Happy New Year's!

I hope you all had an awesome New Year! We had a party, and I spent Saturday on the couch, then Sunday having food poisoning, so I'm getting back into blog life slowly.

I had planned to wear something entirely different, but then had a last-minute spaz and changed into this dress:L had bought me a top for Christmas, but it was too small - I returned it for this, as they didn't have any more of the top in stock at Plum. I fell in love with the dress when I tried it on - such a good fit.

I also found these shoes the other night while I was waiting to get my eyebrows waxed and then have drinks with Elaine:

They're pretty sweet - they were $50 on sale at Aldo (and they're leather).

My spazzitude was carrying over into my pictures (and I was running late with people arriving any minute!) - you can see my frustration.

And yeah, I just left my hair in "mad scientist" mode all night. It was fun.

Kitty always helps when I'm having a bad photo session:

L and I did our "fam" photo with Inigo:

L is so much taller than me (he's 5'10"), so you can't see his top hat, but doesn't he look dapper? Inigo looks awkward.

Oh, but let's move on! Shoes:

Yeah, those are pretty freakin' awesome.

The bling:

Those are my new-ish feather earrings I got while out shopping with Ruth before Christmas. The bracelet is a gift from Toronto from Elaine - I was admiring hers (which is a bit thinner and I think a different colour metal), and then she hauled this out for me! What a sweetie.

It's actually a long loop of articulated metal circles - you can shape it however you want:

Very bendy.

I had a lot of fun playing with it - and because it's metal, it's nice and strong.

I also (finally) printed out the picture that Megan did of me for my birthday (actual outfit seen here) and framed it, so now that is up instead of the Dolphins clock.

Dress (Max and Cleo), tights (Hue), shoes (Aldo), earrings (no brand), ring (Soul Power), bracelet/necklace (gift from Elaine).

Today, I dragged myself out of bed quite late, and L and I went out to our fave diner for lunch. I was all ready to take my casual outfit picture, but someone had other ideas:

He's standing right in my pose spot.

So I hunched down with him:

Silly kitty!

Inigo wouldn't move, so I just stood over him:

Psycho eyes and back-pointed ears! He's not happy.

T-shirt (Upper Playground), purple tee (Kersh), jeans (Seven7, swap from Caro), boots (Miz Mooz).

Long Weekend Update: I Need Another Long Weekend!

Hey! Is it still the weekend? Man, I am exhausted! I've been through one day of Weight Watchers' leader training and I am already set for another weekend.

So...it snowed again on Thursday, so I figured I'd get some exercise and shovel our condo's driveway and sidewalk:
It was snowing as I did it, which is why it's still a bit white. I was getting such a good workout, I did the neighbouring apartment building's sidewalk as well, right to the road in the distance.

Then I hoofed it to the grocery store, in my extremely fashionable (not really) snow gear:

Yes, that's very attractive.

I then changed into my football-watching gear:This what I typically wear around the house. Jeans, long-sleeved tee and some large layered piece over top.

On Friday, Ruth and I went for lunch and some shopping:

My second wear of the red velvet blazer (first seen here) and the stripey ribbon skirt (first seen here). The snow had all melted by then, so I walked to town and back. What a lovely time!

Jacket (Zara, consignment), sweater (Expression, consignment), skirt (MNG, consignment), boots (Aldo, consignment), choker (60s vintage, Mom's).


Friday night, my mom, my ex sister-in-law and my two oldest nieces went to see a local production of "The Wizard of Oz". Of course, Crazy Auntie Sheila had to get dressed to the nines!

I love that dress so much. This is the second time I've worn it (first here).

I broke out the long black velvet gloves to keep myself warm in the theatre and for walking to and from the car. Gloves are awesome for that! These gloves are about 10 years old.

I love the unevenness of the neckline:

One "sleeve" is narrower than the other, so it naturally dips off one shoulder.

I was pleased that the shoes (my awesome Fluevogs last seen here) matched the dress so well! Matchy-matchy! Yay!

Here's a close-up of the upper body stuff going on:

The earrings are new - no label, but I loved the shape and needed some big silver earrings. They were $16.99 in a local boutique. I'm also wearing my cuff from St. Paul's Cathedral.

My outerwear:

Furry jacket, faux fur scarf and my silver clutch.

Everything together:

Jacket (Mac & Jac), dress (Club Monaco, consignment), scarf (The Bay), clutch (Accessorize), shoes ("Memories, Madly", Fluevog), cuff (St. Paul's Cathedral gift shop), earrings (boutique).

Fancy Outfit, a Casual Outfit and Book Blurbs

We went to a special event at the Art Gallery on Friday night. As usual, it was full of arty types (many being obnoxious twits) - I enjoy wandering through the Gallery and checking out the exhibits, but my favourite thing is checking out all the outfits. I spotted 12 pretentious hats and one hat worn non-ironically (our friend Ross, who wears his ball cap everywhere).

I decided to go with black, even though 90% of the women there also wear it. Last time, I wore a very bold outfit, but the time before I did black as well. This is my 3rd wearing of this dress in 3 years (last time here, with pants). That's pretty pathetic, but it's a tricky dress to wear. You can't do a necklace because of the funnel neckline, it's REALLY short, and its's 100% wool, so no stretch. Not exactly versatile.

I do regret walking the 3 blocks to and from the Gallery. My feet really hurt by the end of the night, and no amount of fancy cocktails numbed that.

Dress (Studio Holt Renfrew, consignment), shoes (JLo), earrings/ring (Lavishy).

What I wore to Weight Watchers yesterday: I also wore it out for lunch and for a wee shop around town with L (I bought my winter supply of tights). I wore my black leather jacket overtop.

Sweater (Press), skirt (Jacob Connexion, consignment), tights (Hue), shoes (Kenneth Cole Reaction, gift from Cat), scarf (Metrowear).

I finally finished my book yesterday, and read another comic: Magic Teeth Dailies #37 by Gareth Kyle Gaudin, and "Farewell Summer" by Ray Bradbury. Magic Teeth Dailies #37
I have been collecting Gareth's daily comics pretty much from the beginning (I bought issues 1-4 at the same time, and have been picking up the rest since they've been published). I am a big fan of the Perogy Cat, and of Gareth, who is a nice guy (as is his lovely wife and mum, both of whom I know, although I have not yet met his daughter, Enid). All of my copies are signed by Gareth when I buy them, and a few of them have personal inscriptions to me. Someday, they'll be worth something!

Stats: Read this in about 30 minutes November 7, 2010.

Blurb: Same as the other MTDs, the cartoons are typically one-offs. Hilariously foul, inappropriate and funny as heck. Love.

Farewell Summer
I have been a fan of Ray Bradbury since I was a kid. I have 25 of Mr. Bradbury's books and love most of them.

Stats: Hardcover, 210 pages. Started Oct 19th, finished Nov 7, 2010.

Blurb: This is the 50 years later sequel to "Dandelion Wine" the now-classic coming-of-age book that Bradbury is probably best known for. It's a pretty slim sequel (apparently it was originally part of "Dandelion Wine" and his publishers told him to drop this section), but as viewed as part of DW it makes more sense than if read alone. Although I love the feel of his books, this was not his best.

I fall into Bradbury's language and cadence very easily (he is a big influence on my own creative writing), and blasted through this in about an hour yesterday. The only reason it took me so long to finish is that I have been doing crossword puzzles before bed instead of reading.


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As I will be officially out of work next week, and not dressing up on a daily basis as much, I'm open for questions, suggestions and requests! Tell me what you'd like to see, throw some questions at me, and I'll do my best to create an outfit, answer your request or address your burning questions in a post!

Birthday Booty - and Happy Thanksgiving, Canada!

Whew! This lovely extra-long weekend is nearly over, sadly. But I packed as much into it (including the valued nap time) as I could.

Before I forget...I got a call-back from the phone interview! They were "so impressed" with my phone manner that they want to interview me in person for BOTH jobs that I applied for (hey, I give good phone, what can I say)! I will be doing multiple interviews AND a technology test all afternoon on Thursday. Woo hoo! I'm so excited!

Anyway, I was pretty much on cloud 9 for my actual birthday, as you can guess. I received $200 from my m-i-l (love her!), and L gave me his presents Saturday morning: How spoiled am I? Clockwise from top left: a handmade bracelet from India, a Tori Amos CD ("Little Earthquakes"), the next book in the "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" trilogy, and a new wallet (SwissGear) stuffed with $100.

We went out for lunch to our favourite diner, where the owner Peter treated us to lunch on the house. They also made me a card: Eggs, potatoes and bacon - it looks like a face! (I had an omelette, salad and toast).

We tidied up the house and I got ready for the party. Face:
I did gold eyeshadow and red, red lips. Fresh-dyed hair too! With my specs, and my little workhorse of a camera. I also did my nails - I rarely do them (I think I was channeling Hillary again). I got these new Sally Hansen nail pens, so I did both hands and toes, then drew designs on my left-hand nails:
Those are the boxes in the background - they were only $3.99 each at London Drugs. I did every nail different, just to play with designs.

And here's the whole package:
This is the second wearing of this dress (worn for New Year's Eve last year here). I found a tube-shaped body slimmer to take out some of lines (this fabric shows everything).

I felt like a disco queen!

The dress is a very bright true red - not the pinky or coral shade it looks like.

The stuff:
My classic gold sandals. I don't even know how long I've had these. The ring and earrings are new, both on sale (less than $10). I love the look of them.

A close-up:

The ring has no loose end - it's like a double set of springs.

Dress (Lori Ann Montreal, thrifted), shoes (Guess), earrings and ring (Aldo Accessories).

I got a couple of other gifts:
A very generous present of scotch from Spence and Kim.

And Mom gave me this awesome Marks & Spencers necklace she picked up while thrifting (way to go, Mom!), and this lovely brooch she found in London (you're so sneaky): She also gave me $100, so I think I'm going to have to go find that pair of over-the-knee boots that have been calling my name...

Happy Thanksgiving, my fellow Canadians! I hope you enjoy your turkey and pumpkin pie!

Mondo Weekend Edition! Vero's B-Day, the Fair, and Some Books Blurbed

I always know that when things get you down, there's only one solution: GO DANCING!
Saturday, ten of us got together for Vero' (and Tracy's) birthday. We had drinks, then went for dinner, then went dancing.

I did a lot of walking (to town, from place to place) and then did a whole lot of shakin' of the tailfeathers. These shoes were wonderful! I had no sore feet the next day...although my head was another matter...

Wow, I haven't been out dancing* since my 40th birthday (nearly 3 years ago, in case you're counting). It was so fun!

It was a great opportunity to showcase this awesome dress again (worn twice, here and here). It had many admirers throughout the evening.

I also had compliments on my outerwear:

Just right for keeping me warm on a cool summer evening.

*Actual dancing is much groovier, thrashier and punkier. I'm trying to look sedate here (stop laughing, L).

Dress (Desigual), shoes (Tsubo "Erebus"), bag (Ollie & Nic), jacket (The Gap, consignment), cuff (thrifted), gold hoops (gift from L).

After a full day of doing nothing, I was ready to go to the Fair today. The Fall Fair is an annual Labour Day tradition. I used to enter all kinds of art, home-grown vegetables, sewing, and baking into the competitions at the Fair when I was a kid. It was cool to hang with my Mom, my bro, Dave, and my nieces, Zoe, Hannah and Sidney...and even cooler that Mom, Zoe and Hannah all won prizes! Well done!

Because the Fair is outside and there's dirt and animals and tractors all over the place, I have to go ultra casual:

My poor Vans are on their last legs. I'm going to take them to the consignment store soon, I think. Aw...sad...

I thought I was prepared for the weather:

Just like last year, it poured rain the whole time we were there (both outfits are a lot more casual than what I wore two years ago! I've learned my lesson). I was freezing and very, very happy for this scarf. I only wished I'd brought gloves and a toque!

I had a blast going on rides with Zoe and Hannah (and Mom on the Tilt-a-Whirl)!

Someone was not very happy that we spent the day at the fair, though:

See him on the side of the two pictures above?

Look at the cuteness!

Sitting on my coat and hoping we don't go.

Coat (B.U.M. Equipment, thrifted), tee (Plum), striped tee (Majestic, gift from Caro), jeans (Seven7, gift from Caro), belt (gift from Ruth), shoes (Vans), scarf (Club Monaco).

So! I read a lot this weekend and finished off quite a few things, including my latest batch of Magic Teeth Dailies:

Perogy Cat rules! Gareth is an acquaintance of ours - he's a great guy and knows more about comics than pretty much anyone. Yes, that much.

Anyway, loved these ones. If you're in my neck of the woods, you need to buy these.

I got the next graphic novel on Gareth's recommendation:

"The Unwritten: Vol. 1: Tommy Taylor and the Bogus Identity" by Mike Carey and Peter Gross. It took a really cool idea (what if a child who inspired a Harry Potter-like literary character grew up and sort of lost the boundary between himself and the character?) and turned it around and went in an unexpected way. If you like graphic novels like "Fables", you'd probably like this.

And I finally finished this Book Club selection, Steig Larsson's "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo":

Everyone and their dog (and cat) is reading this book right now. I saw the movie last year in the theatre and recommend it (please rent the original movie before they remake it...yes, it has subtitles). The movie follows the book quite nicely, although the book has a lot more plot around the corporate intrigue - I kept thinking the book would be over when the thriller part wrapped up, but no, it went on for another 80-odd pages. Note: the movie gives away a key point that I think is going to be revealed in the 2nd book.

Stats: Speaking of pages, there are 841 of them. However, this is one of those new-fangled brick-shaped paperbacks where the text is centered on the pages with huge borders. Feels like you breeze through it. Started August 23rd, finished September 5th.

Blurb: The two main characters, Mikael Blomqvist and Lisbeth Salander, are fairly thinly sketched. Lisbeth is really the central character over the trilogy (I plan to read the other two books), and you can see that the author wants to hold back a lot of her background, and not put it all up front for the reader, which is nice. I expect that we'll find out more about Mikael as well as the series goes on. Anyway, I had read a couple of reviews of this and had expected it to be worse, so it was a pleasant surprise. It's a fairly light read, and there will be lots of second-hand copies in the bookstores soon, I'm sure, so I'd recommend it.

Hope you all had a fabulous long weekend!

Weekend Outfits - Sydney's Birthday - and a Book Blurb

Happy weekend!

We start with what I wore to Weight Watchers:
Aside from "must look nice", my sole criteria for WW is that my clothes have to be light so that I don't add any clothing poundage to my weigh-in. No jeans! I also wore this out for lunch and walking around town a bit, doing some chores.

Dress (BCBG Max Azria, gift from Ruth), cami (Plum), obi (Smoking Lily, consignment), shoes (Tsubos), Audrey Hepburn Scrabble charm (holiday purchase), pearl studs (Aldo Accessories).

I swapped out the dress and shoes (and added a slip after last year's mishap in this dress!) for my niece Sydney's 1st birthday party:
This was perfect for sitting out in the sun!

I also wore my straw hat (with the front of the brim flipped up oh so stylishly), and carried my yellow bag:

My shoes have to be completely inappropriate for a 1-year-old's party, duh. My nieces Zoe and Hannah would expect no less!

A close-up of some of the accessories:

My feather, key and "S" charms, my turquoise ring and my snake ring.

Dress (Hale Bob), cami (Plum), slip (thrifted), shoes (Le Chateau), assorted charms (here and there, the "S" was from Mom and Dad back in the early 90s), turquoise ring (Plum), snake ring (80s).

L and I drove home via the scenic route as opposed to the highway:

Good choice! We had the top down on the Miata....

Pines, firs and cedars and blue sky! Ah....love it.

And....

I finished a book last week (I save the blurbs for the weekends) - it was "Life After God" by Douglas Coupland.

Stats: 361 pages of little bits of writing and the author's line drawings. Started July 6th, finished July 12th.

Blurb: I picked up a few more Douglas Coupland novels after reading "Girlfriend in a Coma" and liking it. This one was all right - I don't think I'm going to keep it. It didn't have a strong narrative, more like little snapshots of disaffection set in Vancouver in the early 90s. I blasted through this quickly. I think I have one or two more Couplands, but I'll wait a while and read other stuff in between.

Next up: "The Crazy Years: Reflections of a Science Fiction Original" by Spider Robinson (non-fiction).