Happy Labour Day!
My daughter has informed me that we have missed the train to Hogwarts yesterday - apparently, it left in the morning on September 1st - so we will just have to keep going, unless we can find a magical flying car...
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Yesterday we did the Style Quiz by the Boys from Visual Therapy.
It turns out that my taste has indeed changed. You recall my questions... The questions that the boys ask are a little more global than my specific ones, but they are not dissimilar:
1. Do I love it?
For me - #3 would be - is this whimsical/bohemian or creative/nostalgic (but not in a trashy way!)
so as I continue to purge my fall wardrobe, some things I was unsure of before are getting a second life and some things that fit in with a different life and style are leaving me.
If you own something nice and you say aloud to your daughter (or whomever!) "why do I never wear this?" you need to ask yourself - why not and is there a way to salvage it so it can fit your style? But that is another post...
I do not know who said it - Jennifer of A Well Styled Life or AJC from a A J Crew Shopping Habit - but even your basics - your tees, jeans, black trousers should all be love. You can love a pair of black capris, if they are the right capris, as much as you can love a silk dress...
That said, I went to Saint John with my kids and the son's girlfriend on Friday and picked up a couple of things. Mostly I walked behind people and paid for their stuff, but I did get a couple of things myself (more on the trip later in the week) that fit in with my new wardrobe mantras.
1) A lovely royal blue boiled wool Moto Jacket. This was love at first sight and very cheap - a Winners winner (the Canadian equivalent of TJ Maxx) and so lovely. I would wear this with jeans as a fall coat or with a funky dress...The moto aspect made it fun and the colour was perfection. Fits within my fall colour story - phew...
And a gorgeous blue leather bag.
This cross body bag is made and designed in Columbia. It is a gorgeous soft mottled blue leather outside, a gorgous blue suede inside...Grey leather handle at the clasp in front. I bought it as Manchester Shoe Shop in uptown Saint John.
The interior is lined in purple:
You can see me wearing it below. I made it slightly shorter today when we went out. I just love this bag!
I also got a couple more things delivered Friday from the recent 30% JCrew sale:
J Crew Antiqued Floral Tee:
and the matching wool scarf:
I loved both of these and they get to stay.
The tshirt has grey, dark camel, hot pink, even a touch of periwinkle colour in it. The scarf is huge:
I will be wearing this with my jean jacket and blazers when I am out and about this fall.
above you can see the scarf with heather flax and hot pink, and below I am showing it in ivory...
Being able to assess your clothes against your style simplifies things very much. The critical thing is to ensure that your purchases are consistent with how you want to define your style. It all has to come together!
Tomorrow - a simple wardrobe for a work-at-home Whimsical Boho!
My daughter has informed me that we have missed the train to Hogwarts yesterday - apparently, it left in the morning on September 1st - so we will just have to keep going, unless we can find a magical flying car...
************
Yesterday we did the Style Quiz by the Boys from Visual Therapy.
It turns out that my taste has indeed changed. You recall my questions... The questions that the boys ask are a little more global than my specific ones, but they are not dissimilar:
1. Do I love it?
2. Is it flattering?
3. Does it represent me, and is this the image I want to portray?
For me - #3 would be - is this whimsical/bohemian or creative/nostalgic (but not in a trashy way!)
so as I continue to purge my fall wardrobe, some things I was unsure of before are getting a second life and some things that fit in with a different life and style are leaving me.
If you own something nice and you say aloud to your daughter (or whomever!) "why do I never wear this?" you need to ask yourself - why not and is there a way to salvage it so it can fit your style? But that is another post...
I do not know who said it - Jennifer of A Well Styled Life or AJC from a A J Crew Shopping Habit - but even your basics - your tees, jeans, black trousers should all be love. You can love a pair of black capris, if they are the right capris, as much as you can love a silk dress...
That said, I went to Saint John with my kids and the son's girlfriend on Friday and picked up a couple of things. Mostly I walked behind people and paid for their stuff, but I did get a couple of things myself (more on the trip later in the week) that fit in with my new wardrobe mantras.
 |
| I don't care for them with the Minnies and this outfit but I was too lazy to change my pants... |
And a gorgeous blue leather bag.
This cross body bag is made and designed in Columbia. It is a gorgeous soft mottled blue leather outside, a gorgous blue suede inside...Grey leather handle at the clasp in front. I bought it as Manchester Shoe Shop in uptown Saint John.
The interior is lined in purple:
I also got a couple more things delivered Friday from the recent 30% JCrew sale:
J Crew Antiqued Floral Tee:
and the matching wool scarf:
I loved both of these and they get to stay.
The tshirt has grey, dark camel, hot pink, even a touch of periwinkle colour in it. The scarf is huge:
I will be wearing this with my jean jacket and blazers when I am out and about this fall.
above you can see the scarf with heather flax and hot pink, and below I am showing it in ivory...
Being able to assess your clothes against your style simplifies things very much. The critical thing is to ensure that your purchases are consistent with how you want to define your style. It all has to come together!
Tomorrow - a simple wardrobe for a work-at-home Whimsical Boho!
Wendy, I'm so behind in reading and commenting!
ReplyDeleteI need to go back and read yesterday's post and do the quiz myself!
Anyway, I think the blue jacket is fabulous - the most amazing colour! I bet it would look great with the Ruth scarf (!!)
Also love your tee and scarf. I seem to think there are shoes to match as well ??
It's such a good idea to re-assess one's style regularly, and cull accordingly. My boxes are full of stuff I'll no longer wear, but am keeping for my daughter. Of course, it's unlikely that she'll ever want them, but I am unable to throw them out! Daft, really...
I'm on the hunt for a silk shirt to replace a crappy cheap Zara purchase. Love the style, can't bear the cheap fabric!
Am going to do that style quiz to see what categories I fall into. I 'm guessing I'll be a mix of them all!
I used to keep stuff, since I had paid so much for it, but no more, unless it is really a sentimental piece! Now I am ruthless! (no pun intended!)
DeleteI am guessing in advance that you are avante-garde!
You must share your result, Ruth!
DeleteI was had no consistent result. I had marginally more in chic, but I had at least one answer in each category.
Abby - maybe you are a chameleon??? I would check the book and their website - you may have to rely on the style icons they use..
DeleteI did the quiz and a few didn't really have an answer I would choose!
DeleteHowever, I went with the choice that was least annoying to me, and got
3 Avant Garde
3 Chic
1 Classic
1 Bohemian
i guess I'm what you'd call Random!!!
I love my black capris! I wear them in summer and in winter tucked into boots.
ReplyDeleteMy slouchy bag is getting masses of use too, I never used to like cross body but here it means one less thing to grapple with with trying to get an umbrella up in lashing rain. For that reason I love any kind of hooded parka/coat too.
I am a bit sad that it will be the end of ballet pump season in few weeks, it's already socks and boots weather here to be honest but I am going to freeze my pieds off a wee bit longer.
I know! I think black capris are a woman's best friend! I am wearing my ballet flats in all colours these days (but did not wear the blue jacket over the outfit above - I didn't need a jacket - that was just for the pic!) - will be getting my money's worth out of them all before they get packed away (though I often take a pair with me to wear at people's houses at winter dinner parties!)
DeleteThis bag is truly perfect for me and the quality is amazing! Is it wrong that I also love that this is a not a big "name" purse - though I may be wrong and they may be well known, but not well known to me - I am so happy with it!
Hey WMM, thumbs up on the bag. I don't think it's wrong at all, quality and wearability much more important than a brand or label. I find all the external logos these days a bit vulgar to be honest. One reason I used to be a fan of JC leather goods, un-blinged.
DeleteIn South America, Brazilian and Colombian leather can be prized the way we do some from Italy, who knows, you may have an avant garde find.
I am reassessing myself right now too. Most of my stuff is in boxes and in storage and I am making do with a suitcase of clothes. I dont' miss very much having said that. Really weird. But then part of me does want to reinvent myself and make an effort like I did up until my early 30's. I must say that you are just so organized i do feel like i need to get my act together...
ReplyDeleteOh CSW - it is all a ruse - I am trying to break myself of bad habits and embrace a style I really love so I can avoid costly mistakes!
DeleteThese posts are so interesting, thank you for sharing, Wendy!
ReplyDeleteI love the blue of your jacket.
well I am looking forward to wearing it properly, but I was too lazy to change the outfit I was wearing to the movies!
DeleteYour new jacket is gorgeous, I loved a boiled wool jacket for fall. I had one in black with a peter pan collar 15 years ago... bought at Winners as well, I wore that jacket for years and years, it was my favourite!
ReplyDeleteThe print on that wool scarf is so pretty.
I have too many things in storage, I must get rid of some. This week is all about organizing and cleaning my house, I've got the donate collection van coming tomorrow and the boxes and bags are piled up, now today I need to go through TWO BOXES of coats that I put downstairs last year... way too many coats, the good news is that others will benefit from me being a crazy coat lady!!
Dani, you make me smile. Here you are donating coats (always a good thing in Canada) and here I am still acquiring them. Amazing to think a decade ago I only had one. Have made some mistakes which have since gone on to better homes. But determined to lick black, trench or "country non barbour" walking coat this year. Must take look again at that UK place you posted on - "rose".
DeleteI was thinking of getting another purse for this fall/winter season but am now sold on the idea of just continuing to use my J Crew Blush cut out hobo (not sure of the "real" name) bag I got for spring. Blush Pink seems to be in and the damn thing will definitely go with all my navy and grey. I love your purchases especially the jacket. A great color and fit will make anything under it chic and effortless. Well done!
ReplyDeleteBb - the blush colour appears big this fall so I think you will look awesome in it!
DeleteI hear you - my rascals are doing campus stuff today and I am cleaning, cleaning, cleaning (but first going for a long walk!). Today is clothes clean out part 2 - though al ost done - then linen closet and fridge. I am making a schedule for 3 weeks of deep cleaning!
ReplyDeleteWish I could fit your coats - I need a couple!
I love the moto jacket, that's a great find! I never find treasures like that at TJ Maxx. I like the tee too and I didn't know there was a scarf in that print, like that too!
ReplyDeletewell I never usually do, either - it is either feast or famine!
DeleteI just love that blue jacket-- one of my colors.
ReplyDeletePouring rain here so the annual Flotilla of Friends(everyone hits the harbor in their kayaks and assembles on one of the islands for a meal) is cancelled so could be closet day. Definitely is food preservation day as I have colanders of tomatoes to can,beans to freeze.
Fun to go shopping with daughters, isn't it?
I need to get some jars to deal with tomatoes as well! no rain here yet.
Deletewe went to see The Butler yesterday - I thought it was amazing, and especially Forest and Oprah. Forest had me crying the whole last 15 minutes!
Was he not beautiful? So dignified.
DeleteMust see now...
DeleteYou will love it GF!
DeleteGreat purchases WMM. I think that scarf is so striking, and the pocketbook is both unusual and lovely. I am rarely unhappy with things in my favorite color and that rich blue of the jacket seems to be yours. It is very flattening on you.
ReplyDeleteHey KNityarns! Yup - blues and pinks are it for me!
DeleteHi Wendy, happy Labour Day! That bag is quite the find, it will be wonderful for travel as well.
ReplyDeleteWinners is hit or miss for me too - I usually only look at the bags, the other accessories and the housewares. Your jacket is a great find, with that and the Paris t-shirt, you are on a roll with Winners! I'll have to take a closer look next time I'm in there.
Hi Patricia - this is a much bigger winners than I am used to and very nice! Most times I go there to find cheap workout gear or housewares!
DeleteThe moto jacket and the bag are great finds!
ReplyDeleteLOve both of your jcrew items,i am glad they get to stay:)
You inspired me to purge my closet.
Have a great Labour day!
Well good luck, though I think you have it all under control!
DeleteLove the moto jacket, cannot wait to wear mine too. I ordered that scarf and I love it but it is almost too big, overwhelming. Great colors and print. I love the antique flower tee on you too!
ReplyDeleteajc, not sure if you are one for videos, but Eileen Fisher about us area of website always has a new, seasonal scarf tying tutorial that's not too fussy.
DeleteI need to "do something" with my bigger scarves, like this new acquisition, otherwise look swamped with long hair and at 5'2"
Think you are right GF - I think I will most be wearing mine outside over coats and can't wait!
DeleteWMM,
ReplyDeleteLeft lots of rambles above (another great weekend post, chatter.) But as the Bag Insider meant to say you should spray that bag flap's suede carefully with protector if you have some for boots etc. Really helps against pen marks, dirt bags pick from daily use etc.
You are true blue these days my lady!
Thanks! I will see what I have - I am sure I have suede protector and is a good reminder!
DeleteThat is a Wendy jacket if I ever saw one. I love it. I don't understand how boho or creative/nostalgic can be trashy. I take it you mean garbage-dirty/trashy not slutty/trashy? Anyway -- I am all about a totally new style this year, so I am off to take the quiz. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteGigi - I think I can easily take anything and make it trashy! I am always one sequin and rhinestone away from total over the top!
DeleteWell, this week the extra five pounds and I take on the closer. A component os the analysis is "Can I still get into it without pain?" Oh who'm I kidding? Make that 10 lb.
ReplyDeleteAnyway I love your bag, reminds me of a backpack /bag that I had made just outside Yosemite. I loved it to death. Sad times out there now .
Oh Fred - where shall we send your 10 and my 15??????
DeleteVery cute bag! And I'm diggin' the blue moto jacket on you too. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking our quizzes and sharing them :) We're very inspired!! This would look fabulous on you as a moon: http://www.qvc.com/Faceted-Crystal-Enhancer-on-Fancy-Chain-by-VT-Luxe-Search-Results.product.J266544.html?sc=J266544-SRCH&cm_sp=VIEWPOSITION-_-13-_-J266544&catentryImage=http://images-p.qvc.com/is/image/j/44/j266544.001?$uslarge$
ReplyDeleteHey Visual Therapy - thanks for stopping by! Give my love to Joe and Jesse - they rock!
DeleteAll great purchases Wendy! Love reading your thoughtful planning with each one!
ReplyDelete