2012 Preview & The DIY Christmas Recap

This year the Bagley's constructed Christmas around a DIY blueprint

Andrew built Coco a swing.

And fashioned a chandelier for my closet to be.

I wrote Levi a book.
(all I claim the ability to craft is words)

And Levi made us smile.

Coco employed the best talents and resources at her disposal.

Now for everyone who wishes to pound a pin in pretty during 2012,
Handy Andy has promised to share
DIY tutorials.  

What do you want to learn to make first?

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!

Naughty Holiday Fashion Reformed: Presents and Bows

Wrapped in ribbons, the Christmas sweater in which I first met my baby daughter

Coal creates diamonds, but candied fashion leads to visual cavities.

More Asos...

Let Cardigan Empire bedeck you for the holidays.  Gift yourself or a dear one a Fashion Package: combining a theoretical look book & a practical virtual shopping session

Naughty Holiday Fashion Reformed: Snowflakes

Snowflakes, heaven's lace

Let us sparkle rather than blink and shimmer rather than bobble, try one of these tasteful hints at winter's trademark.

More Tory Burch...

Let Cardigan Empire bedeck you for the holidays.  Gift yourself or a dear one a Fashion Package: combining a theoretical look book & a practical virtual shopping session

Naughty Holiday Fashion Reformed: Winter Woodland Animals

My favorite woodland creatures sweater forested with squirrels, snails, and bears.

I have an old lady heart.  I can run without a walker, but I covet many an old lady's treasures: delicate crochet collars, cross-stitched accessories, and ... christmas sweaters.  

But sometimes, old lady fashion falls victim to dementia.

Just in time for Christmas, woodland animal wear is rehabilitated.  Any of these styles would flatter an old lady of any age:

More YMC...

Let Cardigan Empire bedeck you for the holidays.  Gift yourself or a dear one a Fashion Package: combining a theoretical look book & a practical virtual shopping session

Coco's Christmas Present

For Christmas Coco received her very own storybook. Written by her mommy with a lot of help from a very dear, and very talented illustrator, Lady Beth Allen.

View Full Screen

And I have another Christmas surprise to share...

But first, what did you give for Christmas?

Naughty List: Furry

While Santa can swing dressing in fur from his head to his foot, the pelted trend has released several impractical applications of fuzzy wuzzies.

Examples follow below:

For chilly ankles & heels

Or nippy knees

And of course, cold, hard cash

Acceptable Alternatives:

Moderately applied in areas of critical incandescence

An accessory with a credibly fleecy benefit

Let Cardigan Empire bedeck you for the holidays.  Gift yourself or a dear one a Fashion Package: combining a theoretical look book & a practical virtual shopping session

Naughty List: Jumpsuits & Rompers

Christmas fashion improprieties continue with yet another fashion trend that should be left to persons without a full set of permanent teeth.  

Today we sentence the adult onesie with just two critical counts:

1. This fashion is entirely dysfunctional.  Without the convenience of a diaper, a onesie defeats expeditious elimination.
2. What is adorable on a cherubic, pre-pubescent body, becomes utterly deplorable once anatomical personals and eccentricities have grown in.

Below are a few examples:

One can applaud the functional addition of a front zipper, but must proceed to ask what will be kept in the pockets

The semi-sheer back view is even more unfortunate as it includes a hood and no trap door

Toddler couture in size 25T for just over $150

Acceptable (but not necessarily applaudable) Alternatives:

A more modest cut mimics a blouse and high-waisted trousers, however, I'm not sure you wouldn't appreciate the functionality and versatility of a separate blouse and trouser even more

A little short for my taste, but at least it doesn't cling to every imaginable feature

Let Cardigan Empire bedeck you for the holidays.  Gift yourself or a dear one a Fashion Package: combining a theoretical look book & a practical virtual shopping session

Naughty List: Christmas Sweaters

Christmas: a holy baby birthday party that illicits childlike wonder.  But this winter festivus is no excuse for childish fashion. As adults, we must refuse to dress like toddlers.  

Today, we rule against the Christmas Sweater.  This fashion fails on several counts:

1. It has a very high cost per wear since it can only be donned a fortnight a year.
2. As an age inappropriate item, it aims for young and playful and succeeds in nursing home couture 
3. It almost always emblazons a lie on your person.  For if you can no longer "believe" in something, you can no longer wear it.  

Below are a few examples:

Not only do most experts argue against the existence of animate snowmen, they concur that they are even less probable in tropical climates wearing hula skirts and sunglasses.

Even Santa himself will add your name to the naughty list if you should don his copyrighted image.

While bears are real, they do not commonly wear clothes other than fur coats and they almost never go skiing. 

Acceptable Alternatives:

Opt for reality: flowers, stars, snowflakes, natural is far fashionably safer than the magical or mystical.

Opt for subtlety: you can wear the holidays without spelling it out literally. 

Let Cardigan Empire bedeck you for the holidays.  Gift yourself or a dear one a Fashion Package: combining a theoretical look book & a practical virtual shopping session

Living Vicariously: White Christmas

The Christmas forecast in Arizona: 70 degrees Fahrenheit. A Christmas baby should be cuddled up against swirling sugar colored drifts in cable knit cashmere.  But as the sun pours in on Baby Bagley's newborn life, summer muslin would make a more appropriate swaddle cloth.

Alas, I will be living through my friends in frosted lands north, who can legitimately layer dainty diapers with the following ensemble.  

If I could I'd scrape your weathered windshields and warm up your carseat carrying cars.   

Baby Bunting by cardiganempire 

Cotton-Cashmere Sampler Hat - RalphLauren.com
$37.99 - ralphlauren.com

Sherpa cable knit one-piece | Gap

gap.com

One piece »

In the meantime, I've selected a tiny tote from a wide variety of luggage sets.  And my baby luggage is packed. 
An estimated 10 days to go.

What dreamies are in included in your ideal Christmas?  And what shouldn't I forget to include in my diaper bag?
Comments are open.

Let Cardigan Empire bedeck you for the holidays.  Gift yourself or a dear one a Fashion Package: combining a theoretical look book & a practical virtual shopping session

Wearing Christmas: Sparkle Snow

I patiently anticipate the day my mother tires of her vintage paper town sprinkled with sparkle-rich snow.  Until then, I will attempt to add a touch of glitter to my own clothing village.

Sugar Kisses Dress

Sequin Front Tee

Sequin Beret

Kate Spade Charm Sandal

Haya Sequin Pullover

Dara Ettinger Discoball Alicia Posts

Let Cardigan Empire bedeck you for the holidays.  Gift yourself or a dear one a Fashion Package: combining a theoretical look book & a practical virtual shopping session

Wearing Christmas: Evergreen

All these deep veridian shaded garments need is the perfume of pine, fir, or ceder to complete their holiday enchantment.
 

Forest Assured Jacket

Forest Flower Oxfords

Frances Deco Earrings

Knife Pleat V-Neck

Sequoia Dress

Moss Tweed Pencil Skirt

Knitted Deer Valley

Let Cardigan Empire bedeck you for the holidays.  Gift yourself or a dear one a Fashion Package: combining a theoretical look book & a practical virtual shopping session