Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Evergreen


I've owned this dress so long, I can't remember where it came from. My guess is it wasn't all that terribly vintage when I bought it-a few years out of date, perhaps. Over the years, I've considered getting rid of it (there are more years it won't fit, than years it will) but something keeps me from sorting it into the "donate" pile. Your guess is as good as mine. I own nicer dresses, and certainly have more flattering things to wear, but here I am, decade after decade unable to part with a polyester dress in a strange shade of green that holds no value for me, sentimental or otherwise.

This dress is made from the old, heavy style polyester that doesn't breathe-at all. It has a lining which helps to prevent clinging, but also adds an extra bit of suffocating heat to the overall experience of wearing the dress. Part with it? Don't be silly.

Outfit Particulars:
Vintage dress-No idea where I bought it, or when (probably late 70's/early 80's)
Green bangle-Salvation Army
Black bangle-Goodwill
Vintage tote bag/shopper-Goodwill
Boots-Hand-Me-Ups
Earrings-K Mart
Cameo ring-Jordan Marsh circa '92
Fragrance-Vintage perfume concentration Emeraude

We're expecting our first hard freeze tonight, and I'm not sorry to see the warm weather go. Between the viscous onslaught of pirate bugs and the ragweed season from hell, I'm looking forward to resuming outdoor activities I've had to curtail. I spotted the first Dark Eyed Junco at our ground feeder today, so you know the cooler weather is here to stay.

Speaking of feathers...

My eiderdown bit the dust last year (after 25 years). It had numerous patches, but I was tired of waking covered in feathers, so that was that. Last weekend I bought a down-substitute comforter at K Mart for $45.00 that so far seems like a nice replacement...and the budgie has stopped giving me dirty looks when I come downstairs in the morning covered in white tufts of down. I'm sure I won't get 25 years from the replacement, but I'll no longer traumatise Xerox the budgie so I get points for sensitivity. I still haven't turned on the heat, but I might need to tonight-we'll see. My Dad wouldn't turn on the heat until Halloween at the earliest, which can be rather cold in Chicago. He felt years of working outdoors in all weather, "Built character." He was a character, that's for sure. On the farm we'd sometimes need to stretch the propane between deliveries which could be unpleasant, but nothing on the scale of what I endured living with my dad. Danny seems to take after him, walking around in an undershirt complaining it is too warm in the house!

This seems like a good time to share a very simple hot cocoa recipe.

3 cups milk (any kind you like)
2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
Dash of vanilla
Marshmallows, candy canes, whipped cream as required

In a heavy pan, combine the milk and chocolate. Over medium heat, whisk until milk is warm and the chocolate is melted. Remove from heat, add vanilla and pour into mugs. Adorn as desired. You can use more chocolate if you're feeling generous.

How do you take your cocoa?
Marshmallows? Whipped cream? Ambergris (I shit you not, it is a "thing")? Do tell.
























9 comments:

Bibi Maizoon said...

It's 80F/27C here! Balmy, breezy but with nightly violent thunderstorms that last for about 4 hours. Playing hell with my gardening plans!
I think that dress should be preserved as a testament to the misery that was heavy duty polyester. And drab earth tones. That stuff wore like iron though! Emeraude is the perfect choice!

Mim said...

I really like that dress (really cool floral design), and the Emeraude seems like a good match.

In REALLY cold weather, I like my hot chocolate with a dash of Baileys.

ThriftyParka said...

Hah! First!!!

Argh! I started turning on the heat sporadically 2 weeks ago. Last weekend I was able to turn off the heat and LEAVE THE WINDOWS OPEN as the Thanksgiving weekend was unseasonably warm. Sadly those days are gone, the windows are tightly closed, and I'm swapping out sandals and Birks for shoes and boots.

That's an interesting looking dress. It may make a great tunic? I like the flower panel in the middle. I love green, I would have a difficult time getting rid of it too.

Happy thrifting ;)

Polyester Princess said...

I actually quite like that dress, Goody, both the shape and the colour. This is just the kind of dress material I am keeping for the depths of winter. It has to be seriously freezing outside to cope with heavy duty polyester. I'm glad you're persevering and not getting rid of it. Oh, and hot chocolate with cream sounds just fine to me. I'm not sure if anyone would prefer it with ambergris ... xxx

Vix said...

That dress is fabulous, I love it. The sleeves and the length look brilliant on you.
Hot chocolate, the slightest whiff turns my stomach. Back in my hospitality days I used to repair vending machines when they got jammed and the smell of hot chocolate used to cling my clothes - horrid memories! xxx

Miss Magpie said...

I too like the green dress. I have similar things that I am kind of ambivalent to yet can't get rid off.

I thought ambergris was a perfume type thing?? Is it really a food? I'll stick with the hot chocolate with cream on the top.

Vronni's Style Meanderings said...

That is a lovely dress, Goody and looks good on. What a fabulous tote bag - the mid way pattern sort of echoes the pattern on the dress. I love the boots and jewellery.

I had Emereaude back in the day - I recall it being a bit stinky and I didn't replace it but it could be that my memory is not serving me well...Do you remember Revlon's 'Moondrops' - I loved it.

Glad you are able to get out now - a dark eyed Junco sounds fascinating and I'm off to Google it to see what it looks like!

Have a great week

Veronica
vronni60s.blogspot.com

Cee said...

I can't wear polyester... at all.

If you wanted to torture information out of me, five minutes in a polyester outfit would have me pushing my grandmother under the bus.

Goody said...

@Bibi
I once had a stove this colour...I'd forgotten about that.

@Mim
Bailey's sounds like a good addition to hot chocolate. Thanks for the tip.

@Thrifty Parka
Happy belated Thanksgiving. Canadians have the right idea about getting it out of the way before all the other holiday madness kicks in.

@Ann
I'm not willing to spend money on ambergris to find out what it tastes like, but I'm told it is lovely. I know, ewwww.

@Vix
I can see having an aversion to hot chocolate after that. Vending machine drink dispensers always frightened me a bit, and now I may never drink anything from one. Thanks for the warning.

@Miss Magpie
It is a perfume thing (from the intestines of a whale) and yeah, people ingest it. People also brew coffee from the turds of Civets, which is another fun intersecting of perfume and food.

@Veronica
It is VERY stinky!
People compare it to Shalimar, and there is a similarity but Emeraude has less vanilla to temper the onslaught. That said, I love the stuff and have a lifetime supply in a cool dark spot.

@Cee
Ha! Okay, only natural fibres for you then.
I was worried menopause might put an end to my polyester wearing days, but the anemia seems to be beating the hot flashes so my wardrobe is safe for now.