simple days with bonnie rae

Hooray! Spring is here! (well almost, we’re expecting a little snow this weekend)

When the time came to start planning my spring capsule I was so ready. I loved my winter capsule but after wearing black, maroon, and grey for nearly four months I was ready for a change.

I’ll be honest, while I was excited to plan my spring capsule and to integrate some new pieces, I have not missed shopping. I’ve realized that shopping used to be something I would pacify myself with. If I was feeling blue or bored I would pop over to TJ Maxx or Target and buy a few things. I would only spend 20 dollars or so but if you do that once a week it adds up pretty quickly!

Since “becoming” a minimalist I have gotten out of this random shopping habit. It took a little while but it feels so good. Now when I feel blue or bored? I read a book, I do some yoga, I meditate, I take Kiley for a long relaxing walk in the spring air.

We are told that more stuff will make us happy and while it might make us happy for a moment that feeling does not last long.

Now when I see something that I want but I don’t need I appreciate it’s beauty and why I like it and then I keep on moving. I can’t tell you how wonderful it feels to breeze right past that “dollar deals” section in Target. I remember how quickly 3 dollars turned into 33!

When I started decluttering and living with a small, intentional wardrobe I felt joyful again. I saw that my happiness, my contentment, and my joy come from within me- not from external “stuff” or circumstances. 

So, without further adieu, my 2016 spring capsule!

This time I settled on 15 tops, 10 bottoms, 1 dress, 3 jackets/cardigans, 1 scarf, 7 pairs of shoes. That’s 37 items and 37 feels right to me. You may have a different magic number.

Tops

Bottoms & Dress

Shoes

Jewelry

Jackets, Cardigan, Scarf

In the end, don’t get caught up on the number. Go with what feels right.

My favorite piece from my spring capsule? My new overalls! I have a pair of “shorteralls” that I pull out every spring/summer but I knew that I also wanted to invest in a great pair of overalls this spring.

I live in my new overalls. They go with everything I have! Here I am in my overalls at Target wondering who in the world needs a plush, stuffed, rhino head.

Jacket (Target)

Boots (Forever 21)

Hair (The Studio-Harrisonburg)

Overalls (Madewell)

Top (Hollister)

The overalls I found are from Madewell. I think that I was meant to find these overalls and that they were meant to find me. I had to wait a few months between the time I knew I wanted them and when I could shop for my new capsule, so by the time I ordered them not only did I want them that much more but they were also on sale! See? I told you. We were meant to be.

My capsule wardrobe has done something else. It has made me treasure each and every item that I own. I am so careful and thankful for each piece that I have.

I used to be someone who spilled food on my clothing constantly. When I did I would throw it in the hamper hoping that when I finally got around to washing it it would be fine.

Now when I stain one of my precious items of clothing? I immediately lay it out, pre treat it, wash it with similar garments, and hang it to dry. When you only have 37 items of clothing you really love and treasure them. You don’t treat them disrespectfully because then you quite literally won’t have anything left to wear!

When you own less, every item you do own is precious and cared for.

“The consumption society has made us feel that happiness lies in having things, and has failed to teach us the happiness of not having things.” Elise Boulding

Leave any questions or comments below.

More soon,

Bonnie Rae xx