Thursday, June 6, 2013

More Redderer, Animal Prints and the Blues

I was firmly in 80s territory today.
My boxy silk top gets another outing, following its first appearance here (also an 80s ensemble). I let the bright blue pop on its own this time, instead of going full-on matchy-town. It also set off my new darker red hair (don't worry, it'll fade to bright copper soon enough).

I always forget that when you go darker, the make-up needs to be punched up a bit (eyebrows! lips!).
Another "score!" moment today with this top. Another coworker was wearing a beautiful emerald green one just like, untucked. Hers: new, silk and expensive. Mine: vintage 80s, silk and $8.50 in the thrift store. Bam!

I've had this skirt for ages, since May 2010 (and I thrifted it for $12). I last wore it 4 times in the all-neutral June 2012 capsule (recap here).
I never thought a high-waisted shiny cream pencil skirt would be a wardrobe basic, but there you go.

The stuff:
Along with my Fluevog Listen Up Harlows (these), these leopard pumps used to be my "best shoes" - like, for special occasions only. After more than 5 years of blogging, I'm still amazed at how much my style has changed. I last wore these bad-boy shoes here, with chartreuse; they were excellent for stomping around authoritatively in a gymnasium.

Blingy stuff:
My cheapass Aldo pearls, and my not-even-close-to-cheapass Wendy Brandes rings.

Tonight is book club, and ta-dah! Here is my book.
My make-up is usually melted off by the end of the day, so a fresh face for my gals, and lower shoes so that I can walk to Karen's, about 6 blocks away. I last wore these shoes here (2nd outfit), a couple of weeks ago, with jeans.

That's leopard shoes, giraffe in the belt, and then snakeskin on the other shoes. Triple animal print!

Top (I. Magnin, thrifted), skirt (Bedo, thrifted), leopard shoes (Steve Madden), two-tone shoes (Ramon Tenza, thrifted), necklace/earrings (Aldo Accessories), rings (Wendy Brandes).

So, yes! I chose Stephen King's "Insomnia" (book club is in an hour, so I doubt any of my friends will read this before then). As well as being one of King's more massive tomes, it's one of my favourites of all of his books. It deals with aging and death (duh, it's Stephen King), and it rambles a bit here and there (duh, it's Stephen King), but the main character is an elderly gentleman named Ralph, and he is just awesome.

Anyway, I chose this book because Stephen King is one of my favourite authors, and that feels like something you shouldn't admit in a book club! Like you should be ashamed of reading a "hack" like him. I doubt any of our members have read a book by him - but I have every one! Most of my earliest copies are paperback, and they are inscribed from me to my dad. My dad had dyslexia (not diagnosed until my mom discovered it when she found out my brother also was), and struggled with reading, but he got caught up in the stories of Stephen King and devoured them. I bought them for him for his birthdays and Father's Day, then "borrowed" them back and kept them for myself.

I'm thinking of my dad today (my dad died in 1997) because L's stepdad died last night. Lawrence was 83, and suffered from dementia, as well as many physical ailments. L has always considered Lawrence to be his real dad, so even though this wasn't a huge surprise, it's always a shock and it's rough to deal with. L and I will be heading back to his hometown next week for the funeral/gathering.

Again, my book pick is weirdly mixing with real life. A book about aging and death when an aged relative has died. My last book was Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451", less than a week before Bradbury died.

...and now, I'm going to go drink wine at book club.

12 comments:

  1. I always thought STephen King was a master of pacing. I have to be very careful about reading his work, because once I get started...I tend to read all day. I really enjoyed his book of essays on writing.

    Sorry to hear about L.'s step-dad.

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  2. I'm sorry to hear about L's dad. My condolences to you guys.

    Enjoy your book club! Your hair looks mega fabulous, so rich and red red. I always love how blue looks with red hair, especially that "Alice" shade of blue.

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  3. So sorry for L's loss. No matter their age, we still left breathless when our parents go. Thoughts are with him. Xoxox
    You are looking mighty fine in that chic pencil skirt and triple-animal! Hope you all enjoy the book - I love some of King's books (Esp the Dark Tower series), and I will try this one next. Enjoy club time!

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  4. So sorry to hear about Lawrence.

    Nowt wrong with a bit of Stephen King I say! My husband has a shelf full of King, and have you tried James Herbert?

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  5. Oh such a sad end to your post. I'm sorry to hear about L's stepdad. Thinking of you and your family.

    Seems silly to say, after that, but I do like the blue top and it's accessorised so nicely with the necklace. Hope you have a good book club.

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  6. Loving the hair!! I need to start loking for some silky 80's tops now--i love this outfit!

    Awesome background storyon your Dad and Stephen King love. My dad introduced me to James Michner (that's some bad ass huge tomes for ya) and I'd buy him his books as gifts. When he died I re-read his favorite "Chesapeake" in his honor.

    So sorry to hear about L's stepfather's passing. sounds like he's in a better place now.

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  7. I'm sorry to hear about L's stepdad. I hope he is able to find peace in his passing.

    What a great score on your silk top! And I love the leopard shoes!

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  8. My condolences to you and L, and your other family members at this time, Sheila. Hope you have a fun bookclub.

    I really enjoyed SK's recent one on timetravel, did you?

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  9. Love the 80's look, and REALLY love the darker hair. It looks wonderful on you. Insomnia is one of my favorites by King. I just finished a bit of a Steven King binge lately and re-read several favorites (The Shining, Cell, Under the Dome and The Stand) so I'm done with him for a while, though! Condolences to L and you on his step-dad's passing. It's always hard.

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  10. Well,you look lovely, that cobalt blue looks great with your extra-red hair, and leopard print shoes are always excellent!
    So sorry to hear about the loss of L's stepdad. Expected maybe, but a sad day nevertheless. xxxx

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  11. So sorry to hear about L losing his dad. Glad you are there to support him.

    P.S. I would love a post on how your style has changed since you started blogging! Interesting topic.

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  12. May I say you rock that look with the chunky pearl necklace and printed heels - I love that you mention that your style has evolved as that's one of my favorite parts of blogging.

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