Stripey Splurge

I bought this skirt along with the most expensive sweater. In fact, it was the skirt that I found first. Sure, it's just a simple stripey skirt at first glance.

But look at that pattern -- the stripes are graduated, narrower at the waist & wider at the hem. It gives a subtle slimming effect when combined with the A-line shape, very elegant too.

This is not something I could recreate by simply sewing a skirt from stripey fabric in my stash -- this specific fabric had to be custom printed. No wonder it cost so much!

What I'm wearing:
Black lace jacket, Macy's
Black T-shirt, Target
Black & white striped A-line skirt, White House Black Market
Black abstract-pattern lace tights, unknown brand
Black slingback kitten-heel pumps, Payless Shoe Source
Gunmetal & rhinestone necklace, random accessory store
Black & white stripey bead earrings, Kohl's
Black & white flower hair pin, random accessory store
Silver cocktail ring, gift from Kendra, bought in Paris
Vamp lipstick, Chanel
Erase Paste concealer, Benefit (this stuff rocks!)
Powder, MAC

It's probably considered gauche, but I love wearing stockings with slingbacks. Just looks sexy to me, at least when the hose are fishnets, lacey, or stripey. The contrast of a patterned stocking & that slingback on the heel is cool.

No Earrings

I can't believe I totally forgot to wear earrings today. I nearly forgot my bracelet & rings (even my wedding & engagement rings!). Somehow, I stopped with jewelry after I put on a necklace. Weird.

What I'm wearing:
Black, white, & grey retro print duro dress, made by Donna of Original Sin Designs
Black camisole, Old Navy
Black footless tights, Target
Black beaded sandals, Mootsies Tootsies
Chunky silver bead necklace, Target
Black roses ring, Icing

White Out

Temperatures were in the 90s this week, so CorpGoth turned from black to white to fight the heat. Monday was half-white, a repeat of this outfit but with a black T-shirt, no tights, & sandals instead of boots (& no photo because my husband stole my tripod). Tuesday was this white dress. Wednesday I was home, & Thursday I wore jeans & a tank top (wasn't worth documenting here). So just one photo!

What I'm wearing:
White pleated cotton-blend dress, gift from Lisa
Black elastic belt, NY & Company
Black buckled wedge heels, Kohl's
Black & gold round dangle earrings, Forever 21
Black & white beaded cuff bracelet, bought in Kauai
Small white newsprint-fabric flower in hair, random accessory store

How do you dress at work in hot weather?

Random Friday!

Just sharing a few bits whilst I work from home...

Handy link about shopping at discount stores (meaning Forever 21, H&M, etc.). Seems geared towards more mature ladies who don't want to look cheap / too young, & has excellent tips on looking for quality, judging what items are worthwhile.

I may have to steal this idea about using kid's sippy cups for cocktail parties ... it's alcohol abuse to spill one's drink!

Speaking of drinks, I'm madly in love with Peju Province Winery's Provence wine. It's a light, fruity red, almost a rose, but not really. Tastes like sunshine & roses, serve chilled, perfect for summer.

Lest you think it's all shopping, partying, & drinking around here at CorpGoth HQ, I'm busy at work, plus all my off hours are currently filled working on a very complicated cross-dressing costume for me to portray Leonard Autie, hairdresser for Marie Antoinette, at an 18th-century event on July 9. All I've finished so far is the embroidered silk waistcoat & tall powdered wig, plus I bought a ruffled shirt & linen stock (like a necktie). I have to hustle to sew the actual suit!

This will be complicated by the fact that my husband & I are doing a little roadtrip over July 4th weekend. Fun, but no sewing time then.

Sweater on, Sweater off

Northern California can't decide how hot this summer will be yet (yes, technically it's not summer, but post-Memorial Day is usually summer weather). Some days, I freeze without a sweater in the morning & inside the office A/C. Other days, it's short-sleeves only. I was taking this sweater off & putting it back on all day!

What I'm wearing:
Black knit dress, Target
Grey & white striped cardigan, Forever 21
Grey herringbone tights, Calvin Klein
Black T-strap flats, Aldo
Hematite beaded necklace, gift from a friend
Gunmetal hoop earrings, NY & Co.

What's this summer's weather like for you?

Big Box of Awesome From Lisa

I've been slowly working new-to-me clothes into my wardrobe in the past couple weeks, because I received a bunch of fabulous garments from a dear friend. Lisa was moving across the country & clearing out her closet, so she gifted me with a surprise selection from her wardrobe.

Now, I knew she has excellent taste & that we shop at many of the same places in person & online. But I was utterly gob-smacked when I opened the box (actually, two boxes) to reveal item after item that was so perfectly right for me, plus fit me just about ideally. There were sweaters, jackets, skirts, & dresses in superb CorpGoth style, & the only reason I'm not wearing more of them is due to summer warmth.

I do feel incredibly lucky to know such a generous & thoughtful friend. I'll just have to figure out some way to repay her in kind...

What I'm wearing:
Amethyst short-sleeve wrap sweater with flowers, LaRedoute
Black T-shirt, Target
Amethyst satin bias-cut skirt, Newport News
Black tights, Calvin Klein
Black ribbon-tie pumps, Clarks
Purple crystal lariat necklace & matching earrings, random accessory store

Do you swap, trade, or barter clothes with friends? I love to, even with friends online. That's how I get some of my best stuff :-)

Red, Black, Stripes, Lace, Oh My!

Went all out on the Red & Black Week yesterday, when I remembered I do have a red dress (ok, I have another one, but it's a cocktail dress & despite lots of great advice about dressing down fancy attire, that particular one has shoulder decoration that can't be made work-friendly; but I digress).

What I'm wearing:
Red knit dress, Target
Black elastic belt, NY & Company
Black cami, NY & Company
Black leggings with lace insert, NY & Company
Black & white stripe sweater, Chadwicks
Black buckle ankle boots, Aldo
Painted-black shell necklace, bought in Florida
Black & white bead earrings, Kohl's
Bright red lipstick, Sephora

Admittedly, I took the sweater off at work because it did get warm. California's summer has been much delayed, & I haven't been sure when to drop the jackets & sweaters.