Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Merry Christmas!

My friends, we are there! It's Christmas Eve and my boss sent me home early.
I spent the last half hour of my day walking around and hugging all my coworkers. I'm SO not a hugger -it's the only time of year I do it!


  • Sweater - Tatyana, thrifted; last worn here (4th outfit) for a shopping expedition in November
  • Skirt - Mondi, vintage 80s, vintage fair; last seen here in December 2018 in a west coast cowgirl outfit
  • Shoes - Half Truth Tanya, Fluevog; last worn here (4th outfit) with the sweater in November
  • Leather coat (below) - Danier Leather, consignment; last seen here the weekend I bought it, earlier this month


After work, I met L for lunch at a new place, Joie (link here, 'cause I love - it was phenomenal). So good.
And now, we're going to watch some Christmas movies and chill out.

Presents are all wrapped, stockings are stuffed.
I can't fully express my gratitude for you, my friends. Blogging is solitary work, but every comment and interaction reminds me that I'm less alone in my love for colour, vintage, thrifting, shopping and generally being a Visible Woman.
To each and every one of you, a very Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas.Whatever your traditions, whatever you celebrate, may joy be with you.

Oh, yeah, I wore an outfit! I wore this identical outfit two years ago, here, with different tights and coat - and dark purple hair!
 A fun shimmery lame (lah-MAY!) ruffled skirt, with a holly green sweater.


  • Gloves - Parkhurst


Soft, warm leather and bright red gloves.
Whatever shall I wear for Christmas Day? It's hard to top this.

The stuff:
Easy shoes. I walked to and from work in them.

Dotty bling:
The earrings are fun - see what they look like on here.


  • Earrings - vintage fair
  • Onyx/silver ring - Tocara, vintage fair
  • Silver/aventurine ring - consignment
  • Bracelet - thrifted


I managed to grab Mr. Squirmy for a quick picture. Vizzini has lots of fans!
"You're all number one in my heart."

Well said, buddy. See you all soon!

40 comments:

  1. You literally look like Christmas. Have a great break.

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  2. what a lovely Christmas Eve outfit. The green kitten heels are so pretty and I do like how they look with that amazing silver skirt and a green jumper.

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  3. Joy, Health and Merriest of Holidays to you, L, and Vizzini! And as my Mom used to say, all blessings bright and beautiful to you and yours.

    Thank you for your willingness to share your wisdom (yes, that is what I consider it!), style, humor and honesty. I hope that you know how much it inspires and soothes throughout the year, and especially during the darker days of winter.

    I am currently wondering about my clothing choices moving forward...come June I will transition from my teaching life of 38 years in independent schools into what comes next. My goal is to not spend everyday in jeans!!! Am working on a mental plan to prevent daily dressing drab!

    Thought you'd smile to know Christmas Eve Robin was gifted a kitten! He & his girlfriend have a cat, Samson, and he has long been wanting a kitty or a puppy.

    Hugs (yes, once a year I know you are okay with that :-)) from Fred, Robin and me.

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    1. Laurie, I just want to say that I retired at the end of May from 38 years of teaching in independent schools and am still struggling with how to dress myself, to be honest. It probably didn't help that I spent the first 3 months helping my daughter with her newborn daughter--which was AMAZING; and then in September my mother died. . .So family life has truly consumed me. I really have given up on creative dressing, and find I am wearing jeans, most of the time, to my chagrin. I am determined to figure this out better in 2020. There has to be a way to dress creatively even when most of the time one is just home, I think.

      Good luck with your last semester, and then the new life ahead!

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    2. Linda, wow, most kind of you to share your experience. Thank you. :-) And *congratulations* to you on the years, your retirement AND grandmothering! :-) That is one reason I am leaving the world of teaching; our grandchildren (and their parents ;-)) have moved abroad after 6 years in the States. We want to be able to see them when convenient, not just at school vacations (when everyone else is traveling!)

      Hugs of understanding for life without your Mom.

      Your comment about "when most of the time one is just home" has spurred an idea. I am thinking one day a week it would be interesting to plan an outing to someplace that would encourage "dressing." It would be a reason to go through the closet and find those outfits that are loved and that we feel like a million dollars in (doesn't Sheila say something like that every so often!) and then wear them. The rest of the clothes can be set aside for possible recycling.

      And then comes the fun part, the part Sheila has tutored us in on this blog…finding the local consignment, second-hand and vintage stores and seeing what we find. Where do you live? If we were anywhere near one another it could be fun to hook up and try this together if you don't mind a relative stranger inviting herself to your outing. :-) (I am in New York, about 45 minutes north of Manhattan.)

      No matter what, thanks again for your comment and good luck wishes.

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    3. Dear Laurie,

      How fun to have your reply. (And thank you, Sheila, for providing the impulse and the space for this side dialog!) I really like your idea about planning an outing. It actually reminds me of an idea of Julia Cameron's in her wonderful book, The Artist's Way--to have a weekly "artist's date" with oneself, going some place inspirational by oneself, whether it is to a gallery, a park, or wherever. I have never been consistent with that practice but maybe now is the time to try.

      If I lived close to you I would so love to team up in person on the second hand shopping--such a sweet idea! Unfortunately, I live in Tucson, AZ. . . So we will have to do this separately. But I wish you all the best with this, and your retirement, and your travels to be with your grandchildren!

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    4. Hi Linda,

      A meeting like ours could only happen at Sheila's Pub! Do you follow Judith of Style Crone? She lives in Denver, but I mention her because she goes to art spaces and creative places in her area, dresses spectacularly in (mostly) vintage and, based on what you mentioned from The Artist's Way, has her "artist's date" with herself and the person who takes the photos, usually Daniel.

      May we take inspiration from Sheila, Judith and one another and make 2020 our year of creative outings!

      Thank you for your positive wishes; here's to your time as a grandma, your retirement, and discovering your places for your Artist's Date.

      Cheers, Laurie

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    5. Linda and Laurie! I love that you're having this conversation at "Sheila's Pub" (lol), and I applaud you both for thinking of how you can keep that creative candle lit, even though your life circumstances have changed (and hugs to you on your Mom's passing, Linda).

      Laurie, Happy New Year to you and Fred and Robin - a kitten!! So exciting! Sending you all very happy vibes for 2020!

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  4. Merry Christmas to you, dearest Sheila! You are a truly gifted "creative ensemble artist". And this has been a gift to me and all of your other faithful readers. We are indeed full of gratitude!

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  5. I love this skirt! It's Sheila-esque.

    And thank YOU, pal, for being such a good friend and wonderful blogger. You make my life infinitely better and I appreciate to the depth of my being. Merry Christmas!

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    1. It really is! Aw, thank you, Ally, dear pal, friend and blogger. You were part of the best of my year last year! Thank you.

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  6. It's been wonderful getting to know you this Sheila! Merry Christmas! You look bloomin amazing in that festive outfit! Love the silver! :-)

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    1. Same here, Kezzie! All the best to you for the holidays!

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  7. Merry Christmas Sheila. Thanks for sharing your amazing style and fashion sense with me. I can’t tell you how inspiring I find your blog. I particularly love how you accessorise your outfits. So creative and fearless!

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    1. Thank you so much, WobblyBobbins (love that!). I so appreciate the comment and your kind words.

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  8. Thanks for gifting yourself and your outfits to us all year long. We love what you do. And those are some fab earrings, love! Merry and Happy to you and yours from me and mine! And my tuxedo cat Elvis sensd a special meow-out to Vizzini!

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  9. Merry Christmas! We have a second Christmas Day over here. Is it a boxing day with you? What a gorgeous earrings!

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  10. Merry Christmas and Happy Boxing Day! What a wonderful Christmas Tree skirt! I love it. Yes you indeed are inspirational and have inspired me to shop thrift stores first. In fact several stocking stuffers for my family were thrifted. I felt very good giving interesting coffee mugs and knick knacks that were perfect for each person. Not only am I living less waste but buying is more intentional. Thank you for your wonderful blog and my husband and I look forward to another trip to Victoria and will try the many restaurants and stores you have recommended over the years.

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    1. Thank you, Robyn, and right back to you! Aw, that is wonderful to hear - good for you. Please do drop me a line if you're in town - I would love to meet up and do brunch/shopping with you!

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  11. you know i love me a beautiful metallic tiered skirt! love yours--so festive! and i am loving dark greens right now---totally trending!

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  12. Ha, I'm not much of a fan of hugging either, so I'm glad I only have one co-worker ;-) Your last day at work outfit is spectacular. I'd never have thought to combine silver and green, but it's just magical. That skirt! And those earrings are stellar! Phew, you've made it at last, doesn't that feel great? Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Enjoy your chilling out time, Sheila. Oh, and I love being a Visible Woman with you xxx

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    1. Lucky you! Everyone wants to hug me, so they all jump at the opportunity. Thank you so much! I know, made it, phew! Here's to another year of being Visible Women!

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  13. You are the festive season personified in that outfit! You are definitely not alone in your love of dressing up and being a visible woman. I may not post on my blog much anymore, but I am with you in spirit! I'm afraid I gave up trying to look festive this year - I got a cold right after Christmas and have been a coughing, sneezing mess since.

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    1. It's a really fun way to live one's life, isn't it, Shelley? Here's to being visible! I know you're there - aw, I hope you are feeling better.

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  14. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. That shade of green is just the thing for the season. And do keep being a Visible Woman; I love reading your posts.

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    1. It was lovely, thanks, Mim! I will definitely keep being a Visible Woman - thanks so much for reading and commenting!

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  15. I do love your sparkly skirt, it's so fabulous and so clever to pick some green color to enhance it and make it even more fab!. I think that 80's sparkliness is so delightful.
    Sending you my best wishes and considering you a good company on being Visible Women, blogging is fab!
    besos

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    1. Isn't it amazing? I only wear it once a year, but it's so fun. Thank you - happy holidays to you! Rock on, my fellow Visible Woman!

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  16. What a fantastic outfit - you epitomise Christmas.

    Thanks for sharing your life with us through your blog. X

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  17. This outfit is so festive my dear Sheila ! Like you said blogging is a solitary hobby and what makes it rewarding is the relationships we create around the world. Yours is very special to me. Hugs.

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    1. Thanks, Lorena! I value our decade-plus long friendship! Hugs to you, my dear!

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  18. What a wonderful community you've created here Sheila. I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy after reading through these comments. Hurrah for you my lovely style guru and thank you for embracing me into your blogging family. You look the picture of Christmas cheer xxx

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    1. Aw, that's really sweet of you, Anna, thank you so much for reading them all. We're all family here.

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