The Best Sale of the Year

 I've been having a ruthless clear out (must be done from time to time) and in the process have come across some items I'd forgotten about. Both this top and skirt are slated for moving along to new homes, but I might think twice about the top. I like Liberty (who doesn't?) but the Liberty for Target range was kinda meh. I like the print fine, but the fabric is synthetic and the ruffle at the bottom, annoying. It is too long for the 3/4 sleeves. I'm sure it would look great with a pair of skinny jeans, but that's not my look.

I'd forgotten about this pleated silk skirt. It has a Neiman Marcus label ("Needless Markup" as my husband calls it) and a Made in Korea tag. I'd call it 80's based on the length. I wore my share of long skirts in the 80's, with long blazers and massive shoulder pads. A long, white double breasted blazer would be lovely with this skirt-but I don't own one and don't plan to seek one out. I had one...in the 80's, and I wore it to pieces. Nice as the skirt is, I think it too shall go as it really won't play well with the rest of my wardrobe. I was attracted to the quality of the skirt, but that isn't enough reason for me to wear it. Long over long is back in fashion if you believe the magazines, but I think I'll leave that to the young (and tall).

Outfit Particulars:
Liberty for Target blouse-Goodwill
Vintage silk pleated skirt-thrift World
Vintage Walborg bag-Hand-Me-Ups
Clarks shoes-Goodwill
Large silver Sara Coventry bracelet-Can't remember
Earrings (part of a set with a brooch) Goodwill
Fragrance-Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan

 A peplum I could understand but this is a drop-waist with a ruffle also known as a WTF?

Anyway, in my zeal to rid my wardrobe of unworn items, I came across this jacket. I rarely wear it as there isn't much that it goes well with...or so I though. By a coincidence of summer meeting autumn in the same laundry basket I achieved what can only be called "Epic pattern mixing." Guess I'll be keeping the jacket after all. 

 I had to post some photos as it is unlikely to ever happen quite this perfectly again.

 We called in at Earl May garden centre to purchase some pumpkins for the front garden. I feel better now that there's pumpkins in my garden-it really doesn't take much to make me happy. I might need to go back for a pot of mums-I rather like the wine coloured ones.

Outfit Particulars:
Skirt-Goodwill
Coldwater Creek jacket-Goodwill
Tunic-Hand-Me-Ups
Carol Dauplaise necklace-Goodwill
Brooch-Goodwill
Vintage Naturalizer shoes-Thrift World
Vintage Spilene handbag-Goodwill
Vintage Niello earrings-Thrift World
Vintage belt-Thrift World
Large bracelet-garage sale
Small bracelets-both Hand-Me-Ups
Fragrance-none, it was allergy jab day

I dropped off two large bags of clothes at Hand-Me-Ups today, and a large bag at Sequels a few days ago. I hope they can sell them as the clothes are nice and in good shape. I washed everything, but I neglected to iron them. I mentioned to a volunteer that I was embarrassed and she looked at me like I'd lost my mind. I guess they're lucky if things come in clean, much less ironed. I should have a few more bags of clothes for them at the weekend. I managed to get out of the shop with only a couple small purchases (another vintage cake carrier, and a taffeta tartan dress) but really I should drop the stuff and leave so I won't be tempted.

I was doing so well until the annual Sarpy County Historical Society yard sale. I went the second day when everything was half price.

 Nothing here was originally over a dollar, and some items were only .25 cents to start. The large gold loopy cross brooch is Kenneth Jay Lane. There's Coro, Sara Coventry, Napier, and all sorts of good stuff.

 I'm not a virgo, but my mum was and I thought this little carved glass pendant would be a nice reminder of her. The bar pin with the tiny lapis stone is Victorian.

 This "Machine Age" bracelet was .50 cents. I love it so much I might never take it off.

I was thrilled to find a glove stretcher as I need one! They used to be common enough when I was in the antique business 25 years ago, but the passage of a quarter century is enough time that they've become scarce. The museum volunteer was pleased I knew what it was-most people don't, I guess.

I also bought hats, handbags, vintage dresses (including another 30's evening gown this time in celery green silk) shoes, spools of vintage ribbon, tea towels, silk scarves and more. I spent a total of $29.00. I'm absolutely exhausted, but it was worth it. I wasn't kidding when I said this sale is incredible. Mark your calendar for next September-it is worth the trip.

Still working our way through the apples. This is a Dutch Baby/Apple Pancake/Pfankuchen/calfouti/ or whatever they call an oven pancake where you live. It was okay-I have leftovers in the fridge which indicates to me that the boys weren't wild for it. I used the fancy butter from Finland to bake it. I don't ordinarily buy imported butter, but it was on sale and I was curious about it. It is very nice butter. I still wouldn't buy it unless there's a sale, but I'd also consider stocking up when there is.

I also made the yearly batch of apple cider doughnuts. The left are tossed with plain sugar, the ones on the right with cinnamon. They're easy enough to make but requiring boiling apple cider (cloudy apple juice) until it reduces by half and using it for the liquid in the batter instead of milk. The flour is a mix of wholemeal and white with spices (cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, and nutmeg) added. Yes, they're work but it is only once a year. They freeze well, and there's nothing like a warmed-up cider doughnut in the dead of a Nebraska winter to convince you it is worth getting out of bed and facing the chores.

They're surprisingly light. The trick is getting the fat hot enough that they don't need to cook too long. I fried them in corn oil, as I do most things. It isn't as popular an oil as sunflower or soybean, but I prefer it. The smoke point is high enough that I don't need to worry about it catching fire, and it doesn't have a terrible smell like rapeseed/Canola. The day after cooking the house doesn't smell of cooking oil. Recipe Here.

 Cider doughnuts makes me think of Halloween. I adore Halloween. From the barmbrack to the costumes to the creature-feature midnight movies-I love it all. I used incredible restraint in not purchasing these lighted lawn decorations for $6.99 each.

There was a Dracula as well. Guess I'll make due with jack-o-lanterns instead, but I really do regret leaving these. I shouldn't shop when I don't feel well, it skews my thinking.

I've been wearing my Posada print tee shirt a bit more this time of year. I bought the shirt when I was a university student-trust me, it was a very long time ago. I'm glad I held onto it as Danny likes it as well. We share tee shirts-most of his are better than mine!

Outfit Particulars:
Posada tee shirt (I think it was the Mexican shop, in Evanston, but I can't swear to it)
Brocade skirt-Goodwill
Belt-came with a dress years ago
Sacred Heart bracelet-Goodwill
Deco bracelet-Sarpy museum sale
Vintage Handmacher jacket-Hand-Me-Ups
Brooch-Sarpy Museum sale
Vintage bag-Goodwill
Sara Coventry earrings-Sarpy Sale
Fragrance-Chamade

I can't keep myself away from the Halloween pop-up shops either! We visit to play with the motion-sensor displays. The stuff is very cool, but much more expensive than the $6.99 lawn ornaments we saw at Goodwill *kicks self for not buying those*.

I'll leave you with a peek at this vintage BSK Halloween brooch I bought at Thrift World last Spring. I love the expression on the ghost. I wonder what the witch said to him?

What the Hell is Wrong With People?

Updated:
*Slaps head* Thanks Jayne, I thought I posted the photo which obviously, I didn't. It helps to show the things I'm talking about!



I'm not sure which angers me more, that someone helped themselves to some rosemary by lopping off the top 1/3 of the plant, or that someone swiped Danny's water bottle at the library when his back was turned. I'd have happily given rosemary to anyone that asked, but lopping it off so crudely is not only bad for the bush, but it ruins the topiary shape I have been maintaining since I bought it last winter. People are such shits sometimes.

Still, I'm not about to let that ruin my day (I have another evening of severe weather to do that later) so I came home, made the guys some popcorn (and a pint of lemon sorbet for myself), and we're going to watch a slew of movies.

Before I do the outfit post, I have to show you a perfume I saw at the store:

That's exactly the sort of madame I'd be. "You like this girl? Fine, go on, pay me when you can. Don't mention it." I'm a terrible business person.


Time for a new shower curtain. I suppose I ought to consider carefully what sort of backdrop it will make. Danny wants one with the Periodic table on it. That could be interesting.

 

Bear with the photos as narrow stripes are a challenge to photograph. I wanted to wear something casual as we have crazy gale-force winds blowing outside, and if there was ever a day to avoid skirts, this was it. I've had these denim culottes for a while now, but this was their first wear.

I like how the pockets don't pull across my gut, and the belt loops button down to keep the belt securely in place. Such simple things, but they make such a difference in fit.

Can we talk about knockers for a minute? Everyone says you shouldn't wear horizontal stripes with an ample bosom. Ahem, rules my dears are made to be broken. The old girls haven't looked this perky in ages. Trust me, they're as saggy as the rest of me, but the effect of the stripes, and a well-fitting bra makes them appear to defy gravity. My point is, you need to try things on for yourself rather than relying on generalised advice that doesn't take into account cut, fit, and fabric. Better still-don't read the glossies, they all try to make you feel bad about yourself.

You may have noticed the bracelets are slowly coming back. My arms are healed, but the skin is still delicate, so I'm wearing only plastic and bamboo for the moment. I don't think the skin is ready for metal. Still, I'm happy to be healing because that was one miserable skin condition.

Outfit Particulars:

Top-retail, long ago
Culottes-Thrift World, .98 cents
Scarf-Ben Franklin dimestore
Bracelets-everywhere
Earrings-K Mart, .49 cents!
Shoes-K Mart a few seasons ago
Handbag-Mum's
Poodle Pin-Brimfield Fair

 Hey, yeah you...

...don't take shit that isn't yours.