Mr. Hopper Lives

So many holiday brooches, so few days left to wear them!

I'm pleased to report that the grasshopper Danny rescued last week is still alive and well, living in his little aquarium and dining on the finest lettuces. As it appears he's going to be with us a while, I named him, Edward Hopper. I can't let Danny name the pets because when we let him, we ended up with a goldfish named, "Shitty." The boys are both sick this week, but if we can nurse a grasshopper back to health, I'm sure they'll survive the viral muck. Probably caught something from the squirrel. I wonder, when we turn the Christmas lights on each evening, do the squirrels gather in the tree to eat Blondin biscuits and watch the light show? Wouldn't that be lovely if they did?

Back in the 80's, my mother started making hair-bows, and sewing them onto clips. I still have two, this red one and a similar style in white. The reason they survived in such good condition is because I wouldn't have been caught dead wearing a hair bow in the 80's, so I just said, "Thank you" and shoved them in a drawer. Fast forward thirty years, and I'm losing my hair in the same spots my mother did, and I understand the appeal of pulling my hair back and securing it with a bow. It looks neat, you can't see the bald spots, and it requires zero styling ability. Mum had a bow to match every colour in her wardrobe-hopefully I won't go quite that far, but I am learning to appreciate a quick hairdo.

 Outfit Particulars:
Jones New York Collection skirt-Goodwill(?)
Designer Originals cardigan-80's, bought it new
Jantzen vintage wool sweater-Thrift World
Vintage handbag-Goodwill
Earrings-Hand-Me-Ups
Necklace-Hand-Me-Ups
Holiday pins-both Hand-Me-Ups
Bracelets-gift from Danny

A very full, goofy waist skirt. What the hell was I thinking? Yeah, this one is getting re-donated.

The saffron buns are baked for St. Lucia day. I made Pulla last week, so we're well-stocked with festive breads. I filled a freezer filled as well, which means I can bring people holiday breads and a jar of jam spur-of-the-moment. I happen to love this time of year, but I understand that many people do not. Sometimes the best thing you can do for people you care about is provide some baked goods, a cup of coffee, and an ear. I'm terrible at knowing what to say, and sometimes there just isn't anything to be said. Forced merriment can be a drag if you're not feeling it. 

Me? Oh I love any reason to bake and decorate. Really, I'll celebrate (almost) anything. We have a big Burns Night party every year because drinking whisky, and reciting poetry to a vegetarian haggis keeps Danny in touch with his Scottish heritage, and it gives me a reason to use the tartan tablecloth. 

This was a good week for rediscovering clothes and accessories that get overlooked. 

I rarely wear this vintage Richmark bag, but I really should. I find hound's-tooth difficult to wear, though it really does go with many things...

...like more hound's-tooth. And another drop-pleat skirt. What is wrong with me lately?! 

Outfit Particulars:

Lurex polo neck-K mart

Vintage late 70's (post '76 by the union label) Anne Klein wool skirt-Goodwill

Tights-Walgreen's

Jacket (part of a suit) by Shomi-Dillards, 2000-ish

Richmark 80's handbag-Goodwill

No perfume because kiddo's asthma kicked-in along with his chest cold. About all I smell like is the vegetable barley soup I've been making and forcing him to eat.  You could smell worse.

Yeah? Well what do you smell like today?

 My photographer has taken ill this week, so I apologise for the blurry photos in the dirty mirror.

 You'd have a silly look on your face too if you were standing on a step-stool contorting, sucking-in your gut, and trying to snap one-handed photos without falling. I think I'm multi-tasking rather well.

 It was time to wear the penguins. When I was a university student an elderly neighbour knit this for me one Christmas.

The expressions on the penguins are priceless. You can keep the "Ugly Christmas sweaters/jumpers" that are manufactured to be kitsch. Nothing beats hand-knit penguins made with love. The woman who knit it is long gone, but she's with us every Christmas through the penguins.

Come Sunday, I like a little sparkle, so I dug out this 80's beaded jacket. Unlike last week's beaded jacket, this one is more sequins than beads which makes it lighter. It is still heavy, but not enough to make my back hurt. 

 Oh look, here's me being dramatic. Acting!

I hope you had a nice weekend, and that the new week treats you well.