A lady isn't dressed until her earrings are on!

I bet antique store owners hate me. I will ask them to open a jewelry case loaded with sparkles and sift through each piece. This can take some time. One of my favorite spots for rhinestone jewelry is Fans and Stoves in Five Points.  https://www.facebook.com/FansStovesAntiqueMall There are racks of necklaces... But my plight is my thicker-than-the-1940s neck! Girls who enjoyed their food back then didn't wear jewelry?? I have found some extenders that work, but most necklaces have tricky clasps...Also, the style then was set close to the neck, which I hate. So I sadly put many beautiful necklaces back. Maybe they will be bought by a stylish vegetarian.

What always fits? Earrings! Most earrings from the '40s and '50s have clip backs. Anyone who has withstood the vice-like grip of clip-ons really loves fashion. I know jewelers will happily remove the clip and solder on a post...if there is a pair you can't live without. My first rhinestone earrings came from Fans and Stoves in 2005. I bought them to accompany a very plain gown for a fraternity formal. I have since lost one in the many moves I've made all around Jacksonville. They are my favorite because of the sparkle and how they follow the curve of my ear.

Here I am wearing them next to my lovely friend Kim. I endured the clip-on pain for a few hours, then spent the evening massaging my lobes. If I had the earring's companion, I would have these converted to posts.

 Here's another clip pair I adore...blue bumble bees!

My friend Josette uses her clip earrings as cuff links on dress shirts.. What a great way to add a little retro to your wardrobe. I've clipped mine to my collar on a white shirt to jazz it up. 

You don't have to comb through retro or antique stores for this look. Stella and Dot offer the Naomi clusters. And shockingly they offer a clip-on version, too. Now that's retro! Email me at opisso.carter@gmail.com if you are interested....

I love the Jadite color in the Naomi... And that pale green color drew me to my new favorite earrings. My friend Janelle owns the coolest store in Downtown DeLand. Pinup Parlor carries dresses, shoes, purses, jewelry and more for the aspiring pin-up. My favorite dress in the whole world is from there... 

And you can shop Pinup Parlor online, too. Every time I visit, there is something new and exciting... I also bought my most favorite shoes from her. Seems like all my favorite things are from Pinup Parlor! These earrings were under $20 and the perfect addition to the all black wardrobe I love. 

Remember, no matter how many cookies you enjoyed over the holidays... Earrings always fit!!

Check out Pinup Parlor's site below or stop in when you visit historic Downtown DeLand. 

https://www.facebook.com/PinupParlorBoutique

Apple butter on a Saturday

I've discovered apple butter is glorified apple sauce. There's no butter involved... What a bummer. I enjoyed making this Southern treat on a Saturday. About 8 apples, apple cider, sugar, cloves and cinnamon produced a sweet batch.

 I've had it smothered over a biscuit or spread on toast. But I could see it as an accompaniment to ham or poultry. Today, I tried out something I'd like to offer on my Christmas table. My husband was the willing taste tester for apple and cheese puffs. Puff pastry envelops the apple butter and cheddar cheese, with more cheese on top.

 But can you believe it, I couldn't taste the cheese over the powerful clove and buttery pastry. I asked my hubby to rate it with 1 being "never make it again or give it to the dogs" and 10 being "Make more now!" He gave it a 7. Hmmm. I'm not happy with a 7. Improvements? I'm going to use a sharper cheddar. Also, after the egg wash on top, a sprinkle of salt and pepper is much needed. If there's anything I've learned from being in the kitchen, it's don't make anything new for company. So anything on the Christmas table needs to be troubleshot. The hubby is going to be stuffed like a Christmas goose being my "assistant." 

Happy Holidays🎄🎅

Yo yos for Christmas

When I told my Mom no one sews anymore, she said, "I don't understand." I think Twitter has taken over the top-stitch and Netflix binging has nixed the knitting. I do have a few talented friends who can make a hat or a scarf, and one really special gal who can make clothes. But for me, I've only sewn on buttons and cross stitched over ink patterns of cats.  Over Thanksgiving, my Mom introduced me to the Clover, a plastic circular device used to make a "yo-yo." You use whatever fabric scraps you have to make these adorable mini blossoms. 

I strung mine along to make a home-spun garland.

 Mom stuffed her yo-yos and stacked them into a teeny tree finished with a bead.

Yo-yo making is the perfect thing to do while an old Christmas movie is on TV...Or when you are subjected to hours of football. 

The best thing about this project? You only have to know how to thread and knot a needle. Thank goodness. I could even do it as I ride in the car 10 hours to Tennessee this Christmas. Check out this little wreath with stuffed yo-yos from Mom. 

 I think I'm going to make another garland with leftovers from my daughter's mermaid quilt. I could make it like a little valance for her window. Yo-yos are a great project for a non-committal seamstress like me. I did feel a bit like Little House on the Prarie with a needle and thread in hand. And the result was perfectly retro.