Marvel in the Unexpected

I went on an interview today. For a summer PR internship at a luxury Italian menswear company. Interviews always make me a little nervous, despite the fact that I've been on a zillion of them. I don't know if that is necessarily a good thing. Back in the day (by this, I mean six, maybe seven years ago...) when I was looking for a summer job during my undergrad, I kinda had this thing for becoming a receptionist at a hair salon (don't ask....I also have a slightly less glamorous dream of being a check-out girl at the grocery store). Anyways, I applied to many salons and went on many interviews, but sadly I never did get my dream job as a receptionist. I did, however, become an expert at going on interviews. Fast forward a few years, a degree in business and several real jobs later and you get me going on my very first fashion interview. The nerves subsided once I got to their ridiculously nice office on Fifth Avenue and I think the interview went well. But, as those hair salons taught me, one can never tell.

tan trench {Kiki's, H&M} - gingham button-up & navy necklace {Banana Republic} -

grey tiered skirt {Banana Republic Outlet} - neon wedges {Kensie via Century 21} - photo credit {Kiki}

I also have another interview tomorrow at a PR agency. I don't want to jinx it, but this is kinda, okay big time, my dream internship. It's basically perfect for me, as I am for it. So, keep your fingers crossed for me and hopefully I will blow them away with my expert interview skills and obvious modesty.

By the way, this little outfit you see above was styled by Kiki and I during our humongous photoshoot for that really huge project I keep blabbing about. I loved the unexpected pairing of the gingham button-up with the feminine tiered skirt. I'm also pretty much in love with those wedges. Because they are neon. And wedges. That I can walk in. Win. Win. Big win.

j.

Vintage Plaid Meet Bicycle Tee

Remember when I bragged about this thrifted blazer being the perfect fit? You should. It was only yesterday. Well I thought I better put it into an outfit right away. I am all about separates. I hardly ever wear a matching suit. I hardly wear suits at all. But you get the idea.

Sasha Rae and I went for a walk along the ocean. In November I might add. And I'm leaving this place why? Anyways. It did cool off quickly as the sun set. But check out that sunset. It looks like the sky is on fire.

peach cobbler cashmere scarf {gift} - birdie necklace {gift, Violette Veldor} - button earrings {handmade} -

vintage plaid blazer {thrifted} - bicycle tee {Ricki's) - green suede purse {Esprit} - dark denim skinnies {Jacob} -

 brown peter pan boots {Aldo}

I feel an addiction forming. The best kind of addiction. A shopping addiction. But I already have one of those. What am I blabbing about then? A thrifting addiction. A shopping specialization addiction. The worst kind of best addicition. Awesome.

j.

Thrifted Thursday

Hello again friends. It's been a while. I know. But it's hard to blog about style when you've been wearing fuchsia sweatpants for the past 3 days. Trust me. Not a pretty picture.

I've had a very productive week on the selling stuff and sorting front though. But I did promise you all a post a while back about these two thrifted pretties.

        

                

You will all notice the handy little "before" tags on these photos. You probably think the "after" photos are below. Don't you? Oh dear. This is awkward. There are no "after" photos....not yet anyways. Consider this a sneak peek. A preview. Although I must say that I don't think either of these pieces need much alteration. Let's break it down. (MC Hammer is now going through my head. And now probably yours. You're welcome.)

Thrifted Item: Cranberry Plaid Suit

Made in: Great Britan

Made of: 100% Lambswool

Bought from: Value Village (VV Boutique, if you will)

For: $9.99 (BOTH items!!!)

What can can I possibly do to make it even more FAB, you ask? To the Blazer? Nothing. Not a single thing. It fits like a glove. Thank you very much. And to the Skirt? I say shorten it. To the top of the pleats. Make it a high-waisted mini. My only concern is the proportion. But I think it will look better. It's a lot of plaid right now. A whole lotta plaid. 

Next!

Thrifted Item: Navy Blue Sailor Dress

Made in: Japan (guess based on language of tags)

Made of: 90% Acrylic, 10% Wool (tag was in Japanese...another perk of working at a boarding school)

Bought from: VV Boutique

For: $9.99

This little treasure only needs a few minor nips and tucks to make it suitable for the 21st century. So what am I going to do to the length? Nothing. Come on. Who do you think I am? What about that fit? A little nipping required through the waist. Easy fix. (Although I may still wait for my Nana's assistance...). Good plan. Just in case. The collar has got to go. Trust me. It will look way better. Way. And last but not least. The sleeves. I'm thinking shorten. Either 3/4 length. Or short-sleeved.

What do you think I should (or shouldn't!) do to these two thrifted gems?

j.

Plaid & Cozy

These photos were taken by my good friend Sue. Up in Shawnigan Lake. Right before we met our friend Leah for dinner. OK. Fine. They were taken right when we were supposed to be at the restaurant. Which then made us 10 minutes late. (Sorry Leah).

I have to tell you the most amazing thing that happened on my way up to Shawnigan yesterday. It was a beautiful day in Victoria. Blue sky and sunny. I began my drive in this gorgeous fall weather. Now this happens from time to time on the Island. I drove through a few different "weather systems" (I'm making up this term because I have no clue what the real name is) in a span of only 30 minutes. I went from sunny to cloudy and gray to sprinkling to RAINING and then through a sun shower. Complete with a rainbow. But we haven't even got to the most amazing part yet. I saw the end of the rainbow! Right in front of me on the highway. And then I drove through it! Through it. Through a rainbow.

Not going to lie. Did a double check in the rear-view mirror for any bouncing gold coins or small green-loving men. Came up empty (shocking).

Nevertheless, I still drove through a freaking rainbow.

red & black plaid button-up {Jacob} - black wool vest {courtesy of bestie, Sand} -

black denim skinnies {Old Navy} - tan riding-inspired boots {The Bay}

And yes. I know I've worn these boots in nearly every outfit post thus far. But I love them. So (politely) get over it.

j.

Cottage Country Chic

So. This unemployment business is tough work. Today, I cancelled most of my utilities for when I leave the Island at the end of November. Shaw kept me on hold for 30 minutes. Blast. But I was able to cancel my hydro online while I waited. That's multi-tasking folks. Next. I put hot curlers in my hair. Why you ask? Because I had the time. Sadly the curls fell right out. In fact they hardly even passed for soft waves by the time I took these photos. Didn't phase me though. Hard to get upset when you curled your hair for absolutely no reason. None at all.

I ran a few errands around downtown Victoria. Got myself a chai tea latte in Fisherman's Wharf. And scouted photoshoot locations reminiscent of country cottages.

I got dressed this morning while the curlers were still in my hair. I really thought I was going to have big, voluminous curls. Farrah Fawcett style. And so I was drawn to this green plaid retro-inspired shift dress. Add a slouchy crocheted grandma sweater. Call it an outfit. Sadly the hair didn't quite live up to my expectations. Oh well. There's always tomorrow.

 lemon drop earrings {Etsy} - peach cobbler cashmere scarf {gift} -

white crocheted sweater {H&M} -green plaid dress {Paradise Clothing} -

earthy pearls {Hawaii} - jade bracelet, wooden bangle & black, white & leather cuff {gift} -

brown knee socks & tan riding-inspired boots {The Bay}

I'm still undecided on the medley of wrist goodies. Too much? Or just enough? Meh. I rocked them either way. 

j.

Professor Plum Plaid

So. Remember how bad things happened yesterday? When I stayed in my house all day. Well. Even worse things happend today. When I left the house. I did the worst thing. But it was the best thing ever. Just like yesterday. But much worse. But so so much better. OK. Enough already. I bought a new camera. It's beautiful. It was much more than the $40 wedges from yesterday. It's a Canon PowerShot XS30 IS. It's 14.1 megapixals. My old camera was 4.0 megapixals. And it's beautiful. Enough Said. Did I mention I also bought a tripod? Because I did. And they are (to my amazement) not cheap. And I may have bought a memory card. But it's 8x bigger than my old one. I know, I know. Day one of unemployment has been extraordinarily expensive. And unemployment and extraordinarily expensive should not be used in the same sentence. Twice.

After a fleeting moment of buyer's remorse, I was over it. Might as well use my new (expensive) toy. So I took myself for a nice autumn stroll. I have some practice to do using the tripod and self-timer. Among other things. Please be patient.

I had to throw in that ridiculous jumping pic. Because I look goofy. I'm not the most coordinated person. This pic doesn't give that away does it?

Ha!

Who else noticed the dent in the toe of my boot? That's what you get for buying $70 boots from The Bay. Don't worry (because I know you are), I can pop that puppy right back out. That's quality for you folks. Quality.

                        purple plaid button-up {Mexx} - plum sweater {Gap} - blue stretch skinnies {Gap} - tan riding-inspired boots {The Bay}

I think my color scheme is similar to that of a medley of fall berries. I see my outfit and smell cinnamon, cloves and a hint of raspberry. Oh wait. That's my delicious smelling air freshener. Ooops.

On that note, good night friends!

j.