Classin' It Up, and the 40+ Blogger Meet-Up Starts Tomorrow!

I made it! Through 39 hours in 4 days, plus my WW meeting tonight. I'm done. On holiday! 

Look at me, all classy in grey. I'm practically a lady. I had a lot of strong positive reaction to this dress.

• Dress - Zara, thrifted; purchased here a couple of weeks ago for $22.50
• Shoes - Grotesque; purchased here the same day for $199.00 on sale

Too bad the dress is CRAP. It pilled on the side from my purse walking to and from work. It's very itchy (I have a full vintage slip on under it).

But - sigh - it looks great on me! One more wear and it's gone. Quelle drag!

The stuff:

Not a drag? These fab mustard and gun-grey-brown shoes. They were so comfy - I walked about 4 blocks in them to and from lunch, and wore them for 7 hours in the office and 1.5 hours at WW. My feet feel pretty good - no rubbing!

I'm totally having a good New Shoe Week! Three pairs all gorgeous and comfortable. Sweet!

Bling:

Unanimous love for the yellow belt matching the shoes. I can't help it - I love matchy.

• Belt - Liz Claiborne, vintage 80s, thrifted
• Bangle - local
• Earrings - Glee

Hmm...something's missing.

Oh, yeah!

• Ring - Stone Roses

So...this is it! Tomorrow morning, I hop on a float plane and fly off to the mainland and the Big City of Vancouver to the 40+ Blogger Meet-UP! I am stoked, excited, nervous, giddy, freaked, you name it, I am there.

Yes, I'll be taking lots of pictures, you bet I will. No, I won't be taking a giant wardrobe (float planes have a 25lb luggage allowance). I'll be doing a massive Bigass Wrap-Up on Monday - such a grand adventure!

Giddy-Up Equestrian Inspiration

Hola, my friends! Holy samoly, it's been a week. I have to leave on time tomorrow to make it to my WW meeting, but counting the 3 hours I put in tonight, I have worked an extra 7 hours this week. 

That is too much. I am fried. But enough horsing around (eh? get it? get it?), let's get down to business.

• Blouse - Le Chateau, thrifted; last worn here in March with cognac leather pants
• Skirt - J. Michaels, vintage 80s, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) in April with purples
• Shoes - Ralph Lauren, thrifted; purchased here on the weekend for $29.50 

I probably could have worn a jacket over this, but meh, whatever. I don't mind my arms, and I like seeing my tattoos peek out. I adore this equestrian-inspired blouse. Such a great piece.

Such a lovely deep red skirt! It's 100% wool (summer weight, so not hot at all), Canadian made and wonderful. They really knew how to make things of quality back in the day. Ha, "back in the day" referring to the 80s makes me feel like an old granny. Not!

The stuff:

First wearing of the shoes and they were perfect. Not a rub or blister! Looks like the thrifting goddesses were smiling on me last weekend with my shoes finds!

Shiny bling:

I wore the same earrings and bracelet last time I wore this blouse. I'm a creature of habit, what can I say?

• Belt - thrifted
• Cuff - faux "Gucci", gift from Mom and Dad around 1986
• Earrings - 5th anniversary gift from L

I see that we might be in for a brief rain shower during the +40 Blogger Meet-Up - how very typical of you, Vancouver! I still haven't figured out what I'm wearing/bringing...

Floral and Chains

Slowly starting to feel like myself again - this already feels like a long week. Not surprising, as I've already put in 4 hours of overtime. 

Some new-to-me things, la di dah. Makin' outfits.

• Blouse - Max Studio, thrifted; purchased here on the weekend for $10.50
• Skirt - CiCi; last seen here in May for my 2,001st post
• Shoes - Franco Sarto, thrifted; first worn here in May with chartreuse and blue

I like this loose drapey blouse - it was a bit slide-y around the neckline, but it makes me feel good.

A big blouse like this needs a slim bottom. Mine is rather rounded, tee hee. I do love this skirt - it's got pockets!

The stuff:

This is only my second wearing of my $6.00 shoes! What? That's ridiculous. Ridonculous, even. I must wear them more - they were lovely today.

Steel bling:

I liked how this chain bib necklace filled in the neckline of my blouse without being overwhelming. I predict a lot of wear out of it.

• Necklace - thrifted last weekend for $12.50
• Steel cuff - thrifted
• Cage cuff - Bauxo

And with a minimum of fuss (for me!) the windows are all done. They look very nice, and let in a breeze.

Vizzini had to check out the bedroom situation.

"I approve of this window."

He doesn't seem to have been rattled by the noise or the workers. I bet he will want some cuddles tonight, though.

Only 3 more sleeps till the big Vancouver +40 Blogger Meet-Up! I should probably think about what I'm going to wear...

Fakes and Reals

"Fake it till you feel it" or "Fake it till you make it" has been a mantra of mine for many years. Being a naturally shy person, I've learned how to really fake being outgoing. I think I probably fool most of the people I work with. 

I had no energy for fakin' it today. 300+ emails, head down, get done what didn't get done while I was sick. I worked till 7pm, and I have yet to have dinner. For reals.

• Dress - I'M Isola Marras; last seen here (5th outfit) during a bigass weekend in May
• Shoes - Tod's, Spring 2012, thrifted; purchased here yesterday for $29.50

Fakes:

• My attitude
• My hair
• Many of my front teeth 

Reals:

• Everything else about me
• This sweet Italian designer dress
• These awesome real Tod's shoes 

The stuff: 

Random coaster because...um...coaster!

After wearing these shoes for a full day, I can 100% confirm they are REALS. No fakes feel that good to wear. No rubbing, no blisters, and even after wearing that heel, no sore feet.

Our windows are all being replaced tomorrow. Vizzini is upset by everything being moved around and not in its normal places.

"This is outrageous! I will report this to the authorities!"

My usual "stuff" table is being taken up with other stuff, so I have to use the top of these back-to-back bookshelves for a day or two.

Gold bling:

Real designer: the rubber and glass and steel bracelet. Fake designer: the "Gucci" snakeskin bracelet. The rest is just costume stuff picked up here and there.

• Bracelet - Anne-Marie Chagnon, thrifted
• Chain cuff - thrifted
• Bangle - "Gucci", homegrown vintage c. 1987ish
• Necklace - consignment
• Earrings - thrifted

I don't really care if something is real or fake, designer or not. As long as I love it!

Sickass Weekend Round-Up: Very Minor Goings-On

Hello! My apologies for the unexpected absence - I was feeling unwell after Book Club, which escalated into very much unwell overnight, and I called in sick at work on Thursday and Friday. Things have mostly settled down to normal, although I am exhausted. More naps.

"If I don't move, I won't puke."

I had to haul my sorry self to my WW meeting on Thursday night. An easy dress and easy shoes.

• Maxi dress - vintage 70s, thrifted, handmade; first worn here (4th outfit) in May
• Sandals - Born, consignment; last worn here in June to the Ulty field

It's hard to get a replacement leader at my meetings at such late notice - I have worked my meetings sick before.

My group was very understanding. Aw. I headed straight home after and went back to bed.

The stuff:

Minimal bling. The weather is getting hot again.

• Belt - vintage 60s, Mom's
• Earrings - 5th anniversary gift from L
• Ring - some junky store in the late 90s

This is what I felt like on Friday.

"ZZZZZZZZ..."

 I barely budged all day.

"You seem to have enough energy to bother me..."

I was cautiously optimistic about playing Ultimate frisbee on Saturday morning.

We can fake it till we feel it!

• Dress - Zac Posen for Lord & Taylor, thrifted; first seen here in multiple outfits in June
• Shoes - Enzo Angiolini, consignment; last seen here in June with emerald culottes

"Must bump you."

I made it through the game, although I collapsed on the ground at the end of every point. I'm pretty sore today, but it was good to keep my body moving.

"I hear seagulls on the roof!"

We went for brunch afterwards, then home to nap some more.

The stuff:

Such comfy shoes.

• Belt - Leatherworld
• Buckle - She She Shoes
• Earrings - gift from L

I did a bit more work on Cat's fan, but it is hot here again and I couldn't handle all the sun.

"What a wuss you are."

More sleeping in today and a slow stroll to town to get groceries.

Loose pieces. I also used my parasol today so that I could keep my hair colour fresh - I am liking that it's staying a deeper purple this time and want to keep it that way...at least until the Blogger Meet-Up this coming weekend!

• Blouse - Planet, thrifted; last seen here in May with great swacks of colour
• Skirt - handmade, thrifted; last worn here in May with lemon-lime
• Shoes - Franco Sarto, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) earlier this month with funky pants

Like some of the other participants, I am nervous about meeting all these "strangers". I'm sure it will be fine, but I'm a less extroverted person than I might seem - I worry about how people will expect me to be. I tend to overthink these things.

No thinking with this outfit, though. I love this splatter skirt. Not such a fan of the blouse, though. It will go in the giveaway pile once it's been washed.

No stuff for you!

I just wore plain stud earrings. Too hot for bling.

I had to pop into the WIN Boutique for a quick look around. I loved this chain necklace.

It's a nice edgy look, and only $12.50.

I'll replace today's red blouse with this deep orange one by Max Studio.

It was $10.50.

I was excited to luck out on two pairs of shoes. These are Ralph Lauren and were $29.50.

They're a dark chocolate brown, with caramel patent leather detailing.

I will be getting some good wear out of these with my fall equestrian looks.

I was really taken with these Tod's shoes. They were $29.50 and are clearly noted as "Replicas" on the stickers.

I've taken a REALLY good look at them...and I think they are real. If they are, then they would have sold for around $800 new.

They are all leather and suede, including all the trim and ankle straps, and the stitching around the edges of the back ankle piece is also in leather. The logo is nice and clear, and the embossed rubber logo on the sole is very crisp. The size is inside the shoe, and they're clearly marked Made in Italy.

The gold hardware doesn't have a Tod's stamp, but I found 3 pictures of this style online (from Tod's 2012 spring/summer collection), including this post (picture link) with a picture of these shoes - and there isn't a stamp on the buckle.

Best of all, they are deliciously comfortable! I can't wait to wear them. They're very "Agent Carter"!

Well, here's to a better week, health-wise. I'm going to be slammed at work tomorrow - eee, I don't even want to think about all the crap that piled up from the last 2 days...

Purple-Haired Pastels in Peach and Pale Peppermint

Today's post brought to you by the letter "P"!

Perfectly pastel, in peach, pale peppermint, popped with purple hair.

• Top - BCBG Max Azria, thrifted; first worn here in May with Danger Pants
• Skirt - J. Crew, thrifted; purchased here on the weekend for $14.95
• Shoes - Coach; last seen here (4th outfit) in May with a shiny maxi dress for grocery shopping

I have never been a huge fan of pastels, and even wrote a post called "Nothing Goes With Mint Green" (here, in August 2009). Of course, I was referring to my mother-in-law's living room walls, but still. Never been a fan.

I'm not totally in love with this top, but it's good enough for now. I like the hemline, but it hangs a bit off my boobular region in sort of a "hey, I might be pregnant" kind of way. Not a look I go for, generally.

I loved this skirt! Such a great fabric, and shiny and lovely! Too bad I was having such a horrible day. I really didn't enjoy it properly. I have a major case of the blues right now. I need a holiday. Good thing the 40+ Blogger Meet-Up is happening next week!

The stuff:

The pink Dr. Scholl's insoles are new on these sandals. The leather piece of the sole near the back of one heel has been trying to roll up and dislodge itself for over a year. I've tried super-glue, staple gun (hey, I'm resourceful) and double-sided tape to make them stick down. Last night, I spotted these pink inserts and *ding* the light went on.

I felt very clever.

You can only see a peep of the pink when I have them on. I had been considering getting rid of these because of that issue, but now...many more years of wear from these, I hope!

Pearly bling:

That's a whack o' pearls, that is.

• Necklace and earrings - Aldo Accessories. 

I liked how the pearls echoed the shiny dots in the skirt.

I'm off to Book Club now - I'll enjoy the company of my awesome girlfriends, drink some wine, eat some food and kvetch a little.