Not going to lie – I have spent much of the past week in my pajamas. Not the same ones, mind (cause that would be gross), but I’ve definitely indulged in some hardcore lounging. But today, I’m shaking off the cobwebs and heading out into the fray today to do as we vintage huntresses do – hunt!
2016 is here! We had an amazing night out at Amani Bar & Kitchen on NYE, ringing in the New Year with cocktails, gangstas and a LOT of feathers flying everywhere (it was a Prohibition party. You could barely see through the feather boas). Now, we’re well into the New Year and I’m still well into my vacation! I’ve been indulging in a LOT of relaxing, some vintage hunting, catching up on a massive sewing and repair pile, and getting blog posts organized for the new year. If only every day were like vacation, I would seriously be the most productive person…
How was everyone’s Christmas Day? Ours was fill of gifts and love and I ate more food than I care to confess (my Christmas dress didn’t last too long before the red and green striped pajamas were brought forth!) Mr. Dressed and I have fully let the holidays roll on over here and have sat under the gaze of our Christmas tree most of the weekend, barely leaving our pajamas and reveling in the happiness only true relaxation can bring.
As the end of the year is drawing to a close, I can’t help but look back on the frenzy of this past year and try to make sense of it. To try to connect a jumble of seemingly random events and wonder why they brought me to this particular moment – and where they’ll bring me to next. It’s definitely been a year of ups and downs (as most years are). Whether you believe in fate or the randomness of the universe, there is still something stringing it all together. Something invisibly connecting the dots.
We’re entering into such a unique time of the year, where relaxation starts to rein triumphant. Since the start of December, I can feel everyone’s resistance slowly wearing, as work gives up her fight to the temptations of a relaxing Christmas holiday. There are more holiday parties, emptier hallways as the weeks wear on, and a general fading of the frenzied cloud of productivity that usually hangs over our building. I have to admit, I’m sitting right on the borderline – I have a few key things to check off my list before I officially start my holidays, but the tantalizing…
I’m sure I’m not the only one who stares into the depths of her closet in the morning and mutters the infamous phrase “I have nothing to wear!” (yep, even me). Truthfully, it doesn’t matter if you have Emelza Marcos shoe collection or are reaching for a potato sack each day, everyone’s wardrobe can use a little recharge. That’s when I start to think outside the box…
I have a soft spot for fashion that looks like it may have one day been someone’s sofa. This can include items of clothing, handbags, or shoes. Basically, if it could have just as easily been the fabric destined for an armchair or victorian draperies, I’m sold (Seriously, those Von Trapp’s had it right). I love brocades and tapestry and heavy, luscious fabrics. There’s just something about the weight of them that speaks to bygone eras…
I think we all have a different recipe for what makes a dream sweet. Perhaps in your world, it’s Antonio Banderas fanning you with palm fronds while whispering sweet nothings, or swimming through towers of gold coins, Scrooge McDuck style (though that always looked rather painful to me…). But my sweetest dreams usually involve being out with my Mr. and my pup, happening upon the most perfect blooms, wearing the most perfect 1950’s border print dress…
I’ve done a fair bit of traveling in my life, and have lived in some weird and wonderful places. From the bright lights of Boston all the way to a tiny fishing village in New Zealand, back to sunny San Diego and then across to peaceful Perth. And although I would never call myself a City Girl, because I love the outdoors too much, there is just something about the pace of a bustling metropolis that feels so invigorating.
There was this rather whacky song I loved when I was a kid – “The Purple People Eater” – which was really popular in the late 50’s. It basically sings the tale of a one-eyed, one-horned, flying purple people eater who has a grand plan to come to earth and start a rock & roll band (go with me here – it all made sense a the time). Now, I was never clear whether he was purple and ate people, or if he selectively chomped purple people exclusively, but it was a rather cheerful song despite the supposed grape-tinted carnage.