Month: August 2016

All The Buzz

Skirt, Anthropologie (via eBay); sweater, J. Crew Factory; shoes, Stuart Weitzman; bag, Gucci (via consignment)
Skirt, Anthropologie (via eBay); sweater, J. Crew Factory; shoes, Stuart Weitzman; bag, Gucci (via consignment)

Not gonna lie: I posted this outfit solely so I could show you my MacGyver necklace. The skirt is also one of my faves, so there’s that too. But speaking of the piece de resistance:

J. Crew Factory necklace & vintage D'Orlan brooch
J. Crew Factory necklace & vintage D’Orlan brooch

So this is basically just me, pinning a brooch adjacent to my necklace … but it turned out really cute, no? My inner magpie was all ready to pin 3 more brooches on there, but I exercised all the restraint I don’t usually have and left well enough alone. Minimalism in action, ladies and gents.

The rest of the outfit is all old stuff you’ve seen a bazillion times, except for the bag, which is new. I’m liking it a lot, and it was a steal of a deal at my local consignment. It had been a while since my last bag purchase, so naturally I was starting to think about acquiring a new “baby”, but I had no firm plans. (There are a few bags I’ve had my eye on, but no good deals to be had on eBay.) I stumbled on this Gucci Soho tote, and … bam. Plan made and executed. I love serendipity in action.

best pencil skirt
best pencil skirt
you might say a Platonic ideal ...
you might say a Platonic ideal …

Mix ‘n Match

Sweater, Joe Fresh; pants, Pilcro (thrifted); scarf, thrifted; shoes, Zara; bag, MbMJ
Sweater, Joe Fresh; pants, Pilcro (thrifted); scarf, thrifted; shoes, Zara; bag, MbMJ

This is such a hodge-podge of an outfit, but somehow I love it. The sweater is one of my fave layering pieces in fall/winter, but it’s surprisingly wearable in the summer when the temps aren’t too high. The pants and scarf are both new — and both thrifted — and they’re both very summery, nicely balancing the knit. I’m especially fond of the scarf print; here’s a close-up:

close-up on dots
close-up on dots

With so much going on in the outfit (forgot to even mention the sparkly shoes), I wasn’t sure at first what bag to pick. Black is usually my safe default, but I was afraid it would be too stark and overpowering. When in doubt, my second choice is always burgundy. It’s a softer colour, but more versatile than brown for my wardrobe.

hi-lo
hi-lo
all the things
all the things

Heartbreak Dress

Dress, Moulinette Soeurs (thrifted); blazer, J. Crew (thrifted); shoes, Stuart Weitzman; bag, Gucci
Dress, Moulinette Soeurs (thrifted); blazer, J. Crew (thrifted); shoes, Stuart Weitzman; bag, Gucci

I call this the Heartbreak Dress only because it’s such a cute number … and it went and ripped in the most inexplicable manner. I was working and minding my own business (and not, say, doing calisthenics) when I heard the terrible sound of fabric ripping; it happened near the armpit, right where the bottom of the cap sleeve connects with the top of the dress. It wasn’t a seam that ripped, but the fabric itself (and the lining). Of course, once it started, it didn’t stop. Every so often, through the day, I would hear the sound again. By the time I was ready to leave the office, I had serious concerns about a wardrobe malfunction. Luckily, I got home before my top half was completely exposed, but it was a close call. I was able to sew the rip together, Bride-of-Frankenstein-style (i.e. poorly), and all I can do now is hope that the swirly pattern will distract people from the evidence of my botched “surgery”.

It’s too bad, really, because it IS such a cute little dress. I don’t want to give it up just yet — not before I try a few more combinations. For its first outing, I had to pair it with my new-to-me persimmon Gucci Soho tote, because the colours are just too perfectly matched, and kept everything else very plain and basic to avoid sensory overload. Thankfully, bag proved sturdier than dress on this occasion.

olive + orange
olive + orange
rip, RIP
rip, RIP