I am a huge fan of local food. During the summer months, just right outside our apartment, there was a farmers market each and every thursday.
I would delight ML when he came home from work with crepe for desert or fresh peppers and tomatoes for his pastas.
Now that the weather is near zero, I really miss the lovely weather and the local farmers that make the trip into the city once a week.
” The rhymth of the weekend, with its birth, its planned gaieties, and its announced end, followed the rhythm of life and was a substitute for it.” F. Scott Fitzgerald
I love the weekends, and I love it even more when there is no work to be done.
Below is my weekend uniform, a pragmatic outfit that lets me walk for hours to different shops and markets getting food for the week or sometimes for the month.
I buy meats only once a month since we try to reduce our consumption of meat. It is getting cold in Toronto so I never leave the house without a scarf, I usually have a coffee in hand so I always wear a black coat out to hide the coffee stains that inevitably occurs.
One scarf in current rotation is a mustard yellow one. After I saw a top from Tory Burch’s Spring 2011 collection, I’ve been trying to search for something similar in all my trips to Goodwill. It has such a 70s feel to it and am confident I can find something similar at Goodwill. For now, the closest to this colour is the scarf.
Below is the whole weekend uniform, comfortable and functional.
Coat: Gap, bought at Goodwill
Scarf: Goodwill (No tag so brand unknown)
Pants: Banana Republic Petite Collection
Boots: Enzo Angiolini, Size 4 from Nordstorm
Bag – Winners
For the past month, I’ve been trying to throw away one thing a day. Sometimes it’s books that I’ve hold on for too long or shoes that hurt or clothes that no longer fit.
Today’s giveaway is a reflection of who I am not anymore. I bought this set from Femme de Carrier years ago with my newly earned profession job. I’ve hung onto it telling myself I’ll wear it on the weekends to the local produce or meat market. But I never do, for several good reasons. I no longer have the flat stomach that most 23 year olds do, this top cuts way too high that by belly fat will naturally protrude.
I guess I hung onto it hoping that I would regain my tiny 23 year old waist, but that’s wishful thinking and delusional.
Throwing something out every day (most days) allows me to reflect and remind myself what I don’t need and reminds me who I am not anymore.
It’s amazing what we hold onto.
Goodwill Donation: Femme de Carrier Cotton Set (will be steamed ironed before dropping off)
At the end of the day, 60 years from today, whether on my death bed or on the porch somewhere, I want to make sure I am able to say that I gave it my all. Whether it’s in my marriage with my husband, at work where I strive to work harder and smarter everyday. And this blog, where I reach my goal of making a real impact on a not-for-profit that provided my family with means of buying affordable clothes at a time in our life where we needed it most.
Starting a new job and marriage at the same time are two daunting tasks. It’s kept me busy and I have not blogged as much as I’d like. I am going to try and write shorter posts and hopefully that lets me post more often.
Today’s outfit features my all time favorite Goodwill piece, the classic red pencil skirt paired with cobalt blue Zara top I bought in Paris. This is my second silk long sleeve top from Zara. Every year I treat myself to one of their silk tops. Last year’s treat was a long sleeve silk leopard top that I still adore.
Necklace: Club Monaco
Top: Zara
Bottom: Goodwill Red Pencil Skirt for $6
Shoes: Stuart Weitzman Size 4 from Norstrom
If you’re not able to find your own Red Pencil Skirt at the local Goodwill, there’s a few other retailers that do make them. Valentino has a skirt to die for as well as Moschino below.
Price: $274 Pounds and can be bought here
I am excited to be returning to Paris, this time on my honeymoon. I expect Paris in the fall to be romantic and dreamy. I think it’s way more fun to plan outfits for Paris in the fall than summer.
When I think of shopping in Paris, there are 10 quintessential things that come to mind. I don’t think ML will let me buy all 10 but a girl can dream.
1. ERES one piece swimsuit. I have my one piece black Speedo swimsuit for post binging/feasting swim days but I’ve longed for a proper grown up one piece from ERES for a couple of years now. I definitely want to pick up two classic styles in white and black. Below are the styles I am hoping to pick up, the blue one comes in black, yey!
2. Cosabella. Even though it’s origin is in Italy. When I first learned of Cosabella 3 or 4 years ago, I always thought it was a French transplant. And even though there are a dozen or so shops that carry Cosabella in Toronto. There’s no better place to pick up a couple of pieces from Cosabella than Paris, while on your honeymoon.
3. Longchamp. Suprise Suprise. This one is quite predictable for females over 25 years of age. I love this brand of bags. They are understated. Their branding is not intrusive and they know how to keep it simple. I have to small ones that I love. It’s very difficult to find a cross body Longchamp or one that has a shoulder strap. I will definitely make a visit but whether I make a purchase is iffy. I have more than my share of bags and would probably either choose one that is versatile. One that can be used on the weekends as well as for work.
I love wearing pleats and have been adding more to my wardrobe. They suit every season and occasion if worn right. I probably have close to 10 pleated skirts in my closet now and I guess it’s time to stop adding more.
Top: Club Monaco
Bottom: Goodwill Pleated Skirt
Shoes: Stuart Weitzman
I’m not the only one that’s gone gaga for pleats. Tien is always looking polished, even when preggos.
Below is the skirt from Club Monaco that inspired my pleat and pastel obsession this summer.
I miss blogging. Things have been heating up with my wedding that I can’t seem to find time to blog.
Once the wedding is over, I plan to blog much more often. I think my biggest goals are to blog about alterations I do to my goodwill finds. As well as cook as many recipes as I can from Momofuku.
I’ve been trying my best to purge and let go of as many emotional and physical clutter as I can to start this new chapter of my life. I’ve given a lot to Goodwill and this is just a snap shot of the many things I’ve been donating the past year.
Some of these boots I’ve had for close to 5-6 years. And even though I have not been wearing them for the past 2 years, I’ve kept them around. I can’t believe I did that.
My goal is to get down to just 100 items in my closet by this time next year. This includes shoes, bottoms, tops and dresses. We’ll see if I can pull it off.
Got to go get hitched!
A few weeks ago, was a good friend’s bachelorette party.
I had such a fun time dancing and it was great to be able to dress head to toe in my Goodwill finds. The dress code dictated by the bridesmaids were white + 80s theme.
I tried my best and this is what I was able to dig up in my closet.
The skirt in this outfit was very long when it got it. The hemline was down to my ankles. I did a crappy job with the alteration but since this is a skirt intended for fun, I did not worry too much about it.
top: silk top from Goodwill
bottom: 80s skirt from Goodwill
accessories: necklace from Goodwill and ESPIRT purse from Goodwill
shoes: size 4 from Nordstrom / Stuart Weitzman
My apartment is adjacent to a mall and a subway station. With all the rain that we’ve been getting, I find myself procrastinating at the book store flipping through tonnes of magazines and books for hours on end. During my last coffee break on a rainy Sunday, I found this layout that I really liked.
After seeing this layout. I was inclined to pick this up at Goodwill. There’s a few things that need to be to be altered. I’d like to cut the sleeve so they become 3/4 sleeve. For sure a hem job is needed for this dress as well as moving the waist line up. I want to find a nice nude slip to wear under neath the dress it to give it a classic look and of course a nude belt would be a subtle contrast to round out the whole look.
i love value village and goodwill 