Graphic Victorian

Today's outfit is a mixture of a graphic style dress with a Victorian style jacket. Take a peek:

The jacket is red velvet, and the brand is So. Here's a closer look at the front, which fastens with a million hook and eye closures.

Underneath, I have a new dress from my favorite, Calvin Klein. I picked it up at the outlet mall in Orlando, and had it and some boots shipped home. They did it for free, since I belong to Friends and Family.

The pattern is actually woven into the fabric, not printed on. It gives the dress a 3D effect.

This dress cannot be lengthened or shortened. For reference, I am 5'5". I doubled up on the necklaces - the shorter one is my matte gold with black cabochons, and the longer one has a monastic cross theme.

So let's go over some details about this beautiful dress. Here is the dust bag and the tag with the style details.

Here it is on the hanger, and a closeup of the neckline.

I thought about wearing a belt, since there is a seam at the waist, but I'm glad that I didn't. I wore my Sam and Libby short booties with it.

Just one measly link today, but one of my favorites - Jess from www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com has Turning Heads Tuesday. Check this lovely lady out if you have time !!!

The tree is up, the elves are resting and the nog is drunk

It was quite a weekend. I got home on Friday night and started to get ready for the neighbor's party. Then Doc got home from the dermatologist's office.

What The H !!!!! He was only supposed to have a tiny spot on his eyebrow removed. But they found a basal cell carcinoma on his head, and did another Moh's. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He's okay, and the cancer is not dangerous, but it hurts and he has a huge divit in his head.

Needless to say, he didn't want to go to the party. So I took my next best friend in his place.

Grumpy Claus!!!! I dressed Elli in the outfit that Renee got her for Xmas.

She is thrilled beyond belief. Here's a look at the back.

And for a real belly laugh, the side view.

Our little neighbor posed with her at the party.

I brought some treats over to Doc, and the poor thing asked for more, so I went back next door.
They had a Santa out there by then.

Turns out he was a bad Santa. Yes, that is me on his lap. Ugh.

The next day was spent going for a run, cooking food for the Holtzman Christmas party, and wrapping a load of gifts. I made monkey bread, pizza rolls, ham and cheese pockets, and creamed peas with pearl onions and bacon. Here is what I wrapped.

I got the following for Calista, our 18 month old grand daughter.

A tutu, a beauty set, some My Little Pony stickers, and some Play Doh. For Joseph ( as requested)

A remote control Leonardo from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. For Benjamin,

A Gogo Wheels Ultimate Racetrack. For the boys to share,

A Baby Animals calendar and a proof set from 1985, their daddy's year of birth. For Preston,

The Treasure Truck he wanted. It's a remote control truck with a metal detector on the front.  He also asked for something special that his mom and dad couldn't quite swing, so we stepped in.

A whole bunch of coins for his collection!!! He got a 1984 proof set (daddy's year of birth), a four piece 2009 proof set (his year of birth), and a 2009 Silver Eagle coin. He was thrilled beyond belief.

I also got a T shirt for his German Shepherd puppy, Annie. Bad to the Bone!!!

And all three boys got some Schliech replica animals. They have been asking for them.

Preston also got a calendar, which was surprisingly one of his favorite gifts.

Here is everything, all wrapped and ready to go.

On Sunday, we had the Holtzman Christmas party.  There were a bunch of us - Me, Doc, Nathan, Kim, Joseph, Benjy, Calista, my mom Angy, Luke, Ashley, Preston, Tawn, John, Dustin, Colin, Win and Mimi.

It was about 10 PM when we got home, and now back to work. This week, I have a Christmas Eve dinner at Villa Valencia where my mom lives, then the Lauer Christmas party at my brother's house. I am pretty much partied out. I want to stay home and kick it on New Year's Eve.

Anyway, here is what I wore today.

A houndstooth swirly dress from Nordstrom, topped by a black cardi and a red satin sash.  On my right arm,

Three bracelets- rubies and gold, and a ruby cocktail ring. On my left arm,

A red leather/crystal bracelet, and my yellow gold wedding set. I wore my new Chinese Laundry booties.

They have a cool silver detail on the side.

So let's link !!! Ana Luiza at www.northwestblonde.com has Start the Weel Stylish. Then, Deb from
www.elegantlyfashionable.com has Classy Monday. Next, Rachelle from www.pinksole.com has How I Fall, and finally, Cherie from www.stylenudge.com has Shoe and Tell., and Patti from www.notdeadytestyle.com has Visible Monday.


Have a great Monday, and stay tuned for more shenanigans from Me, Doc and Elli !!!

Everybody's Working for the Weekend

Yesterday, Elli resumed her post as Brand Ambassador for Beach Medical. Doc set her up under his Dr Who sign:

Here is her executive corner office:

She did NOT like the accommodations - she only gave them one star.

Finally, she made her escape. She still had the look of terror on her face.

But Renee calmed her down  #Besties

Evelyn got in on the act - she gave Elli some cuddlin'

The real kicker was when Elesha and Elli started kissing under the mistletoe.

But Elli has her eye on the big prize - the new dude in town!!!!

Meet Finn. All together now - AAAAAWWWWW!!!!

So what am I wearing today?

      This is a pearlized gold leather skirt from INC, along with a very soft lurex dolman sweater from NY Collection. This skirt is another of my all time bestest and favoritest purchases.

Then, I reached into my cavernous dressing room to select a coat - the same Newport News number as yesterday.

Gotta inspect it for dog hair and stray bits of toilet paper.

And, et voila!!!! All ready for the elements. I wore my leopard head necklace, all the way from China.

On my right arm, a yellow sapphire and diamond ring and an INC cuff that I snagged in Fort Lauderdale.

On my left arm, the beaded cuff that I bought in Laguna Beach last month, and my creepy green Nordstrom ring.

The outfit is completed with my BCBG black suede boots. Black and gold is my favorite color combo.

So let's do a little linking. First. Dawn Lucy from www.fashionshouldbefun.com has Fun Fashion Friday. Then, Lauren from www.stylelixir.com has Fab Favorites. Check out these lovely ladies, and have a great weekend!!!!