Suede the Last, and Etro the First

It's a long weekend for me (vacation days - yeah!) so I'm gonna make this short. I'll be back on Sunday or Monday, and I have a surprise - I'm meeting up with another blogger! Who could it be...?

For my Friday, it's the third wear for this burgundy suede skirt.

I previously wore it here with lace and leopard, and here this past Monday (yarr!).

Burgundy Suede Pencil Skirt (Danier Leather): Outfit #3

Burgundy Suede Pencil Skirt (Danier Leather)
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I'm also wearing my new-to-me Etro blazer that I picked up a couple of weekends ago (here, lots of detail shots of it) for $42.00 - not bad for high-end real designer wear made in Italy. I think it's probably from the late 90s, based on the length of the jacket.

I added my mustard ruffled shirt (last seen here with my brown lace skirt) to pull out a bit of the yellow in the jacket's lapels.

Black Blazer with Tie Lapels (Etro): Outfit #1

Black Blazer with Tie Lapels (Etro)
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I like this longer line of jacket - it also has very nice sharp shoulders (not padded, just well-shaped). I rolled the sleeves to bring out the oyster silk.

For my shoes, my lovely Coffee Sumatra Fluevogs were perfect (worn 3 times in the March 2012 capsule, recap here).

The stuff:

Someone's legs are in the shot...

These are the most comfy shoes - I wish Fluevog still made the Coffee family!

Jacket (Etro, consignment), blouse (Gap, thrifted), skirt (Danier Leather, thrifted), shoes (Coffee Sumatra, Fluevog), belt (Gap), spinnner ring (Twang & Pearl), vintage ring (Sarah Coventry).

Grey Suede Skirt and a Corset

It was grey and blustery today - it's still really windy! All the daffodils are blooming sideways and the cherry blossoms look like snow. 

A mix of cherry and grey today in the outfit too.

This is a variation on a look I've done tons of times - this lovely corset top lends itself well to a rocker-ish vibe. I only wore it once in the June 2012 capsule, here, in an outfit that I loved (there are links to all the other times I've worn it there). As I noted in the recap, "that's not because it's an orphan piece - my own bad planning is to blame." It's one of those things that's a great finishing piece, but you need a good-sized wardrobe for it with some classic solid blouses - I had only one top that went with it in the June capsule.

The fuscia blouse is another old standby for me. I wore it on Pink Shirt Day in February, here.

And of course, this is the second wearing of this skirt, last done here with black and white and yellow.

Grey Suede Skirt (Danier Leather): Outfit #2

Grey Suede Skirt (Danier Leather): Outfit #2
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These tights popped a hole right in the middle of my shin today - for no reason! I hate that!

The corset top stays put pretty well - it has rubber grip around the top, so I don't have to be adjusting it all the time.

The stuff:

My lovely Versace vintage pumps, worn twice in the December 2012 capsule (recap here), are right on trend, according to my fashion mags. Pointy toes are back (did they ever really leave?), and studded details, well, I have been all over that for years. 

Corset top (Le Chateau, consignment), blouse (Esprit, consignment), skirt (Danier Leather, thrifted), shoes (Versace, vintage, thrifted), belt (gift from Ruth), metal cuff (thrifted), leather cuff (Guess, thrifted), earrings (The Cobbler).

The howling wind makes Vizzini edgy:

He's watching the branches of the maples sway around.

Rusty Blouse the Second, with Turquoise and Leather

Rush, rush, rush - such a busy day! 

I wore a lot of outrageous things. Did you?

My gorgeous taupe leather dress was featured twice in the April 2012 capsule (recap here) - I always enjoy wearing it to work.Today, it's a good grounding neutral for the rust-coloured tights and the second wearing of this new-to-me rust blouse.

Votez! I previously wore it here.

Rusty-Orange Shirt (Mexx): Outfit #2

Rusty-Orange Shirt (Mexx): Outfit #2
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The belt was the starting point with the blouse; from there it was just a matter of grabbing all my turquoise accessories to punch it up.

"Who's out there?"

As I was putting everything together last night (I plan my outfits on Sunday, but put all the accessories together the night before), I thought, "I wish I had some turquoise shoes to go with this."

Oh, hey, wait a sec!

I do have turquoise shoes! I have these Fluevog Prepare Guide shoes of awesomeness, recently worn here for an Art Gallery "do" and also featured in the May 2012 capsule (one of my favourites, recap here).

The stuff:

Bigass ring, bigass Brave Belt.

Hypno-earrings:

I have to take the ring off to wear gloves.

Dress (Truly), blouse (Mexx, consignment), cami (Esprit), shoes (Prepare Guide, Fluevogs), belt (Brave Belts, thrifted), earrings (Oscar & Libby's), ring (Le Chateau).

Gusty Pirate and the Return of the Suede Skirt

Today was an odd Monday. I felt like a pirate all day, yar!

I've got my ruffles, my frock coat and my boots! Avast, me hearties!

The weather is clearing up, but it's very windy. I got hit by a mad gust of wind just as the timer went off. I was highly Visible in this outfit, so I'm joining up with Patti's "Visible Monday" at Not Dead Yet Style.

There are a few things in my closet that I won't be putting out for a vote because they are completely awesome, and this frock coat is one of them. I got it at Dots as a sample piece for $56.00 (regular $375.00). It's by Noa Noa and is 100% cotton.

I've had it since spring 2010, but I didn't wear it until Hallowe'en 2010 (check out my contest-winning Mad Hatter costume). Yes, it is a bit costume-y but I've worked it a few times for work, here in March 2011, and here in November 2011 (where I actually converted it into a steampunk type of outfit). I also wore it just before the 2012/13 Capsule Challenge started, in January 2012. The last time was for the Steampunk Convention in April 2012, in the favourite Wild Card outfit.

It's tricky to style, being very long and very full at the bottom, especially at the back. It has great motion, pouffing out at the back when I walk (it's a middle-weight cotton, so not too heavy), which never quite comes across in the photos.

But hey! There's the burgundy skirt again!

Burgundy Suede Pencil Skirt (Danier Leather): Outfit #2

Burgundy Suede Pencil Skirt (Danier Leather)
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The blouse is my J. Peterman thrifted shirt, featured three times in the December 2012 capsule (recap here). I turned the cuffs of the jacket up to show off the ruffled cuffs of the shirt.

I love the embroidery on the back of the coat.

I'm also wearing my black stomacher with a shiny black belt over it, and a pretty little heart patch that Steph the Dashing Eccentric sent me. The boots were worn 7 times in the October 2012 capsule (recap here).

Coat (Noa Noa), blouse (J. Peterman, thrifted), skirt (Danier Leather, thrifted), stomacher (InWear), belt (Nygard), boots (Marc Softwalk).

Verdicts In and a Bit of Shopping

Ah, this weekend has just flown by!

Here I am being blown about by the wind this morning.

I re-bleached my roots and will be dyeing over this bleach-y blonde soon.

I actually wore nearly the same outfit yesterday, but L and I slept in and were running late to join friends for lunch, so I didn't have time to photograph it. After brunch, we all went to the museum to see an exhibit of wildlife photography, which was wonderful. Then home for a nap, then up late again with Cat and Ross and a rousing game of Arkham Horror.

Today, I'm wearing a thin grey long-sleeved tee (yesterday's was burgundy), my Smoking Lily moose tee, knee high socks and my black riding boots.

I strolled down to get groceries in this, then ventured over to My Sister's Closet for a poke around.

This is the third wearing of the flouncy skirt, so let's down to business. In addition to today's outfit, I also wore it here and here. The voting results:

• Like it: 49
• Lose it: 49

Wow, a tie! This is a first! The verdict is: I'm keeping it. But it's going to go with my less-worn stuff that I don't wear very frequently, like my costume pieces. I like this skirt; the style is so unusual, but I'm a little tired of it right now - but I know I'll never find anything like it again. So, narrowly, it squeaks through and stays in my closet.

It's still quite chilly out, so I needed my suede jacket and fingerless gloves.

Jacket (Le Chateau), moose tee (Smoking Lily), grey tee (Jacob, consignment), skirt (Dolcezza), boots (Aldo, consignment).

We're also ready for the verdict on the blue and white silk blouse:

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

• Like it: 110
• Lose it: 54

And the verdict is: Like it - I'm keeping it. And I think we all agree: wear it tucked in! This top is a classic case of an item that I didn't really try that hard to style when I first got it. It's great quality and lovely fabric, but I didn't know what to do with it. Forcing myself to try different options to make it work for me and my body type results in me keeping a blouse that I otherwise might have just passed along (sorry, Kara!).

Well, that was exciting. I do enjoy seeing how people have voted.

Moving right along, here's what I bought shopping today:

This cardigan caught my eye - I love the pattern, the rust/teal and pinky tones in it. It's a great cut and fits well. It was $19.98 and is by Mexx.

I loved the swooshy silk of this skirt:

Also, hello! Bright orange,purple, olive and brown? Great colour combo - I can't wait to wear this! It was $22.98 and is by Corey Lynn Calter (link to website's "About"). I've never heard of this designer before, but I really love the colours in this skirt.

And how's your weekend been? Full of good things, I hope!

Early St. Patty's Day - A Lot of Green

We had a "Wear Green" day today at work for an early St. Patrick's Day. Naturally, I have to to go 11 with my greens.

Like Megan, my teal tights photograph blue for some reason - trust me, they're teal.

No Like it/Lose it items here - these are all good wardrobe items.

This is the view I looked at while I did the stair shot:

It was foggy all morning and didn't burn off till the late afternoon. It's still rainy and drizzly out, but it's slightly clearing up as it gets dark. However, it's supposed to be rainy and cloudy all weekend - no sun until late Sunday. And only up to the low 40s/10ish if we're lucky. *sigh* Spring! We need you!

But the rain makes it all green here...and speaking of:

Bam! That's a lot of green. The emerald cardi, the sleeveless dark green top, and the vintage lace skirt AND the shoes are from the May 2012 capsule (recap here) wardrobe! I wore the cardi, skirt and shoes together once here.

I was by far the most greened-up person at work today - but of course, I was!

The stuff:

I love my Kermit shoes (they're fuzzy like a Muppet), but my feet are killing me. I had such a busy day that I logged over 11K steps on my pedometer and I didn't walk to or from work today!

The sparkly bits:

My grandmother's vintage rhinestone brooch and clip-on earrings, and my mom's vintage bracelet.

And now, I'm getting a glass of wine...Happy Friday!

Cardigan (Kersh, consignment), top (The Limited, consignment), skirt (Alfred Sun, vintage 80s, consignment), shoes (Poetic License), brooch/earrings (vintage 50s/60s, Grandma J), bracelet (vintage 50s/60s, Mom's).

Burgundy, Houndstooth and a Rusty Shirt

I spent the morning in a coffee-induced artificially cheery state - I am still riding that a bit, but expecting a crash at some point, probably at Book Club, which is in an hour. I'm walking over - hopefully that will wake me up.

A new item was called for today!

The rusty-orange shirt is new-to-me, purchased here just a few weeks ago. It's by Mexx and was $14.98. It's machine wash/tumble dry, which is gold in my book! It's a stretchy polyester with a side hidden zipper. I like the cut quite a bit.

Rusty-Orange Shirt (Mexx): Outfit #1

Rusty-Orange Shirt (Mexx): Outfit #1
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Instead of going for a classic autumn palette, I played with burgundy and black/white. The skirt is my lovely wool houndstooth pencil that I wore three times in my all-neutral month in November 2012 (recap here).

 It's one of my "keep forever" items - such a classic cut, pattern and it fits perfectly.

A skirt that does good things to one's butt is a good skirt.

The shoes are my wonderful Fluevogs, last worn here with my bright red dress that was well-Liked. I changed to my burgundy boots (Matchy! Yay!) for walking to Book Club. I think I might like them better than the Fluevogs with this outfit. I last wore them for Pink Shirt Day in February.

The necklace is my octopus Mah-jong tile. 

Our book up for discussion is "Stuart: A Life Backwards" by Alexander Masters - I'm not quite finished, but I really liked it.

Rusty-Orange Shirt (Mexx, consignment), cami (Esprit), skirt (Bianca Nygard, consignment), shoes (Mini Qtees, Fluevog, consignment), boots (Miz Mooz), belt (locally-made, gift from L), necklace (Raven's Rest Studio)

Yellow and Grey Suede Skirt for Spring

Oh, it's so late...I went out with Elaine for dinner and to see the 1957 classic movie "Funny Face" (IMDB link) starring Audrey Hepburn, on the big screen. I found it dated overall, but the dance sequences were fun and the Givenchy and Edith Head costumes were divine! 

I wore my pointy-toed kitten heels in honour of Audrey.

And a lot of black and white with splashes of yellow!

This stripey top is one I wore twice in the June 2012 all neutral capsule (recap here). It's lovely and stretchy and I really like the neckline.

The skirt is new-to-me, thrifted back here in November 2012 for $36.98 at the Patch. It's by Danier Leather (of course), and is just so soft. It has really cool seams on the front and back that don't really show in these pictures (there's a better look at the link above).

I had fun with black and white patterns with this outfit too, incorporating these new black and white tights, as well as in my other accessories.

Grey Suede Skirt (Danier Leather): Outfit #1

Grey Suede Skirt (Danier Leather)
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Butt shot!

I've been hearing a lot about leather for spring, and for me, this is how to do it: a soft tulip shape, a nice neutral colour, and second hand. I'm excited to bust out my peach suede skirt - it's packed away with my spring/summer stuff!

Speaking of stuff, here's a better look at it all.

I wore the shoes 6 times in the April 2012 capsule (recap here) - they are marvelously comfortable, and a nice break from a high heel.

That's my Smoking Lily obi that I recently purchased. I adore the bright lemon yellow of it, and picked out the yellow in the flower pin, which I wore on one shoulder, and the little bee pin that I wore on the other shoulder. I didn't take a picture of it (running late this morning), but I wore my bright yellow leather jacket with this too.

More bits:

The two rings were clearance at Club Monaco a couple of years ago - real knuckle dusters!

Top (Finnegan's by Truworth, consignment), skirt (Danier Leather, thrifted), obi (Smoking Lily), shoes (Enzo Angiolini, thrifted), flower (Roberta's Hats), bee pin (gift from Megan Mae), rings (Club Monaco), earrings (Plum), tights (Trasparenze).

Blue Blouse a Third Time, With Orange

It poured rain all day today - I want sun! So I wore a bit of my own sunshine.

Orange sunshine, that is!

This is the third wear of this blue printed silk blouse - and of course, I had to wear it with my cobalt blue skirt! The skirt is my amazing vintage Andre Courreges (thrifted here for $5.00 and worn in the December 2012 capsule three times, recap here).

The obi is the focus piece - it is one of Megan Mae's obi belts that I purchased from her. It's made from two ties, one of which has blue in the pattern. To help pick up the orange theme, I wore a peach cami underneath the blouse, and I'm wearing pale pink fishnet tights (pink, orange, whatever).

I'm doing the blouse tucked in again, and I do think that's the way to go with it. I just don't do the tunic look with my boobage.

Blue/White Sheer Blouse (Elie Tahari for Nordstrom)

Blue/White Sheer Blouse (Elie Tahari for Nordstrom)
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Check in on the weekend to see if it made the cut in my closet!

I love the length of this skirt - it moves wonderfully when I walk.

The stuff:

The shoes are my Pink rust/teal ones - not an exact match but Close Enough, I say.

You can see the nice patterns of the ties in that picture. So gorgeous and soft!

The shiny bits:

The cuff is from a museum gift shop (St. Paul's Cathedral in London), the earrings were a gift from Elaine, and the ring was purchased last year from my blog-friend Wendy Brandes.

Blouse (Elie Tahari for Nordstrom, thrifted), skirt (Andres Courreges, vintage 80s, thrifted), shoes (Pink), belt (Megan Mae), cuff (St. Paul's Cathedral gift shop), earrings (gift from Elaine), ring (Wendy Brandes).

Burgundy Suede Skirt - A First Outing

It feels like Spring is just around the corner! It's even a little glare-y in the mornings.

An outfit with some old favourites: my CAbi vest (worn 4 times in the February 2012 capsule, recap here), my leopard blouse, my lovely bow metallic shoes (both from the March 2012 capsule, recap here).

I was very close to incorporating this suede skirt into one of those months, but it always got bumped for similar items, like a red suede skirt or a longer burgundy Smoking Lily skirt or my burgundy dress. I got rid of the red suede skirt, gave the Smoking Lily skirt to Megan the Fashionable Bureaucrat, and that burgundy dress is still kicking around somewhere, but here we are: this skirt is still in my closet.

I've had it since September 2011 (here), when I thrifted it for $14.50. Since then, I wore it in March 2011, and again in January 2012, right before I started the year-long capsule challenge.

I have a big butt, and I cannot lie!

It's a fairly snug pencil cut - for once, it's actually my exact right size. I tend to go up or down a size...depending on the size you find in the thrift store! Sometimes you just take what you can get.

Burgundy Suede Pencil Skirt (Danier Leather): Outfit #1

Burgundy Suede Pencil Skirt (Danier Leather)
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I'm distracted in the above picture by the sound of someone digging...more on that in a minute.

The stuff:

I went steampunk for the accessories. Shiny, gears and keys.

The wonderful Tamera made the necklace.

The C-shaped ring is meant to look like a horseshoe nail.

Vest (CAbi, thrifted), blouse (Planet, consignnment), skirt (Danier Leather, thrifted), shoes (Jeffrey Campbell), necklace (gift from Tamera), earrings (locally made), spinner ring (Twang & Pearl), C-ring (Club Monaco).

So what was Mr. Vizzini doing?

"I smell an elastic band!"

He dug in my bag until he found my address book (which is held shut with an elastic - so classy), pulled it out and then took off with it. I trapped him in the bedroom and pulled the slobber-covered book away from him then wrestled the elastic from his sharp teeth/claws.

Then I zipped my bag shut.

"It's in here, I know it!"

He actually managed to get it out AGAIN, and I snagged it back from him pronto and zipped it into the wallet compartment. Little bugger!

As soon as I got home, he went for it right away.

"You're no fun."

He's so full of mischief.