12-07-2025 MY WEEK: the holiday wrap-up

 is your mantle decked out? does your christmas tree smell fresh? are you baking delish cookies and writing your list to the big fat man? do you think santa's going to be on ozempic this year? all i know is - my calendar is booked. this december, not a weekend is open, and even my evenings, beside cooking meals from bourdain's appetites, will be spent in search for the best hot chocolate (so far the only answer is sib's with a dash of peppermint bark rumchata), rating christmas decorations, and planning to do some of my own diy creations (artist block i guess?).

local xmas tree lighting

friday, vic², sib and i made our merry way to the museum's mix: snow globe. two snowflake beauties, a cowboy santa, and dickens character charted through the museum's most exciting exhibit: renaissance to runway. the entrance though, was rather disappointing: a five-minute preview video made almost entirely with ai, to give us glance of items we may find. why were all the characters running? why was blumarine spelled bulmarine? i was frustrated, but as promised, the actual exhibit was made out of dreams no ai can recreate. we saw blake lively's met gala 2018 versace gown, and zendaya's joan of arc ensemble. the 90's version of kim k's met look, plenty of armanis, puccis, and alberta ferrettis. the shoes had us gasping, and i was in fashion heaven. our museum road led us to rome, at least briefly. bestie vic and i agreed - we're not made for simplicity; luxury was calling us...

venus de milo - coutured

the four ghosts of christmas...?

saturday early afternoon, sib and i took the scenic route to a bar/art space endearingly called hoff's  - rotthoffer's, which hosted a vintage christmas market. sib and i bought fur cuffs (an impeccable accessory for your leather gloves - be on the lookout for this if you're in need to buy a gift for a fabulous someone in your life), handmade glass icicle ornaments made by a local artist, and i begun my gift shopping myself. there was live music, and excellent inspiration for unique gifts.

after church on sunday, we continued holiday shopping for our list, which also included getting vintage xmas decor, peppermint mocha (at local coffee shops only), and betty crocker holiday cookie mix.

this week's looks

layers and winter accessories are a must, as we dive below 30°, and everything around us is glistening under ice. this is usually the time my outfits turn to grandpa style - particularly with layering on the top. i recently read an article from british vogue, and a blog entry - on smart layering. perhaps the following weeks my looks might get less bulky and trendier...

monday for work i bundled up (too tight) because my room was chilly, and the temp on the weather app was smaller than my age. robin egg blue blouse (buttoned to the top!) under a chunky knit sweater from target. plaid pants, moto boots, new uniqlo, north face ushanka is back! 

for tuesday's workday and xmas tree lighting ceremony, i wore something alike pajamas. nyc oversized navy hoodie, and striped denim pants, with navy converse puffer, doc martens, grey beanie and uniqlo bag.

wednesday i had a dentist appointment before work so i went with a simple look - 3/4 sleeve tommy hilfiger turtleneck, giant corduroy american eagle pants. giant puffer, doc's again, and same bag and beanie. 

thursday for work i wore a work top and ripped jeans, white doc martens, and bundled up. i was scraping ice for 20 minutes off my car!

thursday night i got into some cozy clothes for sushi dinner with sib and boyfriend. all black, graphic deets.

winter formal at work on friday. i chose a v neck cream top with flowy sleeves under my vince sweater dress, black tights and knee-high boots, with additional layering pieces to stay chic and warm. 

friday night's mix look broken down: i was set on wearing this adeam dress i got years ago off therealreal. while it has more of a vampy look to it, the black velvet buttons and velvet hem on the sleeves prompted my focus on a victorian christmas. i chose black suede heels to match, and the heel has a small gold detail. my purse is a vintage one as is the wool cape coat (i love this one for fancy holiday looks). “darkness was cheap, and scrooge liked it.”

for saturday's vintage market, i layered a grey vera wang top under a grandpa vest, with skinny ripped jeans, moto boots, leather gloves and coat, and dark grey hat. 

sunday's look for church and holiday shopping consisted of a vintage butter yellow sweatshirt with christmas landscape, plaid pants (with a hint of gold), doc martens, leather coat, uniqlo and earmuffs. grandma meets punk.

what am i looking forward to this week?

other than baking and watching christmas movies, i'm focusing on diy-ing and shopping. we may watch some christmas lights over the weekend. 'tis the season!