An Assortment of Holiday Outfits

I'll bring the sparkle.

Mid-December, it is 50 degrees F. outside and I am waiting for the plumber to come fix the blockage in the kitchen sink. I should be annoyed, but I'm just so glad it didn't happen as I was baking the birthday cake, or at Christmas. If it had to happen, this was a good time for it. I put my time at home to good use and washed some windows because I don't typically get to do that in December!

 This was Sunday's outfit. I had chores to run, but figured so did everyone else. Why not wear something fun and give everyone a laugh? I'm not the "Spreading holiday cheer  " sort of person but my goodness, this year has been so awful for so many people that I figured a break from the overwhelming seriousness would be welcome. I wasn't wrong-smiles everywhere I went, and many more random conversations with strangers than I typically get in Nebraska. I guess there's something approachable and non threatening about a woman in sequins and a silly wig.

Outfit Particulars:
Sequin dress-Goodwill
Vintage sequin jacket-Hand-Me-Ups
Shoes-K Mart
Wig-Nobbies Costume shop
Beaded necklace-Goodwill
Beaded earrings-New Life Thrift
Fragrance-Marni Rose (not terrible. It was a cheap, blind buy at Marshall's. I like the wood notes, but the longevity is terrible. It was under ten dollars, but still).

 Staying with the silly holiday outfits for the moment, this was Saturday.

I bought this dress last summer for .49 cents. I knew it would be worth the money😁. The top is a knit jersey material and the bottom is some sort of nylon/parachute-like fabric. It would have been phenomenal with a ruffly short crinoline, but mine were all too long. Perhaps I'll make a red one for next year.

Don't worry-no pole dancing was involved. I had to keep it clean as I was in view of a mini-van full of children (they were delighted with the performance).

Outfit Particulars:
Dress-Goodwill
Jacket-Goodwill
Faux fur headband-K Mart
Boots-Target
Santa Pants handbag-made by me from a basket for carrying wine
Necklace-Goodwill
Vintage belt-Hand-Me-Ups
Fragrance-Nuit de Noel

Know what screams "Festive" to me? Animal prints. I bought these velvet, animal print, over-the-knee boots five years ago and wore them twice. That seems like a terrible oversight, so what better time to wear them than December, when fashion sense and taste go out the window anyway? I especially enjoyed wearing them with this terribly mumsy, over-sized dress from Boden. Sort of felt rebellious.

Outfit Particulars:
Boden dress-Goodwill
Boots-Thrift World
Handbag-antique mall
Earrings-Goodwill
Necklace-Goodwill
Bangles-all over
Fragrance-Burberry Classic

I'll bet you think it can't get any tackier.

 You thought wrong.

Because I own this cardigan.

And the matching earrings. But you already knew there would be matching earrings.

Outfit Particulars
Vintage Christmas cardigan-Hand-Me-Ups
Pleated skirt-Sears, about 25 years ago
Boots-K Mart
Poloneck-Gordman's
Bangles-all over
Earrings-Big Lots (I think)
Fragrance-Vintage formulation Elizabeth Taylor Passion

Did you know the Pantone colour of the year is, "Living Coral"? I guess when all the coral is dying it sounds...optimistic? Or something like that. This is a color I have quite a bit of. It is actually peachier than the photo suggests, and just about the perfect shade for my complexion.

This sweet angel brooch from the 70s always gets overlooked in favour of the flashier Christmas brooches. I made a point of wearing her this year.

The faux fireplace has returned to the hallway again this winter. I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoy this. We have a very dark home, so anything even suggesting a blazing fire helps.

*The plumber has now left. The kitchen is a mess, but the job is done and birthday party prep can now continue as planned. I am glad I am not the sort of person that leaves things for the last moment. I have until Thursday, so was able to take this in stride. *touches wood* hopefully nothing else will break.

Outfit Particulars:
Vintage skirt (has a matching blouse)-Goodwill
Coldwater Creek velvet top-Goodwill
Boots-Goodwill
Brooch-Hand-Me-Ups
Earrings-Goodwill
Fragrance-Straight To Heaven By Kilian (I can't make up my mind on this one. I like the rum notes, and the spiciness of it, but I don't know if I would outside of the holidays. I wore it at Thanksgiving and it felt perfectly appropriate on a day when I was cooking. To just wear out and about? Not convinced. Definitely not worth the pricetag. I had a sample).

 Where are the metallics in the holiday wardrobe you ask?

Right here, in this vintage Halston skirt I found in a now defunct costume shop for 5 dollars. That place was the best-I really miss it.

 Outfit Particulars
Vintage Halston skirt-Fairy Tail Costumes (RIP)
Vintage Mexican tourist jacket-Hand-Me-Ups
Boots-K Mart
Earrings-Nobbie's costume shop
Fragrance-Reformulated Femme

Blue velour and a tutu-like skirt I bought in the children's department at Target? Why not?!

I've owned the top for 26 years (there's a matching skirt). Bought it with my employee discount at Jordan Marsh in Shoppers World, Framingham, Mass. Long gone, but I loved that store. The building was round with a fab domed ceiling. I also worked at Filene's later on (also now gone) but Jordan Marsh was the better department store, in my opinion. Anyway, very old top.

This skirt is much too nice to waste on children! They'll just drop something sticky on it. It is pleasingly well made-to stand up to rough wear of children, I suppose. Being just a bit past 5 feet tall (...and still shrinking) the clothes fit me well. I can't buy adult leggings as they look like I've been playing dress-up in my mother's clothes. Children's sizes run larger now (as they should to reflect the population-everyone deserves clothes that fit) and a 14/16 is just about perfect for me. Can't wear the tops though, but that's ok as I have unusually long arms for a short person! Is that over-sharing? Sorry! You probably don't want to hear about my deformed butt crack then. Okay, moving along...

Outfit Particulars:
Velour Top-Jordan Marsh, 90s
Vintage multi-strand necklace-thrift store in Western Massachusetts
Brooch-Goodwill
Skirt-Target
Boots-Target
Fragrance-Shalimar (to match the cap on the bottle, of course)


How about a break to look at some baked goods?

 Danny made the Lebkuchen this year.

 I made the gingerbread house. I used the same template as the past few years because it is easy.

Lucia buns full of saffron and butter. I have two dozen in the freezer as well. It is just the three of us here, and all these recipes make quite a lot. On the happy side, I can pull baked goods from the freezer well into summer. These always bring a smile in the summer heat.

I have been wearing specs for so many years they are very much a part of my appearance. Looking at this photo of myself should serve to dissuade me from ever considering contact lenses. Who is that?! I don't even recognise myself! If I ever go to smaller frames I'll need to devote more time to my eyebrows and really...that's five minutes a week I can't get back. Best keep to the large frames.

 This velvet suit by Act III is quite old-70's probably. The 80s blouse beneath it came with enormous shoulder pads which I removed. It is true that my shoulders are shrinking with age, and good shoulder pads would probably balance things out-but they weren't "Good" shouderpads-they were better suited for a football player (American football, obviously). I really ought to look into padding out some of my blouses and jackets though-just in smaller proportions.

Outfit Particulars:
ACTIII suit-Goodwill, I think
80s stained-glass look blouse-Hand-Me-Ups
Angela Frascone handbag-Goodwill
Vintage Christmas brooches-can't remember

Finally, Gritty.

Gritty is the Flyers mascot. 

And on that note, I'm off to bake a cake. 

See you later.