Fix as we go

 I had two outfits this week that I loved... in theory. In practice I liked how they looked, but how they worked in a day -to-day setting, well, the needed some work. Fortunately, neither was was so bad a few office supplies couldn't fix!

I love this sheath dress. It's the best purchase I've ever made. I love how adaptable it is. This outfit isn't that different from how I've worn it before, but I thought the addition of the patterned tights with the boots worked really well. It must have worked well - one person who I feel isn't warming up to me as quickly as I like at work gushed over it.

The downfall? I went to remove a paper jam from the copier, and caught the tights on my boots and ripped a giant hole in them. I could have cried - I love these tights! Since the gaping hole was above my hemline, I didn't need to quickly strip off the tights in the washroom. I just needed to make sure they lasted the rest of the day without the hole growing any larger. My solution? Our envelope adhesive! On average, I send out about 20 envelopes a day. Licking is not going to happen. And those "just add water" sticks? They never work. These are a combination of glue and water, perfect for a strong seal (always necessary when you are sealing transcripts!). Of course, they are perfect for sealing holes in tights too!

I pinned an outfit like this from one of Taylor's boards. I felt pretty confident in it, despite the fact that a man at the bus stop commented it wasn't my usual look, it was certainly "different". Of course, he also told me I'd hate my job and it would be a long haul to retirement if I stayed there. I now assume the opposite of whatever he says (one month in and I still love my job to pieces). And it did give me an excuse to wear the necklace my parents brought me back from their recent trip to Maryland/DC/Virginia

What didn't work? These shoes just don't fit right. I had blisters by noon, even with wearing my nude fishnets. I knew they'd start bleeding soon enough, so I stuffed kleenex in the toe, and managed to make it through the day.

And the stapler? I don't know. I just thought a third thing looked good!

Cardigan Vs. Blazer: the Rematch

Given the influx of cardigans in my closet, I couldn't let blazers have the last word. Sure, it is easy to throw in a blazer to complete a look, cardigans have rewards of their own.

They can add softness to a harsh outfit. Whether it's a soft knit, or a sweeping style, paired with typically masculine patterns (tweed and stripe) and conservative styles (pencil skirt and dress shirt - ok, this is a little less conservative of a shirt than I could have gone), it makes the outfit more approachable.

And perhaps the best reason I have to choose a cardigan over a blazer? Colour. As blazers typically fall under "investment pieces," given the difficulty to find an appropriately fitting blazer typically comes with a larger price tag, they tend to stay within safe neutral colours. Cardigans, particularly those in inferior quality which don't seem be any harder to fit than those of higher quality, are easier to purchase in larger quantities, and in a larger variety of colours.
  

A bright wrap sweater - the perfect alternative to the blazer!

Where do you weigh in? Blazers or cardigans?