C-c-c-close-up!

My sweet co-worker buys all of her skincare products at department stores, and although she really doesn't wear much make-up, she always shops during "free gift with purchase" time. I think she feels like she's getting a better deal. Sometimes she gives me stuff she thinks I'll like - this fuchsia lipstick for example. It's hotter pink than it looks in these pictures; super fun and springy. She also gave me a great Clinique palette of plummy eyeshadows, which I might experiment with tomorrow.

Buzz and Speculation

Man, isn't everyone going crazy with all the speculation about the royal wedding wardrobe? Well, in my world that's how it seems, though personally I'm expecting to be underwhelmed. I mean, how thrilling can a wedding dress be? Because at this point I guess it's safe to say that I haven't been asked to make it...

But if I was, I wish she'd do something kind of sweet and vintagey and English country-side, like the two dresses below that I did design.

Or at the other end of the spectrum, it might be kind of fun to see a princess in one of these glam numbers by Elie Saab. Still covered up and modest enough for the in-laws, fits easily into a horse-drawn carriage.

the right colours for spring

Two-Tone Blue

I remember learning in colour theory class the difference between tint, tone, and shade. A pure pigment is a hue. A tint is the hue plus white, a tone is the hue plus grey, and a shade is the hue plus black. So more accurately, I'm wearing a hue, and it's tint. And a big, shaggy sweater.

Shorts

As I was falling asleep the other night, I had an intense desire for jean shorts. All of a sudden, it seemed like jean shorts would be the solution to every fashion dilemma. However, when fully awake I realized that although jean shorts are the perfect summer basic, they themselves pose several dilemma.

First, not all jean shorts are created equal, especially when you are shopping at the thrift store. In fact, most are hideous and wrong in many obvious ways. I looked at lots of pictures, and what I don't want is what every girl at Coachella seems to be wearing - skimpy, shredded, pocket-bag-showing. I want a fairly high waist, not too tight, with a finished hem. The pictures below illustrate some styles worth considering.

The pictures below also illustrate the second dilemma. Legs. It's pretty hard to judge a jean short as seen on a super long, lean, tanned leg. For one thing, my thigh is not three feet long, making the length of the short much closer to my knee than my crotch, which is a good thing. But there is the issue of whiteness. Which I embrace, as I have no real choice, but I think I'd have better luck trying on shorts if I wore tights, at least until I get a little bit of sun.

Rays

The sun was out today and I found myself picking through my selection of sunglasses, dusting off a couple of pairs. I have a two pairs that I like, a casual plastic pair and a more interesting round pair. It's pretty hard to find good vintage sunglasses; so many have prescription lenses or scratches, but once a year or so I find a pair worth paying a couple of dollars for. They do tend to be the kind of item that can get lost, so although I admire some of the amazingly stylish sunglasses in the fashion world, I'll stick to the cheapies.

Soft Focus

Eight Degrees

Aww, still too cold for bare legs, even under a long skirt. I couldn't wait to wear it though. I hate shopping when I'm sick, but I had to drop off some donations at Value Village on the weekend and I couldn't resist a quick browse. This polka-dot skirt was the only thing that caught my eye, and I just pulled it on over my jeans because I was too lazy to take my shoes off, and when I tried it on at home I was so thrilled with the fit. It will be a good summer staple with tank-tops and sandals.

Monkey Monday

Last week I went to see the grad fashion show put on by the school I went to, and it always brings back memories. The kids now are so amazing, and the show is so much bigger and better than in my day. I ran into one of my favorite teachers and even though it was nine years ago she remembered my whole collection, which was totally flattering, and in particular she reminded me of a skirt I made in an upholstery fabric that had monkeys on it. It's deep in a closet, and I haven't pulled it out in ages, but next time I need something funky and fancy to wear, it's monkey time!

softly

Ohhh, I wish this was a scratch and sniff blog! When's that technology happening? This clematis smells so amazing! So sweet and tropical; if it was warm out I could close my eyes and imagine a tropical getaway.

When my friends were over the other night, one of them almost complimented me on my chlamydia, which, when you think about it, sounds like a flower, right? My husband was horrified at the series of immature jokes that followed.

day after day of this wandering gets you down

All day in the workshop I listen to the radio. CBC keeps me happy for the most part. But there are times when I need music, and lately I reach for Belle and Sebastian every time. I bop around singing all the words, channeling the me of ten years ago. Around that time, my good friend had a roommate who bitched at her for playing too much Belle and Sebastian, but the roommate played U2 all the time, so I don't think she had a leg to stand on.

Spring Fever

OK, I don't think it was spring fever, more like a nasty cold, but whatever the case I was really knocked out for a couple of days there. I don't get sick often, and when I do it's usually just a few sneezes and feeling lousy, but this one sucked! Anyway, it feels like it's on it's way out, thankfully, and I like to think that a day of sunshine had something to do with it. Also, wearing new shoes can boost the immune system. Studies show.

Classic Style

I know Stevie Nicks is a style icon cliche, right up there with Jackie O. and Madonna, but she's there for a reason. Those early years were pretty unbeatable, and it makes me wonder if she had any idea that people would be referencing those looks for so many decades to come. Before the days of stylists and best dressed lists, she seemed pretty self-assured and effortlessly cool.

She's coming to Vancouver soon, playing with Rod Stewart, but I don't know if I'd be into seeing her now. Some things can just be left in the past. Don't mess with my nostalgia, OK?

Spring-spiration

Sunshine and salt water, flowy white dresses; aren't those the things that dreams of summer are made of? Not that my summers look anything like that, but it's a nice fantasy. I'm lucky if I make it to the beach once a year. Though I am trying to balance my sun-burn-phobia with my need for vitamin D. Last year I did not get one sunburn, and I made a point of laying in the sun whenever I could, ten minutes front, ten minutes back. I have to be disciplined about it, because just a few minutes too many and I'm glowing red, or on the other hand I just avoid the sun altogether.

The forecast here is for a long, cool spring, which is irritating because I'm starting to itch for some gardening, but last year I put a bunch of seeds in too early and they didn't germinate. Maybe if it's nice tomorrow I can just do some tidying - it's never too early to start weeding.

A purchase or two?

No, I haven't made any purchases yet, but I've been thinking pretty seriously about a couple of spring essentials. Shockingly, I don't have a pair of cute, colourful summer sandals, and I think I need some to wear to a couple of weddings this summer. Honestly, I went through every shoe I own, and I just don't think any of them will do. Believe me, I'd sleep better at night if I didn't have to shell out $69 for these wedges by Roberto Vianni, but I can't very well wear the wrong shoes to a classy wedding, can I? And I can't imagine finding a pair I like better at a cheaper price. Value Village just won't do, I fear.

Also on the shopping list: a pair of powder-blue jeans for $29 at Joe Fresh, and maybe a bright t-shirt. T-shirts at the thrift store just aren't working for me. Faded or pilled, and for five bucks I'd rather just splurge and get a new one for $8 at Superstore, you know? My light cardigan has seen better days, and has a few too many holes to be considered presentable for work, so it might have to be replaced. My budget is about $110 (well, actually it's zero, but I'm getting pretty antsy), so I'll see what I can do. My big dilemma is whether or not to wait a month or six weeks to see if the sandals go on sale? But what if they don't and I miss out on six weeks of open-toed fun? Or what if they sell out? Bah, I know I'm silly to have such shallow concerns, but when money is tight, these little luxuries take on a big significance.