Late Transition

Dress, Earth Music Ecology (via consignment); scarf, Winners; cardigan, J. Crew Factory; boots, La Canadienne (thrifted)
Dress, Earth Music Ecology (via consignment); scarf, Winners; cardigan, J. Crew Factory; boots, La Canadienne (thrifted)

Hard to believe it’s November – this weather is positively balmy. Well, for Edmonton in November, anyway. Took advantage of the opportunity to wear one of my summer dresses. Nothing earth-shattering happening here, but I always love a black, red, blue combo.

unseasonably warm weather for the win
unseasonably warm weather for the win
look, no snow!
look, no snow!

These thrifted Canadienne boots are great – and insulated! and waterproof! – but they are a somewhat odd height, since they hit me about mid-calf. Initially, that gave me pause, and I almost didn’t buy them, but I figured they were worth a risk for all of $20. They’re in mint condition so even if the style is a bit out there, they’re a good pair to have on hand come, ahem, winter.

summer dress redux
summer dress redux

Dolled Up

Dress, Tibi; belt, Anthropologie; shoes, Marc Jacobs (thrifted); bag, Birks (thrifted)
Dress, Tibi; belt, Anthropologie; shoes, Marc Jacobs (thrifted); bag, Birks (thrifted)

This was my second year attending the Festival Place Black & White fundraiser in Sherwood Park, and I knew exactly what I wanted to wear – this ivory Tibi dress I scored for a song (and $20, because no one is going to give me any prizes for singing) at Winners a couple of years ago. I wore it to my work Christmas party back in 2013, and it’s been sitting in my closet, sadly neglected, ever since. When I found these madly sparkly Marc Jacobs sandals at Goodwill a while back, the outfit came together in my head.

wearing ivory to a Black & White fundraiser ... close enough
wearing ivory to a Black & White fundraiser … close enough
action shot!
action shot!

Close-up:

I spent three times as long doing my makeup ... just so it would look exactly the same as always. sigh
I spent three times as long doing my makeup … just so it would look exactly the same as always. sigh

Can you believe the whole outfit, minus the necklace (which I borrowed from my mom), cost me under $70? The retail cost would have been well over $1,000. I love when my thrifting pays off like that.

werk it!
werk it!
thankfully, i didn't break an ankle wearing these shoes
thankfully, i didn’t break an ankle wearing these shoes

Hard to Resist

Dress, J. Crew (thrifted); cardigan, J. Crew Factory; shoes, J. Crew (via consignment); belt, Anthropologie; bag, MbMJ
Dress, J. Crew (thrifted); cardigan, J. Crew Factory; shoes, J. Crew (via consignment); belt, Anthropologie; bag, MbMJ

I can never seem to pass up thrifted J. Crew (or Anthro) pieces, so of course I bought this $10 Fabiola dress even though it’s 2-3 sizes too big. I had originally thought of asking if one of my friends wanted it (I missed my true vocation in life – personal shopper), but I kept looking at the dress, and thinking about how much I liked it. I blame the mix of colours – chartreuse yellow with hints of cobalt blue – which is right up my alley.

Eventually, I had the bright idea to put a belt on it and add a cardigan – it looks fine, no (expensive) alterations needed. Obviously, it’s not a perfect fit, but it works for me. And score another win for this Anthro belt, a $20 find from their clearance section. Stretchy, embellished belts can be such great outfit-makers paired with dresses.

La Fabiola (who comes up with these names, anyway?)
La Fabiola (who comes up with these names, anyway?)

Close-ups:

I love that J. Crew takes care to match its colours from season to season
I love that J. Crew takes care to match its colours from season to season
my favourite belt
my favourite belt
pretty dress is pretty
pretty dress is pretty