Details: unbranded mesh top, H&M turtleneck, Ralph Lauren skirt, vintage belt (all thrifted)

Thoughts: I love a baroque painting-inspired piece, so I snapped up this mesh top immediately — even though I’m 99.9% sure that it’s super-fast fashion. Mesh tops are one of the few items where quality doesn’t matter all that much; by their very nature, the material is going to be synthetic, and as I always wear them layered, that is somewhat inconsequential. I love this top, and so does my daughter, so we’re having fun and keeping something out of the landfill. Win-win. The other statement piece here is that belt, which is now officially one of, if not the coolest one I own. It’s vintage but has no stamping, so I have no idea what brand it is, but it delivers maximum style impact. Literally, an outfit maker. By the way, I am hearing that maxi skirts — both column and full styles — are trending for 2025. That on top of the resurgence of chocolate brown makes me feel like sartorial Christmas came early this year. Given how the rest of, well, everything is going right now, I’ll take small wins no matter how infinitessimal they are.

Details: unbranded cardigan, Gap turtleneck, Acne skirt, Suzy Shier coat (all thrifted), Tignanello bag (Poshmark)

Thoughts: I was super excited to find this looooooong wool Acne skirt for, like, $8 at Value Village, only to run into an immediate block. I had no idea how to style it. We have established how much I love column maxi skirts, but this one is extra long (like, seriously!) and the colour is not in my usual wheelhouse. I’m exploring grey this season, but I’m still in the early stages of figuring out how to incorporate it into my wardrobe palette. So, I kept the skirt to the side, waiting for inspiration to strike. Eventually, I decided to just go for it. And by “it”, I mean anything. Sometimes you gotta try something even if it’s not perfect, just to get the creative ball rolling. As it turned out, this outfit wasn’t half bad. I do love grey and yellow together, especially bookended with black, which makes them pop. I also learned that I have to roll the waist of the skirt a good 5 inches to make it wearable without stilts. This means that I can’t have the waist showing, so tucking in is a no go. That, in turn, puts certain parameters in place for the kinds of tops/sweaters I can wear with it. Outfit dominos, in action. So, now, I am further ahead in my exercise of figuring out how to style this dress. And I got a cute outfit out of it too.

Details: Chepe dress (retail), Ports blazer, Ralph Lauren vest, Nocona belt, unbranded tulle skirt (all thrifted)

Thoughts: I jokingly called this my “invincible summer” outfit. IYKYK. While, sadly, that literary allusion currently doesn’t reflect my mental landscape, it always applies to my sartorial preferences; that is to say, no matter the season, I am always in the mood for summer clothing. Ergo, I am always looking for ways to wear my favourite summer pieces in their off-season. Layering is the main answer, obviously.

Details: Tahari shirt, H&M pants, Fossil belt, Ferragamo shoes (all thrifted), Ralph Lauren sweater (Poshmark)

Thoughts: I haven’t been as active on Poshmark in the last 6 months as before, but I still like to keep a hand — or, rather, an eye — in there for special things. That category includes vintage Ralph Lauren pieces to add to my archival collection. In this case, “archival” refers to the clothing itself — vintage items that encapsulate the brand’s history and aesthetic — rather than their function, because the plan is to wear the heck out of them. The Ralph Lauren brand is undergoing one of its periodic renaissances, having significantly shot up in popularity and trendiness in recent years; in tandem, and not coincidentally, the price of vintage RL clothing has gone through the roof. Keeping a steady eye on this market, I know how to spot a good bargain; they are increasingly rare. This sweater was one of them. It’s classic 90s Ralph, handknit, and I was able to score it for about 1/3 of the price of other listings. So, I jumped on it immediately … even though that meant buying it in the middle of the postal strike and sitting on tenterhooks for nearly a month, waiting to see if I’d end up getting it or if the seller would get fed up and cancel the purchase on me. Well, I’ve already spoiled the ending for you: I did eventually get it, and it was worth the wait. I know it’s a sweater I’ll treasure for years. And who knows … at the rate things are going, it might be an actual investment, hahahaha!

Details: Orvis shirt, Uniqlo sweater, Jones New York jacket, Eclat skirt, Banana Republic belt, Stuart Weitzman shoes (all thrifted), Land’s End bag (Poshmark)

Thoughts: I adore this sweater, and I adore this jacket, and that’s what this outfit is basically about. Oh, and the bag! This was the other Poshmark purchase I made this fall, and the second that ended up being stuck in transit during the strike. Again, worth the wait. As you know, I am obsessed with this shade of blue at the moment, and suede is still having its moment, so this bag checks off a lot of boxes. I was also intrigued by the shape; I haven’t worn hobo style bags for ages, but I’m finding myself drawn to them again. I actually found this bag by searching for a blue suede bag on Poshmark, and was surprised to end up with something from Land’s End of all brands — who knew they even made bags?? But the quality is great and for the price I paid ($40), I am very happy. Which also describes my feelings about this outfit. Top marks all around.

Details: Ralph Lauren turtleneck, Club Monaco shirt, Nine West jacket, vintage skirt, Nocona belt, Canadienne boots (all thrifted)

Thoughts: I straight up stole Papa Ralph’s personal style for the purposes of putting together this outfit, and I am not embarrassed at all. He’s the master of thoughtful layering, and I am forever in my seat, taking notes. Also, in case you were wondering, my experiments with mini-skirts are still going well.

Details: Chepe dress (retail), Free People sweater, Paul Smith scarf, vintage jacket (all thrifted), Chicwish tulle skirt (Poshmark)

Thoughts: Here’s the same Chepe dress as above, in a different colour, winterized in a different way. But the underskirt is the key detail because what I’ve recently discovered is that tulle is perfect cold-weather insulation. Like, for real! As a bonus, it adds volume and creates interesting proportions. I had a bunch of different people compliment me on this outfit, including a small group of kids and a member of Gen Z. That kind of cross-generational appeal is something I’m definitely gonna brag about 😉

Alright, look: not all mundane purchases are magical. Most of them probably aren’t, unless you live a much more exciting life than I do. But a blog post needs a catchy title. And this isn’t a bait-and-switch situation, because I am going to tell you about the life-changing magic of certain specific mundane purchases I made on Amazon last year. Four of them, to be precise.

There is a fairly short list of everyday products that I’ve bought over the years which have unquestionably improved my quality of life in mundane but important ways. My Jiffy clothes steamer. My belt hole puncher. My WonderLint sweater shaver. My Billion Dollars Brows universal eyebrow pencil. My BaByLiss hair-styling tools. You get the idea. Most of these things can be found on Amazon, which isn’t to say that Amazon is magical, only convenient. Anyway, last year I added 4 more things to this list and I want to tell you about them because, just maybe, they might also make your life a little bit better.

Walking Pad

I’ve talked about this before but, a full year on since my purchase, it continues to deliver life-changing magic. Like, for real. Of all the things on this list, my walking pad has made the biggest impact on my life – in a very concrete and measurable way. I have never been fitter in my whole adult life than I am now, at 44. Walking is the perfect form of exercise for naturally slothful people, and I am speaking as one. It’s low intensity (I hate getting sweaty) and low impact (I have creaky knees and a temperamental back), but done consistently, it delivers fantastic health benefits.

For me, a walking pad takes care of the two worst things about walking: (1) having to go outside, and (2) the boredom factor of repetitive exercise. Now, don’t get me wrong; I like walking outdoors … in nice weather. The weather in Edmonton is not consistently nice. Winters can be brutal, summers can be smoky. Walking indoors means I can walk any time, and the walking pad makes it easy to squeeze it into my daily schedule in small increments throughout the day. Which keeps me moving regularly, something health experts recommend. Since around May, I have been walking about 8-9 km on average every day. It sounds like a lot, but broken down into sessions of anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes, it’s surprisingly manageable. It does get boring, though, which brings me to the second advantage of the walking pad; within a few days, I was able to get my balance figured out so I can read or watch shows on my phone while I walk. (I should mention that I am someone who gets car-sick from reading in moving vehicles, and the walking pad doesn’t trigger that at all.) It makes the time fly even quicker.

As you might imagine, I put a LOT of wear and tear on my pad last year, but it’s holding up well. It had to be oiled a couple of times, and the battery on the remote replaced, but otherwise I have no complaints. The brand of my pad is AirHot, but the exact model isn’t currently available on Amazon and I don’t think there is any particular magic in the brand itself. I paid about $270 for mine back in January 2024, and there are very similar-looking ones in the same price ballpark, so if you’re interested, I would suggest doing what I did when I bought mine: pick one with good reviews that don’t sound bot-generated.

Before I move on to the next thing on the list, here is a little addendum. Before I got my walking pad last year, I had not had a consistent workout routine in more than a decade. Establishing a new habit and sticking to it isn’t particularly easy, and I don’t think there is a one-size-fits-all approach. For me, a number-based goal can be extremely motivating, so I set daily step targets for myself. I used to track this on my phone, but after about 10 months, I got fed up with the inaccuracy of its built-in pedometer, not to mention the hassle of having to carry my phone with me everywhere, all the time. So, I bought a $20 basic pedometer on Amazon that clips on clothing and looks a bit like a pager. The downside of looking like a time-travelling 90s businessman is more than offset by the satisfaction of knowing I’m not missing a step (from my daily goal).

e.l.f. Eyeshadow Pencil

The older I get, the less makeup I seem to enjoy wearing. I’d rather spend my time (and money) on skincare. Lipstick, eyebrow pencil, and a bit of foundation under my eyes and on my nose is just about all I can manage these days. But having more or less given up on mascara, lately I’d been feeling a bit ‘naked’ around the eyes. I am super pale so I felt like I was needed a bit of extra contrast in that area to balance out the bright (usually red) lipstick I like to wear. I don’t have the dexterity to mess with eyeliner and getting eyeshadow right is tricky for me because I had deep-set eyes.

Enter the e.l.f. No Budge Matte Shadow Stick. Basically, it’s a jumbo pencil that you can use to get a just-rolled-out-of-bed-looking-miraculously-cute, smudged eyeliner effect. I don’t need to be precise with it; I just sort of run it along my upper lashline once or twice, depending on how dark I want it to be. I use the shade Cool Beans, which is dark brown.

It lives up to its name; it does not budge or smear at all during the day, but it’s easy to take off. [I tried a Nyx version, and it creased and rubbed off within hours.] It gives my eyes enough definition without looking as stark as black mascara does on me. I love how ridiculously easy and quick it is to apply. I’ve already bought a back-up 🙂

Watch Repair Kit

This is a more niche item, but if you have a watch collection, an incredibly useful one. I got the Ohuhu watch repair kit ($23CAD on Amazon) and the JOREST watch press tool set ($16CAD on Amazon). The latter is for removing (and putting back) watch backs that have a pry opening rather than screws holding them in place; the Ohuhu kit doesn’t include this tool. Between the two, we can now do all our watch maintenance and repair at home, including battery replacement, watch strap adjustment and replacement. And by “we”, I mean my husband, who is actually handy with tools. We’re both watch collectors and have saved well over $100 this past year alone by not having to take various pieces to a professional repair shop. It’s been especially useful for rehabbing the vintage watches I’ve bought secondhand, most of which have needed their bands either replaced (if leather) or adjusted (if metal). I don’t care if my watches actually run, but my husband has done battery replacements on his and they’re super inexpensive to buy.

Mechanical Keyboard

I know it sound silly, but this keyboard brings me a ridiculous amount of joy every day I need to sit in front of my computer. In fact, it’s been more than 6 months since I’ve had it, and the joy hasn’t diminished at all. I love how it looks, I love the clicketty sounds it makes (SO FUN!), and I love the various light-up options I can program. Some days, having a little rainbow at your fingertips makes all the difference, you know? I have the LTC NB681 Nimbleback model; it’s currently about $70CAD, which is middle-of-the-road, cost-wise, for a mechanical keyboard but it has good reviews, and I have had no complaints about its performance.

Now, please, tell me: what mundane things have brought life-changing magic into your life lately?

Details: Reitmans sweater, Heritage House skirt, Banana Republic belt (all thrifted)

Thoughts: I wore this outfit on my list in-office work day of the year. I was aiming for “subtly festive” and I think I nailed it, if I do say so myself. This sweater continues to prove that it’s not always about the brand. Or, in this case, even the quality; this sweater is an acrylic blend, which I usually avoid. It’s such a unique and beautiful design, and that trumps all other considerations. I don’t wear this sweater a lot, but I always seem to reach for it when the occasion calls for an elegant but understated vibe. Even if the outfit, as a whole, is super simple, the sweater instantly elevates it. And for that, it’s a keeper. The skirt is no slouch either. Look at that fabulous silhouette! I love long column skirt, and this one has a little extra flair, ahem, flounce. It’s also wool and lined, and you really can’t ask for more.

Details: Club Monaco turtleneck (retail, old), Uniqlo sweater, vintage leather jacket, Talbots skirt, Coach bag (all secondhand)

Thoughts: My son calls this my Joker jacket, but the joke’s on him because he clearly can’t recognize a great jacket when it’s right in front of him. Orchid purple is one of my current obsessions, and this particular shade is so vibrant and fun. I’ve paired it with burgundy before, and loved the combination, so I did it again, and added some more purple into the mix for fun. The cropped style of the jacket also works well with a high waisted column skirt, and we all know how I feel about those, so … bonus!

Details: Laurel shirt, Oscar de la Renta vest, Villager skirt, Paloma Picasso belt (all thrifted)

Thoughts: I haven’t been doing bold pattern mixes as often lately, but I had to try this one because the colours were just too perfectly matched. I added the brown cardigan vest and belt as a “grounding” neutral, because I felt the outfit needed something along those lines, and brown seemed like a better option here than black.

Details: Club Monaco sweater, Ralph Lauren skirt, Suzy Shier coat, Stuart Weitzman boots, Coach bag (all thrifted)

Thoughts: I was drawn to this skirt because of its print, which reminded me of Ganni’s version of leopard print. It’s actually a LRL skirt and I’m pretty sure it’s vintage-ish because the quality is really, really good. It has snaps between the top 4 buttons, which the kind of nice touch that most brands tend to skimp on these days. It prevents gaping in the area where it would otherwise be most likely to do so (i.e. around the hips). Anyway, the other reason why I got the skirt was because I’ve decided to experiment with short skirts again. It’s the perfect time of year, since it’s the season for opaque tights and tall boots. (I refuse to wear mini skirts with bare legs. I may or may not change my mind on this. I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you.) Winter is also the perfect time for a short-skirt-long-jacket moment, and I’m never not ready to go there.

Details: H&M shirt, Jean Howell cardigan, Chicwish skirt (all secondhand)

Thoughts: This was another take on festive dressing, Adina style. I had been “saving” this vintage cardigan for a special occasion for a while and finally decided it was time to stop being precious about it and just go ahead and wear the darn thing. I went for a Molly Goddard-inspired fit, which was super fun.

Details: unlabelled turtleneck, Gap cardigan, vintage skirt (all thrifted)

Thoughts: Here is another short skirt experiment, this one in a classic pleated style. And it’s wool! I thought navy would be a versatile option. Rather than a long jacket, I paired it with an oversized (and rather long) vintage Gap men’s cardigan. The green turtleneck was inspired by the colours of the cardigan, natch. A bit matchy matchy, but that’s nothing to sneeze at.

Details: Ralph Lauren shirt & sweater, Calvin Klein belt, Levi’s jeans, Ferragamo shoes (all thrifted)

Thoughts: Another casual outfit, but with a couple of small details that tickled my fancy. The colour of the sweater matches the polo player logo on the shirt, and the two-tone belt echoes the stripe pattern. I know, I’m an odd duck. Anyway, I had to have a little fun with this, because I wasn’t really sure about this shirt to begin with. Still might not be, to be honest. But it’s vintage cotton and we all know I’m a sucker for that. So thick and soft! The quality is just too good, so even if I end up only wearing it around the house, it’s a worthwhile use of $8.

Details: Urban Outfitters sweatshirt, American Apparel coat, Banana Republic jeans, Asos boots, Ricki’s bag (all thrifted)

Thoughts: I stole this sweatshirt from my daughter, who found it on one of our thrift adventures. What I can I say: payback is fair play, considering how much closet theft I’ve been letting her get away with lately. We must be rubbing off on each other, because our aesthetic preferences seem to be converging to ever greater extent — this sweatshirt being but one data point. I love art-based graphic tees and tops, and Gauguin? No brainer. Lest you feel too bad for my daughter, being deprived of her thrift spoils, I’ll have you know that she proceeded to steal borrow this coat not 2 days after I wore this outfit. My acquiescence then opened the floodgates and we are now hashing out a workshare arrangement as it pertains to my winter coat collection. Sigh.

Details: Babaton turtleneck, Tommy Hilfiger sweater, Ricki’s skirt, Nine West jacket, Ricki’s bag (all thrifted)

Thoughts: Have you noticed this bag yet? I hope you like it as much as I do, because I’ve been using it a lot ever since I got it at the end of last month. It’s my (current) fave shade of blue — which looks beautiful next to brown — and the shape is *chef’s kiss*. The strap is soft (which makes it comfortable to carry) and the ideal length for me. I love the slight slouchiness of the bag, which doesn’t render it entirely without structure. The quality is absolutely nothing to write home about; it’s cheap, unlined fake leather. I will be devastated if and when it falls apart because I love everything else about this bag, but on the plus side, I only paid $5 for it, so I’m sure I’ll be getting my money’s worth.

Details: Club Monaco turtleneck, Ralph Lauren skirt, Suzy Shier coat, vintage bag, Canadienne boots (all thrifted)

Thoughts: Could this be? Yes, it is: yet another mini-skirt experiment. This one is vintage Polo, probably mid-2000s. I love the wash and the little pockets. Pairing it with a chunky cream sweater was a no-brainer, but it remains to be seen if I can muster up some other outfit ideas for it.

Details: Uniqlo sweater, vintage vest & belt, Ralph Lauren skirt (all secondhand)

Thoughts: My favourite sweater and one of my favourite skirts. That’s pretty much the whole story. Comfort dressing, if you will.

Details: Babaton turtleneck, Bianca dress, Levi’s jacket, Coach bag (all secondhand)

Thoughts: I’ve been wanting to find a daisy print dress for a while, because it reminds me of the 90s so much. This dress fit the bill, sorta, mostly. The cut is nice, and the daisy print is cute enough. But it’s polyester, and not the kind that makes you forget what it is. I liked this outfit a lot, but I am not sure if I can live with this dress in the long-run, which is a real bummer. I’m planning to give it another chance, perhaps come spring, but I’m back on the look-out for a nicer alternative.

Details: Scarlett dress, Talbots wrap (both thrifted)

Thoughts: My NYE plans involved my couch and an Elementary marathon, but had they been a little bit more social and/or festive, this is what I would have worn. As it was, I used the vintage wool wrap as a lap blanket. It’s partially why I grabbed it at the thrifts; for $7, it was worth getting as a fancy blanket if nothing else. I don’t wear poncho type things as a general rule, but this one has more potential than most because it’s a generous size and has a rather polished look to it, and grey is a good neutral. We’ll see what comes of its potential. Special shout-out to the brooch that ties it all together (not quite but almost literally); it was a gift from a dear friend, whom I may have pointed in the right direction after stumbling on this Schiaparelli-inspired number on Amazon of all places. I’m being more indiscreet than usual in telling you that, but I do have my reasons; my peeps on Instagram loved this brooch as much as I do, and I’m not one to gatekeep sourcing information if I can help it. So there you have it 😉