Thrifting Queen

Y'all know my foot woes - bunions, narrow heel but wide forefoot and most importantly, PF(which is slowly getting better but definitely still evident).

I have recently purchased three items from Vionic that have been foot savers - house slippers (no more bare feet on hardwood floors for me), walking shoe and black sandals. What's great about the brand for me is the arch is in exactly the right place and high enough for stellar support. The shoes accommodate my custom orthotics but honestly, their footbed is almost identical to my orthotic.

I am finding no longer being able to wear funky and edgier footwear is cramping my style. But I need to get my head around it because I have no desire to return to the horrendous pain I was having in my feet.

I have recently ordered and received two more pairs of Vionic shoes as once Fall arrives, sandals will be put away and I'll need to return to "real" shoes. I'm also looking at ordering and trying a pair of Vionic black booties since I'm not sure my lovely patent Ara booties will still work for me.

The pics below are the two I've received - first up are the ballet flats. I need to go up half a size as they are a bit too snug. The second pair is a heeled wedge that fits perfectly out of the box.

So my question to all of you is - can these look stylish with my wardrobe while not being trendy? Or should I keep on looking?

I have a bit of a challenge for myself this month (thanks for the challenge push Carter!) to wear older wardrobe items in new combinations. My wardrobe isn't huge my any means and I tend to get stuck on wearing things the same way which then makes me feel like my wardrobe is even smaller. Need to get more creative!

Today's outfit started with my cobalt pencil skirt that's going on 3 (or is it 4?) years old. I paired it with a cobalt tank. I bought 4 Lord & Taylor tanks early in the summer in black, white, lilac and cobalt and they have been indispensable layering pieces.

On top of that, I popped on my black blouse thingy. I like how enough of the cobalt tank shows so it looks like I have a cobalt dress underneath.

I chose my quilted black/cream/cobalt handbag and then my black Naot cross strap shoes to finish off the outfit.

As always, all thoughts/comments/suggestions for improvement welcome.

Today's outfit started with my new EF black silk shorts. We're allowed to wear dressy shorts to the office on Fridays so I'm taking advantage.

I love these shorts as they are a silk blend that just feels amazing against the skin and they move so beautifully when you stride. They are also a longer length and have some fullness so they almost act like culottes.

I added a black leather belt and then tucked my cream silk EF tee. On top of that, I've added my black crepe EF drapery vest. I prefer the vest with a sleeveless top but didn't have one that worked here.

Now this outfit is a fair bit of drape and fluidity so I've added some structure with my nude peep toe booties and snakeskin handbag. As well, my bare arms and legs provide some structure.

Gold watch, red specs and red lip finish off the outfit.

The shorts and tee were purchased on our recent vacation and have already proven to be indispensable wardrobe workhorses.

As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Shorts, tee & vest: Eileen Fisher
Shoes: Steve Madden
Handbag: Elliott Lucca

Today's outfit started with my dark olive cargo pants, rolled BF style. It drives me crazy how these pants photograph black when they really are dark olive green. Oh well...you'll just have to trust me in this one!

I paired the trousers with my ivory silk EF tee. This is quickly becoming a wardrobe favourite - I like it with skirts and jeans equally and seems to be one of those magical items that works with everything.

Then for my office A/C, I've topped that with my crisp white blazer. This is the first time I've reached for this blazer this year and I'm wondering why that is - particularly since it was a fave last spring/summer. Any thoughts ladies?

I rounded out the outfit with a tan belt, my nude peep toes, and my tan/olive snakeskin handbag. Was thinking cognac would have worked very well too but I don't have any cognac footwear...

So thoughts/comments/suggestions on this combination?

Today's outfit started with my cobalt pencil skirt. This skirt is 3+ years old but still in great condition. I then paired it with my drapey cobalt and black print sleeveless blouse. This blouse is now in its third summer. It's going to be very hot and humid today so outside, the blouse and skirt is great for the heat. But because my office is like a freezer where I could keep meat fresh on my desk, I will add my denim jacket on top to keep my neck and arms warm. The jacket is new to me but was thrifted so who knows the age.

For footwear I went with my nude peep toe sandal booties - I cannot imagine my summer footwear capsule without something like these. They have been unbelievably versatile and comfortable.

I grabbed my navy vintage Coach handbag, red specs, taupe/silver wrap watch and silver wedding band to finish off the outfit. Forgot my red lip for the pics but I'll be adding that before heading out the door.

There is nothing special about this outfit and it isn't trendy in the least. Does it still work and look current to you? As always, all comments/ suggestions welcome :)

I was all set to purchase the Danier Leather ponte/leather trim leggings (find #1) and then after reading Carter's stellar review of the EF slim pants (find #2), I'm torn.

I'm wanting leggings to wear under tunics for fall/winter and so the Danier Leather leggings fill that hole. They will also add a bit of edge to my outfits with the funky leather trim. Based upon my experience with Danier items to date, the quality will be decent and I will get a lot of wear out of them. Because they are leggings after all, they are limited to be worn with tunics only.

The EF slim leg trousers that Carter has shown us so beautifully (thank you Carter!) will also work brilliantly with my fall/winter wardrobe and are probably more versatile than the leggings - could wear more like pants IYKWIM. And the quality will be stellar. I have the NYDJ leggings with the faux suede calves that could work as my leggings when I think about it.

The leggings are less expensive than the trousers and I've tried them on in person. However EF is pretty consistent in sizing when it comes to trousers for me so am not worried about ordering incorrectly.

So....the budget does not allow both of these items. In your opinion, which one will be more versatile for my wardrobe. Leather trim leggings or slim leg pants?

Yay = leather trim leggings
Nay = EF slim leg trousers

Let the voting begin! :)

I went into Danier Leather Saturday afternoon and bought two new pieces for my fall wardrobe and will be picking up the third one next payday. These all fit with my current autumn/winter wardrobe and will also play nicely with my new EF pieces I recently purchased for autumn.

Based on what I see in my closet for the cooler weather, I will be wearing a lot of black and simple-with-a-twist pieces. There will be a hint of edge and a hint of arty. I couldn't be more pleased :)

Pic #1 - a mixed media leather and stretch fabric open blazer. A great length that will work with both trousers and dresses/skirts. Love the feather light weight of this which will work brilliantly for an indoor topper.

Pic #2 - a fabulous thicker fabric pull-over-your-head dress with front pockets. I don't normally go in for items with embellishment but fell hard for this dress. Because I'm not built like the gorgeous model you see here, the dress fits me quite differently - almost sack like but with structure if that makes sense. I need to get about 1.5 inches hemmed off the bottom but once done, this will work brilliantly with bare legs, with tights and with leggings/pants underneath. Love the ease of just popping on one piece and out the door. Plus this can either be dressed down with tights and boots for work and then dressed up with a cuff, sheer black hose and pumps for an evening out. Hubby said I look amazing in this dress :)

Pic #3 - I've been looking for substantial ponte weight leggings with something special and these are them. The weight is perfect and the fit exactly what I was looking for - not calf sucking and a bit of ease. After all, if I want to wear tights, I'll wear tights! The strip of lamb leather down the side of the legs is quite slimming and elongating. These will work fab under tunics (including my two new EF items).

Onward...

Today's simple outfit consists of my chambray shirt dress and my cream oxfords. I added my large cream handbag, taupe/silver wrap watch and purple/clear specs as accessories. A swipe of berry lipstick and I'm ready to head out the door. Doesn't get much easier than that!

Dress: Old Navy (thrifted)
Shoes: dolce vita
Watch: Fossil (thrifted)
Handbag: Danier Leather

Good morning lovelies :)

Today's outfit is introducing a new item as well as an altered item.

First up is my EF faux wrap pants. You may remember these in their full length incarnation but I decided in Spring to make them into cropped pants as they weren't working for me as full length. I'm thrilled with how they turned out although I know they won't be to everyone's liking.

Next up in my new EF cream silk tee - oh my, sooooo fab against the skin! This will work both tucked and untucked, casual and dressy.

Finally I topped everything with my long black EF crepe vest. I don't think the sleeves of the tee are great with the vest but I'm ok with that.

Citron handbag, nude peep toe sandal booties, red specs, red lip and gold watch round out the outfit.

This is quite different for me but along the lines of where I think my style might be heading. My happiness factor is pretty darned high. So does this work to your eye? JFE? As always, all comments/ suggestions welcome :)

Today's outfit started with my blue EF drape front dress. I know there are a few Fabbers who have this dress in various colours who would agree with me on just how comfy and easy these dresses are to wear.

Because I nearly froze in my office A/C yesterday in my sleeveless blouse, I am topping today's dress with my denim jacket (with scrunched sleeves).

I grabbed my nude peep toe sandal booties for footwear and bookended that neutral shade with my taupe/cream snakeskin handbag.

Accessories include my taupe/silver wrap watch, silver wedding band, red specs and red lip. I also decided to style my pixie a bit different today by pushing the hair up and back off my forehead.

Thoughts and comments all welcome and thanks for popping by :)

Jacket: Levi (thrifted)
Dress: Eileen Fisher (eBay)
Sandals: Steve Madden
Handbag: Elliott Lucca

P.S. Still working on lighting with my phone camera app so apologies for the less than stellar pics.