HALLOWEEN

Blouse, Club Monaco. Sweater, Banana Republic. Skirt, Brooks Brothers. Pumps, Nine West.

Not a costume per se, but costumey enough. I found this silk blouse in a thrift store in perfect condition because really, where would one wear such a collar? I call it Marcella Marceau or Class Clown, which is odd since I'm a teacher. Now - who wants a balloon animal? I can make hyphens, commas, and parentheses. Yes, that kind of teacher.  

[Clowning]

Money to Spend

The Walking Dead

Blouse, thrift-ed Eley Kishimoto. Scarf, Icici. Pants, Zara. Brooch, vintage. Flats, Geox.

Being a derisive, believes-only-in-science kind of person makes it difficult for me to accept the general public's fascination with vampires, werewolves, zombies, and the like. So imagine my surprise when I get hooked on The Walking Dead (first meth and now zombies - is there anything AMC can't turn into TV gold?). Anyway, here is my expert opinion on this apocalyptic scenario. On the bright side, the survivors will be racially diverse because zombies don't discriminate (see also: death, taxes, and Camus's plague). Unfortunately, eluding death will also involve eating gruel and the occasional squirrel, which is no life at all.

Lazy Halloween

Dress, J.Crew. Headband, Holt Renfrew. Pumps, Nine West. Hydrangeas, free.

Are you a lazy, last-minute Halloweener? Do you own a black cocktail dress with a tight bodice and a full skirt, as well as a pair of black pumps? You're in luck, Jo Stockton from Funny Face. If you're extra lazy, feel free to replace the balloons with hydrangeas pilfered from your building's garden (round objects with stems = the same thing). And if no one recognizes you (aside from your gay best friend), put a spin on your funny face. I've dubbed mine Constipated Face.

Sized Up

Blouse & pumps, Banana Republic. Cardigan, J.Crew. Skirt, Club Monaco. Scarf & brooch, thrift-ed.

Have you ever noticed how the best apparel from the '50s and '60s tends to be the same size? I mean, in every vintage store and every city. It's such a tease for someone like me, merely a size or two larger. Shimmying into the finest Betty Draper dresses would require some serious digestive problems and dehydration (and, if purposefully induced, the derangement required in the first place). For the past fours years, I have been looking for the perfect Mad Men costume to wear on Halloween. Aside from alterations (I'm cheap and untalented), have you any suggestions?
One last thing... Some grammar advice for my fellow amateur grammarians.
 

On Crack

Sweater, J.Crew. Pants, Zara. Scarf, Portobello Market. Handbag, Ann Taylor. Flats, Browns.

In the middle of July, I traipsed about Portobello Market and only bought one thing for myself: a Royal Stewart tartan scarf. Needless to say, I've been eagerly awaiting colder weather so I could wear it while traipsing all over Canada. And yes, I picked the boldest and most popular of tartans, but you guys know color is my crack.

Polyfun

Elementary Mysteries

Shirt, J.Crew. Skirt, thrifted. Sunglasses, street vendor. Necklace, F21. Belt, Joe Fresh. Sandals, Geox.

In elementary school, my class did a play about the seasons - personified by fairies, aka the long-haired beauties in our class. I had a boyish haircut and a funny face so I played the chef, complete with a big pot to stir. Why was there a chef among fairies? Why was I congratulated for taking on such an "embarrassing part?" These are things that keep me up at night. 

Okanagan Photo Diary

I doubt one could ever tire of the Okanagan landscape (lakescape?). That's why I've been milking this trip and bombarding you with several such posts. You're welcome.  

Precipitation Goes Preppy

 

 

Good news: I've discovered the beauty of Polyvore! I know, every blogger and her mom has been using it for years, so cool it with the Mr. F quips. For my first "set," I completely ignored prices and focused solely on aesthetics, but I bet I can recreate this with pieces from my own closet. We are gonna have so much fun together, Polyvore.

The Search Engine Conundrum

Cardigan, J.Crew. Blouse, Raoul. Skirt, Brooks Brothers. Pumps, Banana Republic.

Like most bloggers, I get excited whenever I discover "a spike in my stats," unless, of course, the spike is the result of a perverted search. I regret to report that several such inquiries have directed sexual deviants here and would like to remind everyone that this a decent blog with harmless content. Furthermore, I am a fairly conservative dresser (irresistible to friends' moms), a grammar aficionado (kept up at night by the horrible misuse of homophones nowadays), and a lover of nature (look, a squirrel!). So the question remains: why me?

Bliss Bakery

Although I love dining out, my sojourn in the Okanagan included mostly picnic fare and easy grilling. One exception was a quick lunch at Bliss Bakery, a truly heavenly place that a couple of friends/locals had recommended. The Tuscan Vegetable Soup was hearty and delicious, but the clear winner was that beatific view.

Poplar Grove

Poplar Grove recently reopened a state-of-the-art winery in this ethereal location. Should you find yourself in the Okanagan, do drink in that view (and The Legacy, their spin on the Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon blend). And if you're lucky, you might even get to see the implied sun pulsating in the supplied poplars. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this review are my personal views and this particular winery review was not sponsored or paid for in any way by the company or an agent working on their behalf. I just like to drink, but you already knew that.

Ingested Development

 Blouse, Banana Republic. Skirt, thrifted. Jacket, Talbots. Sunglasses, street vendor. Necklace, F21. Sandals, Geox.

This is the color palette I donned whilst wine tasting in Naramata and I think it was a wise choice. Blending in with the background makes for a less conspicuous drunk. Also, pencil skirts create the illusion of poise and panache. I passed off my midday inebriation as ladylike dizzy spells because everyone loves a Lucille Two in distress (can you tell I'm excited about @batemanjason's latest tweet?).