43 In Style

What I’m wearing to a last minute Christmas party

sequin palm party dress

SO! What to wear to a last minute Christmas party… I have one coming up in two days, and this is what I am going to wear.  Luckily, it isn’t a work or corporate Christmas party, so dress code wise, pretty much anything goes.  I’m grateful for that because recently I’ve had no time to plan ANYTHING.  Once again, my sweet little boy has been sick with every horrible virus that has been ’round London’s nursery schools so I’ve had my hands full.  I’ve also had my washing machine full because the most recent virus has been a particularly nasty tummy bug.  I was secretly hoping I might get this virus after my son got over it, because he lost so much weight.  Unfortunately, I seem to be immune to any virus that might make me skinny!

After doctor visits and many sleepless nights, I’m really looking forward to getting out of the house and knocking back some festive drinks at our neighbours’ house party. Technically, this isn’t a last minute invitation, it is just that I have been so busy recently that I forgot to write it in my diary. I happened across the invite over the weekend and realised I hadn’t even RSPVd yet.  This particular party is one of my favourites of the Christmas season; the invitation is only for people on our street (which is only two blocks long).  It is a chance to catch up with all of our neighbours who we have rushed conversations with every day as we get a coffee, catch the bus, walk our dogs, discuss neighbourhood developments, and go about our busy lives.  Every year, the party is PACKED with (very warm) people, and every year I come home wishing I’d worn something cooler.  Well this year, I am.  I’m wearing this dress which I ordered from the Australian brand Discount Universe a few months ago.  They have some pretty outrageous things, so you certainly never have to worry about someone else showing up in the same dress as you are wearing.  Even I only choose their tamest items!

You might remember the other dress (one of my absolute favourites) from Discount Universe that I’ve worn on the blog.   I’ve SO enjoyed it that I decided to order this one I’m wearing.   I mean, what’s not to like about stars, a sacred heart, and palm trees ALL IN SEQUINS?  I was a little concerned about the length so I ordered a large instead of my usual medium.  It was a mistake because not only is it still too short, but it is also too big and wide!  In daytime photos like these, it honestly doesn’t look great, but at night with opaque tights, it doesn’t seem as short and you won’t notice the lack of fit quite so much.  I’ll have it taken in, but I don’t have time to do it before the party, so what you are seeing here is what my neighbours will get.

christmas party dressBecause nothing says Christmas like palm trees!

sequinist front door party dress

sequinist party dress deets
Details: Hermes clutch and cuff

I’m also wearing what might be my favourite pair of earrings.  They’re tiny loose rubies and pink sapphires encased in a faceted white sapphire “shell”.  I love the combination of hot and cool colours together, and I love pretty much everything that Moritz Glik does.  I’m always drawn to square shapes for some reason, so these really make me happy.

earrings with party dress

moritz glik earrings

party palmsPhotos by Lottie Anderson

My blogger friends in the Over 40 Collective are also sharing what they’d be wearing for a last minute Christmas party invitation.  I’ll put photos and links below as their posts go live.  I’m sure they’ll be wearing something much more sensible than a too-short ill-fitting dress with sequin palm trees.  😀

unspecifiedCatherine of Not Dressed As Lamb is modern and chic in a sequin kimono

unspecified_4Michelle of RetroChicMama wears a knockout blush velvet party dress

unspecified_2Annette of Lady of Style glows elegantly in her cream Zara tied tunic

unspecified_1Michelle of The Barefaced Chic sparkles in head to to silver and grey

unspecified_3Liz of What Lizzy Loves goes full on firecracker in red sequins

unspecified
Nikki of Midlife Chic is the definition of classic elegance in her velvet top

Linking to: FashionShouldBeFun, NotDressedAsLamb, elegantlydressedandstylish, stylenudge,

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43 Comments

  • Reply
    The Blonde Lady Lioness
    December 14, 2016 at 7:22 AM

    Lovely outfits 🙂
    Wishing you a great Christmas !!!
    Kind regards
    Steffi

    • Reply
      Lisa
      December 14, 2016 at 7:46 AM

      Thank you so much, Steffi. Happy Christmas to you too! xx

  • Reply
    Liz
    December 14, 2016 at 10:08 AM

    Oh wow Lisa!!! Well of course you look stunning in your sequins. You always do. This is an amazing design though. Its so you and is such a vibrant dress. I know what you mean about it being short but with the opaques and shoes, it looks totally fabulous. The earrings are exquisite too, I can see why they’re your favourites. Have a wonderful festive season darling and love to gorgeous Alexandre xxxxx Love Liz, http://www.whatlizzyloves.comxxxxx

    • Reply
      Lisa
      December 14, 2016 at 3:17 PM

      Thank you, lovely Liz. I’m completely inspired by your red sequin dress; it really is the shiznit. I’m wishing you a fabulous Christmas! xx

  • Reply
    Emma Peach
    December 14, 2016 at 1:08 PM

    What a fun dress! I love all the sequins…and the palm trees 😉 Those earrings are so beautiful and very unusual. I’ve just ordered a sequin skirt…I’m very excited. I just know the post lady will bring it when my husband’s at home and I’ll be shopping busted yet again!

    • Reply
      Lisa
      December 14, 2016 at 3:14 PM

      OMG, I can’t wait to see you in the sequin skirt on your blog, Emma! Woo Hoo! Let’s face it, even if you’re husband isn’t at home when the post lady arrives, you’ll be busted when you wear the skirt. I’m sure he’ll notice it, hahaha. Happy Christmas! xx

  • Reply
    Suzy Turner
    December 14, 2016 at 2:38 PM

    You look absolutely stunning and that dress is simply divine! It’s quirky yet sophisticated at the same time. And those earrings? Well, they’re just to die for!
    Sorry to hear your little boy has been so sick though. I hope that’s it now! And you really needn’t worry about getting the same virus in order to lose weight – you don’t need to. You look fabulous!
    Hugs
    Suzy xx
    http://www.suzyturner.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      December 14, 2016 at 3:12 PM

      Thank you, Suzy, for your very kind comments! I adore the earrings too; I always play with them for a few minutes before I put them in my ears 😀 I also hope this is the end of the crazy nursery viruses. Happy Christmas to you, sweetie! xx

  • Reply
    LA CONTESSA
    December 14, 2016 at 4:18 PM

    Our STREET party is this weekend as well…………………I have NO idea what I will be featuring until a half hour before!NO THOUGHT goes into THAT for me.I just REACH.Since, I cleaned the closet last weekend I discovered items LONG AGO forgotten!
    TRA LA!
    SO SORRY about your little BOY!
    Horrible to see him so sick!

    Those earrings are GORGEOUS!

    • Reply
      Lisa
      December 14, 2016 at 6:06 PM

      Oh, have a fabulous time at your street party! I look forward to it every year. I used to just grab whatever to wear, but my goodness, I was always sweltering… NOT THIS YEAR! I hope my little one is building up one hell of an immune system. Happy Christmas darling Contessa xx

  • Reply
    Michelle
    December 15, 2016 at 8:48 AM

    I knew I could count on you to pull something sequinned AND tasteful, yet quirky and festive out of the hat. And by gosh you didn’t disappoint. Bravo lady, bravo!
    Michelle xx

    • Reply
      Lisa
      December 15, 2016 at 4:10 PM

      Hahahaha, thank you, Michelle! xx

  • Reply
    Catherine, Not Dressed As Lamb
    December 15, 2016 at 12:41 PM

    Lisa this is such a stunner of a dress – only you could make sequinned palm trees work in winter! Your legs look amazing so who cares that it’s short, the sequins are what it’s all about! Those earrings are the biz too – so lovely to see them close-up with all the tiny gems inside… Just perfect.

    Thanks for such a great write up about our collab, I’m so pleased with this one and I think we should do “glam” ones more often!! We all look the bomb (even if I say so myself, hehe)

    Catherine x

    • Reply
      Lisa
      December 15, 2016 at 4:10 PM

      Thank you, Catherine. I am always up for doing a glam collab; the glammer the better!

  • Reply
    Mithra Ballesteros
    December 15, 2016 at 1:48 PM

    LOVE! You are a sexy beast, so don’t think you’ll be any cooler this year because everyone around you will feel the heat! Going to order that dress this minute. Size M. The short length should be perfect for me, right? Oh, and your syndicate of fashion lovers all look just as fab! Honestly, very inspiring… .

    • Reply
      Lisa
      December 15, 2016 at 4:09 PM

      Thank you, Miss Mithra! The dress is fab and fun, isn’t it?! Yes, I think the length would be great for you. xx

  • Reply
    Elise
    December 15, 2016 at 6:20 PM

    Such a fun dress!! Love all the sequins!

    xx, Elise
    http://www.sparkleandslippers.blogspot.con

    • Reply
      Lisa
      December 15, 2016 at 8:32 PM

      Thanks so much, Elise! xx

  • Reply
    Abby
    December 15, 2016 at 6:39 PM

    Looking absolutely fab Mrs Sequinist! And with you hot legs, who would worry about the length of the dress:) Love the earnings too, how special they are with the tiny crystals. Wishing you and your loved ones Happy and healthy Christmas! Hugs! xx Abby

    • Reply
      Lisa
      December 15, 2016 at 8:32 PM

      Oh, thank you darling Abby! Sending lots of Christmas love to you and your family; I can’t wait to see you in Paris again early in the New Year (I assume we’ll come again then). xx

  • Reply
    No Fear of Fashion
    December 15, 2016 at 6:40 PM

    What a spectacular piece. Love the sequins and palm trees. Of course you could have done with that eye dress of this company. I bet that has not been worn out yet haha. But I get it, when you see a beauty like this, it is hard to resist. If you ever decide it is too short to your liking, do what I did and wear skinnies underneath it. Perhaps leather ones like Annette?
    But you can wear it like this too.
    I did see the clutch and cuff… little presents from your last Paris visit? Beautiful. And so are the earrings. I am all for square too. Yet I always seem to come home with round. But I really love square.
    I hope you have a wonderful party with your neighbours and that your son will stay healthy.
    Greetje

    • Reply
      No Fear of Fashion
      December 15, 2016 at 7:47 PM

      I forgot to say how beautiful your face is. That picture with the earrings… Vogue worthy.

      • Reply
        Lisa
        December 15, 2016 at 8:29 PM

        Oh gosh, Greetje, thank you so much. xx

    • Reply
      Lisa
      December 15, 2016 at 8:31 PM

      That’s a great idea about leather skinnies; I was thinking of you and how you do that with short dresses after I took the photos.

      The clutch was a birthday present, and the cuff I’ve had for years, but they both get LOOOOOOTS of use.

      Thank you for your sweet wishes Greetje! xx

  • Reply
    jacqui
    December 15, 2016 at 8:21 PM

    Funky dress, I’m sure you’ll rock the place in it. Have a super time and I hope your not too hot. Loving the other styles, especially the velvet dress.

    • Reply
      Lisa
      December 15, 2016 at 8:28 PM

      Thanks so much, Jacqui! It was last night, and it was PERFECT! xx

  • Reply
    Sarah Bell
    December 15, 2016 at 11:05 PM

    What a fun sweater dress! Love all the sequins 🙂 I hope you have a fun time 🙂

    Sarah Bell
    Trendy & Tidy

    • Reply
      Lisa
      December 15, 2016 at 11:08 PM

      Thanks so much, Sarah! xx

  • Reply
    Nicole
    December 16, 2016 at 4:50 AM

    Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style.

  • Reply
    Mary Murnane
    December 16, 2016 at 3:16 PM

    Adorable look! Have a great weekend!

    Mary
    http://www.marymurnane.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      December 16, 2016 at 3:36 PM

      Thank you, Mary. You too! xx

  • Reply
    jess jannenga
    December 16, 2016 at 6:15 PM

    Lisa, Love the sparkly colors of this dress. I say, ” short, shmort” why not? Love it with the booties and the earrings are a delicate touch!
    Have a fun time at the party!
    jess xx
    http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      December 26, 2016 at 3:09 PM

      Thank you Jess 😀 xx

  • Reply
    Sammy Hayes
    December 17, 2016 at 10:05 PM

    I love your dress it’s absolutely fantastic!

    Sammy | Bargainbaglady.com XX

    • Reply
      Lisa
      December 26, 2016 at 3:07 PM

      Thanks so much, Sammy! xx

  • Reply
    Stella Asteria
    December 21, 2016 at 10:13 AM

    Ah you and your sequins my dear Lisa! What a fabulous look! You look really beautiful and glowing! This dress paired with the Hermes accessories is so perfect and on point! I like all ladies’ looks, especially Catherine’s!
    Wishing you a wonderful holiday for you and your family!
    Much love,
    Stella
    http://www.stellaasteria.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      December 23, 2016 at 12:48 PM

      Thank you so much, sweet Stella! I wish you a super holiday season as well… love to you xx

  • Reply
    Little Red
    December 23, 2016 at 4:59 AM

    Seriously fun dress! Hope you had a good time at the party. Have a wonderful holiday season.

    • Reply
      Lisa
      December 23, 2016 at 12:47 PM

      Thank you, Little Red! I had a super time, and I wish you a great holiday as well. xx

  • Reply
    cherie
    January 8, 2017 at 4:21 PM

    Hope your holidays were wonderful Lisa, love your sequin dress, such a festive look! And, I do love those sparkly earrings – very cool! And, you can never go wrong with anything Hermes, I think it is my favorite for accessories. Loved seeing what the other stylish bloggers were wearing too.

    cherie
    STYLE NUDGE
    http://www.stylenudge.com

    • Reply
      Lisa
      January 8, 2017 at 4:30 PM

      Thank you, Cherie! I look forward to seeing what you get up to on the blog in 2017. xx

  • Reply
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