Request #2 - Katie - How to Accessorize an Outfit

Question from Katie:

What's a good "rule of thumb" for accessory matching such as belts, shoes, necklaces, bangles, etc...Belt to match shoes? Accessories to all match? etc.? I am trying to add more pizzaz to my outfits... and my first step was to try the "high waisted belt" look, and beyond that - I'm lost!

Short answer: Well, there isn't a magic "rule of thumb", unfortunately.

Long answer: Let's take 3 of your recent outfits, Katie, and accessorize them! I'm going to copy your outfits from my wardrobe (as best I can) and show you some options and explain along the way.

Outfit #1:

Differences: My sweater has a higher neckline and doesn't have the rose detail, and my long cardigan (black, not brown) and sweater have longer sleeves so they're bunched up. I'm also wearing higher heels since my brown pants are long. I look rather droopy and shapeless.

Your outfit: Your colours are excellent. Red and brown are awesome together - don't forget: brown is a neutral! It goes with everything! I love that you've pulled a pattern for your bag - that's a great first step to adding visual interest.

1. Your waist needs to be defined. I know you have a black soft belt, so try wearing that over the red top to help cut down on the wrinkliness of the top adding visual weight. You could also try it over the cardigan.

Belt over the red top.

Belt over the cardigan.

Note: Be careful with the positioning of wide belts, especially if you're booby (I am too, and I'm 3 inches shorter than you). Wear them lower, rather than higher or you will run the risk of looking pregnant.

2. You need jewelry. I see that you have a watch on, but if your sleeves are short, wear a bracelet or cuff. Earrings are standard for me, too. Your top doesn't require a necklace since it has a gorgeous neckline and that nice rose detail - but I would wear a necklace with mine, since the neckline is rather plain. You could do a more dangly earring to help draw the eye up.

Outfit #2:

Differences: I don't have a sparkly grey top, but I do have a grey cami with sparkle at the neckline. My black jacket is not quite the same shape. I'm wearing a rigid wide belt instead of a soft one. I feel very self-conscious about my boobs and tummy in this, and the jacket is making my shoulders look super-wide (I think I might need to consign it).

Your outfit: You are on the right track with adding sparkle, texture and trying to play with the shape of the outfit by doing the belt higher than your natural waist. Your red shoes would really pop in this colour combination!

1. Your top is not meant to have this much of it showing - treat it like a camisole and use it for layering underneath other items...like the white button-down shirts I know you love. Tuck the underneath layer into your pants - it's not doing you any favours by hitting right at the widest part of your hips.

2. If you're long-waisted, you have all kinds of acreage between your boobs and your hips, so accentuate it by wearing belts at your natural waist to create an hourglass. A thick belt works best when it's not cinching everything in, but sitting naturally over top of clothing that already accentuates your waist.

Also, a cropped jacket is not right for this particular look, as it accentuates the width of your hips - see how it's making an inverted V and drawing the eye downwards in your picture? Look for a classic fitted suit jacket that stops just above the hip; make sure it's fitted in the waist to really give you that "dip" along your sides. Your legs will look miles longer and you will look sleeker overall.

3. Add another layer (the white shirt), and add a necklace to draw the eye up. Now, I'm not a white shirt fan since I hate ironing (please ignore the wrinkles in the picture), but I'll admit they look classy and professional and they are excellent for layering. This will make you look longer and sleeker. Adding a short necklace (mine is vintage - start scouring the thrift stores!) will draw the eye up to your lovely face.

Without a belt.

Wide belt added over the jacket.

Outfit #3:

Differences: Not sure what shoes you have on. I'm wearing a black turtleneck with the sleeves scrunched up.

Your outfit: Two classics (grey pants and navy top) that are excellent wardrobe pieces on their own, but when paired together are just a big ol' blah. You're doing really well with finding classic pieces, but are struggling a bit with finding ways to really make them reflect your personality. You felt very Audrey in this, which I love (who doesn't love Audrey Hepburn?), so play that up.

Here are a couple of options for this outfit:

Add a scarf, a bangle, earrings and do a coloured shoe. I've tied the scarf so that the ends hang down in front (yes, this does obscure the buttons on your shirt, but really, they're just navy plastic buttons). Any coloured shoe would add some zip to this outfit - either your red or your green would look amazing. Put the ends of the scarf hanging down your back - nothing like having a little "back interest"! A brooch at the neck would also look great.

Another look altogether to jazz up the top: Grey pencil skirt, red belt and black kitten heels, and a different bangle. This is still completely professional and an easy look to do. The belt adds a pop of colour - and notice that I'm keeping the belt slim for this look because of the top's length.

Overall suggestions for adding accessories:

- add a patterned shoe for creating instant visual interest (eg. leopard flats or pumps). The more coloured shoes, the better (I have over 8 pairs of red shoes/boots).

- belts: black (skinny (under 1"), medium (up to 2" and wide (over 2")), brown (medium), coloured (I like red or grey, in medium).

- necklaces: long: 1 silver and 1 gold, mixed with a coloured stone or bead, including black; short (not choker) detailed in silver or gold.

- bracelets: silver and gold medium bangles (less than 1"), cuffs in gold, black or silver. A charm-style bracelet with dangly bits (listen to how noisy it is before you buy).

- earrings: I like basic hoop shapes, but with nice details. Eg. filigree hoops, hammered texture, double hoops.

- brooches and pins: look for vintage.

More suggestions and thoughts welcome for adding accessories to outfits! Does anyone actually have a "rule of thumb"?

Cheers,

Sheila

Request #1 - Alison - How to Wear Summer Dresses & Skirts in the Winter?

Alison's question: How about utilizing summer dresses or skirts in the winter? I just picked up a cute shift dress in brown with a white outline banana leaf pattern. It's really cute but the leaf pattern seems summery to me.

Short Answer: Layers!

Long Answer: Although I try not to buy clothes that are strictly for one season, sometimes you just fall in love with an item that screams "summer!" Only problem, it's winter outside. What to do? The trick here is to accentuate the skirt part of a dress (or just the skirt, duh, if it's a summery skirt), and layer the top half to balance out the shoe (we'll get to that).

I have to make a couple of assumptions about Alison's dress (not having a picture): the brown is a medium tone (like a rich milk chocolate), the dress is sleeveless/has straps, the print is bold/large. Hope I'm close.

Edit: here's Alison's dress:
Wow, that is an awesome dress! I would totally own that dress...

Some suggestions/guidelines:

1. Underneath layer: Brown and white can be blah on their own, so start by layering a coloured long-sleeved thin t-shirt underneath. Look for a vibrant colour that's going to compliment the brown, like red, turquoise, orange or yellow or a kelly green. Since brown and white are both neutrals, you can add colour without looking too over-the-top.

With a medium brown, stay away from colours that are going to "muddy it up". Think of it this way: if you were in a dimly lit room, muddying colours are those that are going to be perceived as brown to the naked eye, like burgundy, dark blue, medium to dark purple, forest green, and black.

Also avoid light colours like cream, tan or white, as these will accentuate a more summery look - they'll work fine in the spring, but will not look appropriate for wintertime.

Eg. a long-sleeved red thin t-shirt with a medium scoop neck underneath.

2. Second layer: This could be a few things: a sweater vest, a button-up vest (waistcoat), a pullover low-necked sweater, or a cardigan. Something to cover most of the top of the dress, but still allow the pattern and part of your underneath layer to show through at the neckline. You want this layer to be a neutral - in the case of the brown/white dress, something in another brown tone. You are not looking for an exact match, here, although if you have something in that brown with texture, that would be great.

Eg. a camel ribbed thin cardigan, with the center 3 buttons done up (top one undone, bottom one undone).

3. Belt it: If you have a belt in the same colour family as your underneath layer t-shirt, that will work wonderfully for an extra pop of colour. If not, another neutral in the same tone family will work great. A belt with a nice buckle or some detailing on the belt itself will add visual interest.

Eg. a 1" red leather belt with a silver filigree buckle.

4. Third Layer: A jacket/blazer is going to work best here, and it should be in a neutral colour.

Eg. a chocolate brown blazer, or a denim jacket (denim is a neutral - yes, it is!).

5. Tights: You could add a complimentary colour (in the same colour family) for some visual interest or textured tights in brown. Plain ol' nylons also work when you're not sure. Work with what you've got.

Eg. orange opaque tights or brown micro-fishnets.

6. Boots: Nothing will help your summer dress look more season appropriate than boots. A neutral boot will work best, and knee-high boots will work better than ankle booties.

Eg. Brown leather boots.

7. Accessories: Your belt is one, your boots is one, but you take it up a notch and add a brooch and earrings (you will have quite a lot going on near the neckline already, so skip a necklace). This is where I usually add some fun - dangly earrings, a vintage brooch.

Change it up ideas:

- belt the jacket instead of the 2nd layer
- skip the 2nd layer and just do the t-shirt and jacket
- wear the t-shirt over the dress and add the 2nd and/or 3rd layers
- try a different colour palette for your layering colours (instead of the reds used in the examples, try yellow or turquoise)

Here's an example of winterizing from my closet: my leaf-print shift dress that I bought last spring (also worn here and here):

1. Underneath layer: I've layered my black Alice Cooper t-shirt under the dress. The colours in the dress pattern are: camel, brown, white/cream, yellow and black, so I'm limited to my layering colour (and what I have in my wardrobe), but I want that t-shirt to be one of those colours.2. Second layer: Add the long yellow sweater (not quite the same yellow as the yellow in the dress' pattern, but close enough). My t-shirt's sleeves hang out, and you can just see a bit of the dress at the sweater neckline.
5. Tights: At this point, I would put tights on, but due to this particular pattern, I'd wear plain nylons; brown tights would be too dark, fishnets a little busy with the pattern, and yellow would be too much since I'm already doing a yellow sweater. Camel is an option, but I think it might look weird on the legs, like I'd overdone the self-tanner, ha!

3. Belt it and 6. Boots: I chose a wide belt to balance the length of the sweater. If I'd done a shorter sweater or a vest, a thinner belt would look better. The neutral belt doesn't match any of the browns in the dress pattern, but the texture of the cutout compliments the pattern in the dress. The boots also don't match the dress, but they're also neutral so they go.

"Going" is better than matching!

4. Third layer and 7. Accessories: Add the jacket and the jewelry. I added a black suit jacket instead of brown; I felt that brown would definitely be too matchy for this since I have lots of brown in the boots and belt, as well as in the pattern of the dress.

For a brooch, I added my yellow sunflower - I don't have a gold brooch! I think I need to get one! For jewelry, I added the hammered gold cuff and brown disc earrings (sorry, not visible - I'm without make-up and not quite ready to show the world that, haha).

Some notes about all of this:
- Certain summery things just don't transition well, like very thin fabrics (silk skirts, cotton linings). They tend to cling to tights and hosiery and make you frustrated and annoyed over the course of a day. A slip can help...but sometimes it's just better to save those items until warmer weather.
- Thin layers work better than thick layers. A thick sweater or bulky jacket will overwhelm a summer-weight dress.
- When you have more than 2 colours in a pattern, you're a lot more limited to what goes with it. I wouldn't wear red or turquoise with my above outfit, but with Alison's brown/white, she could add up to 2 colours with it (not including neutrals).

Further thoughts for Alison's dress are welcome, as well as comments on my suggestions.

Edit: Here's how Alison worked this dress for winter:
That is awesome! Well done, Alison! You've got a great pop with that raspberry top and I love the texture and shine of the belt! My only suggestion would be that go with a slightly narrower belt, and do up the buttons of the cardi on either side and underneath the belt (the cardi will lay flatter).

Now that I've seen the dress, I would also consider:
- a plain white or solid colour blouse under the dress, with a jacket on top
- a coloured tight with the brown bootie

Cheers,
Sheila

Taking Requests/Answering Questions

As of tomorrow (Thursday) morning, I am off to visit my inlaws for a couple of days, then this weekend I will be watching football playoffs (go, Carolina!) and generally slacking about. And I'll be off work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, hanging around the house and trying to remember where I left my sanity (is it in the library? is it under the chesterfield?).

So here's your chance: I'm taking requests and/or answering questions.

Want to see a particular item in my closet? An accessory? What would I wear for X occasion? Fashion queries? How much is that doggie in the window?

Fill your boots! Have at me! Give me your best! No question too silly or request too outrageous (Caveat: If I don't like your question or request, I will say so. Nothing rude or unseemly, please - my young nieces check out Auntie's blog.).

Cheers,
Sheila

It Came From Dress Week - Blue and Grey...and the Return of the Stinky Boots!

I have been saving this dress to wear for my next dress week since I got it over a month ago. I got it cheapy-cheapy on a clearance rack at the Bay, I think for about $20 (for Mac and Jac? Get out!). It had a stain on the front, but I bought it anyway.

I have this fabulous stain remover called Folex - it gets all stains out of fabric except for hair dye and nail polish. You may have noticed the cream wall-to-wall carpeting in my home...and I have 2 black cats who like to vomit, thanks, boys. Folex took a full glass of red wine out of my friend Michael's white linen shirt, with not a mark on it, I kid you not! And it's non-toxic and pet/child safe - and it even removes old, set-in stains. I take a bottle of it to friends' houses instead of a bottle of wine. You need Folex - I buy it at the grocery store for about $10 for a giant bottle.

But I digress.

Anyhoo, the stain came out in the wash, so here's the dress:
I'm wearing the cami underneath that I wore under my long Christmas party dress. The dress came with a self-tie, but I don't really like those very much. I got cold later in the day (the snow is gone and now it is Torrential Downpour Season aka Real Winter on the West Coast), so I put on my new jacket:

The jacket looks better done up. It's also Mac & Jac, also from a clearance rack at the Bay.

These boots stink! Seriously, I think I will die of some sort of PVC poisoning. I wore them in the rain on the way home (had to bus since I have aikido tonight) hoping the rain would make them un-stinkify, but no.

By the way, forgive my horrid hair from the last few days; like I said, it's been raining.

Dress (Mac & Jac), Jacket (Mac & Jac), Boots (some cheap-ass brand that I can't remember the name of and has worn off the inside and I can't be bothered to look up from another post), cami (RW & Co.), belt (Plum), earrings & bracelet (gift from L for my last birthday).

It Came From Dress Week - Casual Tuesday - Red Knit

I picked up this dress for only $30 a couple of weekends ago - I love Kersh's knits.

Still taking advantage of the last couple of weeks of Casual Month at work to wear denim mid-week. It feels so decadent.

I basically built the outfit around the shoes: put them with the red dress...this needs a belt, then a jacket, then the earrings. I'm just dying with stiffness from my first aikido class last night, so forgive me for looking in pain above. I am!

A close-up of the new shoes (and a look at the texture of the sweater dress):

I was looking for a pair of shoes like this forever, and of course found them at Le Chateau for under $40. Crazy! I felt very chi-chi in my fishnets with these puppies on.

Dress (Kersh), jacket (Ann Taylor Loft), shoes (Le Chateau), belt (gift from Mom, London), earrings (Plum), fishnet tights (Hue).

It Came From Dress Week - Black and White and Red in Places

Following the last episodes of Dress Week ("Dress Week" last May and "Return of Dress Week" in September), the next two weeks will be "It Came From Dress Week". Eventually, I'm sure I'll get to "Son of Dress Week" and "I Was a Teenage Dress Week".

"It Came From Dress Week" will be spread over two weeks, since I'm off on Thursday to visit my inlaws, then I'm taking Monday to Wednesday off next week to recover from said visit.

Today:
New dress acquired in the Last Gasp Shopping Spree of '08 - your basic black with a few cute little pin-tucks on the neckline.

A close-up of the bits of red:

Wee! I like red! It's my favourite colour.

Dress (Style & Co.), jacket (Smart Set), belt (Plum), shoes (Nine West), bracelet and earrings (yes, they are!), patterned nylons (Hue).

About My Fashion Resolution

Had a comment from one of my fellow bloggers and thought I would address it "in public", so to speak, since maybe some people are wondering the same thing.

The comment was:
"your news years resolution makes no sense. why ever put limits on your fashion, its a art not a science..."

And, Iain, I do agree: fashion is an art, not a science. All the books in the world can't teach you fashion - it has to be explored, developed, trained and honed, just like any other type of art.

However, limiting myself, by not buying new clothes or shoes for a year, by only buying thrift or consignment (or getting clothing via gifts or swap), is something I decided over time that I wanted to try. Some of the things that made me want to do my Fashion Resolution:

1. Fortunately, unlike some places, the recession has not really hit my part of the world. I'm not doing this for monetary reasons - L and I are double-income no kids, and have very little debt. But... my shopping has gotten a little out of control in the last year, and I want to cut back a bit. Scaling back my options to consignment or thrift stores means that I will have to search harder for those gems. I've always been a bargain hunter anyway - and I still get to buy accessories, jewelry, and hosiery!

2. I lost a lot of weight about 2 years ago: 60 pounds, to be exact. I went from a size 16 to a size 4, which meant I had to replace my entire wardrobe, everything but socks. I got into the habit of shopping, mostly to replace my basics and fill my wardrobe back out to where it was when I was heavier, but also for the thrill of the hunt. It's taken me 2 years, and I've gotten to the point where I don't really need anything else.

3. I do love a challenge. There are things in my wardrobe that I've only worn a couple of times. There are things I find in there that I think, "Jeez, I'd totally forgotten I bought that." Can I really go an entire year with no increase in the number of things I own? Well...I have 73 pairs of shoes. I own over 40 dresses, over 30 skirts, 27 jackets/blazers and nearly a dozen pairs of pants (not so much into pants). My closet is full. That doesn't even include the gigantic dresser I have full of jeans, t-shirt tops and casual clothes. Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm not going to suffer, nor will I run out of combinations and outfits.

4. I'm not cutting myself off entirely from shopping and cycling new (to me) things into my wardrobe. In looking at my collection, I can see that there are things that weren't wise purchases, or that I don't really love, or that don't fit anymore, or that just aren't "me". Getting rid of some of these allows me to bring in pieces that will freshen things up and keep myself excited about my clothing options.

A lot of people are cutting back on purchases lately, but my reasons are my own. I hope the above helps make sense of my year-long goal.

In reality, I suspect that not much will change for me, since I already shop consignment a fair bit (if you check out any of my consignment or vintage tags on my posts you can see that). I'll probably shop for L more - Iain, you may see me in your store! How weird would that be?

Casual Friday - A Rockin' New Year Begins!

*yawn* Back to work. Can you see the disinterest on my face?

At least it was a quiet day. After work, we headed out to the skating rink for some fun with friends and their kids, followed by wine and appies. Another late night.
The t-shirt is a new item, from the Last Weekend of Shopping (see my sidebar for my Fashion Resolution for 2009). I love that it has glittery stones on it. It also says "Rocker" - hee! Although I think that immediately disqualifies one as being a rocker. Oh the shame.

T-shirt (Libertalia), long sleeved t-shirt layered underneath (Point Zero), jeans (Esprit), boots (Cougar), belt (gift from Ruth), white gold hoop earrings (gift from L).

Special Occasion: Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Sorry I'm a little late posting my outfit (I'm sure many of you have been champing at the bit to see what I wore, haha) but I had a very late night on New Year's Eve, compounded by possibly the Worst Hangover Ever, followed by a day of work. It's just exhausting thinking about it.

So...here it is. The Betsey Johnson dress:
It was half-price, but I can't actually tell you how much it was because my husband might read my blog. But hey, it's my money, so there. I thought I would shake up the dress in true Betsey style and do hot pink tights with it! Yee haw! I felt very eccentric and madcap.

A close-up of the dress fabric, shoe and accessories.

The dress is cobalt blue with a flower pattern stitched in, which is then cut out to expose the emerald green satin lining. Just freakin' gorgeous! And of course, with all that colour, my neutral is silver and crystals.

I spent most of the night in my runners, as we walked to the restaurant downtown (shoes on once we arrived), then walked to another couple's house, then walked home. I, er, do not recall the walk home.

Question for all you fashionistas out there: how else would you wear this dress? I'm looking for options. By the way, the halter strap is removeable, as is the belt.

Hope you all had a safe and happy New Year's!

Dress (Betsey Johnson), tights (Mondor), shoes (Jessica Simpson), earrings (Guess), bracelet (Plum), ring (Melanie Lynne).

It's a Major Award!

Since I started this blog last March, I've been presented with a few of those blogging awards that tend to circulate around (rather incestuously, it seems at times). I'm always honoured that these amazing women want to recognize my little corner of the blogoverse, but I never pass them on.

But hey, I also never pass on those "send this to 7 amazing women" emails. Call it lazy, if you wish, I don't mind. I think of it as Economy of Time.

So to everyone who's ever given me one, thank you, from the bottom of my silly ol' heart. You're all wonderful and I'd nominate you right back, but then there's that whole laziness thing.

Instead, here are Major Awards to all of my favourite bloggers, in no particular order, whether you read my blog or not. These are big and small blogs; some get a kazillion comments, some get none. I've embedded links if you care to visit - I recommend it!

The Blog That Always Makes Me Feel Less Alone In The Universe:
PostSecret

The blog that posts anonymous secrets sent in on postcards. It's beautiful, horrifying, tragic and uplifting, and utterly human. We really are not alone. If you've never been to PostSecret, go now. They update every Sunday. Buy their books.

The Fashion Blog That Showed Us How It Was Done:
What I Wore Today

Kasmira, you inspired me and countless others to start our own blogs, and you constantly encourage us to experiment and be creative with what we wear. I love to see what you've chosen, even if it's not to my taste. Every time I wear something a little "out there" to work, I take comfort and confidence in knowing that you do it every day.

Why One Day You Will Read About The Crazy Lady Giving Out Tickets To Poorly-Dressed People:
The Fashion Police

I've always wanted to make up business cards in my printer that I can sneakily plant on unsuspecting sartorially-challenged people. TFP is here to point the way! From Bad Prom Dresses to the Return of the Dropped Crotch, there is nothing their eagle eyes miss.

Everyone Should Dress This Classy Instead Of Head-To-Toe Lululemon:
BlogFashion

The gorgeous and always tasteful Londyn is a shining example of how to look professional, with a twist of fun. She also has an amazing shoe collection. I want to look like her when I grow up.

How To Wear Trendy Clothes And Still Look Like Yourself:
Africana's Wardrobe Diary

Lady D is a beautiful young lady with an impeccable sense of style - she also poses like nobody's business! She's an expert at mixing thrift with what's trendy (and clothing from her native Nigeria!) and always comes out looking completely unique.

Where To Go To Find Out Anything About Fashion:
youlookfab

Angie's a great writer and a professional wardrobe consultant. She has common-sense advice on how to wear trends, and what does and doesn't look good. I read her every morning before work. An indispensable blog if you're timid about getting your fashion bug on.

The Blog That Makes Me Laugh Out Loud:
Go Fug Yourself

Poking gentle fun of celebrities' fashion mis-steps, these ladies are the A+ of fashion critiquing. They revel in the ugly, the mismatched, the Bai Ling and do it in a way that isn't cruel or mean. If I were a celebrity I would LOVE to be featured on GFY.

The Inspiration For Challenges And Making Your Clothes Fun:
WorkThatWardrobe

Jane is a true inspiration! This UK lady is classy, a mom, a writer, a teacher and all-round fun chick. She's the one who pioneered the 10-piece Wardrobe Challenge, and I've loved watching her work her way through her wardrobe as she nears the end of her One Year Without Any New Clothes.

Proof That Style Is Not Limited To The Very Young (Not That She's Old, Of Course) Or The Very Rich:
Della Street Dreaming

Australian Sue is completely out there: her wardrobe is nearly entirely thrifted and her style is ecclectic and frankly, a little crazy. But I love it! She's a teacher - how I would have loved to have been in her class! Please check out the most recent entry on "Abundance Through Frugality" - hilarious!

Greatness Is In The Details, Or Why She Will Make An Excellent Lawyer:
Fickle Brown Sparrow

Erica is a law student who must stick out like a sore thumb (a very fashionable thumb!) amongst all the other students, due to her attention to detail, pattern and texture. Her outfits always show superb planning, and she is a sweet and funny writer (with an adorable dog).

Sass And Talent Will Get You A Long Way In Life:
HoneyChildsStyle

She's got killer style and attitude to spare (and you can buy her amazing finds on Etsy), and her advice on fashion is always bang-on. I wish she posted more pictures of herself in her amazing clothes...if only so I could copy - I mean, be inspired by her ensembles.

Proof That Stay-At-Home-Moms Can Still Have Rockin' Fashion:
Fashionably Later

Kayleigh burst onto the blog scene and has quickly become popular, partly because she puts together great outfits, partly because she's a dedicated bargain hunter (Target!), but mostly because she is such a genuinely sweet and kind person. Rock on!

The Kindred Spirit Who Reminds Me Not To Lose My Rocker-Chick Roots:
Memos from the Bat Cave

Leigh-Anna is a bit gothic, a bit punk and a whole lotta fun. She's got great fashion style with a rocking edge that I love....and who else do you know with a clockwork heart tattoo and a skeleton on her Christmas tree? I only wish she posted more.

The Most Foul-Mouthed Self-Promoting Funny Woman Ever:
Wendy Brandes Jewelry

Did I mention Wendy was talented? Do great b*tches wear red lipstick? Ha! Do yourself a favour and check out her funny blog...and cross your fingers that you have enough dough to buy some of her amazing one-of-a-kind jewelry.

Proof That Thrift Clothing Is Pure Gold - And That One Day When She's Published We Can Say We Knew Her:
a cat of impossible colour

She even spells "colour" right. Andrea is possibly the most photogenic and creative person I've ever "met" in the blogoverse. She thrifts the most amazing clothing and accessories, and puts them together in the most wondrous ways. She also has very cute cats.

The Blog For Drooling:
ShoeLove

Can you ever get enough shoes? Can you ever look at enough shoes? Dumb questions! Of course not! Get thee to ShoeLove and love the shoes! Love them! Don't forget to check out Londyn's guest blog entry!

The Bold, The Ecclectic, The Quirky...And That's Just Today:
Thrifty Muse (edit: link fixed -sorry, gals!)

It's actually two muses: Lisa and Cat. Between the two of them, I see an amazing ability to cut through the BS and put together some chic and classic styles. It's a pretty new blog - I can't wait to see what they do in 2009.

Fashion Is So Not Just A Woman Thing:
fashion du jour

Iain's a local guy who was named "Best Dressed Man" in our city. His blog's pretty new to me, but we all know the format. Awesome taste and style...in a guy! He elevates menswear to a new level with his awesome Geek Chic combos.

The Most Talented Woman I Actually Know:
Carollyne's "Art of Consumption"

How can you not love someone who idolizes Wonder Woman? And I did I mention her amazing painting talent? Check out the squirrels! The big-eyed women! Buy a print!

Photos And Random Thoughts On Life:
Chicken-Scratch

My good friend Xine's blog, which is just not updated enough (but maybe this will encourage her, heheh). I just love to look at the pictures of her house and garden...so peaceful.


That's it - I hope you enjoy these great people and read what they have to say. Have a very Happy New Year, everyone!

I Like Your Sleeves...They're Real Big

That's what my husband said when he saw this outfit - ha! Silly man.

Someone actually asked me today if this is what I'd be wearing for New Year's Eve.
Like, duh, NO. I dress up for New Year's! At least, a lot more than my work clothes!

The new item here is the dark red cardi - don't you just love the big pouffy sleeves? I love having something to wear my red patent Fluevogs with. Oh, and the earrings are new. A close-up:

The shoes are divine. I'm sorry, I do get a little silly about my shoes.

Speaking of, here's a couple of shots of yesterday's shoes, so you can see the full platform (the burgundy blended into my jacket) and the soles before they wear off (blurry, but you get the -pun intended- picture):

*drool*

Oh, so pretty!

Cardigan (I.N.C.), turtleneck (Smart Set), skirt (Kensie), shoes (Fluevog), earrings (Plum).

The Best Shoes Ever

I'm sure you are thinking, "She can't possibly have the best shoes EVER." But you would be so wrong! I do!
Oh, that - that's today's outfit. I am still going whackadoodle over-the-top in protest of my company's "Casual Month" (ending on Jan 19th, thank god!).

New stuff from my shopping blitz: the blue top. I am loving this slinky viscose stuff - it's the same material as my Hollywood gown from our Christmas party (scroll down, I'm too lazy to dig up the link). Also new: the necklace, the belt and the skirt.

But the newest and brightest jewel:

They are by Poetic License, and I bought them with my She She Shoes gift certificate on Saturday. One look and I was in loooooove. The glittery purple inside, the purple soles (sorry, forgot to take a picture of them), the multi-tones and the bows, the bows! Grey, white, navy and burgundy, oh my!

The other stuff:

Also, the brooch Mom gave me for my birthday.

And a close-up of my patterned nylons. Why go plain when you can go patterned?

Ah! The shoes!

Jacket (Nygaard), cowl t-shirt (Oxmo), skirt (Tobias), shoes (Poetic License), belt (Suzy Shier - $3!), hose (Hue), pin (gift from Mom), necklace (Plum).