Happy New Year 2025 in Copper Hip-Hop; 2024 Reading Resolution Recap

Happy New Year, my friends! 

Wishing all of you the very best for 2015! May it be a year where your cup is full to the brim, with only good times with your loved ones. Of course, years seldom end up where we want them to - but that's part of life, isn't it? 

Nothing bad happened to us this year, so 2024 was a good one. Phew! 

In addition to my New Year's Eve outfit, I took a bunch of pictures of our NYE Rumpus Room Party at Chris/Ali's, AND it wouldn't be a new year without my Reading Resolution Recap, comin' at you for over 10 years! 

Let's kick this off with a very different outfit for me. I had another look entirely planned, but it didn't feel right, and I fussed around multiple times until I landed on this. I have Many Thoughts around my waffling and futzing, but I'll be writing about that in my next Substack article. 

Are you on board with Substack yet? Just enter your email here to Subscribe for free! You'll get my weekly posts (mostly the same outfits, but more in-depth writing) directly into your inbox. L has subscribed and he's a dyed-in-the-wool Luddite, so if he can...so can you! 

Shameless plug over! And yes, I wore PANTS! 

• Shirt - Eddie Bauer, consignment; last seen here in December 2024 under disco sequins
• Metallic bustier - Zara, consignment; purchased here last week for $23.99
• Wool trousers - Red Valentino, consignment; last worn here in December 2024 with neutral layers
• Sneakers - Steve Madden, thrifted; last seen here (3rd outfit) in August 2024 for a haircut
• Unsafe Tiger coat (below) - Marciano for Guess, consignment, Powell River; last worn here in December 2024

When I tried this copper bustier on at Turnabout, I pulled it over my black mock-neck sweater, eliciting oohs and ahhs from the staff and Yvonne.

Wearing this against bare skin? Um, no, not for me! Just because something is "meant" to be worn a certain way, doesn't mean you have to do that! 

I pulled out my trusty white shirt and put on the wool Valentino pants I just wore a couple of weeks ago, and then added my tie and a pair of matchy sneakers. 

I originally had both front and the back of the shirt hanging out, but it looked too sloppy and less deliberate than one side showing. "Yes, it's meant to be like this," I had to explain to the room.

Also, the other front piece has an Eddie Bauer tag on it! I mean, 

This was comfy, and utterly wonderful to wear from 7:30pm to 2:30am, when L and I got home. 

Accessories make it, of course. My hip-hop bucket hat and the Unsafe Tiger had to come out and play. 

Our bags are packed with beverages and snacks. L and I caught the bus (free all day/night) to Chris and Ali's, and our wonderful friend Casey drove us home. 

Yes, I looked like this on the bus. 

There's a certain anonymity that being THIS dressed gives you, ha ha. No one said boo - as I like to remind people, 95% of folks really don't give a flying fork what you're wearing. So, go for it! 

Accoutrements: 

My purse was packed from the weekend shopping trip, so I didn't bother switching, and my studded gloves were also still laying around. 

• Leather purse - Lodis, thrifted
• Leather gloves - Danier Leather
• PVC bucket hat - Babaton, consignment; purchased here for $23.99

My hat was hugely popular with my friends, and I danced in it later in the evening. It looked awesome with the outfit.

Copper bling: 

Ending my year with vintage and copper, a little bit of my favourite armour. These sneakers were a treat to wear, although I did kick them off for dancing. 

Copper bling: 

Nothing too heavy or fussy. 

• Silk tie - Escada by Margaretha Ley, vintage 80s, thrifted
• Copper 8 bracelet - Renoir, vintage 50s, consignment, Seattle
• Copper bean bracelet - Renoir, vintage 50s, vintage fair
• Copper leaf brooch - vintage 60s, vintage fair; purchased here for $5.00
• Copper ring - vintage 60s, consignment
• Brass leopard ring - thrifted
• Copper earrings - vintage expo

I love having a "Lady Tie" - this silk beauty has been with me for years. 

It's deliberately short and wide, meant to be shown off.

I used the leaf brooch to pin the tie to the bustier so that I wouldn't have to deal with hoiking the top up throughout the night. 

I texted this picture to my brother and Shelley while I was doing my make-up - I haven't styled my hair or put on my red lippy yet! 

L created his own outfit - he's getting very good at it!

A thrifted shirt, new crown belt buckle (from me, thrifted), burgundy pants, and blue/brocade Fluevogs to match his baby blue blazer. So styling! 

Hey, buddy, we're going out - you cool to chill while we're gone?

"You're LEAVING?"

I promise, the time flies - we'll be home before you know it.

"I'm coming for cuddles."

And there was much cuddling (not shown). 

Y'all will indulge me as I share a few pics of our evening shenanigans, commencing with our dear hosts who set up their Rumpus Room for us. 

Chris and Ali, you are the best! Thank you so much for hosting. 

Their kitties, Fitz and Buster, are only 9 months old, and were rambunctiously dashing about for most of the evening. 

I see you, you little monkey! I think that's Buster on the stairs. 

Poor Randall came down with a cold at the last minute, so Yvonne stayed home - I was sending pics to her up till midnight on our Winesday chat. "Send me one of you!!" she requested. 

Pal Tony took these of L and I. 

I hate not getting to pose properly. Do not take candids! 

Sorry, Tony, you're cut off! I will ask one of my gals next time. 

A pic of Nick in his custom navy blue merino wool suit. 

He had it made in Thailand this year while he was on vacation. Sweet new Fluevogs too, Nicky! 

My dear husband, Chris, Ali and Nick. 

The Rumpus Room has a bar (with sink and fridge!), plus seating, plus dancing area next to Chris' record collection. 

Cat and Ross arrived! 

Cat's showing off her new Fluevogs - I love the silver! 

Alison is looking luscious in her leopard. 

We'll see you soon, honey! 

I ventured upstairs, as Cat had to melt her chocolate fondue. 

Buster is looking for a treat...or an unattended plate of food! 

Jean, Ali, Cat and I doing Fondue Stuff! 

It's a four-person job! 

Jean was looking so foxy! 

I totally used to have those Miz Mooz boots! Here's a post of me wearing them in 2012.

Vero and Justin are here! And she wore the Unsafe Polar Bear! So glad it went to a good home. 

I love the fuzzy buns! 

Caro arrived, but I was getting bad at taking pictures by this time. 

Yes, I'm hugging a purple velvet pillow. 

But what's that on the table? Caro brought something! 

Caro's hubby Ronnie was also sick, but she came out anyway, and dropped off won ton soup (freaking delicious!) and a slice of her carrot cake to Yvonne and Randall. It felt like everyone was here, even if not in person. Aw...I missed taking your pic, honey! 

L, this carrot cake is not gluten-free...nor is the cream cheese icing dairy-free. 

"But I want it so bad..."

He did have a couple of bites. It was SO YUMMY.

Caro had cut a larger pillow in half for her mum, and asked if anyone wanted the other half. 

It's mine now. "I will love it and hug it and call it George."

Linda's here! She made her skirt out of a much smaller vintage lurex skirt that she found in a bundle of vintage fabric.

Her partner Brad was there too (and I spy Jean's Michael on the left). 

Casey arrived in his tux. Come on, my guys, let's get a picture of my two oldest friends. 

Thirty years is a long time. Love you both so much. And yes, this is later in the night, and much of the food has been devoured. 

The last pics I took were of Ali at the pool table - I see Martin and Tracy on the left, plus Vero, and Justin and Brad chillin' on the couch. Chris is supervising Ali's break, but he needn't have bothered. 

That woman is a shark! No surprise that the person with a pool table in the house is very good at playing! She destroyed me! I'm usually semi-respectable but...no, I was killed. 

As I was getting my stuff ready to go at 2am, I noticed that Fitz had adopted my pillow...and that's my purse and tote bag behind you, little one. 

"These belong to me now."

What a wonderful evening! My cup is entirely full, right to the top, and I'm ready for whatever 2025 has to bring me. 

And now...

2024 Reading Resolution Recap

As I've done for the last several years [I even copy the text over from last year's post!], I make the identical New Year's Resolution: Meet or Beat the number of books read the previous year. I've been tracking my reading for over 10 years; here's last year's New Year's Eve outfit(s) and books, if you're interested.

Last year I read 44 books and this year, it's...39! Oh, so close to 40! 

Here's my list - 2 books got a 5/5 this year, and I've bolded my favourite books (some 4s, a 3 or two) and would recommend any of those. As I'm willing to read pretty much anything, and I pick up a lot of old vintage paperbacks when I'm out thrifting, and those can bring down my ratings. I rated only 1 book 1/5 this year, which was a controversial and well-discussed Book Club selection (do not read it, it's a puff-piece). Any books labeled "(BC)" are ones chosen by Book Club members.

1. Lace - Shirley Conran - 3/5
2. Artificial Condition - Martha Wells - 4/5
3. All Systems Red - Martha Wells - 4/5
4. Hummingbird Salamander - Jeff Vandermeer - 3/5
5. Small Favor - Jim Butcher - 3/5
6. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer - Patrick Suskind - 3/5
7. Time for the Stars - Robert A. Heinlein - 2/5
8. Buffy Sainte-Marie - Andrea Warner - 1/5 (BC)
9. Sleeping with the Enemy: Coco Chanel's Secret War - Hal Vaughn - 3/5
10. Crazy Salad Plus Nine - Nora Ephron - 4/5
11. A Closed and Common Orbit - Becky Chambers - 5/5
12. The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows - Jeff Koenig - 2/5
13. Venus Envy - Rita Mae Brown - 3/5
14. The Fabulous Girl's Guide to Decorum - Kim Izzo & Ceri Marsh - 2/5
15. Turn Coat - Jim Butcher - 3/5
16. I Shudder at Your Touch - ed. by Michelle Slung - 3/5
17. Rogue Protocol - Martha Wells - 3/5
18. Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs - Chuck Klosterman - 2/5
19. Cold Days - Jim Butcher - 3/5
20. Factory Girls - Michelle Gallen - 4/5 (BC)
21. Exit Strategy - Martha Wells - 3/5
22. The Hydrogen Sonata - Iain M. Banks - 3/5
23. Fugitive Telemetry - Martha Wells - 3/5
24. Network Effect - Martha Wells - 4/5
25. Remarkably Bright Creatures - Shelby Van Pelt - 4/5 (BC)
26. Pockets: An Intimate History of How We Keep Things Close - Hannah Carlson - 3/5
27. System Collapse - Martha Wells - 3/5
28. I Am the Messenger - Markus Zusak - 5/5
29. Babel - R.F. Kuang - 3/5
30. Secondhand Spirits - Juliet Blackwell - 2/5
31. The Weekend - Charlotte Wood - 3/5 (BC)
32. Callahan's Crosstime Saloon - Spider Robinson - 2/5
33. Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands - Kate Beaton - 4/5
34. A Psalm for the Wild-Built - Becky Chambers - 4/5
35. The Fraud - Zadie Smith - 2/5 (BC)
36. Starter Villain - John Scalzi - 3/5
37. Callahan's Lady - Spider Robinson - 2/5
38. On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Ian Fleming - 2/5
39. Witch King - Martha Wells - 3/5

Some assorted musings on what I read:

• 23 of my reads fall into science fiction, fantasy or weird fiction. I do have a type! 
• I really got into a couple of authors this year: Martha Wells (the Murderbot series, #1, 2, 17, 21, 23, 24, 27). If you like science fiction, these are short, quick reads, and loads of fun. Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden books are popular with both me and L (as are the Wells books), and I pick them up whenever I see one in the thrift shop (#5, 15, 19). I've been reading them in wonky order, which drives L crazy, heh. 
• Women sci-fi writers! Becky Chambers is an amazing author (she wrote "A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet"), and I really enjoyed both #11 (the finale of the trilogy) as well as #34, a new book in a unique universe. 
• Vintage reads: Shirley Conran's Lace (#1) was a delight, and surprisingly more women-forward/feminist than I had remembered from reading it back in 1986 - it's still a trashy beach-read, but if you happen to find it...I've been passing my copy around to my friends. #13 is a weird book, very much "of its time." #7 is an old Heinlein I had not read (thrifted), and #10 is an excellent Nora Ephron book of essays that are still SO relevant (kind of in a sad way, we really don't learn as a humans, do we?). 
• Book Club winners: #20, #25 and #31 were excellent, and would recommend them all.
• Disappointments: enough said about #8; I have also concluded that I am not a Zadie Smith fan (#35). I also did not get all the love for Babel (#29), and I'll be passing on any more Spider Robinson I see in the thrift store. 
• I read only four non-fiction this year (#9, 14, 18, and 26). The Chanel book (#9 was solid), and I had high hopes for #26 (on pockets), but it lacked a point of view/opinion and was strictly historical, avoiding anything controversial. The others had dated poorly. 
• Best books: #28 left me full of love and hope (L ranked it 4/5), and #33 was a graphic novel that Cat loaned me - it was heartbreaking and beautiful, a tough but important read. I highly recommend those. 

In conclusion: I read more than I thought I had, which is a relief. Dedicating time to read actual books (I only read physical media) was harder this year due to having a phone and starting my Substack, but I'm pleased that I still almost cracked 40. I'd like to get in more non-fiction this year (I have a bunch of fashion-themed tomes in my pile), and aim to get some of the older books in my To Be Read stack read and filed. 

Do you have any reading goals for the coming year? Have you read any of these? 

And now, my friends, I'm signing off for the final weekend of vacation time - not much is planned, but a lot of it will be spent with this handsome Vizzini boy. 

"It's good that you know your priorities, Woman."

I'll be back on Sunday with a wrap-up, and then it's back to work. On the plus side, that means more outfits, and it'll also good to be back into a routine, although early mornings are going to be a chore. 

Thanks so much - as always - for being here, Gentle Readers. Much love to you all for the months ahead!