Dual Action

Thank you so much for the kind comments on my last post - we sure do miss our Old Glo. Today, no seriousness - just another couple of comfortable work outfits of the printed dress sweater scarf type and a chat about weather and shopping.

I'm enjoying Ontario's cooler-than-usual July, but my year-round indoor weather conditions at work are typically coldest-dampest-April with periodic gale-force winds. That atmosphere allows for more temperate conditions in the glass-walled areas of the building, and fortunately I'd rather be a bit chilled than gross and overheated.

green scarf: Lupita's (Harlingen, TX), worn here
silver necklace: a gift from my mother, detail here
dark blue cardigan: Old Navy
geometric-print dress: Leota, ebay
navy shoes: Karl Lagerfeld Melissa, Bloomingdales

A single Ugly Office Sweater isn't enough for the temperature variability, so I keep two wool wraps (one large, one small) at my desk and over the course of most days will use all of the layering options in any outfit.

I have no complaints about these shoes, though - wish I could have every colour! One of the best things about blogging again is a chance to link up with Sheila's Shoe Shine at Ephemera.

In context of few local options for quality second-hand / thrift / consignment shopping (inside an hour's drive, standard fare has been $5 for thoroughly-pilled mall-brand T-shirts and lots of worn WalM*rt clothing at original price), I occasionally drink the new-clothes Kool-Aid and see what people mean about the ubiquity of things made you-know-where. Fortunately Melissa is a socially and environmentally conscious shoemaker, and Leota dresses are made in New York - the above was $9.99 via ebay.

blue paisley scarf: a gift from my mother
navy cardigan: MAK, ModCloth
chocolate milk coloured dress: Effie's Heart, ModCloth

My admiration to bloggers with serious second-hand style ethics like Sheila, Curtise, Megan Mae and Bella, and those with holy smokes incredible refashioning skills besides, like Jean, Helga, Vix, and Pao. Unlike at least a noticeable proportion of stuff I wear, the two cardigans in this post are standard in-stock-online items, so here are my reviews -
Old Navy: soft lightweight cotton, more navy / less electric than it photographed; fit is even larger than the generous size chart measurements. Time will tell how well it wears. What's your bet on whether putting it in the dryer will shrink it in only undesirable ways?
ModCloth: a heavier knit, dark navy colour, I like the shape and fit; pill-happy synthetic mix needs frequent washing but does not stand up to frequent washing. :(

To end on a positive note, though I still miss the beloved Netty Vintage storefront, three brand-new shops - two consignment and a charity thrift store - have opened in the nearest city, where I have lately satisfied my abiding affection for gauchos and Giant Pants (as previously expressed here, here, and here).