Leopard Week! Some Casual Leopard

Welcome to Leopard Week! Go here for links to participants.

Now, leopard is not to everyone's taste, but it sure is to mine! I love the luxurious look of it, and it makes me feel like a 40s movie star. I also like that it's a pattern found in nature. Many people have associations of leopard as being "too old" or connoting some crazy old lady who draws on her eyebrows (wait a minute, I draw on my eyebrows!). But give leopard a chance and it can add some zip and zing to an otherwise blah outfit!

Today, I'm busting out my furry leopard skirt:
Last time I wore this (and the time before that), I did a more dressy look, so this time I thought I'd try to do more casual. This outfit would be a kind of dull with a denim skirt, which is what I would normally wear, don't you think?

Oh, and this is a fist-pump:

Second round of interviews is on Thursday! Woot!

As seen above, this leopard pattern has light and dark banding, like on an actual leopard. I felt like I had a full food chain on me: Leopard eats the birds (on the tee), birds eat the bug (in the necklace). Ha!

I also dug out my black velvet gloves with the leopard trim to add a little dash to my outerwear:

I felt very posh as I strolled to town to get groceries.

And of course, one must have some luxury in one's house clothes too:

Leopard slippers!

The stuff:

Comfy boots, leather cuff and necklace.

A close-up:

That's a real beetle encased in the drop (and it glows in the dark!).

Long-sleeved tee (Plum), graphic tee (Truly, Madly, Deeply, consignment), skirt (S&D, thrifted), boots (Indigo by Clark's, consignment), cuff (Catalyst Leather), necklace pendant (some gift shop), leather jacket (work swag), gloves (gift from Elaine).

Leopard Week! The List of Leopard Lovers

Hey, all, and welcome to Leopard Week!

To refresh your memory on what this is all about, we're celebrating our love for leopard pattern, and paying homage to the Queen of Leopard, Ms. Wendy Brandes (she of the fab leopard dress).

This week, break out your leopard clothing, shoes and accessories and show 'em off! This post lists all the folks who are planning to wear some leopard - maybe just one day, maybe Monday to Friday (which is what I'm doing), your choice.

In no particular order, here are our Leopard Lovers:

Laniza - Getting Fine
Pam - Over 50, Feeling 40
Megan - Megan Mae Daily
Ponchmor - The Empress of Goodwill
The Style Crone - The Style Crone
Tat - Rate My Outfit
Lorena - Lorena's Every Day Wear
Secret Squirrel - no blog link, but she bragged about a purple leopard dress and I want to see it!
Bev - Style Underdog
Yvonne - Fashion RECON
Alison - no blog, but she's going to do it!
Jac - Dirty Shiny Pretty
Tessa - Tessa Scoffs
Dreamy Girl - Dreamy Girl
Karen - The Outfits of a Twin Mummy
WeShop - We Shop Therefore We Are
Ann - Annimal House
Emma - Daily Clothes Fix
StephM - Style Sideshow
Genuine Lustre - Genuine Lustre
Sarah - Misfits Vintage
Reva - Reva's Rags 2 Roses
Jentine - My Edit (and check out her leopard dress! I want!)
Anika - By Anika
Goose - Rubenesque
Ray - Fashionable Academics (check out this fab cardi)

Please go visit their blogs and show your appreciation for their lovely leopard!

If you would like to be added to this list, with a link to your blog, drop me a comment and I'll add you.

Weekend Outfits - Winterizing Summer Dresses

I occasionally view my Stats tab on Blogger, just to see what people are looking for when they end up here. By far one of the most searched-for topics is "how to wear a summer dress in winter" (closely followed by "dress like a song" which gets them this post). So they find this post, which I did a couple of years ago in response to a question from Faithful Reader Alison.

Well, here's another post for you folks to find! It's been so freakin' cold the last few days, I swear, my hair is going to crack like shards of ice and fall from my head. Anyway, I've been winterizing some dresses for a couple of special occasions.

Last night, I went as my mom's date to an awards night put on by the athletics club she (and my dad, when he was alive) belongs to. I'm so proud that she won Racewalker of the Year - AGAIN, for the fourth time! I cried with pride as they reviewed all of her accomplishments. You kick butt, Mom!

I spent a lot of money on this dress in London and I aim to get a lot of wear out of it:
As Sal over at Already Pretty will attest, Desigual makes the most divine, interesting and unique clothing I've ever seen. I fell in love with this dress as soon as I saw it, in the Desigual store near Carnaby Street in London. It was 169.00 pounds (over $300 Canadian), making it the most expensive piece of clothing (including shoes) that I've ever owned.

You should see the amazing jackets they make using the same technique of patchwork (if you do an image search on "Desigual coat" you'll see a bunch). I didn't get a jacket, though, because they button up on one side (like this dress does) and they only looked right when they were done up. That's not very practical, in my opinion.

I've worn this dress four times previously (here, scroll through the other stuff - there are some good close-ups in the last post from the first time I wore it), always bare-armed, sometimes with a jacket. This time I added my long-sleeved turquoise tee underneath and I had a cami underneath that! I'm pointing at the rooster, in case you are wondering.

Even with the layer underneath, I was still freezing, so I wrapped this orange scarf around my neck a few times and pinned it in place.

I've got my eye on you!

I wore thick purple tights, wooly socks and boots. This worked quite well to keep myself warm.

Close-up of the top:

Mom gave me this pin for my birthday and I've been remiss in wearing it. I liked how it went with all the different buttons thematically and kept up the round theme with the bird ring.

The stuff:

Dress (Desigual), tee (Plum), scarf (vintage, thrifted), ring (Lavichy), boots (Aldo, consignment).

Today, I went to my regular WW meeting (down a pound! Woo!), and had a bunch of errands to run. I needed to be warm, as it is still trying to snow, and also needed to be light on the scale. Did you know that a pair of jeans weighs nearly 2 pounds?

I'm trying not to cough. But there you have it - same formula: one light dress, one long-sleeved tee, one pair of tights, one pair of boots. Voila!

Dress (Gap, consignment), tee (Press), Boots (Aldo, consignment).

Shades of Green - Interview Outfit

Did I mention I'm also sick? Some sort of sinus/coughing cold thing - gah! Enough already with the sicky-ness! I doped myself up with coffee and cold medication and pretended I was not sick.

So I had my interview - I think it went well. It was for a Project Admin for an IT company. The admin side I'm a pro at, IT not so much, but hey, it's a new challenge, and I do like challenges. We'll see what happens.

At least I know I looked properly professional:
I liked how the two shades of olive/khaki looked together. Jacket last worn here (ha, for an interview!), skirt last worn here (scroll down).

I'm totally layered up for warmth with a cami, the shirt and the sweater vest underneath the jacket.

Blouse and vest last worn together here.

The stuff:

Of course, I did not brave the snow and icy sidewalks in these shoes! I wore little runners and socks and changed just before I got off the bus. I'm so sneaky!

I only wore crystal stud earrings with this - no jangly bits of jewelry.

Jacket (RW & Co, consignment), shirt (Nicole Beniste for Point Zero), vest (Le Chateau, gift from Ruth), skirt (Club Monaco, consignment), shoes (Jessica Simpson).

Work Outfits - Mustard and Brown

Well, the last couple of days have been crazy. First of all, it snowed! Not a little piddly amount, but a foot of snow! You folks who don't live on the West coast don't know how fragile we delicate flowers are out here - we don't get snow very often and it shuts down everything!

Secondly, I don't have my Wed WW group anymore, so one less day of outfits (booooo). However, I did work a meeting today downtown and finished up my Receptionist training tonight. So here's an outfit:
Last wore this sweater here, and this skirt here. It's freakin' cold out, so I'm also wearing a cami under the sweater, a half-slip under the skirt, tights and then socks over the tights.

Classic leg on table pose:

I've had these shoes for ages (last seen here) and I just can't bear to get rid of them, even when I'm in a major clean-out-closet mode.

The stuff:

Kristen and I are the queens of yellow! We do love our mustard.

A close-up:

Pretty scrolly bits.

And...in other news, I have a job interview tomorrow morning (please send good vibes!). I applied online on Monday, and got the call on Wednesday. I was put through a half hour interview right then and there (!) and then they set up the interview for Friday. I have my fingers crossed but I am trying not to get my hopes up. I'll post the interview outfit when I get home and let you all know how it went.

Sweater (Pria), skirt (Liz Claiborne, thrifted), shoes (Unlisted), belt (Anne Klein pour Caleche, consignment), earrings (Plum).

Leopard Lovers of the World, Unite! (aka Tuesday WW Group)

Today's post is dedicated to one of my favourite people on the Interwebs, Wendy Brandes. Not only does Wendy make the most gorgeous "take no prisoners" jewelry, but she is a fashion icon to me. Her recent post on her amazing leopard dress has inspired me to want to wear leopard in solidarity. Leopard has a tough rep at times.

So this coming Monday, I'm going to declare Leopard Week! Wear leopard one day, two days, however many you want - and wear it however you want! Let me know if you're going to participate!

As a warm-up, today I did leopard legs: I know you can barely see them, but they were very noticeable when I walked, and because people were checking out my boots. I picked up these tights at Le Chateau ($9.99 marked down from $25). They're footless (they're not leggings!) which I like with boots because they wear longer (no blown toes).

Anyway, the boots are the ones I bought on the weekend (worn here). I had to wear them again - they are so amazing. Hilariously, I saw another woman who was wearing the same ones! Same colour! Crazy!

The dress is also new-to-me. I got this at a consignment shop a few weeks ago for $25. It's wool, fully lined and has pockets (always a bonus).

The collar folds over to make sort of a stand-up cowl - it has three buttons on the back that do up above the slit at the upper back.

This is just one of my skinny tees under it. The way the shoulders are cut on this dress, I can't do a regular bra with it and it's a bit gapey in the armholes, so I'll probably always wear a top under it.

I like the loose cut of the dress - it's not my usual hourglass silhouette, but is still funky. You can sort of see the big single box pleat on the front, at the dropped waist.

Here's a better shot of the top half:

Isn't that a neat collar?

The stuff:

Good golly, those are awesome boots.

Dress (Club Monaco, consignment), tee (Kersh), tights (Le Chateau), boots (Miz Mooz), watch necklace (Plum), earrings (gift from L).

The 4th Annual Wardrobe Challenge! Round-Up: Vote for Your Favourite!

All righty! The 4th Annual Wardrobe Challenge is at an end, and it's time to vote for your favourite outfit!

Will it be...[dunh dunh dunh! Drum roll!]

Day 1's casual comfort: The burning question: to jean or not to jean? To sleep, perchance to jean?

Warning: excessive alliteration, puns and general silliness can lead to gum disease!*

Or did Day 2 rock your socks?

Does the belt make this pick a cinch? (No socks were harmed during this outfit).

Or did Day 3 charm you?

Perhaps the cunning craftiness with the snake necklace as belt captivated you?

Did Day 4 throw you off-balance with its asymmetry?

My thoughts are all askew and awry!

Maybe Day 5's shopping ensemble entreated you:

Embroidery easily entertains even the ennui-inflicted!

And finally, Day 6 brought louche leopard:

Lovingly layered and low-heeled! And now with 100% more cat!

Well, what's it going to be?
	Day 1
	Day 2
	Day 3
	Day 4
	Day 5
	Day 6
pollcode.com free polls

Can't decide? You can select more than one choice!

*Not a fact. But you should floss just in case.

The 4th Annual Wardrobe Challenge! Day 6 - The Cape at Last

*Yawn* It felt like Inigo and I were the only ones in the world awake at 7am this Saturday morning, but I was filling in at another WW meeting:

The last outfit of the challenge! I have layered an olive sequin-trimmed cami under this (it's underwear, even with sequins!).

Jane, thank you, as always for "hosting" these - I really enjoy them! They're just long enough to really stretch my creative muscle, but not so long that I become really sick of these clothes. I still have a few outfits in my mind that I could make out of these pieces, but I'm looking forward to wearing some of my new-to-me things that I got this week.

Today was the second wear of the skirt, the blouse and the shoes, as well as the belt. And yes, here is the cape...as a cape: I tested this a few ways before I left the house (I wore a scarf and gloves in the morning, but it was warm enough this afternoon not to need them). I didn't like it the above way, but preferred it worn the way I wear it as a skirt, thusly: This was actually very snuggly for walking, although my bulky purse over my shoulder was cumbersome, and I ended up carrying it by the straps. I did a bit of shopping on my way to meet L for lunch, and the cape was a downright pain in the butt whenever I tried to bend over (the slipperiness of the satin lining made it try to go over my head - most annoying).

My conclusion: it's fine as a cape if I'm not carrying anything, or doing anything more than standing around looking pretty (I do that well, hee).

I do have to confess, I didn't wear the shoes out to lunch after my meeting... Um, yeah, I bought these fabulous boots and couldn't resist wearing them. I saw these at a different store in January 2010 and kicked myself for not buying them then, so when I happened to stop in at the shoe store and they were 1/2 price, well, what's a girl to do?

I believe Megan has these same Miz Mooz in black and brown:

But mine are blood red! I'll do a close-up picture next time I do them for an outfit.

For the last time, here are the pieces in this outfit (info on them here):

The 4th Annual Wardrobe Challenge! Day 5 - Shopping Day

I spent the day with my two eldest nieces and my mom - we went to the mall and shopped, had lunch in the food court, then came back to our place and played with Inigo. We also played Fluxx, which the girls loved. Fluxx!

I went a bit more casual again, with the second wearing of the jeans:
Also the second wear of the yellow shirt, the velvet jacket and the teal shoes. The yellow shirt is a bit of a pain because it doesn't lay flat under the jacket (keeps gaping at the boobular region, arg!). I think I'll save it for wearing underneath other stuff.

I wore a teal cami under the shirt:

I also wore the scarf as a belt, tied in a bow at my waist.

Whew! One more day of this challenge (for me). I am not too tired of the clothes this time around, although I have bought some things in the thrift stores and at the mall today that I'm looking forward to wearing.

Here are the pieces in this outfit (info on them here):

The 4th Annual Wardrobe Challenge! Day 4 - Everything's Convertible

I know you were all waiting with bated breath for me to finally wear this skirt:
Today's outfit features two items worn as other than they were originally intended: this skirt (which is actually a cape) and this top (which is a cardigan). I've just wrapped the top across myself and anchored it in place with the elastic belt.

Spoiler! I will be wearing this skirt as a cape for the challenge - I am exending my own personal challenge to Saturday because, frankly, I have lots of ideas for these items and I'm not quite done as of Friday!

Whatever it was originally supposed to be, I do love this skirt:
Blue plaid tights underneath - I also have a blue cami on, just in case the cardi decided to open up on me.

The uneven hem is so cool:

Wore the boots again because I walked to and from town for the Thursday WW meeting.

Wearing the snake necklace as a bracelet today:

It's wrapped around once then looped through itself and pinched closed.

Here are the pieces in this outfit (info on them here):