Just Another Monday (Outfit)

Top, RACHEL Rachel Roy (via consignment); pants, BR; cardigan, J. Crew Factory; shoes, Tod's; bag, Gucci (via consignment)
Top, RACHEL Rachel Roy (via consignment); pants, BR; cardigan, J. Crew Factory; shoes, Tod’s; bag, Gucci (via consignment)

I mean, yeah … that title kinda says it all. Happy “Ugh, Where Did The Weekend Go” Day!

What’s that? You want to talk about my outfit? Fine, I gueeeeess. I’ve worn this combo more times than I care to count, but if you substitute different pieces, it looks sort of new and sort of different each time – or so I tell myself. The shoes are new, and they make me very happy. Yellow is just such a happy colour. Oh, and the shoes make my feet happy too, so that’s nice of them.

monday blahs
monday blahs

Hey, look who decided to join the party:

photobombing since 2011
photobombing since 2011
walking on sunshine (yellow shoes)
walking on sunshine (yellow shoes)

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

Another Way to Tunic

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

now it's a tunic
now it’s a tunic
now it's a top!
now it’s a top!

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.

the view from the back
the view from the back