On the weekend, I bombarded you with different options for my new VC striped skirt. But in my climate and situation, that skirt is pretty much a summer item. And we all know the NAS is really about fall and winter clothing.

So without further ado, let's get onto the big wins!

First, I should let you know that despite several years on YLF and what has sometimes seemed like a ridiculous amount of buying (and editing), my closet is not ready for a full on one-in-one-out approach. I'm still building my wardrobe, which means that, rather than replacing worn, dated, or unloved items, some of my purchases were meant to fill big blank holes.

This dusty plum Halogen pencil skirt is one of those. As I looked into my fall/winter closet, I realized that apart from a very dressy capsule item, I did not have a single coloured skirt. Everything was black, plus one taupe skirt that I will probably pass along this year. And this is after several seasons of admiring so many YLF women wearing their coloured skirts! Well, I have loved wearing my cobalt VC tube skirt so much this summer, that I just could not picture going into the winter without a coloured skirt to accompany me.

Angie wasn't sure the Halogen pencils were the best way for me to spend my $$, because after all, they're always available and always on sale. But they're not always available to me in Canada. And this year's seemed like better quality than last year's. So I ordered two, and this is one.

At first I wasn't in love with the dusty, greyed tone of the purple. I would have liked something richer or more saturated. But I decided to give it a try, just in case.

Turned out I liked it in the dressing room, and liked it even more once I got it back home. It works well with most of my sweaters, shirts, and jackets, and will be easy to mix in my closet.

I have long been an admirer of CocoLion's tonal looks. I think they are a way to maintain sophistication while avoiding black. So the outfit in #1 (which you saw in my change room photos) is an attempt to create a tonal look. I dreamed it up when I ordered these items. But you can never be sure that the colours IRL will be similar to those on the website. Lo and behold -- it works (or at least I think it does, LOL) and my vision is reality.

In Pic 1: I am wearing the skirt with the Amber Sun colour block sweater (which is so lightweight it is less a "sweater" than a top, for my climate). This sweater replaces my Gap cable knit sweater in berry, (Pic 3) which is too itchy, hot, and cut too snug under the arms.

Pic 2: The Amber Sun sweater can also be layered, as the fit is quite generous. It's easy and pleasant to wear.

As you may have noticed, I'm also wearing the Munro Robyn booties in Pic 1. These are not a replacement item but a "first" -- my first coloured booties. And very comfortable they are, too. I love them so much I would like to have them in a neutral, too.

I took one look at these booties in person and said to Sveta: "I think these match my winter coat." Here's proof in Pic 4!! (Note: I am not sure what I will do for tights with outfits like this, but I will cross that bridge when I come to it.)

Another important purchase for me (and a splurge) was this Tory Burch dress. (Pics 5/6) Angie recommended that I give it a try, and I am so glad I did. I had to size up in this one. My usual size was skimpy, too tight on the shoulders and hips, and far too short. This size gave me more ease and the length I preferred.

This dress will replace my Cassis dress from a few seasons ago (pic 7). That dress has a similar print and colour scheme, but a slightly different neckline and style. It has proved a bit tricky to wear for various reasons, and last year I think I only wore it twice.

The new dress has a different fabrication and will be more cross-seasonal; it's also less fussy. (I was always fussing with neckline and belt of the other dress, plus it attracted static electricity like nobody's business!)

My mother took one look at the Tory Burch and said, approvingly, "You could wear that dress anywhere!" I think she is right. And since it will be my only dedicated winter dress, I need the versatility.

Thanks for looking, and I welcome your thoughts.