The One With the Tiny Tiara

I have no shame in admitting that I'm an Anglophile & a romantic. So, of course, I'm watching the royal wedding tomorrow, at least, I'm TiVoing it to watch whilst working from home tomorrow morning. Ah, blessed technology! I won't have to wake up freakishly early like I did 30 years ago for Diana & Charles' wedding. And since I'll be wearing PJs or yoga pants at that time, I dressed appropriately today.

What I'm wearing:
Dark grey bell-sleeved blazer, Newport News
Crown-shaped rhinestone brooch on lapel, random accessory store
Black knit sleeveless top with ruffles, Macy's
Burgundy panne velvet tiered skirt, NY &  Company
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Black patent ankle-strap pumps, unknown brand, thrifted/second-hand
Black & purple dangly earrings, random accessory store
Burgundy flower hair pin, Forever 21

There's a fair amount of royal-wedding-bashing online, especially by Americans, so if you're not interested, please be kind & keep it to yourself. Yes, the media coverage is a little OTT, but then, that's what media does. The U.S. media coverage of Charlie Sheen's pointless self-destruction & Donald Trump's ridiculous birther claims has been amazingly out of hand (& the later has been genuinely destructive to civil discourse about actual U.S. government issues). So where's the harm in talking about a wedding dress? I try to keep this in perspective.

Anyone else watching the wedding? I'm especially interested in seeing what kind of hats the female wedding guests will be wearing -- I adore good millinery!

Keeping in the Swing of Things

Another day, another outfit. I'm trying to get back to regular posting. Fingers crossed that I can do it. Carpool is kind of happening, work is a bit less busy, I'm not quite feeling fashionly creative, but here goes (cute shoes help!)...

What I'm wearing:
Purple knit top with leg-o-mutton sleeves, bought in London
Black corduroy skirt, H&M
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Purple cross-strap pumps, Aldo
Black scarf with silver skulls, gift from my husband
Big black & gold earrings, Forever 21
Black roses cocktail ring, Icing
Purple lipstick, Sephora

And I'm wearing "real" makeup, meaning, more than just the lipstick & black eyeliner I usually wear. Specifically, foundation. I don't wear it often to work, but I've had horrrrrrrible bags under my eyes recently thanks to even-worse-than-usual insomnia. If I'm seeing 4am, why can't it be because I stayed up partying *until* then, not because I woke up then & can't get back to sleep, especially when I need to get up for work by 7am? Ugh.

So those dark shadowy bags were getting me down. I realized I'd bought Benefit's Erase Paste a few months back, yet never used it. OMG, this stuff is magic. A little scoopful (it comes in a small pot & has a wee spoon that I'm surprised I haven't lost yet in the pile on my dressing table) smoothed under the eyes & no trace of darkness. Just pretty eyes.

I also swiped on a touch of Benefit's You Rebel, which is my workday foundation (if I wear foundation). It's called a tinted moisturizer, but it's a light foundation, imo. Then a dusting of MAC blot powder -- I use MAC foundation for evening or with costumes, basically, any time I want heavy coverage. I really like the Benefit stuff for foundation that feels light & doesn't get oily or slide off my face by the end of the day.

Do you wear makeup on a regular basis? If so, what are your fave. brands?

 

I'm Back (Did You Notice I Was Gone?)

Didn't mean to take a week off, but best laid plans & all that. The big issue is that I'm in between steady carpools right now, so last week, I had to work from home mostly. And the two times I did go into the office, I wore repeat outfits -- particularly because I was so busy with Earth Day content. Hopefully soon, things will settle down here...

What I'm wearing:
Maroon & purple cotton-print dress, April Cornell
Black wool ruffled bolero sweater, Kohl's
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Black T-strap wedges, Kenneth Cole (thrifted)
Chunky silver bead necklace, Target
Large pink filigree earrings, Blackbird Jewels on Etsy, won in a giveaway from Miss Vinyl Ahoy

How do you get to work? Is it an easy commute or complicated? Share your tales of woe so we can commiserate!

Classic With an Edge

This is one of my classic outfits, almost a fallback. It's reliable, cute, comfy, & works for most any situation. But these specific leggings make it a little edgy, I think.

What I'm wearing:
Black knit dress, Target
Black & grey pinstripe knit top, Old Navy
Black elastic belt with grey flower, NY & Co.
Black leggings with lace insert, NY & Co.
Black lace-up, spool-heel boots, Target
Pewter skull-bead necklace, DisneyLand
Silver filigree earrings, Target

Full disclosure -- This was yesterday's outfit, & I didn't get around to blogging last night, sorry! Was busy watching my hometown San Jose Sharks win their first game of the playoffs with my sweetie (just on TV, no tix this year ;-)

Another Casual Wednesday

It's becoming my Casual Friday (especially since I work from home on Fridays & wear PJs or yoga pants then ;-). I don't have meetings on most Wednesdays, & there's something about that midweek slump...

What I'm wearing:
White long-sleeve top with cameo print, Newport News
Black boyfriend cardigan, Chadwicks
Black jeans, Levi's
Pointy black boots with silver bat buckles, second-hand from a friend
Pale pink & gunmetal beaded tiered necklace, NY & Co.
Onyx dangle earrings, bought in India

What's your most casual day of the work week? What's the most dressy?

Used Up

I have apparently used up all my creativity on other things. I spent last week & the weekend sewing, & I'm kind of still in a mindset to make frou-frou stuff. Which I think is sapping my mojo for making interesting outfits.

I'm still wearing nice-looking clothes because, hey, that's what's in the closet. But nothing spectacular. Oh well. Apparently, I can only do one thing at a time.

What I'm wearing:
Black knit top, NY & Co.
Black velvet & satin swirl skirt, unknown brand
Purple floral print scarf, Old Navy
Black studded belt, Macy's
Purple crystal "Y" necklace & matching earrings, random accessory store
Grey herringbone print stockings, Calvin Klein
Black ribbon-tie pumps, Clarks

Do you ever feel like you have just enough creativity / mojo / effort for just one thing at a time? Is there anything you can do that helps?

Pink Weekend, Pink Monday

I wore pink on Saturday & sewed more pink on Sunday, so I felt like wearing some pink today too. Hello, I'm a PerkyGoth, for thems who just started playing along at home :-D

What I'm wearing:
Black ribbed turtleneck top, Style & Co.
Pink & white print skirt, custom-made by Donna of Original Sin Designs
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Black boots, Clarks
Black beaded bib necklace, Torrid
Pink skull stud earrings, random accessory store
Pink crystal pyramid cocktail ring, Icing
Pink & black flower hair pin, Icing

Donna made this skirt from some crazy fun fabric she found that reminded her of me. It's white cotton printed with phrases like "punk princess" & "rockstar" & "i *heart* diamonds" & "i *heart* music." Very silly & adorable! Plus, it has ginormous pockets. I bet Erin of A Dress A Day would approve of that.

Here Comes the Rain Again

Ah, California spring, I knew you wouldn't stay dry & sunny for long. So out come the jackets & boots. Just try not to rain on my weekend plans, kthx.

What I'm wearing:
Black lace-overlay jacket, Macy's
Black T-shirt, Old Navy
Black & white paisley-print skirt with side ruffle, custom-made by Donna of Original Sin Designs
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Burgundy faux suede boots, DSW
Burgundy flower hair pin, Forever 21
Gunmetal heraldic fish necklace with hematite stone, made by Anne D'Aboise (bought this to wear at my wedding)
Silver cameo earrings, vintage

This outfit is more like something I'd wear to give a presentation or training session or go to a meeting with a new internal client (contrasting to yesterday's more weekend goth ensemble). Basically, this is what I consider suitable "dress to impress" CorpGoth wear. It's overly dressy for my company (remember: Silicon Valley jeans & T-shirts), which is fine because that's what I do, but it's not mega-gothy in a "freak the mundanes" way either. And structured garments like a jacket always convey a little more authority, especially in the workplace.

Yeah, I over-think these things. But impressions matter, & every little thing you can do to craft that impression can help on a personal & professional level.

I picked out this fabric!

Pixie Points & Different Levels Work-Appropriate Gothyness

In such a rush this morning, hoping one of these photos turns out...

What I'm wearing:
Black handkerchief-hem tunic, custom-made by Donna of Original Sin Designs
Black leggings, Newport News
Black pointy, kitten-heel boots, Baker's
Black & white stripey knit scarf, H&M
Black & white stripey ball earrings, Kohl's
Silver skull-bead necklace, Disneyland (near Pirates of the Caribbean, natch)
Black & white beaded cuff bracelet, bought in Kauai

All black & white, all very comfy, maybe a little too goth for the office (I'd totally wear this on a weekend!), but then again, I knew I wouldn't have any meetings today. Just sittin' behind the computer all Wednesday, gettin' stuff done.

I'd wear this to a meeting with people I know, like a staff meeting, but not with anyone new that I need to convince to use my work & do things the way I want them to (a situation that happens a lot in my giganto company).  For that, I'd be a bit more subdued, a skirt & top, not leggings, maybe these boots, if they were with trousers, for some examples.

Do you sometimes wear things that you think are not quite office-appropriate? When is it ok to bend your own rules (provided you're not breaking official company rules, if they exist)? When do you avoid going out on a fashion limb at work?

Step Into Spring

Today was the first day of the year I went to work without a big giant coat. And I'm a cold, cold person (& not just in my little black heart ;-). I start out cold during the morning commute & my office building's temp never seems in sync with me personally. Also, the big conference room where my department has our Monday staff meeting always seems drafty. But I risked it, I didn't wear my giant black trenchcoat or my heavy suede swing coat (my default winter coats). And I survived!

What I'm wearing:
Black cotton full-skirted, boat-necked dress, ModCloth
Black & pink stripey cardigan with lace trim, I.N.C. Concepts
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Pink & black peep-toe, ankle-strap pumps, Payless Shoe Source
Pink & old gold necklace, vintage
Burgundy pearl drop earrings, Designs by Victoria on Etsy (didn't get a closeup, but they're a lot like these)

Last weekend, I went out & about in the daytime wearing short-sleeved tops but no cardigan/jacket. On both days. I'd say spring has sprung here in Northern California. Doesn't mean the rain is over, probably too soon for that. But the seasons do seem to be changing.

Has spring come to your part of the world (at least those in the northern hemisphere)? Are you putting away the coats yet?