What’s Ahead in 2009
As of December 30, 2008, via CBS news:
Spokane residents were trying to dig out Tuesday after a month of record-breaking snow collapsed roofs and clogged streets.The center of a snow-laden supermarket roof in north Spokane collapsed Monday evening, prompting the evacuation of that store and adjacent businesses. A fire official said only one minor injury was reported.The roof collapse came as Spokane set a monthly record for snowfall, at 59.7 inches, after 8.3 inches were recorded in the 24-hour period ending at 4 p.m. Monday, said National Weather Service meteorologist Ellie Kelch. That’s more snow than the area receives in a typical winter.
So that explains alot of my recent absence from blogging. In addition to having beloved family members home from school and work, the holidays, building a long overdue second bathroom, and watching way too much antm on youtube (which I neither recommend nor excuse).
What’s on the horizon:
- The blogging continues. I have paid for another two years of “betweenmypeers.com” ownership and the web hosting. Now if only I understood how to work it all.
- By cleaning up the formatting, adding useful links, and regularly posting on basic concepts, my goal is to sharpen the focus of the blog, continually making it more useful.
- I also intend to make blogging submit to my regular life. Hence, the unannounced “vacation”.
- And speaking of my “regular life”, we will be having a spring wedding in the family. More on that to come.
Allow me to take this opportunity to express just how blessed I feel to have this opportunity for on-going discussion with you. As I wrap up loose ends from the year past (like my busted budget and marathon makeover) and begin thinking on fresh topics (like more posts on fun personality stuff and a possible series on business attire), my question to you is this:
What’s ahead for you in 2009? And what would you like to see here?
Don’t say more pictures of me. My New Year’s resolution is less.
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Why There Are Denominations
Why are there different denominations in Christianity? One way of looking at it:
Different groups tolerate different sins.
In my church, for example, gluttony is much more socially acceptable than, say, wrath, to just choose an example from among the “seven deadly sins” (Greed, Lust, Gluttony, Wrath, Sloth , Envy, and Pride). What about your denomination? Because, well, we all agree that nobody’s perfect, right?
Which is the real reason for the season. Merry Christmas, beloved!
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These Are a Few of My Favorite Things
Before I start putting together color groupings a la Brenda Kinsel’s Fashion Makeover: 30 Days to Diva Style!
In addition to what’s pictured here, I have a bracelet or two and an emerald ring that I like. Currently not in use due to metal allergies, I also have a couple of pairs of earrings which are sentimental and I plan on having remade when I get to it.
First photo (my everyday left hand):
- I like my watch: cordovan leather band, face dark in the center with medium gray ring, bright gold metal.
- For years I only wore a wedding band, then I inherited the unique anniversary ring. I could not have selected a style I like better, this suits my personality in every way (maybe there’s a clue there).
- See how shiny my thumb nail is? That’s because the nail kits from Israel that they sell in the mall really work!
Second photo, things I like:
- The pearls my hero gave me for Christmas a few years ago.
- His grandma’s pearls. The two can be worn together.
- The medium/large, twisty, silver hoops. If these were better metal, I would wear them all day long, many days of the week.
- Instead, I wear these small, real gold twisted hoops. And I am quite comfortable about it.
- Any suggestions on how a woman can wear a tie pin? I think that’s what that next piece - which I
stoleborrowed from my hero - is. I’m keeping it. - Generally I wear the Mickey Mouse pin to evening (Disney) theatrical events.
- The long “pearls” twist together with the clear crystal necklace. I admit, I’m a little afraid to wear it for fear of looking dated, but I’ve always liked it.
- VW Cuff links were also “borrowed” from the hero.
- In the summer I wear the pink flip-flop, regardless of the possibility that it looks dated. It suits me AND was picked out by a daughter and purchased by the hero.
Okay now, since we’re on the topic of musicals and I want to alleviate the tension the topic of accessories causes me, here’s today’s fun question:
If you were auditioning for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, what part would you want and, being magically gifted the ability to sing it, what song (from another show) would you sing?
Of course, I would want to be the Fairy Godmother, but today I can’t imagine singing anything but I’m dreaming of a White Christmas …
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Get Suitable Makeovers
Here, for those of you who enjoy makeover video, are two Get Suitable with Amy Verner of Globe and Mail makeovers (I just found this post languishing in my drafts with nothing but the links, I think credit for the tip goes to Wendy):
- Suitable jen, and another little video interview of Jennifer with the image consultants who did her over. Or should I say in?
- The guy makeover, which I greatly prefer. I love how they allowed him to stay a “mountain man”.
What I like about the Jen makeover: her hair. What I dislike: the colors. Black and white don’t relate to her personal coloring AT ALL. When will image experts begin thinking outside the (black) box? (They need to read Imogen’s black-busting post, as well as her How to Choose Your Perfect White.)
What are your favorite substitutes for black and white? Presently on my radar: pewter and ivory.
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Accessories as Infrastructure: Round 1
Previously posted, in Accessories: Embellishments or Infrastructure:
Without even doing the project I know what I need: necklaces.
- silver to support my hair color (I already have pearls),
- pink to add color near my face when wearing a neutral outfit, and
- brown to enhance my eyes and complete the infrastructure effect of brown buttons and belt.
Often when getting dressed, I know I need a third color near my face. Without a necklace (or scarf, but I don’t like them) my options are limited.
Spending a grand total of $25.41, here’s what I’ve found so far (mostly at Fred Meyer):
- silver and rose (pink) beads
- non-gold-tone earrings to coordinate with my pearls
- big brown tortoise-shell looking earrings
- wood pendant necklace
Both necklaces are convertible length.
This is a good start. When I get around to it, I’ll pile everything I have on the bed, sort it out, and take pictures of color groupings. But I’m still working through the wardrobe therapy part. When I think about wearing accessories, rather than getting excited like I do about, say, argyle or paisley, I get sort of a sick feeling. Like the feeling of losing one’s individuality. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.
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December 13th: Fall Styles Up to 50% Off at Shoes.com
The December Saturday Sale at Shoes.com includes markdowns up to 50% off! This month’s event has great deals on fall styles including boots.
Not certain what you need? Check out Imogen’s Essential Shoe Wardrobe post. Oops! Suddenly I realize, I am missing the dark neutral pump! 
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How We Handle Filling Our Stockings
After listening to a radio program on Christmas Traditions, featuring blogger Trish Berg, I thought to re-run this.
Inspired by Jenn, who has been blogging about Christmas on the cheap, it suddenly occurs to me that we have a fabulous tradition that must be shared with as many people as possible:
Drawing Names For Stockings
This is for when the kids are all old enough to start helping with the shopping, although we started before the youngest was in elementary school. Just match the teams up carefully, so nobody is shopping with someone who is shopping for them.
Draw names from a hat and form shopping teams. Each person gets a $10 bill; that is all that may be spent on the entire contents of the stocking for the person they are shopping for. Any change left is also put into the stocking. Everyone shops at the same time, at the same store, carefully avoiding one another, of course. We choose Fred Meyer, they have a wide range of items including clothing and groceries.
BTW, this book has a corny name, but it looks like alot of fun!
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Formal Wardrobe
(Almost) my entire formal wardrobe:
Ball gown: purchased thrift this year for $1, with brand-new tags still attached. I love it! But where will I ever wear it?
Evening gown: not brand-new, although it might as well be. Purchased the same shopping trip as the dress above, and for the same price! Plans to wear this include a fancy dessert out with my daughters and their friends, where we can all dress up. Preferring to precisely embody the epitome of propriety, I probably won’t wear this to my hero’s company holiday party.
Separates: IMO, this look is a little matronly, but apparently that’s okay because when I actually wore it to an event the other night (with silk long pants under!) I received very generous and very genuine compliments from RLFs whose opinions matter. Like my daughter, who said it doesn’t matter if it looks matronly because it looks good. And my real-life fashion hero, the young mom in our circle who I consider the most artistically styled. I’ll leave it to you RLFs to figure out who that is 
Missing from this post: the silver, three-quarter sleeve, silk-and-metallic top that makes the skirt above into a dress. Also a similar, sleeveless, red combo. And a party dress. (But if I ever had the appropriate place to where it, and I could work up the nerve, I’d wear my mom’s wedding dress as a party dress.)
I think part of what makes the formal lifestyle segment such a challenge, and brings about the peer pressure to eliminate it, is the whole cost-per-wear thing. On the other hand, thrifting (or even borrowing) formal-wear can bring it into the realm of reason. BTW, the gunmetal skirt was also $1, with the tags on it still, and I’ve worn it several times, as well as loaning it to a friend to wear with her own sweater.
Cocktail clothes are another subject.
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Get the Macy’s Employee Discount!
Although my daughter no longer works for Macy’s, being a fashion blogger has its advantages - including being able to offer you the Macy’s employee discount for your holiday shopping. This discount is in addition to sale prices.
Download the Macy’s Friends and Family Coupon for use in store or click through the banner ad above. Remember to enter promo code MACYSFRIEND at checkout.
For use Wednesday, December 10th through Monday, December 15th.
Merry Christmas and Happy Shopping!
