Blue Collar Red Lipstick

18
Sep
2015

My Stuff: A Mostly Useless Questionnaire

In lieu of doing an AMA post (which, on further reflection, is probably both unnecessary and a not so great proposition), I thought I’d borrow an idea from my favourite magazine, Vanity Fair, and work through a few questionnaires. First up, the “My Stuff” questionnaire – which appears intended to explore the minutiae of famous people’s daily lives. I have no claim to fame that would add any merit to my answers, but if you’re as nosy as I am about the stuff other people like and buy, then you might enjoy this post anyway. If not, I apologize and offer you this photo of Idris Elba as consolation.

IdrisElba

Alright, for those of you still with me, on to the questionnaire. I don’t know if the questions in Vanity Fair are always the same or not, but I took this set from the October issue. They are helpfully divided by subject, so feel free to skip at your leisure. Without further ado:

Tech Stuff

Favourite gadget: I hate all of them … wait, does my iPhone count?
TV shows you binge watch: Game of Thrones (and by binge-watch, I mean wait the agonizing week in between each episode, and the 10 months between seasons)
Go-to website: Lainey Gossip
Song in your head: currently, Downtown by Macklemore
Recent Google search: “who is singer in Macklemore Downtown video”
Are you on IG/Twitter: this is a silly question
Car: Subaru – I live in Siberian suburbia, this one checks off all the boxes
Wristwatch: don’t wear one

Clothes

Jeans: Rachel Roy skinny jeans
Undergarments: GAP bras, Joe Fresh & Hanky Panky bottoms
T-shirt: Old Navy
Day bag: I rotate but currently my go-to is the Gucci Britt tote
Favourite accessory: jewelry from my husband
Favourite designer: Alexander McQueen – the person and the artist
Shopping mecca: Winners; Value Village
Boots: Frye
Flats: vintage Ferragamo
Sneakers: hah!

Inspirations

Favourite scent: rain, fresh baked bread, freesias
Favourite discovery: reading, as a child
Who inspires you: People who are kind, patient and fearless
Necessary extravagance: books and bags
Favourite place in the world: Tuscany
Favourite charity: SPCA
Favourite movie: Couldn’t begin to narrow it down, but I will always watch Goodfellas and Clueless when they come on TV
Favourite hotel: This is a famous person question I don’t really feel qualified to answer
Favourite colours: azure, cobalt and cornflower (so, that would be “blue” and “blue” with a side of “blue”)
Fashion idol: Tilda Swinton

Home

Where do you live: North of the Wall (hush, it’s true)
Favourite in house art: Grandma’s Warhol … just kidding … cartoon portrait of my husband and me, drawn by my husband
Sheets: IKEA – much fançay
Luggage: Winners (aka TJMaxx), from last century
China: Bahahaha!
Stationery: Papyrus
Pet: mysterious pantry raccoon who eats all the Pringles overnight, leaving the empty can behind as a distraction
Favourite flowers: hydrangeas, orchids, roses, and purple ranunculus (basic bitch with a twist!)
Favourite neighborhood restaurant: Nomiya (sushi joint)
Favourite cocktail: tequila + 7Up, preferably on a beach in the Carribean
Favourite dessert: flourless chocolate cake, preferably right now
Snack: PopCorners (Kettle flavour)
Coffee table book: The Avengers 5-Minute Stories

Beauty

Lips: Rimmel Color Rush
Mascara: L’Oreal Butterfly
Concealer: Hard Candy Glamouflage
Foundation: L’Oreal Lumi
Shampoo: whatever I find at Winners for under $10
Moisturizer: something with Retinol (per BCRL reader suggestion)
Hair product: Elnett hairspray
Soap: Ivory
Perfume: Hanae Mori (blue) Butterfly
Toothpaste: Sensodyne
Nail polish colour: currently, Chanel Riva
Who cuts your hair: Mika at Ricci Hair
Skin care specialist: Mother Nature

Next week: the Proust questionnaire. Heck yeah!

IdrisElba2

17
Sep
2015

Another Way to Tunic

categories: style

Top, Etro (via consignment); skirt, BCBG; shoes, Zara; hat, Aritzia

Last weekend, I took advantage of what looked to be one of our last sunny days of summer to wear the silk Etro tunic I “rescued” from consignment earlier this season. The truth is that it’s not a super versatile garment, and I’m not entirely sure how to make it more so, given that what I assume to be its actual function (fancy beach cover-up) is useless to me, 99% of the time. Still, let it not be said that I don’t try. I did enjoy wearing it as a top, and I kind of wish that it was. (Although, I’m sad that half of the print can’t be seen when worn as such).

Here for comparison is how it looks “untucked”:

I’ve written about my compulsion to “rescue” closet “orphans” from consignment (and thrift) stores, and it has not abated. The problem arises when, as much as I may love them, they don’t really fit my style or wardrobe needs. This tunic is a case in point. It’s not so much that it doesn’t spark joy; I just don’t get to wear it enough to justify keeping it in my closet … if the goal is to have a purely functional wardrobe, rather than a “collection”. Since you guys are also familiar with my collecting tendencies, I’m sure you can appreciate my struggle here.

16
Sep
2015

Thrift Tales: Not Every Trip’s a Winner

categories: Shopping, style, Success stories

Lest my last post on thrifting mislead anyone, let me say: the thrifting gods are not perpetually smiling on me. There are weeks and sometimes months when I find nothing interesting, or at least nothing worth its own post. If I thrifted only for the results (and had expectations of hitting it out of the ballpark every time) … well, I’d give it up pretty quickly. As it happens, I enjoy the hunt as much as the spoils, which is why I’m not easily deterred by a lacklustre haul. Or a ten.

To give you a sense of what a more realistic thrifting experience might be, I thought I’d share some of the hits and misses of a few recent outings. First up, a brief overview of some of the misses – which certainly outnumbered the hits.

This was a cute silk dress, but not quite my style, and not something my wardrobe is crying out for. It could be a charming summer dress for someone else. At times like these, I wish I could play closet matchmaker. Alas.

I was tempted by this Velvet brand sweater dress, but it was the wrong size and, if I’m being perfectly honest, not really my style. Same story as above.

Here’s proof that I don’t just buy for the (designer) label. This Just Cavalli tee was just meh – a little bit dated, a little bit tired (aka used).

I have no idea if this (vintage?) Fendi bag was legit, but the poor thing was in terrible shape and reeked of cigarette smoke. It was still priced at $20, four times higher than the brand new, pristine Longchamp bag I found back at the beginning of August in the same store.

This Meadow Rue tunic broke my heart. One of my fave thrifting hobbies (sub-hobbies?) is finding Anthropologie pieces. I love the girly aesthetic but I can’t with the retail prices. Anyway, I totally would have bought this piece – it’s silk, lovely print, great colours for my wardrobe – but there was colour transfer all over the fabric, and I didn’t feel like taking a risk, even for $8.

Hopefully some braver soul will enjoy it. Sigh.

You guys, I really wanted these leggings. I know: a 35-year mother of two may not have any business wearing these, but I would have loved to rock them (mostly unironically) on weekends. Sadly, they were several sizes too small.

Now, for the hits:

I’m still buying up cheap “art”, both for my own projects and, in this case, for my mom. The matching bird prints on the bottom left ($3.50 each) were a gift for her. The print on the top left I bought solely for the lovely gold frame ($12.50), and plan to replace it with the portrait next to it ($6). I love the romanticism of Winterhalter portraits like this one. The Learning Japanese package ($10, brand new in box – can you say unwanted Christmas present?) was something my husband insisted I buy for him.

I also bought a black Tahari dress ($8) which, as is common for black dresses, photographs poorly on a hanger. I’m sure you’ll be seeing it on the blog very soon. It has a cute ruffle detail around the neckline, and an interesting adjustable waist tie. And by “interesting” I mean a bit perplexing. Will explain more later.

Last but not least, this beautiful Nanette Lepore dress was a true find. It was $20, which is on the pricey side, but it originally retailed for about $500, and the workmanship is superb. I rarely have reason to say that about mass produced clothes these days, but the embroidery and beading here are excellent. And it fits perfectly (although it’s a size 10, and I usually wear a 4, so the discrepancy is significant). The only downside of buying it was the dry cleaning drama that ensued (I’m exaggerating slightly), but I’ll save that tale of woe for another post.

Hit me up with your recent thrift finds in the comments!