The Wear Your Joy Project

Dec 5, 2013 | My Creative Practice, Wear Your Joy™

One day I started to get more intentional about what I was wearing, choosing only to wear clothes that delighted my spirit and lit me up. And then I started to share my almost daily #dressedupinjoy selfies over on my Instagram feed.  And then I invited others to join me, using #thewearyourjoyproject as the hashtag. This project has reminded how nothing in this life is superficial – but rather when our hearts speak, we gotta listen. We just never know where it will take us. In this case, it’s taken me to something bigger – it’s not about boots or pairing together perfect outfits. It’s about wearing our joy.

Click here to read the full story of how this project came to be. 
Click here to see/read all the blog posts in this series. 
Click here if you want to follow along in Instagram (use #thewearyourjoyproject to join in!)

I’m reminded how nothing in this life is superficial – but rather when our hearts speak, we gotta listen. We just never know where it will take us. 
In this case, it’s taken me to something bigger – it’s not about boots or pairing together perfect outfits. It’s about wearing our joy. 

– See more at: http://kellyraeroberts.blogspot.com/2013/11/how-cowgirl-boots-have-led-my-heart.html#sthash.1bYSfsJ2.dpuf

I’m reminded how nothing in this life is superficial – but rather when our hearts speak, we gotta listen. We just never know where it will take us. 
In this case, it’s taken me to something bigger – it’s not about boots or pairing together perfect outfits. It’s about wearing our joy. 

– See more at: http://kellyraeroberts.blogspot.com/2013/11/how-cowgirl-boots-have-led-my-heart.html#sthash.1bYSfsJ2.dpuf

Here are a few of my favorite dressed-up-in-joy outfits from the last couple of weeks….

Running a little tired today-been a really focused week but one again #thewearyourjoy project gave me a lift this morning.    These red boots are from a couple years ago and can I just say they are like orthopedic comfy. #grateful #dressedupinjoy
Nothing I love more than a dress/sweater piece. I bought this one a a tiny boutique in Kansas City a couple of years ago – not sure of the brand of it, or the red boots (also a really old pair/purchase) either. The earrings are a favorite staple, by the crazy talented Jen Goff – The Takara Collection. I adore everything Jen creates. Love her style. The skinny jeans are NYDJ (best jeans ever for anyone with muffin top, like me) and the slip dress is a wardrobe essential from Free People. 
Inspired by @lynzeelynx put together a tank top + a long sleeved tunic + one of my vintage slips to create a layered dress. Add in my purple tights and brown boots and I've got today's #thewearyourjoyproject outfit. #whoknew? #dressedupinjoy
My stylist friend, Lynx, taught me how to create a dress “look” with a slip, a cotton fitted tunic (from H+M Basics Collection), and a shirt. The result? LOVE! This shirt is from Tumbleweed, one of my all time favorite boutiques in Portland (and where I got my wedding dress 12 years ago). And the boots are Fryes. Love the pairing of purple and blue…who knew?
In the groove now. Realizing this is a practice like any other practice. The practice of wearing my joy. I did a massive blog post about how this whole thing really started which if I'm being honest was when True was 8mos old and I began to betray myself
I’ve had these l.o.v.e letters on my mirror for years – a good reminder to have some self-compassion. Both the shirt and the ruffle sweater are old Anthro finds and my skinny jean go to brand
This morning I made myself sleep in. Been going full force and the sleep totally helped. Today I am #dressedupinjoy wearing a red shirt John surprised me with last Christmas. Love those rare occasions when he shops for me. I'm noticing that this practice
John bought me this shirt last year for Christmas. He rarely buys clothes for me, but love it when he does! It’s a Free People shirt that he found at Nordstroms. Speaking of Nordies, I’m loving that you can now buy online with free returns/shipping, just like Amazon. Hello, ease.

This week has been so strange. @lacylike and I are working our little booties off, doing things we have never done before for KRR biz.  It means being glued to email system to coordinate with programmers and such. My nerves are a little fried but took a q
Same ol skinnies (I have a couple pair of these that I’m always rotating in/out of the wash). Plus my Old Gringo boots. Plus a favorite shirt I bought earlier this year at….you guessed it, Anthro 🙂

This was yesterday's #dressedupinjoy outfit but the day got away from me and I'm just posting now. Old anthro sweater paired with slip dress and skirt under slip. #fryeboots #thewearyourjoyproject Plenty of "give" in this Thanksgiving outfit!
More layers! Theres a skirt under that ruffle slip dress (from Anthro years ago), paired with a cropped yellow knit sweater I’ve had for years and years. And my go to Fryes. Man, I love boots.  
Wanna join the Wear Your Joy Project? Feel free to join in with me over on Insta (use #thewearyourjoyproject to join in!) or Facebook or your blogs or just in private.

Feel free to join in with me over on Insta or Facebook or your blogs or just in private. 
I hope you’ll learn what I’m relearning: Style isn’t superficial. It’s the call of your heart, made visible — and wearable.

– See more at: http://kellyraeroberts.blogspot.com/search/label/the%20wear%20your%20joy%20project#sthash.jcDO2Zsm.dpuf

I hope you’ll learn what I’m relearning: Style isn’t superficial. It’s the call of your heart, made visible — and wearable.

XO,
Kelly Rae

PS: You guys have been asking for these for a long, long time. I’m finally happy to announce that we have POSTCARDS Packs!!!!! And they’re gorgeous, friends. Frame them. Give them away. Gift them. They. Are. Awesome. And you can get them here! 

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Sending much love,

Show/Hide Comments (3 comments)
3 Comments
  1. Teatime

    Kelly, I love this post about Wearing Your Joy!!! I recently thought, "Why do I spend so much time figuring out what to wear, what to put together and what's this gonna say today?" I decided I just feel better when I put some time and thought in my outfit. I feel better when I think I've succeeded in looking my best for that day. I'm an older "return to college" student and I think I could just throw on the clothes and run in with my hair tied back and no make up and who would really care? It's college, right? But after pondering this question, I realized to look my best is to give my best and it just helps me with the confidence issue and trying to capture that JOY in each day I believe you were talking about. It's about who "I" am and how I express that in my dress is about who I am. I guess everyone has "their" look but some looks are more intentional. I guess I'm all about being intentional these days after starting over in life and realizing my time is shorter now than it used to be in making each day count. Thank you for words of affirmation and inspiration that inspire me to just be ME and allow that to surface. I'm aspiring to be a possibilitarian!! I see it on the horizon and I'm going for it. Love your blog, your art and your inspiration. Funny thing, as I read your "about", I'm studying to go in to social work!! It's just the degree I chose but I feel it's much bigger than that. Your soul touched mine as I read. Keep dreaming and inspiring others to do so as well.

    Reply
  2. jackib

    Wish I could dress my favorite way every day – comfy and just a bit quirky – but I work in a law office and an accounting office. I definitely comfy it up on the weekends and whenever I can!! I recently found your line and picked up one of your scarfs in mashpee (cape cod) ma. Can't wait to get back to that little shop! I also ordered one of your prints online this week and its already on its way to me – yay!!

    Reply
  3. Barbara

    Kelly, I have found this whole idea SO interesting and have been pondering why I don't seem to do this. I do recall when I was in high school I bought an outfit I just loved that was a little "quirky". I got negative comments, especially from guys, that made me think I was so wrong in liking the outfit. Now I realize THEY were wrong and cruel. Another situation happened when I was a young mother. A very beautiful high schooler saw my legs when I was wearing shorts and said, "oooh, your legs look dead". I didn't wear shorts for maybe 15 years after that. A couple of examples of comments that can kill "wearing our joy" and trying to conform, painfully conform. I am not a young, or skinny, woman but I am loving the idea of caring for myself in this way. Because that's what it is. Not just wearing something "different" – it could be a simple pairing of clothing – but wearing something that makes you feel like you are taking care of yourself. Thank you for this!!

    Reply

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I’m Kelly Rae Roberts

Before I picked up my first paintbrush at the age of 30, I was a medical social worker. I followed my creative whispers, and today I’m an artist & Possibilitarian. I’m passionate about creating meaningful art and experiences that awaken and inspire our spirits.

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