Book Blurbs - Catching Up

I'm off for a couple of days, so I'll catch up on some of the non-fashion stuff...today's entry will be some books that I've read.

Not that books are the focus of this blog, but in case anyone's wondered why I'm not apparently reading much (the last blurb I did was in mid-July), it's because I read multiple books at a time sometimes. Right now, I'm concurrently reading two books of non-fiction: one is a bunch of essays/newspaper columns (it's what I read when I want to fall asleep fast, hee hee), and one is my bathroom book (i.e. slow reading. Perhaps that's TMI, sorry).

At the same time as the slower reads, I am also reading my usual stuff: trashy fiction and graphic novels, and a couple of comic books.

First up: The Order of the Stick: The Origin of PCs:

(my apologies for linking to the pictures, Mr. Burlew, I had to give these back and forgot to take a picture).

I am a dedicated and loyal reader of the online comic The Order of the Stick. I highly recommend it if you are into role-playing games (it's full of in-jokes) - it's hilarious. I have finally caught up and read the entire series, and now join the legion of readers who compusively check the website every day to see if Rich Burlew has posted a new comic.

Anyway, there are a couple of supplementary tales to the series that can only be purchased in actual book form, this being one of them. It's more of the same of the comic, but this is the origin story of how the adventuring party came together. Awesomeness.

And just as entertaining as the "good guys" is the origin tale of the bad guys, The Order of the Stick: The Start of Darkness:

Freakin' geeky awesomeness! Thanks for the loan of these, Kelly! I highly recommend these. I wish there were more to buy.

This morning, I read "Incognito" by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. They also collaborated on the "Criminal" series, which I really liked (I own it).

And yesterday, I finished another Kim Harrison book. I've realized that I really, really like this series. I should never have given away the first one - I'm going to have to buy it again second-hand.
It was another solid entry in the series. I'm totally hooked on them - there are two more that I need to get!

Not sure what fiction I'll dig into next, but I'll have some solid reading time while we're up visiting L's folks (ferry ride, hopefully some slack time in the backyard in the sun).

Thank God for Waterproof Mascara

I found out this afternoon why the Boss was in the office: my entire department is being outsourced. They're sitting all seven of us down for "the talk" to discuss our future with the company, which will not be longer than 6 months. I've been with them for 5 years...and ironically, I just got a company jacket this morning as my reward for being there that long. I feel like cutting it up with scissors.

As we sat with the Boss and HR, all I could think was, "What timing! I just bought waterproof mascara!" Funny how your mind goes, isn't it?

Anyway, I'm still reeling and since I won't be there tomorrow or Friday for "the talk", I will find out on Monday what's going to happen with my life in the near future. At least I looked good today:
Yup, a bunch of remixed stuff. Nothing too special.

And I even did my WW pose:

I could use an invisible jet to whisk me away, but instead will be at my in-laws for a few days. I'll be back on Saturday - I've done a couple of delayed posts so y'all don't pine away for me, hee.

The stuff:

My "concrete" Campers, and Wonder Woman cuff!

Bug and bird:

A bit blurry, sorry. We all cut out early and went and drank vodka.

Take care - back soon.

Sheila

Cardigan (Vero Moda), top (Smart Set, consignment), skirt (Nine and Co., consignment), shoes (Camper), brooch (Le Chateau), leather cuff (Shi Studio).

Pink Zebra (With Wings)

I thought the Boss was going to be at work today, so I both toned down my colours, and turned up my shoes to 11.
This is the second wear for this skirt (last seen here). It's tricky to do a pattern with zebra, so my solid-coloured tops will get a lot of rotation with it.

She's a wonder, Wonder Woman!

I've got wings! Actually, those remind me (in a bad way) of the saggy skin I have on my upper arms. Must keep doing pee push-ups!

The stuff:

These Fluevogs have taken quite a beating - I've worn them a lot, at least a dozen times (I have a "Fluevogs" link at the bottom of the post).

The jewelry:

Ha, I last wore these earrings with this same skirt!

Sweater (Esprit, consignment), skirt (Plum), necklace and earrings (Plum), shoes ("Ivanna" Listen Up, Fluevogs).

Lazy Monday - Dress Week Leftovers

I have my spacey moments...like when I planned all five outfits for Bride of Dress Week last week, and then forgot that last Monday was a holiday. The benefit is that I didn't have to think of an outfit for today, because it was already hanging in my closet. All I had to do was pick out some jewelry and I was good to go:
(Inigo meows, "Feed me!")

So, a sheer blouse and a leather dress - for work! If you described that to someone, I bet they wouldn't picture this, ha ha! The last time I wore this dress, I went way too plain, so I wanted to jazz it up this time and play with layering it more. I've also worn it here, when I first got it.

I was a bit concerned about the weather and it being too hot, but my office was reliably frigid (it even rained today, grrrr). I wore the sheer blouse again that I got last month.

Yo, Wonder Woman!
Ka-pow!

The stuff:

My fab, fab shoes. See them in action here, here, here, here (gee, I like to wear them with this same obi!), here, here, and here. That's a lot, wow.

A close-up of the gold stuff:

My Foxy jewelry and Dad's ring. Ah....I always feel close to him when I wear it. Can't believe it's been nearly 13 years since he died.

Okay, enough of a downer! Woo! This is a short week for me, as L and I are making the trek to visit his folks on Thursday. I have done a couple of interim posts so that you don't all go into withdrawal or anything while I'm gone, and on Saturday - EEEEE - we're going to a party and I'm FINALLY wearing the new dress I got in Paris. So excited!

Dress (Danier, consignment), blouse (Express, thrifted), shoes (Poetic Licence, gift from L), jewelry (Foxy), ring (Dad's, vintage 60s), obi (Smoking Lily).

Bride of Dress Week - Casual Friday Goes Cowgirl

Ah, Sunday. I guess I should get off my lazy butt and post Friday's outfit, eh?

This is the 3rd new dress - and I think I saved the most whackadoo for last!

Those are my new boots that I got a couple of weeks ago - pushing my own envelope again by wearing them with this party-style strapless dress. As Friday calls for denim, I tied my denim shirt at the waist...but then I really went cowgirl and added my brown belt (not matching brown and black - I'm learning) and a bunch of chunks of turquoise.

The obligatory Wonder Woman pose:

This is the Pouffiest Dress Ever. It's like tent material, so whenever I sit down (i.e. on the bus, at my desk), it puffs up and I have to pat it down. It also rustles when I walk - you can hear me coming!

The short boots made this extra insane. I got a few askance looks at work, and when Ruth and I went to the mall at lunch. Ha!

This is what the dress looks like on its own (those are my bra straps):

End of the day...cooling off my sweaty feet from being in the boots all day. Someone is also happy to see me.

The back of the dress is a panel of elastic ruched fabric so it fits snugly. Despite this, it slid down constantly. Arg. I also wish it had pockets. It also has a couple of bigass belt loops on either side, which I might remove, since they are lower than the sewn waist.

The stuff:

Aren't those sweet boots? They are Miz Mooz and are leather (they have that awesome leather smell). Very comfy. They were half price: $80.

A close-up:

I adore that belt buckle. I've worn that belt several times: here, here, and I guess for a couple of casual weekend outfits that I didn't bother to photograph...huh, I thought I'd worn it more than that.

The dress was thrifted for $22, and it still had the original price tag on it!

Apparently, it was made in the E.U. (that would be the European Union), manufactured in Russia or some other country that uses the Cyrillic alphabet. It was 165 something, though, possibly dollars. I got no hits for the label or brand at all.

Dress (Vita Boutique Couture, thrifted), shirt (Mexx, consignment), boots (Miz Mooz), belt (Shi Studio), necklace and ring (Plum).

I wore the dress again yesterday for my Weight Watchers meeting:

I wanted to do it more girly this time. I also wore this outfit out for lunch, and for wandering around town shopping in the rain (yes, rain. Thank you, West coast).

I got a lot less askance looks and way more compliments. However, not having a belt on meant that the dress was much more...volatile...in its shifting. I was constantly grabbing at the top and hiking it back up, as well as having to re-align the seams frequently as it tried to rotate around my body.

Dress (as above), cardigan (Guess, consignment), shoes (Expressions, consignment).

Cat picture!

He was being very meowy.

Bride of Dress Week - Circles and Squares

New dress #2 makes its appearance today!

I fell in love with the fabric; however, it is 100% acetate, which is the Worst Fabric Ever, since it can't touch water, heat, air, dandelion fluff, without self-destructing...I will probably only wear this a few times before I re-consign it. It was only $22, so I'll get my money's worth out of it (and I'll probably get more for it on consignment than I paid!).

I've done a variation of "top over dress" a few times to make a fancy dress work appropriate, because despite how rockin' this dress looks from the front, it ain't safe for work:

There, Wendy! I'm doing my Wonder Woman wristband! You happy? Ha!

But back to the dress - due to the extreme back, I could only wear it on its own with a bra that converts to a low back (like this, only I buy them at La Senza):

Sorry for the glimpse of my bra, but the point had to be made! It's too low.

Ah, now that I look for the label, I see that JS Collections specializes in evening wear - it all makes sense! It's a cocktail dress. It's a brand that Nordstrom's sells (another store we don't have in Canada - wow, they sell this brand for around $100 US! Score!).

I liked all the checkered shapes mixed with all the circular shapes in the stuff:

Those shoes are going to the consignment shop in the next few months - they are just a smidge too small for me and they hurt my feet. Hmmm...maybe I'll wait until I find replacements first. They are awfully cool and they look so gooooood.

A close-up:

My trust grey belt, stud cuff (more squares), and cheapy earrings and ring. Isn't that great fabric?

Dress (JS Collection, thrifted), shoes (Ralph Lauren, consignment), shirt (Club Monaco, consignment), belt (Plum), cuff (old), earrings and ring (Le Chateau).

Bride of Dress Week - Pink and Roses

Yes! Finally! It's a new dress, presented to you in full-on Wonder Woman pose:

Okay, you can probably see why I was drawn to this - my cheapie camera does not do the colours justice. It's peach and pink and dark greeny teal and yellow and brown, all smooshed together in a lovely watercolour mess.

I actually took a little yellow cardi to work to wear over it, but this dress has a super high waist and the cardigan looked all wrong with it, so I just trucked it to work and home again in my trusty backpack.

I'm used to waists being at my...waist, as opposed to being at my underboob. My hands in the top picture are at my real waist.

The dress is probably a half size too big, but eh, I'm never going to get it tailored. "Good enough for government work!" as my dad would say.

I thought the bigass rose went perfectly with it and added a little somethin' somethin'. And as soon as I started holding the dress up to my shoes in my closet, these Fluevogs leapt out at me. I know, dark shoes, light dress, but the colour went so well!

The stuff:

The colour of these shoes never quite comes out right - they are a dark green. Click here for pictures of them when I got them before the writing on the sole wore off, as I knew it would (caution: there are pictures of me dressed for an Alice Cooper concert - don't say you weren't warned!).

But doesn't the rose look amazing?

A close-up of the sparkly stuff:

I really liked the way this green bracelet looked with all the pinks and oranges. The bracelet is one of Mom's from the early 60s, I believe. The earrings are clip-on vintage, probably late 50s. Neither item is stamped or marked. The ring is a $5 cheapie I got in a costume shop years ago.

Whenever I buy a new-to-me article of clothing, I always search inside for the tags. For one, I am not spending my hard-earned $22 (yes, that's how much this dress was) on something I'll have to dry-clean. For another, it often yields valuable clues as to the origins of the item.

In this case, a) it's machine washable - woo! and b) it sold in Target in Q3 (Fall/Autumn) of 2009. Nice. We don't have Target in Canada.

Dress (Merona, thrifted), shoes (Fluevog, "Memories" family, "Madly" model), rose pin (Roberta's Hats), bracelet (Mom's, vintage 60s), earrings (vintage 50s).

Bride of Dress Week - New 'Vogs and Strapless

Just so ya know, neither of the dresses I wore on the weekend were the new ones I bought on Saturday! I've updated yesterday's post to add some links. I'm such a tease!

And today's dress is also not one of the Saturday dresses! Muahahah! You'll have to wait. Still, it's an awesome dress anyway:

I'm doing my "Wonder Woman" pose for A-Dubs and D-Meds at "In Professorial Fashion" - woo! You know I love Wonder Woman!

*ahem*

Anyway, this glorious purple shirt is new-to-me. It's H&M and I got it at the thrift shop for $3.50. It's quite tight across the boobular region, so it's perfect for wearing under other items, like this dress (nice segue, eh?).

I've had this dress for a while now - I wore it twice in Jane's last wardrobe challenge (all the outfits recapped here), as well as here, here, and here. Heh, I've never worn it on its own.

A rare shot of the top half of me:

Showing off my pretty necklace and boob flower. Ignore the pink around my eyebrows: I just had them waxed (my one beauty indulgence...my eyebrows smell like lavender...mmmm).

But wait! Did I not mention "New 'Vogs"? As in NEW FLUEVOGS? Yes! Yes, I did! I saw these on the clearance rack at a shop downtown, last pair...in my size...$110 off the regular price...After some whining and puppy-dog eyes, L bought them for me. Whatta guy!

Oh, sweet mother of shoes, those are so beautiful. They are the "Sumatra" in the "Coffee" line, which refers to the shape of the heels. I also have a pair of "Tea" Fluevogs (these ones, which are now discontinued). I think they have discontinued this design...yup, this is the full "Coffee" line now.

They were incredibly comfortable all day, and I kept checking myself out in reflections in my office. Hee.

A close-up of the sparkly stuff:

My cheapass jewelry.

Thanks to all the amazing suggestions for future Dress Weeks! I'm never going to run out! Full credit to Megan, Audi and Style Underdog for your awesome creativity! Kudos!

Dress (Club Monaco, consignment), shirt (H&M, thrifted), shoes (Fluevog, gift from L), belt (Nygard), necklace (Le Chateau), flower (Roberta's Hats), earrings (Aldo Accessories).

Here are some of the Fluevog bits:

The box (I usually toss them for space), the shoe bag (I have a bunch of these), the sole of the shoe, the Fluevog logo, and the Fluevog signature on the side of the heel.

Bride of Dress Week - Begins...on the Long Weekend!

In the hallowed tradition of my other Dress Weeks (see sidebar for links), this week's title is based on yet another monster movie title (the most excellent "Bride of Frankenstein"). I'm running out of ideas for titles, though! Any suggestions? I'd like to continue the monster movie theme, and it must work with the phrase "Dress Week".

I wasn't intending to do a Dress Week until September, but I was browsing in a second-hand store on Saturday and found THREE amazing dresses (all in the $20-22 range). Well, of course, this called for a Dress Week!

Saturday's outfit:
Nice and light for Weight Watchers, with a bit of badass in the skull scarf. I also went for lunch in this and did some shopping. Of course, I just got this dress last week and wore it on Monday.

Dress (Taylor, consignment), shoes (Reaction Kenneth Cole, gift from Cat), scarf (Metrowear, San Francisco).

Today's the holiday, but we still had to get groceries:

I ended up abandoning the shoes when I got home - darned things kept loosening up as I wore them. When I got home, I changed into a pair of flats, and we went out for lunch.

I've had this dress forever (3 years?): wore it here, here, here, here, and here. Whoa, that's a lot!

The weather's off and on, so the jacket is needed. We're off to the museum, out for dinner, and then going to see "Iron Man 2" at the IMAX!

Dress (Kenzie), wedge shoes (Tommy Hilfigger, consignment), flats (Franco Sarto), leather jacket (Danier), earrings (Plum, gift from L).

Hope you had a great weekend!