I'm not sure whether to be proud of myself or feel awful. Yesterday, I went shopping with the intent of purchasing comfortable lower heeled (1.5 " max heel height) footwear that can take me from dressy to casual. Instead, I came home with 11 items of clothing. I did not get in debt for this, thankfully (I've been managing my finances well) but it so happened that so many deals were happening yesterday and they were pieces on my shopping list!

For instance, Banana Republic had a 40% off sale on shorts. I've given up on shorts about almost a decade ago because of muffin top and crotch fit issues. I've been entertaining the idea of wearing them for years but nothing fits at all: until I purchased the banana republic shorts! I'm amazed at the absence of the muffin top and I can SIT in them! The crotch area didn't look terrible either. Toronto summers are unbearable sometimes so shorts in my weekend wardrobe would be a welcomed change! I purchase black, white and fuchsia.

Another item I've been looking for are plain, slightly a-line tunics that hit upper mid thigh. This makes this length flattering on Jeggings, and upon further discovery, my shorts and tube skirts as well! Aside from the see-through fabric (easily alleviated with a workout wear black racer back tank), it was everything I've been looking for in a tunic (I really wonder why many plain long tunics have a breast pocket on them. Seriously WHO USES THAT and why is that even there???). I got the tunics in black, cobalt and fuchsia. They were under $20 each.

And then there were the tube skirts. The a Vince Camuto tube skirts at The Bay were NOT on sale, but I found some lovely Catherine by Catherine Malandrino tube skirts with side ruching and can be worn with the ruching at the front or the sides. They were only $30 so I grabbed a basic black one and one with a really edgy cobalt print.

Other purchases were a $13 hi-Lo summer sweater in white (looks amazing with both skirts), a really RATE tweed moto vest topper and finally a shift dress which I will return (tried it on 2weeks ago) because sitting down isn't delightful because the dress feels tighter.

Needless to say, I got all 33 items in my closet. Separate post for that. Aaaaand.... I have more separates than I have frocks now, thanks to the Catherine Malandrino skirts and weekend shorts. I guess that means I no longer deserve the title!

Sorry to detour into my shopping exploits. Here's how I feel about the outfit: it was irritating! Yes I love the print, drape and flowy-ness of the look and I sure felt comfortable for the mosh part! The major drawback is carrying my purse because the topper pulls in an uncomfortable way, and for some reason the top just stretches out and shows more cleavage than what us like. Sadly, these didn't make the cut in my 33 items because they just didn't fit my functional requirements. The top got so much wear in the past though, but the topper? I now know why I've only worn it 3 times in the 3 years I've had it. I held on to it because it was gorgeous, but lesson learned? Tops draped like these are far from practical.

Topper: purchased in Mendocino
Top: purchased at Winners
Jeggings: American Eagle Outfitters