Thrifting Queen

Just goofing around - here's my version of a Docs grunge outfit for cool fall weather. Not sure it's wearable IRL but having fun :)

My new Doc Martens arrived while I was at work and I couldn't wait to show you. So here they are with my outfit from today. These are the Doc Casey boots and are my replacements for the Marcie's. This is not a K/R post cause I am in LOVE! These are exactly what I was hoping for - and the bonus is that they are a little wider in the toe box from the Marcie's so are even more comfortable.

:)

I'm almost wishing The Bay wasn't upping their game with higher end brands. There are so many gorgeous items on their website these days.

This silk Equipment blouse is absolutely gorgeous IMHO - I adore plaid and this blouse is close to Blackwatch, which is my favorite plaid of all time. I really like how the body of the blouse is opaque but the sleeves sheer.

How do Equipment blouses fit? Too long for a petite gal? Won't work over my apple-ness? No, I'm not buying now. Not in the budget. But if there were a hint of potential it might be something I would consider saving for. Just "kicking tires" here...

As a jacket loving gal, it's kind of surprising me how I'm craving the softness of a cardigan lately. I adore the structure a jacket gives but every once in a while, I want protection from the A/C with something a little more "relaxing".

I picked up this cardigan last week on a clearance rack for $9 and am so glad I did. I've worn it twice already - once with BF shorts on the weekend and today. It's a very light weight charcoal grey rayon-cotton blend and has polka dots that are sheer fabric - so your skin makes them look white. 

I paired the cardigan, buttoned up for some structure and waist definition, with a white v-neck tank, untucked for a peek of white here and there. With that I'm wearing my black pencil skirt from my skirt suit. 

To double up on my black/white polka dots, I chose my b/w dotted Birks for footwear and then went for two small pops of colour with my citron clutch and red specs. A white watch and silver wedding band finish off the outfit.

My specific questions are: does the cardigan look frumpy or does this work? Is a pencil skirt and cardigan combo too classic for me or have I 2014-ed it enough with the Birks and clutch? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Cardigan: Smart Set
Tank: Ricki's
Skirt: Nygard
Clutch: Gap
Sandals: Birkenstock Pappillio
Watch: thrifted

Thankfully the trend towards comfortable and lower heeled footwear has coincided with my physical need for exactly that. Angie's tutelage on how to make comfy shoes/boots fashionable has been so incredibly helpful, not to mention the great picks she keeps finding for us.

So today's outfit is my take on Angie's post yesterday on how to wear dresses with flats - oxfords to be particular.

I started the outfit with my blue EF drape front dress and topped that with my CM floral moto. To pull out the cream tones in the jacket, I chose my cream laser cut not-quite-flat oxfords as my footwear. Pre YLF there is no way I would have chosen anything but high heeled pumps to wear with a dress. Well those days are GONE - not just because heels and I are no longer friends, but because I enjoy the freedom of choice that fashion now allows us.

To further play up the cream tone, I went with my large cream handbag and for accessories, chose my taupe/silver wrap watch, silver wedding band and black/white specs.

I feel stylish and oh so comfortable. Once upon a time, I would not have believed that those two things could be experienced at the same time.

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

Jacket: Club Monaco
Dress: Eileen Fisher (eBay)
Shoes: Dolce Vita
Handbag: Danier Leather
Watch: Fossil (eBay)

After I got dressed this morning, I realized that all of the items I'm wearing today are favourites. Could it be I'm finally getting my wardrobe to the point where everything in my closet is a favourite???

The outfit started with my black cropped slim leg pants. I wear these once a week for sure and despite all the laundering, they still look pristine. I will always want a pair of trousers like this in my wardrobe.

I paired the trousers with a black lace cami and topped that with my voluminous kimono-esque blush patterned blouse. I'm so glad that Angie pointed out this beauty and indicated it worked well for apples. It makes this apple very happy :)

I went with my pointy toe kitten heels, one of two pairs of heels I keep in the Great Shoe Purge of 2014. These are extremely comfortable - again, I will always want a pair of shoes similar to this in my closet.

I finished off the outfit with my black leather handbag (love the gold hardware!) and for jewelry, chose my cold wedding band and a vintage black and gold bangle. Black and white specs and a swipe of soft watermelon-pink lipstick finish things off.

I feel happy in this outfit. Happy because I think it's somewhat flattering and happy because these pieces feel good on the body. What do you think? As always, all comment/suggestions welcome.

Blouse: BCBG
Tank: Ricki's
Trousers: Eileen Fisher (eBay)
Shoes: Calvin Klein
Handbag: Danier Leather

In addition to the EF charcoal waxed skinnies, black EF faux wrap pants and Doc Martens replacement boots (should receive by the end of the week), I have ordered the polka dot tube pencil skirt in Angie's finds. If the skirt works out, I will be removing one of my black pencil skirts from my closet - keeping to my one-in-one-out rule in my attempt to achieve some semblance of wardrobe simplicity.

I have also been lusting after this bronze metallic hi-lo EF cardigan (pic #2) for months now (to wear over my black EF drape front dress, with pencil skirts, the waxed skinnies and even jeans) and found one on eBay at a fraction of the cost. Hubby said to buy it "while the getting's good" so I did. Waiting for that to arrive.

After dismissing all of the Olsen Europe items I had originally lusted after due to poor fit and horrendous customer service, as well as getting information from various eBay sellers regarding my previous EF fall possibilities I had listed and determining fit issues as well as allergy issues (i.e. the fab jacket I had originally posted has mohair in it which I'm terribly allergic to) I have narrowed down three clothing items I'm seriously considering for fall. They are all EF (surprise surprise) and include:

Pic #2 - asymmetrical jersey blend skirt
Pic #3 - wool-cotton blend tunic dress in color called Dark Tulip
Pic #4 - asymmetrical knit jacket-cardigan hybrid

The first two items are from an eBay seller and good prices and the jacket is a full price EF item. At this point, I am unsure whether I am actually going to buy or not due to weight fluctuations. The skirt is not a petite length but Wonder Woman could easily shorten at the actual waist so as not to lose the hem detail. It would also be an easy item to take in due to the two side seams and no lining. The tunic dress might be too big anyway (I have detailed measurements from the seller) but might be worth trying as I can return for a full refund. The jacket is a more fitted style but can be worn undone as well.

Should any of these become closet contenders, my animal print pencil skirt would be purged for the asymmetrical skirt (can't stand how the animal print skirt shifts about when wearing); my v-neck BR sheath dress would be purged for the Dark Tulip dress (haven't worn the sheath dress this year at all as I prefer my EF drape front dress as my LBD).

I'm also very seriously considering the Naot Kedman oxfords (pic 5) Angie praised (in the black/ink combination) as my fall/winter shoe inclusion. This would replace my tri-color Jeffrey Campbell oxfords that I had to purge because they had become too narrow and had lack of arch support. I can see these Kedman oxfords with black trousers, jeans, the waxed skinnies, with pencil skirt and tights, and my blackwatch plaid trousers.

These items would pretty much take all of my fall/winter clothing budget so I need to ensure there is versatility. Would love to know your opinions on these items and whether or not they have potential for me and my wardrobe. Thanks for any feedback :)

I enjoy a high contrast outfit just as much as I like an all black outfit - go figure! I also realized this morning that I've been wearing some items in my wardrobe over and over again because I love how they look and feel, but have been neglecting a few other items that are equally nice.

Today's outfit started with my cobalt blue knit pencil skirt to which I added my twist front v-neck drapey tee. On top of that, I chose my crisp white blazer, with scrunched sleeves. I haven't worn this skirt, tee and blazer in a while and I actually don't think I've put them all together before. 

For footwear I went with my trusty bone/silver sandal shoes - can't help thinking how bright white footwear would be even crisper with this. White footwear is definitely on my spring list for next year.

Accessories include my quilted cobalt/cream handbag, gold watch and wedding band, and red specs.

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

Blazer: Nygard
Tee: BCBG
Skirt: Cleo Petite
Shoes: Fugitive
Handbag: Danier Leather
Watch: thrifted

When I saw Angie's blog post about contrasting tanks, I knew I had to give it a try. 

So today's outfit started with my white laser cut hole-y sweater. I love the drape on this sweater when semi-tucked. Underneath I added my black tank and then to have a column of colour effect underneath the sweater, I chose my black J Brand Aviator trousers. I added a simple black leather belt and my black low heeled sandals (which also have holes).

I finished off the outfit with my oversized snakeskin print clutch, large silver/white bangle watch, red specs and red lipstick. In Shannon's world, black/white/red = happy :)

So what do you think? Does this work with the contrasting tank? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Sweater: Nygard
Tank: Smart Set
Trousers: J Brand Earhart Aviator (eBay)
Sandals: Clarks
Clutch & watch: thrifted

Loving all shades of blue these days - navy, cobalt, periwinkle, pastel - you name it.

Today's outfit started with this floral tube skirt in shades of blue and white. I topped it with my oversized boxy linen pullover (with white cami underneath) and added my bone/silver sandal shoes and navy handbag. To finish off the outfit, I chose my silver wedding band and a thin silver bangle, black/white specs and a swipe of bold pink lipstick.

Hopefully this all works together and thanks for looking :)  As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

P.S. Thank goodness for make up BTW - I'm suffering from an ear infection and got about 4 hours of sleep due to the pain. Seeing the doctor this morning (thank goodness!).

Top: Eileen Fisher (eBay)
Skirt: Vince Camuto (eBay)
Shoes: Fugitive
Handbag: Coach (eBay)