Friday, November 16, 2018

It only looks like I'm judging you, I promise I'm not.
Hello again from Omaha. We had another sunny day so I grabbed the kid, his camera, and bird guide and headed over to Chalco Hills NRD (Natural Resources District) to take exercise and see some of the birds migrating through the area.

 A very determined dandelion. After all the freezes and snow it always amazes me to see something flowering, even if it is a common weed.
I love this time of year when the prairie grasses dry out to a wheat-like hue and the sky looks almost artificially blue. My phone camera really doesn't capture just how striking it is. If I were to make a Nebraska postcard, this would be the sort of view I'd put on it to accurately depict the eastern part of the state.
The Fuzzy-Headed Twitcher had a good day. To me, they're all either, ducks or geese but to someone that can tell the difference, it was a wide variety of waterfowl on the lake. Goldeneye sounds like a Bond movie to mešŸ˜€.

Outfit Particulars:
Skirt-a store in Cambridge Mass at least 25 years ago (has a matching top)
Silk poloneck-Goodwill
Vintage 70s corduroy jacket-Goodwill
Vintage scarf-New Life Thrift
Key brooch-Goodwill
Bracelets-Goodwill and yard sale
Earrings- K Mart about 10 years ago
Boots-Goodwill
Vintage mesh handbag with lucite handle-Hand-Me-Ups
Fragrance-Burberry Classic (Mr. ETB generously bought me a gigantic bottle at Marshall's and I have fallen in love with it again. It has been reformulated a bit, but that peach/sandalwood/moss mix is still lovely).

 We've spent a fair amount of time out at the NRD this month. That day turned unexpectedly cold so Danny loaned me his denim jacket. He's a gentleman.

These pictures were taken on election day after we voted. I still have the "I Voted" sticker on my vintage suit. I have had this little 60's suit since the early 80s, but I never get tired of it. When I don't know what to wear, it seems to be the right answer for all but the most formal occasions. The lining is showing some age, and I really ought to replace it as there's no reason this suit can't go another fifty years. It is hard to imagine a suit made today lasting that long with as much wear as this has had. I know I sound like an old lady (I AM an old lady) banging on about quality, but it is so true.

These photos weren't taken at the NRD, but instead behind our home. Blazingly sunny autumn days are lovely, but it does pose a challenge to the not very good camera on my cheap phone. We ducked into the shade for a few quick snaps.
 I wasn't about to miss out on photos of both a purple leather skirt, AND a zebra print coat because of a bit of sun.
I wouldn't have dressed like this in the 80s as I was already working and most of my clothes were on the boring side. I didn't go out much because I was working...and going to university at night. By the last year it reversed and I was working nights and doing classes during the day. I dressed a bit better then, but still nothing like this. That's the beauty of thrifting and vintage-it is never too late to try something out. I don't think I could have bought a leather skirt for $5.00 in the 80s.

Outfit Particulars:
vintage leather skirt-Hand-Me-Ups
Faux fur coat-Goodwill
Distressed-look (more like spraypaint) boots-K Mart
Barbie doll carry-all turned purse-Goodwill
Fragrance-Green Water



 This outfit almost didn't happen. I'd noticed the vintage 70s skirt at Hand-Me-Ups for a few months but thought it wasn't quite worth the $10.00 price tag they had on it. Eventually it went on sale, and I bought it wondering what on earth I would wear with a purple and green skirt. As luck would have it, I'd just washed the rarely-worn cardigan and inspiration struck in the laundry room! I love when that happens.


Outfit Particulars:
70s skirt-Hand-Me-Ups
Black sweater-K Mart
Cardigan-Goodwill
Belt-Hand-Me-Ups
Necklace-Hand-Me-Ups
Brooch-Gift from an Instagram friend
Vintage charm bracelet-Goodwill
Boots-K Mart
Earrings-New Life Thrift
40s handbag-Thrift World
Fragrance-Samsara (I love it in the cooler weather)

 Yes, the cake is a little lopsided but I don't think anyone noticed. Those are candied violets from the garden. The cake is the classic fudge cake in the 1950 edition of the Betty Crocker cookbook. It claims that "Boys from eight to eighty go for this cake" and at our home the boys from almost fourteen to fifty-seven thought it was swell, I didn't think it was anything special. I did however like the chocolate sour cream frosting I improvised. It was a nice change from buttercream.
These are a one-rise bread similar to the French-Style bread in the Beard on Bread cookbook. I tweaked it a bit by adding wholemeal flour and a bit of olive oil. It is a good, sturdy bread to serve with soup, but it goes stale quickly. We froze the second loaf and had it later in the week. Shaping bread isn't my best skill. I should have had the State Fair champion do it. 
The squirrel has been eating well. He likes almonds in the shell. At $4.99 a lb. I sort of balk at the idea of feeding the squirrel almonds, but once Danny started there was no going back. He also likes apple slices. That's one seriously health minded squirrel. I think he's eating a peanut in this photo. Not shown-squirrel throwing himself against the sliding glass door and refusing to move until he gets food. I think we know who is "Trained" here. Hint-it isn't the squirrel.
Squirrel lady?! Great, that's just great. Be sure to put that in my obituary when I go.

 A bit more faux zebra fur this time on a blue velvet blazer. The fur appears to have been added later and I found a Prom item in the pocket from the local high school. I can only hope their date wore an equally wacky zebra outfit.

 Isn't the back of the jacket incredible?! I love this so very much.
Outfit Particulars:
Sequin mini skirt-Goodwill
Jacket-Goodwill
Boots-K Mart
Brooch-Thrift World
Earrings-K Mart
Betsey Johnson handbag-Hand-Me-Ups

Staying with minis for a moment-this home-sewn 70s corduroy set was a fun find. 
 Much like the leather mini, I probably wouldn't have worn anything like this at the time-at least not this short. As a young woman, a mini sent a message I didn't want to send. In my 50's, I no longer need to worry as the only message my body is sending is, "Dried up womb closed for business." At this point it is about as far from racy as it gets, particularly when worn with those fetching, heavyweight brown tights. Who'd have thought old age would have me feeling liberated enough to wear minis? Life is strange, eh?
I absolutely would have worn the earrings and necklace though. Big earrings have been my "Look" for as long as I can remember.

Outfit Particulars:
Vintage corduroy skirt and waistcoat-Goodwill
Vintage poloneck-Goodwill
Necklace-Goodwill
Earrings-Costume shop (sold for a fortune-teller's costume)
Tights-K Mart
Boots-Goodwill
Vintage handbag-Goodwill


I will leave you with another photo where I appear to be judging you. I'm not! OK, sometimes I am, but not in any general sort of way. I don't know why I always look this way in photos. *shrug*

The scarf I'm wearing came from the Omaha Weavers and Spinners Guild annual fiber arts show last year. This year's show is tomorrow-17 November at the Westside community center from 9-4. Shop for wonderful things and support local artisans. Every year I treat my feet to alpaca socks. If you find yourself in Omaha tomorrow, I promise you won't be sorry if a pair of those socks go home with you. 

Have a great weekend everyone. 






13 comments:

Bibi Maizoon said...

Gosh, Danny is getting big! When he was younger he favored you so much- but now he is looking more like his father. Very handsome & talented young man! Shame I don't have any daughters so we could terrify them with the threat of Indian arranged marriage.
Love the 60's suit, zebra everything & how amazing that that purple skirt matches the cardigan so perfectly!
Oh that bread looks divine & the cake too!
Be careful with those leather minis- this younger generation is not scared off by dried up wombs. I get the "teach me love" proposition at least weekly by cheeky brats (tourists & locals) - and I'm wearing very non-cougarish kurtis & abayas.

Beth Waltz said...

All that zebra goodness -- but what a pity to accessorize it with a boring black bag (like mine), thinks I. And then you dazzle my glowing-green-with-envy eyes with a perfect-shade-of-white Betsey Johnson bag! Woof! If ever I'm in Omaha, never mind the socks, direct me to Hand-Me-Downs.

Goody said...

@Bibi
Don't suppose you can carry peper spray and reply, "Love hurts" as you blast them in the face? Danny is starting to look like a later years (after the leather trousers phase) Jim Morrison. If he grows a beard I will fall apart laughing.

@Beth
The thrift shopping is good in Omaha though the prices are starting to creep up as more people are frequenting them. Fortunately, the sort of things I like tend to not sell quickly so the waiting game pays off.

Anonymous said...

I like you in the purple and green skirt with the cardigan as much as any outfit I've seen you in!
It's really good looking and suits you so well.
BTW daughter flew in leaving 20 degrees at ORD and it was almost 50 degrees here. We will stay as long as possible! JanF

ThriftyParka said...

Hee hee, I’m always banging on how well things “used to” be made. Vintage clothing that is well made is a treat to wear and behold. Unlike some fast fashion that seems to disintegrate in a blink of an eye!

Fuzzy Headed Twitcher appears to be growing taller and thriving. Perhaps he’ll be playing basketball next?

Happy thrifting ;)

Miss Magpie said...

Yup I'd have bought that skirt too, purple, green & black what's not to like??

That's a damn cute squirrel, even I might feed him rather than swear at him!

SeƱora Allnut said...

Lots of lovely outfits to comment!. You look fab in your earthy tones outfits, so perfect for autumn days!. And your 60's little suit really deserves a new lining (and 50 more years of work!)! love a quality suit!
You look fabulous in your zebra and purple leather ensemble!. And the velvet blazer and cool skirt are stunning, and the fab accessories! those velvet booties!. Love that you're wearing mini skirts, you rock in them. I've never worried about cat callers and creepies, they're everywhere and do their stupid thing whatever you wear.
I love particularly your green and purple skirt, such a fab piece and fab color combo! Glad you grabbed it! And so amazing green bijouterie!
besos

bahnwƤrterin said...

the purple&green ensemble is my favorite this time - love the silhouette and the colors!
sour cream frosting on the cake sounds good to me - buttercream is much to heavy for us - the boy aka BW would be very happy if i made him such a cake - but i´m even to lazy for bread this days......
gourmet squirrel is so cute! and greetings to the young fuzzy head ;-D
xxxx

Polyester Princess said...

First thing that struck me is how grown up the Fuzzy-Headed Twitcher is looking! Love the little 60s suit, the purple leather and zebra print outfit, and the skirt you nearly didn't buy. The 70s corduroy set looks fabulous on you, you really do rock a mini skirt, Goody! xxx

Vix said...

Danny is looking so grown up and you're looking fabulous in all your outfits. That bread looks absolutely delicious and that squirrel is a real cutie. xxx

Vronni's Style Meanderings said...

What gorgeous outfits, Goody. You look so good in a mini! I adore your zebra coat and your velvet zebra trimmed blazer. I loved your purple cardigan and what fabulous accessories you have. I'm the same as you with earrings; I've always gone for the big ones....

Danny has grown so much in the time I have been reading your blog (3 years) and is quite the young man now. My almost 14 year old grandson is the same. It's frightening; one minuted they're children the next they're young men.

That cake looks gorgeous!

Mim said...

You look fab in a mini-skirt. Treat the world to a glimpse of those gams! And that 60s suit is perfection.

At this rate the squirrel is going to want to move in with you...

Radostin said...

I think your almost-never-happened outfit might be my very favourite of this round-up. That skirt is gorgeous, and is in my very favourite colour combo. I love what you wrote about your Nebraska postcard photo, too. xx