I wore stripes with witches shoes ... and a denim shirt to work

I am not wild about this outfit despite Courts, Schatz and Felicia all commenting that they like it, I just don’t feel totally right in it.  Not sure and I can’t quite put my finger on it … but then I think, maybe it looks better ‘in person’ than in the photos.

Skirt : Truworths | Shirt & Belt : Chinese store | Shoes : Fashion World

I bought these shoes as the ridiculous price of R99.99 last week at Fashion World … I simply could not resist.  I’m picturing them more with a charcoal grey suit with a peplum and a lacy top.  They called me from the window and I had to go in and look at them and when I saw the price, which initially said R159.99, I had to take them (I also considered the black pair) and oh joy, when the sales lady rang it up, they were marked down to R99.99 – I do so love a bargain and even more so on shoes because I’m rough on shoes so I don’t spend huge wads of cash on them.  I like the vintage look of them with the laces and the cap.

I’ve still not been planning my outfits well in advance so I’m throwing ideas together in the morning and hoping for the best in the limited time I set myself for dressing.  

The workshop called and said that their mechanic promises that the knocking sound in my car is gone.  They’ve replaced the shocks and shock mounts and I am hoping that it is now sorted.  So irritating to have this knock knock sound when driving.   Also this afternoon my hairdresser is coming round to trim and colour my hair and cut Jarod’s hair.  I absolutely love getting my hair cut and get so excited – only pity is that I won’t be getting the head massage with the wash.

Hope your Tuesday is fabulous.

  

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I wore a black and white polka dot shirt from the mens dept. .. to work on Monday

I have been looking for a white and black polka dot cotton shirt for a few months now.  I saw sheer-ish nylon shirts, but with big polka dots and black shirts with white polka dots and was about giving up hope of finding what I was wanting when saw this in the mens dept. at Mr. Price three weeks back when I took Jarod shopping ... oh happiness!

White and black bag from Justine Cosmetics

 The shirt is in need of a little tailoring and feminising which I'll get done soon.  I was going to war it with a white skirt, but then decided to wear a black skirt instead.  I thought I'd go with what is in fact my most favourite colour pairing even, black and white. There was a time in my life where 99% of my clothing was black and white with very little colour.  I just found it so easy to wear and still do, but do know that colour does amazing things for me. 


Black and white is always nice

I could not decide what to wear on my arm but since I wore my triple string of pearls, I decided to go with the pearl and gold bracelet set to add a little something of a different 'colour'.

 

A little gold

The details : Necklace : Woolworths | Shirt : Mr. Price | Skirt : Truworths | Shoes : Legit | Ring : Truworths

I wore a mint coloured skirt ... to an afternoon wedding

Schatz and I attended a fellow Toy Run champions wedding this afternoon.  Ian and Melene chose Thornbirds, a venue very close to our home and they decided to have an afternoon affair.  The bride looked lovely and I do wish them a happy and long union.  Ian was so nervous waiting for her to come down the isle that he was sweating up a stream.  The ceremony was lovely and the reception was relaxed with snacks out in the gardens and drinks and lavender and rose cupcakes for the wedding cake ... most interestingly though,  the brides maids and groomsmen wore jeans!

This is me ... Hi.

I wore this gorgeous mint 'lace' skirt (the material is the same as my white 'lace' skirt) that I picked up on sale at Truworths along with a top I've worn previously, despite having purchased a silver/grey sequence top, Courteney and I decided that this one looked much better.  The silver clutch I purchased will need to find another even for me to use it for.

The accessories

 Ring : (ooops not sure} | Necklace : Mr. Price | Bracelets : Contempo

Mint lace pencil skirt and gold flecked knit

Outfit details : Skirt and knit top : Truworths | Heels : Madison @ Fashion Gallery

The photo bombers ... Jodi and in the background Tequila (who refused to pose with me)

Striking a pose

I'm looking forward to Tuesday because my hairdresser is going to work her magic ... my hair is in need of a trim (I had to trim my bang this morning) and the roots need colouring badly.

Autumn is in full swing here and the trees are looking so beautiful ... I do so enjoy a second spring each year.

Thanks to my lovely mint skirt, I'll be linking up to Patti at Not Dead Yet Style.

 

Leopard print pencil skirt and white

Despite this skirt doing the twist the entire time I wore it last, its behaved really well today – it may have been doing the twist due to the shapewear I had on underneath. 

I much prefer the leopard print with colour as opposed to plain white.  When it’s colder, I’ll definitely have to wear it with my red blazer (although its chilly in our offices, it would be too warm at this point).  I wanted to wear my yellow and gold necklace for a pop of colour, but then all the pieces slipped off and I just did not have the time to string it.  I have a sneaking feeling that someone had tried it on, the pieces had fallen off and they’d put them back on, but then not realised that the pieces were muddled.  Initially I had restrung them, but then when I was attempting to clip it, it slipped so the pieces fell off – ah dang, so I grabbed the pearls. 

La Deets: Skirt : Mr. Price | Shirt and blazer : Truworths | Shoes : Legit | Pearls : Woolworths

I can’t believe that its already Thursday – is it just me, or are the weeks whizzing by at a frantic pace for anyone else?  Tonight I have lots of editing to do … the real job starts now and I still need to finish the photos of my nephew and children.  A colleague also asked me to take photos of him for a website … we’re going to go outside at lunch time tomorrow and snap a few – any practise I can get is worth it.

Well friends, that’s all for the moment … hope your Thursday is stunning.

What makes your world right?

There's a saying I love that says "if you do what you love you'll never work a day in your life " ... do you know how that feels?  Are you perchance one of the few people who experiences this on a daily basis?  If you are, you are so lucky. 

 

For me, each time I take photos of people for a reason, when there's a purpose to why I'm doing it, I initially pain over whether I'm good or if I'm going to mess up .. but once I start taking the pics and figure out the vibe, I just get on and do it.  When I leave - I feel such amazing deep contentment in my soul ... if you do what you love, you'll know what I mean.  

 

Tonight I got to experience that feeling once again.  Its so incredible for me that I usually find myself in tears.  They're tears of joy and elation.  I'll replay the moments in my mind ... savouring the people, their features, their faces.  I love when I catch someone who is hiding from the camera unaware.  I'm mastering my 'sneak up' skill ... lol. 

 

I'll share photos soon on www.simplysassy.co.za/blog of the little man who turned 1 today and I photographed.

 

Hope your day was awesome ... I took a much needed day to take care of a few personal things - it was just what my soul needed after how last week ended.

 

Well friends, I'm bushed ... catch you when the sun rises.

 

 

I want this ... B.A.D.L.Y.

History lessons...

Here is an interesting historical fact that you probably didn't know. Just have a look at the calendar for the month of September 1752. (If you think I'm joking, you may search it on Google and see it for yourself.) In case you haven't noticed, 11 days are simply missing from the month. Here's the explanation: This was the month during which England shifted from the Roman Julian Calendar to the Gregorian Calendar. A Julian year was 11 days longer than a Gregorian year.So, the King of England ordered 11 days to be wiped off the face of that particular month. (A King could order anything, couldn't he?) So, the workers worked for 11 days less that month, but got paid for the whole month. That's how the concept of "paid leave"was born. Hail the King!!! In the Roman Julian Calendar, April used to be the first month of the year; but the Gregorian Calendar observed January as the first month. Even after shifting to the Gregorian Calendar, many people refused to give up old traditions and continued celebrating 1st April as the New Year's Day. When simple orders didn't work, the King finally issued a royal dictum, which stated that those who celebrated 1st April as the new year's day would be labelled as fools. From then on, 1st April became April Fool's Day. History is really interesting, isn't it ?

What is a closet?

Tim Gunn, the Project Runway’s style guru says, “What is a closet,
really, but a catalogue of the different personas we have auditioned
and discarded? Hanging there in our closets are reminders, both good

and bad, of who we are, who we've been, and who we've hoped to 

be.”

The days of uncertain weather

Autumn snuck up on us .. its been toying with us with promising of cooler weather but today, the temperatures started dropping.  Since our offices were like an oven yesterday I thought I'd get away with a last stab at Summer outfit.

Contempo

I went to do my vitamin shopping after work yesterday and had to pop into my favourite stores across the way from Dischem.  There were some interesting bits about and I behaved and picked up this set of bracelets at Contempo.   There were some interesting items in the store and I managed to behave and not bring anything else home with me ... but it was difficult.

There are such pretty knits, jeans and jackets in the stores.  With winter nipping at our heels, the stores will be doing serious winter trade this weekend.  I'm glad I've washed my coats and jackets and am as prepared for the cold as I can be.

La Deets : Tank : Truworths | Shirt : Mr. Price | Capris : Woolworths | Heels : La Diva | Necklace & Earrings : Miladys (I think) | Bracelets : Contempo

Thanks to my photographer of the day : Liam

Coral trousers and lace printed t-shirt

Firstly – to all my American friends and ‘family’ my condolences on the horrific attack in Boston.

Praying that everyone finds comfort and that those you love and hold dear and close are safe.

It’s Terrific Tuesday – and I thought I best wear these coral trousers as I don’t know how many more wears I’ll get in before our cold weather arrives.  They’re just a little too thin to wear when the cold arrives.  I had seen this t-shirt on Jean of Extra Petite and immediately emailed Taryn and asked her to try and find it for me.  I was so thrilled when she let me know that she had found it and I have worn it many times.  I absolutely adore the lace detail imprinted in the shirt.

My outfit today is very similar to the one Jean is wearing above

I don’t wear a necklace when I wear this t-shirt as I think it would detract from the detail of the pattern.

I initially had only a blue belt with my blue and leopard print shoes – but really could not decide if I liked it or not.

So I choose to play it safe and swapped for the leopard print kitten heels and belt.

Le Deets : T-shirt : Loft | Trousers : Legit | Shoes : Truworths | Belt : … could be Edgars |

So I’m toying with a new blog name and wanted to ask what you think of the name ‘Closet Capers’?

Feedback and comments would be appreciated.

Have a stunning day now.

Royal blue on a Monday

I’m back!!!  I had a good little blog-cation although unintentional, I was simply not inspired to blog and enjoyed the break, but I am back.

I work hard at watching what comes out of my mouth, so you can imagine how difficult it is not to say ‘blue Monday’ … but I am wearing blue on this pretty Monday morning, the sky is clear, the temperature is pleasant and I have work.

Our weekend was relaxed and mostly spent at home.  I did take Jarod shopping on Saturday morning as he had outgrown his sneakers and said he needed another pair of long pants.  It’s amazing that his feet have suddenly increased by two shoe sizes.  He got two pairs of casual shoes, a pair of relaxed cotton trousers and two jackets.  Courteney was with us and had found the pants which lead him to say he did not like them.  Right!  He also tried on two pairs of jeans neither of which fitted nicely and as you could have guessed, the trousers Ccourts found fitted perfectly – so he took them.  They’re having such a power struggle at the moment and I am at loss as far as how to deal with it.   Sigh!  All in all though, we had a good time and they were pleasant with each other.   Next weekend it’s shopping with Liam. 

I indulged a little with a cheap camo t-shirt from Mr. Price for all of R30.00 (I love bargains like that) and two tops (the one I’m wearing today) from Edgars.

Courteney and I both gravitated toward this shirt as we found the colour captivating. 

I will be able to wear it with jeggings and my skinny jeans for a more relaxed look as it is fairly long.

I do love these roll sleeve shirts that are in every store at the moment.

I now have one in plum, this blue one and a black one with studs on the collar that I picked up on Saturday.

All of them can be worn to the office and casually.

Blue and gold accessories

I could not decide on a necklace and mainly that was because I was looking for something gold and short and although I have a costume jewellery necklace that is gold (and more than 16 years old) I don’t wear it anymore as it has tarnished – maybe its time to look for a replacement.  Then I thought of wearing my ‘collar’ but seem to have misplaced it which leads me to the fact that I urgently need to do more sorting out in my closet.  Firstly though, and it’s a huge priority, I need to replace my rail which looks like its had a long hard night of partying as its leaning more and more to the right. 

La details : Shirt : Edgars (Merien Hall) | Skirt : Truworths | Shoes : Ackermans | Bracelets : Miladys | earrings and belt – unknown|

I’m linking up with Patti over at Not Dead Yet Style for her Visible Monday #93 … this colour allows you to be anything but ‘invisible’.

Happy Monday y’all … please drop me a note in the comments so that I can return the visit.

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Teal and beige - inspiration

Quote of the week

source

Denim, Paisley and rolling grey clouds

 Necklace : Truworths | Watch : Diva | Ring : American Swiss

 Shirt : Chinese Store | Skirt : Truworths | Shoes : Rage | Belt : Woolworths

We woke up to gorgeous grey, cloudy skies this morning. The clouds were heavily pregnant with the promise of rain. Driving into the office I watched as clouds gobbled up the Hillbrow Tower and it promised to rain for most of day - but it drizzled on and off. The rain finally arrived just before it was time to head on home which had people dashing out of the office in the hopes of racing ahead of the rain. Lucky for me, I seemed to be between the storm as Courteney said it rained so hard before I got home it looked like it was hailing.

With the weather turning chilly I made an adapted version of the Tupperware Curry Chicken Casserole which went down a treat in our house.  I think we're all ready for soups, stews and curry weather.

 

I'm happy to report that my coats are at the ready should the weather become colder.

The reading nook - styled

 

Before

Reading nook

and after …

 

I intend taking some better photos (sorry for the blurry quality) and I do hope to get the wall painted real soon but I really wanted to show it off a little.

 

French inspired reading nook in Master bedroom

 

I also intend getting a larger mat for the area .. with both my Grans travelling box and the bookshelf in pine, I’m torn as to whether or not I should paint them.  Not sure I want the entire room in the French white wash.  But then I’m not keen on everything being matchy-matchy.

 

More pictures to follow soon.

 

Happy day now for a beautiful grey Jo’burg.

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Quote of the week

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To do list update

Remember my 'wanna do list'


Well I got a thing or two ticked off : others are still in progress

Move my box upstairs and style it.

Print pictures for the still empty frames in the lounge - right - in progress.

Post a box to someone special (The box is ready and full and just needs to be labelled).

Gather items to create a Fall centre piece using this picture as inspiration ... my vase is round though.  (Looking for acorns - anyone got some spare for me?

Drop items at the SPCA on the way to drop my Mom off at the casino.

Take my car for a wash.

Wash the rest of my winter jackets and coats.

Edit photographs - finally got my desk sorted so I can hook up to my screen as I'm battling on the laptop screen to edit.

Work on blog design - did some fiddling but am in search of  more personalised but well priced theme.  Am on a pretty tight budget at the moment.

Schatz went with me to drop off items at the SPCA and then we went to take the car for a wash.  While there we stopped in at the Chinese store and he bought me a lovely trench coat instead of chocolates or Easter.  I'll share a picture late r- sadly though, the cream one that I tried on Friday was already sold and they did not have another in my size, so I went for the light khaki shade.  If I find it in cream again though, I'll definitely buy it - and oh how I dream of a real Burberry ... but that will happen only once I hit the Lotto ;-).

Happy day y'all.