Another year of dresses

December is over! Which means Dressember is over too. As I’ve mentionned before, I pretty much wear dresses every day, but in December, I take pictures!

Here are all of my dresses for the month. You might notice, if you like to count things, that there are 35 dresses for 31 days. That’s because I like outfit changes. Like Katy Perry or JLo. I’m awesome like that.

We had some really strange weather in December, so some days, I didn’t even wear tights. Normally, for Dressember, I freeze my butt off. Also, I really like leggings.

Here’s to another year of dresses!

Dressing up

It’s December, and that means dresses! This is my fourth year participating in Dressember. The idea is, you wear a dress every day in December. This is pretty much my regular life, as I wear dresses all the time. I love dresses so much! Dressember is different only because I take pictures every morning.

Since it’s already almost the halfway point, here are my dresses so far.

Day 1

I wasn’t sure about wearing white in December, but I thought I did a pretty good job of winterizing it. Also, I think not wearing what you want is dumb.

Being Belle

For Halloween this year, I wanted to be a Disney princess, because that’s the kind of girl I am. Why go creepy and scary when, for once, it’s perfectly acceptable to be a princess in public?

I originaly wanted to be Snow White, but the only cosutme I could find online that wasn’t short and sexy (really, why?) was over a hundred dollars. No thanks. Then, by chance, I found a much cheaper dress. Different princess, but I’m not picky. Belle it was!

I really did not love the way this dress was cut. I mean, Belle wears a ballgown, where was the fluff? Since I have a crinoline I never get to wear, I decided to make this dress into the shiny yellow perfection I knew it could be.

I pinned the two pieces of fabric together at the seams, then sewed a line on either sides of the pins. Then I cut between the two new lines I’d sewn and inserted a triangular piece of yellow satin. I did this for each side and in the back.

This is where I stopped taking pictures, because really, who takes that many pictures when they sew? The top part of the dress was too big, and it had a pink rose in the middle. This had to go, because Belle does not have any pink on her dress. I took in the necline/sleeve type thing, then covered it with more yellow satin.

I cut the sad excuse for a petticoat that was inside the dress, added my fluffy crinoline, and voilà! Perfection.

I attemped a Belle hairdo using the seemingly easy sock bun technique. I’m not sure I do it right, because it’s never easy. But hey, it looked ok.

I truly enjoy being a princess, and look forward to wearing this dress again. Having a party? I’ll come dressed as Belle.

Call me crazy

I don’t believe in guilty pleasures. If I like something, I like it. No need to feel guilty about it. Everyone’s always going on and on about how dark chocolate is their guilty pleasure. You know what I like? Milk chocolate. The kind with lots of sugar and fat and deliciousness. And I don’t feel bad about it either.

We all like something that would make other people think we’re crazy. You love hiking in the wilderness for days, with snakes and bugs and being smelly? Good for you! I don’t. You enjoy wheatgrass? Superb!

These are some of the things I like. They might make me seem weird to you, or kind of crazy, and that’s ok. But none of them are guilty pleasures, because that’s the worst oxymoron I’ve ever heard.

Airports

I like airports. If I’m in an airport, it means I’m going on an adventure. My tea costs 7$ and my carry-on bag gets heavier and heavier, but I’m off to see the wizard! Or, the world, anyways. Maybe I’m on my way home, which always feels nice too. No matter how many books I have with me, I will almost always buy one in the airport bookstore. I love bookstores in general, but one in an airport is like an oasis. All those stressed-out, rushed travelers could benefit from a few minutes surrounded by books.

Re-reading books

There are some books I’ve read so often, I can open them at any random page and just go from there. I used to think everybody did this. Apparently not. Oh well, you’re missing out, you know. If you loved it the first time, it only gets better. The characters become real, and their world does too.

November

I’ve mentioned this one before. I like November because it’s my birthday month, but also because no one else seems to like it, and that’s sometimes reason enough. I like rainy days where I am inside, looking out, drinking tea, reading books and writing. Grey is a good colour, because it makes others colours stand out. Walk around in a pink raincoat and yellow umbrella, and watch people smile.

Dresses

I actually don’t understand why people don’t enjoy wearing dresses. They say things like “They’re so uncomfortable”, “I don’t like tights” and “You look so fancy”. If you don’t like dresses, that’s ok. But I love them. They make me feel amazing, and to me, they are 12 million times more comfortable than jeans. I really don’t like insults disguised as compliments (I don’t imagine anyone does). I often get told I’m “fancy”. It’s said in a joking manner, but really, it’s not. I don’t tell you you look so “comfortable” in your jeans. Live and let live people.

I also love a lot of things that could never be considered a guilty pleasure, even by people who believe in those, like my new niece, drinking copious amounts of tea, reading, traveling, venting about life to my best friend, writing, dreaming and planning my dream library.

This post turned out differently than I expected. I think it comes down to enjoying what makes you happy, and not judging other people for what they like. I really don’t get the whole vegan thing, but if that’s what makes you happy, then what does my opinion matter? As a rule, we are gentler with other people than we are with ourselves. So maybe we should all take it easy on ourselves.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to drink tea and eat chocolate in my new dress, while simultaneously re-reading a favourite book and planning my next trip, where I will visit 5 different airports.

Jingle Bell Frock

It’s over. Just like that, December and it’s dresses are gone! I can keep wearing dresses, of course (and I will!) but the whole concept of Dressember and the wonderful little community that goes with it, are on hold until the end of the year.

It’s ok, I’m a big girl. I can think of something to keep me busy until next December. I’m thinking sewing and traveling, with plenty of yoga and reading thrown in the mix. Also, let’s not forget tea drinking, furniture painting and blog writing. The year ahead is wide open and looking quite fabulous!

Here is one last look at my Dressember outfits.

Day 23

I really like this dress, but I don’t think winter is a good time to wear it. So.Much.Static.

Day 24

Christmas eve! Yay! First, a daytime outfit, where I was wearing my boots.

My Christmas eve dress. I love this dress so much! It’s from Modcloth. I wore it on Valentine’s day last year and to a Katy Perry concert in the summer. It’s perfect.

Day 25

Merry Christmas! This dress is also from Modcloth. I love everything about it except for the fact that it’s a little tight at the waist and was not exactly comfortable after I ate dinner.

Day 26

This is my official “It’s the day after Christmas so I’m not doing anything” look. I was wearing yoga pants under the dress. Super classy.

Day 27

When I bought this dress, I was shopping with my best friend and she compared it to something Zooey Deschanel would wear. Of course I had to buy it.

Day 28

Another very casual look. Comfort was key here.

Day 29

Pink makes me happy, so I smiled all day in this dress!

Day 30

I bought this dress without trying it on, so it’s a little big. I’ll fix it, but it was ok for one day.

Day 31

Day look courtesy of Emily and Fin, via Modcloth. I ordered this dress just before Christmas, so I didn’t think I would get it in time for it to make an appearance in Dressember, but it’s so fabulous, it got here on time.

Evening look. Some sparkle for new year’s eve!

Before I leave you, one last look at all my dresses for the month. 35 dresses in 31 days.

And that’s it. For now anyways. I’ve ordered a couple more dresses, so no worries, I’ll be back soon!

Twirling and cat prints

Christmas is only days away! I feel like every time I post about Dressember, there’s a countdown to Christmas involved! I am officially on holidays until January 5th, which makes me so, so happy! I love my job, but I’m so much better at it when I get some time to myself. The last few days of school were exhausting, but fun. It was difficult to get up in the morning, but I still wore pretty dresses. It’s hard not to be happy while wearing a dress covered in cats.

Here is a look at the last week.

Day 15 – This dress is from Modcloth, and I call it my birthday dress, because the first time I wore it, it was my birthday. It’s got tulle, which makes it 12 times more awesome than if it didn’t.

Day 16 – I absolutely love this dress! It’s pretty, and very comfortable. It’s also good for twirling.

 

Day 17 – I don’t do the whole “ugly Christmas sweater” thing. I would much rather go for “cute” or “pretty”. Why would you do ugly on purpose? (I know, I know. It’s funny. It’s also ugly.)

Day 18 – Two looks, one for day and one for evening.

My day look was this purple dress from Old Navy. It’s got a tiny stain of what I believe is green paint on the skirt, but I love it, so I wear it anyways. I look tired because I am. I’m barely awake here.

My night look is a dress with a very different silhouette from what I normally wear. I like this dress (obviously, or I wouldn’t have bought it or wear it) but it’s not my favourite. The reaction I got from it, however, led me to believe that lots of people loved this dress most of all. That’s a little disappointing, since it’s not what I consider my best look. It doesn’t really matter. I dress for myself, not others.

 

Day 19 – Now this is my favourite dress of the month so far. I made this dress. Yes, you read that right. I sewed this dress in all it’s cat-covered glory. I bought the petticoat, because I wanted as much volume as possible. I did get lots and lots of compliments on this dress too, not just the 18th’s dress. This one makes me very happy.

 

I actually had a night look for the 19th too. I went to a party and changed into something that took up a little less space. This dress is new and if I wasn’t determined to do the whole month without repeating any outfits, I would wear it again tomorrow.

Day 20 – I was going to a family party (we really like those!) This is a summer dress that’s been winterized. It doesn’t always work, but I think it did here.

Day 21 – I was hosting a Christmas dinner. What does every hostess need? A purple silk party dress of course!

 

Day 22 – Today. First day of holidays where I would have gladly spent the whole day in my pyjamas. I had some errands to run, so I got dressed, but I am now back in my pj’s.

There are only 9 days of dresses left, and I have way more than 9 dresses! Maybe I’ll continue this dress experience a little longer…!

Be happy, be bright, be you

We’re two weeks into December, which means in 10 days, it’s Christmas eve! I’ve been wearing a dress a day, as per Dressember rules. The week ahead is my last at work until the holidays, and I have quite a few party dresses I’d like to wear, so I might be a little fancier than usual at work. The thought makes me smile!

And now, for my weekly wrap-up of dresses:

Day 8 – Very comfortable dress that did not make an appearance last December, as it needed to be mended and it took me a year to do it.

Day 9 – Busy day as it was my class’ Christmas play. I wanted to wear something comfortable, but also cute, of course! I wore this dress’ twin last week, in purple.

Day 10 – It’s hard to pick just one favourite dress, but if I absolutely had to, it would be this one. It has pockets! Need I say more?

 

Day 11 – Little black dress that ended the day covered in glitter from snowflake making.

 

Day 12 – Pretty blue dress that, for some unknown reason, I don’t wear very often.

Day 13 – My Minnie Mouse look. I love this dress and always wear it the same way. Also, here is a picture of me twirling, so you get a sense of the real me. I’m a twirler.

 

Day 14 – A grey dress for a grey day. The sun came out for a little while, so it wasn’t too gloomy. Also, it was Sunday, I was wearing a dress, there was tea and Christmas music, so I was happy.

And that’s week two. Now, excuse me while I go pick out next week’s dresses!

 

Dress up, drink tea, read books

We’re already a full week into December, which means it’s been one week of dresses for Dressember! I love December. I don’t play favourites with months, but December is pretty special. You know, Christmas and dresses. Actually, I quite like November too. Mostly because my birthday is in November, but also because everyone else seems to hate it, and I like to do the opposite of other people sometimes.

Another reason I love December is that I got an advent calendar from David’s tea. Every day, I get to open a little door and try an new kind of tea! It’s lovely.

And then, of course, there’s Christmas books. I love books all year, but there is something special about Christmas stories. My friend Suzanne gave me one for my birthday and I finished it this morning, while drinking a cup of tea. Bliss.

Here is a recap of my dresses, from day 1 to day 7.

Day 1 – I wear this dress a lot, but I added a crinoline, nothing major, just some extra fluffiness to help hold the skirt and keep it from sticking to my leggings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 2 – Pink dress from Old Navy. No slip today, so it stuck to my tights. There will be no more of that!

Day 3 – Purple on purple. Was a little worried it would be too much, but I liked it.

Day 4 – Bird print dress and cape knit by my sister.

Day 5 – Tommy Hilfiger dress from the “To Tommy from Zooey” collection. I love Zooey Deschanel!

Day 6 – Another bird print dress! It was all twisty at the waist, but I fixed it after I saw the pictures. I could also have looked in the mirror!

Day 7 – This is the “Rock the line” dress from Modcloth. I love it, except that it’s really short.

Fashion quiz

Tomorrow is December 1st, which means it is the first day of Dressember. What is Dressember, you ask? Why, only the most wonderful time of the year. It is a month of dresses. Kind of like the 12 days of Christmas, only it’s 31 days, and it’s dresses, not birds and ladies dancing (although, one will dance more while wearing a dress, it’s a fact).

Dressember used to be just about the dresses, but it’s now associated with the International Justice Mission, to help victims of violence. You can wear your dresses to raise money for a good cause. I think it’s fantastic, but since I give to different charities, I’m wearing my dresses just for fun! However, I encourage you to visit the website and make a donation if the cause speaks to you.

In the spirit of Dressember, I’ve decided to put together a fashion quiz, you know, one that will reveal your true identity with a series of multiple choice questions. Here we go, grab a pencil.

1. You’re going shopping on a Saturday afternoon. What are you wearing?

a) heels, a miniskirt and a designer bag

b) jeans, boots and a cute top

c) sweatpants and running shoes

d) a raincoat with nothing underneath

2. It’s your work Christmas party, yay! You show up wearing…

a) an evening gown, diamonds and Chanel number 5

b) a red dress, black tights and a sparkly necklace

c) the same clothes you wore to work

d) a tiara

3. You’re hopping on a plane to Costa Rica. What’s your travel look?

a) a silk skirt, big floppy hat and huge sunglasses

b) leggings and a tunic or dress

c) pyjamas

d) a bikini, so you’re ready when you get there

4. What do you wear to go running? (Pretend you go running)

a) a stylish, color coordinated outfit, including leggings, top, shoes, headband and earphones, complete with bouncy ponytail

b) whatever leggings and top were clean

c) track pants from the 90’s, the kind you can rip off like a stripper

d) a bathing suit and cap, since you’re training for a triathlon

5. It’s your day off and you’re staying home. Some knocks at the door. You answer wearing…

a)  a suit, heels and pearls

b) jeans and a t-shirt

c) an old university t-shirt,  scrunchie and maybe pants (or maybe not)

d) a bathrobe that’s not quite closed

And now, for the results of this very accurate quiz, which was researched quite thoroughly and in no way written just now, while I sit on the couch with my scrunchie and my yoga pants.

If you chose mostly a: You should wear whatever you want!

If you chose mostly b: Keep wearing what you’re wearing, you look awesome!

If you chose mostly c: Dress for yourself, and no one else!

If you chose mostly d: You freaking rock!

And now, since a post needs a picture, but I have none of Dressember, because it only starts tomorrow, here is a picture of my birthday dress. It will be making an appearance sometime during the fantastic month that is Dressember.

To Tommy from Zooey to Me!

If you’re new to this blog, here is something about me: I love Zooey Deschanel’s style. Like, love, love, love it! In April, I wrote about discovering a website that has all the info on her outfits, called What would Zooey Deschanel wear. A fellow blogger told me about a clothing line Zooey was designing with Tommy Hilfiger. I was so excited to check it out!

A couple of weeks ago, my sister and I went to a work conference together. We don’t work at the same school, or even the school board, but we can sometimes swing it so that we attend the same training. It was in Montreal, so we took the train in the day before and went shopping! It was pouring rain, but we were determined to make the most of it!

While walking in a downpour of extreme wetness, we saw this.

We just had to go in and try on as many dresses as we could! There are 16 dresses in the collection, but this store only about 7 or 8. There was only one I loved, and it’s the one Zooey’s wearing in the picture. It’s called the diamond-print dress. I’m sorry Zooey and Tommy, but these are squares.

I wore this dress on Sunday, and you can see it in my previous post, where my sisters and I tried to take some nice pictures. Since most of the pictures are pretty funny, there is no actual great shot of me in this dress.

My sister got this one. It would be much too short on me, but it looks fabulous on her!

This is Zooey, not my sister.

I also got this dress while shopping in Montreal. It’s not a Zooey dress, but I think she would like it. If there was a What would that girl from The Bliss Project wear website, she would definitely read it. Well, I guess that website already kind of exists, because I share my outfits here. Maybe she reads it, who knows?

Also, I went out to buy materials for a school project tonight, and I bought two more dresses. I am no longer allowed out without supervision.