Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Happy Christmas to All 2013

[My annual Christmas greeting, first posted in 2007.



...and to all a Good Night!"...as Clement Clark Moore wrote. (And, yes, he did write "Happy Christmas," not "Merry....")

I'll probably not be blogging very much over the next few weeks, so Happy New Year as well. I thought this was an opportunity to thank everybody who has commented here, who has linked to here, who reads here regularly.

And a chance to talk about how I feel about Christmas. I'm with Charles Dickens, who put these words into the mouth of Scrooge's nephew, Fred: "I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round -- apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that -- as a good time: a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time: the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!"

There is practically no version of A Christmas Carol that I cannot stand to watch at least once, although I have a favorite--the 1984 TV version starring George C. Scott, which I consider closest to both the spirit and the letter of Dickens' work. I will confess a soft spot for The Muppet Christmas Carol, in part because my kids love it so (despite their being college graduates now).

So I will close this post with the immortal words of Tiny Tim:

God bless us, everyone!

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Women We'd Love to Be ~ Week 20 Results

Modern:



Molly Quinn (Castle)=3.7 (7 votes)

Classic:



Stephanie Zimbalist (Remington Steele)=4.1 (7 votes)

And, having reached the end of round one, the standings:



The next round...with a different set of rules...will begin on January 5.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Pretty Sissy Dani in December

I've changed the way I do the monthly videos...they will now be a slideshow of all the outfits from the month. I'm using appropriate music as well. So far I've picked out "How Lovely to Be a Woman", "I Enjoy Being a Girl," "Man! I Feel Like a Woman," "She's Always a Woman," "Bette Davis Eyes," and "Dance Ten Looks Three" (better known perhaps as "Tits and Ass"). Anyone have some other suggestions?



Don't forget to rate the woman you'd love to be (details here); and please give me your thoughts on my new dilemma (details on that here)!

Friday, December 20, 2013

Jingle Belle 11

More red...in satin this time.



The red satin blouse is from Wal-Mart's George line, in January 2010; the skirt is by Cape Cod Sportswear, a thrift shop find in May 2011; the shoes are Mossimo "Valonia" blue patent pumps, from Target in March 2009. Other accessories are a red bow, crystal jewelry, black belt and natural hose.



Another portrait:


More pics on Flickr; no more dressing until after New Year's...but I will try to post some other things in the meantime; don't forget to rate the woman you'd love to be (details here); and please give me your thoughts on my new dilemma (details on that here)!

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Jingle Belle 10

No new shoes after all today. The ones I was going to show off have ankle straps...and I have learned that I simply am either too fumble-fingered or not limber enough to buckle them. And, unlike the straps on my mary-janes and t-straps, the ankle straps do not stretch enough for me to get the shoes on with the straps already fastened. (Perhaps women who wear ankle-strap shoes always have assistance in this?)



The red party dress is by George, from Wal-Mart in October 2008; the shoes are Fioni "Hilt" red patent pumps, from Payless in November 2009. Other accessories are a red rosette headband, gold jewelry, and natural hose.



And a portrait:


More pics on Flickr; tomorrow, still more red; don't forget to rate the woman you'd love to be (details here); and please give me your thoughts on my new dilemma (details on that here)!

The End of the Adventure?

It appears that my six-year adventure of dressing as Dani may be coming to an end sometime before May of 2014.

Last night, the wife announced that, due to some changes in her company, it is highly likely that she will be doing the vast majority of her work from home beginning May 1. Essentially, she would be telecommuting. That means my opportunities to dress (which must happen when she is out of the house for a substantial period of time) will be severely limited.

The question becomes, what do I do? At the moment, I am considering paring Dani's wardrobe down to a few favorite outfits (perhaps a dozen or so) and maybe six to eight pairs of shoes to go with them. I would close the storage locker where I currently keep most of the clothing and move the chosen few to a secure area here at the house (the place I currently keep the outfits I've picked out for wearing over the next few weeks).

Even the continuation of this blog is in some doubt. I would only be able to work on it at times when she is not around...late nights (she tends to go to bed an hour or so before I do), the occasional times when she might have on-site meetings with some one, etc. The ability to do CD-related artwork would be constrained in a similar manner.

Tentatively, I would continue dressing as much as possible until probably the end of February. That's when she would be away for an extended weekend, giving me the opportunity to clear out the locker and move the chosen wardrobe to the house. (The remainder will be given to charity.)

This is something I would really like feedback on. Please comment or send me an e-mail (prettysissydani@gmail.com) with your thoughts. We have maybe ten to twelve weeks to come to a decision.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Jingle Belle 9

Surprise! I was able to squeeze in a little dressing today...beginning the look at all my red clothing....



The t-shirt is by Norma Kamali, from Wal-Mart in January 2010; the red skirt is by Laura Scott, a thrift shop find in Marche 2011; the shoes are brand new ~ more on them below. Other accessories are the red fedora, black-and-white jewelry, and navy tights.



I know...the last thing this girl needs is more footwear! But this pair (and another you'll see tomorrow) were so cute, I couldn't resist.


Manufacturer/line/store: American Eagle "Javelin" oxfords (Payless)
Date: December 2013

The description from Payless's website:

This ultra modern take on a classic oxford is totally on-trend and the perfect way to spice up your wardrobe this season! It features a sturdy upper, wing tip design with intricate perforation details, ribbon laces for a good fit, and a flexible outsole with 3.5" tapered heel.

And, to close things out, this portrait:


More pics on Flickr; tomorrow, more red...including that other pair of new shoes; and don't forget to rate the woman you'd love to be (details here)!

Monday, December 16, 2013

Jingle Belle 8

The final black-and-white ensemble is this fashionable zebra-print shirt dress...



The dress is from Target's Merino line in January 2010; the shoes are Fashion Bug "Beestow" black patent pumps from January 2011. Other accessories are white bow, red jewelry, white gloves, black belt, and fishnet hose.



A very classic portrait pose:


More pics on Flickr; if all goes well, on Thursday we'll start looking at all the red in my wardrobe; and don't forget to rate the woman you'd love to be (details here)!

Jingle Belle 7

Every girl's must-have ~ the little black dress:



The little black dress is from Target's Mossimo line from February 2010; the shoes are Fioni "Loveit" black patent pumps from Payless in May 2011. Other accessories are pearls, black gloves, black belt, and fishnet hose.



Both portraits were very attractive, so here they are:



More pics on Flickr; the last of the black-and-white outfits later today; and don't forget to rate the woman you'd love to be (details here)!

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Women We'd Love to Be ~ Week 20

One again, rate each person as a woman you'd love to be. by voting in the poll to the right:

Modern:



Molly Quinn (Castle)

Classic:



Stephanie Zimbalist (Remington Steele)

Women We'd Love to Be ~ Week 19 Results

Modern:



Emma Watson (Harry Potter films)=4.5 (15 votes)

Classic:



Raquel Welch (Mother, Jugs and Speed)=4.3 (16 votes)

Friday, December 13, 2013

Thursday, December 12, 2013