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….

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.

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.

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.

 
snow queen dress, plenty by Tracy Reese

 
Plaza Cardigan by Moth (this one I own, in teal)

 
spirited away dress

  
garnet glow dress

 
jacquard gala dress

 
tree frog bangle

 
fa-la-la ornament, hanging bellflower bib necklace, verdant tweed wedges, sway & fly ornament

 
swirling villages dress

 
flip-flop hippo & elephant

 
vintage rotary phones

 
skirted peacoat, embroidered heaths bag

 
gumshoe sweatercoat

A dress is about savouring life

Sunday Brunch Dress Shop is a great online shop.  It’s a little pricey, but great to browse, and I love the time and effort the owner Judy takes in selecting the dresses.  But I particularly love how she writes about dresses:

“Every woman writes her own story. So shouldn’t our own stories be the ones we love best? Like the ones we find in old books with leather-bound covers, spines worn smooth by many hands, the pages faded from many readings. Not because we want to feel like everyone who read that story before. But because a story so special to so many, that it was read and reread, must have been special in a slightly different way to each person. That’s why we get excited opening up those old books, because now that old, loved story is about to become special to us, special in a slightly different, slightly new, way.

Dresses are like that. No matter how elegant, how timeless, a dress still billows in breezes and swishes in doorways, is always a little different with each wearing and on each person. We don’t dress up to be like someone else, we dress up to be ourselves. A dress makes us more aware of being alive (and not by pinching at the waist!). A dress is about savoring life, *our* lives. When we read a good story, we close our eyes and see the characters. The right dress can make us feel that way. We all deserve to be that sure of, and that happy with, who we are, wherever we are.

Dresses aren’t just for swooning over dark, brooding men or inheriting spooky mansions on windswept moors. They’re also for brunch on Sunday morning, going out with friends, or even going to work. They’re for slowing down and dressing up. They’re for elegance every day, for showing that the moment is special. Because every moment is part of our story.”

I would love for this dress to be part of my story. 

Eva Franco Monarch Dress


  
 
Gorgeous.

Gloomy Sunday (7 of 30)

Today was wet and unpleasant, but it was just a day for getting groceries, running errands, and going for pho with friends.

Club Monaco cardigan, Anthropologie Climbing Cowlneck, Hilary Druxman necklace,
Mavi super-skinny jeans, Duo Boots

The first week of the 30 for 30 challenge is over and I survived.  23 outfits to go.  I’m determined to see this to the end (especially the no-shopping ban), but I feel my resolve wavering.  Stay strong!

Five, six, pick up sticks

Outfits five and six from my 30 for 30 challenge sees me leaving skirts behind.  And wearing essentially the same thing. (But two days Anthro-free!)

#5, casual Friday: 

Mexx cardigan, Jacob sleeveless top (circa 2006), Tsunami necklace, J.Brand jean leggings, Duo Boots

And because I was feeling exceedingly lazy today, I lay around in lululemon yoga pants and hoodie until I put on the same sweater, top, and jeans, but with a different necklace and shoes, to go out for dinner with Will.

#6, date night 

Mexx cardigan, Jacob sleeveless top (circa 2006), J.Crew faux-pearl necklace (Oct 2009), J.Brand jean leggings, Miz Mooz Stella pump (in blue)

I know, sheer laziness.  But I can’t always be creative (and quite frankly, I lack creativity), and isn’t this the essence of remixing, wearing the same thing different ways?