Bigass Christmas Round-Up: Feathers, Gifts, Karina Dress and a Score

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Ahoy-hoy! I'm back for a few days, then back I go for another 4-day weekend. I like to spend most of my down-time unplugged: no phone, no laptop, no tablet, no computer -well, we did briefly check the email, but that's it. It feels weird to be typing again.

• Dress - handmade, no label, thrifted; last seen here as one of my "Never Seen" series
• Boots - Aldo, consignment; last seen here in November with polka dots

Anyhoo, this is what I wore to my ex-sister-in-law's place to chill with my side of the fam: my brother, his girlfriend, their daughter (5), his ex-wife, their two daughters (11 and 14), Mom and L. More friends showed up later, in time for dinner. We had a great time, playing games (the older girls got an X-Box Kinnect) - I did a Bollywood dance number in one of the games!

I've never worn this dress on the blog, can you believe it? I've been doing this since 2008, so shame on me! I bought it when I was first dating L, so about 19 years ago, from a consignment shop downtown that did more vintage. It was about 6 inches longer and had big buttons in the same fabric marching down the chest right over the boobs, to about the waist. I cut the hem and handstitched it up, and removed all of the buttons. The maribou feather cuffs are shedding a bit, but it's otherwise still in good shape. It's probably from the late 60s.

The stuff:

Simple boots in case we had to walk; we ended up catching the bus both ways, and were home by 8pm.

Seasonal bling:

Can you spot the item that was a Christmas present from L?

• Cuff - Jezebel Charms
• Spinner rings - all local
• Tree brooch - gift from my old boss Ev
• Earrings - MMA gift shop
• Crystal ring - Uffizi Gallery gift shop 

We did a stocking for Vizzini, but he got very excited about his new toys, so they have to be for supervised play-time only.

"Give me back my mouse, woman!"

He gets very drooly with mousies, and growls with chase toys.

"I'm taking a time-out because I want to."

He's quite enjoyed having us home most of the last 4 days.

This is my haul from L - he really spoils me. I do spoil him too! He had a pile just as big!

Loads of books, chocolate and tea.

Awesome new cuffs. Linking 'cause I love: check out Jezebel Charms. Both cuffs came beautifully wrapped in tissue in boxes with bows, within 6 days of L ordering them.

I love that they are gorgeously finished, not a scratch on them, smooth edges and awesome to wear. I was able to adjust the "Nevermore" one to fit my small wrist, and the cuff kept its shape well.

The left one's quote is from Edgar Allen Poe's poem "The Raven": "Once upon a midnight dreary,
while I pondered, weak and weary."

The other also has a Poe quote, "I became insane with long intervals of horrible sanity."

Love them!

L also got me another funky belt buckle.

A lovely Shi Studio piece.

I took a few pictures of the decorations at Cindy's house. I get a kick out of the girls' sense of humour.

"Walking in a winter wonde - GODZILLA EAT CAROLLERS!"

 The Crypt Keeper got a new Santa hat this year from Mom.

So festive.

And the naked and headless Ken and Barbie got new heads!

It's a Festivus miracle!

This guy lost his leg, though.

It was in another section of the tree.

We got a bottle of wine and some gift cards, and Mom gave me some groovy prezzies.

Fun patterned tights!

Little real opal earrings, bought in Australia.

And a cool local necklace. Dragon!

L and I played a lot of Arkham Horror this weekend, and listened to lots of new CDs. On Saturday, we met up with Nick and Karen, and Spence and Kim (visiting from Vancouver) for brunch.

Testing out my new Karina dress that I won in Patti's draw here, over at Not Dead Yet Style. All linking because I love. I won this dress, so it was free, but I'm not being paid to say anything about it. Karina Dresses doesn't even know I have a blog, but here's their site.

This is my entry for "Visible Monday" (on now, go!), what good timing!

• Dress - Karina Dresses; won it
• Boots - 1886 Lucchesse, consignment; last seen here earlier this month with pink armour

Verdict: yes, thumb's up, I like the dress.

Notes: 
I bought the Megan (with short sleeve) in "Autumn Blooms" (pattern). I like the pattern, but the material creeps me out. It's that super bouncy, slinky polyester. I'm used to wearing natural fibres and it felt very odd to wear this, like having plastic on my skin.

It was very swingy to wear - great Swoosh Factor in the skirt, even with my added black floofy underskirt layered under it. It was windy out, and it blew around a lot. The waistband hits me at a flattering spot and hid my other bulges quite well. I wish it had pockets, but many other cuts of Karina dresses do.

I bought a S/M size, which is supposed to fit US sizes 6-10. I felt it was a little snug for that, especially through the rib cage. It has to be pulled over the head, and the waistband was really tight getting it over my shoulders. It's good in the boobs, giving me full coverage at the neckline (I wore a camisole under it, but could have skipped it).

I really liked that this was made in the US (I suspect the fabric is not), and I might keep an eye on the sale section (I did receive a 20% discount code for full-price items, with this shipment). The regular price on this dress was $158.00.

I'm looking forward to wearing it in the spring with my turquoise Fluevogs! I think it would be a good dress for women who don't own many dresses - it's dressy enough for work (jacket or cardi over it, if needed), simple enough for casual (tie a white shirt over it, wear a jean jacket with it), and could even go much dressier with some more jewelry and fancy heels.

I funked it up for the rainy and windy day.

My cowboy boots were excellent for a good 4+ hour shop with Karen!

The stuff:

Damn fine boots.

Black bling:

Minimal stuff for shopping.

• Cuff - Guess, thrifted
• Earrings - the Cobbler

We went to the St. Vincent de Paul, the Patch (where I put back a 1950s Dior dress, swoon!) and Verve for second-hand, and a few boutiques (and a pit stop in the mall). I didn't find any shoes that were just right for spending my gift certificate, so I'm going to wait until they get new stock in.

I didn't find much for myself, but did pull this one out of the sea of black and grey skirts at the St. VdeP.

 A sort-of A-line shape; it hangs more like a loose pencil skirt, with a slash/slit front.

Feels like wool, for sure, and wait a second, is that...fur?

Yes, that would be Persian lamb. I checked the backing of it in the seams; it's real.

I gasped when I saw the tag.

Yup, Dolce & Gabbana for $6.00. I've turned it inside out (I think the lining is silk - the content tag has been cut off) and checked all the seams (you can see how beautifully the inside is finished there), and it's real. Score!

And how about you? Any scores over the holidays?