Non-Mom-Day: Party Planning and Wrapping With Kittens

Hello, my friends! I jammed on Mom-Day today, as we woke up to cold and massive winds, plus rain, and I did not relish going out in it. Thanks so much for understanding, Mom! I hope you enjoyed your day sewing and quilting! 

I styled up my dear friend Caro after Book Club last night - she'd bought a beautiful handmade plaid silk dress in tones of burgundy and navy blue in Sidney, but didn't know what to wear with it to Nick's party on Saturday night. I loaned her boots, a belt and some jewelry, along with the Grape Ape coat, and now she's feeling fabulous.

"And this is relevant how?"          "I'm sitting on the paper!"

I am also going to that party to on Saturday night, and had no idea what I was wearing! I needed to do some planning STAT, as we also have our usual Chosen Family New Year's Eve and the first party of the year the week after that. Not that I'm complaining. 

"It sure sounds like complaining."          "I love you!"

So outfit planning was on the agenda, followed by a session of doing ALL of my Christmas present wrapping for L and my family, some (more) of whom we are seeing on Christmas Day. 

The cleaners had come in the morning, and Whateley was excited to check out the tub.

"I don't like this."             "And....ready...pounce!"

I found an entire shelf of scarves on the floor. Who did this? 

"I chased a ball..."

Indeed, there was a squishy ball tangled in the red fly scarf. Whateley is the scarf culprit - he is very interested in seeing what he can reach.

Right, buddy? 

"Prove it."

After chatting with Mom for a while, I ate my leftover pizza from Zambri's for lunch, and then raided my Dress Archive to see what appealed to me. It's been a few years for all of these dresses. 

"They smell like another kitty."

Yes, it's likely that I hugged Vizzini in all of these. I know he liked chewing on the hem of the red dress. 

I caught Whateley starting to chew and had to scoot him off. 

"I'm going to go sniff all those presents you've left unattended." 

So, these are the dresses that appealed to me. I tried everything on - some worked, some did not - and then decided which to wear to what event, and pulled shoes for each. 

I last wore this floof-monster to my company gala holiday party in December 2022 (Miss Elliette, vintage 60s, thrifted; here, 3rd outfit) - this was a BIG party, with spouses, a DJ and the full dinner, and I had a feeling it would be the last one for a long while (it was), so really poured on the glam with this beautiful vintage 60s dress. 

The Verdict: Too tight and no stretch. Boo! Oh, well, maybe things will be different in a year or two. Back into the Archive it goes.

I've only worn this dress once, when I was a Space Android for our October 2022 party (French Connection, vintage 00s, thrifted; here, 3rd outfit). 

What a gorgeous dress. It's very heavy, with all that beading and sequins on silk. 

The Verdict: Also, too small (and very short). Another time, or I might put this one for sale. 

This tiger dress has been around! It was last worn here at that same Space Party in October 2022 by Caro, as Space Tiger. I took it back at a Winesday Clothing Swap here in November 2022 and it's been languishing in my Archive since.

It's by Holt Renfrew, from the 1970s, and the hem was thrashed when I got it. What did Klassy Sheila do? Stapled that hem to death. Carolyn got this at a previous swap, took all the staples out and did a half-assed machine hem on it. Atta girl! 

The Verdict: It looks surprisingly good on my menopausal self! I felt awesome in it and it scratched the badass itch. I'm wearing this to Nick's party! 

This wonderful "Post-It Note" dress is covered in tabs of orange and fuchsia silk on a body of stretchy black cotton-blend. 

It's by Tangerine Jill, bought on consignment, and last worn here in September 2022. 

The Verdict: A winner! Time to wear this again! This will be my New Year's Eve dress. 

I've had this Stop Staring dress on my mind for a while. I bought it many years ago new (it's made in Canada) in Vancouver, but haven't worn it since here in June 2018!!

It clearly lost its appeal for me for a while, but I didn't want to get rid of it, and that's the whole point of a Dress Archive! Tastes change and evolve. What I loved in 2018, I didn't for a long time...but...

The Verdict: It still looks awesome on me, so woo! This will be my outfit for Tony and Alison's party in January! 

So, although you're going to know what I'll be wearing, I still have to style each one - there is still a bit of surprise for you, I hope! 

Phew, that was a fun session and so good for my mental health. I also put together a bunch of outfits for work leading up to my vacation time, and for Christmas Day. When I was done I put on "White Christmas" (the movie) and started wrapping presents. 

"There's nothing interesting here."                  "I'm sitting on the Man's blanket!"

Shocking! They didn't react to any of it! 

They've been little angels.

"Shhh, Barnabas, she hasn't notice the missing earring."       "I ate a black wooden kitty brooch!"

I haven't actually found the earring OR the black cat pin...

My friends, I'm off now for the weekend, but will be back on Sunday with tales of adventure, including that party outfit! Thank you so much for being here!