Tired of growing increasingly frustrated every time I try on my clothes that don't fit I have decided to take action. Last night after work I packed up all of the clothes hanging in the closet that are currently too small (about half of everything I own) and put them in storage. I am finished crying over too tight jeans.

Sadly I can't afford a new wardrobe, but I can afford to change my perspective. Taking a page out of Whoorl's book (which she took out of In Style magazine) I've decided to shop my closet and take a fresh look at what I already own.

Step 1: Pick Your Eight Best Pieces

I went through everything that was still hanging and decided on my eight favorite items. Some of them are part of my "uniform," things I already wear everyday, and some of them are pieces that I rarely break out but should more often!

Blue Jeans

I may be cheating a tiny bit, but I'm including both my boot cut blue jeans (which I wear daily everywhere) and my skinny blue jeans. Girls with my particular shape have to be careful in a skinny jean. I bought mine to wear with my knee high boots. I have to have that extra bulk (from the boots) on the bottom or else I end up looking like a candy apple. I would have made a terrible hipster.

Black Jeans

These are also skinny and were also bought for the express purpose of pairing with boots. I have a pair in denim and I have a pair in a plasticized texture which make me feel very sexy while still covering it up.

V-Neck Burn-Out T-Shirts

I bought a few of these at Forever for about $13 and I have been living in them. They are long enough to make sure no muffin top spills out over jeans, they are thin enough to layer under sweaters or other tops and they are super soft and comfy against my skin.

Zebra Print Short Sleeved Sweater

This is a relatively new purchase, and I am loving it. The tunic length is great over jeans, it would also be good paired with a legging or a thick tight for a more risqué look. It is a nice weight and can be layered over a turtleneck for colder days.

Teal Sweater Dress

I bought this dress last year and have only worn it twice even though it is comfy and super cute.

Black Wool Dress

I bought this at Banana last year too, and it is the first non-special occasion dress I've ever really "invested" in. It has an amazing shape and structure when it's on (as opposed to on the floor). It's just a really classic dress with a bit of a retro feel which I really dig. Because I spent more on it then I normally would on a dress I've fallen into the habit of saving it for special occasions and really, it is such a versatile dress, I think I should get as much use out of it as possible.

Print Sweater Dress

I picked this little cheapy up at forever 21. I love turtlenecks in the winter, I dig the pattern on this dress and I like it worn both as a dress and as a sweater with jeans.

Flashy Top

I shopped this tunic top out of Tanya's closet. It is fun and funky and I think it deserves to see a little more action this winter.

Step 2: Lay Your Choices Out Where You Can See Them All

Looking at what I consider my favorite pieces I notice a shift in the way I've been dressing over the past year or two. I used to show a little more skin and now I like to cover up a bit more. Less cleavage, more structure. I like very utilitarian pieces that I can just throw on and go, and I am also aware that I've started wearing pieces that camouflage my midsection. (But I'm hitting the gym, so hopefully that little insecurity isn't here to stay)

The next steps are:

Step 3: Pick Your Basics

This is pretty easy for me. Monday through Friday I'm dressing for a steel mill, so I can really play around with my clothes on the weekends. Jeans, sweaters and t-shirts for day time make sure I'm comfortable running errands and the snazzier pieces I've picked for when I want to dress up a bit at night.

Step 4: Make a List of What's Missing

For me, what is really missing is a good pair of dark blue boot cut jeans that fit and a belt to pair with various sweater dresses. I'd like to be comfortable but I still would like to have a shape and not look like a sack of flour.

Step 5: Create Outfits- Shoes and All

I think this next step will be really fun. Like every girl who was a teenager in the nineties I've always dreamt of a closet like Cher's in Clueless. I think this is a good idea; to look at my 8 core pieces in a new way and play a little with some of the remaining items left in my closet.

Step 6: Choose a Handbag

To be fair I've never really been into handbags, but I need a new one for winter; the one I'm currently using is decidedly summery. I do dig clutches, and will try mixing and matching some of the ones I use less frequently.

Step 7: Accessorize

I am really lazy about accessories. I think that planning accessories for outfits ahead of time might be just what I need to change my ways.

Step 8: Snap the Looks
The idea here is that you can easily reference different looks for different occasions. I like it.