Coming back to YLF is a genuine style goal for me, as I mentioned in my return post, but I actually have been setting other goals for myself during my hiatus. I thought I'd outline what I've been up to and then lay a plea for help on all of you.

Because of a non-fashion-related experiment undertaken in the middle of the year, I began to truly appreciate the merits of a minimal wardrobe. I loved the feeling of having a small, curated closet that could see me through any situation. My wardrobe could be even smaller but for Canada and it's stringeant climate demands.
A few obstacles stand in my way, though, only one of which is weather related. The other is the continuing seasaw of my weight. You may recall that I dropped a whole ton at one point. Unfortunately, life stress has seen me put it all back on again, a fact that literally drove me to tears when I realized it. One of my style goals for the year is not to let this reality hold me back. There is no chance at all that I'll take charge of my life if I'm not feeling good about myself, and I now accept that looking stylish is a key component of feeling good. I simply can't feel confident in myself if I'm sloppily or frumpily dressed. And using fluctuating weight as an excuse for neglecting my sartorial choices is, frankly, nonsense. So no more of that.
This necessarily involves making a few purchases to make sure everything is up to snuff, but frugality is one of my style goals now, too. I'll be making fewer purchases, preferrably completed at sales prices. This is something I have been pretty good at so far over the past year. My years on YLF have made me *much* more discerning, so I have a much easier time whittling down my lists and focusing on things that will get a lot of wear.
Ylf also helped me develop a few guidelines. I have adopted Angie's rule about not buying black items that lack texture, with only one exception that I'll get to later. This has served me very well in recent months. The only pair of black skinnies I purchased are a fabulously comfortable faux-suede. When I finally found a pair of slipper flats, they were black sequens:
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com.....4446515370
When I got a new pair of black pumps, I chose one in patent with a pearl-coloured bow.
http://www.berenshoes.com/Zooe.....38_BLK_PT/
I've decided at long last to expand my shoe budget, since my feet are absolutely impossible to fit and need the attention. I was starting to really feel the limitations of a bad shoe wardrobe, and Angie's advice about focusing on shoes, handbags and hairdues finally came home to roost. I assure you, though, that my new "on sale" policy comes very much in handy for this facet of my style journey! :p

The one exception to the textured black rule comes to a pair of booties I'm waiting on as we speak. They're everything I want in a versatile bootie, and if they work the process of leaving the house will be so, so much easier. I may even duplicate them in cranberry, if the stars align:
http://www.zappos.com/munro-american-robyn

Another goal involves re-embracing pants, which I was neglecting in my dress phase. To that end I'm breaking out my wool-crepe dress pants a little more ovten, making a lot of use of my grey denim, and loving the fun of a pair of slouchy burgundy skinnies I just found. They're complete with snaps at the bottom so I can relax the skinniness of the silhouette, and they're textured,and they're fun, and I'm in love.

For the other handful of purchases I've made, I try to stick to woven blouses and dresses unless I have a compelling reason to embrace a knit. These can include trendy elements married with a great colour:
http://www.kiyonna.com/plus-size-clothing/13121805

Or extreme comfort, substantial fabric and mad usefulness for my climate:
http://sexyplusclothing.com/pr.....ize-tunic/

But this brings me to my final style goal: stocking up on knitwear. After all, 'tis the season, the assortment is supposedly excellent (though not here), and I am Canadian.

And this, my lovely ladies, is where you come in. May I request your assistance to help me choose no more than three sweaters from the Encore section at Nordstrom? I hate cardigans and haven't converted, so I'm sticking with pullovers. Cowl, scoop and v necks are my favourites, though any not-too-high neck style will do. Ditto sleeves. I'm open to all patterns and hemlines, though would prefer to stear clear of cropped lengths.Any help you can offer me would be so, so much appreciated.

How about you guys? What have your style goals been, and how are you doing at sticking to them?