where my party people at?

So, I realise I have been pretty useless at posting recently. This is partly due to Christmas temp duties in an attempt to replenish my constantly diminishing bank account and partly due to my time being dedicated to watching the likes of Gossip Girl, 90210 and...Living with the Amish (I'm not living with the amish and hating electricity free life, it is a show on Channel 4).

To make up for my poor efforts here is an extra big post on, yep you guessed it, the Christmas Party conundrum.

So the Christmas season has approached and that not only brings the welcome return of the christmas jumper (as discussed in an earlier post) but it also bring numerous events. Work parties...christmas dinner and drinks with friends...hell, any excuse for a party. But of course this brings the issue of party dressing for christmas without busting out a Mrs Claus type ensemble, being festive but not over-doing the 'sexy santa' theme. So, here are some of my picks for christmas beauty, christmas on a 'budget' and christmas off a budget. I tend not to stick to trends too much, after all they are only trends and as with all fashion they do change faster than the wind, so these are just some of my christmas season favourites...

Christmas beauty allows for a lot of leg room, tis the season to go overboard! Glitter becomes acceptable for evenings that don't involve dancing in a strobe lit room and is actually one of my favourite make up tips for the festive period. You can go full on gold leaf as was seen at Fendi or just go for subtle embelishment seen at Chanel and MAC have actually released a limited edition Christmas range called 'Glitter and Ice'. If glitter on the face really isn't your thing then OPI (as well as nearly every other nail brand) have released a fabulous christmas collection inspired by The Muppets, they come in a variety of colours but my favourites are the festive glitter red and glitter green as well as the multi coloured sparkle polish. Hair is another area to embelish if youwant to keep make up simple, jewellery can be worn in the hair, for example a chunky ring in the place of a hairband or a broch pinned on a chingnon. This season try switching a typical christmas red lipstick and go for a variation of the festive shade, I like a hot pink, blue red of orange red to switch it up and NARS as well as MAC have such a variety of colours you will be spoilt for choice. In my opinion hair can't really be dictated by trends as it can be so personal but at the moment I am loving any form of braid as well as really chic and undone ponytails, I will be pairing my pony with a massive silver sequin headband come christmas day.
images courtesy of Vogue, Mac and Nars

These are the party options that high street favourite Topshop have to offer. I especially love the yellow and purple beaded clutch bag to spice up a LBD. The silver shoes are a near exact copy of some Alexander Wang shoes that I had my eye on and the spiked head band is a nice alternative to a golden tinsel headband that I sported two years ago.
From top left: Satin lace tee £36, gold leather purse £16, Premium beaded clutch £35, Limited edition emerald silk strappy maxi £175, Lillie cherry trim sandals £65, Limited edition leather flippy waist dress £175, Planet flared heel platform moccasins £95, smudge animal print dress £60, mesh bib collar necklace £15, Lush metallic faux sankeskin platforms £65, spike cluster headband £25, Premium mteallic pleat skirt £90.

On the higher end of the scale net-a-porter have some spectacular options for any party. I love the golden Gucci skirt with a cosy knit for a casual christmas dinner and the red Valentino clutch with a bow is so Christmassy without being too much of a gimmick and the Mochino tuxedo jumpsuit is an adorable alternative to a dress.
From top left: Rachel Gilbert silk chiffon dress £695, Christopher Kane gel and PVC clutch £385, Valentino satin bag £520, Michael Kors leather and jersey gown £2400, Christian Louboutin metallic and patent leather pumps £425, Emilio Pucci crystal and velvet dress £5125, Miu Miu glitter and suede boots £555, Moschino Cheap and Chic tuxedo jumpsuit £815, Versace enamel bracelet £1515, Charlotte Olympia suede and satin boots £810, Dannijo crystal necklace £590, Gucci metallic leather skirt £1080.


It is less than a month until Christmas Day people! Be prepared to pop out the advent calendar.