Capsule Wardrobe Giveaway (Alberta Flood Relief VV Boutique Styled!)

I am intrigued by the concept of a capsule wardrobe.  What is a capsule wardrobe, you ask!   In my hours on Pinterest research, I have determined that a capsule wardrobe is a small wardrobe of foundational pieces that can be mixed with little effort and embellished with simple scarves and accessories.  Unknowingly, I have had a capsule wardrobe three times - while pregnant!  Since then, and since starting this second-hand shopping adventure last August, my wardrobe isn't exactly "capsule!"  I am blessed to have a sizable closet and with VV Boutique prices, I have plenty of variety to play with and uncover my personal style. 

Still.  I reach for basic pieces over and over, and have reflected on what pieces give me the best cost per wear and styles per cost.  I have also been inspired by many style bloggers to consider the capsule wardrobe including Mai Tai's Picture Book , Audrey of Putting Me Together and most recently by MK of Outfit Posts.  I also am inspired to hone in on the "capsule wardrobe" after the recent heartbreaking floods in my home province of Alberta.  Many many women in the Southern areas of Alberta have lost everything in these historic floods.  They need a capsule wardrobe to help get them back on their feet.  So, here is what I'm going to do.  I'm sharing my idea of a summery capsule wardrobe here and then, I'm going to donate it to a woman in need in Southern Alberta.  I don't know who you are yet, but I'm confident that somewhere out there, I can connect with a woman about my height and size that would appreciate my capsule wardrobe.

I've chosen 15 pieces that can be remixed for 30+ outfits:

1. maxi dress - $9.10 from VV Boutique
2. striped dress - firsthand from my closet Calvin Klein $50
3. brown pants - brown Gap trousers from VV Boutique $2.45
4. green skirt - from Splurge Sorority clothing exchange
5. denim skirt - Jacob from VV Boutique $4.90
6. solid tank - orange Esprit from VV Boutique $2.50
7. solid top - firsthand from my closet
8. print top - Violet and Claire floral peplum from VV Boutique $3.50
9. chambray - Joe Fresh from VV Boutique $2.50
10. purple cardi - firsthand from my closet Joe Fresh
11. green cardi - firsthand from my closet Joe Fresh
12. wide belt - $4 from VV Boutique
13. skinny belt (reversible) - $2.10 from VV Boutique
14. neutral scarf - $4 from VV Boutique
15. floral scarf- $2 from VV Boutique

Here are some of the ways I would remix these pieces to give me more than a month's worth of outfits:

Outfits 1-5

I'm not so sure about belting a scarf like in #5, but I've seen it done so I included it, 

though I admit it made me feel like a Golden Girl on a cruise.

Outfits 6-10

Even small variations add interest to staple pieces!

If my donor recipient has size 8.5 feet, these Franco Sarto wedges will go too!

Outfits 11-15

To add dramatic flair to the photo shoot, I would imagine where I would wear these outfits.

Most of the time, I was going to see fireworks.  

I don't get it either; there are not that many fireworks opportunities.

Outfits 16-20

This series started with maple plank smoked s'mores.  

So, in my head I was dashing out the door for work after having a quick nutritious breakfast.

Outfits 21-25

Outfit #1 is something I always wanted to try: a dress as a top.

Outfit #4 is for the imaginary fireworks again.

Outfits 26-29

I didn't end up "officially" photographing some of these looks, 

but I like 'em and I would wear them, so I decided to include my selfies.

Outfits 30-34

Etc.  This is not even all of the possibilities!  

But by this time, my faithful photographer and Next Gen friend Chantel and I were growing weary.  

And I was forgetting to stand up straight and resist my rap poses.

I must admit, this is sacrificial giving for me - even more so than tithing!  My Calvin Klein dress is first fruits for me - my favourite dress of all time!  I love all of these pieces, I'm not done with them!  But, I have enough and I will have more.  And even though it may seem superficial, I think clothes can lift the spirits.  I have three bonuses with my capsule wardrobe giveaway!!!

1. My fabulous and talented jewelry-designing sister Shannon of She Does Create has donated these accessories to the cause!  My donor recipient won't have to worry about the perfect trifecta of accessories thanks to She Does Create!  She even included her original design, the Summer 2013 signature coral pendant.
   
2. Shannon has also generously offered to include her MATT & NAT bag and wallet to the cause!  It is the perfect bag for this capsule wardrobe! 
   
3. Shortly before starting my second-hand shopping adventure, I joined StyleMint.  I have been skipping every month in order to follow my own rules of shopping only second-hand for myself (!) but missed the deadline in June.  Therefore I have a $30 credit so my donor recipient will get to browse on line for a piece from StyleMint to complement the second-hand pieces from me. 

I need your help!  I am about a size 10 and though I'm 5'8 1/2" I think my clothes would work even for someone a bit shorter.  Help me connect with someone in Calgary, Canmore, High River or anywhere in Southern Alberta.  If you have lost your wardrobe due to the floods and are about my size and style, please enter my Capsule Wardrobe Giveaway in one of the following ways:

• comment below
• email me
• tweet me
• comment on VV Boutique Style's Facebook page  

I will draw for the winner on Sunday July 14th so I can get it packaged and delivered to my new stylish friend ASAP.  Share this post via Twitter or Facebook and help me contribute in some small way to the flood relief for the greater community of women in Alberta!

Ladies, are you with me!?  Do you have an *extra* capsule wardrobe not getting its fair wear in your closet?  There are many great ways to donate to flood relief including the Red Cross, Salvation Army and others, but if this concept strikes a chord in you, consider donating capsule wardrobe pieces to your nearest Value Village or other local thrift stores so another woman can find good pieces at good prices to start rebuilding her wardrobe and her life.  I am not aware of an organization that will match women with clothing donors, but if you prefer to connect individually with someone, feel free to email me or post on my Facebook page and I will do my best to facilitate a good match!

Another option is to donate a gift card from Value Village or other retailers such as Old Navy, Gap, H&M, Banana Republic, Target or Walmart.  Most if not all of my suggested capsule wardrobe pieces can be purchased from any of these retailers and are accessible to many victims of the flooding.  I am still in process of determining where one would send these gift cards as most organizations are accepting monetary donations only.  So, if this is what you want to do, hold tight and I will post on my Facebook Page and Twitter where to send your gift cards.  I will also include this info when I post the winner! 

This is a small part, but I am part of the body, the community of women, and this part I can do!  So can you!  Let's help our sisters!  Let's contribute to the Alberta flood relief - VV Boutique Styled!