About Emma, Mia & Sam
Want a sneak peek inside the pit? From product launch parties to their personal must-haves, Samantha Speisman, Mia Shulman and Emma Yardley dish on why working within these pretty pink walls is so sweet.
The 6 Item Challenge
tales from the pit canada
(Aug.30.10)
Mia's taking on the 6 Item Challenge.
After realizing that my common household woe (a lack of storage space) might in fact be a misinterpreted personality flaw (a disposition towards accumulating and hoarding clothing), I suggested to the team that I, along with any willing participants, take on the 6 Item Challenge. This would entail limiting my wardrobe to six items of clothing for 30 days (let it be noted that it is not uncommon for me to wear six items in one day, or even six outfits in a day) in the hope that I learn how little I actually need and to help curb my penchant for shopping simply for the sake of shopping. (The whole need vs. want thing was lost on me as a kid, but I'm learning...)
Luckily, Sam agreed to join me in this daunting challenge (misery loves company, even if the company is wearing the same thing she wore the day before). First, we set some ground rules: Shoes, accessories and outerwear (which luckily includes a blazer) are excluded and for a formal occasion with a dress code, we're allowed to break from the six items. Pyjamas and underwear are also exempt—obviously.
Next, we set off to carefully handpick our rations. This proved insanely difficult. I wanted things I enjoyed wearing, but nothing that I'd get sick of. I also had to keep in mind that the season would be changing through the month of September. I settled on a pair of GAP slim cropped pants, Surface to Air trousers, a Forever 21 skirt, a Forever 21 white T-shirt, an H&M grey T-shirt and a BDG chambray button-down shirt. What they lacked in excitement they made up for in practicality, and I knew they were basic enough to dress up or down and wouldn't jump out to others as "that item she wore yesterday, and the day before that..."
So now I'm all set, and as of Wednesday, September 1, the 6 Item Challenge commences. Check back regularly to see how I'm holding up and follow sweetspotdotca on twitter for updates. On October 1, I'll recap all the highs and lows of the month in our Test Lab, and share snapshots of my outfits. I foresee many nights of hand washing T-shirts (to avoid doing many small loads of laundry) and many mornings with an extra half hour of sleep, since I won't be pacing in front of my closet. Maybe this won't be so bad after all...
Wish me luck!
[Editorial note: Sam agreed to participate in the 6 Item Challenge but when it came down to actually picking six items, she felt overwhelmed and backed out. This just goes to show how difficult this test lab is going to be. For me. By myself.]
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