So it’s a new year and the airwaves are flooded with new diets, work out plans, tooth whiteners and fads.  So just because it’s a new year, we’re expected to re-invent ourselves?  What if we’re happy with who we are?  That’s not to say that we can’t all use a little improvement here and there, but this call to completely change our image is really just an attempt by marketers to  sell more products right?

Let’s face it, how many of us stick to our New Year’s Resolutions anyway. Sadly, 78% of us fail at sticking with our resolutions.  This year, I decided to reinvent myself without giving in to all the hype and spending a lot of money on trendy items that I’d be tossing next year at this time. Here’s my 2012 plan to be me with a few improvements.

1.)     Investigate my closet and give away anything I haven’t worn in one year.  This included clothing, handbags, shoes, belts, scarves.  This was really tough at first, then I realized that I had items so old that they were actually dusty.   Those had to go.

2.)    Revel in the space you have created.  WOW, look at all of that closet space.  Now that I was left with necessities and favorites only, I would attempt to create a new wardrobe from what I had.  I laid every remaining item out and just began pairing pieces together to create new looks.  I felt like a little girl playing with her Barbie’s.

3.)    Think about events.  I took my favorite little black dress and paired it with a hot pink satin scarf that I had actually never worn before.  The perfect ensemble for an upcoming wedding.  For the casual football party next week, my old jeans, a white blouse and a long sparkly necklace. I even paired a few items that I used to save for the office with funky skirts or skinny jeans to create new outfits for almost any occasion.

4.)    Shop and compliment what you have.  I set a budget and made a list of complimentary items that would complete the looks I had created.  I decided that I needed a new handbag but I would buy a used one from a local consignment shop.  That would be my biggest purchase.  I added a slinky black cardigan to my wardrobe that complimented fancy and not so fancy looks.

So don’t feel like you need to reinvent yourself every year.  Leave the diet plans and tooth whiteners at the store and create a whole new you with your imagination and items you already have.