A Christmas to Remember

Happy Boxing Day!

Blizzard and Babes

My twosome...Aerin and Pasha...almost 13 and 18 respectively...what I am most grateful for in this season of love and gratitude.

Thinking of last Christmas

Was just pausing to remember my George last Xmas Eve...here he was admiring the den tree...

Merry Christmas, dear friend...we miss you!

Watch Me Wednesday

Trustworthy, still stylish after all these years...the gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust...although I do have the wrong date today for those of you with sharp eyes...

Paired today with Lilly patchwork corduroys and Hanna Andersson clogs thanks to my painful and unsightly heel blisters from too much walking in NYC yesterday in my Ferragamo tuxedo flats sans hose...ah well, it is better to look good than to feel good...

Sunday S&S

In spite of nasty rain, today's Sweater and Shoe combo: beige cashmere turtleneck, J McLaughlin reversible vest, and the classic Chanel ballet flat. (Worn with beige Brooks Brothers wool trou.)

Think I'll sub out the flats for LL Bean rubber ducks for the dash to the car!

Really chillin'

ABL

Sweater Boy

It is darned cold here in Chester County...and our littlest pup is coping the best he can. Today's sweater is a red hand-knit that, alas, does not work for outdoor potty due to the curve of the Italian Greyhound chest.

Stay warm, my sweet!

Cotillion Cutie

Tonight was my daughter's Cotillion holiday party at Radnor Hunt. As usual, she was the belle of the ball!

It's beginning to look a lot like...

Library tree...

Watch Me Wednesday

Yet another in an ongoing sartorial series...

introducing Watch Me Wednesday....wherein I share my watch du jour entre nous.

Today, as I was clad in J McLaughlin sienna tones, the above band prevailed. (A tad non-Christmasy, but oh well.)

Just replaced the original black band with this classic orange and am very happy with it.

Time passes by just the same...

Clogged Blog...'Tis the Season

Having had blog problems for a week...I am now back. A little issue with emptying the cache from my Safari browser...(?). Who knew? (Apparently not I.)

In the meantime, and between frantic posts to Google, Spousey and I have been having quite the social time of it lately...never a problem for me. Nice opp for yet another Lilly twofer...always the coordinated couple! (I was sporting the Mizner clutch and the gold sandals, not Spousey. Alas, he made do with blue Belgians.)

Chestnut Hill Committee for the Philadelphia Orchestra

Attended "Jewel Noel" today, a lovely luncheon benefiting the Academy of Vocal Arts at the Philadelphia Country Club. A great time was had by all...the highlight was a mini-concert from two students!

As usual, my greyhound belt was a big hit!

Knot so fast

Bargains come along only so often. Case in point (or on pointe, to be more specific): the Lilly warehouse sale of two weeks ago featured the Knot Your Typical Ballet Flat in quilted gold.

In a rare burst of sartorial retail indecision and self-control, I passed over the $30 offering. I can only attribute my temporary insanity to having awakened at 3:30 am to get there (this was now 8:30 am), only to lose all sense and cents-ibility when the Goddess of Mammon handed me a sure savings opp. Why save when you can pay retail?

And so, compounding my initial lapse in judgment, I recently caved and purchased the aforementioned flat online at a smidge off full price...but a good many times the warehouse tag.

Knot so smart. Desperate people do desperate things.

Digging for gold,

ABL

McKims!

In my ongoing and much observed Lillyaholic state, I call attention to the wide variety of McKims in every shade imaginable...

Everything in moderation....except...

Well...Fall bags. Handbags. Totes. Wristlets and the like. I have a serious case of Pursuing the Purse. Pursuant to that...(tee hee)...herewith follows a few of my current crop...a somewhat embarrassing cache of carry-ons for just this season, I must admit...

• Tod's bag
• Bee straw Bosom Buddies bag
• Two springish clutches from Lilly (of course!)
• My prize Lilly Jubilee bejeweled clutch
• Ancient Hermes croc
• Even more ancient Louis
• My trusty VV Penn alum tote
• VV corduroy patchwork tote
• A troika of cute faves: Tory leopard print envlope, and two J McLaughlin clutches
• Super-old Barry Kieselstein-Cord gator bag
• New buttery Chanel
• Lilly Mizner clutch
• Hot pink Kate Spade Quinn
• And last but not least my somewhat-worse-for-the-wear Birkin

This is where I struggle with the shallow thing. But not for too long!!!!

Sunday S&S

Ahhh...a blog requisite: the themed, repetitive day-'o-the-week post.

My fave Mel has Monty Monday...The Trad shares his Friday Belt (actual waist-cinchers paired with the appropriate shot of whatever)...Hopsy has her Wasp Wednesday...so what was left?

Introducing Sunday S&S...honoring two of my passionately chosen wardrobe staples: Sweaters and Shoes.

Here's the opening kick-off (or sweat-off, as the case may be)...

Coach kiltie black patent flats with a Geiger navy/green boiled wool jacket (I know, not really a sweater, but today's choice). The former, a 2009 purchase for kilt accessorization...the latter a 1995 acquisition from a now-defunct Main Line ladies shop called The Charlene Shop. Like so many other small boutique purveyors of classic clothing, it was a casualty of changing tastes and aged clientele...

Babsy

My mom is 87. Yes, 87. Still shaking it, making me crazy. That's her job. I still need her, after all these years. I am thankful.

Thanksgiving Redux

Out of order, yes...but still.

Turkey Day at Londonport Way, complete with a dreadful smoking fireplace in the library (fun watching Spousey and Son "go in" with tools and close the doors behind them, doing battle with a funkily-smoking ember, emerging minutes later, Bertie-like from Mary Poppins), and a small dog "present" tracked in on one elderly guests' walking stick. This is life in the country.

Much to be thankful for: Spousey, children, dogs, mother, great friends, and a super-fun life all around. All in all, a lovely time, followed by Hostess's (moi) annual taking to her bed for recovery...

Respite

Since Thanksgiving has now been collapsed into a rehearsal of sorts for the Christmas holiday season, I have given in to the sesaon and taken to my bed since I rinsed the last Spode "Woodland" plate Thursday night. I have spent two days watching holiday movies, wearing VV loungewear and snuggling with Spousey and Monty (children now slightly too old/large/unwilling at this point for said snuggle).

The marquee has included:

Four Christmases (hilarious romp of dysfunctional family fun)

Love, Actually (long-time Hugh fave)

Home Alone (a classic!)

The Family Stone (another must-see every year)

Also took a few moments to record the newly-painted house and barn exterior, avant le deluge of Christmas decor that awaits in the next twenty-four hours...a small break in the fevered schedule that will last only until tomorrow.

How was your apres-Thanksgiving?