Casual Plaid

I love to dress up. But unfortunately, I live a pretty casual lifestyle with little to no opportunity to get really glammed up. There was a time in the not-so-distant past where I had very little in my casual, everyday wardrobe which I felt truly reflected my personal style. I've been slowly making amends to that and have worked hard in the last year to build a casual wardrobe that I love to wear as much as my fancy dresses.

This is an outfit that I wear often and love. It's the only plaid shirt I own, but I love the fit and how it looks paired with jeans or tied in front with shorts or a casual skirt in the summer.

Vintage Glasses: were Grandma Cotton's new lenses at Osborne Spectacle

Vintage Necklace: antique mall somewhere..

Plaid Shirt: thrifted, Value Village

Sequin Rose Brooch: Rocabetty

Black Skinny Jeans: Forever 21

Lisa.xo

Saturday

TGIS! Last day of the work week (for me, anyway)!

This is what I had planned on wearing on Thursday. Better late than never, right?

I've really got nothin' today. Just counting down the hours here at work until the end of the day. I am ready for my day off.

Vintage Wooden Beaded Necklace: Vintage Glory

Red and White Striped Cardigan: Forever21

Red Polka Dotted Blouse: Smart Set

Jeans: Forever21

Red Flats: Joe Fresh

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Start with the Purse

I have a serious crush on this purse. It was a gift from the costume designer on Angels in America: Perestroika and she could not have done any better. I squealed with glee when I opened it. 

This is how good she is; without knowing it she bought me a purse which combines two of my favourite sartorial fetishes: wicker summer purses and nautical. So today's outfit started with the purse. 

Working so much has got me rocking pants a lot these days. Spring in Winnipeg has come late and summer isn't quite here yet, so I haven't had a chance to wear any of my summer dresses yet. :(

You also might notice how straight my hair is compared to how I normally wear it. I finally got around to buying a Chi flat iron and have been enjoying this different look for the last week. Straightening my hair makes it look soooo long!! :) 

Vintage Wooden Parrot Necklace: Vintage Glory

Red and White Striped Tee: Gap, Thrifted

Braided White Leather Belt: Thrifted

Navy Trousers: Jacob

Red Espadrilles: George

Vintage Nautical Purse: Gift from Mo

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Rosie and Dave

This is a bit Rosie the Riveter isn't it?

As I've said before, I really love this Rockabilly look when I'm dressing casually.

My contract with Prairie Theatre Exchange will be over in a week. It's been a long haul! 4 months, 9 1/2 weeks of touring - 6 1/2 of then out of town. Needless to say, I'm tired. It's been a great show, but I'm ready for my week off before my next contract starts.

And for fun (because what's better for stress than a laugh?) - me, making silly faces at Dave.

Red Cotton Bandana: Dollar Store

Rose Earrings: Aldo

Red and White Striped Sweater: Forever 21

Rubber Bracelets: Can't Remember...

Blue Skinny Jeans: Forever 21

Black Hi Tops: Chuck Talors

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Red Pants

Did you miss me? Here I am! First outfit post of 2013!

The Boy and I went out last Saturday night for nachos and beer with some friends and this is what I wore. I was really tempted to get dressed up in a dress or skirt, but if you live in Winnipeg you know how casual Carlos and Murphy's is so I took some inspiration from this post last week and wore my red cords instead.

It's become ridiculously cold here anyway, so cords were a much warmer option.

Sometimes I wish I was blogging from somewhere in the world that gets more daylight this time of year. I always struggle to take photos before the sun starts to set. Hence, how grainy these ones are. It was 5:00pm and the sun was quickly disappearing.
I know you'll forgive me! :)

I love this necklace. I have quite a few amazing statement necklaces I've bought from Le Chateau. This one put me back $45, but has been worth every penny. I wear it a lot and get tons of compliments. Plus, when I'm feeling less than inspired it jazzes up an black outfit in an second - instant style! Can't go wrong with that!

Pearl and Enamel Necklace: Le Chateau

Polka Dot Tee: Thrifted

Black Cardigan: Joe Fresh

Vintage Black Grosgrain Belt: from Aunt Mary

Red Cords: Forever 21

Suede Boots: George (Walmart)

Houndstooth Purse: Aldo

Lippy: Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain in Gothic

Lisa.xo

A Little Face Time

It has been, perhaps, too long since my last outfit post. What with work being so crazy for the last few weeks I couldn't find time to stand in front of my camera.
I figured I owed you one!

Plus I had to show you my new haircut! I've been wanting bangs for a while now and finally took the plunge last night! And I couldn't be happier! I feel like a whole new girl!

My work attire has been some variation on this for weeks now. T-shirt, pants/jeans (or in this case, shorts and tights), a cardigan and of course vintage jewelry. Gotta have a little vintage! As much as I love wearing skirts and dresses they are just not practical when I'm Apprentice Stage Managing. I am lifting furniture and climbing on stuff all day.

Red Cardigan: Thrifted
Leopard Print Scarf: Ricki's
Bird Necklace: Forever 21

"Bow" Tee: Joe Fresh

Black Patent Belt: Laura

High Waisted Polka Dot Shorts: Thrifted
Socks: Joe Fresh
Flats: Joe Fresh

Lisa.xo

That Was Quick! Found Some High Waisted Jeans!

Holy Cow! That never happens! It's not often I post a Wishlist post and mere weeks go by and I've got it checked off my list!

I was seriously debating buying Bernie Dexter's 50's Style Skinny Jeans. I had a few readers tell me they had bought  Bernie's jeans and they thought the price was a little high for the quality so I was hesitating. Lucky for me I did, because I found a pair at Forever 21 last week! For $27.50! Yes, I know, F21's quality probably isn't much better, but the price sure is. And unlike a lot of F21's denim, which I find to be quite thin and very stretchy, these jeans are thick and sturdy. I like them so much I'm considering buying a second pair and hemming them into capris.
My only complaint (as usual) is that these jeans don't quite hit my natural waist. I'm very high waisted and this tends to be an issue, but they are high enough to give my casual outfits that much needed and desired retro look. Plus they don't gape in the back. The fit overall is as perfect as you can get for off the rack. So I'm a happy girl.

I might still be thinking about a pair of Bernie Dexter's Skinny Jeans in Black because they're super high waisted. They might be high waisted enough to hit my actual waist...we'll see what happens...

White cotton Cardigan: philosophy, Winners

Apple Print Blouse: Thrifted

Vintage Lucite Bird Brooch: Mike's General Store

High Waisted Skinny Jeans: Forever 21

Mary Janes: Bleka, The Bay

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Lunch and Errands

I wore this last Tuesday out for lunch with the ladies in the office I'm currently working in. I also had a few errands to run that afternoon.

This dress was a Value Village find about a year and a half ago. I don't normally gravitate towards polyester, or mid sixties dresses, but I just loved the stripes and pussy bow on this dress. The stripes were cut onto the pattern perfectly! It makes my waist look so small! I also love the secretarial look of this dress. Perfect for work and casual outings.

Red Cardigan: Thrifted (Smart Set)

Black Patent Belt: Laura

60's Striped Dress: Thrifted

Tights: can't remember

Black Mary Janes: Calvin Klein

Less than a week and it's 2012! Can you believe it? Where did the year go? Or am I the only one who feels this way?

Lisa.xo

Outfits: First Day of Rehearsal (and some extras!)

Today was our first day or rehearsal for Way to Heaven.

The first day of rehearsal is fun. It's the first time the entire team is in the room together; actors meet designers and vice versa. There is always plenty of goodies and coffee (today was no exception!) and often (if you're not new to the business) there are old friendly faces to catch up with.

After the meet and greet the designers present the costume and set designs to the cast and crew, following which the actors read through the play for the first time together! Then, typically there is discussion about the play. Easy peasy day!

As I've said before, working in theatre is not conducive to pretty dresses, so injecting some vintage flair into my outfits is always my goal.

Here's what I wore today:

And just for fun, this is what I wore on Saturday to run errands. I love, love, love this cape. It has a houndstooth lining. Yum!

Black and White Ruffle Front Blouse: Ricki's

White Tank: Walmart

Black Skinny Jeans: Forever 21

Black Flats: Joe Fresh

Sunglasses: Le Chateau

Vintage Lucite Bird Brooch: Mike's General Store

Red Wool Cape: Laura

Vintage Purse: Thrifted

Satin Bow Mary Janes: Winners

How do you like to add vintage flair to your more casual outfits? I'd love to know! Send me a link so I can check it out!

I'd also love to know if you're enjoying my posts describing my job? Or are they boring? Or, do you have any questions about my job? Please let me know either way. 

You guys are great! Thanks! :)

Lisa.xo

Good-bye June!

Well, I made it! I posted every day this month (aside from one minor glitch, which was promptly fixed!)! I'm so pleased!

Posting for a month straight seemed to give me a lot of time to think about my blog and how I'd like to see things work going forward.

Posting every day like I did this month will not be a change I'll be making. I like having a day or two off in a week.
For example:

I won't be posting tomorrow. It's Canada Day and The Boy and I have plans.

I will however be posting on the weekend with a recap of the month and some of my ideas for the blog in the future. In the meantime I would love to hear what you'd like to see more of (or less of?).

But the real reason we're all here. What am I wearing today?

Clearly I'm overcompensating for yesterday's seriousness... :) 

I love this dress (don't I say that about all of them? lol!). I got it for $10 at the Ricki's Sample Sale. The dress buyer bought it in NYC. Sample Sale might be the only thing that I miss about that job...

So, I'm wearing this dress to and from work today since it's going to be hot and humid again, but when I get to work I'll be changing into this:

I've got a pile of dirty rental tux shoes to clean, laundry to spot wash and a pile of old mannequins, 2X4's and other misc junk to clean out from under some stairs in the basement today.
Would you wear a vintage dress to do all this?
Now you know why I wear what I wear to work...It's just not glamourous.

But at least I'll look good going to and from work...that's pure vanity people. You never know who you'll run into.

Happy Canada Day weekend to all you Canadian readers! And I hope everyone else has a great weekend too!

Cherry Print Dress: Ricki's Sample Sale

Red Bead "Cherry" Earrings: Ricki's

Red Peep Toe Pumps: Le Chateau

Lisa.xo

Too Much of a Good Thing?

Well, here's another work outfit with nautical flair (told you I was obssessed).

I can't wait until the weather is really warm (like Sunday) so I can wear more of my dresses. (Dirty work projects don't help this cause...a dress at the costume shop is so impractical...boo...)

I've got rehearsal after work tonight...we're less than a month away from Fringe and I'm not sure if I'm excited or nervous...maybe both...

Striped Tee: Thrifted

40's Glass Bead Necklace: Mike's General Store

Pants: Joe Fresh

Club Med Bag: Thrifted

Red Strappy Shoes: Thrifted

Happy First Day of Summer! Yeah!! :)

Lisa.xo

More Nautical Flavour

Another nautical inspired outfit. I love it!

Off to work in 10 minutes...another quick outfit post for ya!

Anchor Tee and Shorts: Joe Fresh

Cardigan: Forever 21

Mermaid Necklace: Boutique in Kamloops

Red Clutch: Thrifted

Shoes: George (Walmart)

Have a great day! :)

Lisa.xo

I Hate Mornings...

This is going to be a quick post. I've agonized over my closet this morning trying to decide what to wear. It's raining and I've got rehearsal after work (I'm not sure how those are related...I'm just whining...). As I've said before, I find these days the hardest to dress for.
And the morning has slipped away from me.

Here's what I'm wearing (I've been spending my work days in the chilly basement at work. Pants are a must)

Hope you all have a great day!

Lisa.xo

Pin Up

I've been asked to do some pin up modeling in August! Some of The Boy's friends are doing a hot rod shoot and were looking for models and I was asked if I would be interested. Um...of course! I'm really excited!
I'm not sure about all the details yet, but there will be a professional photographer there. I just saw a few photos from their last shoot and it looked amazing! Can't wait!

So in honour of this news, a pin inspired outfit. (Well actually I picked this out before I decided to share the news...sounded good right?)

Today's shoes:

Cardigan and Black Skinny Jeans: Forever 21

Watch Brooch: Thrifted, Salvation Army

Red and White Bustier Style Tank: Suzy Shear

Vintage Rhinesone Buckle Belt: Was Aunt Mary's

Red Peep Toe Pumps: Le Chateau

Brogues: Aldo

Lisa.xo