Counting down to Christmas

Hi,

Hear that? That’s the ticking of the clock counting down to my last working day before the Xmas holidays. It feels quite the luxury to have a long Christmas break, and that’s down to building up unused leave during the year. Perhaps my New Year’s Resolution will be to keep an eye on using my leave and have more regular breaks. Still, a long break at Christmas? Top banana!

Prep Work

It’s been a while since I’ve been to any fancy Xmas Do – Chams exempt 💖- and my recolletions are pretty much pick out some trousers, find a shirt – possibly a tie, if it’s fancy – and then it’s boots or maybe brogues if black is required. Very meh, and yet, quite easy. Male privilege, moi? 😜

Conversely, this week’s activity of looking through the wardrobe for what may go together for the Chams’ Christmas party. Did I wear that last time? Do I have shoes that go with that? Can I walk in those shoes or get away with sitting down a lot? Can I still fit into that? etc.

But, hey, I don’t have to think about having my hair done, given that’s kept on Polystyrene Yorick – or Yorika at the weekends – in the cupboard 😉 If anything said hair had just the right amount of curl, which was a stroke of good fortune.

I got my list of outfits down to two dresses and a skirt + fancy mesh top, plus two sets of heels. I also overpacked on tights as being a klutz, I don’t trust myself not to put a finger through a new pair on the night. #LessonsLearned

Talking of can I fit into that? the reduction in bread and avoiding hot chocolate – is it a sugar thing too? – has helped keep my size down. I don’t think I’m losing weight, but my tum is flatter and my jeans & belt are a bit too big now. Result!

So, all that work? Yeah, but it would be dull otherwise, so it was time well spent! Plus, I got to break in my new heels, so I felt as ready as I could be for the big night.

Getting going

I was slightly late setting off due to a much needed Disco Nap post-work. Yeah, my battery life is not what it was, so I took the -ahem- Executive Decision to have forty winks to pep me back up. That and a lovely hot shower seemed to do the trick.

Having packed my bag the evening before, it was a case of getting the bag, food & drinks & fuddle gear (paper plates, napkins, and wooden cuttlery), wig box – yes, Yorika travels in style 👑 – and some shoes to pass on, all into the car. Cue the usual route around the ringroad, the delays around QMC, and getting to the Centre to set up.

No Ann or Izzy this week – who are the usual early birds – as both had sadly come down with the Xmas Lurgy that’s doing the rounds. Get well soon, ladies! 💖 Jayne was first through the door and – other than looking fabulous – was kind enough to help me shift the tables around, bless her.

New Cement

I was pleased with the new concealer, or more accurately, the new approach to layering two after warming them on the back of my hand. I also decided to re-risk the viral hack of some lip protector to bolster my primer under my eyes. Did it work miracles? No, but it was better, and I’ll take better.

I had a slight oops moment – two actually – which meant things could’ve been worse. Firstly, two of the three sets of tights had perished in the wash and/or draw with being snagged. Luckily, my backup backup was fine, so that saved the day.

It had also been a while since I’d worn my ‘strapless’ bra with the added invisible straps. It went on okay – if a little snug, but that’s needed to give the support – and then crack one of the plastic straps snapped off.

Ah, I guess not everything improves with age! 😉 Despite some emergency hacks with tape, I could not get it to told, so I had to go without the straps. Luckily the dress worked okay with it and I stuck with my first choice.

I felt quite chuffed with my make-up but everything is in soft focus when I take my specs off these days 😉

The Main Event

By the time I was ready – how had the time run away with me? 😵 Psst: apparently that is a ADHD thing 🙄 – pretty much everyone had arrived, so it was a case of gently shuffling bowls, plates, and unwrapping food that the group had been kind enough to bring along.

I spotted that some our number had gone to a lot of effort, as there was a fair amount of home made food with various salads, rolls, party food, and cakes. The Xmas Cake – I think Rosalind’s handy work – looked beautful – tasted great as well.

It wasn’t long before there was a big queue as we all lined up to fill out plates and mingle with each other. No Xmas music this year I’m afraid. Partly as I didn’t quiet get my act together on the play list and also because I didn’t want to ruin anyone’s chances if they were playing Whamageddon. I mean last christmas I was… no STOP!!! 😏

The evening was just the right balance of great company, good food, and a gentle but warm atmosphere. I had a good chat with various folk and it was a really fab evening. It must have been as the next time I looked at the clock, it was 10.30 and nearly time to start collecting the recycling and the rubbish. Val spotted a spare carrier bag, so I was able to scoop up the plastic and recycle it later on.

Saying our farewells

Hollywood corner was quite busy given that everyone had turned up the fancy factor to 11. I did manage to sneak myself and Val in for the usual photo memories of the night.

My new shoes had served me well and my feet were thankful for the slightly lower heel compared to the nude heels I often go for. Talking of shoes, I sold on some New Looks I’d had the cupboard to Stevie. Hopefully they work out better for her than they did for me.

All in all, it was a really good night and there was a lot of Christmas hugs as friends wished each other a merry Christmas. That’s it until January but what an amazing way to see the year out. I felt really lucky to have had such a good time and to have the Chams lot as friends.

Take care,
L x 🎄