Fun with animated GIFs

I've seen a few of these animated GIFs around lately and thought I'd try it out. Not bad for a first effort, I think. :)

I wonder how annoying this will get...

Liz's almost thrifted instead gifted top

My friend Liz had this top in a bag headed for goodwill. I snagged this and a long jacket that I'm hoping to up-cycle into a jacket and skirt. Thanks Liz!

Update on the shopping moratorium: it's going well so far! It's really gotten my creative juices flowing. I got some nice red wool crêpe to make a skirt suit. So far I've cut out all the fabric pieces but had to let my back rest before cutting out all the lining and interfacing pieces. I think I'll start with the skirt to get a sense of accomplishment before tackling the finicky looking jacket. I'll definitely post pictures of the finished projects!

Black, White and Red

I was in the mood for a bit of a power suit today. I'm hoping to get as many days of skirt wearing in as possible before it becomes essential to wear tights or trousers to work.

Black suit: custom made in Vietnam
Red and black resin necklace: Joan Rivers Collection
White tank: Smart Set
Black patent wedges: Aerosoles

Finished

Kinda looks like suede now I think. I added some awesome ceramic buttons and voila! I might have redyed it again to make the colour really really dark but I kind of like the way it looks now. We'll see.

Shopping moratorium and first dye job

On September 13, I challenged myself to a 6-month shopping moratorium. "Why in god's name would anyone do that?", you may ask. Well, I'd like to know that I'm not that much of a shopaholic and I know Rich is secretly excited that he won't have to worry about my shopping habits for a few months.

OK, there would have to be some rules. Here's how it has ended up:

1. No new clothing or accessories purchases for 6 months (starting September 13, 2009, ending March 13, 2010)

2. Exception 1: I get to buy a bag I've been watching for on Etsy.com for months, if it becomes available (one must have their limits!)

3. Exception 2: I can spend gift certificates or gifts of cash on whatever I like, including clothing and accessories

4. Exception 3: I can DIY (sew, dye) during this period

That's basically it! So, I'm more than a week onto my challenge and, so far, still holding up fine. I think things will start getting more challenging around Christmas and February sales. Wow, six months is a long time...

This brings me to my first DIY project since the challenge. I have been wanting to try dying something for the longest time and when I noticed my cotton Old Navy trench getting a little discoloured I thought it would be the perfect thing to try.

I got myself 4 tins of Dylon #7 (coffee), mixed those into a pint of boiling water with 4oz of salt. Put water in a big pot on the stove. Washed my trench and left it damp. Added the dye mixture to the now hot water on the stove. Put the trench in and stirred it and poked it with the water on high heat for 20 minutes. Rinsed the trench until the water ran clear and hung it up in the basement to dry. That's it! Easy!

I have to say that I'm stunned at how well the fabric took the dye! The polyester thread shows up as contrast and I need to add new buttons (and I wish I had thought to dye a bit of cotton to make a belt!) but I'm pleased with how it turned out. I can't wait for it to dry so that I can post a picture of the final product!

This week's Weardrobe contest - Fall Floral

I decided to try my luck at another Weardrobe.com contest entry - this one's for a $50 gift certificate to H&M (not sure if I'm actually eligible since it's an American site and I'm Canadian - or if the gift certificate would end up being applicable in Canada for that matter) but what the heck. The theme this time is Fall Florals. I have also started discovering more about layers in Photoshop and can now do these nifty montages. Cool eh?

Hot pink wide collar top: Kania (by Canadian designer Stacey Bafi-Yeboa www.kania.ca)
Pink and brown floral skirt: Banana Republic
Red suede shoes: Nine West

After Labour Day

Fall is definitely in the air now and with the cooler mornings comes slightly warmer dress... Time to dig out the pants, tights, layers and boots that have been stowed away all summer!

Tuesday was all about neutrals - a no-brainer when you're dragging yourself off to work after a long weekend at the cottage.

White blazer: Zara
Tan crossover top: BCBG
Black skirt: Reitmans
Silver squares necklace: Etsy
Tan shoes: Aldo
Faux pearl earrings

Wednesday called for a little more colour - one cannot live by neutrals alone! I look so serious in all these photos - it must be a reflection of the fatigue I've felt this week. No more pics for the rest of this week though since the man took the camera to Montreal so my likely increased perkiness tomorrow and forward will be missed. I'm hoping to spend some quality time thrift shopping this weekend while the man's away. This makes me feel perkier already!

Short-sleeved stripey blazer: Smart Set
Fave gauzy hot pink wrap top
Fuschia tank: Smart Set
Denim-y trouser pants: Reitmans
Black sling backs: Feet First
Zebra print pendant: Le Chateau
Hot pink Indian bangle