24 of 30: stripes week, day 3.

striped top: Joe Fresh // cable-knit hoodie: thrifted, Gap // green draped skirt: Joe Fresh // navy tights: Joe Fresh // brown boots: gifted // brown leather belt: thrifted // maroon hat: gifted // green fingerless gloves: gifted, handmade! // white scarf: not sure, dyed by me

Another busy day at work - today, I didn't even stop for lunch. Luckily, now the sun is still out for outfit photos once I get out of work. I had to do a bit of searching to find a semi-secluded and pretty spot for some photos, but I definitely succeeded. It was so warm and sheltered in my little corner, I even managed to take off my coat! I was feeling a bit blah about this outfit, but having actual surroundings instead of a white wall had me so excited.

This scarf was one of the items that I dyed. I think it turned out pretty, if I do say so myself, though I would have liked a bit more colour on the ends instead of so much in the middle, but so it goes. The problem now, though, is that dyeing scarves is very easy, and now I want to dye even more...

Now, it's time to go skating with some friends, and see if we can make an SCD-legal frozen yogurt when we get home!

P.S.: It worked! We made rich chocolate frozen yogurt, and topped it with sliced banana and strawberry sauce to make a "banana split" of sorts. So rich, but SO GOOD.

Tune of the moment: Speeding Cars - Imogen Heap

23 of 30: stripes week, day 2.

striped top: Joe Fresh // floral cardi: thrifted, twenty one // draped dress: Joe Fresh // champagne tights: H&M // black pumps: Seychelles // silver hoops: gifted // orange and yellow beaded necklace: estate sale // black cuff: the dollar store (!!!)

Back to my old digs. I didn't have much time to run around on my lunch break, unfortunately, thanks to yet another crazy-busy day. Since it's year-end, it's only going to get busier until April. At the end of this month, I'll probably treat myself to a major (professional) massage, since my husband will probably be sick of giving them by then.

I was worried this outfit wasn't going to work, because the dress' neckline is so high. It did poke out a little on the sides, but my hair covered it nicely. The ensemble seemed a little boring, though, so on went my freebie piece: a 90s-esque floral cardigan. I love mixing florals and stripes, plus it gave me a chance to wear my matching but oft-neglected yellow and orange necklace.

Not sure I'm digging the shiny champagne tights, though.

Tune of the moment: Innocence - Björk

22 of 30: stripes week, day 1.

striped top: Joe Fresh // brown pencil skirt: thrifted, The Limited // 3/4 sleeve cardigan: Joe Fresh // navy tights: Joe Fresh // brown boots: gifted // paisley scarf: gifted // red-faced watch: gifted, Roxy

Welcome to stripes week! This (work)week, I'm wearing one of the two striped shirts in my 30 for 30 items every day. In not-stripe-related news, I hope to write a bit about my experience dying two clothing items on the weekend.

I am a big fan of Diana Vreeland, mostly because I think she's very witty and utterly charming. A few weeks ago, I picked up an autobiography of hers, "D.V.", at my favorite used bookstore, but I put it back. I've been regretting it ever since. Since I've been working really hard lately, I decided to reward myself, and now I'm really excited to read it! I also picked up the recommended-by-Cleolinda "The Devil in the White City", which I think is also becoming a movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio (if it is, I know my husband and I will be seeing it, since he loves himself some Mr. DiCaprio)?
I also thought that the bookstore would also make a nice place for some photos. It was hard to find a place to put my camera (no tripod), and I didn't want to get caught (so embarassing!), so it ended up being a bit less cute, a bit more awkward. Oh well.

Tune of the moment: "Pour un infidèle" - Coeur de pirate

21 of 30: errands.

blue puffer jacker: thrifted, Patagonia // green hat: Joe Fresh // green fingerless gloves: nit by my friend Sarah // green purse: thrifted, Liz Claiborne // orange pashmina: gifted // yellow sweater: Lands' End Canvas // long black tank: H&M // black skinny pants: Banana Republic // brown knee-high boots: gifted // earrings: Le Chateau

Somehow, a very windy and rainy last night turned into a lovely sunny today, with a light coating of snow making everything look especially pretty. My husband and I took advantage by paying a visit to the farmers' market, hoping to find cheap honey and a hat that would actually keep my head warm. We succeeded in the former and now have a giant jar of honey, but as for the latter, it looks like I'll have to learn how to knit this dream hat myself or commission a friend.

We also petted cute dogs, disovered a new SCD snack (Jennie's Coconut Macaroons, which are so tasty), bought a bizarre print of a dog requesting "bone marrows of desire" at the thrift store, ate some Indo-Caribbean food, and continued watching episodes of "Bleach" obsessively (I've also developed an uncanny ability to guess plot twists in advance).

I am officially in love with weekends. Second only to my husband.

20 of 30: plaid it again.

plaid shirtdress: Lands' End Canvas // black tights: thrifted // athletic socks that I wear so my boots fit properly and my tights don't snag // hematite studs: gifted // black pumps: Seychelles (not seen) // red lipstick: Revlon "British Red"

Friends, it has been a heckuva week. Two of my colleagues were gone at work, and it was very, very busy. Today I was actually on my own, for the most part, and I kept things under control! I'm pretty proud of myself for handlings things so well, but now I am POOPED.

Luckily, my sweet husband called me at work and was advised of my challenging day. He came and picked me up from work, we did a bit of shopping, and I came home to find the fixings of a delicious-looking dinner! I am so spoiled. After squeezing in some outfit photos and some cuddling with the cats, I'm all set to continue this lovely date night with my wonderful husband. Hooray for weekends!

Tune of the day: "Late Bloomer" by Sarah Harmer

19 of 30: coffee stain.

navy maxi dress: thrifted, Old Navy // black tee: Joe Fresh // granny boots: gifted, Rieker // leggings: thrifted // silk longjohns: MEC // beaded necklace: Black Market (local store) // braided leather belt: thrifted // blue scarf: gifted // grey hoodie: thrifted, Gap

Every day on my lunch break, I sneak into the stairwell at work and take pictures, because it's still freezing outside. Because I am shy and afraid of being spotted, I put my iPod on full blast and set it down on the stairs instead of putting the earbuds in.

Today, the song playing was Sarah Harmer's "Coffee Stain", which is a beautiful but tragic song about love falling to pieces. That's why, despite my cute and cheerful outfit, I look so sad in these photos. I had to twirl to make myself feel better.

{It worked.}

18 of 30: busy day.

embellished white tee: Gap // pink cardigan: consignment-ed, Calvin Klein // draped skirt: Joe Fresh // black boots: gifted, Alfred Sung // burgundy tights: Joe Fresh // wide elastic belt: thrifted // pewter acorn necklace: thrifted // multicoloured flower earrings: gifted

Today, work was NUTS and I didn't have time for a proper photo session. After work, I ran to a volunteer orientation meeting and was still late. Then, I came home, did some cooking with my hubby, and dyed my denim pencil skirt (I hope alterations to 30 for 30 garments is allowed...).

And now, to go to bed early. "Oh boy, sleep! That's where I'm a viking!"

17 of 30: en français

striped top: Joe Fresh // trouser jeans: thrifted, Larry Levine // black pumps: Seychelles // opal and diamond necklace: gifted

Lately, I've been enamoured with french style. Visions of Breton stripes paired with neutral pants and jeans, paired with natural makeup (and perhaps a bold lip), have been dancing through my head.

That's probably how I ended up with two striped tops in my 30 for 30, and why next week will probably be all stripes, all the time (also lots of washing said striped shirts). They're just so darn versatile, fresh, and chic. It's no wonder they were one of the first items featured on Everybody, Everywear. I'm also taken with Tania's red striped shirt (which she paired with grey and called "gred", another idea worth stealing).

How do I love thee, stripes, let me count the ways...

16 of 30: the accessories make the dress.

black draped tee dress: Joe Fresh // black 3/4 sleeve cardigan: Joe Fresh // teal tights: Joe Fresh // black pumps: Seychelles // blue and green beaded neckalce: thrifted // purple gem earrings: gifted, thanks Tante Lynn! // silver jade and turquoise bracelets: gifted by my godmother <3

I was reading an entry on Privilege the other day about accessories. Lisa points out that accessories are often what shows personality: a punk (studs, Chucks), a prep (pearls?, black pumps), and a princess (opera gloves, chignon) would all style a little black dress differently.

When I put on this little black dress this morning, I wondered what my accessories would say about me. I knew I wanted to wear this necklace that I picked up at the thrift store on the weekend, and I picked out tights, earrings, and bracelets that matched. I'd nromally go with a coloured cardigan, but my 30 for 30 cardigans don't work: the red cardi is too loose to work with the drapiness of the dress and the pink cardi wouldn't have matched, so black it was. I think this outfit probably says "slightly bohemian 9-to-5er", but I can live with that.

Also, between my wedding ring being a half-size too big, losing weight and a dry winter, my rings are practically falling off my fingers lately! I finally got fed up with them twirling around my fingers, and that's why I'm wearing them on my necklace today.

*****

Today marks a milestone in another challenge: day 90 of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet! I can't believe I haven't had sugar in the past 3 months! I think I'll celebrate with more pear salad with mustard vinagrette (I've made it at least three times already).

15 of 30: Not productive, but VERY fun.

navy maxidress: thrifted, Old Navy // pink cardigan: consignment-ed, Calvin Klein // black wide elastic belt: thrifted // earrings: gifted.

I wore a 30 for 30 outfit today, since I feel like I'm behind. Besides, if my outfit looks bad, at least it's a weekend, right? Anyway. But did I take pictures? Not really, no. Instead, my husband, younger brother and I hung out and read funny articles to each other, ate cheesecake, and then went for a walk. Then we sent my younger brother off for the week and the husband and I did a bunch of stuff:
We went to the thrift store (in this case, the Salvation Army in our neighbourhood). We bought a bizarre three-photo series of a man who appears to live in the 1970s...permanently. He has the mustache to prove it. An elderly gentleman in the thrift store was convinced that the man was a jazz musician that he'd seen before. We were bummed out to hear that there were actually more of the photos, but someone has bought the other 3 the night before.
We also picked up something practical: a navy futon cover to hide our ugly 80s-style multicoloured pastel monstrosity. This looks so much better on our futon.
I also had a weird experience: the items I donated earlier this week after a closet purge were for sale in the store! I knew the Gap maxi-dress was the same one I'd donated because the stain on the stomach was still there (le blush).
For dinner, we made a meatza (SCD ground-beef-crust pizza) for the first time. For toppings, we had crumbled bacon, yellow pepper, tomato, sauteed onions and mushrooms with brick and parmesan cheeses.
For an appetizer, I made a salad with a spicy mustard vinaigrette. It was my first time making a vinaigrette that actually followed a recipe, which is probably why it actually tasted good. I'm really excited to be able to eat raw fruit and veggies, and really excited by my creativity!Here's the vinaigrette recipe: mix together 1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoons Dijon or spicy brown mustard, and 1 teaspoon honey, using whisk or a fork. Adjust proportions to taste. That wasn't so hard, was it? I used the dressing on top of a salad with baby spinach, spring mix, red d'Anjou pear, and crumbled pecans. It was very tasty. If you're a strawberry fan, slice some of those babies in as well. They'll be happy to be there.
Later on, we had some friends over. I served them some cocoa-orange banana ice cream. I know cocoa isn't SCD-legal, but it hasn't bothered me in the slightest.
Though it was not as productive of a day as I had planned, it was a lot of fun.