Please Come Home For Christmas

All images by Emma Rizzo Photo

Well, it's Christmas Eve. It's finally here. I've really been looking forward to having a quiet celebration with my parents. We open all the major gifts (apart from the "Santa Claus presents" that are saved for Christmas morning) and eat a lot of appetizers. It's changed a lot from the Christmases we had when I was young, but it's a nice tradition. The last couple of Christmases weren't what I imagined, and yet I'm still anxious about what this one will be – and how I'll feel once it's over.

I'm not normally one to feel melancholy around the holidays. At all. I'm hoping that by the time this post goes live, I'll feel a lot more excited and a little less lonely. I know I'm very lucky to be spending the holiday with my family and I know I'll be spoiled with gifts. I'm so thankful for both of those things. But I also can't help feeling a bit blue. All those sad Christmas songs on the radio give me the impression that I'm probably not alone in that. The bottom line is that things change and it's hard and I'm trying to make the best of it. Cheers to that.

Speaking of making the best of things... I recruited Emma to come with me to the Christmastime event at the Genesee Country Village and Museum this year and she was sweet enough to oblige and snap some photos of me (in the pouring rain, no less!). It's such a great place with so many historic buildings that have been transplanted to their grounds. I wish I could live in one of these darling houses! I decided that while this emerald green outfit isn't from the right era at all, it would look perfectly festive in this environment. Emma was a real trouper and a true friend to take these photos of me in the cold and the wet. It's a testament to her skill and her positivity that they turned out as well as they did!

Outfit Details

Katie Dress and Jacket Set: Tatyana

Poinsettia hair flower: Stardust Dames Boutique

Gold heels: B.A.I.T. Footwear (similar)

Wishing the happiest of holidays to you and yours, my friends.

Mele Kalikimaka

Christmas is less than a week away – can you believe it? The past month or so has been really hard, but I'm glad that the last few weeks have gone by quickly. I still have a few holiday outfits to share here on the blog, including this pink velvet number from the Gal Meets Glam collection. I shared this dress on my Black Friday wish list post and it's one of the only things I actually bought for myself. It's my third dress from GMG and, like the others I own, it's beautifully made. But unlike the other GMG dresses I have, this one has a fair amount of stretch – so much so that I could have comfortably sized down. At least it'll be super comfortable for holiday eating and general merriment.

This dress is classically beautiful, so I opted to pair it with something kitschy. This glazed Christmas ham brooch is one of the funniest things I've ever seen. Erstwilder gave them out as freebies with larger orders during their Christmas release, but unfortunately I wasn't able to snag one then. I ended up finding one in a swap group and it arrived just in time for the holiday. The ironic thing is that I'm a Jew who celebrates Christmas and who has never eaten a spiral ham in her life. But I couldn't pass this up! (The meat itself is a different story.)

Outfit Details

Joy Dress in Pink Velvet: Gal Meets Glam Collection

Glazed Gift brooch: by Erstwilder

Gold heels: ModCloth

Decor Details

Sisal bottle brush tree: At Home

Christmas tree pillow: Pier 1 (similar)

Retro pink bird ornament: Target

Hot air balloon ornament: Kohl's

Mint green velvet drop ornament: Michael's

Pusheen ornament: Hey Chickadee (2018 version)

As you can see, my tree is up and a few gifts are wrapped... but this weekend will be devoted to getting all the rest of the holiday details ready. Presents, cookies, classic movies, and plenty of time with my family. I'm trying to keep my chin up, in spite of everything. The funny thing is that I'm not quite as worried about how I'll feel on Christmas as how I'll feel after it's over. For now... I'll be listening to non-stop holiday music and trying to focus on other things.

HSP Gift Guide: Perfect Presents for Highly Sensitive People

This time of year, there's no shortage of gift guides out there in the blogosphere. I really enjoy putting these kinds of posts together, but I wanted to make sure that mine was a little bit different. And then I remembered the post I wrote on self-care tips for introverts and highly sensitive people (a.k.a. me) a while back. The post seemed to resonate with a lot of you, as well. Maybe it was time to write about that subject again, but in a different way.

A lot of my friends who are writers, bloggers, artists, and creatives identify with being empaths, HSPs, and introverts. And I think it can be really easy to forget that these traits are actually gifts, rather than faults. So what better way to remind you all of these special gifts than by putting together a gift guide for yourself or for the sensitive, introverted, or empathic person in your life?

As a rule, HSPs tend to feel more deeply and observe more closely than other people and we have to be very careful about how we use our energy. Self-care is important for everyone, but I feel really strongly that it's especially so for us. I've curated some gift ideas that are introspective and comforting for when the world overwhelms us and we desperately need to check in with ourselves.

a.  The Highly Sensitive Person (the go-to read for HSPs!)

b.  Weighted blanket (to help you sleep more soundly)

c.  Start Where You Are (a nurturing self-exploration journal)

d.  Cowl neck pullover (made of the *softest* material)

e.  Kate Gabrielle pin (to remind people to handle your heart with care)

f.  Peach plushie heating pad (this will keep you snuggly and pain-free this winter)

g.  Color Theory sensitive tote bag (to carry around your comforting must-haves)
h.  ban.do anxiety necklace (a stylish way to end the mental health stigma)
i.  Get Relaxed tea (a soothing blend of chamomile, lavender, and rose)
j.  Mist Your Mood (an equally comforting room mist of lavender and chamomile)
k.  The Introvert Activity Book (for when you need to recharge, distract, and express yourself)
l.  Lavender blossoms grow kit (so you can grow your own soothing scent at home)
m.  I Don't Know How to Cook (to help you nourish your body without feeling overwhelmed)
n.  "Sensitivity is my superpower" mug (to remind you that your sensitivity really is a gift)
o.  Lavender and sage soy candle (a way to instantly make you feel cozy and calm)
p.  S'mores USB heat-up slippers (to make you smile and keep your feet toasty)
q.  The Great British Baking Show on DVD (for when you need the ultimate comfort show)
r.  "Stay Home Club" print (for when you need an excuse to stay home with your cat)
s.  Bamboo bath caddy (so you can treat yourself to a *fancy* soak in the tub)
t.  Bee Balm healing salve (for when your sensitive skin needs some TLC)
u.  The Mini Book of Mindfulness (so you can learn to live in the moment)

Of course, the best gift you can give to your HSP may not be material at all. Experience gifts can be even more appreciated because it can convince us to really take the time to take care of ourselves. If you really want to pamper your HSP and show them how much they're loved, I'd recommend: a professional massage, a day outdoors, or a weekend at a quaint bed and breakfast. Helping them with chores around the house, cooking them their favorite meal, or offering to take a major task off their plate can be a huge relief and be even better than unwrapping a present. Anything that prioritizes their well-being and makes them special and taken care of is usually a good bet in my book.

I can speak only from my personal experience as an introverted HSP who's been dealing with a lot of stress and sleep issues for the past couple of years, so some of these picks may end up being more beneficial to me than others. But I hope you'll find this guide at least a little bit helpful for someone on your list! Do you have any suggestions that I missed? I'd love to hear about them in the comments so that others can heed your advice, too.

Please note that this post contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of those links, I may earn a small commission that helps to run my blog. Thank you for supporting The Soubrette Brunette!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Silver Bells

All images by Emma Rizzo Photo

I may have a fake Christmas tree at home, but there's nothing quite like the real thing. I knew that I wanted to take photos at a tree farm this year (we opted for Powers Farm Market, one of my favorite local treasures) and this session did not disappoint. My friend Emma and I lucked out on this beautiful, snow-kissed day amongst the evergreens. It doesn't hurt that this ModCloth x Collectif dress may be my new favorite of all time. It's so satisfying when all the elements come together – and you can end it all with apple cider, a fry cake, and a visit with some very curious alpacas.

If you can't tell, I'm gearing up for Christmastime festivities. I've finished all my shopping (and am about to start wrapping), I'll soon be baking cookies, and I'm looking forward to doing some holiday festivities this weekend. I thought this season might be particularly painful – and it is in a lot of ways, believe me – but I'm surprised to find that immersing myself in holiday preparations has been truly enjoyable thus far. If nothing else, it's a welcome distraction.

You know what else is enjoyable? When a dress fits this well. I love a good velvet dress, but this one from ModCloth is an absolute dream. It's incredibly comfortable and yet unbelievably flattering – the perfect combination for the holiday. It's actually back in stock in just a few sizes at ModCloth (as of this writing, anyway), so if you've been hoping to snag it, don't miss your chance!

FYI: I ordered my normal UK size and am glad I did. While there's a good amount of stretch, I personally couldn't have sized down (though some might be able to) because of the bust. This dress is also available in a gorgeous dark green. It's currently sold out right now, but I'd recommend signing up for a restock notification in either color so that you get an email as soon as one is returned or if it's completely restocked!

Outfit Details

Vixen Match Velvet Midi Dress: c/o ModCloth

Necklace: ModCloth (similar)

Silver heels: Bettie Page (similar)

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Baking Spirits Bright

Holiday shopping is so much fun, isn't it? I love spending time scouring websites and stores in search of the perfect present. I actually pride myself on my gift-giving abilities. I don't like the thought of phoning it in and giving a loved one something generic. Fortunately, there are a lot of options available to me so that I can always find something truly special.

For many years, I've turned to ModCloth for gift items that are quirky, unique, and fun. My apartment is actually filled with housewares and office supplies I've found on their website, including dish drying racks, measuring spoons, candy dishes, silverware, mugs, and lots of other home accents. And while I've definitely purchased presents for others from their site, I'm always tempted to keep these items for myself. This time, I actually did – oops!

One of the things I knew I needed was this beautiful vintage baking book! I'm a big fan of The British Baking Show (and of baked goods in general), but I have virtually no skills when it comes to baking. I'm making a concerted effort to get more comfortable in the kitchen and this book looked so delightful... so I had to treat myself (literally). All of the recipes sound amazing. Maybe I can even add one of the cookie recipes into our holiday baking repertoire this year! For now, enjoy the sight of these cut-out cookies I made on a whim and have been eating ever since. And let me know what your favorite cookie is for this time of year – I'd love your input!

Outfit Details

Holiday Nights Knit Sweater: c/o ModCloth

Potluck Hostess Plaid Skirt: c/o ModCloth (similar)

Heels: ModCloth (similar)  ||  Brooch: similar

Gifts and Housewares

The Vintage Baker: c/o ModCloth (available here)

Writers and Their Cats: c/o ModCloth (available here)

Llama tea towel set: c/o ModCloth

Gingerbread house Pyrex: Target

Hearth and Hand candle (Fir and Leather): Target

I think the holidays are hard for a lot of people. I've always really loved them, but the last few years have included some sad times. This year might be sad for other reasons. I'm trying not to think about that, though I'm not always successful. Still, I am really looking forward to celebrating with my parents and with my friends. Focusing on finding just the right thing for everyone on my list has been a welcome distraction. Now I just need to wrap everything (and watch some Christmas movies)!

If you're still looking for some great gift ideas, ModCloth's Holiday Gift Guide has you covered. Plus, they're running a great sale through today (40% off orders $100+) that can take the sting out of holiday spending. They've already sold out of a lot of items – including just about everything I'm wearing or showing off in this post! – so don't wait too long! 

Have a great start to your week!