Pattern Mixing for the Squeamish

This outfit elicited a dramatic response from one of my coworkers today. 

A sharp intake of breath, followed by, "I could NEVER do that." She looked like she was going to hurl or something, ha!

• Top - Old Navy, swap from Patti; first worn here in July with cerulean
• Skirt - Savvie; last seen here in May with tomato red
• Shoes - Half Truth Veda, Fluevog; last worn here a couple of weeks ago with Etro

She meant the pattern mixing. Some of the pattern mixing I see on the interwebz is too much for me - I need to have some colours in common. I need a little matchy!

The trick (I told her) is take a busy pattern, like this top, and then put it with a non-busy, two-colour larger pattern, like this skirt.

Make sure you have at least one colour in common, preferably a neutral. In this case, it's white in both the skirt and the top. The green in the skirt doesn't quite match the green in the top's pattern, but it's close enough. It doesn't match, but it goes.

The stuff:

I tied the black of the shirt with the black shoes - I like a top-to-bottom coherent look. Bookended, if you will.

Round bling:

Then I pulled out a few of the colours in the top as accessories. You can see that I also did a red camisole under the top (it has open split sides).

• Earrings - Plum
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes

And voila! I pointed out to my coworker how she could have swapped out her plain skirt for a patterned one that would go with her floral top and she totally got it. That was cool.

An Oldie and a Newbie

These are odd August weeks; most of the people at work are on vacation and it's oddly quiet. And yet, my days don't seem to get much less busy.

Less running around overall, and the pace is merely busy vs. frantic. But enough of work! Let's look at this mix of old and new.

• Dress - Club Monaco, consignment; last worn here in December 2013
• Blouse - no label, thrifted; last seen here in May with pink leather and sequins
• Shoes - Gentle Souls; purchased here on the weekend for $134.00

Zoiks, December 2013 - it's been a year and a half since I wore this dress! It's so versatile for layering over blouses, though, and it has All The Things:

• A bubble hem
• It's wool and fully lined
• Pocketses, precious
• Pinstripes
• Strapless 

It goes perfectly with this fruital blouse too. I've had this dress a long time; it's nearly one of the oldest pieces of clothing in my closet. Let's go on a wee journey, shall we?

In addition to today:

• The last outfit in December 2013 (here) layered over steely blue chiffon
• In December 2012 here over a Victorian lacy blouse (very trendy now, look at me, 3 years ahead of the game!)
• In December 2012 again here (I was doing a year-long 30 for 30 capsule challenge) with teal and blues
• In November 2011 here over a red polka dot blouse 
• Here, in April 2011 over a yellow blouse - that's the very first time I did a picture on my stairs (I haven't mastered the Stair Pose yet)
• In August 2011 here - you might recognize that first picture: it's the one Megan Mae used to create the illustration that's behind my head in every indoor shot!
• In September 2010 here, when I first thrifted a Real Label (Prada)
• Twice in one week here in March 2010, during a wardrobe challenge (I still have that green lace skirt)
• Here in November 2009 under a cardigan (healing from my first tattoo). Aw, there's my Inigo...
• In October 2009 here for my birthday week, featuring the Sheila Fact: I hate parsnips. 
• And the very first time I wore it, here in May 2009, over a white striped shirt.

Twelve times. That's not bad for a dress I bought on consignment for around $40.00. 

The stuff: 

The dress is my oldie, and the shoes are the newbies in my wardrobe. Loved them! No rubs, easy to wear around. I even ventured out on an errand and walked several blocks in them. Love.

Round bling:

This belt is so cool. It's aluminum (or something close to it) - it's incredibly light.

• Belt - vintage fair
• Earrings - Stella and Dot, consignment
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes

What's the oldest thing you still wear in your closet?

Primary Mix and Fit to Be Dyed

Monday are never happy; they are only there to be endured. So says me! 

I have endured, and I survived. All this colour helped!

• Cardigan - no label, thrifted; last worn here (3rd outfit) in May with the white dress I wore this past weekend
• Top - Anne Klein, thrifted; last seen here in June with pink and purple
• Skirt - Bianca Nygard, thrifted; last worn here in April with a double flare
• Shoes - Feet First; last seen here in June with magenta fringe

I had a lot of positive reactions to this outfit, mostly about all the colours.

You can't really go wrong with variations on the primary colours of red, blue and yellow (especially lemon yellow). They always work together.

The stuff:

It's like I planned it!

Red bling:

Great red balls!

• Earrings - Tania Gleave
• Ring - gift from Cindy
• Scarf - thrifted

Okay, now I'm grateful for suggestions about dyeing my hair, but please understand a couple of things.

One: I've been dyeing it since I was 18. That's THIRTY years. I know what I'm doing, and although I'm not a hair professional, I do a good job on my own hair with regular colour. And while I appreciate the advice about putting Vaseline along my hairline, but I've been all over that for a couple of decades.

Two: This is not your standard hair dye. Nosirree. Beware - graphic hairline photos!

I have washed my hair, and scrubbed my scalp, TEN times since Saturday morning. 

It's super-duper, not-standard hair dye. I can't rub Vaseline into my scalp or I'd get some crazy patchiness, and that is my scalp right there with the crazy purple blobules. I have to wait until my scalp sheds before the purple comes off. That's how insane this dye is.

Can you imagine what this would have looked like without the gobs of Vaseline I DID put on?

My scalp will look normal by Friday

The problem is mostly because I have very short (almost shaved) hair on the sides and back - you can see my scalp through the hair, so the dye is really noticeable, much moreso than someone with long hair. And even though I coat my entire ear (and my arms, and my hands, and my whole face, and my neck and my entire upper back) in Vaseline, some of it always sneaks through.

The dye that I use - Splat - is more like a stain, like if you were staining furniture. I touched it - once - with my bare finger and my finger stayed black for about a day, fading to purple and then magenta over a couple of days. It lasts really well...because it colours really well.

So there you have it. Thank you again for all the suggestions of using Vaseline, but I'm covered!

Neutral Weekend Wrap-Up: Newly Purple With White, Grey Soles, and Plaid and a Hat

It's been a deliciously quiet weekend. Just me, L and Vizzini. 

No Ulty on Saturday, so I got up early and dyed my hair.

Yup, purple again, Mom. Better get used to it!

• Dress - Lord & Taylor, thrifted; first worn here (3rd outfit) for a theatre outing with Mom in May
• Shoes - Anne Klein, thrifted; last seen here that same weekend in May, only in the 2nd outfit for my Ulty outfit

Since once again, the dye has stained my scalp, I will be in cover-up mode until my scalp sheds. Yay, what an awesome visual!

I love this dress! I need to get at least one more wear out of it this summer. It's not staying out for fall/winter!

L and I did a small shop (I had to mail some parcels and start looking for my next Book Club selection), then napped when we got home. We hung out and played "Arkham Horror" all night. Good times!

The stuff:

A pretty scarf to go with the pretty pink shoes. These shoes are a bit too small, so not sure if they will last beyond this summer.

Circular bling:

The scarf was pretty slippery but I liked it with the outfit.

• Scarf - thrifted
• Chain belt - vintage 60s, Mom's
• Cuff - Bauxo
• Earrings - gift from L

We happened to go past Footloose Shoes (link, 'cause I love!), one of my favourite shops. L was generous enough to let me have a quick peek around. 

And very generous to buy me these amazing grey suede shoes!

They are by Gentle Souls (by Kenneth Cole), and were on clearance for $134.00.

Isn't that the coolest heel? I love the soft grey as well. I've been looking for a pair of grey shoes for a while, and these are so funky!

Today, I ventured out to get groceries.

A hat to cover the hairline staining and simple comfy clothes for my brief foray into the world.

• Cardigan - Bellisima, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in May over a maxi
• Cami - Esprit; I don't track these
• Skirt - Ralph Lauren, thrifted; first worn here in June with white and orange
• Sandals - Born, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit) in May to Ulty and back
• Hat - Delux

My second wearing of this skirt and I really loved it. It billows very nicely.

I might keep it out year-round, even though it's unlined and 100% linen - it would go would go well with boots, and I have plenty of slips and half-slips (which I wore today) to wear under it.

This afternoon, I did 3 hours of a training course for WW - necessary but long! - so now I'm going to go give my guys some time. Hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

Casual Friday: Sack and Turquoise

Woo, Friday is here! Time to wear a dress. 

Gee, I just don't wear dresses enough! *snort*

• Dress - no label, thrifted; purchased here for $19.99 - UPDATE: the dress is by Joe Fresh - I saw the same one in a thrift store. 
• Shoes - Prepare Guides, Fluevog; last seen here just a week ago

I am old enough and experienced enough in the ways of clothes to know that an hourglass shape is the best on my body, and yet I do find myself drawn to different shapes, even if they are not as flattering on me.

I really enjoyed this sack dress, especially the lovely neckline, the perfect sleeves and the sweet, sweet pockets.

The stuff:

Home late due to a haircut, and the sun is all bright

I just love popping aqua off black and white. I walked all over town in those shoes today!

Aqua bling:

Considering I paid $5.00 for that choker and maybe $3.00 for that cuff, they are two awesome workhorses in my accessories collection.

• Choker - vintage fair
• Cuff - thrifted
• Earrings - local

After giving away about 15 bags of clothes last Saturday, I took 5 bags of what was left to work today and gave it all away. It felt so good - my desk was swarmed and it was all gone in 20 minutes! I love that karma! 

Wishing everyone out there a good weekend! 

Florence Dress, Obi and Gold Things

Yup, the  most creative post title ever. I'm tired - it's been a long day. 

That whole "instant outfit" thing about dresses? Still applies today.

• Dress - Max & Co.; last seen here (3rd outfit) in April for Easter at Mom's
• Shoes - Modern Vintage, thrifted; last worn here in July with my camo dress

I built this outfit around the obi. I needed something with a wide flat waist - a dress means I don't have to fuss with a top coming untucked from the obi or a skirt's waistband (always trick with a belt).

As always, I get tons of comments on this gorgeous dress. People just want to touch it.

Shiny! I almost wish I'd bought this dress in another colour/material. I think they had 5 or 6 different versions in different fabrics. I love that the fabric was woven in Italy, and the dress was made there too - it was worth every penny. It feels like quality...because it is!

The stuff:

Comfy flats carried me from work to my WW meeting tonight.

Belt and bling:

I liked this belt - wish it were leather! - and liked how it looked. First wear of the obi and the stacking rings.

• Belt - Bennetton, thrifted
• Rings - thrifted
• Earrings - local

Couch time!

Spanish Ladies and the Blues

I had another outfit picked out to wear today, but it's another hot day (although windy), so I had to scramble this morning to find something more weather-appropriate. I did what I always do in that situation. 

Wear a dress!

• Dress - Lirub; last worn here in April 
• Shoes - Born, consignment; last seen here (3rd outfit) earlier this month for chillin' with my friends

 Unimaginatively, I wore blue accessories with it. I usually do blue or red or yellow - they all work.

As always, I get tons of compliments on the dress whenever I wear it! I've had it for 5+ years, and it's still going strong.

The stuff:

Couldn't wear "real" shoes today. Just too hot, even in the office's air conditioning.

Blue bling:

I love this blue belt - such a classic shape.

• Belt - Danier
• Earrings - flea market
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes

Time for dinner!

Unabashedly Padded a la Gaga

Unlike yesterday's jacket's very short life in my closet, this jacket's a keeper.

It just makes me want to dance!

• Jacket - Garden Collection, H&M, consignment; purchased here a couple of weekends ago for $22.98
• Top - Mossimo, thrifted; last seen here in May under mustard
• Tapestry skirt - no label, handmade, thrifted; first seen here in July on a Casual Friday
• Shoes - Queen of Prussia, Louise, Fluevog; last seen here in May (5th outfit) with a crazy pattern

I waggled my shoulders at everyone today. It was a very popular jacket, although I did get quite a bit of the side-eye when I was out on the street. Heh.

I really liked the dark reds (skirt, shoes) with this very bright red - all of the pictures of this jacket I've seen online are of women wearing a white t-shirt and jeans with it. Bo-ring!

The stuff:

Gaga-esque shoes, for sure. These are so comfortable!

Bigass bling:

Big chain, big earrings.

• Necklace - $10 grab bag, consignment
• Earrings - thrifted
• Spinner ring - consignment
• Ring - POLY, vintage fair

I went looking for Vizzini this morning (to say goodbye with a snuggle), and found him on the second tier of his deck post.

"Tuesday means the second step, woman."

He never sits there. Weird cat!

Yellow and Purple with Lemon-Lime Rhinestones

Well, Monday again. Enough said.

My first wearing of this new-to-me handmade vintage jacket, and likely the last.

• Jacket - vintage 60s, handmade, thrifted; purchased here yesterday for $9.99
• Dress - Jacob, thrifted; last seen here (3rd outfit) in April for a stroll to the grocery store
• Shoes - Pearl Hart Bellevue, Fluevog; last seen here in June with pink

There's nothing really wrong with the jacket. It's lovely. But it muddies out from a distance (like in these pictures), and it wasn't special enough.

I'm happier to move it along, than to keep something I don't fully love in my closet.

The stuff:

I still love these shoes, although they were a little warm today.

Lemon-lime bling:

This is one of my favourite sets that my Grandma J gave me.

• Brooch/earrings - vintage 60s, Grandma J's. 

Tomorrow is another day!