Monday Musings: Lights, Family, Action
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Ours was spent prepping our house for the upcoming holidays, which will soon be chock full of family. Yay! We also spent some time car shopping because my kids are hounding me to update my 20-year-old car with one that has newer safety features. It’s a torturous process and one I’m not enjoying.
Christmas Lights
It doesn’t feel like the holidays around here until the Christmas lights are up. We haven’t had outdoor lights up for many years because the thought of either my husband or I on a ladder (or the roof) makes my blood run cold. This year, for the first time, we hired a local company to hang lights for us.
We opted to have them supply the lights for several reasons. First, we haven’t owned outdoor lights in over 15 years, so even if we could find them, many of the lights would be burned out, or half the strand wouldn’t light. Second, if a light goes out, they will come right over and fix it. You could probably find a similar service in your area or try a handyman. The same goes for if you need help with your tree.
Decking The Halls
Every year, more and more of our ornaments were coming out of our storage bins either cracked or broken…except this year! I invested in these storage containers at the end of last season, and they’re brilliant!
We’ve had a lot of our ornaments for over 40 years, and their original boxes have long since disintegrated, so this is the perfect solution! It stores up to 72 ornaments in a nice compact box.
Family Time
Being back in California means another visit with our sweet new grandson. He is so tiny and growing fast! We’re very excited to have everyone home for Christmas this year. We’ve bought tickets to see The Nutcracker with my ten-year-old grandson and hope to take him to see The Scrooge play as well. My daughter will be down, and my sister-in-law is coming too! There’s nothing better than having family together for the holidays. I know these times are limited, so I am counting my blessings.
Pajamas
With a full house coming up this Christmas, one of the things I’ve been thinking about is pajamas and slippers! I’m rather persnickety about my pajamas. I like long sleeves and long pants. I probably haven’t worn a nightgown in about 20 years because it drives me crazy when they ride up while you’re sleeping. I’d probably be happy with footed pajamas if they weren’t so warm and childish-looking!
There are some beautiful pajamas out there. My daughter is a big fan of the Eberjey jersey knit sets, so I ordered these ones in raspberry with ivory trim. I have several pairs of this Nordstrom brand that look similar but cost less, so I will report back if these Eberjey are worth the extra money.
Action
We went to our first and possibly only holiday party last night. I was working on this post until 15 minutes before we left to go, so I had just moments to pull an outfit together. This is what I wore-
I’m not going to take this opportunity to explain why I find black so perfect for my wardrobe but the fact that I was able to pull this look together while my husband started the car and called…”ready yet?” speaks volumes. Is it my most flattering color? Perhaps not. But it is my most useful, and I can always count on it.
Hair
My hair was always oily in my youth, but now I’m dealing with dryness. Do you use any special treatments on your hair in the winter? I can’t use heavy things that weigh it down, but I do need to add something extra to my current routine.
I also had oily hair but find it is drying out as I age. My hair dresser suggested 7 Seconds spray on/leave in conditioner by UNITE. I love it! It’s easy to spray only the dry areas (back of my head and the ends of my hair usually) as well as control the amount going on as it is a very fine mist.
We love our 2017 Subaru Forester. It has only 14K miles on it as we don’t travel anymore. It has all the newer safety features and bells and whistles. It is perfect for the mountains of southern Colorado. You look beautiful in your black party outfit! My hair looks like yours only it is still very oily! I use EvolVh products. UltaShine shampoo and conditioner and every few times I use protein conditioner added to the regular. I usually use Aussie max hold mousse for styling. I use dry shampoo if in a time constraint. I buys me an extra day. I use Klorane. From shower to ready takes me an hour. You are fantastic at getting ready fast!
Thanks for sharing, Sydney. My girlfriend has a Forester and loves it.
You look absolutely stunning in that black outfit.
Hope you had a great time at your party. I am sure all eyes were on you.
You’re so sweet. Than you Lin
Looking amazing in your ‘moment put together outfit’, Jennifer and it appears you have the preparations for a festive season well under control. Whereas for myself; as will not be entertaining am decorating to a minimum with only a DYI planter arrangement and swag for the front door, with a small tree in the family room, together with a decorated mantle. Shopping as well is only consisting of Santa stockings filled for everyone with a traditional gift from the Elves, cash for the Grandchildren as all teenagers now and a trip for all immediate family members to the Caribbean come February. As to functions recently went to N.Y. City for a few days and enjoyed afternoon tea at the Plaza Hotel (Tea Room) and admired the many window displays but really did no shopping as nice place to visit BUT way too crowded for me even after viewing the Rockefeller Xmas Tree the next evening after its lighting, being a sure sign that I am aging … lol! Last but not least; about P.J.’s my vote goes to either silk or jersey for comfort and wishing you success in your hunt for a vehicle.
-Brenda-
New York is magical this tme of year but it is always more crowded than I like too.
@Lily: I like Jennifer compliment other women often (regardless of their age) and admit it is rewarding to me as they often respond with a smile and a thank you plus there is always a possibility they will ‘pass it forward’ and do the same for some one else which may just brighten their day as well. -Brenda-
You look stunning, as always. I have similar hair to yours. It used to be oily, but is dry now and super fine. I use Aveda Shampure, but for dry ends nothing beats BeautyPie’s Super Healthy Hair Seven Oil Hair Elixir. Just a drop or two massaged into damp hair (ends only) before blow drying takes the dryness away and makes my hair feel thicker and stronger without weighing it down. Just a tiny amount is necessary.
Thank you
You look very elegant and chic in the black party outfit. And, in 15 minutes! Very impressive! I use Uribe hair products (yes, expensive but my hair has never been better). Oribe has hair thickener – Maximista – that has been a game changer for my fine, flat hair. You spray through damp hair and blow dry.
Your tree looks fabulous. Please share a photo of the full tree. Love that your tree is a collection of all the wonderful ornaments you have collected over the years. They mean the most.
They do mean the most! I’ll share when it’s all decked out. That Oribe sounds great!
We just bought a 2020 Chevy Bolt EV. Couldn’t find a new one because the smaller Bolts were discontinued for a while and there aren’t many new ones.
I LOVE having an electric car even though on trips over a few hours we need to stop and charge the car. It’s a good excuse to take a walk, do some shopping, or have lunch!
The con: on the highway the Bolt uses electricity fast. While the range is 240 miles, driving over 60 mph brings the available electricity down more quickly, so the range becomes around 190.
The pros? No need for fossil fuels, no noise. And if you get a new model of the EV or EUV, there are great rebates and tax credits! (eligibility on used cars is more limited)
Oh my gosh! I wore a vintage pin Saturday night that looks just like yours! I attended a Christmas wedding and wore a green sweater with rhinestone button trim, black pants and patent leather pumps. I got my hair and nails done. I felt great. I am not a vain person in the least, but not one person complimented me. So, readers, do you compliment other women? Do your partners compliment you? Just curious.
I compliment other women all the time! I’m always surprised that more women don’t do it and share the love. Your outfit sounds great!
when shopping recently, I have had two young women come up and compliment me on my outfit (usually a linen dress), then ask where I bought it as ‘it would be perfect for their mother’. As for Christmas, I have loved celebrating it (in the past) on the East Coast of the USA. People go all out decorating their houses and streets, the shops look beautiful and a touch of snow made it quite magical. Quite the opposite in Australia, where a twig (masquerading as a wreath) on the front door can be considered ‘over the top’.
It must be so very different because the weather is warm for Christmas.
I compliment everyone who wears something nice. It’s a kind way to say I notice and I care.
I love decorating for Christmas. Our house is finished and now we can enjoy celebrating the holidays. Your tree is so pretty. Loved your outfit.
Good luck with car shopping! December 31 is a great day to buy a car from a dealer as they are anxious to make a sale to add to their month/year end bonus. If you want an EV or hybrid, I think there may be some tax credits but look them up to be sure! I have a hybrid and maintenance is minimal and it has been great for reliability.
We are looking at hybrids too.
We decided to buy a battery-operated pre-lit wreath and garland to decorate the front entrance. Both have built-in timers. Green lightbulbs in the garage fixtures and red bows add a festive touch. This is the last year for climbing a ladder to our up the Christmas house lights. Next year they’ll decorate the back deck, where no ladders are required. It’s time. We enjoy the lights to lift our spirits during the darkest part of the year.
Jennifer—Can you comment on your Gap sweatshirt and pants. Reviews are saying the pants run short and a slim fit. I’m between a 6 and 8 petite usually. I’m 5’0” and considering ordering the regular length and having them hemmed if need be. I have long legs and a short torso for a petite person. Does the sweatshirt run short? Just wondering if I should order a petite in that. I didn’t see any measurements as far as length, etc. Did you like the fabric or is too thin and pills easily?
Thank you
I found the pants in regular are long on me and they are a tiny bit on the slim side. Planning to hem them is a smart idea. The sweatershirt is a bit shorter which I prefer so it doesn’t look overwhemling.They fabric isn’t flimsy at all and I’ve had no pilling yet…but that was the first time I wore them.
As pretty as your tree is and how pretty your decorating is, I’m staring at you! Well you look gorgeous in your holiday outfit. Quite lovely! And your haircut and style is terrific too! It all works!
I still drive my 2010 Volvo and I’m fine with it. Hubby has a new Volvo with all the new devices (backing up etc). He loves it! I’ll keep my older model. A great car!
You looked absolutely stunning!! And your hair was perfect!!
We were in the market for a new car this year and due to one of us having a visual impairment for close vision (reading the car instrumentation), we chose the Volvo XC 40 with Google Assist that allows us to just say whatever command we need done by saying, “Hey, Google” followed by the command and it just gets done without us having to do anything. Easy peasy and we can still have a driver and a navigator! And all the safety features that come on cars now are phenomenal!! We just didn’t know what we were missing until we got this new car!! Certainly makes us feel safer every time we get behind the wheel!! Good luck with your search!!
That sounds amazing!! Cars are so smart!
Are you thinking of an SUV? I went from a car to a SUV and love the height, not just for ease of getting in & out but it feels safer in traffic of big trucks and huge SUVs.
I love black for evening, as well. It just feels more elegant than colours.
Enjoy your family Christmas. I’m heading east to cold, snowy Ottawa for Christmas. Living on the west coast, I don’t have proper cold weather gear… but I can always borrow from my daughters. What meters is that we are all together. I hope we see some pictures of your gorgeous new grandson. Mine are all teenagers now. I miss the baby cuddles.
I will share. I can’t help myself ♥️♥️