Verdicts, Hockey and Tiki, and More Ruffles

What a busy weekend! Friday ended with a hockey game organized by the Social Committee at my work - we went out for beer and appies before the game, then watched the home team win! Huzzah!

Naturally, I dressed for a hockey game.

I prefer a dressy Casual Friday.

I took the bus home and swapped out these shoes for flat black boots for walking to and from the game.

I'm doing the "lock and load" here with the jacket done up, but I wore it unbuttoned except when I put my coat on over it. This is my lovely stretchy denim jacket that I wore twice in the February 2012 capsule (recap here) - I also wore these black Cydwoq shoes that month (worn 4 times). Ha, I actually wore this same jacket to a hockey game last year too!

Ah, that's better unbuttoned. I wore this lovely cowl sleeveless blouse (last worn here for the September 2012 Wild Card outfit). I did rusty-brown ribbed tights to go with the pattern of the skirt - a half-slip kept them from clinging.

This is my outfit for Patti's "Visible Monday" over at Not Dead Yet Style. Check out all the gorgeous participants!

I like the fit of the jacket done up, but it was bulky over my mass of access cards and keys and pedometer.

And this makes this the third wear of the tiki skirt, previously worn here and here. I'm not going to keep you in suspense - here are the results from the first two votes:

• Like it: 91
• Lose it: 19

It's a blow-out! The verdict: I'm totally keeping it!

As a few people noted, it's a bit big on me, so I might splurge and get it taken in a smidge, but I'm quite lazy so it will probably stay as is. It's unlined and a thin cotton, so like the Smoking Lily Holy Ship! dress, it's more of a summer item than winter wear.

The stuff:

I love Cydwoq shoes. I'd love another pair but the store here that used to carry them only gets a few styles in - rarely the really cool vintage-looking boots that they make. I'll need to save my pennies for a pair of those.

I really liked the copper pieces with this outfit:

The earrings are vintage Renoir, and the pin was thrifted about a month ago for $3.00.

Jacket (Bisou Bisou, consignment), blouse (Michael Kors, consignment), skirt (Smoking Lily), shoes (Cydwoq), pin (vintage, thrifted), earrings (vintage 60s, Renoir, thrifted).

Following the last wear of the black suede maxi skirt, I also have a verdict for it!

My favourite look with it so far

I wore it here, here and here.

• Like it: 69
• Lose it: 41

Ooh, a close one! And the verdict is: I'm keeping it.

I know, it's just a black maxi skirt, but I adore the thick suede (seriously, it weighs about 8 lbs), the shape and the pockets. It's a gorgeous skirt and will work well as a cold-weather basic in my wardrobe.

I also have the verdict for the red and white roses top:

I really like this outfit

I previously wore it here and here.  The votes are:

• Like it: 60
• Lose it: 13

Another sweep for the Like its! My verdict is: Lose it.

Yes, I'm not keeping it. I spent a little time yesterday putting together outfits for next week (lots of new items up for voting!), and I just couldn't get inspired to find another outfit for this top. I love the cut, the fit, the shape...but the pattern is too big for so much seaming, and the colours pretty much limit me to wearing red and green with it. Blah. So out of my wardrobe it goes!

On Saturday, L and I did our usual brunch out, then we split up and did our own thing for the afternoon. I knew I'd be shopping and wearing a coat for most of the day, so I kept my outfit simple.

 It's the return of the ruffled skirt!

This is a plain brown merino wool sweater by Club Monaco that I thrifted in 2010 for $12.00 - I wore it in the February 2012 capsule (recap here) three times - and I'd say that it was the neutral piece that started to open up my eyes about having good quality neutral basics in my wardrobe to go with all the kooky pieces I have.

This is the second wear of the ruffled patchwork skirt, last worn here.

Olive and Red Patchwork Skirt (Dolcezza): Outfit #2

Olive and Red Patchwork Skirt (Dolcezza)
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I'd forgotten about these brown boots:

They also featured heavily in the February 2012 capsule (recap here), worn 5 times, which was the most of any of my shoes that month.

I wore this comfy outfit to Winesday with my gals last night too - I ran for the bus in these boots! Gotta love a pair of boots you can run in!

My most favourite coat ever. I'm all over this "leather for spring" trend, man. I can't wait to bust out some of my spring/summer pieces!

Jacket (Danier Leather), sweater (Club Monaco, consignment), skirt (Dolcezza), boots (Miz Mooz), choker (Mom's, vintage 60s).

I didn't find anything at the thrift stores this time. My favourite thrift store is selling off wedding dresses right now, so their stock is quite low. I cruised over to the Velvet Crease and found a couple of wonderful pieces.

This skirt called to me.

It's a gauzy stone-coloured cotton with a t-shirt material waistband. There are two layers of skirting, with the top layer having visible seams. It's by Lapis and was $30.00. I can see this worn underneath another full skirt as a layering piece, or with a fitted top, or even with the waistband folded up to make it a strapless (although I'm a bit booby for that look).

I also fell hard for this blazer.

It's a thick denim twill with a faint textured stripe.

The lapels are silk, like a men's tie material.

The buttons are covered in the same fabric. It has black, white, gold and burgundy in it.

As does the lining!

Wow! I love that.

It was just a bonus that it's by Etro.

Etro is known for featuring paisley designs in their clothing - the label is shaped like a paisley swoosh.

Sweet! A high-end designer piece for $42.00. That's a score! I'm sure this would have been $300-400.00 new. I'm looking forward to playing with the tux-like styling of it.

Speaking of tuxes, the Chairman of the Board has a few words to share:

"I'm feeling more laid back today."

He wasn't happy with us being out all weekend.

"Either play with me or I shred the curtains."

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

I Have Wings (and a Massive Black Skirt)

The weekend is nearly upon us, my friends! And spring feels ever closer.

This is the third wear of the black suede maxi skirt.

With it, I'm wearing my lovely teal thin sweater that was featured twice in the April 2012 capsule (recap here). It felt great to wear it again, like putting on an old friend. And that is what I want all my clothes to feel like!

With maxi skirts, I like to keep the top fairly slim, especially if the maxi is wide. I'm short (5'4") so I want to make sure I'm not lost in all that skirt. I previously wore this skirt here and here.

Black Suede Maxi Skirt (Danier Leather): Outfit #3

Black Suede Maxi Skirt (Danier Leather): Outfit #3
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This sweater is not my usual shape, but it works because of the very wide band at the waist/hips.

I may have flapped my "wings" a few times today, hee hee, just because that's how I roll.

I just wore my black heeled lace-up booties (last worn here for New Year's Eve):

And teal tights, even though I was the only one who saw them. I forgot that this sweater shows a fair bit of my upper back, and hence, my tattoos. My coworkers had a gander and so did some clients - one of them rolled up her sleeves and showed me her ink!

The stuff:

My cool "teeth" necklace, my flaming skull belt (with a buckle I thrifted a while ago for $6.00), little flower earrings and my leather cuff.

Sweater (Kenneth Cole Reaction, consignment), skirt (Danier Leather, thrifted), boots (Marc Softwalk), belt (consignment), buckle (thrifted), necklace (The Bay), cuff (Guess, thrifted), earrings (locally-made).

L and I will be out at a hockey game (go, Royals!) tomorrow night right after work, so I'll be back on Saturday with the third wear of the tiki skirt.

Patchwork Skirt the First, and More Red and Olive

Ah, Wednesday. It's all downhill from here. 

Hopefully not outfit-wise, though.

I am going to have to do some major purging when I clean out my closet this month. I have way more new and non-worn-in-over-a-year items in my closet to get through than I thought. Having gone through the whole 12-month capsule thing, it's really shown me how many clothes I have accumulated.

One of those accumulated items is this Dolcezza skirt which did not make it into a capsule. To be fair, I did wear it for a Wild Card outfit last year (the notorious night of debauchery) as part of my steampunk vampire killer outfit. I bought it new at Dots, as a sample - it was $34.99 - in August 2011 (3rd outfit). Since then, I wore it September 2011 (3rd picture), again in September 2011, and in December 2011.

However, I seem to collect olive/neutral and red skirts - I got rid of one last night when I realized it just isn't versatile enough for me. I liked it but I didn't love it - and it kept getting passed over for the Like it or Lose it. Now, what does that tell me?

Anyway, moving on from my musings to a skirt I am putting up for the vote.

Olive and Red Patchwork Skirt (Dolcezza): Outfit #1

Olive and Red Patchwork Skirt (Dolcezza): Outfit #1
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The cardigan is the olive one I wore four times in November 2012's all-neutral capsule (recap here) and the sweater tank under it was worn 3 times in August 2012's capsule (recap here).

The shoes are the infamous Replacement Shoes Because My Cat is a Jerk ones.

The stuff:

Lovely uneaten shoes, a vintage leather belt, a handmade necklace L bought me ages ago, and some of my usual bling.

The lady in flames:

The picture is lacquered on a domino.

Cardigan (Press), top (Planet), skirt (Dolcezza), shoes (Wonders Ayers, Fluevogs), belt (vintage Le Chateau, consignment), necklace/earrings (locally made), silver/red ring (Oscar & Libby's), ring (Nine West).

If you noticed the extra little bit of bling at my skirt pocket, I got a pedometer last night and clipped it on to see how many steps I take in a typical day.

As of arriving at home, that's 12,857 steps. Wow! Over 5 miles traveled today.

Roses Round Two

Only Tuesday...*sigh*

Second outfit for the red/white roses cotton top.

If this outfit feels familiar, that's because the cardi, the skirt and the shoes were all featured in the October 2012 capsule (recap here). Although I didn't combine all three of these items together for an outfit that month (I know! I totally thought I had), I easily could have. I wore the cardi twice, the skirt 5 times, and the shoes twice. I was feeling iffy about the shoes, but I really liked them today.

This top barely missed making it into the October capsule - I like how it is more of a backstage piece in this outfit. I last wore it here on the weekend.

White and Red Roses Top (Le Chateau)

White and Red Roses Top (Le Chateau)
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I've realized that I need to wear seasonal items (like the Holy Ship! dress) in their season - it's tricky wearing items that are specifically for summer in the winter. I have a bunch of cold-weather items, including a cashmere sweater, that I'd better get into rotation by the end of the month. I'll be pulling out all my spring/summer clothes then - exciting!

I do adore this skirt.

The necklace:

I like the two-tone leaves.

Cardigan (no label, consignment), top (Le Chateau, consignment), skirt (Precis Petites), shoes (Hilary Radley, thrifted), necklace (thrifted, vintage).

Blue Blouse Round 2 - Now With More Yellow

Adding a routine to one's week really eats up a chunk of time - it usually takes me 30-45 minutes to do a blog entry, and now L and I have the gym three times a week added on top of that. It feels good to be getting stronger, but I miss the extra time! 

Anyway, enough of my whining, here's the blue and white blouse, back for another kick at the can.

I'm wearing nude fishnets - it's too cold for bare legs!

Thank you to whichever commenter had the brilliant idea last time I wore this blouse to pair it with yellow. I can do that! I love this bright yellow skirt, and the blue-purple-y shade with it reminds me of irises, which will be blooming at some point.

I did try a little harder to make this blouse work this time; tucked it in, did my usual hourglass shape instead of no-waist, added more colour. I last wore it here.

Blue/White Sheer Blouse (Elie Tahari for Nordstrom)

Blue/White Sheer Blouse (Elie Tahari for Nordstrom)
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I wore the skirt twice in the September 2012 capsule (recap here), but it's been a favourite ever since I got it. It's in the dry-cleaning bag now, though, as I got a few dirt marks on it at work today.

The boots are my Libby Smith Bellevues that I wore three times waaaaay back in the February 2012 capsule wardrobe (recap here) - I've missed them so much! I'd planned to go with a "safe" black shoe with this outfit, but once I started playing with the accessories, I realized that I could pull a minor neutral (tan) in with the one major neutral (black) and it could still work. Hurray!

The jacket is my classic "boyfriend" blazer that I thrifted a couple of years ago. It featured heavily in the July 2012 capsule (recap here), where I wore it 7 times. My love for a classic black "throw it on with everything" blazer was reinvigorated! 

The stuff:

The focus of it all was the lovely combination of Megan Mae's buttonflowers*  - the tan button in the centre was the thing that led me down the path to the second neutral. Of course, if you're doing a buttonflower with bees on it, one must wear the bee brooch! I had so many compliments on my cluster of colour today - thank you, Megan!
*linking 'cause I love - do I even need to say that about Megan?

Hope your Monday was...well, not a typical Monday!

Jacket (Banana Republic, thrifted), blouse (Elie Tahari for Nordstrom, thrifted), skirt (BB Dakota, consignment), booties (Libby Smith Bellevues, Fluevogs), belt (Club Monaco), earrings (Plum), cuff (SkinzNHydez), buttonflowers/bee pin (MMD gifts).

30 For 30 Capsule Challenge - Favourite Capsule (Plus the Tiki Skirt Round Two and a Rose Top)

And the winner for the best capsule of the 30 For 30 Capsule Challenge is...October! Enjoy it all over again at the recap here.

But I'm getting tired of the capsule thing. It's over, it's done. I want to look at new things!

Crazy chicken-hair lady

Like this groovy tiki skirt! I wore it on Saturday with my marigold yellow sweater (previously worn twice in the winning October capsule, recap again here), and my Presence Impulse red flats (which I wore 5 times in the September capsule, recap here).

I'm joining Patti's "Visible Monday" at Not Dead Yet Style with this colourful ensemble.

This is the second wearing of this Smoking Lily sample skirt - the last time was here.

Tiki Skirt (Smoking Lily): Outfit #2

Tiki Skirt (Smoking Lily)
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I added an ornate bronze metal belt that Mom bought me in London, England many years ago, one of Megan Mae's buttonflowers, and red coral earrings.

 L and I had brunch out, then ran some errands in town, so I had to have my walking shoes on.

I liked how the black diamond on the heel went with the skirt.

Of course, I wore my red leather jacket with it!

Can you ever have too much red?

Jacket (Danier Leather), sweater (Pria), skirt (Smoking Lily), shoes (Presence Impulse, Fluevogs), belt (gift from Mom), earrings (locally-made), buttonflower (Megan Mae).

We headed out to visit Mom in the afternoon, and to give her kitty Harlequin some love.

She is 15 years old, and starting to feel her age.

She gets away with murder.

"I stand on your puzzle."

But she and Mom are best pals.

Aw, such lovin'.

It was a good day for lounging about in front of the fireplace.

"Feed me"

Our furry family gives so much love to us, don't they?

Today, I walked to the grocery store and had a bit of a meander in the sun.

This top was purchased on consignment for $15.98 in the summer, here in July 2012. I had intended to cram it into August's capsule, but it didn't quite work. It's by Le Chateau and is a nice soft cotton. It has hook-and-eye closures right up the front.

Dorkiest butt-shot ever.

I love the fit of it. I wish the front of it had as many roses as the back does! This is a pretty simple outfit, as I was just walking around. I'm excited to style this top up for work this week.

The skirt is my olive suede Danier maxi that I wore 3 times in the November 2012 all-neutral capsule (recap here), and the boots are my trusty riding-style black boots that I wore 6 times in the December 2012 capsule (recap here).

Anyway, let's get the voting underway!

White and Red Roses Top (Le Chateau): Outfit #1

White and Red Roses Top (Le Chateau)
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It was a little windy so, no surprise, I wore my red leather coat again.

I'll have my cost-per-wear down to pennies in no time!

Jacket (Danier Leather), top (Le Chateau, consignment), skirt (Danier Leather, thrifted), boots (Aldo, consignment).

Casual Friday With Black Suede Maxi, and Two Verdicts

Happy weekend, my friends! I started my Friday off with a bang and wore this ginormous black suede skirt again.

My preference these days for Casual Fridays is to just deploy one piece of denim and then go a little funky with the rest of the outfit.

My denim is this great Part Two vest that I wore three times in the August 2012 capsule (recap here), worn over this micro-leopard blouse, which I wore twice during June 2012 all-neutral capsule (recap here).

I love the "lock and load" properties of a fitted vest.

Back to the skirt. I previously wore it here last weekend (2nd outfit).

Black Suede Maxi Skirt (Danier Leather): Outfit #2

Black Suede Maxi Skirt (Danier Leather)
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The booties are my taupe studded suede ones that I wore four times in the September 2012 capsule (recap here).

September was a tough capsule for me, and I noted in the recap that I was on the fence with these booties, that maybe this rocker look was something I was over.

Nah, I think I just had not-the-greatest outfits for them. It's much harder to work a fun pair of shoes like these in a restricted capsule than when I can pick and choose from most of my wardrobe. They were great to wear yesterday, although my feet were a little sore by the end of the day.

Outerwear:

My buttah-soft jacket, plus purple gloves and a furry scarf.

The stuff:

Such rockin' booties! I liked the double-stacked cuffs.

Coat/gloves (Danier Leather), scarf/skirt (Danier Leather, thrifted), blouse (Express, consignment), vest (Part Two, consignment), booties (Libby Edelman), studded cuff (vintage), steel cuff (thrifted), leather choker (locally-made).

And now it's Verdict time! The voting is in on two items!

First up: the pink velvet blazer by Nougat London:

I wore it here, here and here. And the votes are:

• Like it: 128
• Lose it: 49

The Like its have it by a large margin. And my verdict is: Like it. Keeping it and putting it into rotation.

Although pink is not to everyone's taste (many of you are quite anti-pink), it's got everything I love in a jacket: fit, colour, texture (yay for velvet!), and something unique about it. How often do you find a pink velvet blazer that fits just right? I don't have the same issues with the ruching at the bust seam as some did - since I'm the one wearing it, I can tell the fit better than a picture sometimes.

And next up was the very contentious Holy Ship! dress:

I wore it here, here and here. The votes are:

• Like it: 91
• Lose it: 50

And my verdict is: Like it. But man, people were very divided on this.

However, having said that I'm keeping it, one of the most difficult issues I had with this dress is that it's not a winter dress. It's a thinner cotton and is unlined - it's meant for warm weather wear. Having to winterize it was tricky - not all the layering I tried to do really worked all that well. Outfit fail!

A note about the fit: a few people noted that they thought it was too big by a couple sizes, but I can barely fit it over my boobs, and it's just right in the waist and shoulder. It's just a simple cut, like most of Smoking Lily's dresses, and it's a stiffer fabric. It's also not a super-fitted dress, like I usually wear. Although this isn't a classic "Sheila" dress, I do really love the colour, the uniqueness of it, and the ship print, and I'm looking forward to wearing this in the summertime with some cute sandals.

Hope you're having a fabulous weekend! Don't forget to vote for your favourite overall capsule here - results will be revealed tomorrow.