Shen Dove

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January 29, 2018

An Easy Way to Add Life to Old, Neutral Colored Clothing

January 29, 2018

As time goes by, I become more aware of how to re-purpose my clothing in order to give it more life rather than throwing or giving it away. For years, I’ve done this easy DIY (it’s honestly so easy I don’t even like to call it a DIY).

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· Labels: Style, Tips Tagged: DIY, style

January 27, 2017

Adopting Minimalist Sensibilities for My Wardrobe

January 27, 2017

So let me preface this by saying I’m not a minimalist and I don’t (at least at this moment) have a desire to be one. But I do have a desire to have a streamlined wardrobe that reflects my current style and to let go of things that aren’t of use or to use the words from Marie Kondo of The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, “bring me joy.” I’ve just bought a new sliding mirror wardrobe and I’d like to fill it with the perfect clothes. I typically have a running list of items I want, but I want to be more intentional about my clothing/accessories purchases in 2017 by focusing more on replacing things when they get worn or filling missing gaps than shopping just to consume. Stay tuned for items on my current wish list that need upgrading or replacing in a separate post!

I recently participated in the recent Unfancy and Style Bee’s 10 x 10 challenge where you wear 10 items in various configurations for 10 days (I just didn’t have the time to actually photograph my outfits…). It was surprisingly difficult for me though my 10 items are all pieces I love, I missed the rest of my wardrobe by the time it ended. But I will say that the challenge made me realize that:

  1. No one around me really cares (or likely notices) how often I repeat regularly worn items or outfits.
  2. I don’t work in fashion or beauty, so why should I care if I repeat items often if I feel good in them! Three cheers for repeating beloved outfits!
  3. I’m fine with sticking to somewhat of ‘style uniform’ on a regular basis: fit + flare skirts or dresses, boots or wedges, skinny jeans, neutral or striped tops, pops of colors in accessories like headwraps, etc.

There was a time particularly when I was doing more frequent OOTD (outfit of the day) posts where I’d want to wear new and different things frequently. But wearing new and different things all of the time is just not realistic or necessary for my current lifestyle and more importantly given the fact that I don’t currently monetize this blog. I also don’t work in fashion or a field where image is particularly important beyond generally looking professional. When I really think about it, I’m also happier when I use my money for financial goals, decorating my home, and for enriching experiences like travel rather than buying more stuff. I could honestly get away with wearing jeans to work on most days quite frankly but I actually like dressing up. I dress up because it’s a part of my preferred personal style. Style is fun and a great way to exercise creativity, but it shouldn’t’ be limited to a price point or only for folks with vast closets (no shade if you do). I look forward to doing more content on this blog around being creative with what you have in your closet or making strategic purchases to refresh your look rather than buying a bunch of stuff just for the sake of buying it. Perhaps I’ll even do some sort of capsule wardrobing in the future which I’ve considered in the past…we’ll see how that goes.

Have your clothing buying habits have evolved over time?

What are your thoughts on streamlining your wardrobe this year?

 

Images: A Pare and a Spare | Design Love Fest

· Labels: Style Tagged: fashion, minimalism, style

January 9, 2015

2014: A Few Thoughts and Favorite Posts

January 9, 2015

Eiffel Tower

This week has been a rough one for many, but I just wanted to reflect on last year before we get too far into 2015.  2014 seems to have gone by at lightning speed!  Every year has its highs and lows, but overall, 2014 was a great year.  I expect 2015 to be an even better year!

This year I hope to utilize what I already own to the fullest,  try more new-to-me hairstyles, stick to my shopping budget each month, thrift more, and support independent designers and businesses more for my purchases.  Before I finish drafting plans for blog content for the year, here are some of my favorite posts from 2014:

Style

  • Citrus
  • Shiny Animal Prints
  • Hint of Spring
  • Gray Day
  • Springy White
  • The Short of It
  • Leather and Stripes
  • Wine Colored

Books

  • Give and Take, Beautiful Ruins, #Girlboss
  • The Lowland, The Signature of All Things, Everyday is for the Thief
  • Where’d You Go Bernadette, The Circle, And the Mountains Echoed

Beauty

  • On Beauty: Winter Haircare
  • Spring Hair Inspiration: Red Tones
  • Summer Beauty Favorites

Tips

  • 7 Tips to Overcome a Creative Block
  • Travel Tips: Paris
  • 7 Ways to Develop a New Skill in Your Spare Time

Thanks  so much for taking the time to visit this space last year.  Here’s to an amazing 2015!

{Image: My Instagram}

· Labels: Lifestyle Tagged: Happy New Year, reflections, style

September 10, 2014

September Wish List – Early Fall

September 10, 2014

Early Fall Wish List | Shen Dove

The time for heavy knits, scarves, tights, and sturdy boots will be here soon enough.  For now, I’m currently loving these items to be worn now by themselves and later with multiple layers.

SHOP THE POST

Old Navy Women’s Graphic Slub Tee // Halogen ‘Katrina’ Bootie // H&M Fine Snit Sweater // Steve Madden Ecentric Sneaker Leopard Pony  // Old Navy Women’s Faux-Leather Studded Belt // OASAP Candy Color Skater Skirt // Ann Taylor Large Stone Statement Necklace // Lodis Accessories Pebble Metallic Summer Crossbody // Kate Spade Gramercy Bracelet Watch // Gorjana Teagan Cuff // Essie Fall Nail Polish – After School Boy Blazer // SheInside Army Green Long Sleeve Epaulet Drawstring Trench Coat // H&M Circle Skirt

 

· Labels: Style Tagged: Ann Taylor, Essie, Fall Style, Gorjana, H&M, Halogen, Kate Spade, Lodis, OASAP, Old Navy, Piperlime, Product Round-Up, SheInside, shopping, Steve Madden, style, wish list

January 13, 2014

Hat Hair Day

January 13, 2014

IMG_4935

Hat: Roxy (similar) // Sweater: Marshalls (similar) // Jeans: Target (similar) //

Wedges: DSW (exactly) // Necklace: Eastern Market (DC)

I’ve been wearing a variation of this outfit on weekends lately.  Hats, skinny jeans, and lipstick make foolproof weekend outfits.  Especially on those days when styling your hair seems like too much effort.  But I’ve learned the hard way to hold on to hats on windy days so they won’t blow off your head!  This may or may not have happened to me over the weekend…

IMG_4938

IMG_4937Here’s to a positive and productive week!

· Labels: Style Tagged: hats, skinny jeans, style, sweater

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Welcome!

My name is Shen Dove, I'm a Philadelphia native currently living in DC. I decided to turn my life-long love of style and fashion into a blog. I love books, films, traveling, cupcakes and pretty things. Thanks for stopping by!

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Shen Dove Style contains some contextual affiliate links. An affiliate link is a link in which advertisers have agreed to pay a commission should a purchase be made from that click-through. I do not post anything that I haven't or wouldn't purchase on my own. All images on this site are taken by myself unless otherwise noted. If an image of yours that appears here has been miscredited or you would like it taken down, please let me know and I'll take care of it! I strive to maintain good blogging manners!

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