Tag: clothing

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Capsule Wardrobe Tips + Template

The Ameri Brit Mom2 Comments

In December of 2020, I embarked on a journey to curate a capsule wardrobe for myself. Inspired by Courtney Carver’s Project 333, I decided to clear out my closet and take a more ethical approach to clothing choices.

To read my initial post (my most popular post of all time) check out Project 333: A Book Review.

I’ve learned a few things and tailored the Project 333 approach to fit my needs and lifestyle. Below is The Ameri Brit Mom’s best tips for creating your own Capsule Wardrobe and a special template.

Tips to Start a Capsule Wardrobe

  1. Begin by defining how long your capsule wardrobe will serve you. I live in the midwest and the weather cycles match the changing seasons. With that in mind, I kept the suggested timeline of 3 months for a capsule.
  2. Set aside “out of season” clothing in a storage bin or tote out of sight. You will be less likely to go searching for a piece if it is out of the way.
  3. Recycle or donate clothing that does not make the cut. If a piece makes it through a whole year without being in the capsule, it’s time to part ways.
  4. Figure out a number of pieces that meets your needs. Consider events, holidays, or professional needs when setting those numbers. Project 333 would encourage 33 pieces, but I found that some seasons I needed more and others I needed less.
  5. Try to stick to a neutral color scheme so that most pieces can be worn in combination together. It’s okay to have a few pieces with bright colors or prints, but the majority of the capsule should be on the neutral spectrum.

Benefits of a Capsule Wardrobe

  1. Each day I spend far less time than I used to trying to “put an outfit together.” I can spend more time doing other things I enjoy rather than pondering over what to wear.
  2. My eco-footprint is reduced because I own less and it takes less to power and energy to maintain the pieces in my wardrobe.
  3. The choices I make in purchasing are based on comfort and durability and not on trends. This saves a lot of time and money!
  4. Every day I am wearing one of my favorite pieces! I only keep those pieces that I absolutely LOVE. It’s not worth the time and space to hang on to pieces with sentimental value or that make me feel bad about my body shape or size. I love every piece and they each make me feel fantastic about ME.

Capsule Wardrobe Template

Are you interested in creating a capsule wardrobe for yourself?

I’ve taken everything I’ve learned since 2020 and made a template to help you get started on a capsule wardrobe journey.

You can download this template when you join my Patreon. I can also customize your template to meet your needs (FREE TO PATRONS!) In addition to gaining this template and others like it, you will be joining a community of supportive readers.

Patreon is helping The Ameri Brit Mom launch as a small business and is cultivating a direct relationship between myself as a creator and my community. Additionally, I offer writing and editing services monthly and a short story is published once a month that is exclusive to this group.

Join my Patreon

Whether you choose to join the Patreon or not, I hope that my tips have helped you to consider your own wardrobe. Are you happy with the amount you own? Do you love every piece? Is there a piece or two that you can get rid of today because it no longer serves your needs? That’s what capsule wardrobes are all about–conscious choices that simplify closet spaces.

The Ameri Brit Mom

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Dressing and Educating: Days 96-99

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Day 96: January 17.2017

After a long weekend of celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day I decided to take a pause in my usual curriculum to honor the man and the movement behind the holiday. In English class today we analyzed the famous “I Have a Dream” speech and my students were asked to write an essay for homework reflecting on society today and whether Dr. King would be proud of the progress we have made. I’m looking forward to reading these essays. For many of my students it was the very first time they studied Dr. King. The class periods were engaged and asked thought provoking questions throughout the lesson.

In Honors World History we talked about the British conquest of India in the 1800s. We studied the Sepoy Rebellion and the general divide between Hindus and Muslims in that country which eventually led to the creation of West Pakistan and East Pakistan (Bangladesh).

Today I wore my navy striped dress from Market & Spruce Spencer Striped Jersey Dress which was part of my Stitch Fix #5.

 

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Day 97: January 18, 2017

It was a beautiful day and I enjoyed getting to talk about China in my Honors World History classes today. I don’t often get to discuss Chinese History so talking about the Opium Wars and Boxer Rebellion was fun for both me and the students. They asked intriguing questions and together we discussed the end of Confuscian order and the Qing Dynasty. This was my final lesson in the Age of Imperialism unit.

In English we finished two chapters in Not a Drop to Drink today. The students had a pop quiz. It went well and I was able to have some data moving forward about their comprehension and analysis of the novel thus far.

Today I wore my Jessika Cowl Neck Poncho by RD Style from Stitch Fix #10, a long tunic from Old Navy and blue slacks also from Old Navy.

 

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Day 98: January 19, 2017

I tried something brand new in my Honors World History class today. It was the end of our unit on imperialism so we had a Risk tournament. Several students who owned the game brought them in and we set up around the room. It was a lot of fun and the students were given opportunities to think critically and strategically while participating in a group game.

It inspired conversations about imperialism and as I circled the classroom I made sure that they were able to articulate ways in which the game related to our curriculum. Leading up to a quiz next week it was a great review activity.

 

My top today is my Illaria Crochet Trip Tunic by Alice Blue from Stitch Fix #8. I paired it with coral leggings.

 

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Day 99: January 20, 2017

In English today my students visited the library to pick out new books for their upcoming reading project. In Honors World History we finished our Risk tournament. As a teacher it was a day of conversing and observing my student population. Between the inauguration and the beautiful weather it was a very eventful Friday.

I wore my striped sweater from Primark in England, a navy vest from Old Navy and Adora Skinny Jeans by Just Black from Stitch Fix #8.

This was a great week as a teacher. I was able to see growth in my English students with a practice AIR test and review the content of my imperialism unit with my Honors World History unit. I am excited for the weeks to come as the curriculum gets more intense in both courses.

Which look was your favorite this week?

 

The Ameri Brit Mom

 

**This post contains affiliate links and I may receive compensation for this post.

Fashion · Uncategorized

Fall Feels

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Pumpkin Spice Lattes, crisp air, falling leaves, and all things plaid. This is the epitome of all the fall feels. Fashion-wise fall is my favorite time of the year. I love layering pieces, shoes, scarves, and warm make up trends. Fall truly is a magical time of the year full of outdoor sporting events, apple picking, and decorated porches. And nothing says Happy Monday morning like a cup of hot coffee to-go. I cannot resist the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg. Now that October has begun I’m also in countdown mode for my hometown’s fall festival, The Pumpkin Show. A few more weeks and I’ll be out of school and indulging in the best things fall has to offer.
What do you love most about this time of the year?
The Ameri Brit Mom
Fitness · Uncategorized

Work IT

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Work IT

 

As many of you know I’ve taken the plunge and am in the midst of a couch to 10k training regimen. In less than two weeks I will be competing with thousands of other runners in the Columbus Cap City Half Marathon/Patron Quarter Marathon. Now while I’m not looking to break any records I have enjoyed the journey to getting back into shape. There have been some ups and downs, but I’m glad that I’ve gotten back into the habit of running on a regular basis.
Running has always been an outlet for me. It’s a chance for me to take a time out from whatever is going on to focus on myself. Some days those running breaks last longer than others, but each run requires a few essentials to make it happen.
First and foremost I have a supportive family who has committed to giving me the opportunities to run daily. They challenge me to be my best and pick up the slack when I’m too tired or sore to do anything post-run.
Besides the amazing support coming from my husband and daughter I’ve relied heavily on a few devices to get me through my workouts. As you can see above, I’m kind of in a pink mood. My current fitbit cover is pink, my iPhone armband is pink, my hairbands are pink, and in a perfect world I would also have a pink flipbelt. (I don’t currently own one, but boy do I wish I did!)
What are your workout essentials?
The Ameri Brit Mom
Fashion · Uncategorized

Toms Shoes

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Toms

 

You can’t beat a good pair of TOMS. I personally own two pairs of TOMS. I love my original style pair, but I also enjoy the versatility of my lace TOMS as well. My oldest pair is beginning to show its wear and is need of replacing. I’m in quite the predicament as I love the colors and styles of so many TOMS shoes. Plus, the company itself is in the business of giving back. I’m appealing to my readership for a little help.
As we head into Easter weekend I’m torn between multiple pairs of Toms. I’m planning to wear a navy and white striped maxi dress on Sunday and I’d like to accompany my ensemble with a new pair of TOMS.  On the left side of the photo above I’ve pictured some of my favorites of the original TOMS style. The right side of the photo is a look at some special TOMS styles. Which do you prefer?
Fashion · Uncategorized

Nike Workout Gear

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Nike Workout Gear

 

I can’t believe I did it.I was so close to writing out the story of running from my life. I had come to terms with the fact that running was a thing of the past. No hard feelings. Then, a random message of conviction caused me to go back on my commitment to never run again. An old friend with good intentions made me do it. I can’t believe I caved in.
Over the weekend I found myself in a conversation with an old friend. During our conversation she mentioned she was running a quarter marathon in April and needed a partner to join her. In a moment of weaknesses I said I would do it, and that’s how I got myself into this pickle.
For a little background, I ran competitively in high school and post-high school I participated in a couple of half marathons and a dozen 5ks. However, since I had my daughter I have not done anything of the competitive sort. I’ve dabbled in running, but the time commitment has kept me from really taking training seriously. Over the winter I tried to do some runs, but found my knees aching and hips in pain as a result. I had more or less thrown in the towel on the idea of ever really competing again until this weekend.
But now that I have decided to give it another try I’m in need of motivation to get out there and do the work necessary to go from couch to quarter marathon in a little under two months. So how do I plan to motivate myself?
1. Running Buddy– Having a friend to run with keeps me accountable for finishing each workout. Some days the weather is less than ideal for running so finding accountability with another runner helps motivate me to run regardless of the conditions outside. Luckily, I have a few friends who also enjoy running and I plan to do a couple of runs each week with another person.
2. Set Weekly Goals– Having a long term goal is important, but sometimes I need to set smaller goals to keep me motivated on a daily basis. In the past, I would set weekly mileage goals or set a goal based on the amount of time I planned to run that week. These smaller goals help to give purpose to every single run. Each mile (or minute) becomes a step toward that weekly goal. I also love rewards. A great reward for hitting my weekly goal is giving myself a day of rest. (Example: If I can run 25 miles before Friday I will take Saturday off.)
3. Cute Workout Clothes– Who isn’t motivated by looking good? Recently, I went to a sporting goods store to pick out some soccer gear for my daughter. In the process, I found myself drawn to all of the brightly colored workout clothes for women. From sports bras to leggings there were so many adorable styles. I’m in need of a shopping spree to amp-up my workout wardrobe. (I’m a Nike girl if you haven’t guessed from the picture above.)
What is your favorite piece in your workout ensemble?