Let's get down to essentials

I'm talking wardrobe. I saw this post on Say Yes and it got me thinking about how to edit my own wardrobe.

12 Wardrobe Essentials for Every Budget

When I look in my closet, I always feel like I have nothing to wear. I also have been feeling like I wear the exact same thing everyday. I definitely have a favorite outfit!

I have worn my DIY skirt to death!

I don't think there's anything wrong with having a go-to uniform or in my case "a signature look" *striped shirt/skirt/statement piece and flats or sneakers* I don't follow many fashion rules but I don't wear dark colors often and I always stay away from purple *I don't want to be mistaken for a certain dinosaur* However, when it comes to clothing basics, I could use some updating. There are some key pieces I am missing in my wardrobe.

In January, I cleaned everything out of my closet and took an inventory of my wardrobe.

Before I cleaned my closet

Believe it or not, this is after I cleaned my closet

I definitely suffer from clothes hoarding.

That sweater on top belonged to my Mom. She has patches from all the places she's traveled. I love it but I don't wear it anymore because I'm afraid I might ruin it.

What you are looking at:
10 pairs of pants in every color of the rainbow *except gray, denim or black!*
10 shirts *I really want a light chambray shirt, an embroidered tunic and a swiss dot shirt*
10 tops/tees *Nothing special here, I could use some new boatneck tops and I want this shirt really bad!*
15 Sweaters *I'm good here yet my white cardigan has a hole in it and needs replacing*
14 dresses *I could use a shirtdress and a navy jumper*
3 shorts *I am considering cutting my old jeans into shorts, well see how they turn out*

I made the most progress getting rid of tons of shirts. They were old and I never wore them. It was hard but I used the 12 month rule, if you haven't worn it in 12 months, it goes in the donate box. I got rid of anything that didn't fit well and I sent some things to the cleaners for repairs. I should invest in a good garment bag for my fancy stuff.

I also went through my shoes and accessories. I must admit, I have too many shoes. I promised myself I wouldn't buy any new shoes unless I got rid of a pair.

I sacrificed my old Green New Balances *they started hurting my feet* for my lovely floral Golas. I got them for next to nothing with my birthday discount at Anthropologie.

Unfortunately, as much trouble as I went through to get them, I am getting rid of my white oxfords I wore to Le Dîner en Blanc. They are super cute but I came home with the worst blisters on my heels from all that dancing. Funny thing is, they didn't bother me at all during the night but when I took them off, I wanted to cut my feet off they hurt so bad. Lesson learned, always put band-aids on your heels when wearing a new pair of shoes. I am considering new white shoes for this year's dinner.

So here's my 12 Wardrobe Essentials

Trench coat, Saltwater sandals, dot chambray shirt, creme pullover sweater, mint jeans, polka dot oxfords, denim shorts, striped shirt, black t-shirt, statement necklace, green cardigan and gingham shirt

I have similar pieces to Liz Stanley but I don't have a cable knit sweater, black ballet flats, I've yet to find a pair of booties that look good on my giant cankles and I am on the hunt for a pretty embroidered tunic. I would add a denim jacket, a pencil skirt, a shirt dress and my signature Ban.do piece for my basics.

I am starting to tone down my bright color choices and I'm leaning towards a more mature/classic style. I can always go nuts in accessories and jewelry. What's going on in your closet? Have you mastered the essentials?

Misha Lulu Fall/Winter 2014 Photoshoot

It's been a year since Liv modeled in the Misha Lulu Fall/Winter 2013 photo shoot at Humphrey's Estate. I didn't think they could top that location but Karen did it again! We met at a building in Culver City that ended up being a rad movie prop house. It was beyond cool! Everywhere you looked there was giant Sci-fi gadgets and old pieces of furniture, clocks, weird chairs, the photos I took only show a fraction of the stuff. Liv was especially pleased to find out that one of the props was used in a Michael Jackson video. I reunited with the lovely Misha Lulu family again and we had yummy In & Out burgers for lunch before the shoot.

I am obsessed with old phone booths *also photo booths*

Liv had a ball "working" on this vintage typewriter

Models do eat!

This collection of miniature designer chairs is impressive

Well, I can't share the photos from the shoot just yet. I can sneak peek these adorable headbands made by Gracie *Persimmon Jewelry*

Liv was smitten with this giant diamond

A Barrel of Monkeys

The models received lovely gift bags

Thanks so much Karen & Joe!! It was wonderful seeing the beautiful Moms, Ana, Gracie, Rubyellen, Heather, Jessie and meeting Jalene. I can't wait to see the photos!

Misha Lulu Spring Line 2014

The greatest children's line designer in the world, Karen, asked Olivia to be a part their Spring 2014 photo shoot today. Guess where it took place??

That skirt is FABulous!!

Yep, my backyard! I can't wait to see how the photos turned out but for now, here's the behind the scene shots. I am so lucky rustic is in style because our backyard was a source of spring inspiration for Karen & her husband Joe.

 Update: Karen posted these photos of Liv on Instagram.

You know how you meet people and you get a first impression? I met Karen a year ago and I was like, I'm gonna fall in love with her. She's a true beauty inside and out. I am really happy we are friends. She also makes rad clothes for kids that are whimsical, fun and nice quality. I'm fully endorsing her for all you parents with 12 months - size 10 little people.

 She is having a sale in her surplus store!!

Of course Liv was an old pro, she rocked the shoot and was super stoked to wear pink heart shaped sunglasses *I gotta buy her a pair* Karen and Joe generously gave Liv a gift of clothes which is so awesome because I've been wanting pieces from the winter season!

Nino tunic

Dial Hello dress

I adore this Swan shirt

So rad, just when I think my kid can't get any cooler. Tomorrow is gonna be fun, Tom Kenny is coming to her school for a special performance. I hope to get him on video doing Ice King's voice!

Halloween costume ideas

I like fall, not as much as summer and spring but I'm ready for the weather to cool down *hopefully* and scarf season is approaching. It has me thinking about Halloween costume ideas. We started watching the nerdy Heroes of Cosplay show. While the people are annoying and overly dramatic, we tune in for the creative costumes. I always feel like they always give an award to the people on the show even though there are better costumes. It just dawned on me that we took a picture with one of the girls from the show at Comic Con in 2011.

Becky Young as Harley Quinn

Last week, Liv saw this Taffyta Muttonfudge costume on the show from Wreck-it Ralph and now she is obsessed with being "the strawberry girl".

Becky Young as Taffyta Muttonfudge

"Mom! I wanna be the strawberry girl!" I hear about 15 times a day. I think there are better versions of Taffyta.

Taffyta Muttonfudge, Candlehead, Rancis Fluggerbutter & Vanellope Von Schweetz

I'd much rather her go as Vanellope the cute hero of the film but Liv is all about pink these days, so Taffyta is all she wants.  Taffyta Muttonfudge is the ringleader of the mean girls but she's voiced by Mindy Kaling and I love that lady! It doesn't seem that difficult to make and I was planning on getting her some new converse, so a pink pair would work. Then Antz would go as Ralph and I guess I would be Fix it Felix. This costumes are too fucking cute.

King Candy, Vanellope and Fix it Felix

This Calhoun *Liv says that's my character* costume is great but too complicated for me to make

Sugar Rush Racers

These ladies are awesome!

This guy is a perfect Felix Jr.

OMG! Turbo is brilliant!

I bow down to these cosplayers, they are bringing it!

There's so many cute options for Wreck-it Ralph costumes. But there's no way we are building a race car for her too, no matter how many times she says please!! Any big ideas for Halloween? I have another costume in mind but I'm gonna keep mum until I make up my mind.