Hi Fabbers, happy new year! We are just back from a lovely sojourn to the Caribbean, and I'm just catching up with the forum. Also giving thought to the year that has been and the year ahead!

Looking at my 2018 resolutions, I feel pretty good about how I progressed (virtually by accident, as I wasn't disciplined about checking back in) (progress report in bold):

1. Go through Angie's style refresh process. In particular, I need to make maintaining my hair cut and color a higher priority, and I need to do an eye makeup technique refresh to perk up my rapidly sinking eyelids!! CHECK - Freshened up my haircut, found a colorist I'm really happy with, and learned some hooded eyelid techniques. Also, am having fun with lipstick and nail polish lately. Additionally, I have plenty of clothes, so Angie's suggestions about revisiting shoes, purses and accessories would be useful. Half-points on this one - I bought a few things I'm happy with, but wasn't very strategic about it - something to consider for 2019.
2. Start bending the rules I've spent years accumulating to fit my personal style. Be more emotional with my style choices. Revisit my "classic polished casual contrast Kate" style words to see if they still fit,and revise if needed. CHECK - These words still work for me, and I am happiest when I am meeting them. "Kate" I hold lightly as her style becomes more 'royal' and less approachable. Pops of bold color have added interest while holding true to my words. Looking back on WIWs, my favorites where either neutral with pattern/contrast (navy and white being the favorite) OR had a pop of color - least favorite were multiple colors or color + pattern in a single outfit. I'd love to boil this down to a two-word moniker, so it feels more philosophical and less check-list - sometime to ponder in 2019.
3. Physical fitness is a huge priority for me in 2018. Create a small updated fitness capsule to support this. CHECK.
4. I live in dark wash skinnies, yet keep buying different colored and silhouetted pants/ bottoms to 'add variety'. Stop doing this! In fact, variety is not something I need particularly and most of my "variety" items end up in the donation pile. Stick what works for me for clothes, and find variety elsewhere in my life, or just enjoy it on others! CHECK, although I am shifting my jeans silhouette towards a higher waist and bought a chopped-hem straight pair I love, and I did buy burgundy velvet pants ... see point 5
5. Counteract my tendency towards rigidity by allowing myself to break these resolutions guilt free on occasion! CHECK! A surprise success. I am finding ways to apply what I've learned in ways that work for me, using systems as guidelines and inspiration rather than pass/fail assignments, and making sure my adventures in personal style are a net positive rather than a source of stress.

For 2019, really my only goal at the moment is to keep going as I am going - I feel good about my style direction, the ways I've added some interest and personality to my simple preferences, and the role personal style is playing in my life's journey. My plan - trust myself, keep it simple, hold it all lightly, have fun. To the year ahead! xoxo