Holiday Fever

I have been a regular social butterfly - so let's catch up, outfits first.

On December 2nd, this is what I wore:

As I may have mentioned, the holiday season is my chance to break out all of the glittery, sparkly, pieces that I have collected over the years. Since I only wear these items a couple of times a year, they last forever. So now I have a big collection.

My jacket is from Stein Mart, and my slacks are classic Editors from Express. The slightly low waist and boot cut legs are the most flattering silhouette for my figure.

I have an entire collection of velour tops - they are always holiday appropriate and come back into vogue every few years. This necklace broke, so I have to re-string it.

The next day, I got to dress up twice - once for work and once for an ornament exchange / chicken and waffles party. For work :

The deep coppery red satin blazer is from Ungaro. The skirt is tweed with a frayed lace hem, and I got it at a thrift shop somewhere. The lurex top is from Joseph A.

I love the shoes - they are herringbone Mary Janes with big satin bows on the top. When I saw them, I thought of Downton Abbey.

That evening, I went with a printed velvet skirt from Anthropologie, along with a forest green velour top.

On top of that, a satin blazer from a Korean brand.

This picture is to show that the skirt has a tulle ruffle at the bottom.

Once again, some old-timey looking shoes with big grosgrain bows, and sheer black hose with little snowflakes.

This sparkly costume necklace was the finishing touch.

The next day, December 4th, had me really bummed out. Several little things had gone wrong all day, and I spent most of the day crying occasionally.  Then the cherry on top - my bank account got hacked, so I had to close all my accounts and all that stuff. But the Bank of America did a great job, unlike Anthem Blue Cross and my personal physician. They were not so helpful.

Well, at least I looked okay. My sparkly skirt came from Macy's. The blazer is grey marled fabric is from Calvin Klein. My V neck sweater is black with metallic lurex, and it is Hillard and Hanson, which is a brand that was sold at a store called Mervyn's , that went out of business some years back.

The next day, December 5th, was significantly better. The bank stuff got solved, as did a few other problems. But Anthem Blue Cross continued to aggravate my last nerve. And all I wanted was a screening mammogram.

Anyway, we also had a lovely department party at the home of a co-worker. I wore a pretty holiday outfit that I got last year.

This costume necklace has been pretty perfect for many outfits.

On Friday, December 6th, I wore a casual outfit. The jeans are corduroy, from Old Navy.

I found this pretty brocade blazer at a thrift shop as well - thrift shops are a great source for gently worn holiday pieces, as you will see.

This turtleneck is just beautiful - it is copper with copper lurex, and has tonal sequins cascading across the chest and shoulders.

My only nod to luxury was my Louis Vuitton belt.

The next day, I had an appointment with my physician for a blood pressure check, Despite my irritation and unhappiness with my medical providers, my blood pressure was fine.

I wore purple and black brocade slacks from Carlisle, and another velour top.

This beautiful black brocade jacket has fur cuffs and is from Karen Lawrence, and is also from a thrift shop.

Some silver and white gold and amethyst jewelry added a nice touch.

On December 10th, I wore an outfit that got a lot of compliments. This skirt is a classic plaid, with lurex, of course.

The lurex cowl neck sweater has a lace inset, and I believe it also came from Macy's. I wear it at least 2 or 3 times a year, and it washes and dries well.

The next day, I wore my favorite Xmas dress, from Calvin Klein. I wear it every year and I have had it for 4 years - Management party, Holtzman party, Quality Dept party, and finally, a meeting day.
Next year will be tough unless a totally unknown group of people invite me to a holiday party. We will see.

The embellishment is flat studs. They are positioned in such a way as to create an illusion or to enhance an hourglass figure. Beautiful dress of heavy knit that is almost like Santana. I wore a Vatican coin, a gold herringbone, and a garnet pendant. I was sparkly.

The next day, I combined a bunch of old pieces in a new way. It turned out pretty well. I started with this pearl gray satin tunic. Then I wore old skinny pants in thin ponte.

My necklace is actually a pewter belt from White House Black Market. I have never worn it as a belt.

Then on top, my INC grey leather jacket that has a Venice lace back. I should have gotten a picture, because the satin looked so pretty peeking through the lace.

On Friday the 13th, we had our management party at Spaghettini. I got a Nordstrom gift card.

I am wearing sleek black straight leg ponte pants. They are made by Reebok, so they also have a comfy waist. The top is my new sparkle purchase from Ann Taylor. Details below.

On top, my multicolor lurex baseball jacket from NiteLine. This is another thrift shop find - someone else didn't want it anymore, so now it is mine. I wear it every year also.

The Ann Taylor sweater is a lightweight rib knit with lurex throughout - it looks both silver and gold, depending on the light. It has a giant, thick matte satin bow on the left shoulder.

 Last night, we went to a dinner program at my MILs LDS Ward. Pictures below. I wore a pair of red brocade slacks from Ann Taylor, a transparent knit sweater that is black sparkle on black knit, and a thrift shop find that didn't work out too well.

This jacket is part of a twinset. It is crocheted, and seed beads are woven throughout. But, when you put your arm on the table or lean back in your chair, the beads poke you and it hurts.

Here's a good look at that. I wore a garnet pendant and a long tassel with faceted jet beads.

These are the carolers that sang during appetizers. Everybody brought an appetizer to share, then we had a served dinner of pork loin, twice baked potatoes, carrots, green beans, and rolls.

Here is the appetizer buffet.

Here is a look at the whole dining hall.

We all got a miniature bundt  cake that represented the Xmas pudding.

On the cosmetic front, I picked up a few toiletries at Marshalls while Christmas shopping.

And both of my sample boxes came. First I have Ipsy. The bag was bright metallic silver.

From top to bottom:
1) Juliette has a Gun Not a Perfume -it is made of something called Cetalox that makes it smell different on everyone.
2) Purlisse Perfect Glow BB Cream
3) BELIF the True Cream Moisturizing Bomb
4) Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara
5) Beauty For Real Lip Gloss and Shine in Sunlight


My Birchbox was ultra fancy this month. It was a sort of Art Deco design in gold leaf.

It has a tick top lid with a poem inside and a tassel on the front.

It's a self-affirmation verse. I guess you see it when you open the box to get something.

Here's what was inside, top to bottom:
1) MALIN + GOETZ  Brightening Enzyme Mask
2) and 3) - Briogeo Be Gentle Be Kind Matcha + Apple Replenishing Superfood Shampoo and Conditioner
4) Dr Lipp Moisturizing Colour Tint in Sweet Potato
5) Laura Geller New York Baked Balance-n-Brighten Color Correcting Foundation
6) Schmidt's Deodorant Stick - Charcoal and Magnesium

I made two kinds of Christmas cookies - these are sugar with vanilla frosting and a gummy berry on top.

These are maple bacon brown sugar, dipped in milk chocolate and then rolled in yellow nonpareils.

And finally, Pandi in her new bed - this fabric box was in my old furniture that I replaced with the Bob's chest. I received a soft throw from work for a celebration, so I donated it to Pan.

It is now in our bedroom. It is her second choice of place to relax.

Well, I will most likely update around Christmas - the Holtzman party is next weekend, and the Lauer party on Xmas. Stay tuned !!