I thought I’d do something a bit different today…you’ll have to let me know whether you like these kind of posts or not?

Christmas is only a stones throw away , its also party season and boy do I like to party. Don’t we all !

It’s also my birthday month . I’m 46 this year – don’t even ask me how that happened! I swear I was only 21 a few years ago – or that’s how it feels anyway. My mum always told me it flew by when you reached your 30’s. Boy was she right.

An item of clothing that will see you through is the ever trusty Little Black Dress fondly referred too as the LBD.

Over the years I’ve had a few of these and they are a god-send. Dressed up , dressed down coupled with the right accessories it can look like a totally different outfit.

First up is the dress of my dreams…and totally out of my price range.

Isn’t she gorgeous?

I’m 5ft 10 so this dress wouldn’t drown me. Lace , pleats, high neck what’s not to love?

• 

 

Self Portrait £320.00

I swore I’d never wear a long dress again after I was Brownie Queen and made to wear an awful pale green monstrosity ! It haunted me for years.

Roll on  25 odd years  and  I succumbed to a beautiful Lipsy dress (below)  when we visited BAFTA last year for an evening with James Bond.

Yes ladies I’ve met Sir Roger Moore… Bond, James Bond.

I kinda find myself drawn to them now. They make you feel like a million dollars and I find your carry yourself differently. Let’s say they bring out the lady in you.

Self Portrait is a brand I’ve always admired … from afar. Mainly because its totally out of my price range, but a girls allowed to dream right?

I wouldn’t wear a jacket / coat I would plump for a faux fur wrap, or something along those lines. I wouldn’t want to hide the beautiful detail of the dress.

Peyton Faux Fur Scarf – Coast £39.00

I bought this one (below) from River Island several years ago and I can’t believe how handy it is to just pop over an outfit. Definitely one of the best £39.99’s I’ve ever spent.

I’d take my hair up to show off the high neck of the dress – I’m loving the fact my hair is eventually long enough to mess again. I can not wait to experiment with some up-do’s.

Pictures below courtesy of Pinterest.

To add some Christmas sparkle I would pop in some hair slides / grips.

Can you imagine a few of these scattered through the back of the above do. It would just add the final touches.

I’m growing my fringe out (again) and I’m considering getting some of these to pin it back. It’s at that awful in your eye stage. It’s enough to drive me for the scissors (which is what happened last time!)

Flower Hair Slide – Mikey £12.60

Twin Flower Slide – Mikey £17.64

Jewel Hair Brooch – New Look £7.99

K.I.S.S.I.N.G Love Bite Red – Charlotte Tilbury £23.00

And of course a striking red lip …

K.I.S.S.I.N.G Penelope Pink – Charlotte Tilbury £23.00

Or if like me you prefer to keep it more natural …here’s my ‘go to’ lippy a beautiful pinky beige.

Play down the lips , big up the eyes. I’m planning to do a totally separate post on eye makeup as it’s something I’m asked about more than anything.

I’ve purchased some gorgeous earrings from Black and Sigi over the past year. I particularly like these…

But think I’d go for something a-bit chunkier like these…

Gold Tone Earrngs – Next £8.00

Foot wear wise I’d love to wear these beauties…

Gold Sandals Boohoo – £20.00

But due to my dodgey left foot (dam that foot)  I’d have to wear something slightly lower and studier. Slippers maybe 🙂

These would be ideal and totally bling-tastic.

Pink Paradox Scallop edge Alexis Shoe – Debenhams £35.96

So there you have it … my perfect party outfit.

The thing with perfect party outfits is you can never have enough… not in my books anyway. Here are some more  LBD’s I have got my eye on… which are more purse friendly!

Black Lace Insert Velvet dress – Wallis £40.50 (limited sizes available)

I love this . It’s gorgeous in its simplicity and I love the lace detail to the bottom of the sleeves. Its also in this seasons favourite fabric – velvet.

Ursula Dress – Virgos Lounge was £140.00 now £65.00

I discovered Virgos Lounge earlier this year while looking for a dress for a Charity masked ball I was attending in Sheffield.

They sell really beautiful dressy dresses. They have a vintage feel to them and I could seriously  buy them all. The sizing is a bit all over (big on the shoulders , tight around the hips) and I would perhaps size up if I ordered again.

Areilla Kacey Tie Waist Dress – House of Fraser £119.00

This would be great as I could see me (or you)  wearing it during the summer months as well as the winter. A good all-rounder. I do like to get wear and tear out of my clothes.

Imagine it with a golden tan, lots of arm-candy, beach-head hair and some strappy sandals. 

And finally a dress that I could see me wearing Christmas day for the pub. Its a little more flirty and fun…and not tight around the tummy (for all that Christmas lunch)

I’d add a fancy choker to cover some of the bareness around the neck. I do love my chokers.  A pair of cheeky ankle boots and my grandmas leopard print coat; my grandma has to make an appearance in some way, shape or form  during Christmas day.

AND look at those sleeves … #sleeveporn

 Easel Night Out Dress – Shoptiques £53.00

I hope your feeling suitably ‘Christmas Outfit’ inspired. Its definitely got my ‘appetite’ going…

Right I think I deserve a Baileys Coffee. Can you believe I’ve not had one today. Standards are definitely slacking …

Until next time, Tracey x

• Linking up #SaturdayShareLinkUp – Not Dressed as Lamb