Thanksgiving Weekend

 We have a long holiday weekend in the US for Thanksgiving, Not being the sort of people that enjoy shopping as a contact sport, we stay away from the crowds and enjoy the holiday at home, or at one of our many beautiful parks.

When Danny was small, I'd set up the artificial Christmas tree and let him spend Thanksgiving day decorating it. That worked to keep him busy, and out of my way as I prepared the evening meal. It  became a family tradition to put up the tree and decorations on Thanksgiving day, and this year was no exception. We had a rather simple meal, went for a long walk, and enjoyed all of Danny's hard work decorating the house. I never enjoyed Thanksgiving until all the relatives either died, or moved far away. I certainly love it now! I know that sounds heartless-just like my family were. I don't miss being insulted, bullied, and treated like shit generally. Anyway, we had a lovely day, and now the house is decorated without my lifting a finger.

I treated myself to this crushed velvet pleated skirt a few weeks ago at K Mart. It was very inexpensive, but worn with better pieces I think it works as a holiday wardrobe staple. The velvet top was something I bought at Marshall Field's back in the early 90's. The over-sized 80's belt was picked up in the thrifts last year.

 Outfit Particulars:
Skirt- K Mart
Belt-Hand-Me-Ups
Velvet top- Field's, 90's
Jacket-Goodwill
Brooch-K Mart
Handbag-Antique mall
Shoes-Goodwill
Fragrance-l' Origan

 More velvet! I wore this to Film Streams to watch the live in HD simulcast of the Saturday opera from the Met. It was The Exterminating Angel. I didn't hate it (everyone else seemed to) but I can say I'm REALLY glad I didn't have to sing it! That must be hell on the performers. Anyhoo, it was short, and what more can you ask of an opera? 😉

I found this wool cardigan new with tags a few weeks ago at Goodwill. It is a beautifully made piece, but I don't like how it fits, so will be moving it along. I can only wear a cardigan if it is cropped or over-sized. This sort of thing just accentuates my curved spine and messed-up shoulder. It pains me to let good wool go, but I know I would never wear it again. I'm not in love with the jacket either, but I think shortening the sleeves might resolve the issues.
Outfit Particulars
Vintage velvet trousers-Can't remember
Velvet jacket-Goodwill
Boots-Goodwill
Handbag-Goodwill
Beret- K Mart
Monet necklace-bought it new, can't remember where (early 2000's)
Cardigan-Goodwill

Uh oh.

Time to throw out the pumpkins. We've gone from freezing temperatures to a record-setting 70 degrees F. There's only so much a poor pumpkin can take!

 These earrings get a lot of love. They came from a costume shop as part of a belly-dancer's costume. I find the best accessories (and tights) in those places. They're very lightweight despite the size.

 Another layered-look for unpredictable weather.  I shed the jacket as soon as the sun came out. Those are beads at the edge of the skirt and they made a "twacking" sound each time they hit my boots.

 Outfit Particulars:
Skirt-Filene's 90's
Crochet sweater- Kohls, a few years ago
Jacket-part of a suit
Bangles-Goodwill
Cinnabar bangle-Hand-Me-Ups
Earrings Nobbie's
Handbag-Goodwill
Boots-Goodwill
Beret-K Mart
Fragrance-Balenciaga l' essence

Hope your week is going along swimmingly.

Hat's Entertainment

My hair won't do shit in the winter. I could spend time being upset by that, or invest in conditioners/styling products/a decent haircut, etc. but being the practical sort, I looked in my cupboard, assessed my collection of hats, and here we are. Life is too short to spend it screwing around with hair. 

Outfit Particulars:

Vintage wool ski sweater-Hand-Me-Ups

Vintage 70's skirt-Goodwill

Boots-K Mart

Vintage handbag-Goodwill

Hat-K Mart

Vintage earrings-Thrift shop in Wisconsin

Fragrance-Estee Lauder Knowing (vintage formulation)

Sometimes though, I want a classic, black wool beret. I look like I ought to be puffing on  Gauloises. 

Outfit Particulars:

Trousers-Goodwill

Poloneck-K Mart

Vintage Kashmiri embroidered jacket-gift

Vintage handbag-Goodwill

Enamel bangle-Goodwill

Fragrance-Chanel no. 22

Not hat related, but I had to show you the Selro necklace I picked up last weekend for $5.99. I nearly fainted when I saw it. The Christmas tree brooches will be added to the collection. I'm going to try and wear them all this season, though I might need to wear five at a time to make it. I was thinking of doing a "Brooch of the Day" feature like the Plaid Tidings I did a couple years ago. Would you guys be up for that in December? 

 This wool and rhinestone 60's hat has been waiting in my collection for years. I knew the right outfit would come along-it just took 5 years! That's okay, it isn't like the vintage will go out of style. The sweater dress is something I wouldn't typically wear, but it was .49 cents at Goodwill so I took a gamble. I really don't like Empire waists, but this one had so many other cool features I was willing to overlook the "Uniboob" these dresses always give me.

I added a faux fur because...November in the American Midwest. 

 The sleeves are decorated on the underside. Me neither.

The lace feature at the bodice is nice though. 

Outfit Particulars:

Dress-Goodwill

Tights-Target

Boots-Goodwill

Tissavel vintage faux fur-Goodwill

Avon ceramic brooch-Thrift World

Hat-Hand-Me-Ups

Handbag-Goodwill

Earrings-Thrift World

Fragrance-Vintage formulation Emeraude

Hope you're having a good week. Hat's all folks!

Oh Magoo, You've Done it Again!

I didn't put it together when I purchased the new frames, but after wearing them a bit it became obvious...

That's O.K. I do have a bit of a bumbling streak, and I can't see much of anything without specs. That's how life is-you go for fashionable, and end up with Mr. Magoo.

I'm seeing much better now. Hopefully, this will help with the headaches brought on by eye strain. The frames are quite light which is a good thing as the lenses are not. I can't believe how bloody heavy they are. Still, compared to my old frames they are a joy to wear and likely won't freeze my face in the cold. I knew my vision had worsened but I wasn't aware just how severely until I put on the new prescription. Yikes. Lesson learned-get an eye exam every year. 

I'm pleased that the frames are so large I can quit tweezing my eyebrows if I wish, as no one can see them. Unfortunately, you have a now perfect anti-glare-line-free look at my eyes and my cack-handed approach to applying mascara is going to require a bit more finesse. 

Outfit Particulars:
Vintage crochet (or is it knit?) sweater-Goodwill
90's skirt-Filene's (bought it new)
1970's handbag-Goodwill
Beret-Omaha Weavers and Spinners Guild Fiber Arts Show a few years ago (coming up again 18 November 2017. Worth a trip to Omaha.)
Jade (?) bracelet-Goodwill
Danish Modernist ring-Goodwill
Egyptian ring-Thrift shop in Seward, NE
Earrings-Hand-Me-Ups
Metallic boots-Goodwill
Mexican necklace-yard sale
Eyeglass Frames-Kate Spade

 I could not tell the front from the back of this sweater! After trying it both ways several times, I gave up and figure if I can't see a difference, no one else will either.

Mr. ETB is doing well after his surgery-thank you all for your well wishes. I'm going to drive him to work for a bit just to be safe, but he seems otherwise fully recovered. That's a great relief as I was worried (probably more worried than he). 

November is shaping up to be a busy month for us, and December...well, between the holidays and Danny's birthday we decided to host a holiday open house for friends and our neighbours on the street, the weekend before Christmas. Yeah, I don't know what I was thinking either. It will be a nice way for newer people in the neighbourhood to meet people that have been here a bit-if they'll attend. I could be sitting here alone eating cake by myself. In Boston I always had a house full of people dropping in, but in Omaha people just go home at night and stay there. I never see people sitting out in the summer, or socialising. Anyway, we'll do our part for trying to at the very least make introductions, but I'm not overly optimistic. Perhaps the promise of home-baked mince pies and conversation will perform some sort of magic. 

I'll see you (better than previously) later, alligator. 

Double Your Pleather

Over-the-knee boots aren't typically my thing, but these are so trashy I made an exception. I'm not sure if there's a good way to wear them other than perhaps with leggings, but I went with an otherwise not-too-racy outfit to counter the impact of the "Fuck-Me" boots.

 The 80's silk blouse had very large shoulder pads, which I removed. The blouse buttons up the back with tiny buttons which is a bit of a pain, but I can do them up halfway and pull it over my head before buttoning the top. I don't know why buttons up the back keep coming back in fashion, but they're having another moment, so it was time to wear the blouse.

Outfit Particulars:
1980's pleather skirt-Goodwill
1980's silk blouse-Hand-Me-Ups
Belt-Goodwill
Brass purse-New Life Thrift
Vintage metal earrings-Goodwill
Cat brooch with moving tail-Hand-Me-Ups
Boots-Goodwill

For those of you unfamiliar with the jingle for Doublemint Gum.

I was still feeling the bumblebee look the next day, so out came this circa 1983 linen jacket.

The collar stands up like a funnel when fully buttoned, and the shoulders have those distinctive wings I associate with clothes Michael Jackson wore in videos. The jacket can be worn buttoned so that it rests at the waist and blouses out on top. I never liked that look, so I've opted to wear it long. The jacket is large enough that I have the option of buttoning it un-bloused as well.

I don't purchase many 80's items unless they are terribly iconic. This jacket ended up in my cart because it is so well made. The lining is perfect, the buttonholes done correctly, the quality of the linen-it would have been mad to leave it for three bucks and change. Made by Capri New York, this would have been an expensive item of clothing at the time. I'm happy to have it, and wear it. I do love well-made clothing.

Outfit Particulars:
1980's linen jacket by Capri-Goodwill
Wool Pendleton skirt-Goodwill
Poloneck-K Mart
Vintage Kadin (the Famous) Rambler handbag-Goodwill (read about Kadin bags in a fascinating post HERE)
Boots-K Mart

Finally, I'll leave you with the Pan de Muerto I made today. The recipe may be found HERE.

The entire house smells of oranges and aniseed. I can't think of a better way to usher in November.

Rocktoberfest-Autumn Neutrals Edition

Whew, what a nice but busy weekend I had! There was opera, baseball, baking, running and even time for a spot of thrifting. Can't find fault with any of it...well, it would have been nice if our team won, but you can't have everything. I did well in the thrifts and I will have some interesting pieces to show you in coming posts. I've been trying to avoid buying all but the very best pieces as I absolutely need nothing. Good thing the shops have been generously offering up the very best stuff! I did resist buying more pottery...not easily done. I could buy a complete China service for what I spent on four pair of tights at Target today. Yeah, but I can't wear a salad plate under a skirt, 'ya know?

I wasn't sure if I'd ever shown this Mexican tourist jacket on the blog, so I wanted to make certain the back was photographed as well. The sun thwarted our attempts at a detailed photo, but I think you can get the idea. The jacket is made of felt anf the flowers are embroidered. I have three of these jackets, but this is my favourite by far. 

Mr. ETB remarked that I was, "Dressed normal" today, but quickly elaborated, "For you." Fair enough, but I'd have swatted him if he'd  been standing nearer when he said it.  

 I don't wear too many dresses with tight-fitting tops, but this one seemed to work without making me look like I'd been squeezed into a sausage casing. As I have a very similar dress, I must now decide between them in an effort to whittle down my wardrobe.

Well, looking at them side-by-side they are a bit different-but similar enough in colour that I should probably unload one. I think I prefer the one I wore today. This is an on-going problem as I like certain styles/colours/designs and have a tendency to keep purchasing similar items. That's how I ended up with a dozen blue and white spotty/polka dot dresses. We won't discuss my fondness for brown skirts, or kilts.

Outfit Particulars:
Dress-Goodwill
Vintage Mexican tourist jacket-Hand-Me-Ups
Bangles-all Hand-Me-Ups or Goodwill
Vintage Miami Creations handbag (they didn't only do straw and lucite)-Antique mall
Boots-Goodwill
Terra cotta clip earrings-Sequels
Brooch on jacket-Goodwill
Tumbling leaves brooch on jacket-Sarpy museum yard sale
Fragrance-Guerlain Heritage (men's frag but completely unisex to my nose)

 I so wasn't kidding about owning too much brown clothing-here's what I wore yesterday!

 One of many brown jackets in my wardrobe.

I have owned the blouse for thirty years though, so I can;t very well get rid of it now! Actually, it is more like 35 years. So hey, now it is vintage!

Outfit Particulars:
Blouse-Marshall Fields Country Shop-80's
Talbot's jacket-90's-ish
Brown 80's skirt-Goodwill
Wheat sheaf brooch-Thrift World (I think)
Sara Coventry earrings-can't remember (there's a matching brooch)

It shouldn't be possible to get into a style rut shopping secondhand, but I guess my taste is rather set. Do you find yourself buying similar things again and again?