12-14-2025 MY WEEK: christmas fantasia!

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 snow days have been coming in handy - sib and i have made a light show and winter wonderland within our condo. between gingerbread christmas villages, handmade calendar gifts, and a tree trimmed by handmade ornaments with traditional croatian design, we did not just lazy out on the couch.

our gingerbread village in front of the fireplace. used our halloween spiderweb as snow. sib made fake gifts using some styrofoam left around, and leftover gift wrap scrap. i made an ornament garland out of paper. at the end of season i might laminate for durability.

our pink hallway tree trimmed with licitar ornaments.
licitar is a traditional honey cookie that is decadently decorated - usually colored in a bright red glossy shade, then added floral motifs, mini mirror and other decorations. they're often used as gifts and souvenirs - but in the past, were considered unique and desired gifts (if a boyfriend gifted you a licitar - that was more popular than even flowers). preparation is long a tedious (sib was slamming that dough for days), and a lot of makers have secret recipes. this is a staple souvenir when visiting the capital of croatia and region around it. sib went beyond hearts and made various gingerbread looking shapes. the dough is edible until full drying and decorating, and they're long lasting - which means when stored properly, they can be an ornament for years. licitar was added into unesco's representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of croatia. this project - i can only credit sib for. i was just moral support while she was suffering through the project.

have been making upcycled 2026 calendars as gifts. using watercolor pens made the actual calendar but decorated the top with upcycled scrap i use for junk journaling. color coordinated each month and tried to stay kind of on theme with the seasons. 

upcycled a small box for another batch of tarot cards i finally finished. 

this week's looks

as long as i'm equipped with funky tights and heavy coats, my 3/4 sleeve sweaters and skirts make the weekly cut. this season, i'm loving the variety of winter accessories - scarved, gloves, cuffs, earmuffs, hats... that's what makes winter fashionable - the chic accessories that are cute and warm. 
monday i wore a vintage christmas sweater with a black pencil skirt and grey knit tights. steve madden high boots and the usual winter necessities. grey knit hat to match the tights.

















tuesday vince camuto 3/4 sleeve sweater with sparkly urban outfitters pants for work. white platform docs and my marilyn monroe statement necklace. 


















wednesday i braved for a denim skirt and cropped forever 21 sweater (in the pantone shade of the year - cloud dancer?). super long leather coat, and converse - they got soaked by icy rain. will put a pause on sneakers until further notice. 














thursday i felt like a ballerina - a knit one to be exact. knit patterned tights, knit 3/4 sleeve v neck top, and a knit free people skirt. added on a giant scarf and a knit hat to enhance the darker details on the tights.

friday i wore a navy fleece christmas sweatshirt, high waisted jeans, and borrowed these heel boots from sib. got numerous compliments. 















[saturday was a winter weather advisory so sib and i spent the day at home doing xmas activities]
sunday sib and i went to church, and i wore this grey plaid jumpsuit with a red cropped turtleneck underneath. i wore the brown puffer jacket, then swapped and added accessories for lunch and a wake boyfriend and i went to. 









what am i looking forward to this week?

another week of frigid temps, but lots of plans - last minute gift shopping and wrapping, next up is handmade holiday cards. i'm visiting bestie morgan for my hair appointment (to bob or not to bob?) another busy weekend too - my work holiday party and ugly christmas sweater contest. i put in effort this year, thanks to boyfriend's mom and her instagram reels. saturday bestie luka celebrates his birthday (do we get another interview? tbd). and the cherry on the top is sunday when sib, work bestie and i go watch the nutcracker at the theater!


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