Tube UnFolded

Usually we have motivational speakers or business leaders at our employee meetings; today we had an improv comic.  It was just the thing to cheer us up. He had us in fits of laughter.  Afterwards, we had a socializer - normally I don't attend, but as we are wrapping up business, I decided to give it a try.  Good idea - there were wonderful appies and we all traded job-hunting tips. 

I tried something new with my tube-waist skirt today.  Normally I wear it folded over but today I pulled the tube waist all the way up and did not cover it up. 

I wore it with my ruffly tank over top  and it almost looks like a dress. 

I've been wearing low heels for a while now - being a little hesitant to try a higher heel due to the bone thing. 

So, today it was the Spanish army boots.  They are really great boots for wet weather.  You can step in a puddle and they'll keep your feet dry.  Even the tongue is connected to the boot so there are no actual  openings except at the top.

today i wore:

t-shirt ... ?

ruffly tank ... hamilton

cardigan ... foglie rosse

tube waist skirt ... jessica

cable tights ... dollar store

spanish army boots

All this for $50 !

Yes, that's right.  Today's outfit cost $50. Retail.

Most weekends, I'll wear jeans, a top and a scarf; but, this weekend, a bunch of us were going for a surprise birthday lunch for a co-worker who has been off work due to illness.  So needless to say, I didn't want to look like a slob.  It being Saturday, I still wore jeans of course.

We went to Kingsway Sushi which is part of the Top Gun restaurant group.  As expected for a large group and all-you-can-eat, many of the tasty items which we ordered never arrived.  I think what may have happened is that since we had 2 tables, the food went to the other table.  I distinctly heard people at the other table say "What is this? ..."

My new invisible step stool ...

But, conversation was flowing and we had a good mix of family and friends at our table.  There was lots of yummy stuff which I had never tried before like teriyaki chicken roll, something crunchy and yummy inside sushi rice and wrapped with salmon, oyster motoyaki (oyster baked in a sinfully delicious, very rich egglike sauce), and all sorts of cooked and uncooked foods.

We topped it all off with mango pudding and birthday cake.  These photos were taken after, thus the stuffed look.

So back to my outfit of $50.  It's true, retail prices, everything bought on sale.

Today, I wore:

shortie jacket ... jessica ... $8 at sears

necktie ... ? ... $1 at dollar store

collared tee ... ? ... $3 at a liquidators

ruffle tanks ... hamilton ... $9 at winners

jeans ... kenneth cole ... $14 at costco

shoes ... reflexan laufkomfort ... $14 at army & navy

Here's a closeup of the shoes:

I really like the colour - goes great with jeans.  And they are a clog, slip-on style which I love for pants.

A Khaki Sort of Day

Apologies to everyone - I've been so busy that blogging has been moved to the back burner.  But today is Visible Monday!

What have I been up to?  Well, last Monday, I attended another council meeting; Wednesday I went to get a bone scan and at home, we are trying unsuccessfully to get the house in order after moving the older son downstairs.

We have some wonderful late summer weather - it was a nice 23 C degrees - any more than that and it tends to get sticky and unpleasant.

Today's outfit is my usual look, but sans scarf - it's my "work" look - a skirt, top and jacket.  Although it's sunny out, I'm starting to think autumn and wore darker tights.

I quite like this colour - it's sable and I think it would go well with all that burgundy that we are supposed to be seeing for fall.

The thrifty item from this outfit is the ruffled tank which I found at the Dollar Store.  Just the thing to wear under open v-necks.

I am still quite happy with the comfy, easy-on tube-waist skirts, although I am more comfortable with a jacket worn over top.

Today I wore:

ruffled tank ... dollar store

vneck sheer print blouse ... cleo

dark green suedey zip jacket ... tradition

tube waist skirt ... jessica

sable tights ... secret

shoes ... privo by clarks

Today's post links to:

• Monday Mingle
• Watch What I'm Wearing

Bright Yet Dark

It is 9 months and counting before we are all laid-off; although it's sunshine and cloud-free skies outside, many people are downright gloomy on the inside.  And so we come to today's outfit.  It's a mix of bright and dark - perfect considering.

I really wanted to wear this magenta tank, but it seemed overly bare for work, so I put a sleeveless black tee under it and then a short cardie overtop. I liked how the tee made a smooth waistband for the skirt (the skirt actually has belt loops).

The tank was only $3.00 ? new a few years ago at Old Navy - yes, Old Navy, but I liked the colour and the satiny-ness, and the little ruffles, and the elastic at the waist.  I thought it would be good for a hot day, with a tee underneath; but then, just in case I put a scarf over it all.  Not sure if it looks better with or without the scarf.

What do you think? Trying out another poll. Thanks for participating!

Brights for a Grey Day

Cold, later warm, rainy, muggy all good words for today's weather.  Today's Everybody Everywear theme is Neon and I'm kicking myself for having just donated my Mango neon green asymmetrical tee.  I'd had it for years and really only wore it maybe twice.

So instead, I went for blue and hope that it is neon-y enough to qualify:

See the bug-whacker?  I hate bugs.

I wore a sweater tank with another tank under it - don't like to look overly bare at work, and covered it with my usual blue cardigan.  The scarf is an ombré-ish one and is another find from the mercadillo in Spain.  It was only €2 which I think is quite a good buy.

 

The sweater tank has sparkly bits which was the main reason I bought it years ago from Sears.  It's a little hard to see:

I like the frilly bits on the scarf too.

My boots are getting to be a little uncomfortable.  The innards are going - so might have to make me some insoles again!

Ostrich Embellishment

As it looks like summer is fast approaching, it's time for a quick refashion.  Take one nubby fringed tank:

Some ostrich trim and 99 cent thread:

Sew by hand, et voila!

I wasn't sure if I would need more trim, so soaked it to see how it would hang after a wash:

Project Post-mortem:

• Perhaps add additional trim just at the top of the shoulders
• and maybe one layer at the back of the neck

Hopefully we will have some warm sunny days so I can wear this!

Many Tanks

A refashion bonanza: Our local Jysk is renovating and had a few items on sale.  I got a fabulous thrifty deal on men's tank tops:

Only $1 for a package of 2 tanks, 100% cotton.  I bought quite a few black ones for refashioning and just plain wearing. 

I usually wear tanks under everything for extra warmth and especially like men's tanks because they are not quite so skimpy on fabric as ladies' tanks.  They are also longer in the body, so stay tucked in - there's nothing worse than that blast of cold air you get when clothing doesn't stay in place.

I already have a bit of fabric ready and hopefully will have some time tomorrow to do a quickie refashion.  Stay tuned!