Kicking Off The Holiday Season Right

My mother and I have a pact. We are going to do less presents, more outings. Museums, theaters, music, art, science. Notice the omission of math. Thusly it was that she happened to take me to see Amadeus at the Geva Theatre for my birthday. We went last weekend and it was just sensational. Because the theater is so small and the stage is as well, I am always interested to see how it will be utilized to create different settings. I'm always bemused. It included all of the parts from the movie that I loved: Mozart's silly laugh, the large shadow of Don Giovani, Mozart chasing Constanze around under the furniture....ah, so good! I always tear up when they take their bows. I just appreciate their hard work so much. I remember something of what that takes. I want them to know how good they are, how entertaining, funny and sad. I clap extra hard to keep the tears from falling.

The husband is involved with organizing a Tweed Ride in Rochester. I'm helping a bit too, as a non-rider. He borrowed a vintage bike and is pretty excited. I'm helping to find some prizes that we'll give away for "Most Dapper Chap" and such. We have been looking for the right outfits at thrift shops. We haven't been too lucky since we are both pretty hard to fit. He is super skinny and sort of short. I'm very short and...curvy in...places. So this should be fun. I found the following pants, Tweed, $4.99, Ann Taylor Loft, size 6, far too long with a cute cuff. They are pretty 1930's/40's. I was thinking of doing a jaunty Amelia Earhart look with pants, white button up shirt with rolled sleeves, a skinny tie and maybe even some suspenders. After trying the outfit on at home I came to the realization that with my cropped hair I looked like a dude or a lesbian. Sorry lesbian friends, I was not going for that particular look. But you would have though I was hot. ;)

So, I guess I'll have to go in another direction. I think I'll keep the shirt and tie and maybe do a tweed skirt instead. Some heels, you know the drill. The husband found these shoes. He's pretty pleased with them and likes that they are comfortable and interesting enough to wear at other times as well.


We were discussing prizes in the thrift store and he asked me if I had any ideas. I said I'd like to find maybe an old suitcase. Leather or something. He pointed down. I looked. There was a tweed suitcase right next to us! We bought it, obviously. Turns out it was made by Hartmann, one of America's oldest luggage manufacturers! It has a great leather handle and was only $7! Oh, and the inside? Paisley!



So, as you can see, it wasn't a total bust. I also found two pairs of shoes at AmVets which is quickly becoming my go-to thrift shop for shoes in my size. Which is rare. The Merona buckle shoes were $3 and the Xhilaration heels were $1.98. I know they are crap brands, but they were my size and cheap! the black heels have a ribbon threaded through the edges and it ties in the front. Too cute!



I also found this dress from The Limited. The pattern and color are awesome, it's my size and was on half price sale ($2.50!) I am going to shorten in about a foot and a half. If anything is longer than my knees it makes me look like a midget with short, fat legs. (cankles!) As you can see the hem is already starting to come undone, so it's ready for some rework. I'll let you know how it comes out.



As you know, September is the beginning of my holiday season. I aim to start things off right beginning with tonight: a gathering of friends, food and drink at Tap and Mallet. Then comes Beerthday, a show in Buffalo and the weekends just get crazier and more wonderful right through October! I'll try to remember to take pictures and think of witty remarks to share.