I last posted my (seemingly ) annual Spring style meltdown and received some  fantastic ideas, and lots of support. 
One of my best traits is that when given a mission, even if I create it, I act quickly and thoroughly. No half-baked measures here.  

 I pulled out Wear it Well, which I bought upon release and then never read (ouch) , sat down with a pen , and started reading and making notes.  It took me a few evenings to complete but I was left with a clear plan.  That's Allison's part.   I found this book very useful.  

Angie was the first to suggest I stop treating my work and personal time wardrobes as two separate entities .  I resisted, at first, but then really warmed up to the idea when I used Allison's method of sorting out your clothing and pulling out the pieces that are holding me back .  I do this often, but still had a ways to go and really went deep this time.  I determined my core colours and accents - swatches below- and used this to pull together the pieces I want to wear moving forward .  I sorted my closet by item type, and then colour within, and my black "work only" pieces are now in several places in my closet instead of on one rail.  It's been very eye-opening .  Fewer colours , almost no patterns.  

The next step in Allison's book (although I did this first to help me do the sorting and editing ) was to figure out my 3-word style identity.  I've not done this before.   I picked 3 words that are meaningful to me . First word is to be your practical word defined by the pieces you wear regularly = Modern.  Second word is something aspirational and where creativity and growth can happen = Fashion Forward . This was the toughest one, so please don't cringe at it - it will be a work in progress and I'm not sure this is quite the word I want.  Placeholder.    Third word describes how you want to feel in your clothes = Elegant/(or Polished).  

AB suggests 9 core pieces - and stresses that these are to be modified to suit your 3 words - and she shows you how.  1. The White Tshirt. I discovered I have too many and only wear 1 or 2.  Pulled out the ones that weren't perfect and kept 2. The Button Down shirt . I'm not good at this category and feel like a man wearing one, but have now learned what to do with it, and have a brown linen or cotton shirt on my to-buy list . Probably not a traditional button down - but I'll know it when I see it. 3. The Black Turtleneck - don't have one but have tabled this for fall. 4. Cozy Sweater - I'm covered here.  5. The Blazer - this is where  my juices started flowing. I have not worn a blazer in a few years, but AB loves it with everything as did I !  I felt excited to polish up my look by wearing one instead of my usual shapeless casual jackets - have a natural linen one from a few years ago ready to be worn right now.  The 3 key words again reminded me that I do like dressing up somewhat and have let my look get too casual.  6. The trench coat . I have this but could be talked into a long swooshy super-lightweight non-traditional Mac or modified trench in tan . We'll see. 7. Denim - I think I'm good for now - will revisit in Fall.  8. Trousers - I'm good.  9. A belt - don't wear but want to experiment and try again for the added polish .  Now don't all come at me with " I don't believe in those must-have lists".  I get it. But I'm doing this exercise as it fits within the context of her method.  

I also have found a current style muse in Lucy Alston . Her IG and Substack are great and I love her style. I’ve also attached a hair goal - we’ll see how realistic this is .

This is the first time in my life I've set a palette and am very excited to work with it.  The red/pale blue/mid blue are the pops of colour I sometimes crave but will be purchased in bags/shoes/accessories and MAYBE the odd top .  The neutrals speak for themselves. I'm also stepping away from olive green after a decade of it being my most represented colour. I have lots, but don't want to add more.  I have pledged to up my jewellery game on weekends and to use the beautiful things I have .  That long whiny post served me up some great ideas and I'm grateful for all of your comments.  For anyone looking for a fresh start - I highly recommend AB's book.  And Angie's quiet wisdom .  

Thank you for reading :).