From Style Per Diem

The pinafore: By now it’s almost predictable with me – this is a dark navy H&M pinafore with curved exposed pockets and an exposed zipper in the back. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE pinafores/tunics like this.

The shirt: Classic white collared shirt, also H&M. It actually has breast pockets and corset seams.

I paired this with black tights and grey wool socks, the ribs peeking out just above the edge of the boots.

The boots: My irreplaceable Hush Puppies. This is their last season. *tear*

Accessories: I put on a long chain with several charms  and these awesome dragon ear-rings. They’re tiny enough not to be goofy, but goofy enough to make me happy.

I later wore this outfit with tan tights, matching tan ribbed socks and my ruffled t-straps. I unfortunately didn’t get a picture. Yes I’m still wearing socks with high heels. I still think if they’re done right, they work.

Luckily, I have a pattern for a pinafore like this and I plan on making several variations this summer.

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From Style Per Diem

The skirt: Previously posted, much adored grey, kind of tweedish, panelled pencil skirt with rouching on the hips.

The Top: Lovely sheer top with lace panelling on the yoke, flutter sleeves and pin tucks – H&M.

The Jacket: My favourite spring/fall crop jacket – its a little faux leather, double breasted biker jacket with a slight puff on the sleeves and a tight fit on the waist, fully lined in soft satin. I absolutely LOVED pairing this jacket with the super feminine outfit underneath.

Shoes: These awesome ruffled t-straps.

Accessories: I put on these stockings for MORE fun, and since my hair was still long I slicked it back with a black hair band and wore some small dangly sparkly ear-rings.

I don’t know WHERE I thought I was going. I was going in to edit news. Yes its for TV, but its not like I get to be on it!

I must have just felt like playing dress up!

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From Style Per Diem

The skirt: I had this fabric lying around since late summer last year and finally made it into this little box pleated, high waisted skirt with side slit pockets early this summer. I LOVE pockets. I put pockets in all my skirts and dresses. When I don’t, I regret it!
This is the first skirt I have made with button holes at  the back. The full story will be on http://www.sewwot.wordpress.com soon. I simply adore it!

The top: My previously posted white puffed sleeve, stretch cotton shirt. It came with a white ribbon sash, but I went with a black one to play off the black in the skirt.

The blazer: Previously posted lucky find at H&M a year or two ago. Its a light weight cotton-poly blend with a little peplum type flare at the bottom. I’m glad I picked it up as a basic because it goes so well with dresses and skirts. It just polished off this look I think.

The shoes: Much loved basic black pumps with stud details from H&M.

Accessories: Short string of vintage black glass beads and silver filigree tops that I don’t have a picture of.

Over all I was very pleased with the balance this struck between “I LOVE SUMMER DAMMIT” and “I like to look like a grown up while I edit.”

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From Style Per Diem

The dress: The second decent thing I found at Costa this year. Its a lovely, almost 70′s/cow girl inspired flower printed shirt dress with breast pockets and mother of pearl buttons all down the front. Here is a closer look.
I folded the sleeves for fun and the belt came with! The only thing that would make it more perfect is pockets. But alas, it has none. I layered again, with semi opaque black stockings.

To leave the house I threw on my faux leather crop jacket. Yes, I said faux. leather. crop. jacket. Look at it before you pass judgement.

From Style Per Diem

The jacket: ADORABLE faux leather biker jacket from H&M. I bought it at full price because I could not resist it and did not want to risk them running out of the few size 2′s they usually get. The diagonal zipper, the double breast, the puffed sleeves, the way it fits! OH MY! A few months later it was down to half price with my size in abundance…so I bought a grey leather blazer then, to be debuted sometime soon.
I do not regret paying full price for it one bit. I’m glad its not real leather, because the ex-vegetarian in me still has a problem with that, and I just cannot get over how AWESOME it is.

The shoes: I don’t have a proper picture, but these are awesome, super comfy, soft pointy toe flats from H&M with an ankle strap with brass buckles (easily removable when needed). I wear them

Accessories: None except for the regular silver I never take off and my hair that behaved exceptionally well after the new haircut and washing out the super straight style they leave you with. I’m enjoying the wash and wear, natural waves VERY much.

I really like this dress and wish I had more fuss free dresses like this. Its good for brunch, work, a casual dinner or just helping a friend buy gifts for mummy and behna back home, as the case was on this occasion.

WIN!

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I bought some navy blue shorts and even though the weather was nice and hot I didn’t want to go bare legged to the office. So I put this together..

From Style Per Diem

Shorts: Costa Blanca has been absolutely dismal this season. They have been off the mark on EVERYTHING and I have found maybe 2 items there, and even then I bought them on sale. These inexpensive navy blue cuffed shorts are one of the two items, with a mid rise and side pockets. I layered with semi opaque black tights.

Shirt: Three quarter sleeved, cuffed white pin striped shirt that I bought way back when I had to start building a suit collection for my live events. I have recently rediscovered it and started wearing it tucked in. Its almost too short and when left out the fit doesn’t come off right. Tucked in though, it works.

Blazer: My absolute favourite, too bad- its not full sleeved-blazer. I folded the sleeves one hem length and let the striped shirt peek through.

Shoes: MUCH LOVED go-with-everything black pumps from H&M with studded heel area. I recently found another classic pair that I should go run and buy before they run out. (pics of studded pumps soon)

Accessories: Besides the red faux snakeskin belt I think I just left in the usual silver, pulled my hair back and wore my red cuff to match the belt.

I also do this same top half with well cut trousers when I need to wear a suit.I was mighty pleased with this outfit and since it was a Friday I believe I got a lot of “Rob and you have plans tonight?”. So I’m guessing it could have gone from work to play.

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From Style Per Diem

The Skirt: I saw a skirt at H&M last summer in a nice crisp cotton, but by the time I got around to making it, it was fall. So I bought a nice plaid suiting fabric and recreated the box pleated skirt. I only got around to wearing it this spring. I added a few details of my own including a satin lining and a peek-a-boo lace trim on the lining hem. I paired the brown/grey skirt with dark brown leggings that don’t show up very well in this photo. Full details and PROOF that I made this skirt myself on http://www.sewwot.wordpress.com.

The top and sweater: The top is a simple white shirt with slight rouching at the bust – one of the few fitted shirts I have. The grey sweater is a basic piece I am so glad I invested in. I wore it, not just because the weather demanded, but because my edit bay is usually colder than it is outside, even in WINTER! I think it was the nail in the coffin of the ‘school girl’ situation.

Shoes: H&M has been my mind reading saviour for the past few months and when I went looking for basic, black low heeled pumps, I found this gorgeous matte pair with tiny brass studs around the heel that were just perfect. I’ll post a better picture soon.

Accessories: I left in all the basic silver and added a  short vintage string of black glass beads. If you look very carefully, the plaid has a thin line of bright blue woven in and I threw on this ring to make it pop. I also added a thin black belt on the high waist for more definition.

I like how this outfit came together. I’ve done many skirt-shirt-stockings combos since and I’m very pleased with that particular look of late.

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This was for my dear dear friend Andrew’s birthday bash that I helped organise.

From Style Per Diem

The jeans: Previously posted dark wash skinny jeans.

The dress: Black puffed/ruffled sleeve jersey dress from H&M. Trying to resist buying the exact same one in coral orange.

The shoes: I wanted to buy booties in time for this event but still have not found acceptable ones so I went with the riffle t-stap heels instead. I was wearing black tights as a layer anyway, since it was cold, so the overall impression was somewhar bootie-licious. Yes, I went there.

Accessories: These were carefully planned, hand made and purchased.

The silk obi belt is hand made from fabric left over from my sister’s sangeet and details can be found on http://www.sewwot.wordpress.com. I wore a dull gold braided cuff, dull gold/brass chain, tripled, these simple dull gold ear-rings and as can be seen in the picture, a dull gold rose pin in my hair. Make up concentrated on the eyes with a shimmery gold/purple mix of eyeshadow and shimmery eggplant eyeliner. Rosy sheer Dior blush and pinkish nude gloss finished it off. You can kind of see it in this picture, even though I look cross eyed. I put my hair back in a bun and made sure the bangs were poker straight.

I thoroughly enjoyed the simplicity of this outfit jazzed up with some carefully selected accessories and my very special belt. I look forward to wearing it in the summer without pants or just with stockings.

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This was taken some time in early December…I wish I had a better picture…

From Style Per Diem

The jeans: Trusty dark wash skinny jeans. Warmer than tights and provided the right amount of thickness to play off the dress.

The dress: A lovely little cream knit mini-dress with cap sleeves and a nice tab button detail on the collar in a gun metal colour which then allowed me to layer with a thin dark grey sweater with billowy sleeves. What the dress lacks in print, I think it makes up for in texture and weave, adding visual interest and fun. I think  this dress will also easily transition into spring with a nice pair of tights.

The shoes: New favourite wedge heeled boots!

Accessories: I think I just left in the usual silver but I did throw on this gorgeous purple, military inspired, wool coat that I bought for an absolute STEAL at H&M:

From Style Per Diem

For the mild weather we were having, it was nice and cozy – lined in a self coloured, striped satin and its a brilliant addition to my coat collection. If you must cover up every lovely outfit with a coat, it might as well be an interesting one, no?

All in all, this was fun!

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From Style Per Diem

The jeans: Previously posted dark wash trouser jeans from my last birthday with a double button, patch kind of front closure.

The top: I layered a beautiful ruffle georgette-lace-jersey tank top under a cardigan which has a lace like print on it. I usually avoid lace prints like the plague but I didn’t mind this one too much and have since bought an entire dress in a similar vein. I like the pink and since its set against an off white/cream its not too doily-ish for me.

From Style Per Diem

I ADORE ruffles and super girly details but I usually would not be caught dead in a top like this on its own, mostly because of the all lace back, and at first was at a loss as to how to wear it. Then I remembered that I should OBVIOUSLY layer it with a thin cami. DUH.

From Style Per Diem

The boots: After much much MUCH searching for a decent heeled ankle boot I bought these gorgeous grey/brown wedged boots. I DO NOT like wedge boots and at first would not buy them purely for that reason, but they look SO GOOD and you cannot beat the comfort of a wedge heel – compared to other heels of course.

From Style Per Diem

Accessories: I wore a simple sliver chain with a round quartz stone and these chrysanthemum like silver ear-rings.

Done and done. Nice outfit for a semi-cold day.

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I can’t remember why or where I wore each outfit, but I’m picking a random point in time and starting there…

I believe this was in late fall, early winter. I call it my H&M mannequin look – super layered up with a naughty boy edge…

From Style Per Diem

The jeans: Super dark wash, slim fit, back flap pocket jeans with contrast stitching. Good for tucking into boots.

The jacket: Previously worn black linen blazer with quarter sleeves.

The various layers: I layered a white cami with lace detailing at the neck, under a black deep V cotton stretch sweater, over which I wore a BRIGHT blue crop zip up hoodie with cable knit sleeves.

The boots: My regular black impermeable Hush Puppies.

Accessories: I left in all the usual silver and swapped out the small bali’s for larger silver hoops.

I think the layers worked for me, especially since the jacket and crop sweater were the same length. I’m very small and bulking up like this does not make me look out of proportion. I like the idea of layering hoodies with blazers for some reason and the blue popped out against the otherwise almost monochromatic scheme.

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