That There's a Shiny Bright

I broke out one of the vintage Christmas corsages today. I knew it would be a long wait at the post office, so I might as well dress cheerful. This isn't just any old Christmas corsage, this is a Shiny Bright, the Holy Grail of Christmas corsages. I was lucky enough to snag two of them last spring, carefully stored year after year in the original boxes. Whoever owned these really loved them, and took good care of them. There was hardly a speck of dust when I pulled it from the package. When I got home, I wiped it off, and returned it to the package. If it has lasted this long, I feel a responsibility to keep it going.

So we were waiting to send some letters, and Danny spots a door with a sign that says, "Private." He goes over, tries to peek through the keyhole, and announces loudly to everyone waiting,
"They're back there jumping on all the packages!"  That lightened the mood in the place.

I wore my, "Big Christmas Pants." They're celebrating their 25th season. When I bought them, I never imagined they'd still be a part of my life a quarter century on, but here we are. This may be the earliest I've ever worn them, but it almost feels like an obligation to get out of the way, like baking springerle (which I did today as well). A bit overdressed for the post and the grocer, but there are only so many days in December, and I own a lot of velvet!

Big 80's pants deserve a big 80's belt, and this one is my favourite. Heavy, well constructed, and flashy with sparkles it is the embodiment of 80's excess and likely cost a pretty penny at the time. I bought it at Hand-Me-Ups for $1.99. If you're willing to wait thirty years, you can find bargains.

Outfit Particulars:

1980's velvet Tapemeasure Palazzo pants-Bloomingdale's
Pendelton blouse-Goodwill
Faux Persian lamb jacket-Hand-Me-Ups
80's belt-Hand-Me-Ups
Shoes-K Mart
1960's earrings-Hand-Me-Ups
1950's Shiny Bright Christmas corsage-Thrift World
Mini hair bows-Tiff and Tam
Fragrance-Metal

I told you they were big pants. It takes a big woman to wear big pants.

I baked the pieces for the gingerbread house today. They need a couple days to get well-dried out before being decorated, dried again and then assembled. So far, so good, but I have extra dough in the fridge should there be any mishaps. The springerle are drying overnight on the counter, and will get baked in the morning. Tomorrow, it is candy making, breads, and a trip to the museum in the afternoon. The house smells like a distillery from all the anisette in the baking, but I'd much rather that than the horrible clove and orange pomodor hanging in the living room. I know, they're fun to make, I understand. Better in the living room than in my wardrobe. No one really sticks those things in their cupboard, do they?

Maybe tomorrow, I'll wear the other Shiny Bright, two words that would almost never be applied to my appearance or demeanour otherwise.

Pass the egg nog.