Thoughts on Shopping + 4 Effortless Summer Looks

Has anybody else struggled with shopping lately? Because I certainly have.

I’ve been having trouble pin-pointing just exactly what it is, but it seems to be something about this time of year.

Maybe I’m over the heat? It is hot. Like, HOT.

Maybe all of the ‘back to school shopping’ is wearing on me? Buy. Buy. Buy.

Maybe I didn’t select an adequate variety for this season’s capsule? I am still freakin’ hot.

Maybe I’m not immersing myself in enough of the right kinds of literature? You know, the type that leaves you wanting less and being content more?

Maybe it’s a little bit of all of those things.

And although I did thoughtfully add three dresses to my wardrobe mid season this summer (a capsule ‘rule’ I’d yet to break), I still feel this compelling urge to finish off my wardrobe. Which of course somehow translates to adding items to my master list, wanting to buy and feeling obliged to acquire.

Except, my wardrobe will never be finished.

So why am I trying to finish it?

I’ve always struggled with living in the future. I think it’s what makes me an excellent planner + goal setter. But it’s also what makes me struggle with being content in the right now.

Since practicing a capsule wardrobe I have become much more aware of my impulse shopping triggers and habits. So much so that now when I feel the urge to needlessly shop, I can identify that it’s really something else entirely that’s out of balance — and not the pieces in my wardrobe.

For me, it’s usually one of the following areas that needs some attention:

1. My diet. I’ve been craving (and indulging in) so much sugar lately. Gosh darn sweet tooth.

2. Time spent in nature. Summertime is arguably an easy time to get out and explore nature, but it’s been tricky some days with seriously-stupid-hot weather to strap on some babies and even just go take a hike in our woods.

3. “Me time”. Also known as ‘having my thoughts to myself’. Also known as lingering in the shower, on the toilet, etc. in order to have said thoughts to myself. Hahaha. (TMI?)

Right now I’m fighting the urge to buy buy buy, as we near the end of the summer season, and turning my focus on these areas instead. Also, this recent Be More with Less blog post was an excellent resource that helped me bring further clarity to my already observed tendencies.

On top of that, I’m diving back into my trusty Stylebook app and trying to look for some unexpected outfit combinations that I’ve overlooked — ya know, just to try and shake things up a little.

Now, I know almost everyone already has fall on the brain but in the interest of not getting too carried away at the thought of being able to comfortably wear jeans again (Gah!), here are four tried and true looks to inspire us all to finish out this summer season with a little skip in our step… If not sweat on our brow. ;)