Monday, July 29, 2013

Tips & Toes

Since I'm not going into the office right now, I'm not dressing up much. I'm sticking to comfortable, casual clothes while I recuperate from surgery and generally sit around the house, napping, watching movies, and poking at the interwebs.  Recovery continues just fine -- follow-up doctor appointments show that everything is healing as it should, I'm just sore (to be expected), & because the area of the surgery is right under my armpit, it's a little tricky to wear certain clothes (and bras, ouch). But I'm still wearing black, of course!

The only thing fancy I've done these days has been for my fingers & toes. Especially my toes, it seems...


These grey canvas skull-print shoes from Target are perfect to slip on when I need to go to those doctors' appointments. I even had a lab technician compliment me on them.

A few days before surgery, one of my BFFs & I went to get mani-pedis. She found a place that does "rockstar" pedicures -- they literally cover your toenails in glitter! Because, aw yeah, I need the sparkle. Now my toes look like a disco ball crashed into them.


I went for a more classically goth manicure in a rich, dark wine color. It's a gel manicure, which I hope lasts as long as advertised. I suck at painting my own nails (fingers or toes), so it's a real treat to get them done professionally.


Do you ever get manicures or pedicures? Do you paint your nails at home? What's your favorite polish?

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Maximum Repeat

I thought I'd worn this outfit before, I it's almost the same as one last summer. Just different accessories. I try not to blog repeat outfits, but it *has* been a year, & besides, I really like this one!

Also, I'm stockpiling posts for when I'm not going into the office due to surgery 'n stuff -- so when you're reading this, it was something I wore to work a week ago. But still appropriate because the weather is definitely warm.

Do you repeat the exact same outfits to work? How often?

What I'm wearing:
Black jacket with piping, Speigel | Black T-shirt, Old Navy | Black & grey pinstripe knit maxi skirt, Nordstrom | Black buckled wedges, Kohl's | Black wood bead necklace, bought in Jamaica | Silver beaded hoop earrings, bought at a convention | Red flower hair pin, random accessory store


Monday, July 22, 2013

Last Hurrah

These pictures are from a party on Saturday -- one of my best friends had a housewarming party, & this was the perfect excuse to dress up & go a bit wild before going under the knife.

See, I'm auto-posting this on Monday, when I'll be coming home from surgery, a lumpectomy for breast cancer. Yeah, I definitely needed that party!

What I'm wearing:
Black & red flocked floral halter dress, bought in Camden Market, London | Black corset, custom-made by Sarah | Red peep-toe slingback pumps, Bandolino, bought at Marshall's | Black fishnets, unknown brand | Rhinestone dangly earrings, random accessory store | Black rose cocktail ring, random accessory store | Red flower hair pin, random accessory store | Red lipstick, Sephora


Wednesday, July 17, 2013

A Little Dotty

I forgot I had this scarf back when the Professor had a Monthly Assignment for polka dots. Oh well, just consider this one months late :)

What I'm wearing:
Black T-shirt, Target | Dark grey pinstripe vest, Newport News | Black twill skirt, MetroStyle | Black & white polka dot scarf, Express | Silver & black teardrop earrings, random accessory store | Black kitten-heel slingback pumps, Payless Shoe Source

Monday, July 15, 2013

Stripey for Summer

I was thrilled to receive this dress in the mail & find it wasn't too short & wasn't too tight. A lot of times, knit dresses -- & for some reason, especially stripey knit dresses -- are super, extra body-con, skimpy, above the knee, & totally clingy. Fine if you intend to go clubbing, I suppose, but I haven't done that in ages, & I'm looking for something office-friendly. This dress suits my needs perfectly.

It's a thick ponte knit in a body-skimming (not body-hugging) cut, & the hem hits just under my kneecaps, so it's respectable for work even if I'm not wearing tights. And in 90-degree weather, I don't wanna wear tights! I'm only wearing a cardigan for the office AC :)

What I'm wearing:
Black & white striped knit dress, Neiman-Marcus
Black cardigan, Macy's
Black & white ankle-strap pumps, Marshalls
Black & silver beaded necklace, Target
Gumetal hoop earrings, random accessory store
Chanel "Vamp" lipstick

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Pink With Spiderwebs

This combo is nothing new for me -- I've always been a huge fan of hot pink with black. Today I just felt like going big with lots of bold accessories. I also thought, hey, if I have to get a disease, at least I got one with an awareness campaign color I like :)

Interesting reaction at work, this was the first time I wore spiderweb tights & coworkers loved them. I keep forgetting that I've only been at this job less than a year, so they aren't used to my CorpGoth style. Everything is fresh & fascinating to them. It's fun to see how they react to little things like a bat necklace worn when I was giving a presentation or stripey dresses or these tights.

What I'm wearing:
Hot pink ruffle-front sleeveless top, Newport News | Black straight skirt, NY & Company | Black spiderweb tights, unknown brand | Pink & black pumps, Irregular Choice, bought in London | Black beaded waterfall necklace, random accessory store | Black roses cocktail ring, random accessory store | Jet crystal hoop earrings, random accessory store




Monday, July 8, 2013

Misaligned

I had no idea when taking these photos that all of them were woefully sloppy. Must have been in a rush that morning! The sweater isn't longer on one side, & the shirt hem does lay straight. But you'd never know.

What I'm wearing:
Grey peplum sweater, Macy's | Black T-shirt, Old Navy | Grey striped skirt, Nordstroms | Black kitten-heel flats, Aldo | Silver "London" necklace, Claires | Gunmetal hoops, random accessory store | Chanel "Vamp" lipstick

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

The Post I Didn't Want to Have to Write

Last week's wishing for good luck didn't work. My medical tests delivered bad news: I've been diagnosed with breast cancer. I don't have a lot more specifics, other than I will need surgery & possibly chemotherapy &/or radiation after that, all of which will start this month.

My work schedule, my blogging, my every schedule will change dramatically. I'm not exactly putting this blog on hiatus -- if I have a good outfit or even a positive update (& the time/energy), I'll update. I want to, it makes me happy & this is something I enjoy. What I love most is your comments & feedback, you're a great bunch of people, & I really love hearing from each of you. So please keep it up!

Because of the upcoming treatment & related expenses (sadly, no subsidized healthcare here in the U.S.), I've setup a donations & resources page, plus I'm running a virtual garage sale. Please take a look at each page, & feel free to share with anyone who might be interested.