It's the most wonderful time of the year!

It's ugly sweater season!

I'm thrilled it's here. As soon as the temperature dropped below five degrees, I pulled the Rubbermaid tote with my winter clothes out of our storage closet. In it - my thick, heavy, and frankly, ugly sweaters.

I've been collecting these beasts for years. It's like wearing a warm hug all day long. They just don't make sweaters as thick, warm, and durable as they used to, which is why I turn to thrift stores for all my winter warmth needs. As frumpy as I look, I'm warm and cozy and there's nothing I'd rather be wearing when drinking hot chocolate or studying for hours on end. I probably looked like a train wreck at school most of this week, as my outfits of choice mostly included an oversized ugly sweater.

How I feel when I wear one of my many ugly sweaters - even though Carlton isn't wearing one in this scene...

I have a growing fear that the ugly sweater is going out of style (not that it was REALLY stylish...). It was a must-have for wannabe hipsters in recent years, but as I look around me at school ugly sweaters are a rare sight. Maybe it's just my change in location from the University of Winnipeg to Red River College (no offence...really).

That leads me to ugly Christmas sweaters. If you don't wear them over the holidays, you should start. There's nothing more whimsical, timeless, or nostalgic than an ugly Christmas sweater to make you feel like you're living A Christmas Story (need a bunny onesie or a Daisy Red Ryder Range Model 1938 Air Rifle BB gun for that special person on your list?). Also - host an ugly Christmas sweater party, and award the person with the prettiest (or ugliest) sweater a prize. It makes for good laughs and good fun.

Have a favourite sweater that's a little "out there"? Let me know in the comments and maybe send me a picture so we can swoon over your wonderful (or terrible) fashion sense and be frumpy together.

Tailor & Thief - a lot of old things, and something new

It's not everyday a friend approaches you and tells you about a super cool project they're looking to start, and you get so excited that you start shaking with joy and giddiness.

That happened to me earlier this month. My friend David asked me if I would be willing to help him spread the word about Tailor & Thief. I immediately said yes because not only is it edgy, innovative, and hip (I sound old when I use the word "hip"...), but it also has the potential to impact the local community.

Tailor & Thief is a pop-up thrift store coming in 2015. David is still hashing out the details, but from the plans I've seen so far it's going to be epic. Proceeds will be going toward different organizations and charities in Winnipeg.

At the moment, Tailor & Thief is accepting clothing donations and needs all the help it can get. If you have something you can donate (clothes, shoes, accessories) email tailorandthief@gmail.com.

I can't wait to get on-board this initiative and discover more as January approaches :)

Find Tailor & Thief:

Instagram
Facebook
Blog

Penny-Pincher goes to the theatre

"Although much of our life is rooted in the anxiety of time, in other words the fear of death, the continuity of knowledge and wisdom that has brought us here together is rooted in love, a love that is not only as strong as death, but able to cast out its fear."

--Northrop Frye

Being in school full-time, buying lunches when I'm lazy, and simultaneously being a shopaholic means I don't have a lot of extra cash to spend on extracurricular activities or entertainment. Last night, I laughed so hard I cried and it only cost me $10 (thanks to a special discount). Our entire class went to see Michael Healey's Proud last night performed by Theatre Projects Manitoba at the Rachel Browne Theatre.

I didn't know what to expect from the political play I had never heard of. Since we were sent on a school assignment, I admit I was expecting a snore-fest. It was anything but that.

______________________

The premise:

The federal Conservatives win a majority government by a landslide in 2011. The Prime Minister of Canada (played by Ross McMillan) takes advantage of a somewhat unknowledgeable MP named Jisbella Lyth (Daria Puttaert) who didn't have to do a whole lot to get elected. Lyth ends up becoming a distraction to hide what the PM really plans to do behind the scenes without the media finding out about it.

______________________

I don't want to give too much away, but I feel the play was an exagerrated and distorted version of reality. That being said, I don't actually know what goes on behind the closed doors to the PMO's office. The dialogue and mannerisms of the PM (McMillan does a mean Harper impression [for the record the character was technically not Harper but there were striking similarities...]) were a highlight. His awkward and robotic social interactions had me on the edge of my seat begging for more. I was shocked by the amount of f-bombs that were dropped. I'm no prude, but it seemed like every other sentence had at least one (or, you know, 10). It was excessive. I don't think anyone talks like that - even the most unprofessional of people. 

I had never seen a play heavily based on government or politics at all before, so that was new for me. I also didn't expect a show about politicians behind-the-scenes to be funny. I hadn't laughed as hard as I did last night since I saw Sound & Fury's Hamlet and Juliet at Winnipeg Fringe this past summer. 

There was a talkback session following the performance. One thing that stuck out to me was McMillan talking about his mannerisms and portrayal of the Prime Minister. He said even years prior to receiving the role Stephen Harper fascinated to him and that he found it easy to act like him. He said because he thinks Harper puts on a performance in the public eye, it was easy to imitate him. 

All in all, it was an interesting and entertaining play. I would see it again and recommend it. It's a thought-provoking piece that makes you wonder how and if government really does pull the wool over the eyes of the media and the public - or at least may try to. 

Be warned though - there is sexual content. And a whole lot of ma-freakin' swearing.

Always buy the button-up

Slapping together a thrifted outfit - easy peasy.

The button-up shirt - easily the most easily found and easily worn item you could ever thrift.

A nice button-up blouse that fits is essential to any wardrobe and can be worn no matter the occasion.

It's easy to pair a blouse with jeans, dress pants, circle skirts, pencil skirts, or leggings for any look from casual to business formal. You just have to experiment and learn to coordinate.

If you're going for an everyday look try to pair a loose blouse and a pair of leggings, or a fitted button-up and skinny jeans (ripped, high-waisted, cuffed, whatever). Slap on whatever footwear you want - heels, flats, boots, wedges. Seriously the easiest look and the easiest way to incorporate something thrifted into your wardrobe.

Thrifted this burgundy Smart Set top from Salvation Army this week - my favourite colour and it fits like a glove :)

Business casual - dress pants are obvious. Business formal - pair a button-up with a pencil skirt, tights or pantyhose, and heels. This look also works with a circle or a-line skirt.

Oh, and don't forget the blazer.

One thing I've learned recently is that it's super easy to look put-together if you add a bold and large statement necklace that fits snuggly around the collar.

The bold statement necklace makes the outfit a little more exciting, in my opinion

As I said, easy. :) If you thrift and have tried this look or have other tips, let me know in the comments or send a picture my way. I'd love to see how you tackle the button-up!