May 31st - Outfit #28 - Retro Cowgirl and June Capsule Preview

Well, this is it! Last day of May, last day of my May wardrobe capsule. I've enjoyed this month, and I'm looking forward to recapping it this weekend. 

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Here's today's outfit:

I had to get another wear of this vintage blouse in, as I only wore it once (here). Until I wore it today, I was positive that I was going to pass it along, but now I'm reconsidering. It fits great, I love the retro look of it (duh, it's actually vintage, probably from the late 50s/early 60s)), and I have a tough time finding cool patterned shirts. Hmmm....going to have to do some thinking.

I also wanted to wear this great suede skirt one more time. I wore it more at the beginning of the month (last time here), but I really like the cut of it.

And one more wear of my cowboy boots (last seen here). These have broken in nicely over the past few months since I bought them - they weren't tight to begin with, but they've just hit that comfy place now. I'm sad not to wear them again until 2013!

Added my Grandma J's vintage leaf necklace, this fun suede belt and a jade ring of Mom's from the 70s - everything in this outfit, except for my big gold hoop earrings and the belt is second hand.

Blouse (no label, vintage, thrifted), skirt (Danier Leather, consignment), boots (Two Roads, consignment), belt (Aldo Accessories), necklace (Lisner, Grandma J, vintage early 60s), ring (Mom's, vintage 70s).


And....here we go: a preview of my June capsule 30-item wardrobe:

Yup, it's all neutrals! Cream, white, mushroom, taupe, black, brown, and grey. Lots of pattern and texture, but no colour.

Here are the shoes:

Not a speck of colour there either, not counting the red lining in those black pumps. This is going to be a huge challenge for colour-loving me, to see if I can a) keep my sunshine-y demeanor going without colour to help me out and b) to incorporate colour in other ways, via accessories and eep! toenail polish (it's been a while since I did my toes).

I was thinking about this capsule today at work, as I looked at the rain pour down, and thought that I had put only open-toed shoes/sandals in this capsule. Phew, I am relieved that there are some closed-toe shoes in there!

So...what do you think? An all-neutral capsule? For a whole month? Can it be done??

May 30th - Outfit #27 - One More to Go!

Thank you all for your words of support while I was cranky. I am happy to report that Madame Crankypants has left the building. It helped to wear some really bright colour today.

This is my lovely blue top, last seen here, with a yellow cami under it (cami not in the capsule). I've put it with my green tweed mystery skirt, last seen here.

I reviewed my handy-dandy capsule wardrobe spreadsheet last night to make sure I have gotten enough wear out of all of the items in May's capsule. How much is enough? I don't know - enough!

One more wear for these awesome shoes (last worn here). Everything I'm wearing today is staying in my closet.

Top (Oxmo), cami (InWear), skirt (no label, thrifted), shoes (Hilary Radley, consignment), earrings/necklace (Lavishy).

I spent some time last night finalizing my June capsule. I admit it: I am insanely excited to change capsules, because I am doing something totally different next month. It will be a huge challenge for me! And you know, I do like a challenge.

I'm off on Friday and Monday, giving myself a long weekend around L's birthday. I'll be spending all day Friday out and about, wandering around town with him and our friends, and Saturday is his big birthday bash. I sense a Wild Card outfit!

I'll be posting a preview of my June shoes and clothing items tomorrow night with my last May outfit. Stay tuned later this weekend for the first June outfit(s) and for the re-cap of May's capsule.

May 29th - Outfit #26 - Blue and Floofy

I find myself rather cranky today, so I'm going to keep it short.

Blue sweater - great colour, not huge on the fit (makes me look very booby), but it's good enough to keep (for now). Last worn here.

Desigual skirt with additional blue floofy underskirt business going on.

There, you can see it better. The uneven hem of this skirt (last worn here) lends itself well to layering.

The blue suede shoes were last worn just a couple of days ago, here.

This is the first time I've worn this silk Smoking Lily obi "backwards," with the grey facing out instead of the purple. This is what it usually looks like.

My accessories are my little snake bracelet, simple silver hoops, a tile charm on a chain and Wendy B's lapis lazuli ring.

Sweater (Plum, thrifted), skirt (Desigual, thrifted), underskirt (Noa Noa), shoes (Feet First), obi (Smoking Lily, consignment).

May 28th - Outfit #25 - Pattern Mixing!

I felt so daring today: I mixed patterns! 

I usually play with texture more than I play with patterns, but when I held this sweater up to this dress (yes, it's a dress, last worn here, 3rd outfit) I loved how the stripes played off the floral.

This is the second wear of this sweater (last worn here, 2nd outfit) and it will not be staying in my closet. I really like it, but I think the neckline is not quite right for me. Too high, and that pucker-y thing isn't the greatest on me. Oh well, I only paid $11.00 for it, and I've now worn it 3 times on the blog and a few times around the house. That's good cost per wear, right there.

One of my colleagues complimented me on the scrolly leaf earrings and the metal hip belt. "They don't quite match, but they go," she said. Exactly! I'm also wearing a simple stretchy red coral/silver bracelet.

Someone's lurking!

I love these shoes, last worn here. My Kermit shoes will never leave my closet!

Sweater (Banana Republic, thrifted), dress (Desigual), shoes (Poetic Licence), earrings/bracelet (Plum), belt (gift from Mom from London).

May 26th - Outfit #24 - Green and Blue Day

Yesterday, I got up early and went to my WW meeting. I thought I'd try wearing this Smoking Lily dress backwards for a change of pace.

I last wore this dress here - and I am going to miss wearing it when June's capsule kicks in. Heck, I'm going to miss wearing it for the rest of the year!

I'm also wearing my Smoking Lily obi:

And of course, my blue suede shoes (last seen here). I love how the blue and green and purple all work together.

The back:

I do like versatility in my clothing!

I wore this out to lunch, walking around town doing errands and going to a birthday dinner for a friend.

Don't forget to check out Patti's Visible Monday!

Dress and obi (Smoking Lily), shoes (Feet First), earrings (local).

May 25th - Outfit #23 - Casual Colourful Friday

Woo! Happy Friday, everyone!

I would be more excited if I didn't have 3 hours of WW training to go to in about 20 minutes, but ah well. At least I'm colourful.

This is only the 2nd wear for this denim shirt (last seen here) - I thought I'd worn it once more, but will have to rectify that this weekend, perhaps. The green cami underneath is not a capsule item.

The purple skirt gets its third wear (last seen here, 2nd outfit). I'd thought that I would toss it into the swap bag after this capsule, but I think I might keep it as a summer item. It's awful with tights/hosiery, but nice with bare legs. And maybe I'll just keep my eye out for a better quality, lined purple skirt!

I'm on my 7th wear of these shoes - they are definitely a favourite. I last wore them here.

My flaming skull belt and some silver and purple charms on my necklace helped to pull all the colours together.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Shirt (Mexx, consignment), cami (RW & Co.), skirt (Jacob), shoes (Prepare Guides, Fluevog), belt (consignment).

May 24th - Outfit #22 - Yellow and Mellow

As I near the end of another month, I feel like I need to make sure that every piece gets worn at least once; I check my trusty spreadsheet to see how pieces are doing, and I review everything on its hanger in the closet. I rehang stuff I've just worn on the right of the bar, so that it gradually works back to the left - that allows me see what hasn't been worn in a while. I select things out of the centre too. 

Today, it was the vest and the shirt that got pulled out and matched up.

This is the second wearing of this shirt (last seen here), and while I liked this outfit better than the last one as far as comfort went, I'll still be giving up this piece at month-end.

This is the third wearing of the vest (last seen here). I'm keeping it - I love a good sweater vest.

I'm completely in love with this skirt; this is its fourth wear (last time here, 2nd outfit). I've only worn the shoes 3 times now (last worn here), but I'll be wearing them again at least once more.

I'm so happy to be bare-legged again - it's always a weird transition period between "my leg colour is part of my outfit" to nude hosiery to bare legs. I do hate shaving more frequently though!

Shirt (Ralph Lauren, thrifted), vest (Le Chateau, swap from Ruth), skirt (Talbot's, consignment), shoes (Feet First).

May 23rd - Outfit #21 - Game Night

Well, I'm tired. My company had a "Games Night" and since I'm on the Social Committee (of course I am!), and I love games, I had to participate. We had Subway, beer, wine, pop, and played all kinds of board games. I brought a bunch of Fluxx games, but played Settlers of Cataan and Carcassonne. I kicked butt at Carcassonne, heh heh. 

And this is what I wore:

The second wear of the block-y sweater that doesn't suit me. I feel like I have to at least try to work items into more outfits, even if I know that they aren't going to survive the cull at the end of the month. Besides, I like how the pale green of the stripe goes with the pale green tweed of the skirt. I last wore the sweater here (2nd outfit).

I love this mystery skirt (last worn here); there's no chance of me giving it up.

Even belting the sweater didn't help.

This is only the second wear of the shoes (last worn here) this month, which is a shame, because they are great shoes and very comfortable for a 3" heel.

I was asked in the comments the other day if any of my coworkers have noticed the repetition in my clothing. Yes, they have, but then most of them know about my challenge. They like to see my different outfits, and especially respond to the brighter coloured ones, although in outfits like this, I get more comments on the specific items, like the skirt or the shoes.

Sweater (Guess, thrifted), skirt (no label, thrifted), shoes (Hilary Radley, consignment), belt/bracelet (Club Monaco), earrings (Plum).

May 22nd - Outfit #20 - It's Easy Being Green

I took some inspiration from the lovely Patti's mixed greens and went all out:

Yes, I did get a few St. Patty's Day jokes, but it's all in good fun.

This is my green cardi (last seen here), my green ruffle-front tux shirt (first seen here this month), this is my second wear of the green shiny lace skirt (last worn here, and NOT worn with nylons this time!), and yet another wear of the Kermit shoes (last worn here, 2nd outfit).

Kermit may not have had fun being green, but I am a fan.

I don't have a green belt (I know! Shocking!), so I made do with this skinny aqua one (the shoes have aqua stones on them - yay, matchy!). I'm also wearing yet another shade of green earrings.

Cardigan (Kersh, consignment), blouse (Esprit), skirt (Alfred Sung, vintage 80s, consignment), shoes (Poetic License), belt (Bianca Nygard), earrings (Shi Studios, gift from Sherylyn).

May 20th - Outfit #19 - Long Weekend Part 2 - Shopping Stuff

Yesterday, the lovely Lorinda and I met up for lunch and some thrift shopping again (last time was here). We had a good time, but my luck was off - or I've gotten very fussy about my shopping picks! Not sure, but it was still a good time. Thanks, Lorinda!

I wanted to be comfy, so it was just a simple outfit: the green top (last seen here, 2nd outfit), the denim skirt (last worn here) and the cowboy boots for walking (last seen here, 2nd outfit).

The outfit without my yellow leather jacket:

You can see the nice cut of the top there.

But I like the bright yellow. This is what I had on most of the day.

I have some very dangly earrings on, and my Shi Studio belt/buckle.

Jacket (Danier Leather), top (Limited, consignment), skirt (Smart Set, consignment), boots (Two Roads, consignment), belt/buckle (Shi Studio), earrings (LA Express, 90s). 


Here's my single purchase:

It's a handmade skirt (no lining, simple stitching, although awesome box pleats), but I love the waffle fabric and the cool paint splatter pattern. Henceforth, it shall be known as my "paint splatter skirt." It has red, brown, lime green and yellow, with bits of pink and even a bit of pale blue. It was $13.50.

Someone else found it interesting too:

Such a curious kitten.

Ah, last day off! But at least this will be a short week!

I'm so bad - I totally forgot to link up to "Visible Monday" over at Patti's "Not Dead Yet Style"! Be sure to check out all the visible ladies!

Outfits #16 -18 - May 18-20th - Long Weekend Part 1 (and Vizzini Pics)

I'm meeting up with the gorgeous and shopping-compatible Lorinda today for lunch and some thrift shopping! I'm so excited - this is our second lunch/shopping expedition together (last time was here).

I'm enjoying my extra-long weekend most thoroughly. On Friday, I headed downtown to meet up with Ange for lunch and to give her a little birthday present. I ran into L shortly thereafter and we went for lunch. I did a little b-day shopping for L in the afternoon. 

This is what I wore:

It's the second wear for my Smoking Lily dress (last seen here). I have a long navy vintage slip on under this (you can see a bit at the neckline).

Added my vintage 80s Le Chateau leather belt:

...and my aqua Prepare Guides Fluevogs (last worn here). L said he will be happy when this month's capsule is over so that he doesn't have to see these anymore. Ha!

I'm sad that I won't be able to wear them again until this challenge is done.

The pattern on the hem is very subtle.

It's cooled off a bit, so I added my white leather jacket.

With my red purse, I felt very nautical.

I got this in Vancouver at the Aldo outlet:

It's Mat & Nat and is vegan. It has a fuzzy texture. It was around $40.

I got the necklace at my company's recent Swap & Sip - the beads are stone and glass.

I like red and aqua together!

Jacket (Le Chateau, consignment), dress (Smoking Lily), shoes (Prepare Guides, Fluevog), belt (vintage 80s, Le Chateau), necklace (swap), cuff (Shi Studios), earrings (Plum), ring (Wendy Brandes).

I met L and Nick back downtown for a drink - I had to change.

This may actually be one of my favourite outfits this month. I wanted it to look a bit like a fancy dress, so I kept all the colours pretty close. 

I last wore the blouse here, and the skirt here (with the same shoes). 

I really love the fit of that blouse. It's a keeper.

I did a bit of walking around as we met up with Karen, then went for dinner.

I liked the contrast of the chartreuse with the orange. I last wore the jacket here (2nd outfit).

Jacket (Alison Wonderland, consignment), top (Michael Kors, consignment), skirt (Talbot's, consignment), shoes (Hale Bob), belt (Club Monaco), cuff (SkinZnHydez), earrings (Plum).

We played Ulty yesterday, so I wore just this dress on its own to the field and for lunch afterwards.

This is basically a more relaxed version of this outfit, when I wore the dress last.

We had friends over last night to play board games. Fun times!

Dress (Desigual), shoes (Prepare Guides, Fluevog).


Vizzini has been very cute lately.

He likes to hang out on the post on the deck when it's sunny.

He's purring away here:

I love his little white soul patch.

He seems like he's made of rubber: he contorts into the strangest positions.

Crow!

 He spots the string on the camera:

I had to hide it quickly or he would have attacked.

He's still very easily distracted.

Seagull!

 Then he spots someone on the sidewalk and goes into "vulture mode."

Happy weekend, everyone!

May 16th - Wild Card and May 17th - Outfit #15 - She-Hulk

Last night, I went with my Mom to see my two oldest nieces dance at an all-ages recital at the university auditorium. It was pretty long, starting with 3-year-olds doing "Teddy's Bears' Picnic" to 50+ year-old women doing ballet - it's all about the love of dance. I don't dance, aside from getting my bad self down to some party tunes, but I love to watch it.

My nieces were so awesome; they each were in multiple numbers. Zoe's so graceful - 12 going on 17, that one is - she'll be even more lovely as she gets older. Hannah's very athletic and strong - she does whatever she sets her mind to. I admire them both and I was so proud of them last night. I had to dress up and use my one Wild Card outfit for this special occasion.

It was a bit cleavage-y but I do like to put the girls out there once in a while, ha!

I love this dress. I got in London two years ago, in May 2010 (here, scroll down past Camden Market and the Tower of London). I last wore it here. I'm wearing the $5.50 thrifted elastic/leather/eelskin belt that I wore for one of my steampunk outfits (here, first outfit).

I'm also doing my blue cropped cardigan (Sal at Already Pretty was just talking about those as a layering piece for summer - how's that for timing!).

I last wore it here. And that's a yellow Aldo leather purse that I got a couple of years ago on consignment. I'm also wearing a vintage silver bracelet (the infamous "pee bracelet").

Without the cardi so you can see the nice cut of the dress:

No special bra needed - yay!

I had to wear really cool shoes - I knew the girls would notice.

I did at 60 second pedicure. Thank goodness for quick-drying nail polish!

I've had these shoes for nearly a year. I last wore them here.

Dress (Lirub), belt (vintage 80s, thrifted), cardigan (Jessica, consignment), shoes (Locale), purse (Aldo, consignment).

Today marks the debut of the last "fresh" item in the May capsule: this chartreuse velvet jacket:

I bought it on consignment back in Feb 2010 for $30. It's a local company, I think. I last wore it here, back in March 2011! Yikes!

I'm not sure why it took me so long to wear it, since I really liked this outfit and got several compliments on how nice all the colours looked. Dang it, I need to wear this more - I like it!

This is my green t-shirty top underneath (last worn here), and the purple cotton pencil skirt that I grouched about here.

And the Kermit shoes are back! I last wore them here.

I felt a little bit like the Incredible Hulk in my allover green with purple bottom - rar, She-Hulk! Hee hee!

The stuff:

I like to mix vintage jewelry with modern. The belt belonged to my Mom, is from the 60s - I'm sad to say that I removed chain swags and tassels from it in the 80s (although I did wear it in all its glory at least once with bigass harem pants in 1985).

The cicada earrings always freak a few people out (heh).

Jacket (Alison Wonderland, consignment), top (Limited, consignment), skirt (Jacob), shoes (Poetic License), belt (vintage 60s, Mom's), earrings (Erica Wiener).

Today is my Friday, as I took tomorrow off! Woo! It's Victoria Day long weekend, as Megan explains very well here (and go see how much better my Smoking Lily skirt looks on her!). Happy long weekend!

May 16th - Outfit #14 - Old and Orange

Today was a nice quiet day. My outfit wasn't loud or bright, but I liked it.

For some reason, I had it in my head that I'd worn all the "fresh" items in the capsule for May. Not so! I still have 2 left. The fact that I haven't worn one of them until now (and one is still in the closet) makes me wonder why I have them at all.

This blouse is making its first appearance. I bought it a couple of years ago off a clearance rack at a thrift shop for $2.00. I first wore it here in May 2010 (with my Manolos!), and also here (Nov 2010), and here (Feb 2011). It's vintage, probably the late 50s/early 60s.

I last wore the sweater vest, the orange tweed skirt, and the shoes here - it's basically a repeat outfit with a different blouse and accessories! That feels so...forbidden...to me - as a fashion blogger, I think we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to always be creating new outfits instead of repeating old favourites with minor variations. Do you guys feel like that sometimes?

I busted out more vintage for the jewelry:

The bracelet was "liberated" from Mom's jewelry box in the mid-80s, and I bought the earrings at an antiques fair about 8 or 9 years ago.

I wore my new-to-me denim pea coat today, as it's cooled down a bit in the mornings:

Vizzini looking like his usual psychotic self - would you believe he's being very lovey there?

Wearing my silver Uggs for walking.

Blouse (no label, vintage 50s/60s), vest (Le Chateau, swap from Ruth), skirt (Talbot's, consignment), shoes (Hale Bob), earrings (vintage 50s/60s), bracelet (Mom's, vintage 50s/60s), coat (Armor Jeans, consignment).