White Trash Christmas

Still in the Christmas spirit? I certainly hope so. I admit, mine is wearing thin. But I am so eager to share these last few festivities with you - if, for no better reason than to brag about my incredible diy project.

My friends Heidi and Scott host an annual holiday bash in Newport Beach. Being the second year they’ve done it, I can call it annual, right? This year, the theme was White Trash Christmas – and ya’ll, we did it up. Is that incredibly stereotypical to assume that white trash people say ya’ll? And drink PBR. And whisky. And eat  Twinkies. And chocolate covered potato chips? While wearing a lot of denim. And flannel. And loving all things Uhmerica. And Billy Ray Cyrus. Because if so, please forgive me. I’m incredibly stereotypical.

I’m embarrassed to admit getting in to character for this theme party was hardly a stretch. I’m a big fan of PBR, all things Little Debbie, and aside from the custom Lavin number Anne Hathaway wore hosting the Oscars last year, a denim on denim tuxedo of the Texas variety would have to be my favorite. A while back, I had pinned a do it yourself project that I had originally envisioned as the perfect Fourth of July outfit – cut off jean shorts spray painted with red and blue stars and stripes (via). I had seen a similar version impeccably styled in an LF window display, but couldn’t justify spending a three digit sum on repurposed, spray painted jeans I could easily make myself. So I did, I made them myself. Too perfect for this theme, I couldn’t wait until July and immediately found myself in line at the Goodwill with a pair of Wrangler jeans in hand. The project was much easier than I anticipated. And I fully intend on wearing them to celebrate America’s independence. And probably every other day of summer as well.

Can you even believe I made these?

Peppermint Meringues

Have you seen the movie The Descendents? It’s with George Clooney and it won a bunch of awards at the Golden Globes. It’s really good. If you haven’t yet, you should. And bring tissues. I saw it by myself on a Wednesday afternoon and the experience was a lot like the movie itself – kind of depressing, but still super enjoyable. Seeing movies by myself is kind of my new thing. Anyway, so there’s this part in the movie that really made me laugh. It had little to no significance to the actual storyline, and it’s quite possible that even if you saw it, you missed it. George Clooney’s character walks in on his friends, a couple, fighting. They were arguing over having company over. The husband didn’t understand why it was so challenging and he says something like, you don’t need a new outfit and a signature cocktail every time we have our friends over. I seriously LOL’d. Because, I mean, obviously - you do.

To celebrate the holidays (remember how we’re still doing that over here?), I had some girlfriends over for a small gathering. We had planned to go ice skating, but you know how it goes when girls start gabbing - one bottle of wine turns into two, and then three, and four. We spent our evening in the kitchen until our alcohol intake became a safety hazard. So instead of ice skating we went to the bars. No complaining on my part. I had already made it out on the rink earlier in the week. And if you were wondering, I face planted attempting to do an arabesque. I wish I could say alcohol was a factor.

Inspired by Bon Appetit Magazine, I set out to make these peppermint meringues. They started out so promising, beautifully piped on the pan, with red swirls and soft white peaks. And then I cooked them at 275 degrees instead of 200 and they came out looking like little brown hershey’s kisses. But I’m going to blame my oven on this one, because apparently 275 is the lowest temperature it is able to cook at. And apparently 75 degrees is a big difference? Let’s cut our losses and move on to the spiked apple cider, which made my house smell so delicious. Like if Christmas had a smell, it would be this apple cider. Okay, so maybe the smell of Christmas is pine, or sugar cookies, or whatever, but this smelled delicious. The taste, not so much. Apparently I don’t like dark rum. Who knew? But if you do, you can follow this recipe. And if you were curious, this was the top I wore. Underneath a tartan plaid flannel, tucked in to a black mini skirt, with polka dotted tights and black suede wedges. So yes, obviously every occasion calls for a new outfit and signature cocktail. And you should probably snatch up that sequin tank pretty quick, it’s on sale and everything. 

That's my dining room table. No, we didn't have a formal, sit down Christmas dinner. And yes, I do have a full set of Christmas dishes. I also have a full set of martini glasses adorned with silver and gold ornaments, serving platters (as photographed above), and red and green mugs used to serve cider. I realize I have a problem. But no, I'm not doing anything about it. What I don't have is a picture of my tree. And I really wish I did. It was quite lovely and I'm sure you would have just died over it. It's a fake white tree, with far too many white lights, pink, blue, green, and orange ornaments similar to those on my dinner table, and glittery ribbons. Straight out of Martha Stewart Living, I swear. 

Anything But Clothes: Christmas

  One of my favorite things about the holidays are the parties. Parties in general are always super fun, but holiday parties are even better. They’re always so festive and joyous, and any excuse to be in costume is reason enough for me to celebrate. Anyone who’s attended college, visited a friend in college, crashed a college party or maybe even attended a rather advanced high school is most likely familiar with the concept of an Anything But Clothes party. It’s where you wear, well, anything but clothes. Think trash bags. Bed sheets. Tin foil. Caution tape. Basically, any household item you can attach to your body as not to be arrested for indecent exposure. My friend Page puts a red and green twist on this old tried and true, hosting an annual Anything But Clothes: Christmas party. Think wrapping paper. Tree skirts. Gift wrapped boxes. Page has been hosting this shindig for the past six years, and I’ve been fortunate enough to attend the last two. It’s quickly becoming one of my favorite holiday traditions.

On the right, that's Page our host, Ian, Joyce, and yours truly. 

The costumes are some of the most creative I’ve seen, so it’s tough to come up with something ABC worthy. Last year, I covered a black men’s tank top entirely in multi colored gift bows. Inspired by a halo headband I found in the $1 section at Target, this year I made a dress out of gold star garland and that fluffy white stuff people put under their trees and on their manger scenes similar to the batting you'd use to reupholster a chair, thus becoming a snow angel. My friend Ian really outdid himself in suit complete with bubblewrap pants, trash bag t-shirt, blazer made from wrapping paper and a ribbon bowtie. Kaetlin opted out of a costume, so we tied a bow to the top of her head. But she did wear a giant gift bag as a dress last year, so I think she earned a pass. The party was a complete success. While at the party, Ian found a du rag to top off his costume, a du- rag no one remembered until we saw it in pictures, and half of my costume came off in the cab on the way there. You win some, you lose some.

'Tis the Season

My neighbor said Happy New Year to me this morning and it seriously disturbed me. Isn’t it mid January already? And it’s not even like I hadn’t seen him yet in this New Year. As much as I try to avoid, I’ve definitely been trapped in the elevator with him and his dog numerous times in the past ten days. But considering my house still looks like a winter wonderland maybe I’m the disturbed one. So considering it’s still Christmas over here, let’s pretend it still is so I can tell you all about it. Come on, just entertain me. Please?  ‘Tis the season to be jolly, right? So let’s get started, shall we?

A while back some friends and I spent an afternoon crafting in preparation for the holidays. The last time we were all together attempting to be creative and passing time until it was appropriate to start drinking, we were in college and found ourselves at Color Me Mine, painting beer mugs. I’m pretty sure mine even said chug on the bottom. Now, I’m no Martha Stewart – but I’ve come leaps and bounds from the days of monogrammed beer mugs. I mean, remember this tablescape?

This time, we made wreaths. Heidi and I have had great success with wreaths in the past, making Halloween wreaths out of candy corn (until ants completely devoured them and started new colonies on our front doors – so maybe partial success?), so we thought we’d try it again. What better way to welcome friends in to your home for the holidays than a festive wreath? And mistletoe. Which is also still hanging above my door. So here it is, in all it's glory. My obsession with tartan plaid manifested in wreath form. 

Images via The Blabbery.

I mean, Ryan Gosling likes it. Have you seen this? It's embarrassing how hard I'm laughing right now. God, he just gets me, you know? 

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