30 Outfits 30 Days Challenge | Wrap Up

Posted in Style & Beauty by Katie @ Cup of Tea Blog

Here we are! Recapping the last 30 day’s outfits for the 30 Outfits in 30 Days Challenge! Can’t believe it’s over. If you’re not sure what’s up, you can read more here. But, long story short: I chose 30 items from my closet, and challenged myself to make 30 unique outfits for the next 30 days!

Thank you all for traveling along with me, sharing outfit suggestions, and offering words of encouragement! This has been such fun, hasn’t it?

If you’d like to join me for a Fall Edition of 30 Outfits in 30 Days, mark your calendar for October!! Details to come.

I thought it would be fun to do my usual recap, but thinking about the last 30 days!

Most Worn Item | If I was going on purely numbers, it would be the wedge stripes, at 12 wears! But, to be fair, I had to wear shoes every day…. so most worn short sleeve shirt was my J Crew sleeveless tank (3 wears). Most worn long sleeve shirt was my LOFT stripe shirt (5 wears). Most worn bottom were the pink shorts (8 wears)! Most worn outerwear (summer outwear, anyway) was the Target Navy Blazer (5 wears). Most worn accessory were the striped wedges from Target (12 wears), followed closely by the flower necklace from Forever 21 (11 wears!).

Least Worn Item | I was SHOCKED to see it was my cream floral cardigan from Anthropologie. I didn’t wear it AT ALL the entire 30 days. I thought I wore that all the time! Apparently not the case. The cardigan was followed closely by the white t-shirt from Target and the striped dress from Old Navy with just 1 wear apiece. Not too shocked about the white t shirt, but the striped dress! Crazy.

Favorite Outfit | There are quite a few that I just loved!! But the official honor may need to go to Day 14. I loved the pink shirt with the pink shorts. The floral statement necklace looked great with it, and you could easily dress it up with the blazer and wedges, or keep it casual without the jacket and a pair of sandals. Loved it!

Least Favorite Outfit | I don’t have an entire least favorite outfit. Instead I have a least favorite item – it’s the chambray camp shirt. I’m shocked I’m even saying this! Even though it’s the exact same shirt as the gingham one, I just didn’t like it. It didn’t look as nice on, it seemed kind of blah… maybe I need to buy a pair of patterned shorts and wear them together!

The Challenge Surprise | I think this is what a challenge like this is supposed to teach you, but I learned I can get by without so many clothes. I already mentioned I didn’t even wear one item the entire 30 days! It taught me to be smart the next time I want to purchase something. And if I’ve found a great outfit, challenge myself to make a few more, so I don’t get stuck in a rut. A second mini surprise is that I love the brighter colors! I’ve always loved bright, but wearing bright on bright was a new thing for me, and I loved that 🙂

Hardest Thing About The Challenge| Besides the obvious “making outfits towards the end of the challenge”, it was definitely just being comfortable enough to take my picture and put it out there. On days when I was sick or didn’t feel like getting 100% dolled up to take the picture, I still took it, and put it out there for the world to see. I’m proud of myself for that.

Tip for Someone Wanting to Do Their Own Challenge | The easiest thing for me was, when I was up for it, I took multiple outfit pictures in one day. That way, if I was having a super busy day, or we were out of town, I wouldn’t be stressed out about taking that day’s OOTD picture. Plus, I could then work on the blog post in advance. I just wished I had started doing that earlier in the challenge! I figured this out by, like, Day 20.

So below are all 30 Outfits (can you tell I got better at taking pictures/editing them as time went on??)

Thanks again for joining me these last 30 days!!! What a hoot! And if you’re game, I’ll see you in October for another 30 Outfits 30 Day Challenge!

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15Jul2014

Wish List | What I Want for My 30th Birthday

Posted in Food, Home Decor, Style & Beauty by Katie @ Cup of Tea Blog

July is my Birth Month! Yippee! This year is my 30th…. not sure how I feel about that yet.

If the world were perfect, the above it what I’d want for my birthday! Now, some of this is really extravagant ($350 bakeware set??), but a girl can dream, right?

1. See by Chloe perfume – I gave this a sniff when I was at Sephora the other day, and it smells so beautiful! The perfect hint of floral without knocking your head off.

2. C. Wonder Flats – so apparently the cute whale ones are sold out online, BUT I spied them in the window when I strolled past our C. Wonder store at our mall. I may have to go back and pick them up as a Happy Birthday present to myself 🙂

3. Real Techniques Core Collection Brush Set – I’ve heard great things about the Real Techniques brushes. I’m not a makeup brush user, but I’m trying to be. These are reasonably prices and I hear they are great quality!

4. Royal Albert Friendship Green Vintage Mug – Isn’t that mug adorable? It’s the kind of mug I’d have on display in my tea cupboard. Right next to my commemorative Will & Kate Royal Wedding mug. (Yes, I own one… don’t judge)

5. Baublebar Peacock Chandelier Collar Necklace – Every time I go on to Baublebar’s website, I see this necklace, put it in my shopping cart, but never purchase it. I don’t know why! It’s a good price, and it hot pink.

6. Kate Spade Holly Street Ashton – This mint color is just adorable, and I love a top handle bag.

7. Williams-Sonoma Goldtouch Non Stick 15 Piece Bakeware Set – So this is a bit much. It’s a $350 bakeware set… but I’m in desperate need of new bakeware, and this is the best. (Husband, if you’re reading this, maybe just the cake pans to start??)

So I wish…. I dream…. I don’t need any of this, but it’s fun!

3Jul2014

30 Outfits 30 Days Challenge | Day 13 – 18 Recap

Posted in Style & Beauty by Katie @ Cup of Tea Blog

It’s hard to believe another 6 days are done for the 30 Outfits in 30 Days Challenge! Just two more sets left. If you’re not sure what’s up, you can read more here. But, long story short: I chose 30 items from my closet, and challenged myself to make 30 unique outfits for the next 30 days!

Here are my thoughts from this week’s outfits.

Most Worn Item | My pink shorts. Didn’t realize that they were in 3 outfits until I was putting this post together. Wild!

Favorite Outfit | Day 2 is my favorite! And I believe that my previous favorite outfits involved my navy blazer. I love that blazer. I’d wear it every day if I could!

Least Favorite Outfit | I liked EVERY outfit actually. So no least favs.

This Week’s Surprise | I can’t believe I am loving my shorts! I am normally not a shorts person… I prefer dresses and skirts, but I like how the pink shirts can be dressed up or down.

Hardest Thing About This Week | Um… I’m running out of ideas 🙂 What made it easier this week is about halfway through the week, I started repeating an item for the next day’s outfit. That helped challenge me!

Below are each day’s outfits (BEWARE: amateur photos coming), along with links for each item OR a similar item.

Outfits: From L to R, Top Row

1. Dress (Old, Similar); Necklace (Similar); Sandals
2. Blazer; Shirt; Shorts; Wedges; Necklace (Similar); Bag (Similar)
3. Jacket; Shirt (Similar); Shorts; Sandals (Can you tell I was sick that day?? Mercy)
4. Shirt (Similar); Shorts; Shoes
5. Shirt (Similar); Skirt (CURRENTLY ON SALE!); Shoes; Necklace (Similar)
6. Jacket; Shirt (Similar); Skirt (CURRENTLY ON SALE!); Wedges; Necklace (Similar)

Stay tuned next Thursday for another 6 day recap! Also follow me on Instagram for daily #OOTD.

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26Jun2014

30 Outfits 30 Days Challenge | Day 7 – 12 Recap

Posted in Style & Beauty by Katie @ Cup of Tea Blog

It’s hard to believe another 6 days are done for the 30 Outfits in 30 Days Challenge! If you’re not sure what’s up, you can read more here. But, long story short: I chose 30 items from my closet, and challenged myself to make 30 unique outfits for the next 30 days!

Eagle-eyed readers may notice that I’m wearing different pink sandals. I found similar sandals at Target to replace my worn out pair. It was just embarrassing taking pictures of sad looking sandals. Just saying.

It’s probably cheating… but oh well.

Anywho, here are my thoughts from this week’s outfits.

Most Worn Item | My black hair tie. If it’s not in my hair, it’s on my wrist 🙂 Seriously, though, it’s definitely my floral necklace (similar) from Forever 21. I love it. And those new pink sandals.

Favorite Outfit | I LOVED how Outfit 3 came together. I wore it out to Sunday brunch with friends. Shorts, loose tunic and navy blazer. Easy, but really cute. I’m so grateful Tif from Bright on a Budget suggested pairing the blue shirt with the shorts last week! Thank you, Tif!! (Side Note: if you haven’t visited Bright on a Budget, hop over there! She is a lover of clothes, like me, and knows how to work a budget to look fabulous!)

Least Favorite Outfit | Day 4 – It’s not a bad outfit, just boring! But, to be fair, I was scrubbing toilets that day… #housewife problems

This Week’s Surprise | I’m not really a fan of that lace shirt… and (confession) I never really have been. I need to use that more often just to be sure.

Hardest Thing About This Week | Still taking pictures… and stepping out of my comfort zone putting outfits together. I know as I get to the end of this challenge, I’ll be forced to think outside the box.

Below are each day’s outfits (BEWARE: amateur photos coming), along with links for each item OR a similar item.

Outfits: From L to R

1. Sweater (Similar); T Shirt; Jeans; Shoes (Elizabeth’s outfit is from Janie & Jack)
2. Lace Top (Similar); Skirt; Wedges; Necklace (Similar)
3. Blazer; Top (Similar); Shorts; Necklace (Similar); Wedges
4. Chambray Top; Jeans; Sandals
5. Sweater (Similar); Shirt; Skirt (Similar); Sandals
6. Polo Shirt (Similar); Jeans; Necklace (Similar); Shoes

Stay tuned next Thursday for another 6 day recap!

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19Jun2014

30 Outfits 30 Days Challenge | Day 1 – 6 Recap

Posted in Style & Beauty by Katie @ Cup of Tea Blog

First 6 days are done for the 30 Outfits in 30 Days Challenge! If you’re not sure what’s up, you can read more here. But, long story short: I chose 30 items from my closet, and challenged myself to make 30 unique outfits for the next 30 days!

Here are my thoughts from this week’s outfits.

Most Worn Item | Definitely my skinny jeans. They are so comfortable! (Yes… still maternity jeans, but where can you find comfy jeans like that?)

Favorite Outfit | It’s a toss up between Day 2 and Day 6. I’ve done Day 2 before, and love it each time. But the pink shirt in Day 6 surprised me! It’s been a while since I rolled it out, and I really like the hot pink with the peach necklace.

Least Favorite Outfit | Hands down Day 4! Not sure if it’s the outfit itself, or the way it photographs/looks on me.

This Week’s Surprise | Man, I apparently only like pictures of myself looking down 🙂 HAHA! And putting on a jacket makes me happy. Too bad it’s 95 here today.

Hardest Thing About This Week | It’s SUPER awkward taking photos of yourself. A few times I’ve looked at the pictures and thought “seriously… that’s what that shirt looks like on me?? Bleh.”. Oh well.

Below are each day’s outfits, along with links for each item OR a similar item.