular price)

3. A Leather Watch

Around the World Leather Watch from Urban Outfitters, $39.00 (regular price)

I don't usually wear watches in the warmer months, but once Autumn hits it seems only normal to pull out a leather watch!  I purchased the above pictured watch from Urban Outfitters about a month ago, and I've been wearing it non-stop!  I hope to purchase one or two of the others pictured below to add to my wardrobe.

Double Strap Watch from Urban Outfitters, $39.00 (regular price)

Alley Vault Watch from Urban Outfitters, $39.00 (regular price)

Original Boyfriend Mechanical Leather Watch from Fossil, $223.59 (regular price)

Jacqueline Black Leather Watch from Fossil, $155.84 (regular price)

4. The Perfect Handbag

HALIFAX from ALDO, $55.00 (regular price)

Nothing says Fall like the perfect handbag in the right hue.  While the majority of my handbags are black or brown, I like to introduce the right pop of an earth-tone colour for Fall.

VANWERT from ALDO, $40.00 (regular price) $20.00 SALE

BGEMMAA2 by Steve Madden, $88.00 (regular price)

JUNGELSOP from ALDO, $50.00 (regular price), $25.00 SALE

Cameron Street Candace Satchel by Kate Spade, $378.00 (regular price)

I hope this gives you some inspiration for your own Fall wardrobe!

Cheers!

xoxo, Jayy

Adult hot Own Less, Wear What You Love! - lookmybody - lookmybody

One morning I was getting dressed, and I found myself facing a dilemma: I wanted to wear one of my favourite outfits, but I had already worn it the week before.  I spent a good twenty minutes going through my closet, trying to find something that could compare to the outfit that I really wanted to wear.  And then I realized something - there is absolutely no reason why I can't wear the same outfit twice.

I really don't know where we got the idea that we should not be seen wearing the same outfit more than once.  I have several outfits that make me feel/look amazing, so why should I be wearing something that make me feel/look less than amazing just for the sake of wearing new clothes?  Why should I put on fashions that I don't like, just for the sake of being "in style" or "trendy"?  I have several items of clothing in multiple colours and lengths, such as the below pictured basic shift dress from Old Navy, simply because it looks good on my body, and I know exactly how to wear it.

I partially understand why we refuse to wear the same outfit more than once - wearing unique outfits creates the illusion of having a lot of clothing, which for some reason is desirable in our society.  Also, for a lot of people, wearing unique outfits is just who they are - they like to be unique and express themselves through their clothing.  However the truth is that for a lot of people, having an abundance of clothing means having an abundance of cheaper quality clothing, which really isn't just worth it in my opinion.

What I'm trying to say is that really and truly, there's no problem with wearing the same outfit more than once.  If you wake up one morning and decide that you really want to wear that cute fall sweater + dress combo you wore last week, go for it!  And on the flip side, if you refuse to wear the same outfit more than once because it cramps your style, go ahead with that too!  Don't be afraid to make your own fashion rules, and define your own sense of style!

Cheers to unique outfits, or ones that you've worn a dozen times before!

xoxo, Jayy

Adult hot The Move Towards Minimalism. - lookmybody - lookmybody

Lately I've been obsessed with simplifying my life for a number of reasons.

For one, having a lot of stuff is overwhelming.  It makes me incredibly anxious, and I get frustrated when looking for things.  I find that I have no problem going to sleep in a messy room, but if I wake up in a messy room ... my entire day gets thrown off.  My mental health demands that I have less stuff, and more empty space.


Having a lot of stuff is also not budget friendly.  The less you have, the more you save, both in regards to space and money.  Having less stuff also allows me to save my money and spend it on quality items that will last me a lot longer than the cheaper, trendier items will.

The idea of having less also extends to my fashion sense.  Over the past few months, I've realized that my sense of style has completely transformed from preppy to urban-minimalist.  I love my neutral colours, and I love unique clothing with clean cut lines.  I absolutely cannot stand ruffles, crazy prints, and bright colours - all things that I used to love.  It makes much more sense to get rid of items that no longer suit my sense of style, and replace them with the simpler items that I actually enjoy wearing.

I would really love to focus on buying a few quality classic pieces per season, and wearing them more often, instead of splurging on several items that I won't want to wear once they go out of style.  I'm slowly working my way towards that point, but for now I'm cutting down on buying clothing and accessories.

I also like room decor that is minimal in nature.  I hate when my space looks and feels cluttered, and so I've put away as much as possible, and left out items that are functional, like my books, plants, coffee mug, and candles (as pictured above).  This way my room still looks nice, but its full of items that I actually benefit from leaving out.

The move towards minimalism is a big change for me, but one that is welcomed at this stage in my life.  As I move towards a simpler life, I hope to be able to share it with you!

Cheers to a simpler life.

xoxo, Jayy

Adult hot Project Purge: How to Declutter your Closet - lookmybody - lookmybody

Do you ever have the urge to purge?

A few weeks ago, after many unsuccessful attempts at organizing my closet, I came to the realization that it isn't the space that's the problem - it's the stuff.  I own way too many things - clothes, shoes, scarves, purses, books, craft supplies, beauty products ... you name it, I've got too much of it.

I finally decided it was time for me to get rid of stuff, and simplify my life.  And thus project purge was born.

Over the course of two weekends, I got rid of two extra-large garbage bags of clothing, shoes, and accessories.  One went straight to my local thrift store, and the other was divided up between friends and family who would make good use of them.  It can be very overwhelming to go through all of your possessions and get rid of things, especially when you are emotionally attached to them!  To help you through this process, here are my top tips for decluttering your closet:

1. Define your style.  If you notice that your sense of style is changing, it may be a good idea for you to define exactly what you like and do not like before purging your closet.  Chances are, you'll be able to get rid of a lot more if you are able to identify items that are no longer congruent with your current sense of style.  
2. Pull everything out of your closet/wardrobe/drawers. Pulling everything out helps you to see exactly how many items you have, and how much space you have to fit these items.
3. As you're pulling everything out, go ahead and throw away worn or damaged items. Yes, you do have to get rid of your favourite tights with the hole in the crotch, AND that worn out sweater with the stain across the front.  Getting rid of the old and frumpy is a must, as it helps you to sort through your remaining clothing.
4. Group items in a way that makes the most sense to you.  Do you like your clothing grouped by colour?  Style?  Season?  Choose a sorting method that works for you, and sort your clothing into piles
5. Go through each pile.Start by picking out your favourite items.  Identify your absolute favourite pieces of clothing/shoes/accessories.  Anything you wear often that is still in good condition should also be added to this pile.  These items can go back into their respective storage spaces, so you're free to start negotiating.
6. Try things on. When trying clothes on, I ask myself the following questions:

• Does it fit?
• Is this item free of any rips, tears, or stains?
• Do I feel amazing in this item?
• Does this item highlight my best features?
• Does this item make me feel comfortable?
• Can I pair this item with clothing I already own to make an outfit?
• Is this item made of a material that is long-lasting?
• Is this item one-of-a-kind? (To ensure I don't have duplicates of the same item)
• Is this item versatile?
• Does this item fit with my current sense of style?

If I was able to answer yes to all of the above questions, the item was put back into my closet.  Anything left behind that fit any of the below criteria was immediately tossed into the giveaway pile:

• Items I wore in high school
• Items I wore as a teenager
• Items made out of uncomfortable materials
• Items that were not flattering on my body
• Items that I have not worn in the past two years (Excluding formal clothing)
• Items that do not fit with my sense of style

7. Brand new items.  I had SO many of them!  If an item still had it's tag on and it no longer fit me/fit my sense of style, I kept it to gift to a friend or family member for Christmas.  If I could return it to the store, I made sure to set it aside with its reciept, and I took it back as soon as possible.  If it had a tag and I wanted to keep it, I made sure to wear it as soon as possible.

8. Deal with the leftovers.  Chances are, if there is anything left in a pile at this point, it's not something you really want.  Still, take the chance to go through each item and make sure it's something you want to give away.

9. Put everything away.  Start with the items that you like the most, and end with the items you like the least.  This is a chance for you to go through things one more time, and make sure that everything you're keeping is deserving of a space in your closet/dresser.

Once you're done, go through the items you have decided to give away, and sort those into piles based on who you are giving them to.  Pack them up in bags or boxes, and get them out of your house as soon as possible, to avoid you going through them again and pulling items out to keep.

And that's it!  I went through this process twice in a two week-span to make sure I really got rid of everything that I didn't want or need.

I hope this helps those of you who are looking to declutter your life!  If you have any questions, be sure to leave them in the comment box below!

Happy decluttering!

xoxo, Jayy