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.
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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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And, now, it’s your turn!
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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.
Thanks, Nancy! I was lucky this was the perfect shade of red for me. I wonder, though, if we won’t be seeing some red popping up on you…we’ve seen pink lately! Hahaha!
That is a gorgeous coat dress, Marsha.
Thanks so much, Rosie!
You look lovely in the coat/dress Marsha. That tone of red really suits you!!
Thanks, Debbie! I was lucky it was the right tone. I think maybe that’s my problem with those “true” reds. They have to have the right undertone for my skintone!
The cover up is gorgeous, totally something I would buy (and hang in my wardrobe because I wouldn’t know where to wear it with my usual shirt/jeans “uniform”).
I have been told red looks good on me, but it has never been something I have worn a lot. Burgundy, yes, I have one or the other piece in that color.
Cat
https://catswire.blogspot.com/
Thanks, Cat! But, see, that’s the magic of something like this…you throw it on over your shirt and jeans and feel so much grander! I’m definitely going to wear it with jeans and leggings (and a white tee)! Look for it again!.
I have a simple black velvet cover up which I love – it was a sale piece my sister spontaneously gave to me during a shopping tour at least 30 years ago – but it doesn’t get enough air!
I’m looking forward to seeing yours in different combos.
Oh, that sounds gorgeous! Black velvet is just so luxurious, isn’t it? You’ll be seeing it a couple more times, I’m sure!
Ooooh that cover up is so pretty! I love that shade of red and the jacquard print. I think you’ll have fun with this, it looks so good with this dress for the holidays but it will be fun with jeans or over black legging and a black top!
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks, Kellyann! I really can’t wait to play with it. I just haven’t had any time this week! But, I have lots and lots of plans!
Absolutely gorgeous!
Thank you so much, Beth! It really is a gorgeous outfit!
You were a “brat” last month too when I picked chocolate brown for the challenge ha ha. I guess, no more color challenges for you young lady. I don’t mind color challenges at all. I’m not picky about color. I think most colors look good on me with the exception of yellow or black, but then I just don’t wear that color near my face. Your cover up is gorgeous! You can tell Nigel I thought it was a dress too. I think you could wear it as a dress easily if you had a camisole underneath. I’m making my first batch of Christmas cookies today too.
Yes, I definitely was a brat, but I hope you read my post and understood why I dislike brown so much! I don’t have any excuse for red, though. The problem with wearing it as a dress is it only has those two buttons at the waist! So, it would be open from the waist up as well as down! I could bypass it with one of my slips and probably will. It’s too beautiful to only wear occasionally! I made a batch of sugar cookies yesterday, but I haven’t frosted them yet.
Thanks, Amy!
That is a beautiful outfit!
Thanks so much, Joanne! I do love it!
That cover up is so beautiful: it appears so rich and festive. I love it buttoned up and open and could see it over a casual pair of pants too.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks, Mireille! It really is gorgeous! I already have plans for it…lots of plans. The nice thing is it will work for three seasons. Summer would be much too hot!
It’s funny because I love the idea of red being that it’s bold and really stands out but as much as I love it.I think I have more pink in my closet.
Yet this red that you’re wearing is absolutely fabulous on you, and I love it.
Xoxo
Jodie
Thank you, Jodie! I was lucky this red has those blue undertones and works with my skin tone. I have no idea where or when I got this aversion to red. And, when I say red, I mean a true red.
The cover up looks great on you! I’m so hot natured that I would never be able to wear it! haha!
Thanks, Lisa! My thermostat is so broken! I’m freezing when I’m not overheating! I love the days when there’s a happy medium!
This is such a beautiful holiday look! Your coverup is gorgeous and such a pretty shade of red on you!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thank you so much, Jill! I was so happy to see that it was the right shade of red!
What a lovely look for the holiday season! The layering is fabulous, I need a coat dress now!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you, Kathrine! Isn’t it gorgeous? It also comes in navy which is very tempting since it’s on sale right now! You would be stunning in either color!
I think you are one of the sweetest people as well and I am lucky to have connected with you through this online world. I absolutely love this look. You kind of remind me of royalty. No joke! This red coat/cover, is stunning with the patter design and absolutely perfect for the holidays, and church if you attend. I bake the extract same cookies for the holidays and anything with PB is a hit around here! I actually started using mini/tiny reeses pieces in the middle instead of the kisses for extra chocolate/PB flavor. I am always trying to keep everyone’s fingers off of my baking until I make packages for the neighbors and put them out on the actual holiday. Hahahaha. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
bosbodaciousblog.blogspot.ca
Awww, thanks, Bo! Well, I do consider myself the Queen of Procrastination so I guess maybe I am royalty! Isn’t the cover up gorgeous? I thought about wearing it Christmas Eve, but I’m afraid of the strain on the seams because I play handbells. Oh, the mini Reeses pieces would be delicious and then you’d have that crunch, too! I will have to try that some day. I haven’t even frosted the sugar cookies yet, and they’re most than half gone. I don’t know if I’m going to bake another batch or not. The grands don’t come over as much now that they’re teenagers and very busy with their social and school lives.
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, Bo!
This is a beautiful holiday outfit! I love wearing red, especially a true blue-undertone red, and I think this color looks marvelous on you. It’s very pretty over the festive print dress.
Thanks, Sally! It’s funny because I do have lots of reds in my closet, but they’re usually in prints. I also have to have that blue undertone or I just look hideous!
This is such a beautiful outfit on you! I love the festive vibes! I love red on other people, but I tend to avoid wearing it because it’s such a bold color, and I feel like I need to psych myself up to wear it or something. Ridiculous, I know! This slightly darker shade is gorgeous on you!
Thank you, Laura! You know…I think you may be onto something. Perhaps, I feel like it’s too bold for me, and that’s why I avoid it, too. I don’t think you’re ridiculous at all. Think about the power of dopamine dressing. The same would apply to colors that intimidate us.
That wrap is divine!! It looks like it is the perfect weight to wear over a dress without feeling weighted down. The jacquard fabric is so rich and that is a beautiful shade of red on you. Glad to see an close up of the print in that pretty dress. Very festive. And the colors in your boots make them the perfect accessory as they pick up all the colors in your outfit. I am sad that you don’t have family holiday traditions. But I guess we don’t really either. Nutcracker has become one recently. And we usually order tamales to eat over the holidays…an El Paso thing. I like making Mexican hot chocolate and having the El Paso kids over. We often go look at lights but haven’t this year. Maybe you and I need to implement a new tradition in our families starting next year, and share with each other.
Thank you, my beautiful friend! I was thrilled to receive both the cover up and the dress. I honestly didn’t expect to get them. I was lucky this was the right red for me, too. I can’t wait to wear it with some fun leggings I just got.
We do have the tradition of going to Winterlights, and I always buy everybody a box of Little Debbie Christmas Tree cakes. But, we didn’t have any big traditions as the kids were growing up. I was always too worried about money which is dumb. Now, we have money, and Mike’s health prevents us from doing much. I guess that means you should keep an eye on the future but be sure to live fully in the now.