Leopard Week! Cat's Surprise Party

The reason why I couldn't elaborate too much on what the deal was with our Craft Corner Deathmatch the other night was that we were making decorations for our dear friend Cat's 40th birthday part - a suprise party!

We had been making giant tissue paper flowers to decorate Caro's house - they turned out gorgeous.

So, the Core Four of the Winesday gals met up to go for dinner. It still being Leopard Week in my week last night, I wore a leopard dress!
I picked this up at The Bay on Wednesday - it was regular $89, marked down to $59.99, then marked down to $44.99. There was an extra 50% off, but when it got scanned in, the sale price came up at $26.99...so it was $13.49! Score!

I'm wearing my tube/smoother undergarment (not as tight as Spanx) just to even things out under there:

I felt pretty sexy in this all night.

We had a lovely dinner, some drinks and then headed back to Caro's place for more wine...and everyone jumped out and surprised Cat! She had no idea and was amazed that we'd all kept it from her for two months. Woo! I love surprises.

The shoes:

I'm just not feeling the super-high heels these days. These were just fine at a sedate 3".

I'll be doing the Leopard Week summary tomorrow.

Dress (I.N.C.), shoes (Guess), gold hoop earrings (gift from L).

Leopard Week! Funky Friday

Welcome to Leopard Week! Go here for links to participants.

I plan to extend leopard week to tomorrow, as I have a special occasion tomorrow night and I have some crazy leopard action that I want to show off. You all can continue if you like - enjoy leopard! I will post a round-up of my favourite leopard outfits from all of the participants on Sunday.

Not much going on today/tonight, aside from meeting up with my ex-cohorts from my last job in about half an hour for drinks (eep, I'm running late!). Of course, I had to go a little over the top - it's Friday! Woo hoo!
Inigo is studiously ignoring me.

This is my awesome ruched leopard pencil skirt (last seen here, with exactly the same taupe top and necklace). I wanted to show off these fab booties that I picked up a couple of days ago at The Bay:

Inigo deigns to notice me. This calls for some lovin'!

Seriously, aren't those awesome boots? They were regular $170 and I stalked them until they were marked down to a more decent price, and then an extra 40% off. They ended up being $47.99.

The top business:

My thrifted boyfriend jacket tops it off (last seen here, with leopard, how cool) and my cuff, of course.

But check out these bad boys:

See the leopard lining? It's like secret leopard! And how could I resist all those studs and buckles? *swoon*

Jacket (Banana Republic, thrifted), top (Ellen Tracy, gift from Caro), skirt (Le Chateau, consignment), belt (gift from Ruth), booties (Libby Edelman), necklace (Plum), cuff (vintage), earrings (gift from L).

Leopard Week! Leopard for Luck - 2nd Interview

Welcome to Leopard Week! Go here for links to participants.

Yes, I wore leopard to a job interview! Following last week's successful interview, I carefully prepared my outfit for this one:
I'm wearing my leopard blouse that I wore for the Wardrobe Challenge in February, with a black cami underneath and a denim blazer (yes!) over that. I kept the jacket done up the entire time.

I thought long and hard about wearing denim for an interview. But frankly, I didn't want the interviewers to be put off due to my age (it's easy for employers to figure out about how old you are when you start listing your education), or feel like I am too old for this position (I kind of got that vibe at the last place I interviewed), so I chose to wear the denim jacket to project more of a youthful image. It's also quite a casual office, so it wasn't inappropriate.

I thought it also toned down the leopard, and I love that it is cut so nicely - it holds everything in! I last wore it here.
On the bottom is a new dark chocolate brown pencil skirt that I got at Plum (it was a sample, $18). But check out my shoes!

The stuff:

They're a thick suede penny-loafer with a lug sole and a pointy heel. What I love is that the heel is not actually as high as it looks - it's barely 2.5". I ran half a block to the bus stop in these and they were comfy as heck.

And even better? They were cheap!

$115 on for $34.50, not bad! I do love Town Shoes' clearances.

Overall, I think I did really well in the interview, and I hope to get some good news next week!

Jacket (Bisou Bisou, consignment), blouse (Planet, consignment), cami (InWear), skirt (Tobias), shoes (kate & mel).

Leopard Week! Got the Red Pants Memo

Welcome to Leopard Week! Go here for links to participants.

Another casual day here at Leopard Central. Tonight I'm headed off to a friend's place for a Craft Corner Deathmatch (not really, but we will be doing crafts). I really loved that show when it was on - but I don't look much like the Craft Lady of Steel:
These are my new-ish red mystery jeans (last seen here), with one of my graphic tees, and my denim shirt. Ha! I'm doing double denim!
I added my leopard flat wedges (last seen here, oh my, in June) and a leopard scarf at the neck - and I rolled the cuffs of my jeans for sort of an Audrey Hepburn casual look.

In a bizarre coincidence, both Bev at Style Underdog and Jentine at My Edit are also doing red jeans - with leopard! It's always nice when you get the memo.

Unfortunately, due to crazy weather, I had to bundle up:

This is the first appearance of my toes since probably around September (I quickly slapped on some coral 60-second nail polish on my naked nails), and my feet were freezing all day while I was out. So now I'm in socks for crafting.

The leopard bounty:

Denim shirt (Mexx, consignment), t-shirt (Upper Playground), jeans (mystery, no label), shoes (unknown, The Bay ages ago), scarf (Fairweather).

I was out browsing in The Bay today, checking out the clearance racks and seeing the new Spring '11 clothes - I couldn't believe how much leopard there was! Did I buy any? Well....I think I have a leopard addiction! I did buy a few things (everything was extra 40% off sale prices) and would you believe every single item has leopard on it? I may have to extend Leopard Week...or at least have another one in a couple of months!

Oh, and this is something I would normally never, ever show on the blog:

My Betsey Johnson leopard bra (I have matching panties) that I got nearly 4 years ago in NYC, at Lord & Taylor. Heh.

Leopard Week! Plaid and Leopard? It Can Be Done!

Welcome to Leopard Week! Go here for links to participants.

For my Tuesday WW group, I wanted to bust out my leopard pumps. However, it's still frickin' cold out (thank goodness the snow is finally gone), so I didn't want to wear a skirt. I was waving my shoes around randomly at my various skirts and pants to see what went well with them, and lo! These pants looked good with leopard:
It's been randomly said around Style Nation that leopard is a neutral - TRUE! Treat it as the closest base colour (in this case, sort of a camel colour). Some leopards are more white/cream based, some are more brown or black, and yes, some are hot pink. Whatever. The rule of thumb holds true - go with the majority colour for mixing with other patterns.

This sweater is new-to-me:

I am secretly crushing on Emma Pillsbury from "Glee" and when I spotted this thin sweater in the consignment store, I grabbed it. I love the little bow! I think it was about $20 (and when I checked the Trina Turk website I see I probably got a good deal!).

The pants were last worn here, the shoes last worn here.

The stuff:

See? My shoes even have leopard inserts!

A close-up:

My spotty belt and earrings from Plum.

Sweater (Trina Turk, consignment), pants (no label), belt (Nygard), shoes (Steve Madden), earrings (Plum).

The Unseen Outfit and My First WW At Work Meeting!

Woo, I've had a couple of crazy days! My first Weight Watchers At Work meeting started this week, and I have been scrambling, trying to get all the materials together, not mention I just got trained for this yesterday! Yes, yesterday!

Gee, you'd think they'd launched a new program, or something, haha.

I had to run up to the local centre yesterday afternoon to grab supplies and beg for presentation material, so I made an effort to get dressed.
It was trying to snow out, so I went with layers: a cami, with the leopard shirt (last seen here), and this navy cashmere sweater that I haven't worn since I got it last December (shocking!).

The skirt (another long one!) was just last seen a couple of months ago (here). A few people have asked me about walking in long skirts - I find that as long as they widen out just above the knee, they are totally comfortable. I really like the A-line or mermaid shape in my long skirts because of this. I have various thicknesses (from denim to leather to this faux thin suede) and they can be stiff or they can be drapey. This one's really flowy. When you try one on, stride around with big steps in it to see how it feels. I also sit down in them to see how they drape.

Aside from L at home (with very attractive socks on, sorry, love), it ended up that no one saw me - I kept my coat on everywhere - so this is what I wore on the bus and at the grocery store afterwards.

My awesome thrifted coat, my faux fur gloves and brown velvet hat - I look like a Hussar!

The stuff:

These Clarke's Indigo boots are my best walking heels I own, hands down. Love 'em!

A close-up:

I've been grooving on hip belts lately. I got these earrings on 1/2 price sale at Plum for about $7 a few weeks ago.

Sweater (Land's End, consignment), blouse (Planet, consignment), skirt (Marc D'Alcy), boots (Clark's Indigo, consignment), belt (Anne Klein pour Caleche, consignment), earrings (Plum).

Kitty interlude!

I hate when the recycle bin is full, but at least Inigo has a box to sit in:

He's upset because we finally flattened his boxes that he plays with in the dining room, in preparation for New Year's.

And...back to fashion. (ahem)

Today, I put a lot of thought into my outfit for my first At Work meeting. I really wanted to highlight my figure, but look professional and competent (ha, the opposite of how I felt!). And of course, I wanted to look funky!

Did I succeed?

I adore this cardigan so much (I last wore it here) - cranes! I love picking out the red and green in it.

I'm not usually a fan of skirts that hit this low on the leg, but the shape of this one is so perfect (it has a couple of deep box pleats right behind the knee). Last seen here.

The meeting went well and even though I feel like I screwed up right and left, I'm sure no one but (perfectionist) me noticed. But gads, so much paperwork involved! WW, you need to streamline some of your processes!

I was thrilled to see when I weighed myself (to test the scale) that I've dropped a pound and am once again below my goal weight - I've been really struggling with that lately. Getting back to tracking on the new program (although I didn't track at all while away this past weekend) is really helping me get myself under control again.

The stuff:

I would usually hesitate over these shoes with this because the laces are more of a pinky-burgundy than a bright red (and you know I like the matchy!), but I think they go just fine. I also wanted to wear a low-ish, more comfortable heel, and you can't go wrong with a good Fluevog (I last wore them here).

A close-up:

Another new piece of jewelry from Plum - the red stones are actually stone, and I love the weight of them.

Cardigan (Lucky Brand, consignment), cami (Smart Set), skirt (Precis Petites), shoes ("Sumatra Coffee" Fluevog), bracelet (Plum), earrings (Aldo Accessories).

It's...Leopard Lady!

Did I mention it snowed yesterday? It snowed yesterday! My poor little West coast flower of a city got dumped on - schools shut down, cars slid all over the place, power was out. We are such wusses about snow, but it's fairly rare here (we mostly get rain - hey, at least ya don't have to shovel it!).

Anyway, it's still cold today (and there are still patches of snow and ice all over the place), so I wanted to dress warm. I also wanted to wear this new skirt:
Okay, I have a bit of a love affair with leopard, perhaps only second to Wendy Brandes. This is not news. So when I saw this skirt, I was in looooove. It was only $12.95. Steal.

I'm wearing a long-sleeved thin tee under the thin wool sweater - and the Smoking Lily bug scarf is for warmth!

Look! It's Leopard Lady! Saving the world with leopard print!

The stuff:

Mmmm....Fluevog boot goodness. I can't believe it's been a YEAR since I wore these. Oh, Sheila, for shame! I've also worn them here and here. These are the "Blind Faith Hi, Rebecca" boots.

Check out the nap on the skirt:

It's like a thin plush! Don't worry, it's not so long that it looks like I scalped a stuffy toy. It was nice and warm, though!

The boots are killer to zip up:

My muscular calves means I get a workout (and a squished calf) whenever I wear these, but they're getting softer every time I wear them.

I wore another new pair of tights today too:

Leg on the table shot, hee.

Sweater (Banana Republic, consignment), skirt (S&D, thrifted), tights (Voila), boots (Blind Faith Hi, Rebecca, Fluevog), bangles (Aldo Accessories and some import shop), scarf (Smoking Lily), earrings (gift from L).

S.U.C.E.B.W.E.

I felt like my outfit was very Style Underdog today - not really sure why, but what the hell! It's S.U.C.E.B.W.E.:

Style Underdog's
Color Explosion Birthday Week
Extravaganza!
S.U.C.E.B.W.E

Happy S.U.C.E.B.W.E.! (edit: I am so bad with acronyms. I think I have them all correct now)

I felt great in this outfit all day, aside from forgetting every time I wear them that these shoes always slip in the heels. Must remember to buy heel grips!

I just love the leopard top (first seen here), and this is also the second wearing of the royal purple pencil skirt (previously here).

I tried to emulate SU's brilliant posing:
Hmmm. I need sunglasses.

I haven't worn these shoes in over a year! Wow, that was an oversight.

The stuff:

Mmm...those are such a nice shape. I love my Calvins.

The shiny stuff:

Mom's vintage chain belt, my spring ring and my classic real gold giant hoops. Love.

Jacket (Banana Republic, thrifted), blouse (Planet, consignment), skirt (Jacob), shoes (Calvin Klein "Gabby"), belt (70s, Mom's), ring (Aldo Accessories), earrings (gift from L).

Casual Friday: Leopard and No Jeggings for This Gal

Well, it's Friday and I feel better - don't you?

I am also really happy with my outfit today:
Two new-to-me things here: the blouse and the boots. The blouse is by Planet, and was a steal at $30 on consignment. Planet's stuff sells new for over $200 (it's amazing quality), and even on sale I'd never find this lower than about $75, if it was even still available in my size.

This is the type of hallmark of quality that I look for when I shop consignment, second-hand and thrift:
The groovy little ball buttons are so awesome. That's the kind of detail I really like on my clothes.

Side note: when I was a size 16, shopping the sale racks in stores was so much easier! There is never anything good in my size (anywhere from a 4 to an 8) on the sale racks now. Grouch, grouch. Of course, I wouldn't trade my much-healthier self to go back to my self-loathing self, but I do miss those amazing finds!

I got that chill when I tried on the boots:
You know, that feeling when you see something and you're like, "Oh my god, I must have those, I hope I can afford them, I hope they fit, they are too cool, me want me want me want."

They fit (a bit big, being a size 10, but insoles and thick socks make them perfect), and they were definitely affordable at $35 (yes!). I actually had a credit at my regular store, so they were free! I had been wanting a pair of up-to-the-knee boots, but $200+ for new is just too much for me right now - this is so exciting!They are real suede and are so soft, although the right one really wants to scrunch down to my ankle more than the left one.

And since I never wear leggings, and certainly not jeggings (just a personal choice, not judging), this is how I make my jeans work with my boots:
Sexy sock-a-rama! I fold my jeans up into a cuff at my ankle, then wrap them around my leg snugly, then pull up my sock over the wrapped part and... voila!

Have a nice look at these booty-licious babies: Nom nom, I want to eat them up! I love the whip-stitched details. The heel is nice and solid and not too high (I wouldn't walk all day in them, but I could go shopping in them).

Have a great weekend, everyone! I was so inspired by Sal's post about going make-up free (she was in turn inspired, follow the link on her blog), that I'm going to bare my face this weekend and take a picture.

Blouse (Planet, consignment), cami (Esprit), jeans (Esprit), belt (Plum), boots (Le Chateau, consignment).

Get Back on That Fashion Horse

After yesterday's deep-fried oatmeal and pistachio disaster, clearly, I needed to regroup. I needed the fashion equivalent of comfort food (mmmm....food...comfort...). Basics, familiar colours and patterns, put-me-in-a-happy-place shoes.

No, don't make me look at that awful dress again!
Gadzooks! It's like a happy soupy stew of Sheila's Favourite Things. We've got brown and turquoise, something bigass, a dash of leopard, and some killer shoes.

See? Anyway, I do have fashion bad days, but you've just gotta get back in the game. Feel better? I do.

The stuff:

This is only the second time I've worn these earrings (last time here). They make wind-chime noises.

Sweater (Kersh), skirt (Kensie), shoes (Fergalicious), belt (Plum), cuff and earrings (Aldo Accessories).

Cheating in Leopard

For the very first time since I started this blog, I'm posting the pictures of me in the clothes BEFORE I wore them: L needed the camera today and wasn't sure if I'd be able to do my pictures when I got home. So, I played with the outfit last night and took the pictures then. This is exactly what I wore today:
Right down to which finger I wore the ring on!

I love the bright blue with the leopard, don't you? I used to think this skirt was too dressy for work, but I've worn it about 3 or 4 times. How adventurous I've become!

I like how this cardigan shows off my toned shoulders and arms. I have been doing my pee pushups* since last fall and it's paid off!
Woo! Check out the pipes!

The stuff:

My awesome blue suede shoes and my usual rocker accoutrements. I doubled the single strand neckace around my neck (the top one), and the other one has two three built-in tiers.

A close-up:

My groovy zipper rose from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, and the fab "black hole" ring.

Cardigan (Jessica, consignment), top (Ellen Tracy, gift from Caro), skirt (Le Chateau, consignment), shoes (Feet First), belt (Jacob), multi-necklace (Plum), single necklace (Jacob), ring (Le Chateau), brooch (Victoria & Albert Museum).

*WTF? "Pee push-ups"? Yes!

I started these when I noticed that my buh-byes were getting flabby, and that I had the arms of a T-Rex (no upper body strength). Push-ups are the king of the upper body strengthening exercises and are great for your core too...but who who really does them anyway? Not me. Lots of good intentions, but not much doing.

Then it occured to me (because I am supremely lazy...I mean, "efficient"), why not try to figure out a way to do an easy push-up, and work it into my day, AND also have it not feel like I'm working out? That would be great!

So what I started doing is, every time I go to the bathroom, I do 10 push-ups off the counter before I wash my hands. Place hands shoulder width apart on the edge of the counter and aim your boobs at that edge (don't touch it with them, but get as close as you can). Keep your butt in tight, keep your head in alignment with your spine, and hold your core so that your back is nice and straight (this gets easier as you get stronger). You can do this off your kitchen counter or a stable low bookcase, or the back of a park bench.

I mostly do them at work (in my heels and fancy-schmancy clothes), and because I drink so much water, I do about 60 push-ups a day! And it only takes about 15 seconds each time. Sometimes I get strange looks, but I don't really care, and I explain if anyone asks (and then I flash some biceps and they're impressed).

I was really stiff across the front of my chest after the first day, but after a week or so, I really started to notice it. No need to do more than 10 (don't overdo it), just remember to do them. I've noticed that my posture is way better, my shoulders, biceps and triceps and the front of my chest are stronger, and that when I sit, I hold my shoulders and back in better alignment.

Give it a shot! Try it for a week and see how you do!