simply

I have been reading the book Style Statement by Carrie McCarthy & Danielle LaPorte. [It’s a pretty book even if one doesn’t want to find out what their style statement is.] Skimmed the profiles of interviewees while waiting to meet a friend last night and was struck by one description in particular:

simply: Clean, pared down, balanced. Basic, organic. Fundamental. Austere, plain. Open spaces. Well organized. Tidy. Can range from ultramodern and stark to sheer elegance. Never ostentatious or showy.

Realized today I’d done that with my wardrobe. I have been happily mixing and matching the following "uniform" pieces for two weeks:

sky blue cardigan
black cardigan
black linen dress with ruffle on the bottom
black/sky blue dress
black linen skirt
grey a-line skirt
white 3/4 length shirt/blouse
matching black 3/4 length shirt/blouse
sky blue 3/4 length cotton shirt/blouse
black tees
white tees
(2) pair of black pants – capri length (which on me is just above my ankles)
variety of black shoes (danskos, sketcher mary janes, flats)

I wear the simple clothing then add a pretty barrette or ring. (Need to start buying some necklaces and bracelets that I love and will happily wear.)

What Style Statement encourages is to find out who you are and incorporate it 100% of the time: relationships, belongings, home, finances, work, etc.

After reading the Simply section, I did some clearing off of countertops and tables at home, and found I could breathe much easier after it was done. Smiled more this morning when I caught glimpses of the bare surfaces.

Here are some of the pages that were inspirational to me. (click on image for larger view) I like that the person interviewed defined simply as: Capturing the essense of somebody or something in a way that is easy, a way that flows, a way that is true.