Falling For Autumn Colours

I had to wear this Pendleton skirt at least once before the season is over. I've never been a fan of pleated cotton skirts (too much ironing) but this one looks okay-ish if it hangs on the line rather than going through the tumble dryer.

Fine. I should have ironed it.

I do love this time of year, even with all the challenges the weather provides. My garden is still going strong, and though I have tarps and fleeces ready for covering things, I haven't needed to. I had the windows open today, which almost never happens this time of year. I haven't run the furnace yet, which I'm sure would have made my dad proud (he was a notorious cheapskate when it came to running the heat). 

Outfit Particulars:
Pendleton skirt-Goodwill
Top-Can't remember (old)
Jacket-Thrift World
Handbag-Goodwill (I think)
Bass loafers-Outlet store
Leaf brooches-both Thrift World
Bracelet (part of a set with necklace and earrings)-Hand-Me-Ups
Belt-Target
Pine cone earrings-garage sale
Fragrance-Femme (reformulation)

After I vote tomorrow, I'm coming home to start a number of holiday projects. My Christmas card list is growing again after waning for a few years. I try to make the cards myself, which means getting started now. Last year I did cut-work cards with different coloured papers and an exacto knife. They were pretty, but extremely frustrating. The year before, I did blended crayon 60's style cards, and the year prior to that, pen and ink. This year feels like a watercolour year to me! I'm not artistic (or crafty for that matter) but the holidays bring out the cheapskate child in me, and who wouldn't enjoy a handmade card? 

 I picked these up at the craft store for Danny to decorate. The cones have all sorts of potential.

 Let's have a peek inside one of my old Christmas books for ideas...

 Aren't these fab?

 Oh, so are these!

I would love to decorate the tree in paper ornaments, but I don't think Danny would go for it (he enjoys the whole ritual of putting up the old ornaments). The paper lanterns I could probably manage. 

This fellow is an ornament. I bought him today for .59 cents. He looked sad, so I really had to bring him home. 

 I found some vintage board games as well. I wonder, whatever happened to Fran? I tried showing Dasnny some old episode of KF&O on YouTube and he acted like I'd caused him some sort of psychological trauma. He's lucky I didn't show him Romper Room or Howdy Doody.

I adore the mid-70's artwork on this one. 

 This vintage suede cape isn't the sort of thing most people would wear...but I'm not most people. Thank the Good Lord for that!

 Yes, that was me buying a 70's cape and a fondue pot. You can't have one without the other can you? That's like a hug without a kiss.

Some beautifully hand-tooled tourist leather that I intend to wear. Isn't it beautiful? In the dead of winter I can wear it and think of Puerto Rico. 

 Finally, for the bird-obsessed child I picked up this very wide tie.

 It seems so odd to think of Dior making polyester ties, but in the 60's it was a new-ish fabric that didn't have the negative connotations it does today. At the time this tie would have been in fashion, Polyester was still a wonder fabric.

I am looking forward to some quiet time making cards, starting my holiday baking/steaming/canning, and the like. Whatever happens tomorrow, we have to go on living, and for my part that living will be all the nicer with some exotic cordials. I'm making one with coffee beans and orange peel this year from a vintage recipe. Most years I do cherry brandy (a bit like cough syrup, but I like it anyway)and some sort of limoncello. It might be a long winter (figuratively and literally) so I'll want to have plenty stocked-up in the cellar. 

See you when the dust settles.