Making the Most of your Minimalist Wardrobe

Living small means making the most of what you have. When it comes your wardrobe, every piece should be versatile so it can contribute to several different outfits. This doesn't mean everything in your closet needs to be neutral colors. There are ways to fit items into your wardrobe that maximize your choices.

I wanted to show how one piece can be worn several ways to maximize your wardrobe without sacrificing space. For this post, I've teamed up with Pink Blush to feature their brown two-toned knit dolman cardigan.

Layers

The great thing about layering clothing is you can change the look of an outfit so it's not as obvious you are wearing the same item weekly. Cardigans are a great layering item that can be worn several ways. Even accessories such as a belt or scarf are all that's needed to create a new outfit. But try to keep the accessories to one item per outfit. If you wear a necklace, you can't wear a bracelet. If you wear a scarf, no belts allowed. Remember that simple is always better.

Colors

It's important to know what colors look best with your skin tone. Neutrals are a safe bet, but there's no need to omit bright colors from your closet. If you love a floral dress in your closet but can never seem to like the way it looks, it's probably not the right color for you. If you have a lot of reds in your skin tone like I do, then you don't want to overdo it with the red and pinks. While black may be the most safe and versatile color to wear, beware of your white clothing. There's a huge difference between white and ivory as far as skin tones are concerned.

Patterns

I love patterns and tend to wear at least one patterned item with each outfit. But in order to utilize patterns in a minimalist wardrobe, you have to keep it simple. You should only wear one pattern at a time, wearing solid colors for an accent. Be careful when pairing patterns with accessories and remember the one accesory at a time rule.

Belger Crane Yard Studios - A Photo Journey

I had the opportunity to attend a workshop at Belger Crane Yard Clay and Red Star Studios where I was able to photograph and document the beautiful space that many local Kansas City clay artists consider their second home.

This hidden gem sits at the end of a dead-end road next to an old crane yard. The upper level is the home of owners Dick and Evelyn Belger who renovated the building between 2010 and 2013. The multi-level industrial brick building seems unassuming until you enter the glass double doors found down a gravel alley. Just inside the main entrance is a 10,000 square foot gallery (featuring work by industrial designers, sculptors and illustrators) surrounded by windows with a view of downtown Kansas City.

As you exit the gallery, you find yourself inside the studio where artists rent space to work and take part in maintaining the studio. Walking down the isles you see rows of rented shelves that are lined with the artists work in different styles, stages and processes and rolling racks with greenware ready to fire. It's also likely you  will see artists in residence working in their booths deep in concentration.

Just outside the studio and accessible to the public is their retail store where you can purchase several types of clay, kilns, glazes, sponges and scrapers.

The studio does take donations for things like plastic liquid soap dispensers for glazes and Rubbermaid tubs to keep clay from drying out. If you are interested in donating items, be sure to like their Facebook page where they frequently post when in need of a particular item.

If you are interested in visiting the space, they are open for First Friday events and offer date night and student classes.

To see a schedule of events or for more information and directions, visit: http://redstarstudios.org