Hello, friends! After some time off working on other projects, I'm back in the office this week. That also means back to having more outfits to post, and a more accurate balance of day-to-day vs. special event gear.
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| scarf: a gift from The Divine Aunt M shirt: Mosskito, Winners, worn here obi belt: thrifted at The Kitty Cat Store skirt: Carole Little, Marshall's boots: Browns I.D., Holt Renfrew, agonizingly dramatic story here |
I didn't actually kill these wasps in corners with my toes - we've just been battling an infestation in a hard-to-get-to spot in the barn and it's well past time for a sweepity-sweep. At times the room has been buzzing madly while I'm doing photos.
After I was dressed this morning, I felt something prickly-crawly at my waistband and sure enough felt a little lump under there - ack! - fortunately it wasn't a wasp, but a burr which must have transferred from Beary's woodsman garb in the wash.
Though it wasn't the most pleasant start to my first day back, that freaking-out adrenaline sure got me moving!
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| trench coat: Bebe, Haute Look, worn here and here |
Once the burr was gone, this outfit was awesomely comfortable - a good balance of loose-fitting and structured, simplicity and details. And killer (but not actually killer) boots!
Hope yours are free from crawling, prickling, and stinging too.
I especially like the pleats on this skirt! And, yikes about the burr/possible wasp.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Terri!
DeleteThose boots are indeed killer! They're incredibly perfect cowgirl boots. Your shoes always have me googly eyed. @u@
ReplyDeleteSorry about the wasps! And burrs. Annabelle, my mom's outdoor female cat, always has burrs in her fur and I manage to spend a few minutes every time I see her getting them out.
Luckily my burr wasn't all matted in!
DeleteMutual shoe-googly-eyes, Megan Mae!
Your style is so distinctive -- you use unusual pieces to create an interesting look. It's always fun to come here.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to hear that, Ally - means a lot coming from you!
DeleteI love the way you can wear a tied belt and scarf. Your outfit looks so chic.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteThis outfit is very much my style - love the obi, the sweet skirt and the funky boots!
ReplyDeleteThat is a SUPER-DUPER compliment, dear Sheila!
DeleteI've been very much enjoying your blog, though this is my first comment. I love to see everything you put together and have even had a go at layering, not fully successfully though.
ReplyDeleteIn this post it appears as though the obi is belted high on your waist. Visually, that's the area I need to belt, however I cannot get anything to stay there (and lower down never looks right). Admittedly I don't have any obi belts, or even any scarves structured enough to fill in, so that may make a difference. Do you feel you belt higher than most, and if so, how do you get it to stay where you place it?
Although my waist is fairly short, it is high, but somehow, everything creeps down to where I am wider. I imagine I will be without a belt more than with, but I'd love some hints on how to successfully belt higher on the torso.
Well thank you so much for reading and commenting! Welcome! In all matters of belting, I defer to the absolute goddesses from whom I learned everything I know - lots of belting info can be found via their Greatest Hits / How To sections -
DeleteSally McGraw of Already Pretty: http://www.alreadypretty.com/
and Audi of Fashion for Nerds: http://geekthreads.blogspot.ca/
I couldn't say whether I belt "higher than most," hmm. The bottom edge of this belt sits at my natural waist, immediately below which my torso flares dramatically, so if it's fastened tight enough stuff doesn't migrate south! Obi belts are generally softer and comfier than regular stiff wide buckle belts, and cinchers made of elastic will stay put more easily than slippery / non-stretch materials. In my two posts following this one, I wear the aforementioned stiff, wide belts, which stay up by being notched tightly - not super-comfy! Man, did I wish I hadn't done that to myself two days in a row!
HTH! Good luck!
P.S. thrifting is an awesome way to experiment without investing a whole lot in something which may not end up working for you. I've never paid more than $4 for a thrifted belt.
DeleteI want your wonderful boots and belt, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
ReplyDeleteXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I love you, but you can't have 'em! xo
DeleteVery smart and chic today, Amber! I love the pleat and button detail on the back of the skirt, and your trademark obi belt and wasp-stabber boots and the red scarf add drama.
ReplyDeleteWatch out for those pesky burrs in your clothes! xxxx
Thanks, Curtise - will do! xo
DeleteThose are some wicked boots. They go perfectly with that gorgeous coat. Is your office in a barn? I can't get over how well this backdrop goes with your blog design. Everything is very cohesive and warm.
ReplyDeleteThanks, so much, Joni! The barn is an outbuilding at my home, and my workplace is a wonderfully short drive away. My office can be seen in my first four blog posts.
DeleteI had picked out this standard Blogger template background right at the start, and wasn't sure whether I'd stick with it, but find that I like it. I know the white text / dark background isn't the most accessible, but haven't had any complaints since I increased the size of the type. I meant to try out several angles / locations in the barn, but lucked into this first one just working. I haven't felt like I've had the time to experiment, although I may yet! I also haven't figured out my winter lighting solutions yet for when the days get even shorter, and there may be times when the barn is just too cold, so it will be interesting to see what happens!
And you say this is not your special event gear? Lucky folks at work that get to see you in your great ensembles! Tres chic from head to toe. Except maybe for carrying burrs under your belt. But then we all know how you go for a little edginess.
ReplyDeleteOh, funny - sometimes many consecutive workdays will pass with no one saying a thing! Not one word. I suspect my clients and coworkers are either used to me - or perhaps shocked into confused silence.
DeleteAs you can so perceptively tell, underneath I am totally full of prickly burrs. ;)
I'm never disappointed when I come here - your outfit is spot on but for me the star in this ensemble is your gorgeous red scarf!! you can wear this color so very well - winner!! :))
ReplyDeleteJeane, what a nice thing to say! I am so glad you enjoy to visit.
DeleteAt first I worried this scarf may be too hot / orange / bright and almost gave it up years ago but I am so glad I didn't, as I've have come to love it a lot.
Ooh! The button detail on the back of the skirt is truly wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThanks! It makes it very comfortable to move in as well - totally sold me!
DeleteFantastic boots and great skirt! I've been searching for a skirt like that ever since last winter, but most of them don't come in my size. I love your addition of the red scarf and lipstick!
ReplyDeleteSo strange to hear about the burr - yesterday I had one caught inside the arm of my cardigan. The cardigan had just been washed and hung to dry over the weekend. I have absolutely no idea how it got there!
Thanks! This skirt reminds my mom so much of the styles she used to wear in the 60's.
DeleteYes, those burrs are so mysterious and totally sneaky - the plant spreading its seeds very effectively!
OK, I SERIOUSLY want that Bebe trench coat. Love those layers. Having just been a "naughty girl" and bought 3 pair of boots, I see I will have to get a move on and post my latest finds. Is it just me, or do other people feel like a "greedy pig" when they buy several nice things all at once? I sort of feel like maybe I should be rationed. What sense is that?
ReplyDeleteLove from England,
Rosemary from www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.blogspot.com
Oh, you must post your new things! I have been on greatly-reduced shopping myself, and blogging is helping me enjoy what I already have instead of just wearing the same few things "on top" and meanwhile continuing to accumulate.
DeleteIt would be interesting to consider the sources of those voices of judgement many have internalized. Do you think they are cultural? parental? religious? Mixed up with messages of "selfishness" aimed at women in particular, when meanwhile we are assigned value based on appearance? How do you think they interplay with socioeconomic status and budgeting, and one's current financial status?
Those boots!!!!!!!! I've never seen anything like them. They're seriously awesome - plus, I bet no mugger would dare mess with you while you were wearing them, for fear of getting a punctured lung :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stacey, lol!!! "You wouldn't like me when I'm angry ..."
Delete:D
How could one not love an outfit that includes an obi belt AND those fabularsehole boots (stealing a word from Sarah Misfit there)? Every one of your outfits is an inspiration! We don't have burrs in my neighbourhood but I remember getting them stuck to my socks all the time when we lived in the country.
ReplyDeleteBurrs, both the big gnarly ones and the evil tiny teardrop-shaped, are so evocative of my childhood as well.
DeleteYou look sleek and dangerous. I love it.
ReplyDeleteOnce I was folding an afghan and grabbed a wasp that I didn't know was on it. I was stung hard and deep right in the palm. So I would have pro'bly bolted in a room full of them. Yet, there you are...looking calm, sleek, and dangerous :)
I LOVE this feedback - "sleek and dangerous!" - I must tell Melanie, I've been working so hard to get to "scary." :)
DeleteOw ow ow!!! Painful memory! I've had a few bad stings over the years but am lucky to have not become the kind of fearful they can sense.
Oh I bet you jumped out of your skin thinking the burr was a wasp! We used to collect them in the park on the way to school and see how many we could get stuck to each others jumpers ha ha xx
ReplyDeleteI sure did, Pearl! While trying to be really really fast about getting it out out out!
DeleteOMG, burr-wars! Evil!!! :)
Uhm I have never heard of a burr, tried to look it up at google translate but apparantly they havent heard of it either. :p hehehe
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