promises like pie crust: November 2010

28.11.10

My 30 for 30 slump comes at last.

Just when I’ve been going on about how much I’m enjoying the 30 for 30 challenge and how interesting it’s been for me, I hit a wall. The past three days have sucked for me, clothes-wise and creativity-wise. Oh well, at least I made it more than halfway through without getting bored.

Anthropologie Wind-Rippled Tee, J. Brand jean leggings, Tory Burch Reva flats

Seriously. Snoooore. But casual Friday never inspires me very much anyway.

Jacob sleeveless top, Mexx cardigan, Anthropologie necklace, J. Brand jean leggings, Bos & Co. heels

Um, yeah, I’ve already worn this outfit. Twice. But different jewellery and shoes! I stood in front of my closet for a good 15 minutes trying to decide what to wear. In the end, in a fit of despair, I just threw on this old standby. Maybe I’ll try to add a 31st and 32nd outfit just to make up for this. If I can.

Anthropologie Volante Tee, J. Brand jean leggings, Tory Burch Reva flats.

Does flipping my hair make this a more interesting outfit? No? I agree.

Those jeans are going in the wash now, and I’m hoping for some more inspiration tomorrow.

27.11.10

Serious shoe lust

Here is ~~Blair Waldorf~~ Leighton Meester at some Herbal Essences event in Madrid.

But really, who cares what the event is? Who cares that she looks really cute, her makeup is gorgeous, and her hair is fab?

The shoes.

WANT.

26.11.10

Anthro catalogue: Giving 2007

Tis the season for giving presents. I will likely give some Anthro gifts this year. What could I have given in 2007?

corsage sweater jacket

faux wrap dress

south for the winter ornaments

various pretty gloves

hobbyist ornaments

measuring gaggles

monogrammed mugs

bow-tied sweater jacket

tokyo-calling jacket

25.11.10

Four more for 30 for 30

4 more days done in the 30 for 30 challenge. And unlike some of my fellow remixers, I’m still thoroughly enjoying myself. Yes, I’m looking forward to wearing a few other things in my closet once the challenge is over. But I haven’t been lacking for pretty outfits, and one of the perks is that I get to wear the pieces I really love more often. It’s really making me recognize how much I own and how much of it is unnecessary. I’m thinking of doing a big purge soon.

Also, thanks everyone who has a left a comment regarding my challenge outfits. I really appreciate it!

But anyway, on to outfits 15, 16, 17, and 18.

Club Monaco silk camisole (circa 2005), Bailey 44 jersey wrap cardigan (spring 2008), Anthropologie Oolite necklace, Jacob A-line skirt (fall 2004), Wolford tights, Michael Kors heels

Woohoo, halfway point! This is an outfit I’ve worn fairly frequently since 2008. I think I’ve even worn it to a job interview. I’ve had this skirt longer than almost everything else in my closet (except for my beloved lululemon groove pants) and I plan to wear it until it falls off my body.

Anthropologie Echoing Folds Cowlneck, J. Crew Jenna’s Cardigan, Club Monaco bubble skirt (fall 2009), Wolford tights, Michael Kors heels

I adore this Echoing Folds Cowlneck. I’m so glad I bought it! It may be my most worn item of the challenge. I think I should get it in navy. I also realized from wearing this outfit how much I love this bubble skirt, even if it does give me bubble butt.

Kensie Dress (circa 2008), Blub Monaco belt, Mexx cardigan, J. Crew necklace, Wolford tights, Tory Burch Reva flats

I don’t do belts. But this dress requires some sort of definition at the waist, so I put on the one belt I own. I felt constricted all day, but at least I was able to put together a different look than I did the first time I wore this dress.

Jacob sleeveless top (circa 2006), J. Crew Jenna’s cardigan, Anthropologie Aniseed Skirt by Eva Franco, Wolford tights, Michael Kors heels

Ok, not such a departure from the first time I wore this skirt, I swapped the black tee I wore before for a black top and cardigan. This skirt is hard though. I probably shouldn’t have put it in, but I didn’t want to wait a month before I could wear it. Again, I had bubble butt, but it was worth it.

24.11.10

Shopping bulimia

Usually when I buy something, I take a picture of myself in it in the dressing room, then put it on hold and come back to it. Then I take it home and take a picture of myself in it. If I love it, the tags come off and I wear it. If I need to think more about it, I make sure to keep the receipt and leave the tags on for a while.

It’s a complicated process. I’m sure I’m making things more difficult for myself.

This week, I finally gave up on a skirt that I’ve had since August.

Anthoropologie Luminous Graphite Skirt by Sine.

I bought it full-price because I thought I loved it. And after I took these photos (in August, which is why it’s not pitch black and there are still leaves on the tree outside the window), I thought I was sold. But obviously it wasn’t meant to be. Thanks Anthro for the no time-limit returns! I saved myself the $$$ with the possibility of buying something else that I love more in the future.

Like I did with the Stemmed Sweetbriar Dress. I don’t regret returning it, and I put that money towards the Cream Confection Jacket, which I adore. I’m still wearing it; I’m not ready to break out the winter coat just yet.

Unfortunately with black, the details don’t show up too well in photos unless you have the right light, which obviously I do not. (This was taken with outfit #4.)

So with the money I have from the return, what should I buy instead? The Echoing Folds Cowlneck in Navy? Or maybe the Field Skirt in dark grey?

Or how about nothing….

21.11.10

Almost halfway there (14 of 30)

This is outfit 14, which I wore for about two hours today:

Club Monaco cardigan, Anthropologie Echoing Folds Cowlneck by Bordeaux, HIlary Druxman necklace, Mavi super-skinny jeans, Duo Boots.

The two hours was for lunch and coffee with a girlfriend. Before that, pyjamas. Now, sweats. Pyjamas and Simpsons soon.

So I think I’ve hit my groove after two weeks of outfits. I’m starting to wonder if I really need the rest of the clothes I have outside of these 30 pieces. Crazy talk! But it truly is eye-opening.

20.11.10

Lucky 13

I’m not superstitious, so I don’t care if 13 is lucky or unlucky. The Chinese care very much about things being lucky and unlucky though, so maybe it’s fitting that I hit outfit 13 for Saturday morning dim sum with friends.

J. Crew knotted tee, Anthropologie Either-Ore necklace, Mavi super-skinny jeans, Tory Burch Reva flat

It’s handy when your best friend is Chinese, because then she can guide you through the weird and wonderful dishes. I’m a picky eater in the sense I’m limited by my food allergies, but nothing really grosses me out (except rice pudding, but that’s a different story altogether).

Squid tentacles:

Congee:

Some sort of pork-filled deep-fried bun:

Shrimp dumplings:

More shrimp dumplings:

Chicken feet in Chinese sauce (these were actually pretty good):

The table:

Dessert (steamed tofu with ginger syrup):

Custard tarts:

My favourite dish was duck tongues with vermicelli, but I didn’t get a photo of them.

19.11.10

Particle by particle she slowly changes (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)

Contrary to what it might appear, I have not given up on the 30 for 30 challenge. In fact, it went really well this week! I’ve just been incredibly busy with a lot on my mind. I hope I’ll have more to say about that a little later, but not right now.

Originally the 30 for 30 challenge stressed me out because I’m not very creative when it comes to outfits. But it’s actually helped me focus in the morning, and since I have a lot on my mind, it’s nice to not agonize over what to wear in the moment.

Monday, #8:

Anthropologie Oak Apple dress by Moulinette Soeurs, Mexx cardigan, Hilary Druxman necklace,
Wolford sheer tights (way too much sheen in these ones), Bos & Company pumps

I’m mildly regretting putting this dress in. There’s only so many ways I’ll be able to remix this. I’ll see if I can come up with something else before the end.

Tuesday, #9

Anthropologie Wind-Rippled Tee by RicRac, Anthropologie Acting Out Skirt by Cartonnier,
Wolford sheer tights (less sheen this time!), Bos & Co pumps

This is my completely non-black outfit of the challenge (the skirt is dark green, hard to tell on camera and in that light). I love colour, but I end up gravitating towards black and grey because it’s just so much easier.

Outtake when I was setting up the self-timer. I didn’t make it in time, so I thought, what the hell, might as well smile.

(Regarding the Les Miserables poster behind me, Will and I have lived in this apartment for almost 4 years, but we haven’t bothered to decorate. We keep saying we will, but let’s face it, we’ll move before we do.)

Wednesday, #10

James Perse tank, Club Monaco cardigan, Anthropologie Either-Ore necklace,
Club Monaco pencil skirt, Wolford tights, Tory Burch Reva flats

What did I say about black and grey? This was a I’m-not-feeling-well-so-I’m-gonna-grab-the-easiest-and-most-comfortable-pieces-I-have outift, so of course it’s black and grey. I hope the necklace makes it a little more interesting and less boring.

Thursday, #11

Anthropologie Torsade Tee by C. Keer, J. Crew Jenna’s cardigan, Tsunami Design necklace,
Anthropologie Glowing Leaf Skirt by Floreat, Wolford sheer tights, Miz Mooz Stella pumps

I love this skirt, but I’m still not convinced by it. The length seems a little off, but maybe it’s just the angle of the photo and the height of the heel I’m wearing. Or maybe I should have ordered the petite version.

Anthropologie Craft & Creation Top by Deletta, Mexx cardigan, J. Brand jean leggings
(I hate the word “jegging” so I won’t use it), Tory Burch Reva flat

Week two complete!

Anthro catalogue: November 2009

It was about a year ago that I seriously started to like Anthro. On one hand, it was the start of a whole new world of fashion for me; at Anthro, I found the unique, pretty, quirky, slightly bohemian pieces I was looking for. On the other hand, it didn’t help my shopping addiction at all.

There were a lot of pieces in the November 2009 catalogue I really liked.