Winter is hanging on here - it was minus 13C this morning. Pulled out my trusty cashmere wrap to keep me warm , but dressed it up with the blouse and belt.
I am experimenting with textures more these days - I like the way the cashmere, silk and leather work together.
Cashmere sweater - Club Monaco (my big splurge this winter)
Top - Jacob Annex
Belt - BR
Pants - Club Monaco
Boots - Aqua Italia (via Stylesense)
Monday, March 23, 2009
Happy New Year!
Going to celebrate Navroz (New Year.)
This is the most beautiful thing I own...a hand-embroidered salwar kameez from India - bought in a flurry on the last day of my trip. I always struggle with whether to wear this and risk it being damaged. Sometimes I think I should just hang it on the wall in my living room and admire it...
Walking into this store on a busy street in Bhandra was a revelation - racks and racks of beautiful silks, all embroidered with impossibly delicate designs. Pale lemon, pistachio green, creamy white... It was so hard to choose just one!
This is the most beautiful thing I own...a hand-embroidered salwar kameez from India - bought in a flurry on the last day of my trip. I always struggle with whether to wear this and risk it being damaged. Sometimes I think I should just hang it on the wall in my living room and admire it...
Walking into this store on a busy street in Bhandra was a revelation - racks and racks of beautiful silks, all embroidered with impossibly delicate designs. Pale lemon, pistachio green, creamy white... It was so hard to choose just one!
Playing with Proportions
Off to Mosque
Originally uploaded by cinderella's folly
I broke out my red clutch to play with proportions a bit...and also to hold all the crap that I can't fit in those teensy weensie clutches...
Dress: Club Monaco
Clutch: Banana Republic
Glass beads: Fossil
Shoes: Town Shoes Outlet
Thursday, November 20, 2008
And heaven and angels sing...
As the cold weather approaches, most people’s thoughts turn to home, hearth and family. Mine turn, unequivocally, to cashmere.
It started with a serendipitous purchase last winter. I happened upon a lovely tomato red Kenzie cashmere cardigan in Winners, and following the Cinderella’s Folly philosophy, purchased one in sage green and black as well. That was enough to tide me through the long, cold winter. But this year I, like the rest of the retail masses, have been caught up in sea of cashmere that is showing up in every store, from coats to scarves to cozy sweaters. I have become a cashmere glutton.
The latest focus of this gluttony has been the sinful luxury of Club Monaco’s Claudine wrap sweater, available in the most delicious winter cream. I have been tracking this elusive piece of cashmere for weeks now, calling the stores to see if it was on sale. Yesterday I struck gold. A salesperson, who I had been calling for days, replied in a bored voice that it wasn’t on sale. When I said sadly that it was out of my grasp at regular price, she mentioned, as if the thought had just occurred to her, “Well, it’s not on sale, but it is on promotion. Today is the last day. 30% off.”
The heavens opened and angels sang. Telling myself that I could not miss such a divine opportunity, I cleared my calendar for the afternoon and rushed to the downtown store, the only one to have it in stock. Now me and my Claudine sweater are one, and never the twain shall part.
Pick up your own at Club Monaco stores for $239. But, wait for the 30% off ‘promotion’ – it’s sure to come again before the holiday season is out.
It started with a serendipitous purchase last winter. I happened upon a lovely tomato red Kenzie cashmere cardigan in Winners, and following the Cinderella’s Folly philosophy, purchased one in sage green and black as well. That was enough to tide me through the long, cold winter. But this year I, like the rest of the retail masses, have been caught up in sea of cashmere that is showing up in every store, from coats to scarves to cozy sweaters. I have become a cashmere glutton.
The latest focus of this gluttony has been the sinful luxury of Club Monaco’s Claudine wrap sweater, available in the most delicious winter cream. I have been tracking this elusive piece of cashmere for weeks now, calling the stores to see if it was on sale. Yesterday I struck gold. A salesperson, who I had been calling for days, replied in a bored voice that it wasn’t on sale. When I said sadly that it was out of my grasp at regular price, she mentioned, as if the thought had just occurred to her, “Well, it’s not on sale, but it is on promotion. Today is the last day. 30% off.”
The heavens opened and angels sang. Telling myself that I could not miss such a divine opportunity, I cleared my calendar for the afternoon and rushed to the downtown store, the only one to have it in stock. Now me and my Claudine sweater are one, and never the twain shall part.
Pick up your own at Club Monaco stores for $239. But, wait for the 30% off ‘promotion’ – it’s sure to come again before the holiday season is out.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Question of the Day: To Return or Not to Return
As much as I am a shopaholic, I am a return-aholic. I almost never make my mind up right when I see something, so I bring it home, try it on...and usually return half of what I buy. This is great, in theory, except that in practice two disconcerting trends emerge:
1) I end up buying stuff I wouldn't really buy in the first place, reasoning that I can always return it
2) When I go to return it, I find something else I like instead, and usually end up blowing the whole refund.
Now, the issue is this: I have two things to return from Banana Republic, amounting to a pretty sizeable $200. One is a top I like, but admit was not worth what I paid for it; another is a dress that was unanimously voted on by my friends to be returned. But what if I go to return it, and get drawn in by the sales all over again? Sure, I can pretend that I am strong enough to resist that, but at this point, I am not sure that I am. On the other hand, it is $200 just sitting there.
What to do? Any ideas?
1) I end up buying stuff I wouldn't really buy in the first place, reasoning that I can always return it
2) When I go to return it, I find something else I like instead, and usually end up blowing the whole refund.
Now, the issue is this: I have two things to return from Banana Republic, amounting to a pretty sizeable $200. One is a top I like, but admit was not worth what I paid for it; another is a dress that was unanimously voted on by my friends to be returned. But what if I go to return it, and get drawn in by the sales all over again? Sure, I can pretend that I am strong enough to resist that, but at this point, I am not sure that I am. On the other hand, it is $200 just sitting there.
What to do? Any ideas?
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The Dawn of a New Day
The time has come, people. As much as I love, love, love to shop, I am slowly starting to recognize that sometimes it can be a teensy bit much. And while I have tried the justifications of 'I'll only buy things I REALLY love' or 'I'll only buy investment pieces' blah blah blah, the truth is, I cannot resist the lure of a sale. Of a bargain waiting to be had, of the last pair of shoes, of a bag that will inspire murmurs of reverence when I step on the subway.
So I have decided to go cold turkey for a month.
I realize that a month for most people is nothing and will elicit snorts of contempt from most of you. But for me, a month without shopping is a big thing. I cannot set foot into a fabulous summer sale for a month, I cannot stop and pet the back-to-school goodies for a month, I cannot even kill time by wandering into the corner shop for a month. I MUST BE STRONG.
I will be chronicling my month of no spending (on clothes and accesories) here, and taking a good, hard look at why I feel the need to buy. But don't worry, I won't get all self-righteous and eco-holic about it. As long as gleaming leather handbags and silk dresses exist, the shopaholic in me lives on.
And now, to help me through this difficult journey - what do you do to curb the urge to shop?
So I have decided to go cold turkey for a month.
I realize that a month for most people is nothing and will elicit snorts of contempt from most of you. But for me, a month without shopping is a big thing. I cannot set foot into a fabulous summer sale for a month, I cannot stop and pet the back-to-school goodies for a month, I cannot even kill time by wandering into the corner shop for a month. I MUST BE STRONG.
I will be chronicling my month of no spending (on clothes and accesories) here, and taking a good, hard look at why I feel the need to buy. But don't worry, I won't get all self-righteous and eco-holic about it. As long as gleaming leather handbags and silk dresses exist, the shopaholic in me lives on.
And now, to help me through this difficult journey - what do you do to curb the urge to shop?
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Lovely letters
WHAT: Typewriter Charms
WHERE: Tokens & Coins
HOW MUCH: $34 and up
Being a writer, I have always had a fascination for all things type-related. These adorable charms from Tokens & Coins make me want to haul out the old typewriter and start plonking away again, technology be damned.
Cufflinks! Precious! They bring to mind Girl Fridays typing away in 50's detective stories. I adore the quaintness of it all.
WHERE: Tokens & Coins
HOW MUCH: $34 and up
Being a writer, I have always had a fascination for all things type-related. These adorable charms from Tokens & Coins make me want to haul out the old typewriter and start plonking away again, technology be damned.Cufflinks! Precious! They bring to mind Girl Fridays typing away in 50's detective stories. I adore the quaintness of it all.Wednesday, March 21, 2007
The perfect work companion
WHAT: Behemoth Coffee MugWHERE: Starbucks
HOW MUCH: Around $20
Admittedly, its shape does not appeal. In fact, it bottom-heavy silhouette calls to mind my own unfortunate pear-shaped figure. But trust me, this is the best work mug you will ever own. Its firm rubber-backed bottom means it will never topple over that important spreadsheet for the meeting with the VP. Also, it acts as a coaster, so no more embarrassing cup stains on the polished boardroom table. But the best part is that the bottom half is stainless steel, keeping your coffee hot to the last drop. And let’s face it – it’s a lot prettier than all those Howard & McGeezer Morning Show mugs that are stacked in the office kitchen.
Friday, March 09, 2007
Frugal Friday
WHAT: Pretty gift boxes
WHERE: Dollarama
HOW MUCH: $1! Hurrah!
After my recent posts leaning to the exorbitant side, I though these pretty boxes from Dollarama would be a refreshingly affordable change (not this box exactly, but similarly cute ones. I guess the $1 price tag precludes them from having a website with product photos.) For a measly loonie, how can you go wrong with cute and whimsical gift boxes to brighten up your desk or dandy up a birthday present? Dollarama, you are my hero.
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