de facto redhead

Boots, vintage; trousers, Forever 21; blouse, Suzy Shier, gift from Mom; belt, Liz Claiborne, thrifted; earrings, Ardene, gift from Mom; bracelet, Forever 21, gift from Mom; necklace, vintage.

These boots were my Grammie’s, but they look like they were never worn. The only thing I had to do to them was get the heel nubs repaired!

So, who is watching American Idol right now? I had a hard time deciding what to watch at 8 tonight, but went with Idol so I could talk about it at work tomorrow. I don’t want to be left out of a pop culture conversation! Oh, the naïveté! The reason I couldn’t decide what to watch tonight is because I am addicted to TV and have 20 shows on the go right now. I’m opening myself up for scathing disapproval, but here is my lineup:

Monday: 2 Broke Girls, Gossip Girl, Hart of Dixie, How I Met Your Mother, Pretty Little Liars

Tuesday: Jane By Design, New Girl, Parenthood

Wednesday: American Idol, Modern Family, Happy Endings, Hot in Cleveland, Whitney, Bomb Girls (mini-series)

Thursday: American Idol, Private Practice, Vampire Diaries, Up All Night

Friday: Nothing!

Saturday: Nothing!

Sunday: Pan Am, Shameless, Californication

Next month, The Amazing Race starts again, and in March, Dancing With the Stars comes back for another kick at the Mirrorball Trophy. Don’t even bother trying to make plans with me – I’m busy killing my brain cells.

Coat, Smart Set, gift from Mom; gloves, Old Navy; scarf, vintage.

Boots, Winterproofs, thrifted; jeans, Levis via Winners; blue top, Talula, gift from Susie; red top, Mango; sweater, Zara; bracelet, Forever 21, gift from Mom; earrings and necklace, vintage.

Everything felt like an effort today – getting up, choosing my clothes, going to work, tolerating unusual customers, taking outfit pictures, preparing my supper, etc., etc., etc. I had a pretty lazy day yesterday, though, so that might have had something to do with my lethargy today. I am also the groggiest person alive when it comes to the dreaded morning-time, so if I’m at all thrown off or feeling extra-tired, I’m, well, does buhhhhhhhhhhhhh describe it?

Highlights from Sunday: the completion of Penny Vincenzi’s newest book, The Decision, of which I wish I had more, more, more to read – her books are so unbelievably good; the cleaning and organization of my food cupboards and various post-Christmas piles; Salma Hayek’s dress at the Golden Globes; and Claire Danes’ dress at the Golden Globes. Highlights from today: jeans that were $13 at Winners; gloves that were $0.60 at Old Navy; the 2012 return of Gossip Girl; and the fifth night in a row of my new favourite dinner: a Pita Break flax pita spread with herbed goat cheese and half an avocado that’s put in the oven for eight minutes, and then topped with cucumber and tomato.

What are your highlights?

Boots, Winterproofs, thrifted; tights, gift from Mom; shirt-dress, Vero Moda via Winners; belt, Liz Claiborne, thrifted; brooch and bracelet, vintage; earrings, H&M.

Shoes and tights, Aldo; dress, Just Ginger via Winners; jacket, H&M; earrings, gift from Erin; bracelet, Sudbury craft fair; ring, vintage.

Yes, it’s broken. I’ve had it for at least 15 years and it was recently discovered in an old jewelry box at my parents’ house. My dad tried to fix the nameplate, but it continued to snap in two. I actually thought I lost this bracelet at work, and then found it on the floor in the back room, three months later. It’s the bracelet that just won’t quit.

I mentioned the other day that I went shopping, and in the pictures above are more of my recent acquisitions. Along with the cash I had from my returned goods, I also had VISA and Winners gift cards, so it was a fun three-to-four hours spent frolicking through the Burlington Mall. Great sales and markdowns are so thrilling (read more about the euphoria over at My Edit). Example: I bought the Vero Moda shirt-dress for $19.99 (plus tax) and the Just Ginger dress for the same price, and while I already mentioned the deals on right now at The Bay and Old Navy, Payless had some decent clearance items as well (mid-height olive-green shoe-booties purchased for $19, plus tax). A few days later, however, I discovered more fabulous shoes on clearance at Spring’s online store. I bought four pairs (three for me, and one for Darcy), and I’m hoping they all fit properly. With the e-mail sign-up discount of 10%, the total was $77, and that included a pair of cognac loafer-type wedges, a pair of black motorcycle-boot shoe-booties, a pair of two-tone brown flats, and a pair of black men’s dress shoes. I’m dizzy – fetch my smelling salts!

Where have you scored post-Christmas deals?

Boots, Spring; dress, Old Navy; belt, thrifted; clear necklace, gift; gold necklace, vintage; earrings, Ardene; ring, Material Girl via The Bay.

Happy New Year! A bit late for those sentiments, but since this is my first post of 2012, I thought the opener was apt. I had a wonderful Christmas break, and it even included a few firsts – I took part in two spinning classes (thank you, Melanie!), Darcy and I cooked a lamb leg along with various other dishes for a dinner party of seven, and I bought a Pyrex bowl in the Old Orchard pattern (something I swore I would never do – too ugly!). You could say everything’s all old hat now.

Another first of the new year came with the purchase of the dress I’m wearing in the pictures above. I had a few returns from Christmas gifts that didn’t quite fit, and with the money I got back, I went shopping. Old Navy is currently offering 40% off their clearance prices, so, among other things, I bought this dress for $27, plus tax. I don’t own anything this length, but something struck me about the dress, even though I have been wary of maxi skirts for fear of looking stumpy. However, as I wrote in this post’s title, I was feeling very witchy/gold dust woman a la Stevie Nicks, and although I felt a bit of trepidation on my way to work today – was this look a mistake?!! – I think as the hours went by, I fell more and more in love. It’s official – I have taken the oath of fabric (thanks, Miranda Hobbes).

P.S. The Bay also has 50% off its regular-priced costume jewellery right now, and I bought two bracelets and two rings, including the one pictured above (it was $7, plus tax).

Last Christmas, my friend Joanne, of A Warm Cup of Joe, did a blog post about her special Christmas ornaments. I thought it was a great idea and wanted to write my own version, but I didn’t get around to it. This year, I made a pledge to myself (and to Joanne!) to DO THIS POST, and since I was always good little Girl Guide, I try to keep my blog-post pledges. I want a badge!

This is my newest ornament on the tree. Kristy gave it to me at the ornament exchange a week ago. She got it at the One of  a Kind Show, and there’s a personalized message on the back, along with a secret scroll that falls out of the bottom when the ornament’s string goes slack. It’s so special, and I love it!

This one was purchased at the gift shop at the top of the Banff Gondola ride, and it’s been my favourite for the past few years. I bought this with Kristy when she was in Alberta on a work trip.

Darcy and I bought this inukshuk in Jasper when my parents came to visit us in Edmonton. That seems like it was so long ago!

Let’s go back in time…to circa 1988 when I made ornaments in school and thought I had a talent in visual arts.

I also made this beauty, with each piece carefully and logically glued onto a shell. What genius! What promise!

Darcy and I also bought this one on a trip with my parents, but this time it was to the opposite end of the country – PEI! This was Darcy’s pick in the gift shop at the New Glasgow Lobster Suppers.

This ornament is very special to me because it used to belong to my Grammie and Grampie, and the names on it refer to me and my brother, not me and Darcy the boyfriend. I remember taking this ornament home from PEI the first time I went back after my Grampie died. It was a sad moment in the basement when my mom and I were going through my grandparents’ old ornaments.

I also brought this one home with me on that same trip. My Grammie made it, and from Christmas to Christmas, it has alternated between being hung on the tree and hung from some sort of hook around the house.

Another PEI ornament! This one is handmade as well, and it’s an actual starfish. Santa be a starfish, son!

This ornament came from PEI as well, and it used to be part of a pair…until I broke the other one. My clumsiness is a fact of life around our home.

This one may have belonged to my maternal great-grandmother. I know my mom has an identical ornament on her tree. Mom?

This vintage ornament belonged to Darcy’s Baba. It looks perfect among the vintage vibe of our tree!

I bought this little guy for Darcy last year. He loves penguins!

This is one of the first ornaments Darcy and I bought together, during our first Christmas in Edmonton. We bought it at Hallmark, which means we spent too much, but how can you say no to Hermey…?

…And if you can’t say no to Hermey, how can you say no to Yukon Cornelius?!

Erin gave me this ornament for our annual exchange a few years ago, and it arrived in the mail with a cupcake ornament that’s also hanging on the tree. It references my then-obsession with Flirt Cupcakes in Edmonton. (Truthfully, the obsession still exists. I. Just. Can’t. Get. Them. Here.) I digress. Isn’t this dove pretty?!

I bought this one last year in Hamilton, at Citizen Kid. Erin and I went shopping after the Santa Shuffle, and now, in addition to me, my mom and Jen also have this decoration hanging on their trees. (Jen was Erin’s pick for the ornament exchange last year, and as for my mom, well, I’m just a good daughter like that!) Erin, did you buy one, too?

My mom gave me this vintage postcard last year. That’s a redheaded girl, of course! The clothespin technique is one I thought of this year, and I admit I was pretty satisfied with myself when I came up with the idea. Patent pending.

Last but not least, and in honour of the person who inspired this post, I give you the sparkly shoe! Joanne sent a set of ornaments to me for my birthday this year, and this was included, along with three other glittery, girly accessories. Thanks, Joanne – for both this idea and for the thoughtful present!

Shoes, Winners; tights, gift; skirt, H&M; top, Guess; belt, thrifted; purse, Aldo; earrings and brooches, vintage.

Last night was Bryony’s annual Christmas party, and while Darcy and I were waiting for our ride into Toronto, I actually had time to take pictures on a night I was going out. That never happens! And forget about taking outfit pics when I get home – that also never happens, and it doesn’t take much imagination to figure out why. I did manage to get one other picture last night, though:

That is Darcy pushing Erin and Mikey J.’s car…at 1:30 am…yep, we ran out of gas. This had never happened to any of us, and it was surprising how suddenly the whole fiasco went down. The gauge said we had six kilometres left in gas. Nope. It was more like one or less, and, thankfully, we were pulling into a gas station when the chugging started – and ended – in about five seconds. Then, after Darcy got out and pushed and Mike steered the car into the station, we realized we had pulled up in front of the diesel pumps. Noooooo! Mike got out of the car to help Darcy push, and Erin took over the wheel. She successfully got us over to the right pumps, and then almost knocked out the teeth of both Darcy and Mike when she quickly threw the car into park to stop it from moving any further. Driving Miss. Edna! Everyone saw the hilarity in the situation, but that laughter could have quickly turned to tears and PO’ed boyfriends had we literally waited another two minutes to pull off the highway. Is that you, Santa? Thanks for saving us. We believe in the magic of Christmas in the face of fuel emergencies…

Boots, Spring; leggings, Dynamite; tube-dress, Spoof; shirt, Old Navy; jacket, closed-down boutique in Toronto; scarf, gift;  purse, thrifted; hat, Aldo.

Christmas is, indeed, 10 days away, but you wouldn’t know it by the weather today – it was 12 degrees in Burlington, and this is what I had on while running errands this afternoon. I made Irish soda bread this afternoon, and had to open the kitchen window because of the warmth of the oven. It was heat upon heat, this balmy afternoon of December 15. Unheard of, dear sir!

Over the past couple weeks, I have been counting down to Christmas by participating in all things festive. The month started out with the annual Santa Shuffle 5K:

Erin and I after this year’s Santa Shuffle. The random person we asked to take our picture told us were were “shiny” after she took the shot. Erin and I glanced at each other as if to say, “That’s rude!” but then we looked at the picture and realized she meant our reflective gear. OK, we forgive you.

Here I am at my staff party, which was was a couple weeks ago. We had a fantastic dinner at Red Canoe Bistro in downtown Burlington, and while this martini looks fabulous, it was not. Tequila and salt overload! I finished it, though, so I guess it wasn’t that bad… I am wearing a one-piece pantsuit from Anthropolgie, a fact that my co-workers thought was hilarious – a one-piece pantsuit!?!?

Last weekend, the girls and I got together at my place to celebrate our seventh annual Christmas gift exchange. We started out with actual presents and switched to cookies somewhere along the way, but we are now fully committed to ornaments. We are also fully committed to our annual Christmas exchange potluck. Oh, food. We crawled from the couches to this position, and then collapsed in unison after the picture was taken.

I also guest-blogged over at Dear Edna today, and if you want to look at some lovely pictures of holiday Pyrex, head over there, like OMG, now! And, finally, this Saturday is Bryony’s annual Christmas party, so I need to stop everything and focus on the big things in life, such as what to wear. Ha.

Shoes, Aldo; tights, gift; dress, KensieGirl; blazer, Urban Outfitters; necklace, Stella & Dot, gift from Candice, earrings, Le Chateau; brooch, gift.

The past few days I have been wearing the same lipstick and I think it’s quite obvious that it’s becoming my new favourite shade! It’s L’Oreal Infallible Bold  Bordeaux (#741), and while it’s not a super-long-lasting shade in terms of ultra all-day wear, the residual stain of the berry colour stays on my lips for hours of talking, laughing, and drinking tea and water at work. I am constantly looking for a shade that rivals a universally outfit-flattering Clinique colour that Susie and I coveted during our early 20s (I think it was called Surprise; it was discontinued). For me, Bold Bordeaux comes close. It’s not nude, but it’s not a striking red, either, which makes it the perfect everyday shade for a pale girl like me!

What are your favourite lipsticks and shades?

Shoes, Aldo; tights, gift; skirt, Rena Rowan Separates, thrifted; blouse, H&M; earrings, Claire’s; necklace, vintage.

I did nothing to this picture. The flash really did cause my skin to show up THAT WHITE.

It’s hard to believe this Thursday is December 1. This weekend I have my first holiday celebration of the Christmas season, as well as the annual Santa Shuffle 5K on Saturday. I remember it being cold last year, but it’s been so mild here that I can’t imagine wearing a toque and heavy clothes within a matter of days. Beyond social engagements, I am also starting to think more seriously about the upcoming pressures of Christmas – gift-buying (but first thinking of WHAT to buy), baking, mailing out Christmas cards, decorating, wrapping, cleaning, working, travelling, visiting, and whatever else might pop up along the way. Personally, I am most excited about the social engagements – friends, family, eating, drinking, dancing, talking, (board)gaming – yahoo!

To that list I therefore ask: Can I please be a lady who Christmases? I’ll gladly take over Mrs. Claus’s role, except…is she allowed to drink wine? What do you think? Is Mrs. Claus a prim teetotaler or an indulgent wino? Merry Christmas, Hermeyyyyyyyyyyy!

Boots, Spring; jeans, Levis; jacket, H&M; scarves, Ardene, gift from Mom

Shirt, Old Navy; necklace, Charlotte Russe; ring, vintage.

I went shopping yesterday, and while my intent was to Christmas shop, I found it impossible (as usual) to stick to this plan. Yes, I did find some great items (as well as my Christmas cards; thank you, Home Sense!), but I also spent some time digging through the clearance racks at Winners to find the jeans I have on in the pictures above. They’re Levis petite boot-cut jeans, and I had some misgivings because the pants are too short and I’m not usually a fan of this cut. But, tucked into knee-high boots or rolled up, they seem OK…and they were $13 on clearance. So while not an all-purpose pair of jeans, they are great dual-purpose jeans that spoke to my thrifty heart. I wore them today to meet up with Bryony – we went to see My Week With Marilyn. The movie was enjoyable, but wow – if that is how Marilyn Monroe behaved, I feel sorry for her co-workers. I just wanted to shake her! Smarten up, woman! Bryony and I did get a kick out of Kenneth Branagh as Sir Laurence Olivier, though. Who can keep their stiff upper lip in the face of British humour? Not I, said the red-headed girl. I also discovered a very cute Eddie Redmayne as Colin Clark, and this experience was made all the more enjoyable thanks to the ever-so-satisfying Sinful Cinnamon Wetzel Preztel. If these are available at the theatre, I will get one, no matter how much I have eaten beforehand (and yes, Bryony and I did eat beforehand). I MUST HAVE IT.

It’s Monday already…?