Strong As A Twig

I tried on a vest today that is $300 out of my price range and now I can't remember who the designer was.  I don't feel like I can go back to the store, because if I do I'll buy it (I know myself too well - I have very little self-control), which may not be a bad thing (you see?).

It was a shirt actually.  This beautifully draped, pinned and tucked in at the waist so it looked like it had pockets but doesn't actually let you hide your hands in it.  Apparently the salesladies had never seen it worn as a vest, and were so impressed they called the owner over to show her how I had ingeniously twisted the top of the back and worn it open creating a vest-style out of a quasi-grecian shirt.

And it was black (so I could wear it to work and look really cool).

It was a little oversized.  But not too much.  And it was fitted, yet bubbly.  And part of me thinks that it'll still be en vogue a year from now, but part of me thinks that the oversized thing may not last past spring.  

And the rest of me is still thinking about this shirtvest, wishing that I had bothered to look at the label.  I think it was whyred but am fairly sure that the reason I think that is because I tried on a (beautifully fitted) blazer by them.  Because at least then, I could find it online, download the picture, put it up here, and then forget about it (or get my sewing-savy friend to maybe make it for me).

I also went to Fawn; a very awesome store in Toronto (They sell Posso Spats. They hold the keys to the "Materialism" department in my heart).  I found a beautiful, red, sale-priced Imitation dress (that I may go back for because it won't go out of style and isn't $300 away) and this vintage military pin.

It has satiated me for some time.  The last piece I bought was the hat, so if I'm weak enough (and am still thinking about it on Tuesday) I may go back for the dress.

Or I'll grow a backbone and stay at home.

Go, Billly, Go

Well hello again.  I've been away for a few days, visiting friends in Windsor and taking a tour of WindsorU.  Very scholarly, and it was kind of amazing to get away from Toronto for a few days.  I won't go into it, but it was really relaxing not having to worry about........aesthetics.

NOW!

I want to know what kind of environment creates the minds of people who do stuff like this:

via styelsightings

It could be that I just don't know about it, but I know few people who would go so far as to dress up and meet up for anything like the Tokyo Rockabilly Club.  It's more than detachment from the culture it comes from, because you can appreciate and covet a lifestyle from afar (I'm very familiar with the feeling) but there is a line you have to cross to actually pay homage to it at this level.  It involves study and immersing yourself in a culture (or sub-culture) that is far enough from your own that you really have to rely on 3rd party opinion and interpretation so you can create you own version of it.  For example:  I'd have to have an entirely 3rd party view of "hipster culture" through books, photographs and film in order to create my own idea of it without influence from someone who knows the "truth" of the sub-culture and can tell me that I'm doing something wrong.

Divided From Joy

via oaknyc

I've never seen one like this, dammit why'd it have to be sold out?

Joy Division (to put this into context, somewhat) is one of the remaining bands from my quasi-wannabe-punk phase.  Such a depressing band (with possibly the most upsetting name origin) but when pushed and pulled into larger than life expressions of themselves, the songs become really uplifting pieces of emotion.

Sorry it's really early and I can't sleep.  Basically, a) I want that shirt b) it is sold out c) I want it because I have an emotional attachment to Joy Division.

And before I forget (because if anything this blog should serve as a record of ideas, even the ones I may not go through with) - I think I'm going to spray paint a pair of shoes.  I need black shoes for work and I figure if I find a nice, glossy and/or shiny black paint I can just convert and old pair into a seemingly new pair.  I also want something to dress up the ultra-winter boots I got.  What can I say, I seem to be on a DIY kick.

Outfit from a past day to follow tomorrow, I have a few questions.

1,2 Buckle Your Shoe

More shoes to ruin your keyboard over.  

I think I only like these because they try a little harder than other boots to get you to pay attention.  What would be interesting is if one were to scrawl some little haiku over the straps?

Maybe a Nursery Rhyme or Two.

So I'm Out Of A Job.

And did this.

None of these photographs are mine, but I don't remember where all of them are from.  A combination of Jak&Jill, The Sartorialist, Facehunter, and the like.

I'll see you guys later.

I Like To Pick A Theme and Beat It To Pieces.

via Altamira NYC

The Collar.

I have done this here, and admired it here, and will continue to do both until it is smashed into a mangled, knitted blob.

P.S: Follow my blog with bloglovin´ because you know you want to join me on this bandwagon too.

Tryin' the Blingin' on the Wristin'

This was my wrist today.  The rest was not particularly noteworthy soooo I focused on my wrist (also making the "outifit post" a bajillion times easier).

Comments included: a joke about selling fake rolexes, being on Toronto/London/Tokyo time, forgetting the time, being on time, e.t.c.  Not that it matters much anymore, I quite like this.  Next time I'm thinking of going smallest to largest face.  

Part of the comfort is from my love of cuffs.  Almost all of my bracelets are cuffs.  Silver, brass, cut out, solid, most (I'd say about 90% of my wrist jewelry?) are cuffs.  I like how protective they are.  I like that they climb up my arms, into my sleeves as if trying to give the impression that my arms are in fact made of metals.

Another positive - the watches over the sleeves made me stop stretching my sleeves over my hands (The equivalent of putting that gross tasting liquid on your fingernails to stop from chewing them).

Later: I found out who belongs to those shoes, apparently The Sartorialist liked them too: