Yes, I am a Cheater today

I will confess to you that it is rainy, cold and I have to finish my Christmas decorating today.  I am having a party on Saturday.  Therefore, I am pretty sure that the sweats will not leave my body today!

I am reposting my post from last Friday when I did the post swap for Friend Friday.  Sorry if you have already seen it, but we all deserve a day of hooky during the Christmas season right!?

When Fabienne and I talked about what to write for our blog swap,I asked her to write about her experience with the 30 in 30 challenge.  I wanted to know if it had been easier or harder than anticipated and if she was enjoying it.  Mostly I was interested in why and how she decided to participate.
As for myself, I struggled with whether or not to participate.  I kept telling myself, "I am new to all of this and I am not ready".  Ultimately that little voice won out and I DID NOT participate.  This has been a decision that I have regretted from almost the first day.

Here are the 5 things I learned by NOT participating:

1. Don't be scared of a new challenge even if you have no idea of what you are doing.
2. Take a risk whether it is picking out 30 items of clothing that are interchangeable or something much bigger than that.
3. Be willing to be silly and accept that things usually don't go as we expect them to.  Expectations are highly over-rated!
4. Don't sit on the sidelines and watch everyone around you having all of the fun.  Jump in and have fun with them.
5. What would have been the WORST thing that could have happened if I had participated?  Bloggers descending on my home and ripping up my clothes for bad fashion choices???  Seriously!

My new found wisdom has made me realize that these lessons not only apply to the next fashion challenge, but to my every day life as well.  Next time another challenge is presented to me, fashion related or much bigger and complicated ~ I will jump in, keep my head up, promote confidence and enjoy the experience where I can.  Even if I do fail, I will be a winner just for trying and taking a risk!

Thanks for letting me wax poetic and don't be surprised if sometime in the future I am participating in my own private 30 in 30, just to prove to myself that I can do it.                        
                                                                                             

striped denim shirt-GAP
brown velvet jacket-J.Jill
jeans-Old Navy
shoes-Etienne Aigner via Belk
belt- Brighton
necklace-Charlotte Russe
earrings-Handpicked