2012...to infinity, and beyond!

Thank you to everyone who made such supportive comments after my last post. They are all very much appreciated.

Today is a stormy one here so I'm likely not getting out of my pjs, so I thought I'd do a 2012 outfit retrospective like some other bloggers have done. I'm amazed at the difference a year can make.

I'm just going to post my favourite outfit (or two) from each month.

January
 

I picked this as my favourite because I knit the sweater and because of these awesome shoes. I certainly didn't pick it for the sullen face I'm making here.

February

Funky optical illusion dress! Why have I only worn this once? Obviously I'm not in my right mind. I should be wearing this ALL THE TIME!

March

Crazy cat portrait dress and funky Fluevogs. Of course this is a favourite!

April

Starting to play with shorter skirt lengths but also looking for divine intervention.

May

In May I turned 41 and it wasn't a great outfit month for me. I do like this though. Plaid skirt, blue shoes again. For some reason the bodice of this dress feels a little "Starfleet" to me. Or a little Ace Frehley. But in a good way.

June

In June I went to Winnipeg and wore this to a meeting. I'm so glad I shortened this dress. This is one of the few photos in June where I'm smiling.

July

 Dress from the store Pretty Things Boutique which is now tragically closed. Nice bright summer outfit.

August

Yes you CAN-CAN-CAN! Wore this to a wedding shower. It was the most humid day of the year so this cotton dress was mostly comfortable (other than the tulle but I endured).

September

I pick these two because I'm starting to get my mojo back. I'm actually smiling and looking at the camera and being a little bit cheeky. I also started losing weight and was feeling confident in myself again. And those blue shoes! Love them. Can't wait for Summer so I can wear them again.

October

Another "2-fer". I love this art deco dress that I got at the consignment store though here I wasn't confident enough to wear it without something underneath it yet. I was also chuffed to finally fit into this blue dress.

November

I love the romantic look of this - especially these shoes. It's awesome to know good people who look out for my shoe needs too.

December

Mondrian dress! Of course I was going to pick this. But I could have also picked this.

 .... and on to 2013. What will the new year hold? Only good things, I hope.

Happy New Year to everyone. Thanks for visiting my blog and joining me on this journey.

Maple keys

Hello! I am back from my holidays and back at work. I went in today and there were only 5 of us in and it was so very quiet. Too quiet so the day just dragged and dragged. Luckily it's Friday so it's not like I have to go in again tomorrow.

Christmas was pretty low key this year. I don't talk about personal stuff much on here so I haven't mentioned on the blog that my husband and I separated four months ago at my request. It hasn't been an easy transition since we were together for 17 years but I'm feeling happier. I think you can see it in my photos taken since September.

T-shirt: Smoking Lily Hama Hama Top (bought in Ottawa earlier this year)
Skirt: Smoking Lily (gift from my mother)
Shoes: Fluevog Truths | Marina (no longer available)

My mother bought me this skirt and the maple key design is an almost perfect match in colour to the t-shirt.

Looking at these pictures I'm very patterned today with the octopus on the shirt, the print on the skirt and my tattoos....

....but from the back, it's a blank slate. No patterns, no prints, no tats.

I've only worn these shoes a few times, and never to work. I like their pointy toes which appeal to the 1980s girl in me.

My sister gave me this bracelet for Christmas. It's Manet's  "Rendevous of cats".

I think my family knows me well.

Interview outfit

Quick post today with only one photo. I did take a back shot but it's just a long teal line and not very interesting.

This is what I wore for my interview. I think it went ok though I found for some of the questions I just ended up rambling a whole lot of gibberish. Hopefully some of what I said was coherent enough to get points.  I won't find out until a few weeks into January.


Dress: Noa Noa (last worn here)
Shirt: Spaksmannsspjarir in Reykjavik
Shoes: Fluevog Mini | Gorgeous (last worn here)

While I was being interviewed I started to get completely distracted by the way I talk with my hands. Kind of a weird thing to notice in the middle of an interview.

This will be my last post until after Christmas. Time to take a little blog break. See you later in the month.

In my plaid dress and burgundy shoes

I don't think I've worn this skirt on the blog before. I bought it in Lisbon in 2008 and haven't worn it very much. I should change that since it's kinda pretty.

Blouse: Vero Moda (last worn here)
Skirt: from Lisbon, Portugal
Shoes: Fluevog Writes | Simone

I'm Acting Director again at work. My coworker has left to go on 6 months parental leave to be a stay at home dad to his infant son. Tomorrow I have an interview to be the Temporary Director and fill the position for the duration of his absence. Upon reflection, this might have been a good interview outfit. I'll have to think of something else to wow the panel tomorrow.

These shoes are so comfortable. I really should wear them more frequently than once ever 6 months but they don't exactly match a lot of my wardrobe.

This skirt is quite full and swingy which is what drew me to it in the first place. I loves me a full skirt.  Pretty.

Wish me luck tomorrow!

Festive Red

My coworker asked me to bring these shoes to work so she could see them in person since she was considering buying them. I don't think she really needed any convincing since she said "yep, I'm gonna get them". I don't blame her.

Cardigan: Pretty Things Boutique
Shirt: Dynamite (last worn here)
Skirt: Chalet (last worn here)
Shoes: Fluevog Queen Transcendent Jody Elizabeth (last worn here) 

I wore a very similar outfit back in May but with a different grey top and blue shoes.  The red is much more festive for the holiday season.

I don't like this photo but I'm including it so you can see the heel on the shoe. Someone said to me today that they liked my shoes but they could never walk in them. I told them that they are surprisingly sturdy. And they are.

I still love this top. I'm surprised it hasn't been ruined yet due to cat claws or me catching it on things.

Back in August I renewed my Duran Duran Fan Club membership. Today my swag arrived. Early Christmas present?

Cricket pants

I really like the clothing from All Saints but sometimes I find it difficult to style. For example, I bought these trousers from them over a year ago, had them altered since they were way to big when I received them, and have only worn them once or twice. They're odd pants because the crotch is low and the bum is quite roomy - like pants that cricket players wear. 

I hesitate to wear them now due to the pants that Justin Bieber has been wearing recently. I don't want anyone thinking I'm following his fashion sense.

Cardigan: Pretty Things Boutique (worn all the time)
T-shirt:  All Saints (last worn here)
Pants: All Saints cricket pants
Shoes: Fluevog Presence | Impel (last worn here)

See how large? Very large!

I spent the day doing Christmas shopping aka being repeatedly frustrated by people. I got a lot done but I was at risk of losing my sanity once or twice.

This time of year is an exercise in patience for me. It's a time where people have very high expectations but end up disappointed. I also don't find it very relaxing - mostly taxing. I guess that's what wine is for?

This picture accurately shows my feelings of having been to the mall.  Meh!

Lacy Skull Skirt

Yet another thing I bought a while ago that fits now. I'm very excited about this item! I had seen this skirt on another fashion/outfit blog and searched all over the interwebz for it. I finally found it on ebay from a Korean seller and I bought it in black and white.

When it arrived, it was sausage casing city. Now, it fits quite well.

Shirt: Joe Fresh
Skirt: via eBay
Shoes: Steve Madden (last worn here)

My coworker called me Lady in Black today. I thought "but I've worn a lot of black lately" but looking back through the blog, I've worn a lot more colour than I originally thought.


The skirt doesn't look like much here. I had to really blow out the exposure to get the pattern to show up well.

Skulls! Skulls made of lace! No one even noticed. They noticed the skulls on my shoes but not the skirt until I pointed it out. Even then, no one seemed to think that was out of the ordinary. I'm going to have to up my game if I'm going to shock my coworkers.

And thus endeth the work week. Next week I'm only working 3 days. Whoot!

New and Improved

The last time I wore this dress it was a bit longer. Last night I shortened it by about 6".

Dress: Mode Merr via Pretty Things Boutique (last worn here)
Shirt: Spaksmannsspjarir in Reykjavik
Shoes: Fluevog Wonders | Ayers (last worn here)

The last time I wore this I even commented that I didn't think this length was very flattering.  I'm much happier with it now.

I'm not the greatest at altering and sewing but this turned out ok. While I was shortening it I should have take it in on each side about an inch since it's a little baggy at the hips now.

I wore the sheer shirt underneath the dress for added warmth and to cover my ink.

Today was my office's annual holiday potluck. I was a loser and  didn't bring anything but I still went and ate. There was a tonne of food so I didn't feel to bad about mooching off everyone else.

I'm going to miss our other holiday dinner because I'll be on vacation. Probably a good thing because today I read something that said that the average Christmas meal consists of about 4000 calories. Not sure I believe that but this is definitely prime time for weight gain.

How do you keep from eating everything in sight this time of year?

Stepping on the skirt

This skirt is currently languishing at the back of my closet in a time out. By 9am I was ready to just chuck it in the garbage. I'd stepped on it a bunch of times and almost tripped and face planted.

Jacket: Biscuit General Store (last worn here)
T-shirt: Banana Republic (via Value Village)
Skirt: ASOS (last worn here)
Boots: Fly London (last worn here)



But I like the skirt. I like the pattern and the pockets and mostly like the length. I've already had this altered once to make it smaller since it was too big when I ordered it. Now that I've lost some weight it really needs to be altered again but it's not an inexpensive proposition. So I'll have to think about what to do with it.

I thought about getting it shortened but because of the pleats it would probably be as costly as having it taken in.

I wore these boots to try and give me some more height to keep the skirt off the floor. I'm not sure that it worked. Oh well. You can't win them all.

Black, Blue and Tulle

Thank you to all the new people who came to my blog from Already Pretty and made nice comments. I appreciate the feedback.

I'd also like to thank the people in the "Get off my internets" forum who were not as complementary about my blog or my clothing choices. They didn't bother me - in fact I quite enjoyed some of their thoughts. I like a good snark as much as the next person. Particularly this one:

just wanted to say how much I love this lady Sal chose to feature. I want her to be my 7th-grade English teacher who rides to school on a Vespa and always talks about her experiences at summer art camp, and then years later we all find out it was actually a nudist colony or something.

 HA! One time, at band camp...

 and this one:

What in God's name is happening in the middle picture?  No problem with this lady, but this outfit makes me throw up in my mouth a little bit.

 Good to know. I'll not wear that combo again.

Enough about that!

Dress: Stills (never heard of this brand before) from Crimson and Clover
Tulle Underskirt: Noa Noa (last worn here)
Tights: Hue
Shoes: Miss L Fire (last worn here)

I bought this dress at the consignment store on Saturday. It's just a basic shirt dress but what drew me to it was the rucheing at the waist. I also quite like that it does up with snaps instead of buttons.

I was running late this morning so I didn't get to the accessory stage of dressing so this is a little plain.

The shoes and blue tights do jazz it up a bit but I probably should have worn a necklace or a brooch. Next time.

I can't believe it's 2 weeks until Christmas and I haven't bought a thing. Zoinks! Better get on that.

Yellow, red, and black cats

First off, I'm extremely flattered that Sal from Already Pretty has profiled me on her site today. Such a nice surprise. Thanks so much Sal. I wondered why my site views were through the roof.

It's especially nice since I was looking at the referrer logs for my Flickr pictures and discovered a Russian discussion board where the participants were saying some uncomplimentary things about my outfits. Not that I really care. I just found it interesting.

Today I have no real plans but I went out for breakfast and now I'm getting caught up on The Walking Dead. The show is full of gore and violence yet they seem to have qualms about showing two naked boobies. So messed up.

Cardigan: Cleo via Value Village
T-shirt: Gap (had it for ages)
Skants: Melow par Melissa Bolduc from the Workshop (last worn on Friday)
Socks: gift from a friend
Shoes: Messeca (last worn here)

While getting dressed this morning, I had all of this on except the cardigan. I thought to myself "I wish I had a yellow cardigan". Then I remembered, I DO!

I found it in a pile of clean clothes in my laundry room, hence its wrinkles. But it's Sunday so no need to be perfect.

Wow...it's very wrinkly! Maybe I should have ironed it.

I've had these socks for a while and have worn them but I didn't think to build an outfit around them until I saw them on Joni's blog Walking Colors. Fabulous stuff.

Purple flowers in December

Just got home from getting my haircut. Voila!

I kept the length but got my bangs trimmed up. I feel more like me again.

Cardigan: Pretty Things Boutique (last worn here)
T-shirt: Reitmans
Skants: Melow par Melissa Bolduc from the Workshop (last worn here)
Tights: Anna Sui (gift from Megan Mae!)
Shoes: Fluevog Truth | Pilgrim (last worn here)

I cut my feet off. Whoops.

Funky tights, eh? Thank you so much Megan for sending these too me. I got lots of complements on them while I was out and at the hair salon. Fun and funky.

Going out now to take my recycling back. WHOOO!

I sold the Renoir and the TV set

It was a coldish day here on the Atlantic ocean. Brrrr... should have bundled up in all my woolies. But no, I wore this.

Dress: Bitter Root Vintage on etsy
Shoes: Fluevog Presence | Impulse (last worn here)

I bought this dress in January 2012. It hasn't fit until now. I almost consigned it a few months ago but now I'm glad I held onto it.

I like how Sheila gives her clothes names so I'm going to copy her and call this my Mondrian dress.

Ok, I did wear a cardigan with it so I didn't completely freeze.

I'm sure you can guess why I like this dress. Red? check. Black? check. Shift dress? check. Geometric pattern? check!

Did I mention that I'm glad I kept it?

I wore these flats because I thought the diamond shape on the heel fit well with the squares/rectangles on the dress. However, one of my coworkers (male) suggested it would be a better option to wear heels to make it more "elegant". Huh. Sure...whatever.

I have tomorrow off of work so I'm getting my hair done. Might treat myself to breakfast out. Livin' la vida loca!

Second verse, same as the first

This outfit is almost an exact rerun of November 23 so I only took one photo. I really need a haircut - luckily that will be happening on Friday.

I look rather meh because I'm feeling meh. I think I'm in the throws of a rather bad dose of PMS. This too shall pass.

Dress: Individual for iclothing co
Tights: Hue
Shoes: Fluevog Wonders | Ayers (last worn here)

I spent part of my evening trying to clean up my basement. I filled up 3 garbage bags and still don't feel like I've made much progress. There's another few evenings of work to do before I can properly use the space for anything other than storing junk.

I found two yearbooks and a bunch of photos from Junior High and High School. I'll maybe scan a few and post them. From my blonde past.

Tomorrow is my last work day this week. Hopefully I'll be less meh and more YEH!

Feel the heat, pushing you to decide

Oh dear. I think this outfit is pushing the envelope a little bit. This is a little more "night at the disco" than "working in the office". But...not sure I'm too concerned since I spent the day in my office alone or on conference calls. No one saw me other than my coworkers. And now, all of you.

Dress: Emily Ryan on etsy
Belt: Noujica from The Workshop in Ottawa (last worn here)
Tights: Emilio Cavallini from Peek Brooklyn
Shoes: J. Crew (last worn here)

My favourite parts of this dress are the cut outs at the collar bone.

And these tights are so awesome. You can wear them with the pattern up the front or down the back. Because the dress is longer at the back, I put the pattern at the front.

I'm not sure about the "mullet" style but it's a very comfortable dress. I can see me wearing the hell out of this. Totally worth the cost.

This would be a great fancy party dress. Now, I just need to get invited to a party where this would be appropriate.

Next time I wear this to work I'll probably dress it down to be less provocative.

Smoldering black and flaming red

So Saturday night I went out to a house party. From what I remember, I had a great time! Although, there may have been a moment when we were dancing to Baby Got Back. *hangs head in shame*

Not unsurprisingly Sunday was a low key day. I slept in, walked to my friends house to get my vehicle, and did some..... COOKING! I made pork dumplings and curried squash/sweet potato soup. This is rather odd for me as I do not enjoy cooking and generally am not very good at it.

Dumplings! Om nom nom!

Today's outfit is fine but rather uninspired.

Top: Annie 50 (last worn here)
Tie belt: from a store in Winnipeg (last worn here)
Skirt: Secret Lentil (last worn here)
Tights: from Iceland (last worn here)
Boots: Fluevog Hope | Desire (last worn here)

This outfit is pretty comfortable since all the fabric is cotton/jersey. I like the details at the bottom of the skirt though I think I'm over the "serged edges on the outside" style.

Back shot doesn't really seem necessary in this outfit but here it is anyway. Baby Got Back? Seems to be a theme.

Here's my pin. It's a cute little Alice in Wonderland with a "Drink me" bottle. I bought this at a craft show a few months ago. I just rediscovered it. Cute!