I hope everyone is having a great holiday week. Here is our very bare living room decked out for Christmas. The living room now features my Christmas present, ghost chairs! All I wanted for Christmas was ghost chairs and my house painted. I got the ghost chairs but the painting hasn't arrived so I'm still slaving away at it. There are no outfit shots for this week because I am either in my painting clothes or my juicy pants. Not very fashionable stuff!
Cardigan: J Crew
Tank: Banana Republic
Skirt: Ricki's
Shoes: Naturalizer - They're not the same old black or brown ones. These are new and they're gray!
It's been a crazy few days weather wise in my part of the woods. Sometimes during this time of year, buses come early to take kids home from school because of snow and bad roads. Today the buses came early because it has been raining so much that bridges and roads were flooded out. Is it possible to get a rain day? I might find out tomorrow. . . It's not looking like a white Christmas for us.
Cardigan: J Crew
Skirt: J Crew
Shoes: Naturalizer
I'm not sure what I'm looking at in this picture. Perhaps the empty spot on the top of the tree. I"m not sure what to put up there for a tree topper. It has to be white and sparkly.
We finally got our real tree this weekend. The fake one is in the basement with colored lights and mismatched ornaments. It has been up since November. This is the "pretty tree". I love the smell of real trees. It's making me start to get excited!!!!
Tonight I chaperoned the Christmas formal dance. I love this job because I get to dress up!
Dress: Cassis
Cardigan: J Crew
Shoes: Naturalizer
Belt: Yard sale
Blouse: Martin and Osa
Skirt: Ricki's
Shoes: Naturalizer
Will Christmas vacation ever come? I'm teaching right up until December 23 (blurg) and someone thought it would be a good idea to send home progress reports on December 20 (double blurg). School is keeping me busy and yet there are also so many home and family things to do as well, like get ready for our first ever turkey dinner (weeeee). The big day is soon approaching and I am so not ready (blurg!!).
Sweater: Sears
Skirt: Ricki's
Shoes: Naturalizer
I have been sick for the past few days and have been very unfashionable. I"m on the mend but still feeling a bit "off". Today's outfit was all about ease and NOT steaming or ironing. Sometimes polyester is just easier.
Cardigan: J Crew
T-shirt: Banana Republic
Skirt: J Crew
Shoes: Naturalizer
Another picture inside with the flash. I haven't been seeing my house a lot in daylight lately. Sigh.
Today's post marks a first for my blog; both cats are posing with me. Can you spot them?
Cardigan: TJ Maxx
Tank: Banana Republic
Skirt: Ricki's
Shoes: Naturalizer
Sweater: Banana Republic
Skirt: Ricki's
Shoes: Naturalizer
Another Ricki's item. My first order went so well, I placed another one last weekend. It helped that they emailed me a free shipping code as an apology for my package taking so long to arrive. It took only a week to arrive and really wasn't that long of a wait. But I really appreciate free shipping. My package arrived with more coupon codes and it looks like they are multi-use so here they are for your shopping pleasure.
Free shipping: SHIPD23
Free shipping on purchases over $50 at Bootlegger: BPWEBFREE and Cleo: CPWEBFREE.
All codes are good until December 23. Enjoy Canadian readers.
Sweater: J crew
Blouse: Unknown, purchased from Revolve (I cut the tag off because I like to wear it backwards)
Skirt: J Crew
Boots: Naturalizer
Cardigan: J Crew
Blouse: Cassis
Necklace: Joe Fresh
Skirt: Banana Republic
The skirt is a recent acquisition and can be found here. I'm really digging online shopping with Banana Republic (and Gap and Old Navy too). I like this skirt but it is obviously wrinkle prone. It would be nice if it had a lining. I expect $100 skirts to be lined; this one is not. And no, I didn't pay $100 for it. I like my coupon codes. :-)
The necklace is new too. Here's a closer shot.
Cardigan: J Crew
Blouse: Gap
Skirt: Ricki's
Shoes: Naturalizer
We had our first snow of the year last Saturday. It was actually snowing when I took this picture, but you can't see the flakes. The first snow always catches me by surprise every year. It's like I try to delude myself into thinking winter won't come this year. My snow tires are still not on my car and our winter's supply of firewood is still not in the basement (part of it is on the ground behind me under the blue tarp).
Does anyone else delude themselves about the coming of winter?
On a related note, the first snow of the year means that snow days are not far behind (these are the best days for teachers). The forecast tonight is calling for snow and freezing rain. I'm doing my first snow day dance tonight (it's my please, let there be a snow day tomorrow, tradition).
And, yes, it was a wee bit cold doing these pictures.
Dress: Ricki's
Cardigan: J Crew
Shoes: Naturalizer
Faithful readers to my blog know that I am a big fan of online shopping. I really dislike going to real-life stores, especially when looking for clothing. There's something about dressing rooms that bugs me. Online shopping sites are somewhat limited in Canada so that's why I often where the same "brand".
I was excited a few months ago when I found out Ricki's, the Canadian clothing store, has online shopping. However, I didn't place an order until last week as I find that their shipping to be a little pricey. Really, any shipping that isn't free is pricey to me. Hey, I'm frugal.
Last week, however, Ricki's had a great sale; 50% off the lowest price AND 99 cent shipping. I loaded up my cart and hit buy. My package arrived fairly quick and I was really impressed with the contents, which includes this dress. The clothes are pretty good quality for the price (this dress was $25). There's a lot of polyester blends, but it is so hard to avoid the big P (polyester that is).
My verdict; I'll be shopping at Ricki's as long as the shipping costs stay low.
On a related note, a lot of my co-workers were amazed at how my cardigan matched my dress. The dress came with matching flower pins that I removed to put on my cardi. It confounded many.
Dress: Reitman's
Sweater: Old Navy
Shoes: Naturalizer
Immediately after taking this picture, our chimney sweeper showed up to clean our two wood chimneys. Nothing exciting there. It's a new house and we want them cleaned out before we light them up this winter. The funny part was his outfit. He showed up wearing a top hat and tails. Now, there's someone who should be a fashion blogger.
Jacket: Reitman's
Dress: RW & Co
Shoes: Naturalizer
Gasp, all items worn are items I bought in real life stores! No online purchases here. That's a rarity for me.
Today's outfit picture was relocated inside, not because I couldn't stand the fall cold, because I couldn't stand the rain! It has been raining for days and days. Ugggh!
With this picture, you get a great shot of the green overload we have been enduring. You may think it's not a bad color, but almost every surface in our house has been painted the same color. Every wall, every door. It's too much green! Expect to see a green back ground in indoor outfit pictures for months to come. Especially since RDog has decried that he wants to be thrifty and have us (meaning me) paint the house. And I am a sloooow painter. Blurg!
Anyway, enough complaining, on to the clothes.
Sweater: Sears
Pearls: The Bay
Skirt: Cassis
Shoes: Naturalizer
Poppy: For Remembrance Day
I wore this one day last week, perhaps Wednesday. I'm slow posting the pictures because once I looked at them, I didn't really like the outfit.
Cardigan: J Crew
Tank: J Crew
Skirt: Joe Fresh
Shoes: Naturalizer
I'm still here. It's been a crazy few weeks at school. Crazy stressful things have been going on, like situations most teachers will never have to deal with in the run of their career. The bad news is that it has been really draining. When I get home at night, I just want t o put on my sweats and sit in front of the tv. The good thing is that things look like they getting settled so hopefully my energy level will increase.
Today in the cold November sunshine, I wore:
Cardigan: J Crew
Skirt: Cassis
Tank: Old Navy
Shoes: Naturalizer
Cardigan: J CRew
Skirt: J Crew
Tank: J Crew
Shoes: Cole Haan
I tried out another new location today. I"m standing in our backyard next to our pool. the pool is closed up for the winter now and is looking rather sad and lonely. The bricks behind me are part of our super awesome fire pit. I love s'mores!
Sweater: RW&Co
Skirt: J Crew
Shoes: Naturalizer
Necklace: RDog
Flower: Forever 21
I'm seeing a big purple and black trend going on. Tomorrow's goal: wear something that is not purple!
I had to relocate my picture taking spot today because RDog ordered a huge amount of firewood last week and they dumped it in my pretty picture area. Can you guess what RDog will be doing this weekend? So today I am at the other end of our front veranda.
Cardigan: J Crew
Blouse: Gap
Skirt: Cassis
Shoes: Naturalizer
Sweater: Martin and Osa
Tank: Old Navy
Jeans: Reitman's
Shoes: Naturalizer
Today was the first day I wore socks in many months. They feel weird on my feet.
You may remember that a few days ago I complained about my first Old Navy order taking forever to arrive. It turns out that it arrived, but it went to another house. Our neighbor was kind enough to deliver my packages (yes, there were more than one) that were mistakenly delivered to his house. Our house numbers are not even close. So Old Navy, I have to take back my anger instead and direct at my postman.
I was very impressed with Old Navy order, especially with this shirt. It looks like I spent a lot more on it than $14. It has been further knocked down in price so I ordered another, along with this , this, this and this. For those Canadians who want to do some shopping, use the code LOULOU15 for an extra 15% off.
Inspired by Maillardville Manor, I've decided to start a Flowers on Friday tradition. Now it may not be every Friday, but I feel flowers on Friday would be the perfect Friday treat every few Fridays.
I picked these up at Costco today and plunked them into pitcher. I realize now I may have plunked the flowers in a little haphazardly. I'll work on my flower arranging skills.
Dress: Martin and Osa
Cardigan: J Crew
Scarf and scarf ring: thrifted
Shoes: Naturalizer
Normally I pair this dress with black. My mind just sees this dress and goes, "wear black". But this time I forced myself to think my color norm. Here is what I came up with. Finding the scarf was totally the "aha" moment.
Cardigan: J Crew
Tank: Cassis
Belt: Danier Leather
Skirt: J Crew
Shoes: Cole Haan
I look strangely puzzled in this picture. I think it because I was staring at a spot in our yard where there are normally trees but has been thinned out from falling leaves. I suddenly realized that I could see my neighbors house and my neighbor. Then I thought, "Oh shoot, he's going to think I'm a knob because I'm out on my veranda taking pictures of myself."
I want our neighbors to like us! They seem so nice (they brought us over brownies on our first day here). So instead of seeing like a vain weirdo, I quickly took this picture and ducked back inside.
Hence the weird expression.
Cardigan: J Crew
Tank: J Crew
Skirt: Thrifted
Shoes: Naturalizer
You can't tell in this picture but my tank is sparkly and pretty. My camera (or the photographer) messed up the lighting. Much Picassa tweaking (or random clicking of buttons) was needed.
Dress: Martin and Osa
Cardigan: Tommy Hilfiger
Shoes: Naturalizer
This dress makes me lonesome for good old Martin and Osa.
When Gap/Old Navy/Banana Republic announced that they would offer Canadian online shopping, I was so excited. Finally, a replacement for my old stand-by, M&O. Due to their high shipping and duty costs, J Crew was not in the running. I like that the Gap group has free shipping on orders over $50 and no duty!
I placed my first Old Navy/Gap order on September 20. But it just shipped today! I don't even remember what I ordered and I predict it will be another 1-2 weeks before it gets here. That's no good for me; I need instant gratification here folks!
Will there ever be a great clothing website that will help me get my online shopping fix in an affordable, no-tax, fast manner? Stay tuned for developments in this story . . .
Dress: Reitman's
Cardigan: J Crew
Shoes: Cole Haan
Although you probably can't see it, my shoes have a leopard print that is very similar to my sweater. I'm wearing two animals prints today cause I'm crazy like that. :P
