T'was the week before Christmas ...

Phew, what a week.  I am SO glad that it is over.  The weather has been fabulous - hot and sunny most days.  In fact it was so hot and sunny that the two outfit photos below had to be taken under the cherry trees at the end of the garden!!

For the work Christmas party I wore the cut-off maxi dress with orange and blue - blue accessories and an orange flower (top left).  I had a great time. The next day I opted for an easy smock dress in polished cotton which would be nice and cool while attending to post party clean-up (primarily collecting the leftovers and using an old supermarket trolley returning it all to the office).  I got some funny looks pushing the trolley (loaded with half-empty booze bottles) along the Dunedin streets in my smock but I just kept smiling.  

Today I wanted to be even more casual so I wore a floaty gypsy skirt (bottom left) with a tee shirt and my yellow sneakers (top right).  As the office closed early due to it being the last working day before Christmas I managed a quick trip to Toffs and to the new Hospice Shop before coming home.  

Nothing today at Toffs for me, but I don't mind because I want to show you that even in Dunedin you can find designer labels on the $2 rack.  A couple of weekends ago I scored a Diane Von Fustenberg brown knitted sheath dress.  Sadly its a bit too small (and its unlikely I will reduce my curves over Christmas) but as it is such an iconic label its worth posting about.   I imagine it will end up on Trademe.  I also found a black quilted Charles Jourdan handbag with chain handles which has proved extremely useful and I have used daily since I bought it.  

The following weekend I found an awesome gypsy dress (bottom left) which I think will be perfect for the wedding we are going to after Christmas.  When I got home I googled the name on the label and was stunned that it is Diane Freis and that some dresses were a couple of hundred dollars on e-bay!!  

Again, it was at Toffs for only $2.  That same trip I found two other dresses on the $2 rack, another Osti dress and a polka dot dress both of which have already been worn and much admired.  

Lastly, today, at the new Hospice Shop I found a home-made vintage wrap around bikini top (top right) for the very reasonable price of $1.  I put it on over my tee shirt for the photo as I was too lazy to change.  

This year has been so much fun.  My "buy nothing new" clothing pledge has broadened my horizons so much.  Many of my daily outfits cost less than $10.  Shoes have been my only downfall.  I have really loved reading all your comments on my posts and have felt supported and encouraged.  I don't plan on changing my buy nothing new philosophy, although I will need new underwear in the new year.  Its become my way of life and I can't imagine going back to buying all my clothes new from chain stores.  Besides, it gives me the warm fuzzies to know that I have been supporting some wonderful charities: the St Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army, Otago Community Hospice, Habitat for Humanity and others.  

I am not sure how much time I will have for blogging over the next week or two, so in advance, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and a safe and fun holiday season!!