My First Blogger Meet-Up!

Over the last couple of months, I've encountered a few local and west coast bloggers in the blogosphere. One of the coolest is the Hostess of the Humble Bungalow - it took us a little while, but then we figured it out: we're both from Victoria! 

Today, we planned a meet-up! My very first meet-up of another blogger. What to wear? 

Well, we met at Value Village, and it was cold out, so I did layers for walking to town:

The tights are new, but otherwise I've worn all this stuff lots.

My burgundy sweater dress:

 And all the exterior accoutrements:

Dress (Eric Alexandre), belt (Gap), tights (Voila), shoes (Kenneth Cole Reaction, swap from Cat), scarf (Fairweather), bag (Licence), gloves (Parkhurst).

But who is this?

Such cool boots! And she wore a sweater dress too!

Here she is:

The hat was a great find!

We definitely had good shopping karma together:

All kinds of good stuff!

I'll be wearing most of my purchases this week, but here's a little taste...

 (Yes, that says "Desigual" - $9.99! Score!)

Thanks for meeting me, Leslie! You rock!

Thigh-High Boots and Minis

The last time I wore my thigh-high boots with a mini, I went through some major self-examination on whether I was too old to do this.

I've worn these boots with pants every other time since then, but on Friday I thought I would be bold. Be bold, or go home, I say! 

The keys to making this office-appropriate:

• dark tights
• dressy fabrics
• formal cut shirt and vest
• the boots are neither hooker boots nor pirate boots. 

I quite liked the look, which is basically the same: shirt and vest with some funky/jangly accessory:

That's my lovely and versatile blouse, my denim button-up vest, and the cool metal belt Mom bought me in London a few years ago.

The mini is a nice tweed - it's been in the "shall I keep it?" area for a while, but since it's my only mini skirt, I think I'll keep it.

No stuff picture as I was in a hurry after work.

Blouse (Marcona, thrifted), vest (Bisou Bisou, consignment), skirt (Jacob, consignment), belt (gift from Mom), boots (Pegabo).

We met up with a bunch of friends for dinner and drinks, then headed up to the Art Gallery for another Urbanite event. The theme was Asian-inspired so I dressed appropriately:

It turned out to be more India-inspired, but whatever - I still love this top. At least I wasn't surrounded by cheongsam-wearing women.

That's my brown suede skirt. Unfortunately, I spilled a vodka martini all over it at the end of the evening, but it's one of my machine-washable suedes, so no biggie!

I loved how the lacy tights highlighted the fabulous Fluevog Mini Qtees:

Those were the most comfortable shoes ever!

I wore my leather cuffs doubled up.

A lovely start to the weekend!

Blouse (Le Chateau, consignment), skirt (Danier Leather, consignment), tights (Esprit), shoes (Mini Qtees, Fluevog), leather rose (consignment), cuff (SkinzNHydz).

Black and White with Red

I got a lot of "Wow!" reactions to my outfit at work today, mostly due to my stripey legs:
They are rather bold!

This jacket is new-to-me from a couple of months ago - it's been one of those things that I really liked when I tried it on, then I got it home and it just sat there in my closet. I'll probably take it to the swap consignment store - it was only $16, so I don't feel too bad.

I wore it with the jacket lapels open all day (as in the picture above), but it's meant to button up thusly: I don't like how that looks as much. I do like how it nips in at the waist, though.

That's my red thrifted skirt first seen here. I don't know why it keeps on photographing as a very pinky coral - it is a true red! Really!

The stuff:

My fabulous Fluevog "Listen Up Harlow" shoes from about 6-7 years ago. I love them.

Jacket (Oxmo, thrifted), sweater (Jacob, consignment), skirt (Jacob, thrifted), shoes (Listen Up Harlow, Fluevog), belt (Nygaard).

Autumn Camo

It's autumn with a vengeance! The rain, wind and cold are here - this is classic West coast weather. It's also dark at 4:30, and barely light when I do my morning pics. Oh, fall/winter, you are the bane of fashion bloggers everywhere.

Today, I paired this new sweater with my classic Painty Skirt (yes, I do name a lot of my clothes, doesn't everyone?). I chose to wear an orange cami underneath this (quite) sheer knit sweater, and in hindsight I think I should have gone with mustard instead. The orange doesn't really show off the nice "Holiday Moss" colour of this cardi ($16.19 with my 40% off coupon at Dots). Eh, live and learn.

This skirt is on the chopping block.

I've had it for 3 years, and I've worn it many times:

- November 2010

- June 2010

- November 2009

- March 2009

- December 2008

...and probably a few more.

It felt very nice on - I love how it swoops , especially when I'm walking around. But what do you think? Time for it to go, or should I keep it?

Vote!
	Keep it!
	Consign/swap it!
pollcode.com free polls

The stuff:

I thought I'd go with the spotty leopard belt instead of a usual brown belt. These pumps feel so nice on.

A close-up:

Not a great picture of the bottom bracelet - here's a better one. The earrings are new, from Oscar & Libby's. The end of the key actually says "LOVE" but of course I photographed them backwards. Oops.

Sweater (Kersh), skirt (Nine West), shoes (Lauren by Ralph Lauren), belt (don't remember), floral bracelet (consignment), faux Gucci bracelet (gift from Italy from Mom & Dad), earrings (Lavishy).

The Coat (Green and Purple)

I had a 7:30 meeting this morning, I gave blood, and I had my WW meeting tonight. I am tired. Oddly, all of my pictures are blurry in some manner. Somehow, my state of mind is coming across in the photos!

I haven't worn The Coat in a long time: But first: I have purple legs. I got new purple tights and they are very grape-y. They go perfectly, in fact with this very grape-y velvet skirt that I got at Dots last week.

But I'm so distracted by The Coat!

It was very crisp and cold this morning, and I didn't wear any other outerwear. Most of The Coat is wool, and it's very thickly lined. I had my fur scarf and my long leather gloves and I was quite good.

I just kept the underneath layers simple with the emerald silk top:

And there's the purple pencil skirt (and Vizzini's head).

Here's the outfit without The Coat. The only time I took it off was to give blood.

Unfortunately, the skirt isn't lined (it's a cotton blend) and it ended up riding up on me - it's the dreaded Tight Creep. Next time I'll wear a slip.

The stuff:

You can go here for more pictures of The Coat. Hee, my cost per wear is down to $163.00. But now that the weather's cooler, I'll be wearing it more!

Coat (Desigual), blouse (Jacob, consignment), skirt (Cappopera), tights (Hue), boots (Gabor), chain (Grandma J's).

Red Fringed Suede and Tweed

I think my second-hand acquisitions of leather and suede are becoming something of an obsession.

I now have nearly 20 leather and suede items - that's dresses, skirts, pants, vests and jackets (not even including shoes!) - that I've mostly thrifted and picked up second-hand. I have bought a few pieces in actual stores (my yellow jacket, my $20 dress and my suede jacket).

The most I've ever paid was $59.99 (my leather pants and this leather dress), and the least I've ever paid was $10.00 (this skirt). My newest purchase is right in the middle of that range at $38.50: But it's got fringe! and it's red! and it's entirely fabricated of AWESOME!

This was thrifted at the same time as this orange suede skirt.

I love red, cream and brown together, especially this deep ruby red:

That's my thrifted blouse, leather vest (last worn together!) and my tweed jacket (I had to roll the sleeves up to show the red lining). I haven't worn this jacket in so long that I couldn't even find it on the blog. I question why it is still in my closet...

And this is a very rambunctious kitten:

He's attacking my necklace. I noticed later on in the day that there are a few pieces of fringe that have a distinctly gnawed-on appearance, so this skirt has to be hung up higher, away from little chew-meister kitties.

I wasn't that taken with the actual style of this skirt, however awesome it is. The hips are a little roomy (it's an 80s size 12 which translates to a modern size 8) and the butt shot is not the greatest. I suppose I could spend a whack of money to have it altered, but more likely I'll just wear it a few times, then take it to my favourite trade-in consignment store for a big ol' credit.

The stuff:

My good walking boots. I love the pattern in that blouse - so pretty.

A close-up:

I love how that necklace looks under open collars. Of course, I had to to my leather steampunk cuff and my leather rose!

Check out Visible Monday for other fun fashion bloggers!

Jacket (Jacob Connexion, consignment), vest (Cabi, thrifted), blouse (Tommy Hilfiger, thrifted), skirt (Danier, 80s vintage, thrifted), boots (Miz Mooz), necklace (Plum), steampunk cuff (SkinznHydz), rose cuff (consignment).

Long Weekend Edition! Python, a Hat and Some Cats

Well, hello there! What a lovely long weekend it's been!

Please make sure you go visit Patti. She is wearing my skirt and making it look far better than I ever did! I wore it here (3rd outfit) and here. You look amazing, Patti! I'm so glad you like it.

On Friday, I decided to go out after all, so I put on some shopping clothes: I'm plugging in my headphones for the treck to town. It was a sunny but cool day, so I wore lots of layers.

My standard issue rock and roll look: Long-sleeved tee under graphic tee, tights, skirt and boots. It doesn't get much easier than this. Also, this is a very easy outfit for taking on and off in fitting rooms; many things can be tried on over the top half, as well as under the skirt. I don't like having to take off an entire outfit to try things on.

Added my fingerless gloves, my leather python jacket and my messenger bag. I also dyed my hair - it's nice and bright red again! Woo!

Jacket (Bebe, vintage), mustard tee (Mexx), black tee (BCBGMaxAzria, consignment), skirt (Jones New York, thrifted), boots (Aldo, consignment), gloves (Parkhurst), bag (Licence).

Because it was such a nice day, I took the camera and snapped a few pictures of my neighbourhood. The post box always has good graffiti:

"Live free or die trying" or "Live free or die trying nothing" - it's an existential riddle!

I had a tantalizing glimpse of the castle:

Yes, one day I'll go up there with L and do a proper photo shoot!

This is one of my favourite heritage houses in Victoria:

I would love to live in it. That tower room can be my closet/dressing room. Unfortunately, it's occupied by a construction company's offices.

This house has always reminded me of the "The Munsters":

My city is peppered with these Gold-Rush-era Victorian houses. Some still function as single dwellings; some are broken up into suites; some are offices and businesses.

Walking home:

I love the reds, golds and greens in the fading light.

I found this when I uploaded my pictures:

Aw! Snuggly boys! I love seeing Vizzini and Inigo cuddling. Inigo and Othello never cuddled.

I had a Very Big Event on Saturday morning: a pre-wedding tea for my friend Celia, at a tea room in the very twee Oak Bay. She'd requested that everyone wear a hat or a fascinator, so of course, I had to go to town on the outfit to match!

My flower pot hat!

Here's a better picture so that you can see the top stem of feathers:

I moved down one step. It was pouring rain, and I walked to the tea room. Unfortunately, the brolly knocked the top feather stem and it now needs some repairs.

I was very pleased with this outfit. The only problem is how to top this for the actual wedding in two weeks!

A little family portait. Look how nicely the boys are posing with me.

I'm wearing my plaid Naughty dress, with my red jacket (3rd outfit down) over top. I also have my red vintage slip layered underneath for warmth.

I'm doing a two-tone red/burgundy mix with my accessories: dark red Miz Mooz boots with my dark burgundy clutch.

I added a vintage rhinestone necklace (red stones with a blue irridescent finish) and the lovely heart pin that Steph sent me.I was far more dressed up than the other ladies there, but that's cool. They did wear some fun fascinators! I love that hats are coming back into style!

Dress (Naughty), jacket (French Connection, thrifted), vintage slip (Suzette Lingerie, consignment), boots (Miz Mooz), hat (vintage), belt (Plum), necklace (vintage), pin (gift from Steph).

I walked home in the rain and tucked myself in for a nice nap. Tea rooms serve very rich food.

Refreshed, I readied myself for Tammy's 50th birthday:

I wore this dress last year for New Year's Eve. For this event I went a bit more classic - no good outshining the birthday girl! Tammy is very much a glamour girl, and she didn't disappoint, in a classic red gown. Happy Birthday, hon!

I was really glad for these low-ish heels, since I ended up walking home at 1:30am.

I didn't take a picture of it, but I ended up wearing navy elbow-length leather gloves with my cuffs over top of the gloves.

The dark metal one was a birthday gift from Mom; the other one I got at Dots on Friday for $5.99.

Dress (Max and Cleo), shoes (First by Feet First), cuff (gift from Mom), cuff (no brand, Dots), earrings (consignment).

I drank a lot of champagne and had a brutal hangover today. Champagne, you are a harsh mistress.

Fortunately, there was another kitty picture to soothe my sore head:

Aw! I have Vizzini curled up on my lap now, as I write. Wishing you all a warm kitty-filled lap.