de facto redhead

Today’s topic for the February Photo a Day Challenge was “inside your closet,” and while I have been faithfully participating in this online community via Twitter (@defactoredhead) since February 1, I thought today warranted an actual camera photo (and blog post) rather than a grainy low-light picture posted by my cellphone. Without further ado, here are two pictures of the inside of the chaos that is my closet:

Nothing in here is ironed. I iron on an as-needed basis.

1. I spy a Dear Edna bag among the jungle of belts and purse straps.

2. My overstuffed jewelry box.

3. My overstuffed bracelet drawers.

4. My overstuffed necklace “tackle box.”

5. Where my tights and leggings are stored. I just lied. There are more in a box you can’t see.

6. The top of a stack of sweaters (I keep my sweaters and pyjamas in this green bin).

7. My workout clothes that get the slum treatment, folded in piles on the floor.

I am horribly behind with my posts, and unlike everyone else I know, I don’t even have Pinterest to blame – every time I log on, my mind goes completely blank. Apparently, though, I’ve been feeling less-than-inspired on here as well…hence the lack of action on De Facto Redhead. But, for those of you who like chaos and confusion with some thrifting thrown in for bargooning pleasure, here is what I’ve been wearing and how I’ve been wiling away the time:

Boots, Spring; jeans, Costa Blanca; shirt-dress, Vero Moda; vest, H&M, belt, Le Chateau; bracelets, assorted; necklace, vintage, gift from Mom.

Boots, Spring; jeans, Levis; blouse, H&M; sweater, Zara; belt, thrifted; brooch, vintage.

Boots, Spring; jeans, Levis; sweater, Jacob; coat and hat, Urban Outfitters; gloves and purse, Old Navy; scarf, vintage. I wore this outfit in Toronto on January 21 while going to this:

This exhibit was taking place at the Bell TIFF Lightbox, and my mom and I managed to sneak in on the last weekend the event was in town. We dutifully paid our $15 for our tickets and proceeded to enjoy every minute of the exhibit. Grace Kelly’s letters, movie posters, clothes, wedding dress (a replica), accessories, and more were on display, and as soon as my mom and I got home, we started our online search for reputable books we could read about Grace Kelly’s life. The order was placed, and now we wait… We must know more about the “woman who had many lovers and was quite the hot tamale.” (Direct quote from an elderly lady behind us at the exhibit.)

This print was on one of walls outside the Lightbox. No pictures were allowed inside the exhibit. Boooo!

I look like this every day. Don’t you?

It wouldn’t have been a proper weekend with my parents if we didn’t darken the door of at least one thrift store. My mom and I each scored this Pyrex juice jug for $0.99 at the Burlington Goodwill.

Hello! We came home from the Freelton Antique Mall with a nice lady named Carla. We admit we were pricey at $12, but we will be forever grateful for Carla’s kind heart and sparkling smile.

What up, Sudbury? Why were you lurking in Freelton? What brought you there? And why did you have to be $7 and make me feel guilty about spending that on you? You are just too darn winsome.

A vintage 1968 edition of the Joy of Cooking, purchased for $1 at The Reuse Centre.

Another score at The Reuse Centre – a $0.25 mug for Darcy with his last name on it. 

Last night, Erin, Mike, Darcy, and took off for the outer ridges of Niagara wine country, and we stayed in Jordan. This is us at the Jordan House Tavern, and in the background you can see the pool table where I sharked it during my first game in about four years. I refute all accusations of beginner’s luck. Today, we collected a nice little bounty of wine and came home with plans to quit our jobs and open a winery. With my beginner’s luck, we can’t lose…

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).

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!