Sunday, December 24, 2017

Any Excuse to Sparkle: A Holiday Outfit


As you probably already know, I'm not a fan of Christmas. In fact, Christmas triggers me terribly. 

But I am a fan of any excuse to dress up, especially if I get to sparkle. So this is just a little, sparkly, holiday outfit post (and a bit of an update on my health). Nothing deep, nothing heavy, just some green and red clothing (with white snow and white skin). That's all. 

Look up for my outfit in indoor mode.


Boots: Keen; Coat: Keen; Gloves: a gift from a friend; Tam, scarf, and brooches: vintage
And here it is in outside mode. 


Skirt: Eloquii; Shirt: Reitman's; Cardigan: Mac; Earrings: were my great-aunt's; Brooch: vintage
Putting this outfit together was a cinch: I just threw together lots of red and green. I guess it worked because I got compliments when I went out. One woman said she couldn't stop looking at me, she liked my outfit so much.

I don't think I look very good in the photos, partly because I'm not smiling much in them. That's not actually because of my feelings about Christmas. 



It's because I'm still learning how to stand and walk with two canes, instead of a walker or just one cane. I'm finally well enough to use my mobility scooter again, but I can't take my walker with me when I do. So, when I do use my scooter, I bring two canes.



Using them takes more coordination and concentration than you might think. 



It doesn't translate itself into a smile, but I was actually pretty proud of myself for using my canes to walk through through the snow. I know I couldn't have done that a month ago. I don't know if I'll ever get back to where I was before my relapse in August, but at least I have made some progress.

(Can you see the little squirrel prints in the snow? More about our resident squirrels in my next post, which will be devoted entirely to all things cute.)



Everything hurts, of course, as always, but I'm doing just a tiny bit more.



I've even started to be able to go out on my scooter by myself sometimes! Independence is nice. You can see my scooter in the background here, matching my outfit. (You can also get another good look at the squirrel prints in the snow.)



You can always tell when my health has been suffering because my hair starts to suffer too. For one thing, I don't wash it as often. Beau is still helping me wash my hair, but, even with his help, it's painful and difficult, so I find myself artfully pinning it up a lot. 

Not only that, but getting downtown for a haircut? Forget about it! So all my nice layering has grown out into a shaggy mess: another reason for my artful up-dos. It was doing okay in these photos, but just okay. I'd braided it wet the night before.  

But I do like the way the sun picked up the red in my auburn hair.



I'm less keen on how it picked up the red in my eyelashes and eyebrows. 




I think it makes me look really washed out. Aside from a bit of tinted lip balm, I'm not wearing any makeup here. Usually, I think I look fine without makeup, but in this light? I'm not so sure.

The earrings belonged to my great aunt, my grandmother's sister. She was 97 when she died two years ago and I got all her costume jewelry. 



These clip-on, Avon earrings were obviously designed to be reminiscent of 1920s earrings, similar to the green ones I wear in "Miss Fisher" post



I found this great, Coro brooch at Value Village. I think it's from the 1940s, but I'm not sure. If you know, drop me a note. 



Over all this, I wore my fabulous, Hell Bunny, coat. When it comes to a winter coat imbued with the holiday spirit, I don't think it gets better than this. I always get compliments on it.



Since the coat covered all the green elements of my outfit, it made sense to add this green, wool scarf. the cream tam adds more old-fashioned spirit. It rains so much here, I actually seldom get a chance to wear it.



And then there are these huge lapel, just asking to be scattered with festive, vintage brooches.



These seemed just right. I think the one on the left is much older. The sparkle in the leaves of the one on the right suggests to me that it was made fairly recently, though obviously with a great deal of nostalgia for past designs.



No matter when it was made, I seldom say no to sparkle. These were a gift from my friend's mother, who has impeccable taste. I've been wearing them a lot more since I got this coat because, well, duh! Matchy-matchy.



Overall, I think this look says: Here's a woman struggling to stay upright, but still managing to feel festive...



... by adding a little glitter to her life.



Now be off with you, dear readers. Cuddle up and do whatever you want and need to do for you during the holidays. Ignore them or dive into them. Endure them or enjoy them. Clean the whole house or leave it a mess. Just take care of yourselves and I'll see you soon.

(I'm sharing this with High Latitude Style, Tina's Pink Friday, Adri Lately, Not Dressed as Lamb, Not Dead Yet, Style Nudge, and Fashion Should Be Fun.)
qwerty

4 comments:

  1. What a beautiful vision you are, Charlotte! I love your outfit, and your jewelry is always exquisite! I too hope that you do just what you need to do for yourself! Have a wonderful week and happy New Year! Lots of love!

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  2. Glad to hear you are feeling better! And I like the sound of a "cute things" post. :) Happy New Year!

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  3. This coat is fabulous and made for you!

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  4. I do like your coat - have just got a stunning red jacket this winter and feel great in it. Jacqui
    www.mummabstylish.com

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