H&M trench (similar)
Missy Empire blouse (c/o)
Aritzia culottes (similar)
Maison Martin Margiela boots (similar)
Celine bag
Celine sunglasses
Madewell rings
At this time last year, and the year before, too, I was talking about nothing but holiday. Holiday dresses, holiday parties, holiday gifts… and the list goes on. It’s not that I got tired of it and decided to take a break this year so much I was never into it in the first place. I don’t love the holiday season. I’ll be the first to admit it. Four years in retail, listening to Christmas music and wrapping gifts for three months straight, cured me of any enthusiasm I had for the most wonderful (ahem…) time of year. Enough years away from the retail world have eased my frustration with the pressure and tension this season so often brings. But they’ve left me with a feeling that can be described, at best, as indifference.
All this begs the question – why have I been so holiday happy for the last few years? And the simple answer is that I got caught up worrying about other people’s opinions. For the most part, I march to the very distinct beat of my own drum. But as a blogger, I’ve found it surprisingly difficult to openly embrace my lack of interest in tinsel and eggnog. People love Christmas, I’ve reminded myself time and time again. They will want to see what you do for Christmas. And they won’t like it if the answer is nothing.
When I started Coco & Vera, I hoped that people would like it. But I didn’t create content with what I thought people would like in mind. I admit, at times, I’ve lost sight of that – particularly when it comes to holiday content. The reality is, this space is mine. If I woke up one more and decided to stop writing, life would go on. (Which is not to suggest that I have considered that at all. I haven’t.) The same goes for holiday content. My basic philosophy these days is simple: I’m going to share what I like, not what anyone else likes. And I don’t really like the holidays.
So this is as a close to a holiday party outfit as you’ll see from me this year. I don’t have a Christmas tree. I bought one roll of wrapping paper and ran out of tape after wrapping exactly two gifts. The extent of my plans for celebrating NYE is buying a bottle of sparkling wine, because I like pyjamas better than dresses, always. And I’m totally okay with all of that. If merry and bright is your thing, more power to you, but I’m going to stick to pretending the next two weeks are just like any other two weeks of the year.
I fully support doing nothing for Christmas. Fully. To be honest I only like the season for the decorations (I may be addicted to lights and sparkles). Aside from that I’m not really a fan … well, I guess I like classics carols as well but that really is about it.
Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines
Cee, couldn’t agree more, you do you! And this most certainly is your blog, therefore you should do the things that make YOU happy. A good reminder to all fellow bloggers… it’s so darn easy to get caught up. As for me? I’ve always, always, loved Xmas and don’t think that’s going away anytime soon. But having said that, I support your stance wholeheartedly!! Also I’m very much in favour of your gorgeous / timeless outfit too. Happy Wednesday friend! xo
I’ve been easing up on Holiday stuff this year too, not that it’s non-existent, just a lot less, specifically no gift guides. Just like everyone posts about the Nordstrom anniversary sale, they get redundant. And honestly, I saw two ‘hostess gift’ guides which included a bar cart.
Also, as much as I love wrapping gifts, baking cookies, and trimming the tree, to have content for the blog I’d have to be getting it all done WAY sooner than I ever manage to do.
You are also completely right, if you can’t feel like you’ve got control over your blog content, where do you have it?
I’m also LOVING your tie front top! Does it wear well?
http://www.iamchiconthecheap.com/
It does! I have to say, this top has been one of the biggest surprises for me this fall/winter. It’s definitely a budget piece so my expectations were low. In fact, I don’t even think I thought I’d wear it more than a few times. In reality, I’ve worn it practically every week and it still looks like new. I did wash it in a pillow case, but it came through the washer well, too – you get a lot of bang for you buck with it.
xox,
Cee
Always great outfits! I like this one very much, because the trench and the shirt are awesome :-*
Melanie / http://www.goldzeitblog.de
♥
Well it’s a very beautiful outfit Cee! I understand your sentiments. I only put a wreath up this year! LOL Every holiday will be different. I gathered some things for next year. I will have more time to enjoy it, but it didn’t make sense putting it up this year. Sometimes you just have to cut somethings out of your life. Love this post.
http://www.averysweetblog.com/