Since I've been home from vacation, I've had a little time on my hands to organize my thoughts and feelings about the year ahead. As I've mentioned elsewhere, I've been feeling a bit out of sorts, and I feel the need to get organized and kick myself in the butt a bit. In addition to working on some lists of personal and professional goals and projects, I've also been pondering the state of my style and my wardrobe in the back of my mind.

- Looking at the photos I posted in Angie's "favorites of 2016" thread, I was struck by how I've come back to relying on lots of black and dark neutrals in my dressing, even in summer. This is my comfort zone. I have always collected black tops, and it seems that without ever planning on it, I've settled back into an old, familiar habit. However, I know that I am not happy with overly basic or classic cuts (unless they are layered with something more interesting). It also happens that most "interesting" cuts that appeal to me are often available in black...and black. So maybe it all works out to my favor.

My love of black/dark colors is tempered by my love for metallics and shots of teal, cobalt blue, and other jewel tones, as well as statement jewelry pieces, scarves, and great handbags and footwear. These areas seem to be where I inject color and sparkle into my outfits. I still love prints, but I found it interesting and a bit surprising that my printed garments don't often turn out to be big workhorses.

I'm doing a little soul-searching about my style and where it is going. I think I can keep pushing a bit more into my "refined rock'n'roll" persona. I did a little style word association exercise, and some of the words that stayed on my list were: sophisticated, creative, subtle sexy, casual, modern, sleek, eclectic, and a touch of tough. I also like bits of sporty, boho, and glam, depending on my mood and the occasion.

I want to edit my closet a bit, but carefully and thoughtfully. I am thinking of putting a BUNCH of things in my holding zone, not with the intention of getting rid of them anytime soon (because it stresses me out to think of hasty editing, I have some fear of letting go of something I love that might be useful), but just giving my eyes and brain a rest when I open my closet. It might actually mean I wear out a favorite item, which I don't often do (I'm always afraid I'll never find a good replacement). I am not really thinking of this as capsule dressing, and I'm not interested in a Project 333 or anything like that (I hate having to restrict things to arbitrary numbers), but I would like to see space between the hangers in my closet for a change. I started using this planner today to help pinpoint what I really want to and need to wear: http://www.un-fancy.com/capsul.....e-planner/

To that end, I might post some items here for feedback and ideas. I have lots of nice things that are not getting worn. I would like to figure out ways of styling some orphans to make them feel more like *me* but not if the styling feels over-layered, fussy, or needs constant adjusting.

I am considering my style descriptors and what I wear that really feels like "me." Over the years since I have been reading and participating in YLF, I've experimented and bought a lot. I've had a lot of closet churn. I want to settle that down quite a bit and be more content with what I have. I see that a lot of us are feeling that way lately, so I expect many of us are thinking a bit about our monikers or descriptors, honing our personal style statements. I'll be reading all of your analysis with interest, and if anyone cares to share observations of what you see in my style, I welcome your comments. Sometimes others can see things that we cannot.

All of this is not to say that I want to fall into complacency -- I have been in style ruts in the past, and I don't want to go back there. I welcome suggestions of ways I might keep the excitement in dressing and in my style. I want to be pushed a bit creatively. I don't have an employer or anyone I need to satisfy with my style except myself. I do need a bit of adventure, so I don't get bored.

Some other musings:

- I've gained weight over the last year. I'm not happy about it, and I know it's contributing to my mood issues lately, so I'll be working on some goals around that. I can still wear many of my clothes, but it doesn't make me happy to put on jeans that were once easy and now feel them pinching slightly at the waist or sucking to my thighs. I think I'm back to my pre-running weight/size, and it's clear to me that I need to have an event/goal I'm working towards (bicycle tour in the summer, some races to run in the spring) to keep myself active. Menopause makes it harder to keep weight off. I have also been stiff and achy in the neck and shoulders and need to resume yoga.

- Last year I mulled over the idea of letting the grey grow out in my hair, but in talking with a couple of friends, my husband, and my hairstylist, I realize that I'm not ready. I think it's good to think about it and do a gut check about where I am on that idea, but ultimately, it's not for me at this point in time. I actually bookmarked a link that I read a couple of months ago and related to very strongly, even though I'm over 50, and this blogger is only into her early 40s: http://www.gritandglamour.com/.....oing-grey/

If you stayed with me for any or all of that novella, many thanks to you! I'm putting a lot of this out here for my own benefit, to help organize my thoughts and hold myself accountable. If you have any feedback, ideas, or encouragement, I welcome that, but I also post this in solidarity with all you other ladies who are doing some work on these kinds of goals as well! Keep posting your stories -- even when I don't get a chance to respond to your threads, you're inspiring me.