Wednesday, December 31, 2014

What Are Ya Doin'...New Year's Eve?

I know what I'm doin' - I'm going to a party tonight at Randall and Yvonne's! 

However, before that, I went to work. 

The last of the pre-planned December outfits! Who doesn't love a red dress?

  • Dress - Calvin Klein; last seen here in September in a Major way
  • Shoes - Steve Madden; featured here for Shoe Shine #6, and last worn here in February with yellow and fuzzy brown

"Cruising for kitty treats..."
I'm quite fond of this dress, but it's starting to show some wear; armpits, chestal region is getting a little pilly. I'm not ready to give it up yet, but I've got my eye on it.
I foolishly wore my shoes on a day when I was actually really busy! I took down the Christmas tree and all the decorations at Reception, trucked it all down to the basement storage area (me heaving around boxes), and also had to go to the other office today. I switched to my walking shoes for all of those activities. I wore these pumps for maybe 2 hours total today.

The stuff:
My black stomacher worked under my new-to-me leopard belt, which I thrifted during my Christmas shopping ("You aren't supposed to shop for yourself!" growled L). But it was only a dollar! For Talbot's! And it's leather and pony hair! How could I resist?

You'll also notice there is only one earring there...the other one fell out somewhere. I can only hope that Officer Vizzini will find it and return it to me. Or he might eat it.

  • Stomacher - InWear
  • Belt - Talbot's, thrifted
  • Cuff - Guess, thrifted
  • Earring - the Cobbler

I was so good today. I walked to and from work, then L and I went to the gym. I called my Mom (hi, Mom!) and made L and I a nice healthy dinner (tortilla soup and grilled cheese/tuna melts). And we're walking to the party (and staggering home, hee!).

Off I go to shower, pomp my hair and stick on some false eyelashes! I am looking forward to a good time, surrounded by all of my favourite people.

And speaking of favourite people, wishing you, dear readers, a very Happy New Year! Here's to 2015!

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

The Tell-Tale Heart - and a Ribbon Dress

Phew! Today ended up being much busier than I thought it would be! 
I'm off to my last WW meeting of the year - gotta get my gang through New Year's Eve!

  • Top - Jeanne Bekker, consignment; last seen here in November with houndstooth
  • Skirt - Dolce & Gabbana, thrifted; purchased here on Saturday for $6.00!
  • Boots - Aerosoles, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) a couple of weeks ago for brunch

I had to wear my new-to-me Dolce & Gabbana skirt - I crowed about my $6.00 thrifting score to everyone who would listen. Heh.
I liked this top again too. It's good for a statement necklace.

The stuff:
Comfy boots! After WW tonight, I'm headed down to the Garrick's Head Pub to meet up with L and some of my guys for drinks.

Poe bling:
I'm an Edgar Allan Poe fan, so I loosely made a "Tell-Tale Heart" theme with my accessories: the anatomical heart, the "intervals of horrible sanity" cuff and the clock hand earrings (for the ticking).

  • Cuff - Jezebel Charms, gift from L
  • Necklace - local, gift from L
  • Clock hands earring - Foxy
  • Earring - local


There was a line-up at the Subway, so I ducked into the crappy consignment store next to it. They had 50% off and I really liked the shape of this SHINY dress.
I might have to wear it tomorrow...

This was $15.00, and it's by Grifflin Paris.
Not deceiving myself in any way that this is a quality piece (it's certainly not made in Paris!) - the fabric is uber-stretchy, and only the skirt part is lined. I also gave the ginormous plastic black belt that it came with back to the store to re-sell it. But I like how it looks for now, and sometimes that is good enough, right?

One more day! I will be posting my New Year's Eve daytime outfit after work tomorrow, then Shoe Shine will be up on Friday. I'll be back with my bigass weekend wrap-up on Sunday, when I get sick of football, hee hee.

Monday, December 29, 2014

Mustard and Plaid - and Shoe Shine Reminder!

And...back to work for me, boo. I wanted to shake L awake so that he could share my misery this morning, but let him sleep instead. I'm generous that way.
I wanted to wear this skirt before the year ends. It's rather magnificently 80s.

  • Sweater - Steilmann, consignment; last seen here early this month with shiny paisley
  • Skirt - Roland Kerry, vintage 80s, consignment; last worn here in July with yellow and aqua
  • Shoes - Pearl Hart Bellevue, Fluevog; last seen here in November with my Italian shiny dress (must wear that again!)

I have difficulties with sweaters. I love this one, but its drapiness ends up making me look sloppy. I didn't want to wear something more structured, because I did a bunch of cleaning and physical stuff today at work. This was comfortable. So while I like this sweater, I don't love it.
I do love the skirt, though. Can't get enough of it. Taffeta! Plaid!

The stuff:
Fabulously comfy shoes!

Bling:
I'm still hanging on to this necklace. It's just such a handy piece. Red! Statement! But it's getting worn out.

  • Necklace - Plum
  • Earrings - local
  • Disc ring - Nine West
  • Coral/silver ring - Oscar & Libby's
Speaking of worn out, I just got back from the gym, and I haven't had dinner and I still need to dye my hair! Ah!

Reminder - take pictures of your shoes on New Year's Eve! 
Shoe Shine 2015 starts this Friday - see you there!

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Bigass Christmas Round-Up: Feathers, Gifts, Karina Dress and a Score

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Ahoy-hoy! I'm back for a few days, then back I go for another 4-day weekend. I like to spend most of my down-time unplugged: no phone, no laptop, no tablet, no computer -well, we did briefly check the email, but that's it. It feels weird to be typing again.

  • Dress - handmade, no label, thrifted; last seen here as one of my "Never Seen" series
  • Boots - Aldo, consignment; last seen here in November with polka dots

Anyhoo, this is what I wore to my ex-sister-in-law's place to chill with my side of the fam: my brother, his girlfriend, their daughter (5), his ex-wife, their two daughters (11 and 14), Mom and L. More friends showed up later, in time for dinner. We had a great time, playing games (the older girls got an X-Box Kinnect) - I did a Bollywood dance number in one of the games!
I've never worn this dress on the blog, can you believe it? I've been doing this since 2008, so shame on me! I bought it when I was first dating L, so about 19 years ago, from a consignment shop downtown that did more vintage. It was about 6 inches longer and had big buttons in the same fabric marching down the chest right over the boobs, to about the waist. I cut the hem and handstitched it up, and removed all of the buttons. The maribou feather cuffs are shedding a bit, but it's otherwise still in good shape. It's probably from the late 60s.

The stuff:
Simple boots in case we had to walk; we ended up catching the bus both ways, and were home by 8pm.

Seasonal bling:
Can you spot the item that was a Christmas present from L?

  • Cuff - Jezebel Charms
  • Spinner rings - all local
  • Tree brooch - gift from my old boss Ev
  • Earrings - MMA gift shop
  • Crystal ring - Uffizi Gallery gift shop 
We did a stocking for Vizzini, but he got very excited about his new toys, so they have to be for supervised play-time only.

"Give me back my mouse, woman!"
He gets very drooly with mousies, and growls with chase toys.
"I'm taking a time-out because I want to."
He's quite enjoyed having us home most of the last 4 days.

This is my haul from L - he really spoils me. I do spoil him too! He had a pile just as big!
Loads of books, chocolate and tea.

Awesome new cuffs. Linking 'cause I love: check out Jezebel Charms. Both cuffs came beautifully wrapped in tissue in boxes with bows, within 6 days of L ordering them.
I love that they are gorgeously finished, not a scratch on them, smooth edges and awesome to wear. I was able to adjust the "Nevermore" one to fit my small wrist, and the cuff kept its shape well.

The left one's quote is from Edgar Allen Poe's poem "The Raven": "Once upon a midnight dreary,
while I pondered, weak and weary."
The other also has a Poe quote, "I became insane with long intervals of horrible sanity."

Love them!

L also got me another funky belt buckle.
A lovely Shi Studio piece.

I took a few pictures of the decorations at Cindy's house. I get a kick out of the girls' sense of humour.
"Walking in a winter wonde - GODZILLA EAT CAROLLERS!"
 The Crypt Keeper got a new Santa hat this year from Mom.
So festive.

And the naked and headless Ken and Barbie got new heads!
It's a Festivus miracle!

This guy lost his leg, though.
It was in another section of the tree.

We got a bottle of wine and some gift cards, and Mom gave me some groovy prezzies.
Fun patterned tights!

Little real opal earrings, bought in Australia.
And a cool local necklace. Dragon!

L and I played a lot of Arkham Horror this weekend, and listened to lots of new CDs. On Saturday, we met up with Nick and Karen, and Spence and Kim (visiting from Vancouver) for brunch.
Testing out my new Karina dress that I won in Patti's draw here, over at Not Dead Yet Style. All linking because I love. I won this dress, so it was free, but I'm not being paid to say anything about it. Karina Dresses doesn't even know I have a blog, but here's their site.

This is my entry for "Visible Monday" (on now, go!), what good timing!

  • Dress - Karina Dresses; won it
  • Boots - 1886 Lucchesse, consignment; last seen here earlier this month with pink armour

Verdict: yes, thumb's up, I like the dress.

Notes: 
I bought the Megan (with short sleeve) in "Autumn Blooms" (pattern). I like the pattern, but the material creeps me out. It's that super bouncy, slinky polyester. I'm used to wearing natural fibres and it felt very odd to wear this, like having plastic on my skin.

It was very swingy to wear - great Swoosh Factor in the skirt, even with my added black floofy underskirt layered under it. It was windy out, and it blew around a lot. The waistband hits me at a flattering spot and hid my other bulges quite well. I wish it had pockets, but many other cuts of Karina dresses do.

I bought a S/M size, which is supposed to fit US sizes 6-10. I felt it was a little snug for that, especially through the rib cage. It has to be pulled over the head, and the waistband was really tight getting it over my shoulders. It's good in the boobs, giving me full coverage at the neckline (I wore a camisole under it, but could have skipped it).

I really liked that this was made in the US (I suspect the fabric is not), and I might keep an eye on the sale section (I did receive a 20% discount code for full-price items, with this shipment). The regular price on this dress was $158.00.
I'm looking forward to wearing it in the spring with my turquoise Fluevogs! I think it would be a good dress for women who don't own many dresses - it's dressy enough for work (jacket or cardi over it, if needed), simple enough for casual (tie a white shirt over it, wear a jean jacket with it), and could even go much dressier with some more jewelry and fancy heels.

I funked it up for the rainy and windy day.
My cowboy boots were excellent for a good 4+ hour shop with Karen!

The stuff:
Damn fine boots.

Black bling:
Minimal stuff for shopping.

  • Cuff - Guess, thrifted
  • Earrings - the Cobbler


We went to the St. Vincent de Paul, the Patch (where I put back a 1950s Dior dress, swoon!) and Verve for second-hand, and a few boutiques (and a pit stop in the mall). I didn't find any shoes that were just right for spending my gift certificate, so I'm going to wait until they get new stock in.

I didn't find much for myself, but did pull this one out of the sea of black and grey skirts at the St. VdeP.
 A sort-of A-line shape; it hangs more like a loose pencil skirt, with a slash/slit front.

Feels like wool, for sure, and wait a second, is that...fur?
Yes, that would be Persian lamb. I checked the backing of it in the seams; it's real.

I gasped when I saw the tag.
Yup, Dolce & Gabbana for $6.00. I've turned it inside out (I think the lining is silk - the content tag has been cut off) and checked all the seams (you can see how beautifully the inside is finished there), and it's real. Score!

And how about you? Any scores over the holidays?

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Christmas Tree Skirt and ABBA Blouse

'Twas the night before Christmas...
...and off to work I went this morning! As expected, it was a really quiet day, with maybe 15-20 people around (in an office of 150+ people).

  • Blouse - CAbi, consignment; last seen here in May - yar, I'm a pirate
  • Skirt - vintage 70s, handmade, thrifted; last worn here in July with more ruffles
  • Shoes - Two Lips, thrifted; last seen here in November with a whole lotta pink

I loved this ensemble...I only wish I'd gotten to wear it for more of the day. Around 11:30am, my boss came around and told me to close up. I had to wait for a delivery, and shut down the office, and drop off supplies at our other office, but here we are, 2pm and I'm home! Woot! I have the best boss ever.

The blouse is very "Dancing Queen" ABBA-esque, especially the large floofy cuffs, which drag through everything. Into the wash it goes!
It's really only appropriate that my last outfit before Christmas is nearly literally a tree skirt. Can't you picture this around the base of a tree? But it's really a skirt, no fear.

The stuff:
Comfy shoes, and funky golds.

Pokey bling:
One of my coworkers demanded to know where I'd gotten this bracelet and earrings - the Museum of Modern Art in NYC in 2007, in the gift shop on clearance. They are various star/snowflake/compass shapes, gold-plated and very pokey. Did you notice that I wore the bracelet as a necklace? I safety-pinned it underneath the collar of my blouse. I'm so clever.
  • Belt - thrifted
  • Earrings/bracelet - Museum of Modern Art, NYC gift shop

Vizzini was hovering around this morning, so I grabbed him for a picture.
"Om nom, earring..."
Merry Christmas to my dear friends and readers! Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday!

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Sequins! and Scotch

Today was the darkest morning! It's gloomy and raining. 
I'm dreaming of a wet Christmas!

I promised my WW group that I would show them Weekend Hair - I thought they would like the sequins as well.

  • Dress - Esprit; last seen here (3rd outfit) for non-Johnny Marr earlier this month
  • Blouse - Marcona, thrifted; last worn here in February with red leather
  • Shoes - Wonders Ayers, Fluevog; last seen here in February with yet more olive

My office was dead today and I predict it'll be dead tomorrow as well. Ah well, I wear sparkly sequins more for me than I do for others.
I love this funky top - it's been a good staple in my wardrobe for nearly 4 years.

The stuff:
My Wonders are a wonder! I even wore them out in the rain (briefly).

Big ol' bling:
Reminds me of Christmas ornaments!

  • Necklace - Nygard, consignment
  • Earrings - Plum


Off to my meeting! One more day of work and then...4-day weekend! Woo!

My awesome boss and the 3 other VPs in my office pooled and bought me a Christmas present:
AW! A lovely bottle of Glenlivet "Guardians" Chapter whisky, and a $100 gift certificate to Heart & Soul shoes! What a lovely and generous gift.

I will be back tomorrow with my final pre-Christmas outfit but then I'll be off until after the weekend. A very Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, blessed Yule and Festy Festivus to everyone!