Marvellously Monochrome

Nicole outfits fashion, outfit, spring 0 Comments

This used to be a predominantly fashion focused blog, but it’s definitely been more lifestyle and creativity focused lately. Which I am really enjoying, but there haven’t been any outfits posted since November! There were a lot of personal things going on over the Winter, though, so even though I had plenty of outfits I could have shared (including some new-to-me sweaters, coats that I’ve never shared on the blog, and of course, different styling combinations within my 10 item wardrobe) I just wasn’t able to get photographs… and here we are already in late Spring! Good thing my closet is fairly timeless; I’ll feature those cold weather items next winter.

Anyways, getting back to the present time and this outfit. I don’t know if it’s “marvellous” but I have been enjoying this very monochromatic look lately. (I had to get that alliteration in the title!)

My wardrobe used to be so full of patterns that it was sometimes difficult to pair things together, but not any more. And it’s not because I don’t like prints…it’s just they are getting so hard to find for some reason (and some of my old favourites have worn out from constant wear). When I go to the fabric shop, I think, “where are the ginghams, and ditzy florals?” I know they are out there, but I can’t find them. Even when shopping new, where it is usually impossible to find things that fit me well, I haven’t seen many prints or colours that grab my attention. Which is strange, considering that whole “cottage core” trend was taking the world by storm. And then when shopping secondhand, you are only able to find what people have donated: I guess they are all still enjoying those pretty prints and feel no need to declutter them. Too bad!

Anyways, this is a bit of a more classic look with my Vionic ballet flats, the button front circle skirt I sewed last year, a drapey brown t-shirt, my antique Grandmother’s Buttons pendant and tried and true pearl earrings, and finally, my satchel style everyday purse.

And I think an update on this purse, which I purchased in 2021, is in order. I bought this purse on Etsy after searching for months for a new “everyday” purse, and it is probably the most expensive clothing purchase I have ever made. You can read more here when I first got it.

Even after purchasing it, and seeing that it looked like a good quality item, I was a little nervous, wondering how it would hold up to wear and tear. Well, after 4 years of constant use, it is holding up extremely well. There are some scratches in the leather, especially around the buckle and along the front flap. I don’t know what I am doing to cause it to scratch like that, but it’s getting a “patina” for sure. I try to keep the leather polished and hydrated, and I really should use the hydrating cream more often, but, honestly, I forget. Some of the edge paint has peeled off in spots, as well, but that hasn’t affected the function of the purse- the leather isn’t flaking or anything. And the inside of the purse is as nice as the day I got it.

As for the buckle closure, I both love and hate it; it really is an inconvenience to constantly buckle and unbuckle the flap, however, I have had purses in the past that popped open all the time, so I would prefer the inconvenience than the lack of security. All in all, a great purse and I haven’t tired of the style of it. I often get compliments on it too- I think because it’s such a unique, elegant rounded shape. I would definitely purchase this one again- although, I don’t think there will be any need as it’s going to last me years to come.

Oh, and aren’t these plum blossoms gorgeous? It’s been a few years since we’ve had such a lovely show of blossoms. Last year and the year before the blooms either froze, or withered from lack of rain. The tree was also half dead, so earlier this Spring we went out and hacked a bunch of the dead branches out, and now it looks so lovely. Hopefully this fall there will be a harvest of plums!