Thrifting Queen

I realize many folks don't like black and yellow together (bumble bee connotations?) but I often like to wear really high contrast outfits and this combination tickles my fancy.

This outfit is a loose copycat of a Pinterest black and yellow outfit I really like. I started with my black baby bootcut trousers and paired them with my graphic print multicolour tank. I then topped that with my bright yellow with white piping Academy blazer, with scrunched sleeves. I added my black/white leather handbag and taupe leather wrap watch for accessories.

The Pinterest version has just a black and white top and a chunky gold necklace. But I decided because my top was a bit "busier" than that, a chunky gold necklace just seemed like too much.

So what do you think? Does it work? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Blazer: Gap
Tank: Laura Petite
Trousers: Reitmans
Shoes: Calvin Klein
Handbag: Danier Leather (thrifted)

I have the day off work today - had a dental appointment first thing this morning and then had to take my car in to get the winter tires taken off (whoo hoo!) and get my spring service done. I also met my BFF for coffee. I'm home to have lunch with my DS (he comes home from work for his lunch since he only works 15 minutes from the house) and then gonna pop by The Bay and try on the Okala's before picking up hubby at the end of the day. 

I wanted to be comfortable but stylish for all of that - I'm hoping this outfit fit the bill. I'm wearing my now favourite jeans - the slim fit Ralph Lauren BF's, paired with my Lord & Taylor mixed media animal print pull over, semi tucked with a peek of my red leather belt showing. I chose my Cole Haan taupe pointy toe kitten heels (one of the pair I have found work for my wide bunion feet), my red leather wallet (big enough to contain money, cards, cell and lipstick) and to top everything off, my white leather jacket. I'll be honest - it's a wee bit chilly out for bare ankles and just my leather jacket but since I'm just going from the car to buildings, it's no biggie. Plus I won't get overheated in the stores.

So what do you think? Does it all work together? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

P.S. I also have my red lipstick on while out and about - it's just not on for the pics because I'm having lunch.

Later gorgeous ladies...

I'm hoping this combination is just flattering enough (JFE)…

I started today's outfit with my silky, slouchy, tapered leg trousers. In order to keep the leg line looking longer and the almost-too-short trousers from giving Angie fits on the hem length (lol!), I've added the only black pointy toed flats I own. True…they are not all black, but I'm hoping the elongated toe helps. I was going to wear my pointy toe black kitten heels but my knee is aching today and flats were required. 

To the trousers, I added my new ivory lace front drapey tee. So I guess this outfit almost qualifies for volume-on-volume? I chose a vintage black and gold enamel bracelet and my large cream handbag for accessories, and went with my red specs and red lipstick to finish off the outfit.

So what do you think? Definitely not traditionally figure flattering, but is it JFE? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Tee: Smart Set
Trousers: Ricki's
Shoes: Fluevog
Handbag: Danier Leather

There's been talk on YLF lately about "wildcard" items - an item we buy that doesn't fit our normal style sensibilities or seems a little out of the norm for us. This floral bomber jacket is one of those items for me. Although florals are very much part of my style, a longer silky bomber jacket is a style that I would not normally choose. It has a lack of structure that I enjoy in a topper. But when you fall in love, what are you gonna do, right???

So today is the debut of my crazy floral silky longer bomber jacket - I have paired the jacket with a column of colour in a fairly fitted black tank and pencil skirt….aaaahhhhh….there's the structure I crave. I added my black Doc Marcie boots for a smidgen of edge and my green handbag for a punch of colour and a nod to spring (which seems to have finally arrived for real). I scrunched the sleeves of the bomber for a bit more added structure. Purple/clear specs and a swipe of bright pink lipstick (new for spring) complete the outfit. Happiness factor? Waaaaaaaaay up there!

What do you think? does this work? The jacket also looks fab with a white tee and faded BF jeans, over my EF dresses, white jeans…As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Bomber jacket & tank: Smart Set
Skirt: Cleo Petite
Boots: Doc Martens
Handbag: Cleo (thrifted)

One of the items on my Spring shopping list was a pair of olive green slim fitting cargo pants. I found them on the weekend and am debuting them today. The pants are a dark rich green (hopefully they don't look black on your screen) and are sized up skinnies. The SA was concerned that they were too big and might stretch too much, but at $29 they are worth the risk. They have the side cargo pockets and a nice little detail of brass snaps on an asymmetrical angle at the ankle (sorry I forgot to snap a close up of that). The pants need hemming but for today, I've simply cuffed them.

I've paired the cargo pants with my favourite pullover of all time - my white laser cut "skin polka dot" drapey pullover. I've semi tucked so that my snakeskin belt can peek out for some pattern. I've also added more white and pattern on my feet with my python booties. I've added my large cream handbag and red specs for accessories.

I've already played in my closet with these pants and am amazed at how versatile the colour and style is. 

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

Pullover: Nygard
Pants: Ricki's
Boots: Sam Edelman
Handbag: Danier Leather

I have a Board meeting today - I like to wear my skirt suit for these occasions. On the weekend, I went and picked up a few tops and this drapey cobalt sleeveless number is one of them. I like how it adds softness to the suit. I'm always on the lookout for tops that will work well for layering under a variety of blazers and jackets, but also work well on their own when the heat hits (my personal heat and the weather - lol!).

To my outfit I added nude hose and my black pointy toe kitten heel pumps and my quilted cobalt/cream/black handbag. Gold wedding band and gold mesh bangle finish off the outfit.

I feel professional and well put together, but still comfortable and not stuffy. What do you think? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Skirt suit: Nygard
Top: Smart Set
Shoes: Calvin Klein
Handbag: Danier Leather
Bangle: Michael Kors

If I can't be in Boston for the fun YLF meet up :( I can at least be clothed in YLF love:

- Gap pullover recommended by Inge a couple of seasons ago
- Fossil handbag purchased through and sent by Natalie
- Faded H&M BF jeans gifted to me from Jeanne

Love the faded wash of the jeans paired with the vintage men's cognac leather belt and cognac handbag. Heading off to get the groceries and run some errands but will be thinking of you all while striding around in my YLF outfit :)

Today is the debut of my J Brand Aviator trousers I bought. These are my wild card item for the season - they are slouchy and almost "balloon-like" in the legs and I absolutely love them. The fabric is divine and they are like wearing dressy pajama bottoms!

Because it snowed yesterday evening (uugggghhhh!) I'm not wearing my pointy toe ankle strap shoes but instead, my Doc Marcie boots with the Aviators. But I like how the zippered bottom of the trouser leg looks with the wedge combat-style boots. I added a simple black leather belt and then chose my abstract print citron/white/grey/black/taupe drapey tank, with faux tuck. To put structure back into the outfit, I chose my black leather blazer for a topper and scrunched the sleeves. To further play up the citron in the tank, I went with my small citron leather clutch for a handbag. No jewelry other than wedding band and a simple silver ring on the other hand, and my purple/clear glasses.

I'm really happy with how this turned out and think that adding the right top/topper can easily make these casual trousers into a work appropriate item. What do you think? Does it all work? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Blazer: Danier Leather
Tank: Laura Petite
Trousers: J Brand
Boots: Doc Martens
Clutch: Gap

I'm so excited because a ton of snow has melted in the last 4-5 days and I'm actually venturing out today WITHOUT snow boots! Sure…I only have 10 steps from my house to my garage and back again but hey…it's still 10 dry steps!!!

So to go with my black pointy toe pumps, I went with nude hose for a hint of bare leg with my cobalt knit pencil skirt. I paired that with a simple black knit tank and topped it with this spring's first wearing of my CM floral moto. I am so glad I splurged on this jacket last year. I love floral patterns and like how this one is not your typical floral colours but rather shades of grey, cream, dark purple-blue and taupe. 

Too lazy to change my handbag today so just went with my black leather one. At least it bookends the shoes….have I mentioned I'm wearing REAL shoes outside today???

I hope this works - I'm a little unsure of the blue skirt and black tank not being a column of colour. As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Moto: Club Monaco
Tank: Sears
Skirt: Cleo Petite
Shoes: Calvin Klein
Handbag: Danier Leather

When I posted these slouchy trousers as a new item, there were some concerns expressed about whether they were a tad short. In the reveal pics, I was wearing black and white shoes. Angie suggested I try the trousers with black pointy toes to elongate the leg line. Since I'm going out at lunch today and again right after work, I'm not wearing my black pointy toe pumps but rather my black patent pointy toe booties.

I've paired the trousers with my black and white graphic tee and topped that with my white leather jacket. My black handbag, red specs and red lipstick finish off the outfit.

So does the pointy toed black footwear help with the length of the trousers? I also am wearing them a little lower on the waist as CocoLion suggested. Does the outfit work? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Jacket & handbag: Danier Leather
Tee: Smart Set
Trousers: Reitmans
Boots: Ara