Our Happy Closet : Week 17

I've been living in these shorts on the weekends. This top - eh. Which made me realize its time to take it out of the closet. I have continued to remove pieces that I don't feel drawn to or I wear in effort to use them but don't feel they are really me anymore. I still find myself grabbing the same favorite pieces week to week. Yet I've hit a wall in figuring out the style part of our little project.

So when I came across Caroline's blog this weekend I found my answer : a capsule wardrobe. I know what style I like, but I've been struggling to create outfits that work for this unbearable weather and that are also work appropriate. I like the idea of limiting the number of items in my closet per season and really thinking through any new purchases. Since we began this project, I have been good about not making any impulse buys and only adding what was missing to my closet. I'm still working on the letting go of certain items. The idea of buying quality over quantity was important for me, but at the same time, I had to be realistic with the clothing and budget that makes sense for my lifestyle. At the end of the day, I'm looking for comfort and ease. I invite you to check out Caroline's site and continue to follow along on our journey.

Credit // All photos and text by Xiokat for "Our Happy Closet" series and edited with ABM Piper Actions. 

Our Happy Closet : Week 16

We've fallen behind on these closet posts but it doesn't mean we haven't continued to edit and hone our closet and style. Sometimes simplicity is key. Jeans and a t-shirt can be dressed up with the right accessories. On this particular day, I wanted comfort as I worked on a few patterns at home, but added a necklace, heels and colorful clutch to head out for a casual dinner with friends. And really these days, its about flexibility. Not to mention that shorts work great in this Florida heat.

Credit // All photos and text by Xiokat for "Our Happy Closet" series and edited with ABM Piper Actions. 

Our Happy Closet : Week 15

This past weekend we flew to Austin to celebrate my bachelorette party. I picked Austin because it has the art, design and music culture I love, plus the whole cosmic cowboy vibe that makes for a fun time. My bridesmaids did an amazing job planning all the events and I couldn't have been happier. Wine tastings, dinners here and here, dancing the night away in a container bar (and much more...), they know me too well! We stayed in the coolest and coziest barn/home - all 8 girls - and had an incredible time. We will share more pictures of Austin soon, but for now, enjoy out Happy Closet : Austin edition. 

Our Happy Closet : Week 14

A few weekends ago, I traveled to Torino and Milan. We decided to go by car to enjoy the view of the country and have a little change of scenery. Both are beautiful cities but due to previous arrangements I spent most of my days in Torino. What a beautiful city it is! After being in a big city like Rome for months, I felt like I was in a different country, complete opposite of Rome. Bluer skies, cooler air, and less congestion. The great thing is that they have an amazing bike transportation system [to bike]. I didn't plan on taking clothes to ride around the city but I paired leggings with all the loose dresses that I took and it worked out fine. The weather was IDEAL, not too hot not too cold, so a light scarf added the perfect touch to a simple outfit. Really enjoying these last few weeks in Italy!

* All photos and text by Katty for Xiokat.
** This is the last Our Happy Closet from Italy!

Our Happy Closet : Week 13

This weekend I am heading to NYC for one of my very good friend's bridal shower and I am so excited! This has probably been the easiest and fastest packing I have ever done for a trip, and I think a lot of it has to do with this exercise that we've been doing of minimizing and focusing on essential pieces in our closet. The weather will be a bit cool, so I decided to stick to jeans since I can easily dress them up or down. I picked a few of my favorite tops, and without trying I realized I had a palette. Sticking to a color palette when you travel helps with packing less while still having interchangeable items that create various outfits that work. I can easily add a pop with a colorful scarf (like my floral piece that screams spring!) or statement jewelry. Even my dress for the party (which I had planned to wear weeks ago) fits nicely with the palette. I also have plenty of room in my luggage for new purchases (which of course are bound to happen.)

As for my carry-on, I am taking my xiokat bag that works for going out as well as walking the city all day. I have my ipad, my xiokat clutch to carry my essentials (phone, wallet, travelers notebook, pens), makeup bag and of course, my camera. (These photos were taken quickly this morning with my Iphone so sorry for the quality!)

See you soon NYC!!

Credit // Photos taken by Xio for Xiokat "Our Happy Closet" series.

Our Happy Closet : Week 12

Week 12! You know the days and weeks are flying by when you realize the last post that went up is from Week 11's Our Happy Closet! The weeks have been full and the weekends fuller. I have an upcoming trip to New York and next month we are heading to Austin with some of my girls for you know what. What does this have to do with our happy closet? Nothing really, just wanted to share since traveling is something I always look forward too. And by not shopping as much means I can really treat myself for a few special things for and on these trips. I've been really sticking to my uniform of jeans and simple tops, but now that its warming up I'm really looking into adding some lightness to my usual attire. Hoping to get some inspiration on the streets of NY, as long as the cold does not creep back in! 

Our Happy Closet : Week 11

I am keeping is casual today since the sun has finally came out and I will be walking around the city. I found a really cute thrift store the other day as I was coming back from the supermarket that I really want to check out! So I decided to keep it simple with a regular t-shirt tied it up on the side, a short skirt and of course, our Xiokat bag.  - Kat

Credit // Photos taken by Katty for Xiokat "Our Happy Closet" series and edited with ABM actions.

Our Happy Closet : Week 10

Spring is here and its hard to believe that were are already going into April! This is one of our favorite times of the year though, when there is a nice coolness in the air and being outside is still enjoyable before the killer heat and humidity arrives. I am loving filling my house with flowers and plants, and working on our garden. 

I've also been going through my clothes again (spring cleaning time!) and purchased some new jeans to replace old ones that got cut into shorts like the ones I'm wearing above. Light, sheer tops are all I am wearing these days, since I can easily throw on a cardigan when the nights cool down. Wish it would stay like this year round!

OUR HAPPY CLOSET : WEEK 09

This week has been rough with the time change and all. The mornings are darker, making it harder to get up, and I can feel my body is taking its time to adjust. I quickly took these pictures one morning before work and I tried to wait for that perfect morning light but I knew I was going to be late! Anyway, this is my comfort outfit - leggings, long loose top, a cardigan to keep warm in my office and my comfy boots. I've also been wearing our latest bag design and I love the versatility of it.  - Xio

Its warming up in Rome but as warm as I am used too around this time of year. Throughout the day it gets to about 66 which is beautiful but if you plan on being out all day then a heavy jacket is a must because at night it gets around 47. So I try to layer all my short sleeve shirts with thick long sleeves under, that way I can take off or put on when necessary and not have to carry a huge coat all day. - Kat

Top also worn here

OUR HAPPY CLOSET : WEEK 08

I've been in Rome for one week already and I love it! The weather is beautiful right now. When I wake up, its about 40 degrees and rises to about 50 for the rest of the day, and for me, that is pretty cold. I have two long sleeves under my regular clothes and leggings under my jeans. It's a lot of clothes to get used to but I don't mind it. Today, I decided to walk around the city and do some sightseeing. I wore a casual outfit dressed up with a fancy necklace that I borrowed from my roommate. I decided to wear my heel boots and stay close to the house, since with all the cobblestones "sanpietrini" here, walking far can get a bit exhausting without the appropriate shoes.  I didn't pack a lot clothes so it will be fun to see how many new outfits I can make with the few pieces I brought. - Katty

While sister is out and about roaming the beautiful and picturesque streets of Rome (jealous!), I have a day job to get to. I usually prefer to wear jeans or pants to work, but every once in a while I like to dress up. This outfit is pretty much Week 3's outfit, but styled differently. Same shirt paired with a pencil skirt and heels, simple variations can create a whole new look with the same pieces! - Xio

our happy closet : week 07

Let's talk about undergarments. These items sometimes get forgotten in our editing and purging process, but they are an essential part of our everyday wardrobe. They should be of the best quality and well kept, which seems obvious, but how often do we throw back those pieces that should be discarded back in the drawer. We buy new, sometimes a few on sale, and you end up with a drawer full to the rim of various colors and styles, half that you never wear. 

We've all been guilty of this, but as we got older, we've realized that fewer and better IS better. By now we all know what styles and cuts we like and make us feel sexy (as all undergarments should) so we should stick to them. Why buy something different because its on sale only to wear it once and never again. We stick to neutral colors for daily with a few fun pieces to keep it interesting. Instead of trendy prints, try variations in textures, fabrics and hues. Our mom always taught us the importance of hand washing our delicates and routinely organizing and checking for those that were ready to go. This also applies to lingerie and sleepwear. So as we approach the new season and start our spring cleaning, don't forget to take a look in those drawers as well.

Image Credits // & Other Stories / via Pinterest /

our happy closet : week 06

While most of the country is still seeing snow, it is definitely warming up again in South Florida. On this particular day we headed to a beach side park for a bit of nature and break from the busy days. Katty has an upcoming trip (which she will talk more about real soon) and we talked about how we would be handling this business of ours from two sides of the world. We've been working on a few designs which we've shown here, here and here, but more on that later. 

This week we both wore casual outfits from our closet. Shorts are a must down here, so I paired mine with a 3/4" sleeve button down in a blush color and my trusty Converse, although sandals should have been the way to go. Katty choose a sheer and light button down and paired it with her navy skirt. All these pieces can be worn in some many different ways, they definitely make part of our essential closet. 

Speaking of, we did say we would share our closet purchases, if there were any. This week I bought a new pair of much needed running shoes. Other than that I've been really trying to avoid stores and clearance racks, until I figure out what I truly need (want!) and get rid of more. Katty, on the other hand, has been buying a few things for her upcoming trip, so we will let her slide on that one. 

Today is her last day of work, and this weekend, her last state side. I will be spending time with her and helping her pack. Our Happy Closet series will definitely continue from both of our locations, so keep stopping by for more. Have a great weekend! - Xio

our happy closet : week 05

Last week, Xio shared her go to outfit. I also love the skinny jeans paired with a soft top look, which I find myself wearing often. You can't go wrong with this look. I spent the day fabric shopping in Miami, and even though I wore heels, I picked a pair that were comfortable to run around town in. A oversized bag was a must as I needed to carry my sketchbook and essentials, while still having room to throw the small purchases so I'm not running around with tons of bags in hand. We gave you a peek of the bag on our last post, so here I can share that this bag was ideal for running errands. I carried it with the straps for a chic look, but when I needed to use my hands, I used the backpack straps to throw it over my shoulders. We can't wait to share this bag with you. It will be included in our next collection that will launch in a few weeks. - Katty

our happy closet : week 04

Let's talk about uniforms. Not the ones you wear to school, or work. but your go to outfits for the day to day. Me? I tend to pick a pair of jeans, loose, usually sleeveless top and shoes (sandals, heels, boots, whatever the day calls for). Maybe a little boring or simple, but so comfortable for me. You can throw on a blazer for a business casual look or some accessories for a night out. Knowing that I like this look, I've added these tops to my wish list of  pieces to invest in. Everlane is a brand I admire and I can see myself wearing these tops often. What is your go to outfit? Leave us a comment and let us know! Katty will share her go to outfit next week, so stay tuned! - Xio

OUR HAPPY CLOSET : WEEK 03

Week 3! Without planning it, Katty and I wore black skirts and denim for our little outing. Can't deny the sister bond. I definitely think this is a staple piece for every closet. You can dress it up or dress it down, and it's the perfect skirt to travel with since you can wear it in so many ways. We saw a couple of warmer days and this particular day was sunny and cool. Wish it would stay like this all year!
Happy Friday!

OUR HAPPY CLOSET : Week 02

This week was a bit chilly, so we wore our boots, scarves and all other (Florida) winter clothing we never get to wear. I've had this blazer for a while and only wear it when I travel, so I thought it was the perfect opportunity to pair it with a simple tee and jeans. I also have to share that I gave in this past weekend and bought a new pair of black boots. $200+ boots that were half off. On top of that it was buy one get 2 (two!) free and I just so happen to be with my two dear friends who also loved the boots. Miraculously, there was a pair in each of our sizes too. So we did it. They are super comfortable and to keep from feeling too guilty about my unnecessary purchase, I pulled out two pairs of cheap,old and worn boots to give away. The new pair is super comfortable and high quality and I can see myself owning them for a long time. - Xio

I have owned these jeans forever, they are my favorite skinny jeans. I am surprised they have lasted so long since I have been everywhere in them.  It has been chilly lately, so I decided to pair it up with a linear top and my new H&M long sweater I purchased for my upcoming trip to Rome. It will still be a bit cold while I am there and like most Floridians, I don't own cold weather clothes. So I had to purchase some long sleeve tops along with this. But I will share those in a later post. - Katty

OUR HAPPY CLOSET : Week 01

After a warm 'winter', it's been finally cooling down here and we've been enjoying blue skies with no humidity, something very rare in South Florida. We set off to scout downtown for some fun walls to use as backdrops for our shoots. Today we were drawn to these pink (false) doors on the side of one building, which worked well as we both happened to be wearing black and white with a hint of nude (my shoes and Katty's hat), unplanned. Are we sisters or what? Black pants are essential in any closet, and can be worn in so many ways. Today I rolled them up and paired them with this simple patterned top and some pumps to dress it up. I wore this outfit to work, but can easily wear it out as well.  - Xio

I decided to go for this black knee length dress that I have had in my closet for a couple of years now. It's the perfect loose fitting dress that can be worn year round. If it ever gets cold, I wear a long sleeve shirt under it with some tights and it looks great. Pieces like these are essential in every closet because you can match it with anything and dress it up or down  - Katty

OUR HAPPY CLOSET : STYLE MOODBOARD

Before we start posting our weekly outfits, we wanted to share some of styles and looks that we are both aspiring to recreate with the pieces we have. This project is not just about wearing our clothes, but also defining our style. Both Katty and I love natural and effortless looks. We've both been leaning towards simplifying and scaling down to basics in styles and colors, with a few signature pieces (or stuff we pick up on our travels that we love!)

Most of these looks use basic pieces and are still stylish. They make great everyday looks for work, day to day errands or happy hour with friends. Whenever we look at our closets and feel like we have nothing to wear, looking up inspiration on pinterest and blogs inspires us to work with what we have in a creative way. Definitely, a bag, belt or piece of jewelry can add a statement to any simple outfit. What's important is that you love the pieces and you feel great wearing them. Those are the pieces that we end of wearing over and over again! 

Our Happy Closet : A Style Series

       | Image Credit :  Everything Golden |

The year has started and everyone around us is excited and sharing their New Year resolutions! We love a fresh start and have our list of goals too. Goals on personal improvement (read more, eat better, meditate, work out); goals about our business (blog more, focus and create pieces we love); and overall goals about saving and purging and living a more simplified life. One of our goals is to add a style series to the blog, but we wanted to have some meaning behind it instead of the usual "outfit" post. Enter Our Happy Closet.

I first read about The Happy Closet on Pink Ronnie's blog - a beautiful space where she documents life through her gorgeous photography and heartwarming words. Her Happy Closet series is about contentment with what you already own and not feeling the need to add anything. Ronnie shares her journey through editing and living with the pieces of clothing in her closet. I love this concept because 1) I need to save more and 2) I do (now) like most of the pieces of clothing I own. Eventually, I would love to invest in more quality pieces from the brands that I love, but that will come later and once I determine what I really need.

  | Image Credit : Xiokat |

Last year, I really began to take notice of my closet and I began to see a pattern of colors and styles. I tend to gravitate towards neutrals with my only brights being blue and some greens. I had a few other colors, and I noticed I rarely wore them. I had my go to outfits and pieces. So why did I have so much stuff in my closet? And why - the all time question - did I feel that I had nothing to wear? I purged before I moved, and felt happier with less. I realized that a full and cluttered closet was really the problem. So I tried to shop less but still had a hard time staying away from the clearance rack at Target! I still feel there are some things in my closet that I don't really wear or love, but am not ready to part with.

I shared these thoughts with Katty, as she did some closet purging over the holidays, and we got the idea for this series.

| Image Credit : Brooke Holm for Est Magazine with styling by Marsha Golemac |

We both really want to do a big closet (and style!) makeover. Editing our wardrobe to the essentials while each honing the style that is really us. Katty and I have different styles but at the same time share a similar taste in clothing. It really couldn't have come at a more perfect time, since I am trying to save as much money as possible for our wedding and other events and travel plans this year. Katty is also trying to simplify and prepare for a few months abroad. By not buying clothes, we are forced to use the items that we own and also take notice of the pieces that never get used, are too worn or just don't really fit our style, hopefully making it easier to let go. We like to give second chances sometimes, so we will try to incorporate some into an outfit and if it doesn't work, its out! It will also allow us to take notice of what is missing in our closet, so we can invest in that item as needed. This will be tricky, but we promise to share any "valid" purchases we do make!

I'm really excited about this series, even though I'm not a fan of being in front of the camera, another resolution I need to work on! I also like that this is consistent with the mission of Xiokat, since we are designing and creating quality, one of a kind pieces that we want to own and wear ourselves. We hope to find them a happy home and a happy closet to be a part of!

We will start next week, but in the meantime, here are some links for inspiration :
- Ronnie's Happy Closet series
- Veronica shares some inspirational closets to start the new year!
- Madelynn has been (beautifully!) curating her wardrobe to meet her style with investment pieces that she loves!
- Cuyana is also a brand we love that shares this concept of less is more

If you get inspired and want to join us on our journey, please let us know!

- Xio