Plush Leopard

Megan Mae's Neutrals Week starts next Monday! I'm so not a neutrals-only gal, so I needed to practice. Today's outfit is pretty simple for me - lots of brown!

I'm sure there are shoes there somewhere.

This is one of my winter wool sweaters - I haven't worn this since...well, I don't know, since I can't find it more recently than the very first time I wore it here. But I only paid $12 for it in 2010, so I don't feel too bad! 

I spent today hauling up boxes from my office's storage room in the basement of our building, going through all the Christmas decorations, and then having to trek out to get lights (seriously, who has only 2 strings of 35 lights for a 6' tree? That's just silly), and then having to exchange a set that didn't work. I then lit the tree - it was a lot of physical work! And I did in heels!

An attempt at a goofy pose - success! I do look goofy.

That's my plush leopard skirt, last seen during Leopard Week. I just wore plain brown tights - I had planned on lacy ones, but they didn't look right once I had them on (and I was worried about them snagging on the tree).

My entire outfit (except for the jewelry) is thrifted! Go, me!

The stuff:

I love those shoes, but my feet were killing me after basically standing and walking and running around doing errands all day.

For a little bit of colour, I did my amber and copper necklace and amber crystal earrings.

Look how furry my skirt is! I love wearing it - I really need to wear it more.

Is anyone else doing Neutrals Week?

Sweater (Banana Republic, thrifted), skirt (S&D, thrifted), shoes (Nine West, thrifted), necklace and earrings (Plum).

Red Legs and Rejects

Ah, it's late - by the time I get home from work (5:15ish), then do my WW meeting and get home (around 8pm), then play D&D (until about 11pm or later), I'm bagged. But I must blog! 

And here it is! After wearing this all day, I've decided that I don't love the jacket or the skirt.

Someone's coming in for a rub!

So into the consignment pile they go. I'll have a good credit built up when I go down there next. 

This jacket is so cool, but it is a smidge too small, and I feel like a hobo in it. This is only the second wear so my cost per wear is sitting at $30. Ouch. I still make purchasing mistakes.

Mr. Snugglypants meows for attention.

I liked the red legs, though.

Vizzini cuddles for about 10 seconds, then he launches himself out of my arms.

The skirt is just...a skirt. It's a nice quality wool, and the pinstripes are good, but eh, I have so many other cooler black skirts. However, this skirt balances out the jacket, because this is my 6th wear of it and it cost $7.00 originally, so I'm just over $1 per wear.

The stuff:

Inigo (top), Vizzini (bottom right) and red mousie (bottom left) investigate.

I took this picture when I got home tonight - my boys had missed me (the mousie, not so much).

Jacket (Dolcezza), sweater (Reitman's, thrifted), skirt (Linda Allard for Ellen Tracy, thrifted), shoes (Enzo Angiolini, thrifted), necklace (Melanie Lynne).

Dotty Monday

Mondays are so hard when you've had a full (and extra long) weekend! I went with an old tried and true outfit: button-down shirt under my wool strapless dress:

This is my micro-polka dot shirt, and this dress has had a lot of wear over the couple years that I've had it. 

I liked the polka-dot tights with it:

So did Vizzini!

The light is so non-existent in the mornings now - plus it's freezing outside! I might have to cut back on the stair shots until winter is over.

 I look very cold there. I think my eyes are closed from shivering.

The stuff:

My heavenly Fluevogs - the Listen Up Mansfield. One of our clients today said I looked like I was ready to do the Lindy!

I've worn nearly all the same accessories - shoes, belt and earrings - together previously.

Don't forget to check out Visible Monday!

Blouse (Jacob), dress (Club Monaco, consignment), belt (Smoking Lily, consignment), wrist wrap (Club Monaco), ring (Aldo), earrings (Foxy), tights (Esprit). 

An Adventurous Weekend!

I hope all you US folks had a good long weekend! I had a very busy one - primarily, because we went to our friends' wedding on Saturday evening.

This is what I wore:

The amazing Tierre came over on Friday and brought the two hats she'd made for me to choose. I thought this teal one was incredible and would perfectly suit the occasion.

I built the outfit around the hat. That's my Smoking Lily jacket with a teal camisole underneath. I added my blue lacy tights to help tie in the blue and teal mix.

The skirt is new - I got it at Dots several weeks ago. It's another Naughty brand item (same as this dress and this jacket). It was $23.99 (that's with 30% off). I love the burnout velvet floral design and the random rhinestones (easiest to see in the first picture) - it also has lots of sequins along the waistline, but they're hidden by the jacket in these photos.

The skirt has a really uneven hemline (on purpose), including a very long piece on the left side that drips down to nearly the ankle.

The dark sections underneath are actually a navy blue full slip and my Noa Noa sheer netting blue underskirt - that very high section is the back of the skirt! Way too high for me to feel comfortable - I was scared I'd be showing my butt!

I thought this was the funniest label - this is the skirt's content tag:

Really? 100% unknown fiber? You couldn't guess? I am pretty sure the skirt is silk.

There is something so forbidden about wearing denim to a wedding! But this lovely jacket is the exception, I'm sure.

A good shot of all the blues and teals. I was quite pleased with the colour combination.

The jewelry is a mix of vintage (the necklace), locally made (the ring) and cheap stuff (the earrings):

I got many compliments on the necklace (and actually the entire outfit).

Here's a better look at the hat:

Isn't it stunning? It's held onto my head with an elastic that's hidden in my hair.

Of course, Tierre's label is inside.

Tierre, you did an amazing job! Thank you so much!

My good ol' teal shoes:

Jacket (Smoking Lily, consignment), cami (Smart Set), slip (vintage), skirt (Naughty), tights (Silks), shoes (Me Too), necklace (vintage), ring (Oscar & Libby's), earrings (Jacob).

L also dressed up in a mix of navy, grey and purple.

 Finger guns!

His blazer is navy blue velvet, the vest is a navy blue pinstripe, the shirt is purple/grey floral, the tie is purple and blue striped, and his pants are a dark grey. Oh, and he's wearing navy Fluevogs. Very stylin'!

Backing things up (I knew you'd want to see the wedding outfit first, see how considerate I am?), this was my Friday hanging out with L, going for lunch and going to Winesday outfit:

 I liked how the two black and white patterns went together.

This sweater drove me nuts over the day, though. It totally bagged out and stretched. Looks like it'll be a home-only sweater.

 I love this skirt.

My outerwear picture:

 I have been getting a lot of wear out of my leather jackets!

Jacket (Le Chateau, consignment), sweater (Banana Republic, thrifted), skirt (J.J.F, consignment), boots (Gabor), watch necklace (Plum).


During the day on Saturday, I wore my "jammy dress" - I was slightly hungover from Winesday (a lot of wine, hot-tubbing, lots of food, and a very late night!).

 Whenever I wear this dress, I'm either sick or hungover. Hee. Be warned.

Dress (I.N.C.), boots (Aldo, consignment).

Part of my Friday was spent driving to Sidney and back to recharge our car's battery after some crackhead rooted through it and then left the door open overnight.

I took the camera - check out the lovely waterfront as we head back into town:

It was a lovely day!

Driving by Elk Lake:

 I always say hi to my dad here - he died 14 years ago and we scattered his ashes in the lake.

I used to go swimming and canoeing here as a kid.

 Still some yellow leaves on the beech trees.

The hills in the distance across the lake.

There is a path all the way around Elk Lake that takes you to Beaver Lake (they join). It's 7 miles all the way around. I have walked it many times.

This is the other end, where the boathouse for the rower is. Canada's Olympic rowers train here.

I am so lucky to live in such a beautiful place.

I am also very thankful for my lovely kitties:

 Sleeping on L's legs. Vizzini has his eyes open, but Inigo is conked out.

 Inigo surveyed the room from atop the scratching post.

And then watched us from the top of the bookcase.

He also gave his little brother a bath.

Happy weekend!

Lacy Legs and Green Tweed

...And my work week is over! Although I am Canadian to the bone, every year I take US Thanksgiving off (and usually the following Friday) and watch football with my guys. Tonight, I am cooking up a big pot of chilli (with spicy turkey sausage and bison and lots of beans, yum!). 

This cardigan was the most expensive item from my VV boutique shopping trip on the weekend:

It was all of $14.99. It's wool, poly and cashmere, but is nice and thin (I don't like bulky sweaters). I really liked the design down the front and the nice neckline. Why are so many sweaters turtlenecks? I'd rather wear a scarf.

This is my green tweed skirt (2nd outfit) that I've had for years (I can't believe I haven't worn it since February!):

It has such nice shape. I'm not as big on the shape of the sweater (I'm just wearing a slip under it); I think I might wear a button-down shirt under it next time for more structure. It's a Sears brand.

The stuff:

A better look at the detail down the front of the sweater. It has 24 hook and eye closures (I counted), and the pattern is all embroidered, with a bit of black beads on the bigger areas.

The shoes are my heeled loafers. Very comfy!

The jewelry:

I had a cuff on (it's in the top two pictures), but I took it off halfway through the day because it kept snagging on the sweater. That's my Grandma J's jet necklace, and some cheapy sparkly earrings.

Cardigan (Attitude, thrifted), skirt (Precis Petite), shoes (Kate & Mel), necklace (50s vintage, Grandma J), earrings (Jacob).

Happy Thanksgiving to my US friends! I'm taking tomorrow and Friday off, but I'll be back on Saturday - I have a wedding to go to. I'm meeting with Tierre, my milliner, on Friday to choose a hat - so exciting! 

Desigual Bargain

Woo, it was windy (and still dark out) when I took my picture this morning. I feared for my poor little camera - one gust and kerplooie!

And yes, this is a Desigual skirt (I have a jacket, this dress and this dress as well), and as I said on Sunday, yes, this was $9.99 at the VV boutique! Score! Thanks to Leslie for pointing it out!

Because it's chilly out (and it rained all day, and it is supposed to rain all weekend, arg), I layered my Noa Noa pouffy skirt underneath. The skirt also has an uneven hem, so that helped make it look a little less cuckoo for the office.

That's my grey Camden Town jacket that I got in London in 2010.

Showing the hemline:

 I did fishnets and my pretty metallic bow shoes.

The design on the skirt is printed buildings on the background, with a spill of white flowers, leading to the "ransom note" design that says "We [heart] colour."

The large greenish flower is hand-sewn fabric cording, and the big flowers near the border are sort of iron-on images (rubbery). The letters in "We [heart] colour" are individually sewn on; the "e" and the second "o" are black sequins on white background. The fabric is a viscose - very thin t-shirt-y material. It had nice flow and movement.

The back of the skirt is, unfortunately, not patterned. It just has the "Desigual" name and a stylized nib pen. I think this skirt probably sold for around $80 new, so I'm very happy with $9.99! 

I could only take one picture before Vizzini tried to take off with the earrings. Bad kitty!

Jacket (unreadable label), top (Planet), underskirt (Noa Noa), patterned skirt (Desigual, thrifted), tights (Esprit), shoes (Jeffrey Campbell), earrings (swap from Tina).

Leopard and a Devil Kitty

First, some exciting news! I've been featured on Imogen Lamport's blog: Inside Out Style! Check it out here - thanks so much, Imogen! And don't forget to visit Patti's Visible Monday!

Today I wore the leopard-print dress that I picked up at the VV boutique. Ever since I was a teen, I've never called it "Value Village". It's either "the VV boutique" or "Val-oo Vill-ahj" (like "Tar-jay"). Hee!

This dress was $9.99 - it's a nice bouncy jersey polyester/spandex blend (it washed beautifully). It's a total basic for all year 'round - it even has short sleeves! 

It's layered with a rust-coloured cami underneath, blue tights, and a plain black suit jacket with a belt over top. 

The boots are actually a very dark brown, so all the shades of browns blended nicely. I had to do the pop of blue legs to go with my Megan Mae buttonflower wrist corsage!

I dearly love those boots, but man, my feet are so happy once they're off! The striped heels rock my world, as do the zippers that go all the way from the top of the foot right up the shin.

The stuff:

A good shot of the button flower - thanks to Megan for sending this to me, and thanks to Ally for donating the ties! The ring is new; it was $2.00 on clearance. The bendy necklace was a gift.

Dress (Majora, thrifted), cami (InWear), jacket (Max Studio), boots (Rebecca Blind Faith Hi, Fluevog), cuff (Megan Mae, gift), necklace (gift from Elaine), ring (Lavishy).

Vizzini has been terribly misbehaving lately. Today, he's been jumping onto the kitchen counter (he gets the squirt gun and many loud "NO!"s).

On the weekend, he decided to go after this man's glasses.

Fortunately for that man, he is on TV and not in front of a mischievous kitten.

Vizzini seemed puzzled by the weather report:

He looks very quizzical.

After all the squirting and yelling, he retreated to his paper bag:

And now he is drying off on my lap.