Exciting news, my friends! I've been featured in Chatelaine magazine! Go here and enjoy! OMG, it's on the front page!
Back in November, I did an hour-long Zoom interview with awesome person and excellent writer Alethea Ng (here, all links 'cause I love, as always). I know, I've been keeping it secret for MONTHS, and it's out today! Eee!
"You are so full of yourself, Woman."
Anyway, I'm totally thrilled, excited and exhilarated - thank you so much, Alethea!
*ahem*
On to the outfit! And since I mentioned thrifting accessories in the Chatelaine article, I'll be pointing out some of my fab finds as we go.
When I looked at my pre-done outfits in my closet last night, none of them rang my bell. What to do when you are low on inspiration, motivation and you know you need a boost? Wear a dress!
In addition to the cami, I also layered a vintage salmon-coloured slip under it - all of my vintage slips (I have about half a dozen) were thrifted for under $10.00 and they wash and wear like iron.
Nothing too tight, something colourful, ideally with pockets, then just pick a pair of shoes and you're done. Easy-peasy.
I bought this lovely floral mixed print dress in 2019 simply because I liked the dress, not because it was a trendy thing.
In the years since, the 90s revival of these dresses has boomed, and reproduction designs are everywhere, alongside racks of them in the trendier second-hand stores. I recently browed the collection at the Patch, but nothing was as nice as this one (and I was reminded how dull/busy/horrid some of that 90s fabric was!).
I like that the neckline is gently ruffled and does a wrap/crossover to the waist.
I'm wearing a pale pink camisole under it that blends into my skin.
I wish it had pockets, but the mid-90s was the peak "No Pockets For You!" era. I'm a big fan of the elastic waist (so forgiving), and long bias-cut skirt. It's swooshy and billowy when I walk - Swoosh Factor 8, at least.
The fabric is polyester (so 90s), but the print is saturated through the fabric on both sides - I loathe when the back side of a print is white. Ugh, that's often a deal-breaker for me.
The pattern is a good mix of shades that are easy to match (blue, lilac, peachy pink, rosy pink, celery green, cream) and enough black to ground it all and not look too fussy or overly girly.
Masked up:
Outerwear: my yearning for this snakeskin print coat yesterday led me to weed out my heaviest winter coats and bag them up until next fall.
It's a black and white pattern to go with the busy print.
This coat is cold (unlined, fake material), but it's so stylin'! I walked extra fast to stay warm.
Accoutrements:
My fake Louis Vuitton scarf features a print that is ripped off from Marc Jacobs' Stephen Sprouse designs from 2008 (article here about them). I know this scarf is fake because: a) I did the research on the LV font on the label (it has an incorrectly shaped "O"), b) it has machined edges (not hand-rolled) and c) while it is silk and is made in Italy, it was likely a tourist souvenir. Oh yeah, I'm sure that street vendor is selling real LV!
- Silk scarf - fake Louis (Lewis!) Vuitton, thrifted
- Gloves - Danier
- Mask - by Mom
I also knew it was fake because it was $1.95. But I've thrifted things labeled as fake before and they've been real, like my Tod's shoes (Flashback here).
The stuff:
Aren't these booties the perfect match? When I pulled the dress out, the skirt brushed them like it was saying "Hey, what about these?" I couldn't resist going full matchy.
Brassy bling:
That sisal, leather and metal mesh belt was a fabulous thrifted find - it's heavy, made in the USA and so gorgeous. I think it was $8.95? I can't remember the exact price, but I have never paid over $19.99 for a thrifted belt (even my real Fendi one, Flashback here).
- Belt - Sand Castle, thrifted
- Tortoiseshell bracelet - J. Crew, thrifted
- Eelskin bangle - fake Gucci, vintage 80s, gift from Mom & Dad, Italy
- Feather ring - Fossil, thrifted
- Brass ring - vintage mall
- Earrings/necklace - Plum, c. 2008
The J. Crew bracelet and Fossil ring were both under $10, both thrifted. It's amazing what you can find out there!
And now, I'm off to bask in the glow of excitement.
"I thought that was called television?"
Thanks so much for stopping by, and hello and welcome if you found me from Chatelaine!
Congratulations Sheila! I'm off to look up the article right now!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lee. I hope you enjoyed it.
DeleteCongratulations, Sheila! So awesome, and so well deserved!!!!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks so much, Cynthia!
DeleteI love this dress, it's so beautiful! And I really like that you were in the magazine too, that's awesome Sheila! It was a great article, thanks for linking it up so I could read! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Mica! Chatelaine is one of the top magazines in Canada for decades, so it's quite cool to be on the front page!
DeleteYay! Well done you! That's a fab article. I find a lot of pieces about shopping secondhand, lazy patronising and silly but the Chatelaine one wasn't.
ReplyDeleteThat dress is really pretty and the snake print trench is perfect with it - Vizzini is the best accessory going though! xxx
Very astute comment, Vix, and I agree. I was really happy with how well-written this article was, and that it isn't a fluff piece. Thank you!
DeleteI love that trench and the dress too. Vizzini is always the best accessory, ha!
Exciting! Our very own friend is a celebrity. Would they allow you to do a screen shot and sign with your curser? I'd treasure that. The dress- ready for spring afternoon tea.
ReplyDeleteLol, thank you so much, Sam! Ha, I would totally sign a screen shot! :)
DeleteThanks - this is a much more girly dress than I lean to these days, but I love it.
Good morning, That is so exciting and awesome. I can't wait to read the article. I love your outfit today. Any advice for someone adding more color and accessories to their wardrobe with limited items right now? Thanks
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comment, Vicki! I hope you liked the article.
DeleteThe easiest way to add colour is through accessories! Have a lot of black and white? Try red, yellow or blue - or even a bright pink to add some pizazz. If you wear skirts, colourful tights can add a lot of oomph without hurting your wallet. For your outerwear, think bright scarves and gloves. If you have a lot of neutrals in your wardrobe, focus on a couple of colours and start watching for them in second-hand stores: shoes, belts, tees, camisoles - these are all easy and inexpensive ways to add colour to an otherwise bland wardrobe.
Go, Sheila! Great article. Your tips are a public service. More folks should buy used clothing, accessories, etc. both for fun and environmental reasons.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ally! Aw, that's really sweet of you. I will admit I hope it doesn't get TOO popular - it's kind of fun to have these places as my own happy hunting grounds. :)
DeleteI went to the article straight away, read it and loved it. You give great thrift & second hand shopping tips and it's great you're sharing your wisdom with more readers. I'm sure you'll inspire more people to go on hunt for vintage and second hand items- and to discover the many advantages of wearing vintage and second hand. Congrats on being featured and interviewed in the article, Sheila! Thanks for the link up, it was really great to read.
ReplyDeleteYour maxi dress is stunning. I love the pattern and the colour. The matchy shoes are simply perfect with it. The photos with Vizzini are fabulous. I think he is secretly happy for you but he doesn't want to show it because cats are like that- they like to play it cool.
Aw, thank you so much, Ivana! I'm so happy you enjoyed it. There is such a huge volume of clothing already existing in the world - there really is no need to make more! I am thrilled with Alethea's article - so well-written.
DeleteThank you - I love this dress - I feel like a queen in it. Vizzini was happy to see me (he was purring and drooling throughout) but also really wanted to be fed (squirmy!).
Wow, congratulations! 😍
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Katrina! I'm so excited to have been featured.
DeleteWow, that's amazing Sheila. Congratulations, and you've got my permission to bask, as you deserve it!
ReplyDeleteYour floaty floral dress is a delight and yes, of course you needed to pair it with those boots.
Wonderful pattern mixing exercise with the coat as well. And yay for elasticated waists. So comfy, and as they can be hidden by a belt, nobody needs to know! xxx
Aw, thank you so much, Ann! Ha, I have done my basking and will now shut up. :)
DeleteThanks - I love this dress, and I was so smitten with how pretty the boots looked with it. Yay for elastic waists!
Well, how fun is that! You are famous, but I already figured. I laughed when you said your vintage slips wash and iron great. I only wear a slip if the dress is see through or I am wearing hose that would cause static, but I was raised by a mother who matched her slips to her outfits and ironed them. First of all, to even own a slip and then to iron them to boot is first class. I also iron my pillowcases.
ReplyDeleteHa, I am really NOT famous. :) But thank you!
DeleteI actually said they wash and WEAR like iron - they are strong. I don't iron anything, especially not slips! I do have a steamer that I use for getting wrinkles out. Lol, I do not iron pillowcases!
Congratulations! Great article and such a lovely dress. It's looks wonderful on you. Enjoy your basking - you deserve it.
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you so much, Robin!
DeleteCongrats! Great feature of you!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteCongratulations!! That is exciting! And you deserve it! I love dresses like that, indeed so easy and so feminine. I can do a Zoom as of next Wednesday!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Nancy! I love dresses like this too.
DeleteWonderful! Let's aim for either Thursday or the weekend - I will drop you a note from home tonight.
It is a gorgeous dress. Well combined with those boots. And congratulations with being featured on Chatelaine. Always nice to get some exposure and recognition.
ReplyDeleteGreetje
Thanks so much, Greetje! It was thrilling to be part of the article!
DeleteLooking fabulous as usual and congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laura!
DeleteI saw that you were in Chateline! I found it because Suzanne Carillo shared it in her Instagram (because she was in there too), otherwise I wouldn't have known until I read this post. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteSo cool that we were both in it! Woo! Thanks, Shelley!
Deletecongrats, Sheila, you're a Star!. And so lovely to read about thrifting tips and advice from experts (brilliant advice on taking your time when thrifting!)
ReplyDeleteTotally agree on wearing a dress when you're feeling uninspired, dresses are usually mood boosters and they're so easy to wear!. And this dress is so delightful!. And you accessorized it so brilliantly, love those matchy shoes!
besos
I feel like a star, ha ha! Thank you so much for checking it out.
DeleteDresses are like a shot of espresso to me - they wake me up, make me feel better, and keep me going all day! Isn't it cool how well the shoes match?
BWahahaha!!! Sooo excited for you, Sheila!!! And more exclamations for good measure - !!!!!!!.
ReplyDeleteI saw your piece through Instagram where I usually lurk these days. And Suzanne was there too. I beam with happiness with this recognition. Cheers. You always bring your full game to your blog and style. Excellent advice always.
All the exclamation points!!! Thank you so much, Mel! I was excited when I saw that Suzanne was in there too! I know her! It's so cool to be recognized.
DeleteThat is cooler than cool, dear Sheila, and endlessly well-deserved. Immense congratulations!!! They could not have picked a better person consult regarding thrifting.
ReplyDeleteLove your flowy floral dress! Such a fantastic, versatile piece (totally with you, BTW, regarding really preferring it when printed fabrics are not white on the inside - especially when it comes to dresses and skirts).
I cannot stop smiling over your Chatelaine feature. A bevy more (of) heartfelt congrats coming your way!
Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life
Thanks so much, Autumn! I'm pretty excited about it too - and honoured to be among such fabulous people.
DeleteThank you - I adore this dress. Ugh, that white on the back of fabrics just looks so cheap to me, and it seems like all modern fabrics are like that!