Allora Handmade

This year, my husbands Christmas party was more than just a Christmas party. To me at least. To everyone else, it was probably the usual buy-your-raffle-tickets-and-hope-to-win-stuff shindig that it is every year, but to me, it was also the first time that I would have a chance to present the new me. I knew nobody would care (if they had even noticed) that I had lost nearly 60 pounds since last years party, but I still wanted to dress up and hold my head up high. No more hiding behind my jacket, I went sleeveless. No more red lipstick, I went with a smokey eye. No more quiet whispering, I even participated in a game (name the gift that was given on a specific day of Christmas- I knew them all, but finally raised my hand and shouted it out after mumbling the answers so only the people at our table could hear) that won me a $25 gift certificate to a Texas steakhouse.

I was myself.

(Ok, so after 4 drinks, I might have gotten a little flirty with the camera)

Before going to the party, I had gone out shopping by myself, Christopher gave me special time away from him and the babies, and bought myself a new outfit. A few new outfits, actually, since it got to a point where literally nothing fit me (I ended up selling all of my old clothes for about $200 total on the Abilene Yard Sales Yahoo group), but one specifically for dressing up in. I ended up going with (and I wish I would have gotten a full body shot, dangit) with a Converse denim pencil skirt, a sheer black sleeveless top, and leopard print heels. No, not much of a heel, I'm 5'8 and very unstable when elevated, but a little bit of a heel, just enough to make it sassy. The only thing that was missing from my overall look, was an accessory.

I'm not the accessory type of girl, you might have noticed? I used to be, though. I used to pile on the flair as if I were a payed sponsors for Claire's. Since having children, my style has calmed down for the most part. Dropped dead, is probably a more accurate way of putting it (I'm typing this while wearing bright red fleece pajama pants with blue snow birds on them, a blanket wrapped around my shoulders, and over sized floppy slippers on my feet), but, I'm slowly returning to the land of fashion freedom. Sloooowly. Don't expect to see me sporting jewelry on a regular basis, haha.

I didn't want to buy just any accessory. I wanted the perfect one.

And then came along, Allora Handmade. I fell in love with everything in her shop. The colors, the way that they were coupled together, the fabrics, the threads, the softness of the pieces... everything. I knew I had to buy something from her, and only her.

I settled upon the "oh my pearl necklace", with a 3-piece rosie brooch attached. It worked out perfectly. I love how as soon as I clasped the pearls together behind my neck, it pulled my outfit together.

If you've got the time, please stop over and have a look at the things in her shop. You won't be disappointed. Its too late for anything that is ordered now to be guaranteed to be delivered by Christmas, but- she does have gift certificates (hint hint, Christopher. Theres a beautiful pair of earrings that would love to rest on my lobes).

Oh! And, here is a picture of the Mister and I from the Christmas party...