OOTD - TOO LITTLE?

I have been sooooooooo sick.  Norovirus has been going around Calgary and I think I got it.  I have been laid up for almost a week.  And just when I would think I was getting better,  I'd get hit with another wave.  I don't want to jinx it, but I think I'm on the mend. 

So I'm way out on a limb here by wearing a mini skirt, but just love this colour so much.  I think the black tights and not-too-high boots keep me from looking too much like "mutton dressed as lamb".  Or, at 42, are mini skirts just a "don't"??

**I thought I'd put up the picture of me looking surprised because I am by the shortness of the skirt!!

Sweater: J.Crew
Skirt: J.Crew
Tights: Spanx
Boots: Browns
Purse: Coach
Watch: Michael Kors
Jewels: Kenneth Jay Lane

OOTD - AN EXPERIMENT

I never, ever wear coloured tights.  It's always been black, brown or navy.  But I'm trying to break out of my box, so here I am in burgundy tights.  Hmmmmmmmmmmm...

Sweater: J.Crew
Skirt: J.Crew
Tights: J.Crew
Shoes: J.Crew
Purse: Coach
Watch: Michael Kors
Jewels: Banana Republic, Kenneth Jay Lane, J.Crew (good grief, they get a lot of my $$)

OOTD - 70s FLASHBACK

Wow, do I ever feel like I'm out straight out of the 70s today.  It wasn't my original intention, but I love the result (except for the hair, which I was just too tired to face this morning!).

Blouse: Talbots
Jacket: J.Crew
Skirt: Gap
Purse: Louis Vuitton
Boots: Tory Burch
Watch: Rotary
Jewels: Swarovski, custom

OOTD - MONOCHROME

Brrrrrrrrrrrrr....it's COLD outside today (-14 celcius)!!  In weather like this, all I want is to be warm and cozy.  Until this May, I worked from home for the last several years, so that was easy.  But now I'm with a different company and at the office every day.  So my solution is these chucky turtlenecks from J.Crew.  I know there have been a lot of negative reviews about the Cambridge Cable Chunky Turtleneck (pilling, etcl), but I haven't had any of these issues and love it (I have in 3 colours!!).

Sweater: J.Crew
Skirt: J.Crew
Boots: Tory Burch*
Purse: Talbots
Watch: Rotary
Jewels: J.Crew, custom

*I have had three compliments on my boots today - gotta say, I love them a lot too!!!

MY NEW BABY

I think (know) I am a bit of a hoarder.  I love purses, shoes, boots, cardigans, pens (yes, pens), watches, umbrellas and have far too many of each, but can't stop myself from getting more.  As much as I admire those who make the decision to live a minimalist life (a la these two hunky dudes), I also very much admire beautiful things.  Sigh.

Anyways, the newest addition to my purse family is the Michael Kors Ostrich Stamped Satchel in Crimson, which I got from Saks (although they only have the tourquoise left now).  I opted to get the standard shipping to Canada to save myself a few bucks and, as a result, it took almost a month to get to me.  Really, how is this possible?  I live in Canada, not Timbuktu.  Anyways, crazy long delivery time aside....here it is. 

The red is so perfect - not too blue and not too orange.  The inside is large enough to allow me to carry my standard items without being cavernous (I really am not into massive purses) and the two side pockets will make getting my phone convenient.  The leather is a really nice quality.  The only complaint I had was the shoulder strap that came with it.  As you can see on the model on the Saks website, it is really long and it is that way IRL too, with very little room to shorten.  And...the way that it was secured made the "detachable" strap literally impossible to remove - I had to resort to cutting it off, which is fine for me - I never use the shoulder straps anyways - but I'm sure many do, and when you're paying that much for a purse, this should be an option!!  But, as I said, I don't ever use detachable straps, so it's really fine for me.

What do you think of this purse?

OOTD - ALL BUSINESS

...so don't mess with me - haha. 

I normally wear this scarf with my coat, but when I took it off at the office, I felt the outfit was missing something.  I put the scarf back on and BLAM - now I feel polished!

Jacket: J.Crew
Skirt: J.Crew
Scarf: Hermes
Boots: Browns
Purse: Coach
Watch: Jacques Lemans
Jewels: Swarovski, custom

OOTD - CASUAL FRIDAY

Love the peacoat and hat together - one of my all-time favourite classics!!  I have nothing else to say...well that's not true - wtf is with the blurry pics?  Arghh.

Coat: J.Crew
Hat: Nine West
Sweater: J.Crew
Cords: J.Crew
Boots: Frye
Purse: Coach
Jewels: custom

OOTD - I'M BACK

I took a mini-break from posting pics, as I just have not been feeling inspired lately.  And I've been thinking about the purpose of this blog - I didn't start it to just take pictures of myself and that's it.  I also want to use this as a venue to discuss style in general and anything else I feel that's related.  I've been working on a post that addresses the question of "what is style", so stay tuned.

Anyways...I like today's outfit.  I really like red with camel shades.  And this cashmere T is just the most comfy thing ever (I have one in black too).  I would wear it every day if I could!

Sweater: J.Crew
Skirt: J.Crew
Purse: Talbots
Boots: Diane von Furtsenburg
Nylons: Donna Karen
Watch: Cartier
Jewels: J.Crew; Kenneth Jay Lan; custom

REVIEW - J.CREW MATCHSTICK JEAN

I am not really a jeans person.  I generally find them quite uncomfortable and so don't wear all that much.  But...I am in love with the J.Crew Matchstick Jean (in Old Glory Wash).  These are without a doubt the most comfortable jeans I have ever worn and they are soooooooooooo flattering.  I want them in every wash offered!!!

OOTD - PARTAY FRIDAY!!

I only work every second Friday, so normally I'm kind of dragging my ass around on the ones I do work, but I have plans to go out with some girlfriends after work today and am stoked. 

I love this outfit - I think it's the right mix of casual, dressy, sexy, but not too sexy. 

Shirt: Banana Republic

Jacket: Old Navy

Skirt: J.Crew

Belt: Gucci
Purse: Talbots

Boots: Tory Burch

Watch: Michael Kors

Jewels: custom & unknown

OOTD - BLACK AND TAN (AGAIN)

This skirt is one of my favourites because it cost me $12.  It's Joe Fresh and made really well - nice wool, fully lined - and I've had it for about 4, maybe 5 years now.  I LOVE IT!!!

The boots are also amongst my faves.  Super-comfortable and aren't too dressy or too casual - just perfect really.

**more terrible pics - WTF?!?!

Sweater: Banana Republic

Skirt: Joe Fresh (did I mention it was $12?!?!?!)

Purse: Louis Vuitton

Tights: Spanx

Boots: Michael Kors

Watch: Jacques Lemans

Jewels: custom

OOTD - THE CLASSICS (#2)

I love this look.  Inspiration taken from the men, but "feminized" with the skirt.  And forever a preppy classic!

Inspiration (you're welcome):

Execution (this is the best picture that I could take this morning...haha - I should just post the others to give everyone a good laugh - pathetic):

Shirt: Banana Republic
Jacket: J.Crew
Skirt: J.Crew
Purse: Louis Vuitton
Boots: Tory Burch
Watch: Movado
Jewels: Swarovski, custom

OOTD - WARDROBE WORKHORSE

I bought this skirt back in 2003 and almost 10 years later, it's withstood the test of time (with one trip to the tailor to get the lining re-done) and remained a constant go-to in my wardrobe.  The cut is a classic and the wool tweed goes so well with both brown and black and every other colour possible.  And it was from the Gap.  THE FREAKING GAP PEOPLE!!!  Why on earth can you not get items like this there anymore? 

Sweater: J.Crew
Skirt: Gap
Boots: Enzo Angiolini
Watch: Cartier
Jewels: J.Crew, Swarovski, custom

OOTD - BLACK AND TAN

I am on the verge of being sick.  I have a really sore throat and feel quite foggy in the head.  All I want to do is go home, crawl under the covers with a hot cup of NeoCitran and get some sleep, but alas, I'm here at work pretending to actually work.  Booooooooooooooo.

I bought this skirt last fall and it's now much too big (not really a legit complaint, I know), so I feel like I have more room to tuck this sweater in.  Love the simplicity of this look.

Sweater: J.Crew
Skirt: Talbots
Shoes: J.Crew
Watch: Cartier
Jewels: J.Crew, Ralph Lauren, custom

OOTD -

I am so tired and I have nothing to say about this outfit other than I like it - it's a basic, professional outfit.  That's all.

Shirt: J.Crew
Cardigan: J.Crew
Skirt: J.Crew
Purse: Louis Vuitton
Shoes: J.Crew
Watch: Jacques Lemans
Jewels: Tiffany, custom

OOTD - JAILHOUSE ROCK

I thought that I had a great outfit planned - what's below + a red blazer, but once I got to work, I really hated the blazer with it, so turfed it and now I'm much happier - although I do think it's a bit on the boring side, which I guess suits my mood today, which is very blah.  And what the hell is going on with my hair lately - all I'm having are bad hair days :-(

Sweater: J.Crew
Skirt: J.Crew
Purse: Louis Vuitton
Shoes: Sergio Rossi
Watch: Movado
Jewels, Tiffany, custom

OOTD - WEARING MY HEART ON MY SLEEVE

Good morning everyone (although I'm not really sure there is anyone reading this blog), it's a beautiful day in Calgary - the sun is shining and the temperature is a lovely 17 degrees (celsius)!

I got the new J.Crew silk heart throb shirt last week and just adore it. You can't really tell that it's all hearts until you get up close and even when you do realize it, the pattern isn't too precious.  I'll defintely wear less covered up, but didn't get a chance to iron out the shipping wrinkles and really wanted to wear, so there you go!

I think my theme this week is going to be black and red and I already have tomorrow's outfit all planned out :-O

Shirt: J.Crew
Sweater: J.Crew
Skirt: J.Crew
Purse: Louis Vuitton
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Watch: Jacques Lemans
Jewels: custom

OOTD - PUFFY

Puffy for two reasons today - the obvious one with the vest and my eyes.  I had a little too much wine last night and a terrible sleep and am wearing my glasses because I could not face putting contacts in this morning.  Ouch. 

The first pic is interesting - it seems like my skirt comes below the top of my boots and I look a bit like a square, but IRL I don't think that is the case.  I quite like this outfit actually - cozy and casual, but still tidy and presentatble.

Shirt: J.Crew
Vest: J.Crew
Skirt: J.Crew
Tights: Spanx
Boots: Rockport
Glasses: Bulgari
Watch: Hamilton
Jewels: custom

WANT! DESIRE! NEED?

These are the exact black knee high boots I'm looking for - holy crap!  But at $1,000 and me trying to be more fiscally responsible, I am just not sure.  But lordy lord, they are FREAKING GORGEOUS!!!!!

Costume National Mid Heel Wraparound Boots via ShopBop

What do you think?  Should I get them?

OOTD - BROWNIE POINTS

I don't tend to wear much brown in the spring / summer, but come fall, I embrace it completely.  How much do I freaking love the J.Crew Sterling Skirt (from last year - this year's version is apparenlty quite different)? 

Blouse: J.Crew

Shirt: J.Crew

Skirt: J.Crew

Purse: J.Crew

Tights: Spanx

Boots: Tory Burch

Watch: Rotary

Jewels: Swarovski, Alexis Bittar, J.Crew

FALL UPDATE #3

Boots!!! Boots!!! Boots!!!

As noted in this post, I mentioned that I was still on the search for a few new boots:

- black high heeled booties
- brown 70s-ish stacked heel knee high boots
- black "riding" mid-heel boots

Well I've finally scored one of these and managed to find a pair I didn't even know I needed (muah).

First up...moto boots from Town Shoes.  The brand is ZiGi, which I've never heard of before, but it was love at first site and at $185, they were screaming for me to take them home.  I've already worn them (to the dog park) and they are super comfortable and awesome.  Why didn't we meet before?

And now for the brown 70s-ish stacked heel knee high boots - from Tory Burch by way of ShopBop.  Not a bargain, but wow, so beautiful.  I DIE!!!

OOTD - RECTANGLE

What do I mean by rectangle? Why, my body shape, of course.  It's really quite ridiculous, but not only is my waist so high that it's basically right under my boobs, but it's barely even noticeable at that.  There was a time when I just wouldn't tuck things in or, god forbid, wear a belt!!  But as I get older, I seem to care less and just want to dress the way I want to dress - so what, I'm not a model, never will be (and wouldn't want to be!!).  Anyone that doesn't like it can suck rocks :-)

Anyway, today's outfit...I do like the two tones of burgundy, but am not all that into the opaque black tights / shoes.  I did have on some leopard print shoes first, but they looked even more stupid with the black tights.  And then, as is so often the case, I ran out of time and had to go.  And I'm having a bad hair day.  Sigh.  I did order some wine coloured tights though, which I think would help a lot.  As one of my friends likes to say - TBD.

Blouse: Talbots
Skirt: J.Crew
Belt: no idea, so old
Purse: Louis Vuitton
Tights: Spanx
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Watch: Rotary
Jewels: Swarovski, cusom