Thrifting Queen

I picked up this green dress at Old Navy last week for $19 and will be keeping it regardless. I love the colour, the cotton is lightweight but the dress is lined so no see through problems. It is probably not the most flattering silhouette in my hip area but to be honest, it doesn't bother me. If you feel the dress isn't fab, I will relegate to just wearing around the house and not out.

I've tried it with my Stuart Weitzman animal print sandals and RL vintage cross body bag, as well as with my faded denim jacket.

Does this work? I would also pair the dress with my flat floral shoes for super casual.

I decided before I go shopping for a casual black summer dress, to see what I had. Well I must admit rather embarrassingly that I found one in the back of my closet! Two years ago while on vacation I bought this casual LBD at a fairly upscale private shop. It's ponte knit but quite lightweight, holds it shape beautifully and is on the shorter side, which I don't mind for summer. It's a wee bit low cut but I don't think inappropriately so. The wide straps accommodate a bra no problem which is always a plus. It has these bizarre hanging strips of different sizes and some are lace, which is one of the features I liked about the dress. I also like these hanging bits of fabric as they do wonders for hiding any wobbly bits! However, I've gained a bit of weight since I bought this dress so would like your input as to how the fit is now - please be honest. The pictures of the dress on its own have been brightened to show the details - I hope that helps. If you think it's a wee bit snug, would a denim vest over top (which I'm on the hunt for) make it work?

The handbag is a recently thrifted treasure - vintage Ralph Lauren Polo in a buttery soft cognac leather with suede interior. It's the perfect size for summertime shopping!

I've also thrown in a picture of my mock orange tree in the backyard this morning - I wish I could somehow transport the smell into this photo because it is heavenly!

Warning Angie - you may want to look away!

As you may recall, I thrifted these kind of crazy capri pants last week that were completely wrong in terms of length and leg fit (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....me-explain) but I loved the fabric and pattern so took a chance the Wonder Woman could do something with them.

I got them back today and couldn't be more pleased! When I took them in, she suggested a cropped length (not Bermuda) so as to maintain the integrity of the pattern, which she also loved. She also tapered the legs from mid thigh down so that they have a much slimmer fit. I know there will be some that will still dislike the pattern and that's ok with me - but I love these and plan on wearing the heck out of them!

I also got my Nordie's order today - duplicate pair of Wit & Wisdom skinnies and this fab little yellow leather faux snakeskin clutch with cobalt blue zipper. I'm in LOVE with it - and so is Gain, as you can see.

1. Got the coffee stain out of the turquoise pencil skirt. Can’t even tell.
2. Remember the cobalt/cerulean blue puffy sleeved jacket I thrifted a while back? I’ve only worn it once since I got it. I find it difficult to style and can really only think of one way to make the sleeves work. Plus it does NOT fit under any type of jacket thanks to those big ol’ sleeves….so I re-thrifted it last week (sorry Angie – I know you liked it)
3. Have figured out that the only two things I’m still on the hunt for for summer are a casual black sleeveless jersey dress (as per Angie’s recent blog post) and a sleeveless faded denim vest. Any ideas anyone?
4. Canadian delivery stinks – the order I placed with Nordie’s May 30th for my “back up” pair of Wit & Wisdom skinnies and the yellow/blue snakeskin leather clutch is still in transit. Don’t they know I’m an impatient person?

Oh….one more thing… I LOVE YLF AND ALL OF YOU!!!

P.S. I just had to share and brag a little. My hubby is a writer and amateur photographer. He laid in a ditch for over an hour watching this dragonfly until he could get the perfect shot of the wings spread so you could see the intricate lace-like details. I love this picture.

I'm over the moon in love with Anne's boyfriend jeans outfit today (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....shirt-motg) and Una's various posts with her BF jeans.

Can a petite apple wear this style of jeans or should I just enjoy it on others? Tell me straight Angie (and others) - I can take it!

TGIF!!!

Today's outfit is a pairing of white denim clams, brown with white polka dots silk-blend blouse with a frill down the front, my brown Clarks sandals that are at least 4 years old, white watch for jewelry and my green handbag for a pop of colour.

Although chocolate brown and crisp white is one of my all time favourite colour combinations, I'm not sure brown near my face does me any favours. This blouse was thrifted in my April thrift haul but I"m wondering if it's a keep or re-thrift item. What do you think?

As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Clams: Reitmans
Blouse: Nygard (thrifted)
Watch: thrifted
Sandals: Clarks
Handbag: Cleo (thrifted)

Today's outfit offering starts with my turquoise pencil midi skirt paired with my white lace sweater. I've added my orange leather handbag for a completely different bright pop of colour and my first outing of my orange leather Aerosole sandals that I bought a couple of weeks ago. A simple silver bangle and wedding ring is all for jewelry.

Pairing orange with turquoise is quite different for me but I really like it.

What do you think? Does this outfit work? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Sweater: Laura Petites (thrifted)
Skirt: Liz Claiborne (thrifted)
Sandals: Aerosole
Handbag: Danier Leather (thrifted)

Bonus pic of Gain as I'm doing orange accessories today!

ETA: I always make a cup of coffee to take in the car on the way to work and was sure I had pressed down the lid on my "to go" mug until it clicked but apparently not - because as I took a sip heading to my back door the lid came right off and a good half of the mug found itself on my turquoise skirt. Luckily I didn't burn myself and the lace sweater is fine but I suspect the skirt is finished. So I quickly had to grab my charcoal grey pencil skirt and go with that. It looks ok, but the turquoise was better.

Another rainy day here (yuck) but am wearing my flower garden instead of trying to work in it! Today started with my floral frock, popped on my light wash denim jacket and then added my pretty green shoes for another bit of colour - sort of like walking on the grass...I'm wearing my simple black and white handbag and my recently thrifted vintage Bakelite bangle. I've been searching for a pink Bakelite bangle for almost a year now - I wanted a wide, substantial one, no cracks and small enough to fit my wrist (most just fall off me). I found this one at a vintage shop last week and quickly snapped it up.

So how does this outfit work to your eye? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Jacket: thrifted (no label)
Dress: Cleo Petites
Shoes: Poetic Licence
Handbag: Danier Leather (thrifted)
Bangle: thrifted

I just had a very interesting conversation with one of our O.R. nurses. I see her everyday and we often stop and chat. She's a lovely lady. This morning she stopped me in the stairwell and proceeded to tell me that she loves my style, that she looks forward to seeing what I'm wearing every day and that most importantly, she loves that I don't look like everyone else and that my style is "different".

Needless to say, I was quite overwhelmed with her generous comments and obvious sincerity and of course, told her how much her comments meant and how appreciative I am that she would take the time to tell me this.

What really struck me after I took this all in is that a few months ago, I would have taken the word "different" as an insult, like somehow I stick out in a negative way and that I should tone things down to look more like the environmental norm. But YLF (through Angie and all of you) has given me more confidence and now I'm taking that word "different" as a compliment - it's nice to be honing a style that not only speaks to me but appears visually interesting to others.

So Angie and YLF - thank you. Thank you for helping me learn to dress myself and express myself in ways that make me feel good. I still have off days but I think have more hits than misses and I'm constantly learning through your valuable feedback.

Ladies - embrace your individuality! "Different" isn't a dirty word!!!

Decided to go for an overall slouchy feel today by pairing my slouchy taupe trousers with my flowy silk polka dot jacket. I really like how these two pieces look together even though the colour pairing is quite untraditional. For accessories, I've added my gold oversized watch and a recently thrifted vintage clutch.

What do you think of these two strong pieces together? How are the colours and proportions? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Jacket: vintage
Trousers: Anne Klein
Shoes: Boutique 9
Clutch: vintage
Watch: thrifted