Good Thursday to you! We finally got our tree up and lit last night and I am so glad. Now to tackle the rest of the decorating. This year it has been step by step. Slow. But you know, who needs instant decor.
This sweater is actually very warm and cozy. I love how the deep-v, both front and back, lend a sleekness to its appearance. Ever the stripe hound, I’ve linked a lot of options for other striped sweaters below.
When I’m entertaining at home I keep things pretty casual. I have yet to graduate to the cocktail party honors of adulthood. So if you have a Holiday meal with myself and my family I will probably don something like this. To a T.
Cozy sweater over striped tunic plus jeans and moccasins. I read somewhere recently that moccasins are OUT. Now this may have been the more overstated, tiered fringe, fashion wear variety, but regardless, I’m not letting go. I wear these babies around the house probably more than my slippers!
If you do chance to come for dinner, I will probably be sporting the mocs even if I still go for a sparkly pair of earrings :). Do you have favorite kick-around-the-house footwear? What will you be wearing for a casual Holiday dinner in?
I’d love to hear! Have a blessed Wednesday, PTL we’ve made it to mid week.
I really love lips, and around this time of year it’s fun to dress them up with delightful color-saturated glosses and vibrant shades and stains. So in the spirit of dressing up your lips for the Holiday season, I’ve put together a sampling of some of my favorite red lipsticks for you.
Now if you love berry shades, wonderful! (So do I.) If you lean toward nudes and neutrals (I love those, too!), great! If you like pinks and fuchsias, we’ll talk those beautiful swatches another time.
For today’s post I’m ALL. ABOUT. RED. Red-Orange
This first category of reds is my personal favorite. There is something so bright, happy, and modern about a Red lip that has just a hint of an orange undertone.
NARS Heat Wave is a longtime favorite. It is definitely the most matte of these three colors, and perhaps the most well known. The matte nature of this lipstick means that you need to be sure to exfoliate and moisturize before wearing.
I always swipe on some Burt’s Bees before applying any of these lipsticks. Though you might be able to get away with swiping on Topshop Rio Rio as it is the most moisturizing of this Red-Orange trio.
Classic Reds
I have four classic reds in this mix– MAC Ruby Woo, Bobby Brown Heart, Clinique Red-y to Wear, and MAC Russian Red. This last has become my go-to for a classic red lip this season.
While MAC Russian Red is the more wearable if you were to compare it to MAC Ruby Woo, I have to say that there is something unstoppably brighter about the later. Both are very matte.
If you want something a little more easily applied, Bobby Brown Heart gives a beautiful, classic red pout with just enough creaminess that your lips are velvety soft without looking dry.
The most moisturizing of this crew is definitely Clinique Red-y to Wear. It has a classic red sheen, without being too shiny. This lipstick is also one you can throw on without lipgloss and go as it is never overly drying.
Orange is the new Red
The Orange trend seems to have gained momentum last Spring. The saying in the fashion world went something like Orange is the New Black, a pun on the show I’m sure.
This was translated into everything from electric orange anoraks to blazing orange sweaters. As a lipstick, orange is definitely eye-catching. My favorite is MAC Neon Orange.
If you are still feeling hesitant about moving forward with a Red lipstick option I think Orange is a great way to add POP without picking sides. Make it your new red!
Deeper Reds
If you are looking for an EVEN MORE full-bodied red you should absolutely try Dr. Hauschka Skin Care Lipstick in Shade 04, Mezzoforte. I wore this lipstick for our Thanksgiving dinner. It has such a beautiful warm, deep color. Perfect for Autumn or Winter.
The title of this post has nothing to do with the content. I was singing this song last night as I edited photos– hence the title.
This outfit is ideal Holiday Party wear for several reasons. First of all, it’s comfortable. These pleather pants are surprisingly comfortable and yes, even breathable.
It follows that I had to try a pair of these pleather beauties out after repeatedly singing the praises of my pleated pleather skirt. Remember that guy?
Anyway, the silk blouse is also a Holiday dressing boon, too. It drapes beautifully, and the color selection is out of sight!
What are you donning for your Holiday parties? Have a fabulous Tuesday!
The song below has been playing in my head all Holiday. I cannot wrest the images of Syrian refugees, Parisian terror victims, Palestinian and Israeli families who have all experienced death of children, parents, loved ones for decades from my mind.
I do not understand the hatred some carry in their hearts for people they would term “other”, heathen, infidel. Hate for people who have different beliefs, religions, ethnicities, heritage, backgrounds, and understanding. I do not understand killing others to bring the chapters of human history on earth to a close.
I’m not trying to be so general, amorphous, or overarching here that this prayer becomes unspecific or ambiguous and therefore without power or meaning. I simply want to see and feel love for all of God’s children in a more personal, direct and empathetic way, and allow that empathy– that real care and concern– to move me to create pathways for peace within myself and in the larger world.
Where will we find love for one another this year and into our shared future? Who will we look to for for this LOVE. Will we look at one another with new eyes, recognizing our shared humanity?
David James Duncan writes, “There is a kind of all-embracing universality evident in Mother Teresa’s prayer: “May God break my heart so completely that the whole world falls in.” Not just fellow nuns, Catholics, Calcuttans, Indians. The whole world. It gives me pause to realize that, were such a prayer said by me and answered by God, I would afterward possess a heart so open that even hate-driven zealots would fall inside…
My sense of the world as a gift, my sense of a grace operative in this world despite its terrors, propels me to allow the world to open my heart still wider, even if the openness comes by breaking—for I have seen the whole world fall into a few hearts, and nothing has ever struck me as more beautiful.”
Will we look to the Maker and Creator? Will we look to that Jesus who holds a place of highest esteem in so many of Earth’s religious traditions? Will we find the realities of our shared similarity? Will we recognize the common desires of family, safety, love, health, community, freedom, and more?
Large questions remain. How will we make this world safe for our children, and reach out in peace to those who harbor such hatred toward their fellow humans? May peace come to the earth. Not the peace of a particular group, splinter, or fanatic movement– but the PEACE the Christ left upon the earth more than 2,000 years ago.
This peace exists, if only we reach through it time and time and time again in prayer, with broken and honest hearts, and a desire to truly act upon and share that peace with all of our Sisters and Brothers around the world. All of us His children. All of us part of a great family.
His PEACE transcends our small understanding, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:26-27
“Can you hear the prayer of the children?
On bended knee, in the shadow of an unknown room
Empty eyes with no more tears to cry
Turning heavenward toward the light
Crying Jesus, help me
To see the morning light-of one more day
But if I should die before I wake,
I pray my soul to take
Can you feel the hearts of the children?
Aching for home, for something of their very own
Reaching hands, with nothing to hold on to,
But hope for a better day a better day
Crying Jesus, help me
To feel the love again in my own land
But if unknown roads lead away from home,
Give me loving arms, away from harm
Can you hear the voice of the children?
Softly pleading for silence in a shattered world?
Angry guns preach a gospel full of hate,
Blood of the innocent on their hands
Crying Jesus, help me
To feel the sun again upon my face,
For when darkness clears I know you’re near,
Bringing peace again”
I really love lips, and around this time of year it’s fun to dress them up with delightful color-saturated glosses and vibrant shades and stains. So in the spirit of dressing up your lips for the Holiday season, I’ve put together a sampling of some of my favorite red lipsticks for you.
Red-Orange
Refined + Rugged 