Holiday Style: By the Light of the Tree

As we head into the Big Christmas Weekend, our little home will be scrambl- I mean, leisurely decking our final halls and baking our little hearts out.

Blessedly, we have nary a party or commitment this weekend. So I'm saving my sequins for Christmas Eve, I think, when we trim our tree, head to the early family service at church, then have a lovely dinner of crepes, which has become a family tradition.

We may or may not also be having a cocktail or two by the light of the Christmas tree as we wrap The Beans' presents.

May the joy and peace of the season find you and yours.

1940s tree strung with real silver tinsel; Artillery Punch, my new cocktail love, after friends served it at their rockin' Christmas party last weekend (this link takes you to Chow.com's recipe, but for my friend's practiced alterations, see below for recipe); amazing gilded cocktail glasses; I can't wait to pair a cozy, slouchy sweater with similarly-hued sequins (also, cheap!). Check out the rest of the boards these pieces are are on for more ways to decorate, drink, and dress over the holidays!

Artillery Punch

Adapted from the New York Times, which was adapted from David Wondrich

Time: 90 minutes

Makes about 25 drinks (hmmm...maybe I'll just make a batch sans bubbly this weekend, then add the bubbly as I need - ahem - want a drink)

14 lemons

1 pound superfine sugar

750-milliliter bottle Old Granddad 100 Proof Bourbon

750-milliliter bottle Courvoisier VSOP Cognac

750-milliliter bottle 10 Cane rum

3 bottles Champagne or other sparkling wine

Nutmeg

1. Squeeze and strain the lemons to make 16 ounces of juice. Peel the lemons and muddle the peels with the sugar. Let the peels and sugar sit for an hour, then muddle again. Add the lemon juice and stir until sugar has dissolved. Strain out the peels.

2. Fill a 2- to 3-gallon bucket or bowl with crushed ice or ice cubes. Add the lemon-sugar mixture and the bourbon, Cognac and rum. Stir and add the Champagne. Taste and adjust for sweetness. Grate nutmeg over the top and serve.

Yield: About 25 drinks



Style Dilemma: The Black Maxi Skirt

Oh, about 2 years ago, long time reader, follower, twitter and blogger friend, and musician Scarlet emailed for help. She’s a clarinetist in a regional orchestra, and plays in formal concerts. She needed (needs? Scarlet? Am I too late?) a long black skirt. It’s that musicians’ uniform.

When she asked me, I had immediate images of Sharon Stone’s now (in)famous high-low Oscars ensemble. I was also convinced that Isaac Mizrahi had done a ballgown + buttondown look that would be perfect.

I had ballgown in my head. I searched and searched, to no avail. I couldn’t find the images I was looking for. What I did find, though, was that it was most likely a Carolina Herrerra look I remembered (who is, after all, the One with The Shirts). Sorry Isaac.

So time passes (crap. this might even have been before Bean No. 2), and the blog post never materialized. I checked with Scarlet, and she hadn’t resolved her Black Skirt Issue. She’d essentially resigned herself to buying a pattern and making one herself. There were no Long Skirts to be found.

But then, oila! the maxi skirt was on every page of every magazine, much to my confusion and chagrin. I still (true confessions) am not entirely sure what to do with them. I see others, but I Don’t Get It. I’ve tweeted the same. Lord (and the twitterverse) knows.

So it looks like it’ll take Scarlet’s style dilemma to get me over the hump. I scoured Pinterest and blogs, checked online catalogs and those “look book” things people keep talking about. And here’s what I found: a Black Maxi Skirt, as we’ll now call it, is probably a wardrobe item that is much more versatile than you’d think. I almost couldn't stop making combinations from what I found.

Thomas Pink Jessie shirt for ruffles made by one of the ultimate shirtmakers, or go local with The Signature Shirt with Leather Trim (I'm also in love with the blue and black one) from The Shirt by Rochelle Behrens

Patterson J. Kincaid maxi skirt with pleats instead of fullness, for a little more forgiving, and probably cooler (stage lights, people) take on the ballgown Scarlet and I had in our heads

Carolina Herrera inspiration via (nope, not planned that she got the FGI Superstar award last night!)

Mossimo Ponte Blazer in their version of oxblood, The Color right now (or, you know, the Chanel-inspired bouclé one I might have bought last night and might be wearing today)

Mossimo Long & Lean tank (best. tank. ever.)

Scully Cantina 3 Tiered Skirt, dialing it down from the inspirational image, with tiers for the fullness, but cotton for the ease

Blogger inspiration via

Old Navy Rock the Vote T (thank you, Liz, for the inspiration!), because, well, it's nearly November 6th and I live in Washington OR use that tank (told you it was the best) with a splash of color from Stella & Dot's Bryant Park scarf take on "animal print"

Adrianna Papell taffeta skirt, the most formal of the skirts on here, which I used very purposefully in this ensemble. Yes, it has The Bow, but I also personally love the juxtaposition of super casual with formal

Blogger inspiration via

Banana Republic Essential turtleneck OR softer, more colorful with Old Navy's Softest cowl-neck sweater

ModCloth's Cute to the Core skirt, in layers of filmy sheer, will balance any weight you might get from a Big Sweater.

Or you could go sleeker on the skirt and bigger on the sweater, for a full-on wintery look.

Sharon Stone inspiration via

Folks, let's just say that this is only the beginning of all of the looks I wanted to build with what is clearly (yes, I'm now a maxi skirt convert, only 2 years too late) a solid wardrobe staple. For me, and I'd venture to say that for most professional women out there, I'd say the maxi needs to be relegated to non-office activities, but I can absolutely see it on a playground, at a happy hour, a brunch, or, you know, an orchestra concert. Then, of course, you can take it and dress that baby up (sequined top, anyone?) for an elegant dinner or show. Seriously, endless possibilities.

Check out other pieces I considered here, but didn't make the ensembles in this post, on my Blog Possibilities board. Who knows? You might even get a preview of upcoming posts!

Kassie, this one's for you

Slate grey trousers, Old Navy
Pink/grey striped oxford, Havré Bernard

Putty patent peeptoes, lillybee

Chipped red polish, Spa Toccare, The Borgata, more than a month ago

Now, then...

So the big shopping extravaganzas have been, well, a bust. While I'm the online shopping queen for All Things Children and Household, my personal style shopping has just fallen flat. The Old Navy pleated skirt? Clearly designed for Old Navy's target demographic and not a 36-year-old mama with hips. The fun pink Converse? Grossly larger than life.

In the meantime, I'm cobbling together work outfits from the 2 pair of pants that fit my in-between body, a much-adored but getting raggedy H&M wrap dress, and a couple of tops that I like but...the same three things every day doesn't really work for this girl.

It took getting out with BlueSuitGirl to have a little success. A little. We hit Chevy Chase last Saturday night. Newsflash: stores there close at 8. Really. Very annoying. But Filene's and Loehmann's stay open later, so we tried our patience and came out with a few pieces.

One of my favorite shirts is a lovely grey, pink, and white striped french-cuffed oxford. When I bought it, 100 years ago, I thought Havré Benard was something. Ok, so it's a big conglomerate. But the truth of the matter is, they made a lovely, elegant shirt that makes me feel good. And they've done it again. On top of my new grey Converse (which have become my weekend Go-To shoes, seriously), I came out of Filene's with a sweet but grownup pale plue top. Exaggerated tuxedo ruffles, sleeveless, and tucked in at the waist, it's a top I could wear every day. I can wear it untucked in my uncomfortable Inbetweenness, and it'll still be great when I'm comfortable tucking in again.

Now, blue top and grey sneakers aside, I'm still in desperate need of Clothes That Fit. I'm putting off digging through my "Regular Clothes Box" from pre-maternity. I've searched the web at my usual hunting grounds, but I'm afraid to pull the trigger. What I really need to do is measure me, but...

So in the meantime, I'll fuss every morning that I have nothing to wear and walk out of the house most mornings happy only with my shoes.

And will search again another day.

On the verge: Buying on the Summer Cheap

Well, I've yet to hit the "checkout" button on my gap.banana.oldnavy.piperlime.com shopping cart, but at the rate I'm going, I'm going to have to so I have something to wear on the steamy summer days.

I have nothing right now, and even getting to Target at the moment is a huge challenge, so I'm going to have to resort to online. Normally a fan of web shopping, I was really hoping for a little me-time to browse racks.

Not to be. Other than a massive computer problem that gave me some found time to wander the Clarendon shopping district (really not a bad place to shop), there's no way in heck I'm gonna get to a store.

But I really want a fun summer dress and a pair of sandals - at minimum. And I'm willing to buy a few extras & return if I have to. In my cart now...

More Pink Pumps!

Carebear saw my post yesterday, and laughed. She'd been admiring these at oldnavy.com just yesterday morning. They're still not quite right, but at 19 bucks for the pink version, I think I'll have to purchase!

Clearly great minds think alike.

Reminder: Give in Style

Don't forget! Gap.com (and Banana and Old Navy) is giving you a chance to save big - and give big this weekend.

What: Gap Give & Get - 30% off (using the online coupon), and 5% of your purchase goes to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

When: Starting today! through Sunday.

Why: Duh.

See you there! I'm pondering this adorable Old Navy keyhole dress (from an already affordable $24.50 to $17.15, and .$85 goes to LLS)

or maybe this polo dress for The Bean.

Or maybe this lovely red knit

Or maybe this fun orange wrap dress that looked so gorgeous on my cousin

Or...

Give in Style: Give & Get from GAP

A bunch of you said you wanted ways to look good during these (blah blah blah) economic times. Staples-stockers like GAP are always a great option...and in March you can jump that down even lower - while doing a good deed. Try these deals on for size...

Trouser jeans - perfect for dressing up a casual outfit, with snazzy double-button and hip pocket details. On sale online (though promotion is in-store) for $49.99. With 30% off, a very reasonable $34.99, and about $1.50 (not much, but every little bit counts) of that goes to charity.

Pintuck cuffed shirt - a twist on the white standard, and an easy way to brighten your wardrobe. $44 down to $30.80, again donating about $1.50 to charity.

What: GAP Give & Get.

When: March 12-15 - In Store Only

Why: 30% off your purchases, and use the coupon as many times as you like, then 5% of your purchase goes to

the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Why even better: Good at any Gap Inc. store - including Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic

Shop away!

PS - If anyone's feeling particularly generous, I have a dear friend who's trying to help another dear friend through leukemia - they're looking for a donor. If you can help with a donation - or better yet, are willing to get tested (a private test kit costs $175), please email me directly at dcceline.blogspot@gmail.com.

A Moment in a Stylish Life

I'm having a hard time today.


It kind of goes along with the territory of carrying a child.




My absolutely wonderful girlfriends are throwing me a baby shower today. I'm so grateful. 25 of the most stunning, strong, and supportive women in my life will be there to celebrate this amazing thing called a baby. In a few weeks, my mother and mother-in-law are joining forces to throw another shower. Again, surrounded by women who only want the best for me and the baby.





We've been getting gifts, hand-me-downs, and loaners from everyone we can possibly think of - and from people we didn't expect. We have cribs, stollers, Pack-n-Plays. I have dresses and tops galore. We haven't really had to spend a dime so far on anything, thanks to the generosity of those around us.





Every day, someone does something nice. Just plain nice. Total strangers. There's the lady who stood up from her seat on the metro. The saleswoman at Sephora who kindly asked if we know the sex of the baby. And the man at the bowling alley yesterday drilled a bigger hole in the ball (I needed a larger hole for a lighter ball, which they didn't have) just for me. The 66-year old man sitting in front of us at the Nats v. Os game last night gave me one of his precious baseballs (picked up from Braves batting practice a few weeks ago) for the baby. There's an amazing kindness in the air for pregnant ladies. It's a lovely, joyful thing.





And I'm having a horrible time this morning. Weepy, tired, just needing kindness. Which everyone's giving me, bless them. So last night I got out my grandmother's handkerchiefs to have on hand today, and I made sure I have the tokens of gratitude I found for my girlfriends. As soon as I finish writing this, I'll buck up and jump in the shower, then find the emotional strength to put on makeup, brush my hair, and pick out a dress (somehow, in all of this, that's the least appealing part of it). We'll caravan up to Germantown and be blessed by more goodness and kindness.





And I'll sit there in my too summery halter (because it's the only thing I feel like wearing), clutching Grandmom's hankies, and weeping gently for all that I have.

Report from Greece: Overdue

Yeah, yeah, so I'm a little behind.

And so I overpacked a little. With good intentions. Problems with my packing:

1) It never got really warm in Greece - not even on Crete, though there were some jacket-free days there.

2) The M khakis I brought, while perfect for the plane (very comfy and lots of room), were/are really too big. I wore them out one day in Athens, and found myself hiking them up constantly. I wanted a belt, but M pants don't come with one. At least not that pair.

The result was that I wore my jeans 24/7 (except for Easter night, when I wore a dress). Tummy Sleeves saved my fashion life. I played the Layer Game. Almost every day was a combination of Tummy Sleeve, tank, and sweater or T. Flats, too, as my Grasshoppers were lovely, but not broken in enough (I should know better).

So here's the edited list of what I took/wore:

2 Old Navy tanks (one in True Blue, one in a berry color that doesn't seem to be on the website)
orange sparkly Indian-inspired Chrome Hearts tank
INC sheer blue T (didn't wear at all)
4 summery, flowy tunic-y blouses lent me by a marvelous GreekGoddess friend who just gave birth to her first daughter (only wore two. One regularly, one one day only. They currently make me look much bigger than I am, and that's just not a good thing. They're hanging back in the closet for later.)
an iie
blue Motherhood Maternity dress
linen Old Navy halter dress (for some reason not on the website - wish it were - it's so non "M") (never got warm enough to wear)
a standby cami
tummy sleeves (one black, one nude)
underwear (of course)
socks (in case my feet get cold at night)
trouser socks (eew, I know, but just in case it gets cold over there - it's possible) (and I couldn't have lived without them. Note to self: shoes with teensy star cutouts leave teensy star blisters on bare feet.)
tights (see above comment, but without the "eew") (never really got cold enough)
Old Navy rollover waist khakis (Babsie D, you were right, right, right - don't knock 'em til you try 'em - and I never want to wear anything else ever again - but also can't find these online)
Citizen standby jeans
an old standby printed Ann Taylor skirt - just in case (didn't even pack)
favorite brown merino v-neck sweater
favorite black cowl neck sweater (again, just in case it's cold) (not cold enough, though)
a black cotton motorcycle jacket (Gap, 300 seasons ago, but it's still one of my favorites)
red cotton raincoat
teal silk pashmina-like shawl - perfect for the plane!

Shoes are a little extensive...but here goes
Mia stars flats - like slippers - with stars! (for some reason, 3 of the last 4 pairs of shoes I've bought have been Brasilian-born - something to look into there)
my orange flats (didn't bring 'em along)
standby black heels (just in case)
gold strappy sandals (we didn't go out, really. I was too darn tired the whole time.)
my favorite bought-in-Miami with BlueSuitGirl ankle wrap sandals (never got the chance to wear them)
my new Grasshoppers
slippers (oddly enough, also with stars)

Off to Baby Sis' Wedding

Yeah, so the travels aren't quite over...one more stop in Philly. Via Lancaster (pick up Mom-Mom) and Broomall (where the church is), PA.

Thanks to all who voted in the long ago 'maids dress vote. Of course, I had to get a completely different one, due to The Bean, but it's similar. Sort of. It's a v-neck, and that's about it.

Long story about measurements, shipping, and tailoring (bought big because who knew how big I would or wouldn't be). Maria of Rose's Custom Tailoring in Bethesda had to take about 6-8 inches out of the dress after our return to the States on Tuesday. H is being a dear and picking it up, since it wasn't ready yesterday when I stopped by with Dear Ol' Dad (had to take it in more and cover the Girls better - they keep growing).

But nevertheless, am spurning weather to wear the Old Navy halter I bought pre-Greece to tonight's rehearsal. Rehearsal's inside, after all, right?

More after the wedding...

Packing for Greece...if I ever get to it.

Let's just say that I'm thankful I've traveled a lot. Packing happens for me in about 30 seconds. 60 if it's winter and I'm trying to stuff things into a bag.

Everyone has different packing styles. Take, for example, me and my mother-in-law. My style? I just told you. List in head for a week (or not), then pack on the fly. Invariably I end up with a few too many tops, but worse things could happen. MiL? She's been packed for a month. I kid you not. MiL's a very planned and "get it done now, so I can play later" kinda gal (dinner's often cooked by the time I get up in the morning). It's served her well. So she started packing in the spare room about a month ago. She'll be packed, then think twice, pull something out, replace it, see a weather report, change it again...

So when I left this morning, already mildly stressed about trying to get further with the aforementioned thesis-type project thingy and transition my projects to coworkers for the next two weeks, I really wasn't even considering packing. It'll happen. Someday. Our plane departs tomorrow dinnertime, so I figure I'll get it done at some point. No worries. Jae and Erwin tomorrow morning are much more important (I'll feel good, even if I have nothing to wear) than getting my crap in a bag.


[12 hours after I started this post...continued...]


But I did find 10 minutes before a meeting and again after my brain conked out on work & school to make a list of the things I think I should pack. I'll spare you all of the vitamins and face products, but here's the pre-packing clothing list.


2 Old Navy tanks (one in True Blue, one in a berry color that doesn't seem to be on the website)
orange sparkly Indian-inspired Chrome Hearts tank
INC sheer blue T
4 summery, flowy tunic-y blouses lent me by a marvelous GreekGoddess friend who just gave birth to her first daughter
an iie
blue Motherhood Maternity dress
linen Old Navy halter dress (for some reason not on the website - wish it were - it's so non "M")
a standby cami
tummy sleeves (one black, one nude)
underwear (of course)
socks (in case my feet get cold at night)
trouser socks (eew, I know, but just in case it gets cold over there - it's possible)
tights (see above comment, but without the "eew")
Old Navy rollover waist khakis (Babsie D, you were right, right, right - don't knock 'em til you try 'em - and I never want to wear anything else ever again - but also can't find these online)
Citizen standby jeans
an old standby printed Ann Taylor skirt - just in case
favorite brown merino v-neck sweater
favorite black cowl neck sweater (again, just in case it's cold)
a black cotton motorcycle jacket (Gap, 300 seasons ago, but it's still one of my favorites)
red cotton raincoat
teal silk pashmina-like shawl - perfect for the plane!


Shoes are a little extensive...but here goes
Mia stars flats - like slippers - with stars! (for some reason, 3 of the last 4 pairs of shoes I've bought have been Brasilian-born - something to look into there)
my orange flats
standby black heels (just in case)
gold strappy sandals
my favorite bought-in-Miama with BlueSuitGirl ankle wrap sandals
my new Grasshoppers
slippers (oddly enough, also with stars)


And, of course, accessories...but I haven' t decided on those yet.


MiL says that the shoe shopping in Greece is to-die-for - lots of little boutiques. I promise a full report - and I'll tell you if I actually packed any of what I listed, let alone whether or not I wore it.


See you on April 11th! I'll let you know how visiting the relatives in Athens and Chania, Crete, was!