Sunday, December 30, 2012

Dec 29th - Outfit #27 - Shopping at the Mall and January's Capsule Sneak Peak

Hello, my dear friends, fellow bloggers and readers! This'll be my last post before 2012 ends, so I'm taking this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy New Year and sending you all wishes for 2013 to be a great year! 

Thank you for your support, your comments, and your viewing this year as I've gone on my 30 For 30 For 12 Fashion Challenge! I do have one month to go (it ends after January), and there's a preview of next month's capsule below. I will also have a surprise for you for my New Year's Eve post - well, a couple. I'm working tomorrow (it'll be dead) so I do have one more December outfit in the works, and I'm going out for dinner and to a party at some friends' for the holiday evening, so there's another Wild Card. I guarantee you that you won't want to miss my outfit - you know I don't go "meh" for a big event! 

Speaking of lack of "meh", this is what I wore to go shopping on Saturday with Elaine:
Why, yes, that is a purple streak in my hair! Elaine had loaned me this "hair chalk" stuff to try over my blonde streak, so I wanted to give it a shot. It got all over my face (and my bathroom sink), and it faded out to a pale lavender by the end of the day, so I gave it back to her with thanks. It was fun for a day.

Don't forget to visit Patti's "Visible Monday" at Not Dead Yet Style!

As you can see, I'm also wearing my new floral tights for some extra colour. I love the bits of orange, pink and purple in them.
I'm wearing my Smoking Lily hot pink skull skirt, last seen here with some rock 'n' roll accessories. As I knew I'd be walking and trying things on, I kept my outfit pieces unfussy and simple: easy-on-my-feet black boots (last worn on Christmas Day), and my navy cashmere sweater, last worn with buttonflowers and an obi here.

It looked a little cloudy, so I donned my orange raincoat and some warm accessories.
This coat has been one of my favourite thrift finds of the year.

Coat (Bebe, thrifted), sweater (Land's End, consignment), skirt (Smoking Lily), boots (Aldo, consignment), tights (Look of London), gloves (Club Monaco), scarf (Danier Leather, thrifted).

So. The Mall. I've come to really dislike the mall. The more I look at the cheap and shoddy quality of the clothing, the more turned off I am by shopping there. However, I wasn't going to let a $100 gift card go to waste! It's been languishing in my wallet for far too long - sorry, Mom!

Elaine and I spent four hours at the mall, and a few stores really stood out to me (no compensation was provided to me for mentioning any of these companies, and my opinion is my own):

  • Danier Leather: Beautiful quality, a Canadian company, and they carry a small selection of Canadian-made items. I'll keep shopping for Danier in consignment and thrift stores - I can't afford their Canadian-made leather items (they are 3 to 4 times the price of the ones made in China), but I'll stalk pieces I love until they go on sale! (hint hint, scroll down).
  • Club Monaco: Gorgeous quality, mostly neutrals, ALL made in China. I'll continue to thrift and shop consignment for my CM fix. This totally bummed me out - I love Club Monaco.
  • Le Chateau: Okay, yes, this store knocks off high-end looks in about 2 seconds flat, but I was shocked at the large amount of clearly-marked "Canadian Made" clothing. The price on the Canadian-made stuff was commensurate with the production (LC is over-priced for the most part anyway), but the quality was impressive. Way to go, Le Chateau! 
  • The Bay: The Bay department store (aka The Hudson's Bay Company, which started out as a fur-trading company) is a Canadian institution. But sadly, I only saw one line - ONE - that was Canadian-made, the Lori M dress collection. Considering that The Bay has been working to upscale themselves, adding lines by Rachel Roy, Lord & Taylor and Coach, to mention a few, how about throwing a few ethically-produced Canadian designers a bone? 
  • Talbot's: Love the quality, but the prices make me gulp. For clothing made in China...yeah, no. I'll continue thrifting my Talbot's.

I don't bother going into crap-quality stores like Aeropostale, American Eagle, and we were too tired to do Reitman's and RW & Co. (two Canadian chain-stores). The mall we went to didn't have a Jacob (there's one downtown), or we would have gone in there - they also carry a small selection of Canadian-made items. I am actually quite cheered that if I need a "mall fix" I can still shop at Le Chateau and Jacob.

Anyway, yes, I spent my gift card. Mom bought me this fabulous red leather purse:
It's Danier Leather and was on sale for $50.00. They had purple, yellow, 2 shades of green, orange, brown, black and turquoise, but I don't have a red purse and my mom is such a red fan, I think she will like this choice.

Check out the inside:
All leather trim and wonderful black and white stripes!

She also insisted that I have these glorious purple gloves:
They were on sale for around $23.00. So soft! They're also Danier Leather.

And although it's not her colour, she threw in this fuzzy toque:
It was marked down to $15.00, and is also Danier Leather. Thanks, Mom!

I hemmed and hawed and tried this on about 6 times. Then I left and came back a couple hours later.
It's one of Danier's Canadian Collection, handmade with Italian leathers. It's butter-soft. The regular price was $799.00 (I know, ouch!), but it was on sale for $349.00. So yes, Merry Christmas to me!

I've decided that, in the way that some people give up booze in January (not me), I will be giving up shopping for clothing/accessories/shoes for the month. I just feel shopped out and frankly...I have a lot of clothes! I don't need anything else right now.

And having just finished spending 3 hours putting together January's capsule wardrobe, and culling some items out of my closet (Book Club babes, you're in for a treat!), I still have a lot of pieces in my wardrobe that have not been worn for this challenge. Those are going to be subjected to my rigourous New Item Test that I'll be implementing as of February/the end of this challenge. I'll elaborate further then, so stay tuned.

Oh, what fun 2013 is going to be! I have a LOT to write about this challenge, and I'm sorting through it in my head so that it will a) make sense, b) be fun to read, and c) be insightful about what makes a capsule work. I also have Major Awards to give out (and will be pointing out those bloggers/sites who are still going strong after 5 years of awards!), which I'll probably do on Tuesday, depending on the level of my hangover. Heh.

But enough blathering, Sheila! On with the Last Capsule of the Challenge!

Here are the shoes!
The magic number of shoes/boots = seven. It's the law. There are 3 new pairs in there! Wee!

Tops, sweaters and jackets:
Lots of new-to-me and new items here! I only have one sweater, but I've learned that in cold weather I prefer more jackets.

"Other" and dresses:
I actually have 4 "other" items, in addition to the two vests above, but they've been slotted in with their main functions as they are multi-use items. Gotta love those!

Skirts:
Me and pants, man. I am just a skirt gal, all the way. There are a few new and new-to-me items here (and one turquoise fringed skirt that is now hung up way out of a little kitty's reach), including two of the last new items that I bought at Dots, a store I won't be shopping in much at all anymore (*sad face*) as 99% of their stock is mass-manufactured. I'll have to go through Dots and check some of the labels of my favourite brands (Noa Noa, InWear, etc.) and see where they're made, but I'm pretty sure it's China.

And even just looking at the pictures above, what do I see? A lot of neutrals. Gee, maybe this capsule has taught me something after all...

Bring on the New Year!

26 comments:

  1. Oh Sheila, I was all ready to be excited about your hot pink skirt and floral tights together with that orange trench coat which is so amazing on you, but then got to your new red leather coat and just stopped there and "chortled" is the best word for the gleeful sound. If I do that just looking at it, what do you do when you actually have it on?

    Glad I found your blog just before you started The Challenge, it's been awesome to follow along - really looking forward to your musings on the whole process. Best in 2013 to you, L, and Vizzini! January ahoy!

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  2. I really like the shoulder of that studded top in next month's capsule! Looking forward to it :)

    I like how you kept your outfit simple but colourful for shopping, and what a productive shopping trip! :)

    Your new bag and coat are beautiful!

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  3. That Danier coat is a stunner and what a great price!

    Have you ever stopped in at Tristann America? I find that quite a few of their products are made and designed in Canada and their quality is great. It is expensive though so I don't shop there very often.

    I could never do one of these challenges I think.

    Happy New Year!

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  4. Happy New Year you gorgeous woman- there's a lot to ooogle at above, but the red leathers as in jacket and purse are singing to me- what beautes! And the teal skirt is something I KNOW will look magical on you. Wishing you a wonderful New Year's eve, and blissful 2013! xo Bella Q the Citizen Rosebud

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  5. Oh, I love pink and orange together!!! And the tights are just sweet! You got some great purchases - I can't help but wonder where you find room for everything.

    Looking forward to the next capsule, and best wishes for 2013!

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  6. It really doesn't look like many pieces of clothing when you look at it this way. But, when I check out your posts I never see anything that even resembles another post. At least with my eyes. I'm anxious to see how you wear the red boots, and those studded lace ups!
    See you in the New Year!

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  7. Lots of beautiful new to you things, Sheila. You always wear the cutest accessories. Love the patterned tights.

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  8. Wow, that pink skirt with those amazing tights -awesome. You have such lovely items of clothing.

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  9. Oh gosh, what a lovely coat. Half-price is such a good deal. That will last forever, it looks so well made. And the colour :-)

    Very much looking forward to your overall capsule recap, I have learned a lot from these. I'm not with you on only wearing skirts (!) but I find the ratio you do of tops/bottoms/shoes etc v interesting, compared to the outfits they generate. And I appreciate the effort that goes into putting together the posts.

    Happy New Year!

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  10. Love those tights, and the orange/red combination, Sheila! And oh my, the leather coat is just a wow piece, so beautiful. Thanks for sharing all the fun with Visible Monday and Happy New Year. xoxoxoxo

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  11. You know it's funny, a friend and I went thrifting on the day after Christmas as I am sure you saw on my blog and she made a comment while we were out that makes so much sense "You just don't find the same variety when you actually go to the mall than you do at the thrift store" I think it's so true! I go to the Mall on occasion - mostly for Bath and Body Works and because my husband isn't a thrifter, but I do think there are better options at the thrift store!

    Anyway I love your new red purse - the color is great and the inside is too fun!! And the orange coat and pink skirt together, love it. Great color combo.

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  12. Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku życzę:))

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  13. Wow! What great finds (especially that red coat). I, too, am learning a lot about my shopping habits through your challenge. I can't wait to read the wrap up (and to see you style that awesome turquoise skirt).

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  14. You braved the mall! Yowzas! I hate the mall and am proud of it :p

    You and mom did real good, tho' :)

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  15. Nice gifts from your mom and the one you chose to give yourself!
    I am trying to figure out the perfect wardrobe for retirement...(Planned for June 2013)
    perhaps your on going challenge will help me navigate this new territory.
    Happy New Year Sheila!

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  16. Your skirt is gorgeous, Shelia. Also, your comments about the stores were interesting...I wish Talbot's would pay attention...they are very expensive. I have found brand new Talbots items at Goodwill in the last year!

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  17. That skirt is some hot pink goodness! Love it. I really love the leather coat you bought. It looks like one that is so soft. It should last a lifetime and look better and better as time goes on. I think you got some great bargains.
    Looking forward to the new year and your fab outfits.
    Happy New Year to you and yours.

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  18. Holy crap! That coat that coat!!! I also love the new bag and other goodies too. The only time of year I go to the mall is when/if I get a Victoria Secret gift card for christmas or birthday or if I need a haircut. Though I found a closer place for cheaper that's not half bad! Although admittedly our mall is pretty much all big department stores and teenybopper crap stores. Certainly nothing locally made or sourced.


    Looking forward to your last capsule of the challenge! And I can't wait to see those purple boots come out to play.

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  19. Love the red leather coat you are going to get so much wear out of it and feel so good about it. Your 30/30 challenge has been so interesting. Cant wait to see what you wrap up synopsis reveals. Have a fab new year.

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  20. It's been so long since I shopped in a mall, as well. I know I'm bound for a shopping trip there this coming weekend with my mother and sister. I won't be spending my money, but it's still hard to wrap my brain around quality, quantity and value. I'll keep in mind your store comments, and will check out RW & Co. The clothes I got at last year's shopping "binge" were all items I was so stoked to buy AT THAT MOMENT, but rarely got any wear over the year. Hopefully that won't be the case this year!

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  21. Hi Sheila!
    Happy NY to you
    Love the review of the shops
    Ithe only shops i go to retail are Forever 21 and H&M
    I find they are good for the prices they charge and they compliment my style i think
    I love the coat oh wow! I find a lot of Danier in thrift shops

    Happy NY to you Sheila

    Ariane xxxx

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  22. oooh, Sheila, are those Wonder Ayers i spy? i've tried on the Wonder Everests and they have the most amazing last and heel for walking, those Ayers are awfully tempting! ooo!! oo! oooo!!!!!

    "And even just looking at the pictures above, what do I see? A lot of neutrals. ...." heehee, the underground mystic neutral mafia's mesmerizing ways are working ;) i'm so happy you have another capsule, it would be to much to have 'Sheila Capsule Withdrawal' right at the end of the holiday season, with the longer nights and extra pounds and drizzly, grey weather......

    for which those tights are the absolute most effective antidote!! Rock on, take care, hugs to your guys, steph

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    Replies
    1. They are indeed the Wonder Ayers! I'm excited to wear them.

      Yes, yes, the neutrals - it's been a learning experience!

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