Every year at this time we
present our Dickens Dinners, a full scale, costume epic at our little
pub-style restaurant. We hold them on the last three Sundays in
December. I always think that the seven-course dinner, formal
tables, wines, costumes, sound system, staff, crackers, folding
fans, musicians, carolers and all the other minutia will not make me
sleepless and crazy this year.
How could I be so wrong?
I am long gone, around the bend to Crazytown.
And in addition to the
crazy, it all feels really weird because it has gone from 52 degrees
to near 70 degrees the next day, and back to the mid-40s the
following day with a low in the 20s that night. The outfit photo
below is from day before yesterday. It was warmish when I planned
what to wear, and at least 15 degrees cooler when we took the
picture.
That's the reason my
shoulders are up around my ears. Good thing this shot looked okay,
because it was the last one I could manage as I was nearing
hypothermia. Photo editing removed the blue from my lips.
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You can learn a lot from
photos of yourself. The goal was to add a little edge to the sweet
Bisou-Bisou blouse and Peter Pan collar by adding faux leather pants.
I chose the little Aldo leather pumps as a classic, lady-like
grounding. The idea worked alright, but the peach camisole that I
chose to wear under the sheer fabric makes my torso look blocky and
thick. Perhaps a navy-blue or dark pink cami underneath would show
through better, and be more flattering.
Photos really can point
out elements you miss in the mirror, can't they?
I might not be able to
come out and play again on Visible Monday until January. But if I
can't, I'll be watching you all in your holiday splendor!
Hi Jan,
ReplyDeleteIsn't it just crazy how the weather has changed from day to day? What you described sounds like what we've had here in Virginia.
I'd never know what color your cami is underneath by looking at the photo. All in all the outfit looks cute to me...
Happy Holidays.
Thanks, kiddo. So good to see your blog updated. I always enjoy them. Have a great Holiday yourself!
DeleteI know what you mean about photos -- they've taught me more than my mirror ever did! But you look great in this outfit, love the leather-like pants for the edge and the sheer top for feminine touch. Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday.
ReplyDeleteSo kind, as always. Hope you have a very happy holiday in your new home. Thanks again for your blog, inspiration and hosting!
DeleteIt's a fun outfit, and I'm sure it looked great when you were moving naturally without hunched up shoulders!
ReplyDeleteI'd sure hope it looked less like Quasimoto in drag. What a mess. Looks so much better in real life.
DeleteThanks for writing, Val
Hi, Jan. Good luck with the Dickens Dinners. Try not to stress toooo much. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great outfit. I love the mix of femininity in the blouse and edginess of the leather pants. Cute collar too. I don't think you look blocky at all. I was actually thinking how tiny you look.
But you're right....I notice things all the time from photos I've posted on my blog. Of course, that's already after I've worn the outfit all day. But I see things I could have/should have done differently. Don't know if I'll remember half the things for next time. I probably don't take the time, nor properly consider details, when dressing. But that's a reason I blog and read other blogs....trying to learn. Sometimes I'm a slow learner though. ha
Thanks, Lisa, for the encouragement. Like most of us, inspiration doesn't always equal action for me. And like you, I continue to learn. Your personal style makes it clear that you have gained a lot of skills from somewhere! Taking the time is always an issue ... seems like the longer I take to plan, the worse I look. I'm working on throwing things together more quickly and skillfully.
DeleteLooking forward to the year ahead and seeing what you wear!
Oh the Dickens Dinners sound so festive and like so much fun...for the attendees, not the planner. :) I can't tell you how often I've gone back inside and changed an outfit after my hubby photographed it. Mirrors and cameras tell two different stories. Having said that, I do like how you paired tough with girly. And if you hadn't pointed out the cami, I would've never noticed.
ReplyDeleteI'd rather take a beating than produce these annual events. I have to drag myself though the prep stages like a four-year-old, kicking and screaming. About five minutes before the event begins, I get into it. Am writing now to avoid working on it!
DeleteThanks so much for your encouragement, and I'm looking forward to January so I can get back to reading great blogs like yours!
Have and excessive and groovy holiday!
You are so right about the photos. When I look in the mirror I think "yeah...you've got it goin' on!" then I see the photos and I think WTF was I thinking???
ReplyDeleteI still like the overall look of this outfit though and I basically wore the same outfit here
http://bisous.typepad.com/bisous/2012/12/these-pants-are-not-green.html
I was worried about not having a waist too but in the photos I think we are more critical of ourselves than other people.
Bisous
Suzanne
So cute, that outfit with the buggy shirt! Certainly, I'm hyper-self-critical ... Being a type A perfectionist when dealing with my own appearance is certainly a frustrating undertaking, considering imperfection is unavoidable!
DeleteTrust me ... you're doing a great job keeping it goin' on!
Have amazing and excessive holidays. Looking forward to your posts this coming year!
You look great, you sound like you are going to be crazy busy. Good luck with it and I am sure it will all be great.
ReplyDeleteCarrie
Thanks, Carrie. I'm writing notes now, happily avoiding working on the project. Hope your little boy is better, and that you have a great holiday. Looking forward to your pics and blogs in the New Year!
DeleteSuch a cute look! Loving your Blouse! The Dicken's Style dinners sound like so much fun!
ReplyDeletexx
Giovanna
www.HeyLoveBlog.com
Jan,
ReplyDeleteYou look really terrific in this outfit! How about them leatherette pants??? SO chic!
What we do for blogging....snow, rain, blue lips..... :)
Merry Christmas!
Great combos with the sheer and leather, pastels and black, print and solid, flowy and fitted. I say yeah.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pao. Saw a long yellow skirt with huge pockets, something like yours in Lucky magazine recently! You're a trend setter! Have a great holiday, and I'm looking forward to your blog in the coming year!
Deletehi jan,
ReplyDeletei think you found the perfect tunic for this small faux leather jeans. i like the combi because the blouse with the peter pan collar breakes a little bit the classic strength of the pants and the pumps. you look fabulous in this outfit!
have a good christmas time and i look forward to see you again in january.
Ooops ... sorry I missed your kind comments, Sabing. Thank you so much.
DeleteAnd I'm so glad the holidays are all over!
Cute striped top!
ReplyDeleteSorry I missed your compliment! Thanks so much! (Late, but heartfelt!)
DeleteJan, I just love this look! I adore the balance of sweet and soft, with dark and edgy. The tones of the blouse are just lovely with your coloring too!!! ~Sarah
ReplyDeleteSorry I missed you, here. Thank you ...when you like something I know I've done good!
DeleteIt did not take me long to realize that photos show something entirely different than what I see in the mirror. I learned a lot by seeing myself in photos.
ReplyDeleteLove the sweetness of the top and the rocker edge on the pants. You look so good! I hope one day my hair will look as pretty as yours does.
So sorry I missed this. Belated thanks! And as your thick hair grows out, I'm pretty sure you're going to be really happy. Mine is very thin and fine. Your's will be easier to handle!
DeleteVery cute outfit! I have learned a lot about what clothes work best on me from looking at my outfit pics.
ReplyDeleteSorry I missed you, here. Yup, these outfit photos can be instructive, but I'm learning (perversely) not to rely too much on them. My pictures always suck, IMO, but moving-gesturing-me in the mirror is a better gauge most of the time.
DeleteThank your for your kind comments on my get-up!
Yes taking photos of outfits has taught me a lot about what works and what doesn't for my body shape. Loving your leatherette trousers! They were totally unexpected as I scrolled past the pastel stripes - great contrast!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see photos of your Dicken's themed event!
Sorry I missed you, here! Thank you ... I like the contrast too, and it really looks better in motion. At this writing, there are no pics of the dinners. I did one, was too ill to do the second and we were both so ill we had to cancel the third. Maybe next year?
DeleteI'm sticking with "the camera adds 10 pounds" for myself. You, my dear look fab.
ReplyDeleteXo, alyssa
Sorry I missed you, here. So kind of you to like my outfit ... it works even better in person. I hate having my pic taken, especially when it looks like me!
DeleteYou look lovely in these photos,I see absolutely nothing wrong with them..Why are we so critical of ourselves? Very nice combination - the edgy leather with the soft top. Have a great year, Sara
ReplyDeleteSo sorry I missed you here! Thank you ... I love this outfit, particularly in this strange, warm winter weather.
DeleteWishing you a much more peaceful and sane New Year, dear Sara. I look forward to see what you wear in 2013!
You look GREAT in those pants, very edgy look! The pumps and collar are fun details and I agree about changing the cami to a darker color-- you wouldn't even notice it at all underneath then :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much ... the cami makes my pants look like they sit VERY low on my hips!
Delete'Preciate ya stopping by!