Festivities in Review

Happy 2014!

With the festive season behind us and the new year fresh ahead, I want to take a moment to reflect on the time that has recently passed and face the promises made for that yet to come.

Like last year, I found myself with an abundance of celebratory occasions at the end of the year.  Of the ones with photographic evidence, in chronological order we have:

The Viewing of the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special

TARDIS t-shirt: Threadless | Boots: Merrell | Corduroy skirt: thrifted | Stripey socks: gift

Reaching back to November for this one, but it was post-Soup & Pie Potluck (our church's holiday kickoff, held on the Sunday before Thanksgiving) so it was officially part of the festive season in my book.  2013 was the Year of the Doctor for us-- we'd watched all the reboot episodes of Doctor Who, seven seasons' worth, between Christmas and July.  The anniversary special was enjoyed with good friends, DW-themed food & drink, and drawing straws for choice minifigs of the Doctor's various incarnations.

The Church Christmas Party

Dress: Anthropologie | Stripey socks & boots: same as above

Our lovely community does something different every year for a Christmas party -- talent show, dessert social, hymn sing...this year, it was a ceili/barn dance, complete with an accordion-wielding caller.  It's been ages since my last ceili, and I had an absolute blast, watching and dancing with everyone from our octogenarian churchbuilders to the toddlers up way past their bedtimes.  Afterwards, not wanting to waste an amazing dress by heading home at 9, the mister and I got to know some of our neighborhood beer havens a little better.  We clean up pretty nicely, don't you think?

The Most Joyful Wedding of All Time

 Dress: Modcloth | Sweater: thrifted

This was a love story to make cynics weep, something a decade in the making and straight out of a Jane Austen novel.  (No, seriously, the groom is even British.)  The last wedding amongst we four dear girlfriends (hey, look, there's Charlotte!), long-awaited and joyfully experienced.  A father's address, lovingly given, marvelously wordcrafted and speaking straight to the heart of marriage for the newlyweds and even more so for the rest of us.  An absolutely perfect winter day; dearly beloved friends and family; a happy couple buoyed up by the love and celebration of all those around them.  This was a day where Good Things Happened, and I am so thankful to have been witness to it.

Holiday events without photographic fashion evidence: the Holiday Work Party, the Doctors Terry Host a Christmas Shindig, Christmas Day Feasting, and New Year's Eve. 

And speaking of New Years -- I have one resolution this year, but it's a substantial one: I will not buy any new clothing.  No thrifting, no swaps, nada.  It's not about spending less money -- though that is a benefit -- but about cultivating a mindset of "enough," of using what I have, and of not chasing the New Shiny.  There are a few very important caveats: undergarments and an interview suit are not bound by this resolution.  (I am also not going to turn down gifts, that would be ungracious.)

So, here's to 2014!  A year started in fantastically good spirits, with hope and promise and a challenging-but-exciting clothing constraint.  Happy New Year to all!

Ode to the LBD

An avid lover of expressive colors as a teen and young adult, I did not see the point of the Little Black Dress.  Why would I ever want to wear a simple black dress when I could wear a bold red one, or a shimmery silver one, or a multi-hued beaded one?  I was convinced that, though they may be useful for other ladies, an LBD would never find a place in my wardrobe.

Then, I met Joan.

Joan is the dress, thusly named for obvious reasons.  She's a lady who doesn't like to speak of her age, but you'd hardly believe a gal with this many decades on her looks this good.

Joan has taught me that there is immense power in simplicity.  She may not be the right answer for everything, but with a timeless, demure, oh-so-flattering cut, she is ready for just about anything.
 

Oh, and what varied anythings we've seen together!  Joan and I have done the opera and the red carpet, Christmas parties and church luncheons.  Today, we popped my white coat on top for a day working on the hospital wards, and I expect we'll do a fair amount of residency interviewing together this time next year.

Joan is a far better friend than I deserve.  Her lightweight wool composition suits her perfectly to my favorite climate and seasons, and somehow without a single stitch of spandex she still fits like made-to-measure even after hefty weight gains.

  

We're quite the team, Joan and I.  You'd best not cross us -- curves and collarbones are our weapons of choice.

Lest you think Joan seeks all the limelight, I assure you she is quite content to be the supporting backdrop for a louder, flashier acquaintance.
 

 

Joan doesn't need to shout.  She's a lady.  She knows the right thing to do in any situation, and she gets our attention when she wants it, just as she is.

Dress Joan: vintage 1960s | Shoes: Clarks | Tights: ?? | Necklace: Otis B Jewelry

Heart-Stopping

Though done with "real" school, there are still some things we need to learn before they turn us loose in the local hospitals.  As a result, I've spent the last couple of days in a workshop certifying in BLS/ACLS (which is short for What To Do When Someone Stops Breathing and Maybe Doesn't Have a Pulse -- and No, "Calling 911" Is Not a Sufficient Answer).  Ideally, we'd be doing the opposite of stopping hearts, but "Heart Re-Starting" just didn't have the same ring...

Dress: Express, thrifted | Tee: Target | Leggings: Target | Belt: thrifted | Shoes: Teva Fuse-ion via Sierra Trading Post

This...tunic? mini-dress? makes me feel like a sci-fi heroine.  A dropped waist is not a silhouette I often wear (I don't like how it looks on my curves, so I normally go for natural- or high-waisted), but the way this one slings on my hips make me feel like I should be packing a bandolier of bullets and strutting around in boots and leather.  A recent acquisition, I can't wear to bust it out with my adventure boots come fall.  Not a bad look, for learning to be a superhero...

Let me show you something that is actually heart-stopping (and allow me to brag shamelessly):

My little sister, prom 2011 / 2012 / 2013

First, the brag: I made the black & white dress!  (Technically, I made a maxi skirt, which she's wearing over a strapless sundress).  Second, I'm impressed: girl knows what she likes -- flowy strapless column dresses (without heels -- she really is that tall!), and the over-the-right shoulder hair -- and she knows how to work it!  And dang, is she thrifty.  I don't think she spent more than $100 total on three years of prom -- first was a refashion of a 1980s bridesmaid dress from mum's closet, second was thrifted, and third was DIY/use-what-you've-got.  Also, I can't get over how grown-up she looks!  Wasn't *our* prom not that long ago?  (Never mind, it's been nearly a decade since then.  When did that happen?!?)

How has your clothing made you feel lately?  Any fashion-induced reminiscings?  Do share!

Festive Fashions, Take 1

The semester is over and done, and the holidays are upon us.  Time to dress festively!  There have been three occasions in the past week that were particularly fun to plan for: a church Christmas party, a theater outing, and a swingin' night on the town.

Occasion: homegroup's annual White Elephant Christmas party

 

Tunic: thrifted | Jeans: Kohl's | Flats: Target

The sequins smattered on the neckline and cuffs of this shirt are so sparkly, I glitter like a disco ball (and I love it!).  Also, I'm convinced that the color of these mustard-y flats goes with everything.  This was our second year at this 15+-year party, and quite a hoot -- the mister secured for himself "the Khan," a coveted recurring gift, and my contribution of a super dooper reindeer pooper (plus jelly bellies, natch) was fought over, finally ending up in the hands of a precocious preschooler. 

Occasion: Broadway in San Francisco

 

Dress: option C, thrifted | Jeans: Kohl's | Booties: b.o.c., thrifted | Belt: (my favorite!) thrifted | Scarf: thrifted

As an end-of-the-term treat, we got tickets to see The Lion King.  I ended up taking a six-hour exam (ugh -- but, now I'm done with my Master's!) earlier in the day, so being dressed up was a pleasant boost.  The show was amazing, and dinner beforehand particularly notable for a sighting of my little sister's favorite minor internet celebrity at the next table over.

 Occasion: dancing the night away

Lace top: Ross | Bustier: Frederick's | Skirt: thrifted | Belt: thrifted | Stockings: Modcloth | Dancing Shoes: Nature Breeze via db shoes, self-glittered

Thanks for your input for my dance party indecision!  I went with option A, but changed things up a bit: a bustier rather than a tank gave coverage while getting the bombshell feeling that the elf-y version hadn't; taking in the skirt a couple inches let it sit at my waist, rather than below it; new fancy dancing flats (that sparkle!) just make me happy; and those tights...oh, those tights.  Ladies, these stockings are major win -- really good quality, sassy and unique.  I was asked if the ribbons were tattoos, they're so convincing in person.  (And while I couldn't/wouldn't ink so much skin, I have to admit that these would be some pretty rocking tattoos.)  The band was excellent, the venue was perfect, I felt incredible in that twirly, shimmery skirt, and had a wonderful evening [swing]dancing with my handsome husband.  Swanky party = success!

I hope your world is full of so many reasons to celebrate -- may your days be merry and bright!  (And all of you who are actually getting a white Christmas, my heart is with you.  I miss it so much...)

Holiday Party - Help!

Here's the deal:

I decided I needed a swanky-fun party to dress up for, preferably one involving [swing] dancing.  Amazingly, I found just such a party, featuring one of our favorite local bands.  Now, I can't decide what to wear.  Help a betty out?

Given the dress code of "vintage, cocktail, or red & green," my need to dance comfortably, and my wish to avoid my more-frequently-worn fancy bits, here's what I've come up with:

Option A:  Black lace blouse, green cami, and a lovely floaty, silky red skirt.  Oh, and that sparkly belt.  The skirt is amazing, but all the red and green makes me feel a little bit like an elf going to a ball.  Maybe a camisole in white or gold instead?

Option B:  The skirt part on this dress is stretchy, so it's great for dancing -- and while twirly skirts may be more fun on the dance floor, nothing makes you look like hot stuff better than a pencil skirt.  It's actually one of my "professional" dresses, but with the sparkly belt it's appropriately festive and retro, right? 

Option C:  Black chiffon and cotton-lace dress, sparkly red belt...I can't articulate exactly how, but this is *such* a lindy-hopper getup.  Even more so with my dancing shoes, which are white keds.   

Option D:  This feels the most vintage-reminiscent, with the black lace blouse under a sweetheart-neckline strapless dress in dark green.  This may also be The World's Most Perfect Bridesmaid Dress, as it has been worn in one wedding, as a guest to another, and for two formal parties.  (Not bad!)  The longer length gives a formality that's at odds with my shoes, though... 

So -- help!?  Thoughts?  What should I wear to my holiday bash?  What are you wearing to yours?

And now, bonus twirling picture:

Told you that skirt was amazing...