Monday, October 7, 2019

Birthday Week: Bookish and Brocade Regret-Me-Not

Welcome to Birthday Week! I love celebrating my birthday and upping my outfit game a bit.
I kicked myself last night for even thinking about getting rid of this wonderful cream brocade blazer, and retrieved it (and the blouse!) out of the giveaway pile. What was I thinking?


  • Blazer - Le Chateau, consignment; last worn here in October 2018 with sheer bronze stripes
  • Blouse - H&M, thrifted; last seen here in March with green velvet and tweed
  • Skirt - J. Crew, consignment; purchased here for $49.99
  • Shoes - Queen of Prussia Louise, Fluevog; last worn here in January with double velvet


Nancy linked up to me today as an example of a blogger who keeps track of her cost-per-wear. It's true! I know how many times I've worn most items and how much I paid for it (from there, I'm able to figure out my cost-per-wear).

But I don't have it on a spreadsheet or anything. I track through my links back to the previous time I wore each item; I just click through and count, then do a little math. The smartest thing I did when I started Ephemera way back in 2008 was to start linking back to the "last time seen/worn" and to keep it up on every garment. I'm able to backtrack a long ways for things I've had for a many years.

Like this blazer! I bought it here in September 2012 for $20.98, so it's over 7 years old, and I've worn it over 30 times! Under a dollar per wear - that's awesome.
 Anyway, I have rescued it - it's a regret-me-not. It's gorgeous quality, a great fit and has cool shoulders (not padded, but almost sculptural).

The turmeric blouse is crappy H&M quality (which is why I'd tossed it), but is a really useful colour and style. I'm keeping it until I find an upgrade version.
I know you're all staring at the skirt - isn't it cool? It's called the Library print; each one of the "frames" is a library. For a better look at the print there's a picture here. It's very appropriate for me, as I've always been bookish.

Pockets!
 I had a few coworkers feel it - it's silk, very soft. It had good Swoosh Factor - about a 6.

We still have days when it's gloomy/rainy, but not that cold out.
All I needed was a silk scarf and some wool gloves.


  • Scarf - Pierre Balmain, vintage 80s, thrifted
  • Gloves - Parkhurst


The stuff:
I think these heels might have gotten higher over the past 6 months - my feet are pretty tired after a busy day, even though I took the elevator vs. the stairs. They are actually comfortable when I'm not standing or walking a lot.

Tortoiseshell bling:
Had to sneak my real Pierre Balmain 80s silk scarf in there - it's so lovely.


  • Belt - Talbots, thrifted
  • Bracelet - J. Crew, thrifted
  • Earrings - Hamilton
  • Amber ring - c. 1996
  • Spinner ring - Twang & Pearl (purchased on the same day as the blazer!)


I liked how the leopard belt went with the tortoiseshell patterns.

My dear colleague Emily gave me a birthday present:
She said she wanted to give me a Zentangle, since I'm always giving mine away. Aw! So sweet!

24 comments:

  1. The shoes are really cute, if you can handle the discomfort. Nice outfit.

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    1. Usually I can! My feet have been very sensitive lately.

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  2. I too was swooning over a crappy quality fake-silk blouse in H&M (I think) I really REALLY wanted it to be real silk but knew I would end up a whiffy-armpit-mess if I bought it.
    If you EVER find a warm toned and bright bright yellow silk blouse on your shopping travels pleeeeeeease let me know!
    XXX
    P.S. I love this outfit it's a great mix of all things good about getting dressed!

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    1. I know, I actually prefer polyester for blouses because I can wash it, but this is just a terrible weave, very snaggy. However, the colour is so nice - I'll just have to layer it and not let anyone see the snags. If I ever find something like this in silk, I'll tell you!

      Thanks so much, Samantha! High praise!

      Delete
  3. Hey and now you do the same for me! That's very nice of you! Thanks! I have seen a skirt like that before once, at a blog of a librarian! Can you believe that! Btw, my email is info@nancysfashionstyle.com
    For the leather submission!

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    Replies
    1. Of course, I'll always give a reciprocal shout-out! I am not surprised that a librarian had a skirt in this print! Thank you for the email - I'll send you pics tonight.

      Delete
  4. I love the colours in this outfit Sheila and I'm glad you rescued the blazer - it's definitely a keeper! I wish I'd been more regular with tracking what I paid for things - while I do have the last worn links I have only recently been keeping track of the amounts I spend, makes calculating cost per wear a little tricky sometimes!


    Hope you're having a great week :) So hot here, felt like summer today even though it's only spring!

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    1. Thank you so much, Mica! I'm really happy I pulled this out of the giveaway pile. It's such a great piece.

      I'm so glad I had the foresight to start tracking early, and to start listing prices.

      It's been good so far! Looking forward to our long weekend! Hot summer weather sounds wonderful.

      Delete
  5. Such a gorgeous outfit, Sheila, from your fabulous library skirt to your regret-me-not H&M blouse and brocade blazer. So glad you rescued these from the giveaway pile! I've been after a blouse in that colour for a long time. How sweet of your colleague to give you that Zentangle! xxx

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    1. Thank you, Ann! Sometimes I really wonder what I'm thinking when I purge things. I love the colour of the blouse, so even though it's crap quality, I'll just layer it for the colour/effect.

      I know, wasn't that lovely of her?

      Delete
  6. I adore the print on your skirt! Thank goodness you retrieved the blazer, I do crazy things like that too! xxx

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    1. There is a cat, a dog and a mouse hidden in the "frames" - it's really cool to look at up close. I know, so glad I kept this blazer! What was I thinking?

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  7. How could you even have thought of getting rid of the wonderful jacket? It looks fabulous and I love it with the library skirt. Loved the tortoiseshell, too!
    xx

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    1. It's obviously a case of brain fog, Vronni! ;-P Thank you so much!

      Delete
  8. Happy Birthday week! Lovely outfit. I really like Le Chateau blazers and skirts, they last and generally are beautifully made. The jacket is definitely a keeper and the skirt is so cute. Your shoes are fabulous, love the colour. I have two pairs of Wonders leather heels which are are quite high, but pretty comfortable, but it's probably good that I have a desk job. Have a wonderful birthday week!

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    1. Thank you, Dar! I agree, they are often much better quality that you'd expect from a mall store. Wonders are awesome shoes - I have two pairs (both in the summer wardrobe) and I love them. Yes, hooray for desk jobs!

      Delete
  9. wowww, what a fabulous outfit, elegant, cool and totally Amazing!. I do love your skirt, it's silk made and the fab print makes it so special!, it has all the good qualities because it also has pockets!. Lovely accessorizing too, the tortoishell bijouterie, the belt and your shoes are so damn cool!
    besos

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    1. Aw, thank you, Monica! I love a great print like this, and pockets definitely make a huge difference for me. I so appreciate your lovely comments!

      Delete
  10. To quote RuPaul - you are giving me Eleganza Extravaganza with this outfit! Love the skirt print.

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  11. Aww, that Zentangle gift from Emily is so sweet.
    And the colours in your outfit are wonderful - browns and oranges are so perfectly 70.s X

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  12. You made a wise decision on holding on to these two pieces, that blazer is a keeper.
    Oh that Balmain scarf is even prettier in close up!
    How nice of your friend Emily for getting you this, I love what she wrote.

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    1. I know, I've pulled a few things out of that giveaway pile - I've been too rash lately.

      I knew you'd spot that - real Balmain! I love that gift from Emily too. Aw...

      Delete

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