Shutting Down

After some serious thought, I have decided to end my blogging career! I have some serious family stuff going on and have neither the time nor the energy to devote to the blog. Thanks for popping in!

Casual Sunday

The outfits I've shown on my blog to date have been work attire so I thought I'd show an outfit I'm wearing on a Sunday afternoon as I'm heading out the door to run errands. The tunic used to be a dress with a hideous bottom, so since I only paid $2.99 for the dress from a thrift store last year, I figured I had nothing to lose by hacking off 6 inches from the bottom and turning the dress into a top. The merino wool of this tunic is so soft and comfy and I love the colours. Glad I tried a DIY to it!

The boots are the grey boots I mentioned a few posts ago - they are quickly becoming my casual wear work horses. They are sooooo comfortable, made even more so by adding my favourite go-to Dr. Scholl's gel insoles. 

The "jeggings" I just purchased yesterday during a very good sale at The Bay. They are the black jeggings from Jessica Simpson's line. I went to Gap and tried on the skinnies I hear everyone rave about but they did not fit me well at all. The rise felt a little too low for me and in order to get them tight enough in the waist so they didn't slip off, I felt like a human sausage. In all, I must have tried on 20 pairs of skinnies/jeggings yesterday from various stores. I was feeling quite disheartened when walking through The Bay back to my car, I saw these ones. I did think to myself "ummm...Shannon...you're almost 50...do you really think a Jessica Simpson item can fit you...???" But I liked the feel of the medium weight fabric so I thought I'd give them a try. They are a mid rise, fit everywhere perfect from the waist, to the butt, to the hips and on down. They were $69 regular but The Bay was running a 40% off sale on a couple of lines and this was one of them...whoo hoo...

Tunic: MSK (thrifted)

Denim jacket: Levis (thrifted)

Jeggings: Jessica Simpson

Boots: Sears

Necklace: thrifted

Purse: Danier Leather (thrifted)

Wardrobe Imbalance

I've always suspected this, but it is now confirmed that my wardrobe is imbalanced...so is my brain, but that's a whole OTHER blog!


What I've discovered through this exercise of reviewing my closet, counting my items, etc. is that I have more than an adequate wardrobe for work but very little for casual wear. There are a few items that can do double-duty and bat for either team, but other than those few, most of my closet is dedicated to business wear. I'm finding now that my teenage son is working and no longer needs his mommy like he used to (boo hoo...) I'm re-establishing a social life (or at least trying) and have very limited options for running about.


Realizing this has caused me to completely revise my list of needed items. What I do need - and I really mean NEED not WANT - is:

• Pair of good quality, dark wash, skinny jeans to tuck into boots
• A shorter winter coat to wear with said jeans and boots
• 3-4 long sleeved tunic tops to wear with said jeans, boots and coat

I bought a pair of "practice" skinny jeans a couple of months ago. Up until then, I had never even entertained the idea of wearing skinny jeans. Something about an apple-shaped-short-48-year-old just didn't scream SKINNY JEAN to me...go figure...anyway I decided before I invested any serious money to a pair, I would get a cheap pair (but still decent fitting) to try out and see if a) I was comfortable in them, b) didn't feel foolish in them, c) could work them into my casual wardrobe easily. I'm happy to report that I LOVE SKINNY JEANS!  Who knew? Does anybody else buy "practice or test" clothing items?

So these items will be the new hunt...wish me luck!

Pretty Pictures

I have fallen crazy in love with Pinterest (www.pinterest.com). I love looking at all the beautiful pictures...I'm such a visual person. There are often great, creative ideas - have a look for yourself...go on...I know you're dying to...

Is it self indulgent?

Today's outfit is something that I felt fantastic in all day. It was comfortable, easy to move about, and not overly warm (definitely a consideration in my menopausal heat-wave state!). This is the third item I have purchased from the Jay Manuel Attitude line sold through Sears. If you watch the Sears flyer, his line will go on sale for as much as 40% off at certain times. I scored this dress for a mere $47! I also have a pair of dress pants, an asymmetrical tank top and blouse (the same fabric as the dress). I find his clothes fit well, wash well and so far, seem to be of pretty high quality. The jacket was a Jones New York splurge about 5 years ago. I paid a ridiculous amount for this jacket but given that I love it 5 years later and it still looks fantastic, I'd say it was money well spent. It's hard to tell in the photo, but it's a cross between indigo blue and purple in colour. I'm falling in love with wearing booties with dresses and skirts. I realize it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I'm getting a kick out of it (get it...."kick"....c'mon...). I do see when looking at the picture that the black tights might be a bit heavy looking. Any suggestions to alternate tights? It's too cold here now to go without.


I have been thinking lately though about this blog and my outfit photos. I'm wondering if it's too self indulgent (no offence to anyone else who blogs). Does it serve a purpose to anyone else but me? Just something I'm wondering about.


Dress: Jay Manuel Attitude
Jacket: Jones New York
Tights: Roots
Booties: Blowfish
Purse: thrifted

Party Outfit #2

This outfit at H&M has caught my eye and may be a possibility for my evening "tux" look for the Christmas dinner & dance. I'm not sure I can pull off the slouchy/low crotch pants being that I'm only 5'1" and not the slimmest gal in town, but they might be worth trying on. I like the jacket too. I would swap out the top in the photo with a sequinned tank (I actually saw a really pretty white sequinned tank in Sears of all places, that could work) and either animal print or red heels, if I can find at a good price. I'm also going to check out my favourite high-end consignment store to see what they have.


http://www.hm.com/ca/product/95851?article=95851-A

Speaking of consignment, I had an interesting dilemma today. Nordstrom's (a huge clothing store in the U.S. with many high-end design fashions) is having a major sale right now and there are many beautiful items to be had. My dear hubby suggested I order a few things as my Christmas present. First of all, the cost of duty and taxes was ridiculous so that ended that idea. But I also got thinking about the fact that the items I loved would still cost significantly more than what I'm used to paying and it sounds weird - but other people would be buying the same items. As I've said before, I thrift not only because it's less expensive and good for the landfills, but because the items I often find are unique. I have NEVER once run into someone who has the same stuff I have. And nobody points at me at work at chants "thrift girl...thrift girl". Nobody knows (unless I tell them) my clothing comes via thrifting. My dear friend Kristin commented on this today at work saying that I find the coolest stuff at the most ridiculous prices and why would I want to change that? Why indeed.


Update: So never mind H&M. Although there are some stores in Canada (in Alberta) they do not run a Canadian on-line store so I cannot order anything from them...ggrrrrrrr...

Party Outfit

December 10th is the annual Christmas Dinner & Dance thrown for my work. It's a fairly dressy affair - mostly cocktail dresses and the odd long gown. It's surprisingly fun, especially since there's some of us gals that go without our hubbies and just have a girl's night out. 


In the past I've worn a fairly typical cocktail dress - black, silver, black/white combo...you get the idea. And I purchased another little black dress back in the summer when I came upon it in a fabulous consignment store that carries high-end merchandise for this year's party. BUT...


...I want to wear something different. I'm becoming more adventurous in my style and like stepping out of my comfort zone. So I'm thinking of doing something like tuxedo pants and jacket, sequined tank or silky blouse, a statement piece of jewellery (fake of course) and some kick-ass shoes. Add a swipe of my new favourite red lipstick (Mac Bold Red) and voila - hopefully a stylish look but one that stands out from the rest.


The trick, however, will be finding these pieces at thrift/consignment stores as per my shopping plan. Do you think I can pull it off?