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).