Thursday 26 February 2015

Thrifting Theory

I have a theory about thriftingMy theory is that despite the increasing popularity of thrifting, despite the increasing prices in some stores, despite the necessary fluctuations in stock, there are ALWAYS treasures to be found!  I have a heart full of thrifting faith - the right pieces go to the right home.  One of my fave thrifting friends is about the same size as me right down to our shoe size, yet our individual styles are distinct.  We almost never want the same piece (though I want her cognac Kenneth Cole ankle boots and she wants my camel robe coat, but besides that....).  In fact, we were together when I found a staple piece by Theory for only $4.20!!!
Short sleeved black charcoal turtleneck in perfect condition!
Welcome to my closet!

Believe it or not, I don't have any sort of black turtleneck... till now!  I styled it up for work first...

It was so cold with the wind, it was indoor recess - that's saying something in Alberta.  So I needed this $6.30 Grey Nicole Miller cardi/blazer.  I liked how it fit the cropped retro vibe of my ensemble.
And lo and behold, the Theory top is LONG!
Great coverage, great fit!
P.S. The great thing about wearing boots to work and taking indoor shoes is that you don't need socks.

I have no idea why someone would donate a gorgeous piece like this Theory top but my theory is that they found the short sleeves/turtleneck combo tricky to style.  On the other hand, I had no difficulties coming up with a couple more styling options.  It looks classic with a pretty skirt or 30.
Accessories from my closet

I loved this look and as I passed over more accessories, I developed the theory that sometimes quality pieces don't need anything else.  Impeccable quality speaks for itself!
This look would work for an office day for me or church or a date night or wine tasting or ...
Ask me out!  (kidding... sort of)

As I put outfit #2 together, I found myself longing for red pumps!!  Though I have a few pairs of red shoes, no classic pumps.  Better go thrifting stat!  Meanwhile, I used cobalt for a pop of colour in my last casual look...

I like how this classic Theory top adds instant easy style to everything else!  I can't wait to wear it more (next up, with my black cardi/vest!!).  I am not surprised that I found a soft, perfect piece while thrifting!
My theory was proven by Theory!


Tuesday 24 February 2015

Leopard-Print Cardi

I have been hunting for a leopard-print cardi for a loooooonnnng time and was therefore delighted to find one recently in perfect condition for only $4.90!  Since I have the delayed gratification ability of  - is that chocolate?!! - oh, sorry, I wanted to wear it right away and so sculpted the Monday Style Prompt around it.  (I got the power, it's getting getting getting kinda hectic)  "Wear Something Wild" Monday commenced with a work look...
Skirt $4.90, gifted thrifted sequined flats
Tee and tights from my closet.
I already know leopard goes with stripes and since it's a neutral, it goes with polka dots too!
Accessories by She Does Create, including my fab new name tag lanyard with a timepiece and beading.

Styling leopard can be a bit tricky.  It is easy enough to put it with black but I like it with COLOUR.  Surprise suprise.
White tee from my closet and She Does Create pendant.
 
Turquoise is also a neutral and just what this outfit needed.

During my extensive Pinterest research, I also saw leopard with neutrals and a POP of colour, so I gave that a go because now that I'm bribing my kids to take photos, all three want a turn so I have to come up with three looks.
Wearing the cardi as a top with my J Brand faves (B.T. Before Thrifting)
Miz Mooz leather flats gifted but thrifted for $13.30
Subtle jewelry - mix of thrift and handmedown - since there's a lot of RAWR.

After all that, I decided to *actually* wear...
It was a black tee kind of day.

So with the addition of this cardi, that brings my animal-print collection to:
I was SO tempted to wear them all together as a joke but figured people would think I was crazy.
Maybe next time!
(Maybe I am)
 

Friday 20 February 2015

Sweet Thrift Score

As I got dressed this morning, I found myself thinking, yoga pants are not okay for casual Friday but fleece-lined leggings are totally fine.  I can't fully explain it; some things you just know.  Anyway, I knew they would be perfect with my latest sweet thrifted find, a long black "Sweet Rain" vest/cardi...
Leggings $4.20, Sweet Rain vest $4.20 AND Sweet Rain top $4.50, Chie Mihara boots $7
It was missing the belt but that's no problem for me since I have 100 belt options.
Perfect with my black Flatter:Me belt!
 
Accessories from my closet - the more the merrier!
Love the high-low hemline of this piece - no question my bum is covered,
no chance of anyone thinking I'm trying to wear leggings as pants.

I adore this piece!  So versatile!  I styled it for day and play and could've kept going all night but I ran out of gum to bribe my photographers with.  Here's another casual look...
 
Just because a piece has belt loops doesn't mean you *have* to wear a belt.
Still nice to have the length in the back, easy to wear!

Loose tops look balanced with a fitted bottom, but I wanted to try styling it with a skirt too...
 
And since I was playing dress-up, I tried a warm-weather look.
Skirt $4.20, floral shell $3.75, necklace $3, green belt $1 and Fly London shoes $13.30
I heart colour!

And lastly, I couldn't NOT pair this piece with the thrifted leopard print belt I got for Christmas...
Banana Republic dress $10.50, Kenneth Cole leather boots $18.90
Necklace from my closet and another amazing bracelet by She Does Create.

I could have styled this sweet thrift score another 10 ways!  Four or ten or more, this piece has excellent styles-per-cost value! 
Which Sweet Rain look is your favourite?!


Tuesday 17 February 2015

Tuesday Tee

The problem with holiday Mondays is that the following Tuesdays behave just like a regular Monday, right down to putting your pants on backwards then leaving the house.  Just me?  Oh...  Luckily, the Monday Tuesday Style Prompt eased the start of the work week somewhat - style your tee for Tuesday!

I think most of us can get behind wearing a t-shirt any day of the week, especially to work!  They're comfortable and easy to style up or down.  There are as many great tees as there are great women!  As long as they're styled up, tees are fine for most work environments (one big boss I know wore her Harley tee to work - AWESOME!).  They add an edge, balance out the dressy and make an outfit interesting!  And for me, they describe my bad habits...
Always late tee from YEG Red Ribbon Boutique
Cardi $7, Kate Spade loafers $9.80 and pants $4.90 VV Boutique
 
Accessories from my closet - mixture of thrift, hand-me-down and old classic.

I just thrifted the black and white patterned pants and really like how they're stretchy and comfortable and ankle cropped.  
On the one hand, you can eat 27 crepes for Shrove Tuesday and still not get any clothing cues to lessen the pace;
on the other hand, you can't tell whether they're on frontwards or backwards. 

It would have been easy to pair my tee and pants with black black black, but some Pinspiration helped me select a mixed neutral palette!
That girl doesn't look like SHE is always late.
She even remembered her sunglasses.
Show off.

This was one of the easiest Monday Style Prompts in a while - so many ideas of how to style tees for work or for play!  I was going to take a photo with my "evening" look but thought, no one wants to see my pajama bottoms from 1997.  I think I'll try another work look tomorrow - stay tuned on Instagram!  Meanwhile, here are some of my other Tuesday-tee looks (er, not necessarily worn on a Tuesday but you get the idea)...
 http://vvboutiquestyle.blogspot.ca/2014/09/hot-pink-pantsalways-late.html
Apparently I'm always blurry in my Always Late tee.
http://vvboutiquestyle.blogspot.ca/2014/05/ca-roule.html
These tees convey a more positive message at least!  I'm rolling, I'm flying!
http://vvboutiquestyle.blogspot.ca/2013/07/maxi-meets-graphic-tee.html
Meow.
http://vvboutiquestyle.blogspot.ca/2013/06/graphic-tee-goes-to-work.html
One of my fave outfits ever.
http://vvboutiquestyle.blogspot.ca/2015/01/what-i-wore-wednesday.html
A go-to look this winter: tee + interesting blazer
http://scontent-a-sea.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xpa1/t51.2885-15/10683902_340635596111869_1464120434_n.jpg
Okay fine, I won't wear this one to work.
Well, maybe on a meeting day?!

I hope you took the Tuesday Tee prompt and had some fun today!  If not, it's not too late!  Find some pinspiration, add some accessories and finishing layers and rock it - any day of the week!
Yes, I was late.
But then I worked late.  And I'm up late.
So the tee remains accurate and it all balances out!


Sunday 15 February 2015

I Heart Heart-Print

It's no secret that I'm a fan of heart-print clothing and all things heart since .... birth.  I am happy to wear hearts any day of the year, but Valentine's Day festivities are extra incentive!  Since last week featured super "professional" looks like gold boots and comic-book-rear-ends, it should come as no surprise that the work week finished in hearts!
Sweater $4.90, skirt $7, necklace $2 VV Boutique
Tights and shoes from my closet

I love love love this sweater (hearty pun intended)!  I love the colour and the fit and the perfect weight for winter work days.  I actually wore this sweater the day after I got it...
With my Ann Taylor cargos $6 and Miz Mooz boots.
Couldn't wait to wear it again!

I couldn't resist a little pattern mixing!
The heart print is essentially polka dots so a plaid-pairing was inevitable!
My arm party action included She Does Create, VV Boutique and Liz Lamoureux

Something about wearing the plaid skirt to school made me think of someone...
Hit me baby one more time.
There may have been some dancing, but there was no time for pigtail braids.  Thank God.

I loved wearing hearts just like all the other girls in kindergarten on Friday!  Of course, I had to wear this sweater on the big day itself!  
I already had my Valentine's date, so Saturday was about making heart-shaped cookies
and EATING heart-shaped cookies.
Naturally, I have Valentine's socks.
$7 leather lace-up boots from VV Boutique.

Though the print might be a little cutesy, I don't think you have to be born on Valentine's Day to pull it off.  Treat it like a polka dot and embrace the love!
Day to play with a side of Britney Spears.
 Valentine's Day might be over but I'm not done with this heart-print sweater!