Grownups

This week has marked a milestone in my life, Will’s life, and our relationship: we have become homeowners. And therefore we are now grownups.

The deal on our condo closed successfully on Wednesday, and this is what I was wearing:

  
Anthropologie Daily Gathering Dress (Bailey 44) | Anthro Oolite Necklace | Club Monaco cardigan | Wolford Satin Opaque tights | Cole Haan Air Tali Mary Jane Ballet flats

Perhaps not the most memorable of outfits (although I do love that necklace), but there it is, history has been written, and that’s what I was wearing when I officially became a grownup.

And here’s what I wore in the past three days I’ve been a grownup:

Jacob sleeveless top | Club Monaco cardigan | Anthro Oolite necklace | Anthro Circle the Globe Skirt (Edme & Esyllte) | Wolford Satin Opaque tights | Michael Kors heels

(I wear a lot of black, so I wanted to punch it up with a little colour.)

Anthropologie Craft & Creation Top (Deletta) | Club Monaco cardigan | Hilary Druxman necklace | J. Brand 901 Jean Legging | Miz Mooz Gayle high-heel boots

Anthropologie Graceful Drape Top (Bailey 44) | Club Monaco cardigan | J. Brand 901 Jean Legging | Duo Hawthorn Boots

(Head turned because I hated my bangs this morning.  Also, those are sheets thrown over a drying rack in the background.)

But who do I kid, I’ll never truly be a grownup.  I’ll always be slightly irresponsible and immature.  However, I hope I don’t grow up and become too serious.  That would be sad.

Anthropologie catalogue: February 2008

Every week I take a look back at past Anthropologie catalogues and what I loved from then.  (Thanks to Natalie for posting all the links.) I used to think that it’s impossible to find these pieces again, but thanks to Roxy’s trade market and eBay, anything is possible.

acorn cup dress

I remember this catalogue—I think I ordered a few pieces and then returned them because they just didn’t look like they did on the models.  Note to self: I am not a model.

supreme grace dress

heritage stripe tank

 
hanky-tied dress

monterey splice surplice – this is one that got bought and returned

  
new growth tee - ditto

satin songstress flats – I loved these, but I don’t think I could buy shoes out of a catalogue.  I need to try them on.

romany flower dress

dream hunter dress – I wish I could wear yellow

blue moon yonder dress – why didn’t I order this one?  Looove the colour

circle art necklace, caravan dress – I remember loving the necklace, but thinking it would be too much for me.  I love the dog sitting with its paws crossed!

salt swirl v-neck, right to roam skirt, tartan slingbacks

    
fiddler's song dress, spotted chipper wedges

Magic items

Today Will and I went to the lawyer to sign a mountain of papers and give them a very, very, VERY large bank draft.  Home ownership was a vague concept a few weeks ago, but now it’s becoming a reality.  I think I might throw up.*

But let’s not think about that, let’s go on to the latest outfits in my 30 for 30 challenge.

Anthropologie Spotlights Tank (Ric Rac) | Mexx cardigan | Hilary Druxman necklace | Anthropologie Alluring Sway Skirt (Cartonnier) | Wolford Satin Opaque Tights | Miz Mooz Stella pumps

Anthropologie Network Dress (Velvet) | Ayala Bar necklace | Wolford Satin Touch tights | Bos & Co heels**

When I’m stressed out, it could go either way.  I could stop making an effort, or I could go for clothes that I know make me feel great.  These are my “magic items.” A great pencil skirt and heels or a fantastically flattering dress does it for me every time.  I have to remember that these pieces exist in my wardrobe already, and I don’t have to go out shopping to get that feeling. 

* I’m fine.  I’m just having some temporary anxiety.  I am so excited about this condo, but it’s a big purchase and a big change, and seeing that it’s me, it’s hardly surprising that I’m freaking out a little.

** This is not how I walked out of my apartment this morning.  It’s FREEZING (-25 windchill), so I also put on a thick sweater, leggings, and boots.  I peeled all that off at work then put it back on to go home.  It’s a lot of effort, but it’s what I have to do.

Ode to my clothes

Assuming everything goes as planned, we should be in possession of our condo next week.  We signed papers for our mortgage yesterday and then immediately went on a mini-shopping spree at west elm (well, almost immediately, we stopped for pho in between).  We bought cushions, decorative vases (teal glass, they’re gorgeous), a duvet and duvet cover, a shower curtain, and curtains.  We didn’t bother to decorate our apartment so this is our first attempt at interior design, and I hope we don’t screw it up.

I’m really excited about owning my first home, but the process has been exhausting.  I have a list as long as my arm of things to do, we’re having trouble with our lawyer, and I’m tired of paperwork.  It just makes me want to lie down.

Tori Amos, from the liner notes of “From the Choirgirl Hotel”

In preparation for the impending move, I’ve been going through my things and being ruthless with the purging.  If I don’t need it, if I don’t love it, it’s gone.  I’ve already given away piles of books and several bags of clothing, with potentially more to come (I may have to rein myself in so I don’t end up naked).  Every time I purge my clothes, I cringe at the number of impulse buys, never-worn items, and multiples, and I pledge to myself that I will be smart when I shop so I don’t consistently find myself in this situation.  I think I’m getting better, but if that’s the case, why do I have so many bags to give away every time?  I need to check in again in 6 months to make sure I’m not reverting back to old habits and purging clothes with their tags still on.

The clothes purging made me think of the Tori Amos song “Ode to My Clothes” (from A Piano: The Collection), which she wrote after her housekeeper mistook a garbage bag full of designer clothes intended for the dry cleaners as clothes to be given away.

somewhere in the hills of Ireland is a Prada bag
and somewhere down the lane
there’s a dog in Gucci lace
and sometimes I think that I will
lose sleep at night
cause it’s hard
yes it’s hard
to say good-bye to my clothes

my clothes
nobody knows things
like my clothes
my telephone-life in the
back of my jeans
nobody knows
how I feel today
how I feel today
so now
now that they’re gone
in the hills of Ireland
so long
so long
this was an ode
to my clothes

bye bye clothes

I’ve always loved her style and aesthetic, I kinda wish I’d been there that day. ;)

First four down

The first four outfits of the winter edition of 30 for 30 has proven to me that planning my outfits in advance was a really good idea.  I don’t have to think about what I’m wearing in the morning; I know what I’m wearing and I just get dressed and go. 

Business casual for Thursday:

Jacob sleeveless top | Club Monaco cardigan | Tsunami necklace | Anthropologie Alluring Sway Skirt (Cartonnier) | Wolford Satin Opaque tights | Michael Kors heels

And forget casual Friday:

Anthropologie Oak Apple Dress (Moulinette Soeurs) | Club Monaco cardigan | Wolford Satin Opaque tights | Miz Mooz Gayle High Heel boot

Yeah, I was completely overdressed for casual Friday.  It’s mind-boggling to some people that I would actually choose to wear a dress instead of jeans.  Because dressing up is SUCH a chore and jeans are infinitely better, right? (Nothing against jeans.)  Relax, people, it’s just a dress on Friday, not the plague.  I swear coming to work naked would have caused less of a stir.  I’ll conform most Fridays, but I had plans after work that I wanted to dress up for.

I’m spending this weekend in yoga pants and a hoodie, so 30 for 30 resumes on Monday…

Anthropologie catalogue: February 2011

Thank you Anthro, for yet another gorgeous catalogue….that doesn’t make me want to buy anything!

new life necklace, in the abstract dress, rockland sandals – really pretty, but I wouldn’t wear it.

sculpted blouse, softened edges belt

abbreviated blazer, springing season blouse, amhara skirt – interesting combination of patterns and colours

sea sparks earrings, chiffon swing shirt – I love these earrings, but I don’t have pierced ears.

a bit biased tee, triumvirate belt, languid days skirt, strung palms bracelet, colossal bangle, sliced tagua bracelet – this I might be able to get behind, but I don’t love it enough.

escaping teardrop earrings, ibos tank

in the wind scarves, simple compositions blouse, mirror image belt, fulani patchwork skirt

wandering about tee

twisting & turning cardi, cloud art dress, beneath the grain bangle, rest assured heels

giraffe stack pots, elephant medallion pot – I think I want that elephant.

One orange cardigan and a snowy day

I was thinking a while ago that I was going to get rid of this cardigan, because I hardly ever wore it.

Anthropologie Echoing Cowlneck (Bordeaux) | Club Monaco cardigan | Hilary Druxman necklace | Anthropologie Field Skirt (Edme & Esyllte) | Wolford Satin Opaque tights | Cole Haan Air Tali Mary Jane ballet flats

Good thing I didn’t give this cardigan away, because I will be wearing it a lot over the course of the next 30 outfits.

Today Toronto was hit by Snowpocalypse 2011.  It really wasn’t that bad, but maybe that’s because I’m from Ottawa and I’m used to WINTER. 

February is the cruellest month

All Februaries are without a doubt, the Worst Months in any given Year. Unpronounceable. Cold. Gray. Barren. A dumping ground for feature films. The month when you have finally used up all the tasty frozen preserves that you slaved over in a burst of super green eco-energy last summer. Now all you have left is freezer-burned hamburger meat, and you couldn't care less. The whole month is like freezer-burned hamburger meat. Put some ketchup on it and choke it down.

From Daily Show comedian Samantha Bee.

I always hated February, but maybe this year will be different.  There’s the whole condo thing. There’s the fact I completed my self-imposed no-shop month! 

And there’s the 30 for 30 winter challenge. Here’s my first outfit:

 
Anthropologie Daily Gathering Dress (Bailey 44) | Club Monaco cardigan | Anthropologie necklace | Wolford Satin Opaque tights | Michael Kors patent pumps

Needed some colour to brighten up the first day of February.

I could have continued not shopping in the spirit of the 30 for 30 challenge, but I decided to use some J.Crew gift cards and order some cardigans.  That’s all though.  After today, I’m going to try to give up shopping for another 30 days.