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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.