Black And White

On my first day back to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. following a break for the holidays, I was eager to sport my new Christmas baubles. As I had pointed out to my girlfriend, Jan, when she and I were looking through my closet for outfits to wear to her fabulous New Year’s Eve party earlier this week, I have a number of attractive black and white garments in my wardrobe, but until I opened my gift from Robert and Jan on Christmas day, I had no black and white jewelry to wear with them.

The day of my long commute to the Congressional Library was bitterly cold, with temperatures barely reaching 30 degrees Fahrenheit all day, the pale winter sun unable to raise even a modicum of warmth despite a cloudless sky. Perfect, I decided, to break out a stunning, wide-collared sweater-vest by Boston Proper with a snowflake motif in contrast stitching which was a gift to me last fall from my best friend, Kari’s, mother, Joyce, in Spokane. I layered a ribbed-knit, scoop-neck Faded Glory top beneath the vest and pulled on a pair of boot-cut Levi’s Perfectly Slimming denim jeans and some short black booties by Pink & Pepper. All this black and white was a perfect foil for my new jewelry: a gorgeous black and white pearl and crystal necklace with matching bracelet and earrings from Fire & Ice Jewelers of Baltimore (www.fireandice.com).

Compliments on my attire warmed me considerably, despite the chill. Two security guards at the Library entrance took a sudden interest in women’s fashion, letting me proceed only after I promised to bribe them with a home made gourmet treat from my kitchen on a future visit. It was a great way to start the new year.

Cheers,

Lynell

"Mortals. Everything is so black and white to you."

― Kami Garcia, Beautiful Creatures