Thrifting Queen

Angie's blog post this morning could not have been more timely - I have been wrapped up in feeling unhappy with my body for months now after gaining some serious weight over the last 8 months. Won't get into why it happened but the results have left me feeling less than fab.

But Angie's right - whatever our body issues are, we are so lucky that we have the health we do and that our bodies allow us to do so much. So on that note, I am revealing today's outfit which is very different for me and hopefully JFE.

The outfit started with these fantastic EF jersey wide legged culottes that I bought from my favorite eBay seller. I hemmed and hawed over these for weeks before purchasing because I know this type of silhouette and length is not the most flattering for a petite plus-size apple. But I'm wanting something comfortable, a bit edgy and that can work much like a full midi skirt for me. They arrived last week and I must say they were love at first sight and try on. The fabric is the typical delicious EF jersey that drapes and moves so beautifully due to the bit of weight. And yet they are light and cool for the summer heat. They way they swish and move when you walk is pure delight and the wider waistband means no rolling or moving around.

I paired the culottes with a simple black jersey tank and topped that with my EF linen blend white v-neck pullover. Although difficult to tell in these horrible office photos, I like the way the black tank shows through the white pullover. I've had the pullover for a number of years now and unfortunately, it's shrunk in length a bit due to an unfortunate dryer incident (poor hubby didn't know). I'm going to try blocking it and see if I can get some of the length back. Hopefully it doesn't look too short here.

I then added my new black peep-toe sandal booties, black/white specs and my newly thrifted owl pendant necklace.

Oh...and bonus pic of my hair showing the length - I'm getting there and quite enjoying the change.

I hope this outfit is JFE and I would love your feedback on how to improve and other suggestions on how to wear my new culottes. As always, all comments/suggestions welcome. 

Culottes & pullover: Eileen Fisher (via eBay)
Tank: Smart Set
Shoes: Steve Madden
Necklace: thrifted

It has been weeks since I've been on YLF. We just finished a 5-week disaster event at the hospital and then went right into Accreditation. Anyone who has been through a hospital accreditation process knows how exhausting and stressful it can be. But all done as of yesterday so hopefully back to some normalcy now. I've missed you all and have so much to catch up on.

Today's outfit is my first WIW in 8 months - gotta refresh my camera and posing skills!

The outfit started with my dark wash slim jeans with a big cuff for ankle length. I then added my rust orange (color doesn't translate well here) drapey tank and topped that with my navy blue blazer. A pendant necklace and nude peep toe sandal booties finish off the outfit.

So what do you think? Would appreciate all comments and suggestions for improvement.

Bonus pic of my wavey version of my bob.

Tank and blazer: Reitmans Petite
Jeans: Wit & Wisdom
Shoes: Steve Madden

While trolling around The Bay website this morning, I saw these two options for those looking to jump on the tweed jacket bandwagon. I'm thinking of trying out both of the options myself as the open front, fly-away style works well for my short waisted petite apple shape.

So most of you know, I used to have my hair in a super short pixie (pics 1 and 2). And I loved it but it was time for a change. I'm now wanting to have something with more movement, versatility to be straight and sleek or wavy (I can work my hair into waves with the right product) and in my mind, a wee bit more feminine and soft.

As I'm sure you can imagine, going from hair that's roughly 1/2 - 1 inch long and no two hairs the same length, to chin length in quite the task. Pics 3 and 4 show where I'm at today. I've getting trims and shaping every 8 weeks to allow growth between cuts. It is finally starting to get the shape and now my stylist will cut the back a bit shorter to begin creating the asymmetry. Having what she calls an "a-line bob" will allow my hair to have more movement and keep my thick hair from making me look like I have a poodle on my head. I'm still a good 3-4 months away from having the finished style but am finally past the "cut this off it's driving me crazy" stage. It's the growing out of the top and the fringe that now needs to catch up with the rest. And yes, I'm keeping my cranberry streak :)

Pics 5 and 6 are my inspiration photos and what I'm going for. Neither I nor my stylist can believe I've gotten this far - patience is not my strongest virtue :)

I'm still searching for a replacement black blazer for the one I have which is showing some wear and tear after three years of heavy rotation. I'm looking for "classic with a twist" - a classic shape but with something a wee bit different than a typical 2-3 button blazer.

I adore the Alexander Wang blazer that CocoLion posted here http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....r-those-... but alas, my neck is a bit too short for the style and I suspect I'm a bit too large for the size offering.

I have had this one in my eBay cart from my favorite seller for a few weeks now. It is Eileen Fisher in petite sizing; open front (no fastener) with an interesting "lapel"; no bells and whistles but not completely "corporate" either.

Thoughts on this type of neckline for me?

And Denise (CocoLion) - if you see this, I am also still considering the Studio blazer from Express which you have and I think would work on my short upper torso.

ETA: And sorry to be a bit of a forum hog in the last few days - getting back into the creativity of style and LOVING it!

Continuing with wearing older items in new ways, my outfit started with these EF crepe ankle pants. These have been major workhorses for the past two years.

I normally wear these rolled so more ankle shows but I actually preferred them full length in this outfit - more akin to a cigarette pant this way.

I paired the pants with this new-to-me Tahari silk overlay sleeveless blouse I thrifted last week. I absolutely love the fluidity of this blouse! The band around the neck and the under portion is black and then the overlay portion is navy with a turquoise and emerald snakeskin design on the left side. The back of the overlay is split so it hangs beautifully. Score for $11.99!

I then popped on my new black Vionic flats - the half size up arrived yesterday and they are perfect! I have never been able to wear flats comfortably so this is so exciting :)

A gold mesh Michael Kors cuff, navy vintage Coach leather handbag and red specs/red lip round out the outfit.

All comments/suggestions are welcome :)

I was inspired by Mary, Cheryle and Carla's olive cargo pant outfits that they've shown us the last couple of days so knew I had to bust out my olive cargo pants too! Plus these pants fit into my personal challenge of wearing older items in new ways.

Sadly I don't have either gingham shirt or a striped top so paired with my dark olive skinny Cargo pants is my white drapey blouse - semi tucked on one side to create an asymmetrical hem.

I topped that with my Levi denim jacket and scrunched sleeves. Although it's crazy hot here right now, this jacket is necessary in my cold office.

I chose my nude peep toe sandal booties (best summer purchase) to lengthen my leg line and then grabbed my taupe/cream snakeskin Elliott Lucca handbag (waving to bag twin MsMary) to book end the footwear.

I'm debating adding a long necklace to break up the expanse of white in the blouse - what do you think?

As always, all comments/suggestions on my outfit are welcome :)

Continuing my challenge to wear older items in new ways - today started with my navy EF front draped dress, in its second full year of wear.

Today I topped the blue dress with my black drapery crepe sleeveless vest. I'm surprised by how much this vest has turned into a workhorse. Again, the sleeves of the dress aren't ideal with the vest but I think it's JFE.

I then chose my new Vionic wedge pumps for footwear - yay for happy feet! I decided on my Trouvé olive/cobalt/black clutch for my handbag. I think this might be my first purchase after I joined YLF so it's about 4 years old.

I'm feeling love for my jewelry again so am wearing a dangly bracelet with beads in various shades of blue and silver and abalone shell.

As always, all comments/suggestions welcome :)

In my constant search for comfortable but still stylish footwear, I've come across these fall booties at Hudson's Bay. Booties (any type of boots really) are major wardrobe workhorses in my climate (right Suz?). I'm in boots of one type or another from October through to end of April most years. Since that's a really long season, I like a good variety so I don't get too bored.

Based on particular comfort and support needs, what I have left in my current boot wardrobe is:

• Mid calf black lace up heeled Doc Martens
• Knee high Hush Puppy cognac riding-style
• Knee high Blondo quilted black flat
• Red ankle Sam Edelman (these haven't been tested for a full day of comfort for a while now so will see...)
• Ankle wedge sand colored Toms (very casual and more like a wedge sneaker in style)

What I think will no longer work and still in my closet:

• Sam Edelman flat ankle python booties - no arch support and unable to accommodate an orthotic
• Black Clarks Chelsea boots - no arch support. Too bad 'cause otherwise very comfortable
• Mid calf sand colored suede western style - I think the heel might be too high now but unsure (can't remember the brand at the moment)

So looking at the finds I've popped down below, the burgundy booties would be potential replacements for the red SE's if they no longer work. Can you believe these burgundy beauties are Hush Puppy??? Incredibly comfortable brand for me.

The gold metallic Joie booties could be the replacement for the SE python Petty booties. I've been wanting to add a touch of metallic somewhere.

And the black Aquatalia's would be the Clarks Chelsea replacements - plus they would be better quality and waterproof.

I had mentioned to Angie in an earlier post that the majority of my wardrobe budget this year would be going towards replacing all of my worn out and/or uncomfortable footwear. No more unhappy feet for me. Of course, the purchase of these new items hinges on fit and comfort. Thoughts or comments?

Continuing in my personal challenge to wear older items in newer ways - today's older item is my white blazer.

I wore this blazer a ton last summer and the summer before but have only worn it once this year. Today I decided to try it with white capris to make a white summer suit.

I wanted a high contrast blouse and chose my sleeveless EF charcoal silk tunic top.

I've added my bone sandal shoes and citron handbag, as well as my taupe/silver wrap watch and silver pendant to round out the outfit.

Would love your thoughts on this combo as I'm not sure it works. All comments/suggestion welcome.