Not My Spots

I thoroughly enjoyed this outfit while I wore it, but I'm not a huge fan looking back at the photos now. This is not something I will be wearing twice. How I ever thought those shoes went with the rest of the outfit is beyond me!

 

Blouse - Thrifted from Value Village

Skirt - Thrifted from Value Village

Hippo earrings - Thrifted from Value Village

Shoes - Lulu's

It's sort of annoying that these shoes cost more than every other item in my outfit combined. And they weren't even that pricey, so far as shoes go. I've done pretty good thrifting shoes in the past, and some of my time-tested walkable sandals have been thrifted. It's difficult with footwear though, for reasons from sizing to limited options compared to clothing, and whether or not the shoe is even sanitary.

 

I was yesterday picking up some necessities - coffee and sugah - when I spotted a display rack selling bubble-soap bottles and tubs of sidewalk chalk. It took me half a minute to decide whether my good idea was indeed a good idea, and I was soon adding both to my basket. Then I happily scurried home to draw on the patio stones out on my terrace!

It was early evening in Chinatown as I drew, and the sun was finally out after a day that had started with rain and chill winds. I could hear workmen down on the sidewalk yelling in an Asian language - I can't tell Cantonese from Mandarin if my life depends on it - and birds were chirping and zipping around in the sky. The gentle breeze tickled my skin and the air smelled like delicious fried foods and growing green plants. I experienced a lot more than the chalk in my hand while I drew, and I felt wonderfully calm and grounded after it all. I think this deserves repeating in the future. Plus it's just nice to see the drawings when I look outside.

Tomorrow I head back to my home town for the first time since Christmas. I won't be there long, less than 48 hours, but a dear friend of mine is having her baby shower on Saturday and I wouldn't miss that for anything. So many of my friends are getting married and/or having babies this year. There are three wedding invitations sitting on my desk waiting for replies. It's overwhelming and scary and I'm not even the one getting married or having kids! I am more than happy to sit back and be the token single childless friend for quite a long while to come. That was always my favourite character in sappy chick flicks; the wild one who's life never manages to fall into the old traps. Anyway, my weekend starts early tomorrow so I'll wish you all a happy weekend now. Cheers!

The Power of the Dress

For something so simple, dresses are such versatile things. The two dresses I'm wearing in this outfit are a perfect example of just how multipurpose a dress can be. Since I'm not comfortable wearing the black dress by itself at work, I layered it over my snake-print shirt dress. I got modesty with a fun print!

Snake-print dress - Thrifted from Value Village

Black dress - Sears sale, 2008

Shoes - Thrifted from Value Village
Belt - Ardene's

Tights - No idea

Both dresses have been worn many different ways. The black one (originally purchased for my college graduation) was actually the sea backdrop in my Halloween costume. Here's another old outfit with it from nearly a year ago. The shirt-dress has been worn several different ways too. I've worn it as a dress and layered more than once as a top.

Also of note is that this is an outfit I am wearing as I write this. An actual outfit being worn on the day of its posting! That however is only because I took the photos last evening while trying it on. This is also why the shirt buttons are all done up, which I decided today looks better with the top one undone.

I've had these shoes over a year but they're actually horribly uncomfortable for doing much else but sitting. The upper part of the shoe is very stiff and digs right into the top of my foot directly behind my toes every time I take a step. At least they're cute?

It's snowing like mad outside again. And it's not even a pleasant snow, it's the icy kind that stings your face and eyes. Did I ever mention how much I hate winter? Because I really hate winter. I'm supposed to go to my grandparents' for supper after work this evening but if this keeps up - they're calling for freezing rain - we may have to cancel. Once again, I hope the weather is treating you better than me. Cheers!

One-Time Deal

While I don't dislike this outfit, I will not be wearing it again. For one thing, that black skirt is way too big on me now (which I only discovered too late while getting dressed that morning) and now hangs around my hip-bones. The belt did a passable job keeping the skirt up, but there was so much excess bunched up fabric around my waist, and the skirt kept escaping and it was all very awkward. Not worth going through again for an outfit I wasn't all that crazy about.

Dress as blouse - Thrifted from Value Village

Skirt - Thrifted from Value Village

Socks - Fancy Sox

Shoes - Spring

I wore my snake-print shirt-dress as a blouse again. It's funny, because when I bought it, I never figured it would be such a staple in my wardrobe. But turns out, I actually wear it a lot, even if I don't post the outfits since they're usually re-wears. A large part of why I'm posting less the last few months is just because I'm re-wearing the same outfits over and over and it would bore you all to death to see them that often.

It was warm enough to get away with just wearing my leather jacket back at the end of October when I took these photos, but not anymore. I'm layering a thick hoodie under my jacket now, which helps keep me nice and toasty. I prefer layering this time of year just because it helps me regulate more easily if I do happen to get too warm. I'm hoping to find a mid-season winter coat and boots soon though. Gaps in my outerwear must be filled!

Another reason I'm not a huge fan of this outfit is just the lack of colour. While I don't mind it, I am usually just happier wearing colours. A wonderful lady said that bright colours suit me better anyway and I very much have to agree.

I hope you're all having a good week so far! Cheers!

Double the Snake Print

Yes. Of all the shoes in my closet, I chose to pair my snake print flats with my snake print dress blouse. Because I am just crazy like that. But I thrifted this grey skirt a few weeks ago and haven't been able to figure out how to style it with anything else but grey. And I have a lot of grey snake print stuff. So thar ya go. I just never realized how little grey I actually wear anymore, and it's rather awkward for me figuring it out again.

Dress as blouse - Thrifted from Value Village

Skirt - Thrifted from Value Village

Flats - Spring

Belt - Ardene's

I took these photos on October 10th, but my tree is now mostly naked. Which is a shame, because that maple tree serves as awesome window-camouflage to keep folks in the street from seeing into my apartment. I've got huge sliding patio doors looking right into my living room, it's like a Cel-fishbowl.

This outfit really isn't all that flattering on me, and I probably won't wear it again. At least not with flats. Heels would have been a better choice, since I look very short here. But at least it was comfy. Now to figure out how to style this skirt with something involving colour...

I've come to the conclusion that I like my skirt hems at granny-length. I have a few shorter skirts and dresses, but anything higher than just above my knee starts to make me feel inappropriate. Unless I'm wearing leggings, because then that just negates the whole naked-feeling. (But leggings are still not pants, let us not forget!)

I'm in love with my hair in this last photo. I tend to have more bad hair days than good, but sometimes my hair just really makes me happy. Too bad most of my good hair days wind up on the rainy/windy days and it gets all fussed up the minute I go outside. Le sigh.

The Zombie Walk on Saturday was a blast. I had such a killer time, and I'm already excited for next year. Then Sunday I just stayed home, played video games, took in one of my too-big skirts and just relaxed. I hope you all had a really groovy weekend too. Cheers!

Slithering Snakes

Apart from my obvious love of spiders (I have a spider tattoo and 8 pet tarantulas for example) I also have a love of reptiles, and snakes in particular (okay, most reptiles). That flows right into snake print! I'm a sucker for snake print, in any colour. I actually own a 14 foot snake skin very much like this dress.

 

Dress - Thrifted from Value Village

Shoes - Spring

Belt - Ardene's

I thrifted this ages ago, back in the heat of high summer, and I've only been able to wear it recently at the end of August and it was really still too hot for it then. The sleeves are actually way too long, and I wear them rolled up on themselves, otherwise my hands would be eaten by the sleeve-snakes. I couldn't resist the weight of the fabric and the pointy collar though, so mine it is!

 

I rarely wear these shoes, as much as I like them. The zipper detail on the sides winds up pressing uncomfortably on my pinkie toes, which makes them rare-wear only unless I want to do my toes some serious damage. These shoes plus the dress combined made me feel very corporate 80's. The dress even had shoulder pads at one point but I quickly snipped those out. I do not need any help accenting my already-broad shoulders, thank you very much.

I snatched up this spider pin at a little shop in a mall as I was running about doing errands. I got pulled in by snake-bangles but left with this instead. I already own several spider broaches (I'm wearing another today actually) but there's no way I'll ever have too many.

I have been living on mixed vegetable salads and pizzas like these for most of the summer. I make enough one night to last me several suppers, to avoid cooking in the heat. Plus pizza is actually really good for you if you do it right. I like to layer all my vegetables toppings twice over, beneath and on top of the cheese. That with a heaping side salad and I'm pretty happy with my meals.

 

The package with my shoes from Lulu's was apparently processed for delivery here in the city this morning. I'm hoping today is the day I get my hands on my new sandals and shoes for work! Receiving packages in my building just makes me so nervous. I've had mishaps in the past, not to mention the buzzer console is currently on the fritz and there's nowhere safe for a delivery man to leave his slip. Fingers crossed!

I hope you're all having a good week so far and that all is well. Cheers!