Surprise, surprise: another head-to-toe pre-loved outfit. Hey, don’t run yet! I promise I won’t beat you over the head with my usual mantras today. Let’s just look at this cute outfit, ‘kay? The skirt was an impulse-ish buy on eBay; I’ve been collecting “old” Anthro skirts lately, and this one struck my fancy while I was looking for a different one. I managed to score it for around $40 CDN (shipping included), which is a small miracle these days.

Here’s something you probably didn’t know about me: I was super into philately as a kid. I think it was a popular pastime back in the Old Country in communist times, because I inherited a number of stamp collections from BOTH my mom and dad, and then added my own. I spent HOURS arranging and re-arranging them — by themes, countries, you name it. Wearing this skirt reminded me of them, so it was a nice trip down memory lane.

This dress is very pink. I obviously (?) must have realized that when I bought it, but it didn’t faze me until I tried to figure out how to wear it to work. Pink at the office is tricky for me, because I’m afraid it skews too young and girly (which, admittedly, can be said about my style in general). Add ruffles, and – oy vey. Black would be the obvious solution, but I wanted to try something different this time. I played around with a few options from my shockingly extensive blazer collection, and this greige — is greige still a thing? — Theory one looked surprisingly good. Like, whoa. This was an outfit I loved wearing, and it’s going on my shortlist for 2016 faves.

I also like because, minus the shoes, it was all secondhand. In fact, the dress and blazer together cost me only $15. Feeling and looking good really doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. I know you guys are sick of hearing me drone on about it but I’m like one of those MLM people on your FB feed — I’m on a mission … to convert you to the joys of thrifting. Sooner or later, you’ll give in … *cue evil laugh*

Joseph Ribkoff is a Canadian brand that’s under the radar for a lot of people, but I always keep an eye out for it in thrift stores. Some of the stuff definitely skews “‘mature woman”, but the quality is always excellent (made in Canada, ftw!). The brand is usually priced low at VV (the most expensive thrift store in my neck of the woods), as was the case with this dress which was $9 before my 30% discount. The rose print is hard to miss, but it’s workable for, well, work. I ended up wearing the day after I published my new gothic novel baby, Gresham Park, and it seemed like a fitting choice. Dark and stormy, and all that.

Rather than add the usual black shoes, I mixed it up with burgundy … and then added more burgundy in my accessories (aka my bag) because I’m a slave to the matching of all things. It really does please me how well these Stuart Weitzman pumps go with the Amarante vernis leather of my Alma bag. Match made in matchy heaven.