Thrifting Queen

Had to do some running about last night and decided to look at spring footwear - a gal's gotta dream that spring will arrive right?

I've been considering adding a pair of high vamp peep toe bootie sandals in a nude-for-me shade but finding that to fit my high volume, high arch with PF, bunion, short, wide toe box but narrow heeled feet is no small task. Good grief, aging provides foot issues doesn't it?!

Well I found them and I can't say enough how thrilled I am. These are Steve Madden and the leather upper is buttery soft. They are wide enough to accommodate the bunions and my wider forefoot. The ankle fits nicely and the hidden elastic panel in the ankle strap allows for nice flex when striding. The arch is high enough for good support and is in exactly the right spot on my feet. And the heels are a substantial width at 2 inches which I can wear comfortably.

Once spring arrives, I plan on wearing these with everything. I might even bust them out with nude hose once the snow is gone. They also come in black which I am considering.

ETA: I normally wear a 6.5 but that size was huge - I bought the 6.

Sounds like a cocktail, doesn't it? :)

As per Angie's blog post yesterday, I'm trying to get through the long, cold winter by adding interesting layers, wearing a variety of boots and toppers.

Today's outfit started with my ponte knit black jeggings and my hi-lo twist front tank. On top of that, I added my cognac moto jacket as an indoor topper. I like the finish on this jacket - a sort of "dirty, beat-up" look.

To bookend the jacket and wear a different pair of warm boots, I chose my cognac knee high equestrian-ish boots. 

I finished off the outfit with rose gold/black watch, gold wedding band, red specs and red lipstick.

I know that the high contrast between the boots and the jeggings is leg shortening but I'm hoping it's negated by the shorter jacket and is not unflattering.

So….over to you…does this work? Are the proportions JFE? Even though the two cognac colours are not a match, do they still bookend successfully? Does this even work as an ensemble? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Jacket: Lord & Taylor
Tank: Danier Leather
Jeggings: NYDJ
Boots: Hush Puppy
Handbag: Danier Leather
Watch: Fossil (eBay)

Grrrrrr…..these skinnies have photographed almost black but trust me, these are burgundy. In fact, they are my ancient burgundy skinnies. I tucked these away for a while as I was rather tired of them plus I didn't like the way they were fitting. Now after a bit of time apart and a few pounds down, I was quite happy to pull them out again.

So my outfit started with my burgundy skinnies to which I added my charcoal tie-dye-ish drapey silk tank. Over top of that, I've popped on my blush leather moto jacket. I'm wearing this as my indoor topper (I will have a puffer coat over top when I head out the door - it is still very much a cold winter here).

Black patent pointy toe booties, black leather handbag (with gold hardware to match the gold hardware on the leather jacket), red specs and pink lipstick finish off the outfit.

I wish this had photographed better - the pictures do not show the true colours at all…sigh…oh well, what are your thoughts on this outfit? does it all work together? proportions ok? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Jacket & handbag: Danier Leather
Tank: Eileen Fisher (eBay)
Skinnies: Attitude by Jay Manuel
Booties: Ara

I'm working towards finding my "sweet spot" with drape and structure. I'm wanting the ease and comfort of my EF pieces to be combined with sharper shoulders and structure.

Today's outfit started with my dark red EF drapey dress. I then added my houndstooth patterned tights for a bit of fun and pattern. On top of the dress, I added my black suit blazer - this is the structure that will keep the drapey dress "in check" and give me a more prominent shoulder line. Black patent pointy toe booties and rectangular black patent clutch add even more structure - and a bit of shine.

Rose gold/black watch, gold wedding band, red specs and red lipstick finish off the outfit.

Thoughts? Tweaks or suggestions? As always, all comments welcome.

Blazer: Nygard
Dress: Eileen Fisher (eBay)
Tights: Hue
Booties: Ara
Clutch: Danier Leather (thrifted)

Hey all! Sorry I haven't been around the last week or so - I actually flew out to the West Coast to have a few days with my 90-year-old Dad. Had a wonderful time and if while growing old I can be so healthy and positive, I will be one lucky lady :)

I loved Angie's ensemble post with dark ink blue and finally have the chance to wear it. I started my outfit with my trouser jeans (yay for casual Friday!) and added my navy sparkly pullover (the Christmas gift one from DS a few years ago). On top of that I added my dark blue leather jacket (shout out to jacket twin Ceit, who I miss incredibly). It is certainly cold enough here to wear my leather indoors in a similar manner to a blazer. 

For footwear, I took Angie's ensemble advice and went with black - my black patent pointy toe booties to be exact. And then to carry the ink-out idea to the max, I chose my dark blue leather handbag.

Red specs, bold red lip and silver wedding band round out the outfit.

So what do you think? Is this a decent spin off of Angie's brilliant ensemble? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Jacket: Danier Leather
Pullover: Laura Petite
Jeans: Reitmans
Booties: Ara
Handbag: Coach (vintage)

Kinda crushing on these white and black cut out SE booties for spring/summer. Sam Edelman tend to fit my feet quite comfortably and the heel is more than manageable on these.

Would love your thoughts on whether or not you see these working with my style?

I haven't worn my dark brown-espresso coloured faux fur vest in ages and this morning suddenly felt like popping it on. Plus it's quite cold this morning so the idea of getting cozy in some faux fur was very appealing.

I started with my black footless leggings and topped those with my simple black knit pencil skirt. I then added a black jersey tank and my black drapey blouse thingy. On top of all of that, I popped on my faux fur vest. I absolutely love the luxe sheen on this vest.

Black patent booties, rose gold/black watch, red/animal print clutch, red specs and red lipstick are the finishing touches.

Now this is a lot of black in an outfit (not that I mind - lol!) but I think the mix of the patent from the booties, the slight sheerness of the blouse thingy sleeves and the shine and fur of the vest gives this monochromatic outfit textural interest and hopefully keeps it from being boring.

Would love your feedback on this outfit - all comments/suggestions welcome.

Vest: Jeanne Bekker
Blouse and tank: Smart Set
Skirt: Cleo Petite
Leggings: Calvin Klein
Booties: Ara
Clutch: Material Girl
Watch: Fossil (eBay)

Today at work I have a fair bit of running around to do so comfort and no "fuss factor" were first and foremost in choosing today's outfit.

I started out with my dark olive slim cargo pants - a major staple in my wardrobe now. I then added my black and cream animal print v-neck knit tunic. Rather than semi tuck, I decided today to wear it untucked. Yes, it means my leg line is shorter but it means I won't have the possibility of the semi tucked becoming untucked while running around. 

I then chose my python print booties for footwear - I like how the cream in the booties picks up the cream in the tunic. 

Finally, I finished off the outfit with my citron handbag, red specs, taupe/silver wrap watch and silver wedding band.

So what are your thoughts on this outfit ladies? Does it all work together? Proportions ok? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Tunic: Cleo Petite
Pants: Ricki's
Boots: Sam Edelman
Watch: Fossil (eBay)
Handbag: Sergio Ferreti

Today's outfit started with these old Wit & Wisdom dark wash skinny jeans (an Angie pick from 2-3 years ago). I popped on a white lace cami and topped that with my white asymmetrical drapey sleeveless blouse. Over all of that, I've added my black suit jacket, with scrunched sleeves.

For footwear, I chose my black pointy toe kitten heels - I'm wearing two pairs of nude knee highs for foot and ankle warmth. 

And for some reason, I was suddenly feeling like wearing jewelry today - maybe it's because of Lisap's recent Accessories thread??? I chose my grandmother's locket. Although it isn't obvious in the photos, I like the way it swings a bit when I walk and how it peeks in and out of the draped folds in the blouse. I continued the gold jewelry theme with my gold wedding band and gold watch.

A pop of citron with my handbag, black/white specs and swipe of red lipstick finish off the outfit.

Now here's my style lab question - I FEEL fantastic in this outfit, whether it looks that way or not. But I don't know why and I would like to try and figure that out so I can use those elements in other outfits. I suspect it has something to do with hitting the right combination of drape and structure but I'm not sure. I would love to know your thoughts on whether or not this outfit works to your eye and what makes it work (or doesn't).

Blazer: Nygard
Blouse: Danier Leather
Jeans: Wit & Wisdom
Shoes: Calvin Klein

Today's outfit contains elements that are not particularly trendy and so I have a question of you wise Fabbers - does the outfit look modern even though the items are fairly classic and not trendy? Or does a non-trendy outfit automatically look dated?

My outfit started with this graphic black/white dress. I then topped that with my vibrant purple blazer - with popped collar and scrunched sleeve to show the pretty lining.

Semi opaque black tights, black patent pointy toe booties and my black/cream leather handbag are the finishing touches - along with black/white specs, large chrome watch and swipe of berry lipstick.

Would love your feedback on this outfit - all comments/suggestions welcome.

Blazer & dress: Cleo Petite
Booties: Ara
Handbag: Danier Leather (thrifted)