Thrifting Queen

I'm curious if you think this style and shape of dress could work on a petite apple? It is Eileen Fisher petite so that actual sizing would work for me. It's a soft merino wool so would have some decent drape to it. I like that it's a hi-lo hemline. It's the non tapering at the hemline (like a sheath dress or pencil skirt) that makes me wonder.

Not buying - just wondering.

Thanks :)

An outfit doesn't get much easier than this!

I started with my black cropped slim leg EF pants, rolled to show a bit more ankle. I then added a black tank for modesty purposes and topped that with my cornflower blue linen-blend hi-lo hem voluminous knit top. LOVE this top.

For footwear, I went with my trusty Clarks low heeled sandals and for accessories, chose my black/gold hardware leather handbag, gunmetal and abalone bracelet, silver wedding band and black/white specs.

I love the ease and comfort of this outfit while still being presentable for work and stylish. This is what I'm aiming for these days.

What do you think? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Pants & top: Eileen Fisher (eBay)
Sandals: Clarks
Handbag: Danier Leather

I went last night to try on some of the Olsen Europe items I've been lusting after for fall (and driving you all crazy with lately - lol!). I'm afraid I had a very negative shopping experience that has left me not wanting to pursue any of those items.

The SA was pushy to the point of being aggressive and made no change to her behavior even after I asked if she could give me a few moments. When trying on items in the change room, she kept knocking on the door literally every couple of moments to ask to see the item on. I felt like I couldn't breathe or think. And when coming out of the change room for her to have a look, she insisted everything looked fantastic even when I knew the fit was wrong. To use an old expression "she was on me like hair on an ape"!

I finally gave up, left the clothes in the change room and very politely but clearly said that I was not going to purchase anything this evening since I felt too much pressure - then I went to Starbucks. I was literally quivering with anger and anxiety.

A few days ago I went on eBay to my favorite seller's site (the one I have purchased 80% of my EF items from) and put a few goodies on my wish list for fall. I'm thinking of going this route instead. As you know, I absolutely LOVE EF quality and fit for my odd little body. My fave seller has a fabulous return policy and very reasonable shipping costs.Anyway, here are the items I'm having a peek at - anything stand out to you as a good possibility? Not buying anything yet but once I have a wee bit more cash in the Fashion Fund jar, might apply it to something here.

And check out these kinda funky Naot shoes - in case I need to stick with that brand for my fussy feet.

I know I've been a bit of a forum hog lately and I do apologize - just working through a few issues re: dressing, shopping, spending and it's very helpful to post here for feedback. Thank you :)

Today's outfit consists of two older items from my closet - my abstract print wrap dress and a cropped distressed denim jacket. Both of these have been major players in my wardrobe for the past three+ years.

The dress is staying - I still love it as much now as I did when I bought it. I started my outfit today with the dress and then added my denim topper for the office a/c. It's the jacket that is currently in my probation pile. I have my faded w/leather sleeved denim jacket that I think is a bit more current with its longer and roomier fit. I'm wondering if the one I'm wearing here is now passé? I feel like the cropped denim jacket may be dated. 

I added my wide purple leather belt for some waist accentuation and went with my trusty black/white polka dot Birks for footwear today (I need happy feet today).

To finish off the outfit, I went with my large cream handbag to bring out the white tones in the dress, my taupe/silver wrap watch, silver wedding band and my purple/clear specs.

So what do you think? Is this type of combination dated now? Do I keep or purge the denim jacket? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Jacket: Brody Jeans
Dress: Attitude by Jay Manuel
Sandals: Birkenstock Pappillio
Handbag: Danier Leather
Watch: Fossil (eBay)

So I no sooner posted a question regarding the Pikolinos boots from NAS http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ots-for-me and now I have to retract it. In addition to bunions, I have developed what I believed to be plantar fasciitis. I had made an appointment to go on my lunch break today to a podiatrist to determine if that in indeed the case. And it is.

He was pleased that I have my Birkenstocks with the 4 degree hard footbed and wants me to wear them in the house at all times during the next couple of weeks - no more bare feet on my hard floor until the heel pain starts to subside.

He also recommends as footwear brands that will provide the strong arch support I need, as well as good heel "cupping" and room for the bunions:

• New Balance (for running) - I currently wear Asics and/or Saucony. 
• Naot
• Aravon
• Earthies
• Taos

He also said absolutely no heels over 1 - 1.5 inches and limited wearing of pointy toes. Unfortunately it looks like years (decades really) of wearing ill fitting too high heeled shoes have taken their toll on my poor peds. I may get custom orthotics made but we didn't have time to get into that discussion today.

Luckily the booties/boots I have for fall/winter are all quite comfortable although I will need to try them again to double check on the arch support. And I guess I'll be wearing my Naot Mary-Jane style pumps more often.

In terms of finding a boot to replace my Doc Marcies and perhaps even my Ara patent booties (they have pointy toes), these are now my local options from Canadian Footwear and fit the criteria I've been given. What do you think of any of these with skirts and dresses?

Pic 1 and 2 are Aravon
Pic 3 is Naot

P.S. On the bright side, my wonky knee is getting better and better and he felt there should be no problem with me continuing to work on my running training provided I have the right shoes and I follow his instructions re: footwear so that it doesn't get any worse.

I had not planned on participating in NAS this year but I am looking for replacement boots for my Doc Marcies, which no longer work due to the heel height.

Normally I don't order from Nordstrom due to the high cost of shipping/duties/taxes but there is one pair that I keep going back and looking at - the Pikolinos Brujas, in black (I know you mention brown or grey all the way but it's black I'm needing to replace). They are higher than ankle height (although not quite mid calf) and have a bit of a rugged vibe which is what I'm after. The heel height is perfect.

I note that you mention they are good for high volume feet (whoo hoo!) - wondering if you think they will work well for regular-bordering on wide feet? Would love your thoughts.

Thanks :)

I love it when I've gotten dressed and then log into YLF to find that my outfit mirrors Angie's blog post :)

Today's outfit started with my TR Brianna white jeans - this time worn with only one cuff to be full length. I enjoy wearing my jeans rolled in true BF style but thought it would be nice to show more of that crisp white leg today.

Paired with the white jeans is my cream and animal print mixed media drapey blouse with 3/4 sleeves. I haven't worn this tee in a while and I've never paired it with white. Well why the heck not??? I'm totally loving combining different shades of white and cream (thanks Angie!).

I've semi tucked the blouse to show a snippet of my new leather belt. I went to Danier on the weekend to drop off my blush leather jacket to get the sleeves shortened before the cool weather comes and went looking for a cognac belt. I didn't find the one I was looking for but instead fell hard for this tan and brassy-gold metallic one. At $19, it came home with me.

I went with my cream laser cut oxfords and large cream handbag to complete my white and cream outfit. Gold/black watch, red specs and swipe of red lipstick finish it off.

So what do you think? Does this blouse work with white jeans and does this all work together? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Blouse: Lord & Taylor
Jeans: True Religion
Shoes: Dolce Vita
Handbag & belt: Danier Leather
Watch: Fossil (eBay)

Well I've done a fair bit of thinking and working through both my closet and budget this past week and have come up with a significant problem - my personality.

I wrestle with what I want to achieve in terms of cutting back on personal waste, excessive spending, simplifying choices, managing clutter, etc. with who I am at my very core - someone who enjoys variety and introducing new items into my wardrobe. Somehow I need to find a balance.

I think I've really narrowed down and come to some conclusions about my current style regarding comfort and aesthetics. I would sincerely hope this will decrease purchasing mistakes and closet orphans. I will say that I am much more confident and sure in my choices these days than I ever have been before. That is in no small part due to YLF and all of you :)

So how does a gal who wants a few things to refresh her fall wardrobe deal with a small budget, not expanding her closet and making sure these items will fit for a while during her weight loss journey?

1. I still plan on sticking with my previous commitment to the one-in, one-out rule. This has been working incredibly well for me since I started.
2. I have made up a wardrobe budget with hubby's input. Because it is his salary that will be decreasing due to the change in work hours, he needs to have some say and input IMO. He knows my personality well (after 30 years together, he should!) so gets that I need a new "something" every now and again. I can either purchase one item per payday up to xxx amount, or accumulate that amount in order to purchase something more pricey. And I will be using the "jar" method for this - literally putting those dollars into a jar so that I can see what I'm saving/spending.
3. I am quite smitten with several of the items in the fall 2014 Olsen Europe line (as per my post here http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....sen-europe) and would like to add a few of those pieces. I do like being able to shop in a local brick and mortar store. The items that I am considering adding are in pics below. They are items that I can purchase to fit now but will fit for a while due to the style/silhouette, the fact that I don't lose weight quickly at my age and because the current trend is for a looser fit. And if any of the items successfully make their way into my closet, I will be practicing one-in, one-out in order to allow them in.

I am really happy with the earlier purging I did and am very pleased with what I've accomplished so far. I feel so much more in control than before and even with this slight concession (for lack of a better term) still believe I am sticking with my overall plan to simplify. Would love to hear your feedback on a) does my plan seem reasonable and still responsible?, b) what do you think of these items below for me?

If you've made it through all of this, I applaud and thank you :)  Putting all of these thoughts down has been absolutely crucial in helping me reach this point.

If you want to catch up at all on my series of simplicity posts, here are the links:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....post-1long
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....rch-post-2
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....rch-post-3
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-continues
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....tting-real
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....he-numbers

I'm finding that the Arctic A/C in my office is cramping my summer style a bit. I always have to plan a topper of some sort and I find at times it takes away from my outfit. Today is the perfect example - I prefer the outfit without the cardigan, but I will freeze if I leave it off.

Anyway…today's outfit started with my black knit pencil skirt. I added my black/taupe/white/yellow abstract tank and then topped that with my black cardigan. I chose my black pointy toe kitten heel pumps for shoes and my citron clutch for handbag. A gold watch, gold wedding band and black/white specs finish off the outfit.

I feel kind of "meh" in this but am not sure why. Any ideas? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Cardigan: Eileen Fisher
Tank: Laura Petite
Skirt: Cleo Petite
Shoes: Calvin Klein
Clutch: Gap

I loves Angie's blog post with outfits combining all neutral black, grey, ink and brown. And to be honest, felt it looked quite autumn like and wondered if I could find a way to shop my closet for the summer version.

I started with these faded BF jeans as my blue instead of ink. I then added a grey graphic tee that combines black and brown in the picture. I added my cognac sandals, vintage cognac handbag and vintage cognac and black men's belt for my brown. Sunnies add another hit of black and brown.

I love how this turned out and would not have thought of combining these elements without the blog post - thanks Angie :)

Have a wonder weekend gorgeous ladies :)

Jeans: H&M (via Jeanne)
Tee, belt, handbag & sandals: thrifted
Sunnies: Ray Ban Wayfarers

BTW - did you notice that the gal on my tee and I are wearing the same sunglasses? Completely cool coincidence!