I baked my first batch of Christmas cookies today…peanut butter blossoms. I’d counted the number of cookies and made sure I had that same number of chocolate kisses unwrapped. I like to have everything prepped when I cook and bake. Anyway, Nigel came into the kitchen, and I heard some scritchety scratch noise. I turned around and asked him if he had eaten one of the kisses. He looked at me and shook his head no (because if he’d opened his mouth, the chocolate would have been visible)! Later tonight, I asked him why he hadn’t tasted any of the cookies. He said I scared him too much! Ah, such is the life of a spouse married to a former teacher! Today is the third Thursday of December which means it’s time for an Ageless Style challenge. This month, Bo selected Holidays. In the past we have worn stripes, jeans, splurges, chocolate and cream, and many other ideas. If you’re curious, you can find some of my looks here, here, here, and here. Next month’s prompt is “Winter Blues” in case you’d like to join us! Please do visit the other hostesses of the link party (oh, yes, there’s a link party) at their various sites! Today is also a Global Writing Challenge. I’ll have another post ready for that, and it’s all about going green!
Wearing red…
I have to admit I was a bit of brat when Bo suggested the prompt. I don’t own a lot of red clothing so I wondered, in our chat, if we could do something a little more broad. Bo is the sweetest person alive and agreed when someone suggested casual holiday or just holiday! I’m so odd when it comes to color, I know. I have absolutely no excuse or reason for not wearing red (as in true red) very often. I do have to consider the undertones just like I do with pink. If the red has an orange undertone, it’s not for me. I really need that blue undertone.
Celebrating the holidays…
I really had nothing in mind for this prompt and was going to just go with something that I would wear for the holidays. The only big thing we do, as a family, is attend Winterlights. It’s outside; it’s cold; we wear puffer coats! The other thing is Christmas Eve services. Nigel doesn’t usually go with me these days, but my youngest son sometimes does. I have always wanted to have family traditions, but they just never seemed to manifest themselves. Now, I almost feel like it’s too late.
Surprise…
I was happy to be asked to represent April Cornell for the holiday season again. Their process involves me selecting various looks and submitting them. I’ve learned what works for my body (empire waistlines are best) so that’s what I always look for. I also prefer the rayon versions to the cotton ones. When I put this look together, I really doubted I would receive it. In fact, a few days after I sent off my selections, there was a Black Friday sale. I almost bought this exact outfit! It was a wonderful surprise to open my package to see this beautiful cover up and dress.
My outfit…
This is the gorgeous Regency Cover Up in Rich Red! Nigel was a little confused because he thought it was a dress. It would be a bit risqué for a dress, right? It’s a wonderful rayon jacquard. I hope you can see the jacquard pattern in some of the photos. Both the dress and the cover up have button-on ties to adjust the waistline. Sometimes, I tie those in the front rather than the back. This time, I removed them on both. Underneath is the Merriment Dress. It’s a slip on dress with the loveliest beading details. There is also a snap for modesty. I always wonder how they know exactly where to put the snaps. I did buy a dress with the snap in the wrong place. It was off by just a bit, but it was enough to throw the whole bodice out of whack. I cannot wait to wear the cover up with other things. I will definitely try it with jeans because that will be such a yin/yang kinda thing. I know leggings are out for some but not for me. I just got the perfect pair, too! Here’s some wonderful news, too! If you like this dress and cover up, they’re on a huge sale right now. There are lots of other things on April’s website. Use my code, MARSHA15, for $15 off your order of $100 or more. It’s a great time to stock up on linens, too!
The Lewk!
Well, as you can tell, if you’ve been reading my posts, it’s no longer sandal weather! So, boots it will be for a while now. I love these boots, but I have to admit they’re a titch on the high side for me. That means they really aren’t even that high, but I have that daggone metal plate on top of my left foot. My big toe has also been fused so it doesn’t bend much! These are the L’Artiste Waterlily boots. I can only find them on resale sites so I don’t link them. My earrings are by John Hardy as part of the Classic Chain collection. But, they’re so old, they don’t show up anywhere. And, the brooch? Well, it’s from when Macy’s in Fort Wayne was LS Ayres (which was, by far, a much better store). So, everything is old!
Wrap it up, Marsha!
Gosh, I seem so persnickety when it comes to color, doesn’t it? There are just some colors I’m not a fan of, and a true red is one of them. Nigel tells me I’m silly because he likes to see me in red. I’m trying to think back, and you know what? I can’t think of a single outfit from my youth that was red. And, that’s saying something! Of course, there are different shades, tints, and tones of red that I do like. For instance, I love burgundy which is a shade of red. So, can we talk? Is red a favorite color of yours? Are there other reds you like better than a true red? Do you have colors you just don’t like? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as soon as possible.
Thank you!
I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for reading, commenting, subscribing or emailing! It truly means so much to me! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.
Affiliate links, discount codes, and such:
Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. I am an April Cornell Brand Ambassador for another season. You can use my code, MARSHA15, for $15 off any order over $100. Use Marsha12 for 12% off any order of $65 or more at Buykud. I have also become a Halftee Partner. Use the code, MARSHA2098, for 20% off any purchase. I am also an affiliate with Clara Sunwoo. You can use my code, MARSHA20, for 20% off your entire order just until December 31st. In case you didn’t know, bloggers must disclose the use of affiliate links. That’s why I include this in each post
Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, Suzy Turner, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World and A Fresh Cup of Coffee. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, Style Splash and Elegantly Dressed and Stylish as well as the Senior Salon Pit Stop (Esme’s Salon) and Slices of Life. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend every Thursday with Melynda, Lisa, and Sue. I also host Final Fridays on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!
Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
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Bo ~ Bo’s Bodacious Blog
Blog / Instagram /Pinterest / Bloglovin’
Jen – Joyful Jen
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Joanne ~ My Slice of Life
Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style
Leslie ~ Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After
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Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom
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And, now, it’s your turn!
Please link up your favorite posts about denim, DIY, baking, gardening, fashion…you name it…as long as it’s family friendly! Here are links to all of the lovely ladies in the Ageless Style collaboration. Please do visit them on their various media. Link up with us, visit a couple of others, and leave a comment or two! No worries if you don’t have a blog, just look around! You may find a new blog just waiting for you!
That is a very beautiful slade of red. I’m not a huge fan of the colour and almost never wear it myself. But I think it looks very good on you.