Home and Work

Yesterday I mentioned that it was my day off. Some grocery shopping, some TV. I watched "Supernatural" and "Warehouse 13" that I recorded previous evening. When I'm home (alone) I love having breakfast while watching one of my favorite shows. It was quite chilly so I put on my fat sweater and colorful jeans.

These are the jeans in the daylight.

And then I had to run to a local store in the rain. Didn't feel like dragging an umbrella with me and came up with this solution. The jacket is 100 years old, it's mostly used to walk the dog in the rain because it has the best hood ever. And here is the proof.

But what a difference a day makes. Today I had to go to work. So I did my hair, put my face on and dressed up a bit. It was a denim on denim day. With some leopard print thrown in.

My new brown booties finally made it out of the house. The weather was sunny and nice. After work I didn't even put my coat on, it was that warm.

Came home and asked my husband: "Do I look nice?"
"Yes", he said.
"Cool", I said. "Then I'm going upstairs to change into my house clothes. Which means "dog and cat hair resistant". Last look in the mirror.



I'm not going to photograph the outfit I'm wearing now. But it's the same type of a fat sweater and house-jeans. Which is OK. Some evenings I come home from work and change straight into my pajamas.

I'm off to read "Lassie comes home" with the Kid (in Hebrew!)

Pink Lipstick and Scarf

I've decided to try and remember to wear my scarves. I have a hanger full of them (it's hanging at the back of the closet under the fan) but I never seem to find a right one to wear, especially if I'm late and have to decide quickly. Another problem was to figure out how to tie one on. That is, until I watched Une Femme's youtube tutorials. Here is one of them, "Two Twists on a Classic". You're not just going to get some great ideas, but the music is enjoyable as well. Thank you, Une Femme!



I used the second knot idea. Of course, it'd be great if you could see the scarf behind my phone! It's blocking my neck area in all the photos! Duh! 

I matched the lipstick to the scarf. It's Speak Louder by MAC. Nice bright pink.

Took a couple of pictures in the H&M dressing room. I tried on their polka dot skirt, you can see it hanging there. I didn't buy it, haven't made up my mind yet.

I love this dress because of the rushing in the stomach region. You still have to stand up straight and suck it in but the dress is so forgiving that you can breathe normally. I'm joking of course.

I don't wear my dresses and skirts as often as I'd like. I should print this sentence out and hang it in my closet. Next to the scarves reminder.



Thursday Lady Danger

Thursday was such a long day for me. I had to go to my Kid's school in the morning and after that to work. That's two different towns. I knew I'd have to run around so I dressed comfortably. Wore my trench coat as well but the photo didn't turn out.

Do you see that snake print scarf on the right side? So tempting. But pricey because it's from the Zara new collection.

The trip to the MAC store was the highlight of the day. I bought my mascara (Studio Fix  Boldblack Lash) and loose powder. And then decided to try on Lady Danger. And bought it too. This is me later in the day, and the lipstick stayed put and looked just as bright as when I first put it on. And it matched my pants perfectly. I was never a fan of matte lipsticks, tried some years ago and didn't like it. I guess, the formulas have changed, because my lips felt good all day and didn't get too dry. The SA suggested that I buy the primer. Maybe I will next time I'm there.

Normally I'd wear heels with this kind of outfit, but with all the walking I had to do, I wore my manly shoes. Are they brogues? According to the internet, they are brogue oxfords. I think.

They are by Moretti, extremely comfortable, my favorite color and an unexpected silhouette for me. I felt a bit funny wearing them with shorter slim pants.

It's weekend, we're home, and my 5 minutes at the computer are over. The Kid is kicking me out in order to play his "Jurassic Park Operation Genesis" game. Gotta go.

Oh, I totally forgot to give the inspiration credit to the January InStyle magazine.

I love a good idea, especially when I have the ingredients to do something similar.

Updated to add: I just realized who I remind myself of when wearing this kind of shoes and pants. Howard from The Big Bang Theory! Oh my God!

Gray Day

Today was all about my gray booties by Christian Siriano for Payless. Cheap, cheerful and probably the most comfortable heels I own. Or up there with the most comfortable.

The first attempt at photographing myself was at Zara of course, by the discount shoe section. People were so busy throwing shoes around that nobody gave a hoot about some strange chick intensely looking at herself in the mirror.

This is my usual Zara spot. Next to a leopard scarf that went so well with my tunic. Yes, that's a Zara shopping bag in my hand. The end of season sale is still going on and I found a nice top and a belt that will probably appear in my photos tomorrow.

A tunic close-up. I love the zipper details. There is another zipper at the collar but it's hiding under my hair.

A look down at the booties. Suede-like material, the boots fit like a glove.

Obviously I was alone at the office when I took these pictures. Otherwise it would be just plain weird.

And now to the jewelry. See that knuckle-ring? It's another score\find from the Tuesday artisan fair. I was surprised to find out that it doesn't bother me at all during the day.

It's very lightweight and the rings are adjustable. And my nail polish is Graphite by Chanel.

I spent 11 hours at work today. The girl I worked with today had to leave early. So I was alone from noon till seven. Managed to get quite a lot done. Tomorrow is Thursday which is going to be a busy day for me. Let's hope it doesn't rain because I'll be running around all morning. I have a serious meeting in the morning and then a visit to the MAC store to pick up my fave mascara, loose powder and maybe a lipstick. I haven't decided whether to get Lady Danger or something pink. We'll see.

Instant Stylist Inspiration



Last time I blogged, I did a couple of posts featuring outfits inspired by other bloggers or fashion magazines. Guess I can call it a tradition because this is the second inspiration post in a row. This is how it works. I see a picture in a mag or online and think - hang on, I have same/similar things in my closet, why don't I try and recreate it. Or I save a photo for future reference and then find items in shops (or my Mom's closet) that I can use.

Here is a photo from January InStyle. I saw it and immediately thought of my coral jacket I only got to wear twice before winter. Pearls - check. Shirt - check. Mine is lavender, not blue. But I don't have to copy the outfit 100 percent, let the shirt be lavender, the jacket coral, pile on more pearls and use a different bag. I don't have a blue clutch but it's OK. I'll live.

Anyway, here is my version, as photographed in H&M store. I see now, after uploading and enlarging the photos, that I'm a bit wrinkled, but I'd been sitting at my desk for 7 hours before that, while the clothes on the magazine page have been carefully laid out and arranged. What am I saying? No need to try and be absolutely perfect. That's what I'm saying I guess.

Snooker helped me take photos at home. By the way, I started with the shirt tucked in, but it just didn't look right on me.

My lipstick is MAC Viva Glam Cindy Lauper.

I love this jacket, the color is so bright. And I love my pearls. It's three "ropes" all worn together, doubled and tripled.

I could have worn leopard print shoes but hey, it is winter, so I wore my Nine West booties. They are fuzzy and cute, and I'm still getting used to them. Wore them with thicker socks today, it was much more comfortable than with thin nylon socks.

The booties have a hidden platform so the heel is not as high as it seems. Mind you, walking home from the bus on the uneven sidewalk I almost wiped out. Luckily there were no people around and my image is safe.

So what can I say at the end of the day?

Did my outfit turned out exactly as the InStyle one? Not really.

Did I feel good and confident all day? I sure did.

What would I do differently next time? Try wearing different jeans so I could tuck my shirt in. Or get a wrinkle-proof shirt. Get someone else to take my pictures to get a better angle and perspective.

There is always room for improvement.





Change of Plans

I had it all planned for Sunday. I was going to build an outfit around those new brown booties I got from Zara last Thursday. Got dressed and then it started raining. Quick change, I this is what I came up with. Dark blue skinnies, leather boots and a purple sweater. Here is a headless shot.



Slightly better view of the sweather. If I stretch that thing hanging off my neck, I look like a dilophosaurus, that pesky little dinosaur that killed Newman in the first Jurassic Park movie.

Took a picture from the only tiny and pathetic window we have at the office. You can't see anything when it's dark outside, but this is noon. All gray, wet and miserable.

Update on the second pair of Zara booties, the ones I didn't get. I was planning to try them on with an insert and thicker socks, but when I arrived at the shop they were not there. The SA told me that someone bought them over the weekend. My reaction? Thank God! I didn't need another pair of high heels of questionable comfort level. But I didn't leave Zara empty handed. Got a pair of red skinnies and a top. I'm as predictable as the Israeli summer...

Brooklyn Inspiration

First of all, I never acknowledged it, but I HAVE EIGHT FOLLOWERS!!!

I know, people have thousand(s) followers, big deal. But it's a big deal for me.

Thank you, ladies!

As to the title of my post, here is an explanation. I found a fashion blog called Brooklyn Blonde and I really like Helena's style. Of course, the only thing we have in common is the hair color and our Russian roots. She is half my age, twice as tall, half of my clothing size, I can go on. Browsing through Helena's photos I came upon this simple and elegant outfit. "Winter white" trousers, black turtleneck, black leather jacket, red purse. I saved it in my "inspiration" file and moved on.

About a week ago I wondered into H&M store and what did I see on the sale rack? Same or similar pants at a great price! Of course I snatched them. And I could finally wear them yesterday as it was sunny and nice. Here I am at the very same H&M store, sneaking a picture of myself. I had to do it sideways because the nook with the mirror is very small. But nobody could see me do it.

Ventured into Zara for a better shot.

This is an old sweater, I love it and I love the stars on it. Should have bought it in cream color too (it was available in my size). Oh well, the usual hindsight and regrets.

Halfway through my workday I looked outside - and it was raining! Luckily I remembered that some time ago I brought my old navy blue trousers to work, meaning to take them in for some repairs. So I came in to work in cream pants and left looking like this. Better have the rain and puddles water splash on dark blue fabric.

As I mentioned, I went into Zara to take a picture. And to check out the discount shoes shelf. And I found two pairs of shoes in my size. Took the pictures and then tried them on.
These lovely snake-toe-capped booties were not super comfortable, my foot slid forward a bit. I could try them on with an insert or half-insert next time I'm in the store. Plus I couldn't understand if they looked good on me with wide pants on. I'm planning to wear some skinnies on Monday and try them on again. That is, if they wait for me. Having a smaller size is a plus (I'm anything between 6 and 7). So I left these beauties on the shelf.

But these guys went home with me. Super comfortable, stylish, and I don't have this shade of brown in my shoe-closet. Isn't that a standard justification?

They are half-suede and shouldn't be worn in the rain. Oh well, I can wait. Weather permitting, I'll try to stretch the bootie-wearing season till April. Pretty please!



Kitty Cuteness

For all of you cat lovers out there, doesn't this photo radiate warmth and cosiness?

This is Snooker's favorite sleeping spot. When the laptop is open he sleeps behind it. Now he's on it.

And now he is chewing on cables! Help!



Double Turtleneck

Yesterday I wore my leopard trench. It's quite thin but I missed it and didn't care about the cold. It took some work to make it look presentable in my opinion. First of all, it had two rows of black buttons. Why? I removed the outer row and took the coat to a seamstress to lower the belt loops. They were placed too high for me. I was going to replace the black buttons with beige ones but couldn't find any. I will some day. But for now, I'm happy with my pretty coat.

Wore two sweaters under the coat. The outer sweater is angora, it shed pink fuzz all day, which landed on my blue jeans. It gave me something else to do at work...

I found this ring at Mango. It's a cat eating my finger. That's what I tell people when they ask what it is. I love it.

Took my head-shot in order to show you my double turtleneck (thank God, not a double chin).

Went to visit my friends at the Nine West shop. They are having 40% off all the shoes till the end of the week. I wanted to get a certain pair of boots but they didn't fit my calves! And they had an elastic insert! Shame on you, Nine West!!! Mind you, Nine West are better than some other companies. At least, they have elastic inserts.

This brings me up to date.  Last working day of the week for me. What should I wear?

Stupid Week

I'm having a hectic week for some reason. Meaning not accomplishing much and going to bed at 10:30 completely tired. Maybe I should call it a stupid week, I don't know. I missed the Golden Globes, thanks to all the bloggers who wrote about it and posted their fave photos, at least I'm more or less ready for Joan Rivers' analysis which should be broadcast here this weekend.

Tuesday was a cold day. I went with a simple turtleneck and wore a camisole under it for warmth. Tucked it into my "funny waist" pants (the leopard belt came with the pants). Big golden hoops and that was it. For now.

When my darling Paris cousin saw this furry Zara vest, she told me that everyone in Paris wears them over their jackets. So I decided to test-run the idea. Furry vest over leather jacket. Slightly slippery but oh so warm!

And of course, after a while bare black turtleneck started to feel too dark and boring to me. So I bought this necklace for about 7 bucks to brighten it up. A large chain like this one has been on my list for a while. I'm thinking to get this one and this one from HRH Collection, but not just yet (plus they are sold out on her site). This el-cheapo chain will have to do for now.

I took the earrings off.

A colleague gave me a ride home which was extremely fortunate. It was raining like crazy again.  Who wants to be running around in the rain dressed like this?

Pardon the "hard face". I would never make the cut on America's Next Top Model. Or any country Top Model.

A close up of my Nine West booties. They are very comfortable (and I am picky).

It's too bad our winters are so short. Not enough time to wear all my fave winter boots and coats and things. Why did I ever leave Vancouver?