Emerging Butterfly... or Flutter-by?

Hubby needed me to fill in for him in court again... it's been a week or so, so I don't remember the date I took these. When I came home, Hubby stopped in his tracks and told me how "gorgeous" I look. He's such a liar!

I decided to run errands, including a quick run to Lane Bryant to use a $15 freebie coupon... so I raided the clearance jewelry rack. That statement is just to explain the presence of bras behind me, not that the accessories I wore that day were from LB.

How awesome is this pin? Seriously?

And I adore these shoes... pretty....

Maybe Hubby isn't a liar after all?

Suit: Lane Bryant
Sweater: Alfred Dunner via the Bon Ton
Earrings: Lia Sophia
Pin: via yard sale
Shoes: California Magadesians via VanHoecks Shoes in Grand Rapids, MI

Forgot to Post This

I've been doing a whole lot of nothing from Festivus (12/23) until 1/6. Just Netflixing, with occasional trips to the grocery store in sweats... so glamorous. But I did forget to post my outfit from my Junior League holiday party prior to my hermititude. So here we are:



Looks like my trouser leg got caught on my thigh... guess I'm going to have to go back onto the low-carb wagon! But at least i got to wear this gorgeous top:



Have I mentioned how much I like the texture of the trouser fabric?



I wish that the toes on the shoes were narrower, to elongate the leg line. But they are reasonably comfortable and the highest heels that I own... so they will have to do for the time being:



These are a perfect tone match for the embellishment on the blouse:



I imagine I will get busier soon, so see you later!

Top: via Freeda's purge pile
Pants: Lane Bryant
Earrings: Fashion Bug
Shoes: Franco Sarto via Freeda's purge pile

New Suit Debut Part Deux

The second half of my "New Suit Debut"... actually wearing it in a courtroom:



Would it be better to leave it untucked?

OK, the photo was obviously not taken in a courtroom... no mirrors. I picked up some shells on sale, and I have since noticed similar ones on several attorneys lately. Of course, it's a bit chilly for just a shell and jacket, but I have solved that problem:



The shirt under the shell is a bit too low to wear to work, so I'm glad to find an alternate use for it.

closeup of shell

I like this necklace, but I think I need an extender... it's just a smidge too snug:



At least these earrings are a good match for yet another item in my wardrobe... such a great find:



I didn't want to wear the heels from the previous evening, as my toes suffered a bit. So I broke out some flats:



Funnily enough, one of the male attorneys was wearing something similar... brown wool-and-leather wingtips. I had to laugh!

Shell: via The Bon Ton
Suit: Lane Bryant
Necklace: via flea market
Earrings: Cost Plus World Market
Shoes:

Merry (belated) Christmas!

After Stinky left for his mom's place, Hubby and I settled in for out traditional Christmas Eve viewing of "It's a Wonderful Life" while chugging eggnog:



I also had to repair my broken "Hope"... a metaphor for my life lately:



The wreath has seen better days, but I made it for the first Christmas that Hubby and I were actually together. So I'm sentimentally attached. A boost to my "Hope" for the coming year is that a friend surprised us by bringing over a gorgeous Christmas dinner:



And a few folks still sent out cards. We didn't send any this year, as the postage is a bit more than we can handle at the moment. And I'm think we aren't the only ones, as there are typically more cards. Again, here's hoping next year is better for everyone!



One of my favorite things is to mix the homemade and gifted ornaments with my fancy stuff... I adore the effect:



I do want to figure out a way to light up the star, though:



Before he left, we hung Stinky's stocking by the Netflix version of the Yule Log. The Christmas music was lovely, not overbearing... just perfect!



I hope you all had a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and that you have a Happy Kwanzaa. If I missed your holiday, I apologize... and extend my best wishes!

Should I keep this shirt?

I've just been at home over Christmas,  and the courts are closed the following week,  so I'm just laying low a little. But I've been wondering whether this shirt suits me. Here's a shot with no makeup:



Love the"Crazy Eyes"!

I like the appliqué detail,  but I'm uncertain about the color. Does a little makeup help? 



Your thoughts? 

New Suit Debut

Last Wednesday, I went to a holiday get-together for a local Toastmasters group. I'm not a member, but one of the local prosecutors keeps inviting me to join, and I'm hoping to make the time for it soon. So why not meet a few of the people ahead of time?

Since I had just seen her in court the previous day, I didn't want to repeat my outfit. Fortunately, my jacket finally got back from the tailor:



I really should have steamed it... I'm hoping, since we were at a hibachi place, that nobody noticed.



I also broke out my Lane Bryant "Perfect Shirt". I have to say... it's pretty great. Modest neckline but will still show a necklace well, and no need to safety-pin at my check to keep it from gaping. Apparently, the neckline was still low enough for a hot chunk of veggie to land in my cleavage when I failed to catch it with my mouth... youch!

At least the gorgeous aubergine color was perfect for this delicate beauty...



...which I think I've only worn with my "princess shirt". I'm so glad I finally get another use for it! The sleeves are a bit long, but they fold up so nicely:



And a cheap pair of crystal studs to go with, but not overpower, my necklace:



I was feeling a bit festive, so I felt a bit more sparkle was needed:



I'm not accustomed to tucking shirts in, but I should get used to it... as part of my move to brush up my image:



It's really best with the jacket on... and I did keep it on the whole evening. Another pleasant surprise was that the suit works with a pair of shoes that I haven't worn in years:



Suit: Lane Bryant
Shirt: Lane Bryant
Earrings: via Sally Beauty Supply
Necklace: gift from Mom
Pin: gift from M-I-L
Shoes: Proxy via VanHoeck's Shoes in Grand Rapids, MI

Life in the Funhouse

I've already chosen my future Daughter-in-Law:



Aren't they adorable? She is my karaoke buddy's (aka the Big Guy) daughter. Stinky met her over the summer at a birthday party, and they immediately got on like a house on fire! So the Big Guy and I make an effort to get them together once or twice a month... it would be more, but she lives with her mom a good distance from here.

Since his thirteenth birthday was last week, we took the kids to one of those "bouncy" places. They also have arcade games, laser tag, a snack bar, and prizes for tickets. And funhouse mirrors on the way into the joint:

Don't I feel attractive... ugh! Those photos look like I feel when I'm shopping for clothes. At least I looked more human, if a bit "understated", in the restroom mirror:

It's starting to look like these simple twist hoops are going to be my go-to "dress-down" earrings:

I just adore my patterned Crocs. I know I used to saw that Crocs are a tool of the Devil... but then they came out with cuter designs:

So why am I calling this twelve-year-old my FDIL? She asked her dad to hold onto her tickets from the arcade games. Because she wants to save them up to get a cool prize. For my Stinky!

Yep, we'll keep her!

Top: Danskin Now from Wal-Mart
Pants: Just My Size from Wal-Mart
Earrings: Premier Designs
Shoes: Crocs