Santa and the Advent Scandal - YouLookFab Forum

Secret Santa, that is....

Well, some of you know I'm been on a my own "Holiday Challenge," trying to bring a bit of celebration into my daily dressing without resorting to tinsel and Christmas sweaters. Although, I just might impersonate Frosty at some point. Of course, there's been red and green, but I'd been incorporating purple because of its significance in to the celebration of Advent.

I go to church in my warm and cuddly purple turtleneck (it was 10 degrees and snowy) and, as I sit, I notice the front of the sanctuary decked out in........ blue! Really? Yes, really -- bright navy, with white and gold accents. Have I stepped into a Synagogue for Hanukkah? No , not judging by the enormous stainglass cross window.

Turns out that Lutherans have the option of choosing either navy or purple for Advent.

While I'm busy working to adjust to changed expectations, lol, my dear Secret Santa sends me the loveliest scarf in a lovely navy blue, with black accents and cream stars and white spots resembling snow. Problem Solved! Blue for Advent, with an added bonus of a starry, snowy night sky!

Thanks, Secret Santa!

What I wore last Sunday
With my jacket (sleeves down for warmth)
my new scarf as I wore it to teach today
My proposed outfit for this Sunday
wearing the scarf like a vestment stole (hee)
the sweater has some sparkle, hard to see in this evening shot, and this photo shows the "textured effect" of a metallic finish on the skirt.
full view of my terrific new scarf. It'll look great with my denim jacket, too!

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12 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Lovely scarf. White, black and dark blue - the best color combination ever!
I have to be honest and tell you that you manage to look more and more stylish every time I see your pictures. I don't know how you do it but it works!

Caro in Oz

Beautiful scarf. Great outfits, I agree with Sveta, you really are on a roll

Suz

What Sveta said. You absolutely SHINE Beth Ann. No wonder your Secret Santa sent that scarf. This has been your year to find your style groove. You are also looking just plain spectacular. I love each and every one of these outfits, and the scarf is beautiful! Every Diva needs her star power. And you've got it.

Neel

That scarf is beautiful! And 4 is a stunner of an outfit. Monochrome beauty.

Beth Ann

Thanks for the boost and the style inspiration! Dressing creatively is a bit of fun in my day --- and this time of the year, with the Holidays coming in and the end of semester work pressing down, I need that bit of fun!

Elizabeth P

Oh, it's lovely! Lucky you. Love this "set" of blue outfits.

ManidipaM

My goodness, that is gorgeousness. A whole new definition of Sunday suits! And what a heavenly scarf.

goldenpig

Lovely scarf and you look beautiful! All your outfits are superb, but I'm partial to the first one, polka dot twin!

Anonymous

Beautiful scarf, and you are looking really good lately!

Lantana

All these are delicious Beth Ann but #2 is exceptionally so.

rute

that scarf is divine! what a gorgeous outfit!

pil

What a great scarf and you have certainly given it its stylistic due with these wonderful outfits.

Woke up to -1 farhenheit. Sheesh. DH is filling up my gas tank, my washer fluid, and warming up my car. What a sweetie! But I'm going to need to dress like Santa today, or I'm going to feel like Frosty! (As I type, he's pulling a down comforter from the couch and putting in my car --- just in case. Perhaps I should ask him to drive me to work, so I can curl up in the car with the comforter and a bit of tea)

Your warm comments are just what I needed to face a cold day full of end-of-semester work! Thanks!

Windchime

The scarf is spectacular! Your Secret Santa knows your colors and style well. And you're making great use of it with your secretly festive outfits.

LOL about thinking you might be in synagogue. Yep, several years ago some churches started using blue for Advent.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Your Secret Santa did a great job, and so have you with the new colour palette. Chic and Diva-esque.

carambola

You look terrific in every one of these! Love your style. Fantastic new scarf!

minimalist

Fantabulicious scarf! And your line-up of amazing outfits would take you through another month of Advent Sundays.

Bubbly-enthusiastic explanation of color's symbolism in services:
http://www.lcms.org/page.aspx?pid=452
(Missouri Synod, no idea what that means but I've heard the distinction made emphatically so just a heads up.)

And a less evangelistic description:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liturgical_colours

Oh my, I LOVE #1 and #2. The colors are so rich - you truly look striking.

Transcona Shannon

Too much gorgeousness in one thread....feeling faint...."crash helmut please"...

Alassë

I always enjoy clicking through your WIWs.

shedev

Lurve that scarf.

Thanks for commenting! I'm having fun with this challenge, and am wearing green today!

Amy K -- with a DH who was a pastor for 20 years, and now a New Testament scholar, I am indeed familiar with Mo Synod Lutherans, and the 6 different branches of Presbyterians, and the 30 clans of Baptists! We spent the last 10 years in a non-denominational evangelical congregation (new, and quite small), and my husband was solo pastor. There was no choir, just a great, acoustic ensemble and singers, and certainly no vestments! DH wore jeans, button down and jacket to preach --- I guess he already dressed like a professor.
Now that he's a full-time professor, we're just members, not "leaders" in church, and are exploring new ways and a new community. We're both surprised to find ourselves so at home so quickly. Except for the purple. I'm really upset about no purple. Hee.

How did I miss this?! What gorgeous colours on you (that scarf is stunning! very diva-esque!) & your title/story made me giggle. I'd be confused at no advent purple too (I was raised Catholic, took a good decade off from organised religion, and am now attending an Episcopal church when I feel well enough on Sunday mornings, which sadly isn't too often).

Beth Ann, I have so enjoyed your festive everyday outfits! FWIW, Catholics can also choose deep blue instead of purple for Advent. It has caused havoc in our religion classes where a favorite song is one about the liturgical colors of the year. ("Purple is for Preparation, White is for Celebration..." We were horrified when a new priest chose to use blue. He has now used some blue, some purple to help us out. Maybe too many kiddos were asking him why he was wearing blue when it is Advent

Ah, Beth Ann I didn't mean the links for you, since it sounded like you're well-versed in all things liturgical. Thought they might be of interest to others who, like me, has no idea what the surprise was about and was just thinking decor preferences.

jayne

Oh Beth Ann, just had to pop in and say I love that blue on blue outfit...that has got to be your color. You look beautiful.

Ariadne

Glorious! I love how your use of pattern and texture bring depth to a sleek, tonal outfit. It's also both modest and stylish, perfect for church.

We also observe Advent and I love the idea of carrying the colours into my clothes (at least for church). I never thought of doing that before. Sadly, we only have white candles in our wreath this year because I ran out of time to source purple/blue and pink ones, and missed the annual Advent-wreath-making event at our church.

I think Advent is my favourite time in the liturgical year. My second daughter was born during the first week of Advent and one of her names reflects the theme of that week.

donnat

Very well put together. Love 1 and 2, but the scarf is fabulous too.

lyn67

All perfect and in awe about your SS! Love the texture of your black skirt, and all the purles here! Love the white denim outfit the most. Just because others are more predictable divaesque to me:-).

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