one closet, one year!

I was getting dressed for a friend's birthday party and I didn't know what I was going to put on my body. I looked in my closet and it seemed empty, unpromising. I've had these moments before; everything was old, ill-fitting, or blah. I thought to myself, "Ugh! I have NOTHING to wear!" Then I began rifling through my closet and saw a forgotten shirt I loved and many more, and I realized I was crazy. I had plenty to wear, and plenty to choose from. My closet was FULL of treasures! At that moment I decided I would take a year to explore my closet and to add NOTHING new to my wardrobe.

I would create a NEW outfit for each day in order to maximize my wardrobe and shake up my style.

Basically, I would try to "snap out" of my fashion rut, and appreciate what I have.

It was my New Years' project:
One Closet, One Year.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

I Love My Bike!

Today, I got a little time off, and I decided to go for a bike ride all by my lonesome! How much I miss the days of riding my bicycle all the time as my main form of transportation! I realized, as I peddled down the boulevard, that riding my bike is part of me that I need to remember. It reminds me that I am meant to move. It makes me feel alive, and free.

One summer, long ago, I had the good fortune to accompany a wonderful family to Orcas Island. When we there, we rode bikes everywhere. I had not been much of a biker before that, but afterward, I went back to New York with a plan to get a bike. I had been down in the dumps for a while, and I knew it would be good for my health. I told one of my best friends of this plan, and she offered her bike, Fajita, to me! It was as if my prayers were answered, and I started tooling around the city on two wheels rather than being stuck on the miserable subway. Of course, now I would give anything to have a subway as my main transportation source, but I digress.

Fajita changed my life. She brought me joy and greater health. I saw parts of the city I had never seen before. I met new friends. I lost weight. 20 pounds to be exact. All from riding. My diet stayed the same. I also got hit by a taxi, but that's another story. Another long New York story...

Outfit:

Keepin' it simple. It's the day of rest!

T-shirt: Old Navy.

Pants: From Cousin. Gap.

Shoes: Predictions.               

                                                                 I love HaHa bear!

7 comments:

  1. I don't think I ever heard the whole line of reasoning behind the bike riding (or that you got hit by a taxi). I get it! Glad you got to glide around today. I hope you wore a helmet. You have kids.

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  2. Shelayna, HOW do you bike in those shoes?! I bet I could barely WALK in those things.

    Erin

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  3. I'm so happy for you, and now I REALLY want to get my bike fixed. For so long I was the one who biked everywhere - even with two kids in a trailer and no car at one point. I've gone soft!

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  4. Yes,get your bike fixed ASAP! I think I remember seeing you pull the trailer along, way back when! I feel like I've gone soft too, but, one day, I will bike to school again!

    Erin, Long ago I decided I would never let my outfit hinder my biking, nor my shoes. These actually makes your connection to the ground much more sturdy!

    pmj... I can't believe there's a story you haven't heard! I thought you'd heard 'em all!!!

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  5. Yippee!!!!! I totally agree with just hopping on your bike in your cocktail dress. Give the world a thrill.

    Orcas Island is one of my favorite places on the planet! I took a permaculture course there. Now I am dreaming about pooling our children and taking a camping trip up there this summer. We could bike up! For I, my friends, have gone anything but soft. A little too far in the opposite direction, actually.

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  6. That is true, Dweller, no softy are you! I was actually thinking about your glory on the two wheels when I was writing this! You are amazing! And I am even more amazed that you studied on Orcas, though not surprised! I would love to go to Orcas again with all our offspring! That would be a dream!

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  7. @ Erin/Shelayna: Copenhagen has the same philosophy on biking and fashion. I'm often amazed at how some people can bike and look like they just came off the runway
    http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com

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