Pix-Elated

I haven't shopped in a while, but after my closet cleanout I decided a few new items were in order, one being a lightweight knit top with some bright colour. You all know I love blue...but honestly, so much of my wardrobe is blue that there are times when it can get a bit boring. And since red was my colour of the year...

I also got new sneakers from Fitflop .I ordered a half size down and am very glad I did. A previous pair of sneakers from this company was far too wide and "messy" for me -- my feet could not fill them out so they didn't offer the support they were meant to. These will be fun and easy shoes for suburban walking in dry conditions or to do errands in town. Plus, sale price. I'm a huge lover of their sandals for my summer walks -- they have cured my plantar fasciitis. Hence my attempts at company loyalty -- which sometimes work out, and sometimes do not. :) 

They are replacing my platform Cons. They don't serve quite the same function since they are not waterproof and not high tops, but they do inject fun into the fall outfit creation. 

Hair -- it's been three months -- yet again! -- since my last cut. Hoping to get one next week. It's driving me nuts. 

Anchie, I'm offering some additional tips/ ideas for urban winter walks for you. I posted some on Chris's great thread, but there I described my current winter wear for walks in a fairly temperate suburban environment; here, I'll tell you what I used to wear for a much colder and more urban setting. 

Like you, I wasn't big on true gear for my walks in an urban environment. Just didn't feel right. (I do wear much more gear now that I am walking in a different place with different kinds of roadways.) 

Here's the kind of outfit I tended to wear in Eastern Ontario's cold winters. I walked in all conditions. Even a few ice storms (I don't advise it.) 

The kinds of items you'll need include: 

1. Comfortable but fashionable footwear with a good tread. I highly recommend seeking out some kind of sneaker boot for this purpose. Either that, or an excellent low heeled chelsea boot. Examples in Finds. 

Make sure the footwear is warm enough or has enough room for good wool socks. 

2. Wool socks! :) 

3. Underlayers. I preferred to wear my regular casual clothes, more or less, with some adaptations. But of course you can also wear gear if you like. Anyway, beneath my regular clothes I often wore -- camisole or longer sleeved base layer, sometimes with long underwear -- heattech or similar. 

4. Clothes. I usually wore jeans and a wool or cashmere sweater. I think I'd be uncomfortable in office wear -- a bit too restrictive. But there are certainly some wool trousers and even jackets that could work. 

5. Coat. For me, usually a puffer. I have various weights for various purposes. I also have a "gearish" rainproof coat with cozy lining that I could wear in warmer temps if it was wet. 

6. Scarves, hats, gloves, sometimes mitts. 

I grew to love cold-weather walking. It's invigorating. And it makes the winter go by so quickly. 

Here I am in Kingston, late last February. 

Fall has arrived on Vancouver Island, right on schedule. As Angie already said, I'm so very grateful for the rain. 

This weekend I did my closet switchover, and not a moment too soon! Now that I live in a more temperate region, I actually keep more of my things in one closet across all seasons, but I do move them around, and wool and cashmere sweaters and coats go away in summer, while lightweight cotton and linen sleeveless items go away for fall/ winter. 

Last fall/ winter I put a number of items into my "to donate" pile -- but I wasn't able to take them until spring -- and then COVID hit and everything closed up, including, in our region, donation boxes/ thrifts. 

It seems I've lost some girth in the last four months, so several of the jeans I bought last autumn in the NAS no longer fit and will go to consignment/ donation now. Thank you and goodbye, Eileen Fisher BFs and Madewell wide legs. (Finds and Pics 1 and 2) You served me well and gave me and Angie some joy! :) 

Typically I'm a person who is glad to edit and quickly say goodbye to items that no longer work, but in view of my sustainability goals, I'm really glad I could dip back into the donate bin -- because despite having to pass a few things on, I've also managed to to rescue several beloved items as well as several still-good "maybes" to try them again. 

My rescues

Denim

1. 2016 Rag and Bone Dres in burgundy. (Pic 3) Favourite fall jeans ever. Yes, they are a bit low waisted for my current preferences. But oh -- they are so comfortable, the colour makes and outfit, and they flatter me so well (now that they fit again).
2. 2018 CoH Olivia jeans x 2 — in black (Pic 4) and mid -blue wash. These are now slightly loose (vs. slightly to very snug) and make a comfortable high-waisted slim straight (not calf-hugging skinny) option.

Also KEPT, despite size change: 

2019 BR wide legs, Paige boot cuts (so stretchy it wouldn’t matter). I think the BR jeans still work because they were slightly snug in the rise before — with a bit of girth lost they sit a bit differently and though they are definitely looser they don’t bag in the bum.

Trousers

1. 2019 BR wide legs — had become snug and felt too short but now that they fit more loosely, they are cropped to a length that works for me — no need to purchase new trousers.
2. Suit trousers — one pair Elie Tahari straights (2014) in taupe (was snug but now fits and can be called into use as part of my "relaxed suiting" capsule) and one pair Kit and Ace. (2016) This latter pair is still on the “skinny” side for current preferences but the fabric has stretch and they will be comfy WFH pants.

Shirts

1. J. Crew Collection (2018) — not sure how long this will last — I love the colours but I’m not crazy about silk twill — I perspire in it.
2. LL Bean Flannel (2013?) — it’s just soooo soft. Have tried to get rid of it multiple times but cant seem to say goodbye. Kind of like PJs for daytime. :) 

In general, I feel my closet is in a good place for fall so I won't need to make many purchases -- and those I do make will primarily be practical footwear and outerwear. Stay tuned for another post on that! Might need your thoughts and advice. 

Hello, all -- I'm scarce here these days due to the apocalypse and some  family stresses, plus, it's hard to post photos with no full length mirror (still!!!) --- but I did want to show off a few newer items and give reviews as well as a WIW in the wild. 

First, meet my new indoor shoes. As I've told you all ad nauseum, low vamp flats (or even higher vamp flats without a strap) almost never work on me, so I had low hopes for these Ecco Anine ballet flats in Sangria. But lo -- I think they are going to work! I wanted a simple but pretty shoe that would offer me sufficient support and be easy on and off since in my new home I'm always coming in and out from the garden and deck and want to preserve our wood floors. This won't be my only option, but I quite like it. 

True to size (for me) and enough support for indoor wear -- some cushioning in the footbed and a tiny 1/2 inch heel. Nice suede and really pretty colour options. 

You can see how my instep is almost too high for the shoe here and one reason why I always flip out of these...the other being my relatively narrow heel. But these do stay on pretty well with bare feet, at least, and should work ok with a no-show footie as well. 

Bonus shots of my new matching Rails shirt! It's soft and lovely. Oh, and bonus shot of my bathroom as well. 

Then, a few shots featuring one of Runcarla's fab masks!! First outing of my beloved thrifted Paul Smith blazer this year for a dental appointment in the big smoky city. 

Bonus (is it a bonus??)  shot of the sun on Saturday through the smoke at our place....

There's a bit of a story here. I mentioned earlier this summer that I needed a casual bag, one that was lightweight and easy to toss on, and I considered a bunch of backpacks. 

Sterling recommended that I simply go with a nylon version of the Rebecca Minkoff Julian (which I have in leather and love but which is a bit heavy for my treks around the trails.) 

I ordered one on sale and it took almost 2 months to arrive! Delivery snafu. Eventually, I got it, though, and it was an excellent choice -- thank you, Sterling! 

The pluses -- seemingly infinitely expandable but looks ok when not too full also. Side pockets and small back pocket. Lightweight. Colour makes me smile and goes with my stuff. 

The minuses -- it's not as well organized/ compartmentalized/ structured as i might wish. I long for a key holder, for a few more separate pockets inside. 

You can't see it really all that well in these pics but they give you a sense of what situations I'm wearing it in. 

Thank you, Sterling! 

I'm with my husband's grandson in the last two. They came for a visit and it was so lovely to see family. We can travel between provinces here (in most cases) without self-isolation (assuming no illness, obviously) and so they did that and stayed with us for a couple of weeks. Step-daughter-in-law in background of first pic.