Sunday, January 13, 2019

I'm Not Like Everybody Else



First things first-it snowed! I took Roland (The snowman's head that lives in my freezer) out to frolic in the snow with his favourite bottle of gin. Yeah, the neighbours all saw-along with some random person driving down the street 😀. So that was fun, and it gave me an opportunity to wear a dress in this year's Pantone colour-Living Coral. Finally, a colour I can wear.
Roland




Most of my frolicking has been indoors of late as it has been cold, damp, and windy.
Finally got round to wearing this sweater/70s bath rug I bought last year. Sometimes I need to live with a piece for a bit before deciding how to wear it. If I owned white polyester flares, that would make a good early spring look, but I don't so it was gold trousers and a black long-sleeved shirt beneath for warmth. I remember similarly shaped/cut clothing, but never anything made of this yarn/carpet material.
Outfit Particulars:
Gold Kay Unger trousers-Hand-Me-Ups
Clogs-retail about 15 years ago
Vintage tote bag-Goodwill
Vintage top-Hand-Me-Ups
Earrings-Sears
Gold bangles-all over
Fragrance-Norell



Sometimes, no matter the weather, I need a little glam in my life. Enter the mesh romper/playsuit.

 Yeah, I went out like that. No, I have no idea what I was thinking.

 You might be noticing the big earring trend has taken hold over here at Eat The Blog. Earrings are such an inexpensive, fun way to give yourself a boost-why not?!

 I'm rediscovering scarves as well. There's no quicker way to add interest to an outfit.

 The romper was completely sheer on top except for a bit of lining around the boobs. I don't have a problem with that, but it is January in Nebraska-so I wore a tunic beneath it. I'm actually pretty covered-up by typical American standards, especially with those tights being closer to leggings.
I bought the jacket because I loved the buttons! I probably won't remove them because it is St. John Evening and I respect quality clothing enough to leave it intact if possible. I didn't think the jacket would fit when I bought it, but luckily, it did. It would look amazing with wide, white trousers on a summer evening with a sequin shell beneath.

Outfit Particulars:
Playsuit/romper-Sears (at the clearance sale before the store closed)
Vintage St. John Evening jacket-Goodwill
Tights- K Mart (also now closed)
Scarf-can't remember
Boots- K Mart
Vintage hat box/travel bag-Antique mall
Earrings-Target-Clearance
Vintage necklace-Goodwill (I think?)
Beaded bracelets-Shop Ko about 15 years ago
Fragrance-Burberry Classic


Before I get back to the clothes, I must show you Mr. ETB's birthday celebration. He's (a youthful) 58 and to celebrate I made him a steak and ale pudding. That was interesting for me as a vegetarian (and have been since the early 80s) because I had to completely rely on following a recipe without any intuition about how it would turn out.
It turned out perfectly!
Recipe found here.  I don't have a proper 6 cup pudding basin so I used my Corningware casserole dish and it worked fine. I had to order Atora suet online because suet in the US is sold in an un-processed block with membranes and all. That's fine if you want to render it, or grind it up for sausage-making, but just to make a pudding, that's a bit of work. Thank goodness for the internet.
 I bought Mr. ETB a vintage lunchpail as we had been reminiscing about the old ecology stickers and badges that were everywhere in the 70s. I don't think it gets any more ecologically responsible than a 50 year old lunchpail-and it stays out of the landfill. This will also encourage him to take lunch from home more often.
Possibly the best part of the meal were the balsamic onions. This is my own invention.

You Will Need:
1 bag of frozen pearl onions, thawed and patted dry
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt to taste
About 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

Heat the oil over medium heat in a large pan. Add the onions, sugar, thyme and salt. Cook until they start turning transparent. Turn the heat to low and cook, stirring once in a while until onions are soft and deeply golden. Stir in the balsamic vinegar and cook a few minutes longer until most of the liquid cooks off. Serve hot or cold. Leftovers can be mashed up and spread on bread or tucked into a cheese sandwich.

Oh my gosh-I just posted a recipe! Been a while, hasn't it?!
I wish I'd written down what I did here. It was soup with chickpeas, white beans, kale and hot red peppers. Anyway, it is the sort of thing you could probably improvise easily. I served it over some farro.

Back to the vintage clothing...
I've lived in Nebraska long enough now (18 years) that I don't give a second thought to wearing Western wear. It feels quite natural here. This top and matching skirt were a very lucky find at Thrift World a couple months back. It isn't the nicest shop (or the cleanest) but sometimes I find great stuff there.
This stuff ain't cheap😁. I didn't know anything about the company until I did a bit of Googling, but I could tell it was well-made clothing.
 I wore some bangles, as you do...
 ...and a tooled leather belt.

And a handbag to match the belt.



 Outfit Particulars:
Vintage (is 90s really vintage?!) top and skirt-Thrift World
Vintage handbag and belt-both New Life Thrift
Gold boots-Goodwill
Vintage Ultrasuede jacket-Goodwill
Vintage Mexican necklace-Goodwill
Vintage bangles-various places but all thrifted
Shell earrings-World Market about 10 years ago
Fragrance-Aramis-and plenty of it!

The big earrings continue! I'll probably cut my hair at some point and go back to smaller clips, but for the moment, I'm enjoying something a little different.
The pale blue earrings were a perfect match for this faience scarab necklace I found on a recent thrifting trip.
These earrings were heavy, and clanged with every move. Sort of like wearing a cowbell. Moo.
These however have to be the biggest earrings I own. I was worried my hair would get caught in them, but after a windy New Years Day outing, they were still free of knotted hair. Yes, I wore a velvet track suit with big earrings. I also wore boots and a vintage fur. It is a look. Or it was...at some point. At least I don't have, "Juicy" emblazoned across my rear end.
 Crazy 70s mink and leather coat over track suit? Why not?!
 I would wear these boots absolutely everywhere if I could get away with it. They are so warm and comfortable. One of my best Goodwill finds, ever.
Big earrings are giving me life in 2019. Really, I don't need much to be happy.
 I will leave you with a look at my mother's Cazal frames  I once again had set with my lenses. I had them tinted blue last time around, but this year went clear. I wear trifocals and were it not for super-thin plastics these would be what we used to call, "Coke bottles" due to the thickness. I can't imagine how heavy these must have been back in the 80s when my mother was wearing them. Even with ultra thin plastic, they're still plenty heavy. I still have the black round frames as well, but thought I should get a spare pair as I am now at the point where it would be difficult managing without them if something happened. Spare specs-I feel like such an old lady! I am an old lady, but still.
 They are slightly too big for my head (my mother had a big head-don't laugh, she did!) but I think they are wearable without looking silly.
Well, maybe not too silly. 
How is January treating you? Anything new you're trying to incorporate into your wardrobe? Do tell!














































12 comments:

Mrs Rat said...

So many amazing earrings! Jewelry is a good way to not let winter keep you down. And reading your blog of course, because it usually makes me laugh, and always makes me smile. Your jewelry collection would cheer almost anyone up, I think. And that amazing western outfit. I wish I could run into you at the thrift store---you always find the most incredible things, and I can imagine that thrifting with you would be a great adventure. So many obscure wonders brought to light...

Bibi Maizoon said...

Will Roland get a bestie named Oliver this year? I fear for your freezer space!
Love the metallic trousers & lurex playsuit(?)
The jewelry & the mink are too die for!
Lucky Mr ETB with that perfect steak & ale pie and a belated Happy Birthday!

bahnwärterin said...

chapeau to the video!!
i know some galleries in berlin that would throw a performance art vernissage for it! you´r fabulous - and your outfit too!
your daily looks are gorgeous too - the one with the "carpet" sweater is a close fav (the bag!!) - but the westerner style is a total stunner - swoon******
i´m into big earrings since my whole life, i own small ones too thinking i had to go more elegant around 40, silly me :-D love all your examples here - of cause.
xxxx

Señora Allnut said...

loving all those fabulous earrings! and totally supporting the idea of wearing massive bijouterie to cheer our lives up! You Rock!
And you look gorgeous in every outfit! :DD. Love the 'bath rug' top, love the starry romper and shiny tights, love the country outfit with the fabulous bracelets, love your leather coat, love your spare specs! But my favorite thing ever is your video with Roland! you totally rock and made me laugh so loud!
besos

Polyester Princess said...

I've had a rubbish day but seeing you and Roland frolicking in the snow cheered me up no end. Your coral dream of a dress is just perfect for this kind of activity isn't it? Who wants to be like everybody else anyway? That would be beyond boring! Love the bath rug top, which reminds me of a sweater I had back in the 70s, knitted by my Mum after much nagging from me. I love Mr. ETB's vintage lunch pail, and your Mexican attire. Oh, and your big earrings, which kind of makes me long for pierced ears! xxx

Vronni's Style Meanderings said...

What fabulous outfits, Goody. I love all of them! I love the maxi skirt and top combo
- thought it was a dress but what a brilliant find! Love the belt and bag with it. As for the romper suit I am assuming it's shorts? It was hard to see but it was a wonderful outfit and looked like tunic and tights to me. The bath mat sweater was so brilliant and how the bright bold colours suited you. I loved all your big earrings - you know I'm a fan of those! Fabulous bags and those boots - wow. They look like they could tackle any snow fall.

I've never eaten steak and kidney pudding; I don't like kidneys or suet but it looks absolutely perfect and MR ETB clearly loves it. The onions look delicious.

The video was hilarious!

Anonymous said...

Hi I don't think I've ever posted here before but have been reading your blog for awhile now. Love it!! It always makes me smile (or laugh out loud)which sometimes makes my day. Love all your outfits and your jewelry. That steak and ale pie looked so delicious. I've never tried to make that. I'm not very good at making pastry dough. Have you ever watched that Great British baking show? It's on PBS. Your pie made me think of it. Thanks for lifting my spirits with your excellent blog. Arlene from NJ

Beth Waltz said...

In the midst of challenging times, here in the frozen Midwest...when better to visit Eat the Blog and scoop up a recipe for balsamic onions! The pie for Mr. ETB looks scrumptious! (And thanks for explaining the variances in suet, could never imagine eating THAT.)

You're rocking the 70s in this post, Goody! I do remember the glitz and glamour, and especially the interesting textures in fabric. The rug sweater is definitely a novelty; however -- as always -- you're the queen of blending with those pants, earrings, bangles and fabulous tote. It's easy to envision you doing Disney World in '77!

Mim said...

Spare specs are a must for me - I literally cannot do without my glasses, and we have a company here called Specsavers who always has 'buy one, get one free' offers, so I always get two very different pairs so I can vary my look. Do you have prescription sunglasses at all? Mine are prescription too.

I can't imagine not being able to get Atora - they do a veggie suet as well as the traditional one. I've never worked with the actual block suet.

It's always great seeing your outfits on IG. They're always so varied and interesting.

Anything to incorporate into my wardrobe? I have decided to focus more on particular colours. Hmm.

Goody said...

@Mrs. Rat
Thank you. I have often thought you would be an idea thrift shop guide as you can see sewing potential in everything from sheets to curtains.

@Bibi
Roland fancies the snowperson built by the small child at the end of the street. I might just leave him there one night!

@Beate
Ha ha! I suppose what I do IS a sort of performance art-wearing these outrageous clothes in public. If only I could figure out a way to get paid to do it!

@Senora Allnut
I feel very inspired by all of your wonderful, big jewllery, and all the bright colours you wear.I'm glad we gave you a laugh. My neighbours seem to be avoiding me ;)

@Ann
I'm glad I could give you a laugh, and I hope you are having better days now. Winter is tough, isn't it? By this point I would (almost) be willing to strip naked and run around the garden if it would lift me out of the doldrums;) Don't worry...I won't actually do that!

@Veronica
Thank you. I had to skip the kidneys in the pudding as they are hard to get in the US now (they were common enough when I was a child). The romper is a pair of shorts-black on black makes for tricky photos. I keep thinking I will invest in a better phone for photos but then...well, yoiu know. Hope January is treating you well.

@Arlene
Welcome! Thank you for your kind comment. I have seen the GBBO but to be honest, I'm not much of a TV watcher-at least not with any regularity. I entered several pies in the State Fair one year, and got VERY good with pastry dough after all the trial runs! I have arthritis though, and I suspect my circulation starved hands are just about perfect for baking ;)

@Beth
How are you holding up? What a nightmare this has been! I'm glad there's a temporary fix, and fingers crossed there will be an agreement eventually.

I went to Disney World right around that time. I wasn't terribly impressed with it (I was probably past the target age for that sort of thing) but I remember visiting an orange grove that had a tower you could climb to see out over the acres-that was fun! Orlando was such a rural backwater then.

@Mim
I was amazed at how expensive my Rx was-over $300.00 just for the lenses and that was WITH insurance. I could go without the anti-glare coating and return to lined tri-focals but it would still cost a fortune. I suspect a lot of people make do with out of date lenses because of the cost.

Radostin said...

I love that bare shoulder in the snow! Important question, however: did Roland return to his home in the freezer, or was this his last fling? Because it would certainly have been a fantastic way to see him out.
I think your sparkle jumpsuit outfit might have to be my fave of this round, though it's hard to pick. And somehow you have such a way with clothes that even on the rare occasion that I don't like something you wear (by this I mean the Hairston Roberson skirt and top), I still love your outfit.I don't know how that makes sense. But you clearly have superpowers. xxx Jessiejessyg

Goody said...

@Radostin
Roland is back in the freezer, drinking my gin and terrifying the frozen peas.