French Capsule Challenge

Shopping Brake — The Book Is Now Available As A Paperback

August 18, 2017

Shopping Brake Book

Now available as a paperback!

Today I’m excited to announce that the book Shopping Brake: Proven tips to stop shopping wrong, and start shopping right for a wardrobe you love is now available as a paperback!

If you have ever done any of the following:

  • Stood in front of your closet and said “I have nothing to wear”
  • Bought something and then tried to hide it because you felt guilty
  • Found clothes in your closet with the tags still on
  • Looked for tips on editing and organizing your closet
  • Struggled to figure out what your personal style is
  • Become bored with your current wardrobe

This book is for you!

Filled with shopping tips, closet organization advice, and insights into the mindset of a shopaholic, Shopping Brake: Proven tips to stop shopping wrong, and start shopping right for a wardrobe you love will provide you with the tools that you need to own a wardrobe that you love.

Check out the Kindle version to read the entire introduction, as well as preview a few additional random pages.  Or grab a print version from any of the following retailers: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Createspace

Thank you for supporting the Shopping Brake Family!

Now Available For Your Kindle — Shopping Brake — The Book

July 28, 2017

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Shopping Brake — The Book now available on Kindle!

I’m excited to announce a new addition to the Shopping Brake Family today!

The book Shopping Brake: Proven tips to stop shopping wrong, and start shopping right for a wardrobe you love is now available for your Kindle.  This is a self-help book for 2 types of people: those trying to overcome a shopping addiction and those who wish to improve their wardrobe.  In this comprehensive how-to guide I provide real-world advice about everything related to overshopping and managing a wardrobe, including:

Keep on reading

The Cost Of A Capsule Wardrobe (Week 46)

September 21, 2014

 

Newly refreshed spring/summer wardrobe.

Newly refreshed spring/summer capsule wardrobe.

I’ve had a few reader questions recently regarding the cost of a capsule wardrobe.  I don’t think there is any one answer to this question.  One’s personal budget and preferences for materials will always influence the cost of a wardrobe.  But as long time readers of Shopping Brake know, one thing that I really enjoy to do, is to crunch some numbers!

Today, I’m going to review the costs of my current spring/summer and fall/winter capsule wardrobes.  I’m also going to include the cost of my current Fall French Capsule Challenge wardrobe.  Since I’ve been tracking the Cost Per Wear (CPW) of my wardrobe for a few years now, I have the purchase price for everything currently in my wardrobe, including the boutique.

(For today’s purposes I’m going to include the total cost of the wardrobe and the cost by categories.  If you are interested in an item by item cost breakdown for one or all of these wardrobes, let me know in the comments section and I’ll write a new post taking a closer look at the wardrobe you are interested in.)

Now onto the number crunching!

Keep on reading

Fall French Capsule Challenge Update

September 18, 2014

Right now I'm craving more of the bootcut style jean on the right, than the skinny jeans on the left.

Right now I’m craving more of the bootcut style jean on the right, than the skinny jeans on the left.

I’ve just completed my second week of the Fall French Capsule Challenge.  And as usual, I have a few observations.

  1. Preferences change with the seasons
  2. A small wardrobe requires discipline

Here’s a closer look at each observation.

Keep on reading

For Effortless Mornings, Go French

September 11, 2014

Two favorite outfits of the first week, both with brown and white.

Two favorite outfits of the first week, both with brown and white.

I’ve just completed my first week of The French Capsule Challenge for fall.  And once again, I already have a few of observations after only one week of dressing with this capsule:

  1. Brown is my new favorite core color
  2. Too many solids are boring
  3. Mornings are faster with less

Here’s a closer look at each observation.

Keep on reading

French In The Fall

September 4, 2014

The French Capsule Challenge Wardrobe.

The French Capsule Challenge Wardrobe for fall.

The French Capsule Challenge is back, this time for fall.  Fall is always a challenging time of year to dress for because the weather will often bounce around quite a bit throughout the day.  I’m itching for fall clothing but some days the weather is still warm (85F or higher) and the nights grow cooler (55F or lower).  This means a very versatile wardrobe with layers to allow for adjustments throughout the day.

Inspiration:

I am once again inspired by the numerous posts  about ‘Parisian or French Chic wardrobes.’  Last time I was inspired by some links of French wardrobes to use fewer colors for an outfit.

Keep on reading

Shifting a Core Wardrobe Color (Week 36)

July 13, 2014

A few of the pieces from the French Challenge Capsule Wardrobe.

A few of the pieces from the French Capsule Challenge wardrobe.

I recently purchased a few new items and now it’s time to figure out how these pieces will work with my spring/summer capsule wardrobe. After The French Capsule Challenge, I discovered that black is one of the core colors in my wardrobe.  Yet I don’t think it is the most flattering neutral on me and I would like to incorporate it as an accent color instead.  But I do not want to shop just to shop, so I will have to adjust my wardrobe slowly over time.  I’m going to mix in my French Capsule Challenge wardrobe with my new additions, into my spring/summer capsule wardrobe, by using my color capsules.

Keep on reading

More on French Wardrobes

July 3, 2014

My first pair of worn out shoes.

My first pair of worn out shoes!

It’s been 2 weeks since I began The French Capsule Challenge, which was inspired by French/Parisian wardrobes.  I selected a core of 4 colors, spread out among 21 items for 3 weeks.  For my observations after week 1, check out this post.  After 2 weeks I have a few additional observations:

  1. The more you wear it, the faster it wears out
  2. Prefer a non-black core, less contrast, or both

Let’s jump right into the observations.

Keep on reading