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CONFESSION: I’ve been really feeling Wear Palettes lately. As ever, I’m probably a late bloomer on this but it’s such a great, lazy way to get motivated with your wardrobe and figure out ways to hit all the tones in the daily palettes through creative means like lipstick, actual metals in jewelry, etc. In addition to actual clothes and footwear and bigger, less subtle accessories. I like that they’ve broken out the palettes between street wear, plants and celebs, but I do wish that they created palettes from other sources.

We were walking around the other day and something caught M’s eye, for example, and she exclaimed “That! That should be on one of your palette thingees!” It was food-related, I think. (Super lesbian, I know. Shut up!) When I saw this one I loved it for the strong earthiness, hence the title of this post!

Tell me what you think in the comments:

CONFESSION: On our 5th consecutive day of blissful holiday PTO, M took me to see A Single Man (remember when I mentioned it here back in November?). Despite the dreariness of the day, we bravely set out on BART to catch it playing down by the water at the Embarcadero theater. I really, really enjoyed it. It was delicious. There’s an old L-Word actress cameo, model cameos, a Mad Men cameo, and one other that I cannot quite recall. It was a touch slow in places, but it’s so visually saturated that it really doesn’t matter, and it made me cry. On our way home we took these silly photos, and then it began to rain, so we hustled inside, made a big spaghetti dinner, opened a bottle of tasty red from Spain, and then FINALLY got around to the Johnnie Walker Black Label blending session we’ve been postponing forever. Dreamy.

Y’all can have special insider pics of the super elaborate scotch whisky blending set-up, because I love you like that:

TOMBOY CONFESSION: M has said that her confession would only wax poetic about ham or sweet potato pie or my deliciously festive sparkling Cosmopolitan cocktails from Christmas, so I guess I’ll say a few words in her stead. We are both VERY excited about the gun rack my brother and his girlfriend so thoughtfully gave us for Christmas. She keeps fussing with her hair, y’all, saying it’s already gotten too long, despite the fact that it’s only been three weeks since she had it cut. Tomboys!

A bit about this blazer: M found it without much ado at our favorite neighborhood thrift store, for five gay bucks and in pristine condition. Turns out it’s from a little place in San Francisco that’s been in business for over 35 years, The Hound Shop. The embroidered label on the inside says “Tailored for the Montgomery Street Man” and has a great hound in the center – it’s really fantastic. She did a dapper job pairing it with this vintage striped, flat-bottom tie I got her two Christmases ago, I think.

FEMME CONFESSION: I really, really, really love this dress! Another epic thrift store find – it must have been somewhere between $3-$5, tops. From the fluttery little sleeves to the deep pinks and reds to the cut and wearability – it’s almost perfect. I have to try it in some va-va-voom heels and decide whether or not the hem needs to come up a couple of inches. I tossed the beret on as an afterthought on our way out of the door and it really made the buttoned-up look (though the weather was so agreeable, I didn’t need the coat at all).

Long story short, it was a very brilliant Christmas – cozy and raucous and abundant in the best ways – with a very full house, wonderful surprises, lots of incredible food and loved ones. My mother had several silly games with awesome prizes for us to play, including a 2-page, multiple choice Christmas trivia quiz in red and green ink that had us all in stitches (M had the lowest score of everyone, even the foreigners – it was hilarious). Nearly everyone teared up when I opened my mom’s gift to me – several sets of my beloved Grandma’s gorgeous vintage jewelry – I was astonished! Amazed and so, so touched.

Some festive Christmas pics below:

CONFESSION: This is a mini-FFAF, courtesy of sweet Jen at Poor Scientist. Will Blog For Food. more than anyone else! These are photos she took of the tomboy and I at her 1st roasted chicken dinner party, which I’d say was a great success! We all decided at the last minute to get all dolled up (it’s more fun that way – you know it’s true) and she and I ended up in dresses the exact shade of navy blue! It was pretty funny. (Mine was floaty chiffon and hers was a delightfully crispy taffeta) When she gets around to blogging the dinner, I’ll let you know so that you can read more about it.

Things are going to be a bit quiet around here while we celebrate the holidays with beloved friends and family, and I’m wishing each of you a very merry time as well. It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Be safe! XOXO!

Here’s a little Dolly to kick things off:

Bonjour, readers! A little bit ago a fledgling butch wrote in asking for some help in the tomboy department. I handed it over to M and I’m posting the exchange here in case it helps you or a tomboy you know. Enjoy!

Hey FFAF,

I love your blog, not least of all because you are highly enjoyable eye candy (do you mind? Such a silly question! – FFAF), but also because you clearly have an eye for fashion.  In fact, you remind me of my own femme. I have to admit though, that I scour your pictures for glimpses of M, and what she’s wearing – also, clearly put together.  I was wondering if you could relay a question from me to her.

I’ve realized I’m not in college anymore and I probably shouldn’t wear sneakers everywhere (even though I love them).  I’m in desperate need of a pair of shoes to wear to work, but I’ve decided NOT to wear the Stuart Weitzman black patent pumps my mom got for me.  I’m sure, as a femme, that your heart is breaking upon hearing this – don’t worry, I’m finding them a good home – but my butch feet just can’t stand them.  Plus, my coworkers say I look silly, looking like a rugby player teetering around on tiny little pumps.  Ha!

I guess this is my first foray trying to buy butch-appropriate dress shoes.  Do you have any tips?  I wear a women’s size 8.5, and my understanding is that it translates to a men’s 6.5, narrow width.  Is the width important?  How do I find these teeny men’s shoes?  And how do I make sure that my shoes aren’t “too butch”? Is there such a thing?

Your help is much appreciated…I’m still a newly minted butch.  Or, always butch in attitude, finally realizing how to dress. Thanks! - Newly Minted Butch

Dear Newly Minted Butch,

Thanks for writing! Let’s see if we can’t help you sort this out. Unless you have a super skinny foot, the normal width should be fine. Also, depending on the amount of walking to be done, you want to possibly go up half a size to make room for insoles (recommended) and thickness of sock (I don’t like super thin men’s socks, they feel weird on my foot!!).

Therefore, I would start with a normal size 7 and see how those feel. Skater shoes are usually pretty snug to begin with, so I’d go another half size up for that. So, maybe a 6.5 for fancy shoes that won’t be worn everyday, a size 7 for everyday business casual (to make room for an insole), and a size 7 for any athletic/skater shoes.

Much like with clothing – take jeans, for instance – you find that certain brands or lines or stores carry types that suit you best. Shoes are no different! It’s why I tend to stick with a small number of brands, but more about that at the end. Here are an assortment of suggested possibilities in your estimated size to get you started:

Black Leather Oxfords from Kenneth Cole, $115

The Bicycle-Toed Shane Oxford from Fitwell, $91

If you’re anything like me and don’t like laces…Ecco’s New York Hand Sewn Slip-On, $125

Ankle boots are the best! Prada Men’s Chelsea Brown Leather Boots, $400

Skater shoes! Osiris 247 in 4 Color Combos, $64

A note on brands: I like Kenneth Cole shoes for fancy/business, and DC or Adio for skater shoes. For affordable, current, handsome enough ankle-length boots you’ll blast through in a year or so, try Aldo – during sales you can pick up a pair for as little as $50/pair, but they run out of sizes quickly, so act fast. Though if I were super rich, I’d probably just buy a pair of Prada boots and maybe a pair of DSquared2 boots to be ultra-ghey once per year.

Alta 4 Evening Ankle Boot byDSquared2™, $925

Be sure to report back! And don’t, you know, let this stop you from scouring the blog for photos of me in the future!

- M

CONFESSION: I had a very full, very festive weekend. The last before Christmas! On Friday night, the tomboy and I bundled up (a bit too much – it was wonderfully pleasant out!) and headed downtown with the petite to follow the longtime tradition of peeking in at the puppies and kittens up for adoption, adorably displayed in Macy’s whimsical holiday window displays. (M threatened to physically remove me if I didn’t stop tearing up! I can’t help it! One little creamsicle kitten was hugging herself to sleep!) It was so much fun! We came home and had Mexican hot chocolate and cookies fresh out of the oven, and watched Valentino: The Last Emperor (which really made me cry).

We celebrated my best friend’s birthday at a lovely French bistro on Saturday night (that’s where these fancy photos are from – this H&M top is so FUN with a built-in petticoat underneath the peplum, but I pinned the flower to the waist for a little extra something) – I had a wonderful pear cocktail and ordered the Coq au Vin, which was fantastic. The BFF was thrilled to bits with everything and we laughed heartily through the entire dinner. All were loathe to end the night so soon!

On Sunday, we celebrated my Grandmother’s 90th birthday. Festivities began promptly at a 10AM mass and didn’t stop until we tore ourselves away from her charming stories and copious amounts of her favorite brandy, in order to make it to a dinner on time at Will Blog For Food’s house. She roasted her very first chicken for us, paired with a gorgeous salad with persimmons and endives, a toasty loaf of bread and roasted vegetables (which became quite caramelized and which M could not get enough of). A happy and lovely evening to complete a very busy weekend!

After catching up with my beauty sleep this morning, I have to tidy up the flat, queue up the baking parade, wrap gifts and take care of those inevitable last-minute errands the holidays bring. I can’t wait until Christmas Eve and I hope y’all are ready for whatever wonderful plans await you! XOXO!

Some fancy photos of the tomboy and I, for fun:

A NOTE FROM SKINNY: Greetings, FFAF readers! It’s a very exciting day, because I’m posting the very first ever guest FFAF post from a dear, dear friend, the lovely Kelly Alice. One of the things she loves to do is sit in bed at night and catch up on all of her favorite fashion magazines or blogs, until she’s sleepy enough to retire. The other night, she told me recently, she’d drifted off and her sweet and lovin’ tomboy came to bed, and in her sleep she said, “I want to start a fashion blog.” “Oh, yeah?” said her tomboy, Fancy Pants, “Who will be in it?” “Me and my friends!” Kelly Alice replied, and vanished back into dreamland.

Of course, Kelly Alice doesn’t remember this at all (I never remember the things I say in my sleep, either, but M sure does!), but she DOES remember waking up determined to whip up a FFAF-esque post, which she sent to me right away!

This is her awesome post. I’m sure you’ll all welcome her warmly and find her to be just as smart and kind and adorable as M & I do! Enjoy!

KA’s CONFESSION: I know that I wear the same things/styles over and over again and could never justify a style blog, but I do love them so (especially FFAF)!  Just for fun though, I did a little photo spread for you from this morning. I now realize how much work goes into your blog. I didn’t have the time to take many shots, then I had to download them from the camera, and then edit the photos…phew, I’m tired just typing all this! How do you muster up the time and energy to do this every day? I salute you! Maybe one day I’ll create a blog that incorporates all the things I love (food, fashion, travel, the damn cats). Who knows, maybe it will be fun!

I hope you’re enjoying your little west coast cold snap!  I have to be honest, it becomes very hard to stay fashionable when it gets truly cold here in Boston (the kind of cold that makes it hard to breathe!). Here are some of my winter weather femme fashion tips:

• buy boots in half a size bigger; wear warm wooly socks tucked inside when wearing dresses and skirts
• use MAC Prep + Prime to keep make-up in place after tucking on hats and wrapping around scarves all day
• wear silk long underwear under clothing – it makes a world of difference, feels so nice against the skin, and is so smooth you can barely notice the extra layer (especially under office clothing!)
• when expecting to be outside for longer periods, put disposable hand warmers (found at sporting goods stores) in shoes, gloves, or on the nape of your neck

Also, I know you can hardly see it at all in the photos, but my latest eyeshadow obsession is MAC’s Vex.  I have been wearing it every. single. day. for weeks since I’ve bought it!

(Skinny here again: I hope KA does start her own blog one of these days, and in the meantime she can guest post here as often as she likes! Also, she is maker of the amazing almond marshmallows and awesome mix CDs! Here is the video for my maybe-favorite on her November mix. It’s way fun and happy and sexy.)