New Year's - The Musical - Twenty-Twelve Arrives

Twenty-Eleven brought a bushel and a peck of blessings, and I was determined to give it a celebratory bon voyage.

The Opening Act

(inspiration)

The Cast

The Result

Twenty-Four+ plates dirtied (because I despise plastic and paper) from Miss Saigon Sushi, Marry Poppin's Scones, 7 for 7 Mountain Man Stew (nice abbreviation no?), Hairspray Chicken Wings (hairspray modifying chicken as an inspiration rather than a dressing), West Side Story Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes, and a myriad of other broadway belly fillers.

Musical charades were performed, everyone sang at least a bar, and most of us kept our eyes open until the New Year rang in.

My Costume Breakdown

Garcia Dress, Anthropologie 

Sequin Front Cardigan, Banana Republic

tutorial for False Eyelashes and Cat Eye Liner

And I should have gotten a bumpit to achieve a sixties inspired coif, but we learn from our mistakes.

Add a comment telling me your favorite musical

 And teeth-trim your nails anticipating the upcoming Dress for a New Beginning Feature:

Job Interviews

First Dates

Newborn Babies

The Rest of Your Life

Or please do submit your own request in the comments

Let Cardigan Empire fashion your resolutions.  Commit to a Fashion Package: combining a theoretical look book & a practical virtual shopping session

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

Halloween Reveal: I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here

Annie & Sandy

Daddy Warbucks

Rooster

Miss Hannigan

Bathtub Gin

Leapin' Lizards

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10 Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas

A Human Blueberry, A Follicly Abundant Female, A Pig Nosed Dreamer.  The flame of my jack-o-lantern heart glows for Halloween, but some years the portent of the holiday darts into peripheral priorities and that sneaky celebration arrives without warning.  Erego a collection of relatively simple ideas for your upcoming spooktacular.

Grayscale or Black & White Movie

Paper Doll

Baby Sushi

Little Gnome

cloud

bird

pop art

octopus

the birds

french burglars

more ideas here

And tomorrow Coco & Levi's costumes revealed

So what are you going to be for Halloween?