Party season is well underway, in fact I have my first festive night out coming up tonight to celebrate one year of George's bar "Jimmy's" I can't even explain how fast that has come around!
I also have my team Christmas party with the Gleam lot on Monday which I'm seriously SO excited about and therefore I feel this post has come at the perfect time!
My sister and I got snap happy last week at my house and took a whole host of festive party looks that I am SO excited to share with you. Sometimes it's all about those simple, flash photographs, the hair and make up thats dropped out and faded after a hard days work and a sister you can just be yourself around that creates the most wonderful of shots, AMIRIGHT!?
And whilst these shots are far from perfect, I have to say that these, along with the other sets we shot that evening, are some of my favourites ever. They're me, in my truest form. I'm unedited, I have greasy hair and make up thats about due to be removed, but this is me, in my home, wearing some of my fave party pieces of the season and to be perfectly honest, I surprisingly think I look great.
I really wanted these shots to be real. To show me as me, without a fancy photographer, without being edited in any way and to be shot in my cosiest of settings by someone that knows and loves me for me. The thing I find myself repeating over and over again with you guys, with people I've just met and with friends is the importance of just being yourself.
I think it is so damn important to just do you; as I stated above it's my biggest piece of advice whenever anyone asks me how to stand out in the blogging world, how to make it in the fashion industry or how to find the confidence to wear colour, it's simply all about just doing you!
There's only one you in the entire universe with your unique traits, quirks, flaws and all, everybody else is taken so simply just do you.
I also believe that it's almost more important to remember this at this time of year.
If you is an LBD, a smoky eye and a pair of killer heels then do it! But if your you is embellished jeans, a band tee and a slick of eye liner then once again just do you. And if you, like me, is all about throwing on a bright dress that makes even your boyfriends eyebrows twitch in mysterious ways, then just bloody well do you!
At this time of year the press go a little bit wild with typecasting women, putting us into pigeon holes (something I've discussed previously in this post here) and trying to tell us exactly what to wear throughout the festivities.
That being said I appreciate that I am a less traditional part of the fashion press, however, I like to think that I offer more of a well rounded selection of whats available for a variety of ladies at this time of year.
Who am I to tell you what to wear? Heck I often have no idea what I'm going to wear until about 30 minutes before I'm due to leave. It's all about feeling a moment, a vibe or simply the weather and rolling with it. But that of course is significantly helped if you're prepped and have done a little bit of party-wear shopping beforehand!
Just last week I shared a very "me" party outfit, fit with A-line, figure flattering wrap dress, star print, statement shoe and faux fur coat situ, the week before that I was explaining how it's A-okay to rock double denim on a night out if thats what you fancy, there are no rules when it comes to party dressing or dressing in general, you've simply just gotta roll with it!
I honestly get a little buzz when I see a group of best friends on their festive night out together, each doing them! They don't match or coordinate and they certainly won't be the next Little Mix. They're friends because each of them has the confidence to just be themselves no matter what they're besties are doing, they're not clones of one another and that is seriously such a beautiful thing!
Don't over think it this party season ladies. Throw on your brightest and most eighties or puff shoulder mini dresses similarly to this baby from ASOS, bring out your most extra of handbags, here's looking at you Skinny Dip, and dance the night away with your other oh so individual BFF's! I know we've all got it in us to be proud of the people we are, it's just about finding the confidence to let it shine.
I don't know about you lot but I'm starting this party season and tonight!
x M
For more festive party wear inspiration, check out this look book here and this high street & high end haul here.
You look INCREDIBLE! xx
Thank you gorge x
I spotted this dress myself but I didn’t feel like I could pull it off but you look amazing! This bag is also making me question my current shopping ban haha
If you have any spare time, it would be amazing if you could give my blog a quick read, there is also a little post about meeting you at the Topshop talk the other week.
Thanks! 🙂 x
https://idreamofclothes.com/
HAHA ooo a shopping ban, how’s it going babe?
I just checked it out, LOVE your blog and thank you SO much for the lovely mention, it truly means the world to me x
It is not going well haha, aw thank you so much for giving it a read, it means so much 🙂 xxx
HAHAH hilarious! I don’t think I’d be able to do it either, but perhaps a fun experiment for the new year?
It’s my pleasure babe really enjoying it!
Happy Christmas xo
Okay, I TOTALLY agree with you on the photography part! While all of your blog photography is breathtakingly beautiful, there’s something so real and authentic about these non-editorial photos taken at home. Also, you look gorgeous in that dress. I’m sure it would be a real head turner at any party xxx
Emma x
Thank you SO much Emma, that is the most lovely of compliments! xo
These photos are phenomenal! I thought that even before I knew that they were snapped at home, and not by a professional photographer, when I saw the first one on your Instagram stories. You look so happy in these pictures! And orange suits you a lot 🙂
I feel you so much on what you said about friends and their individual styles: for years I thought that my style was a mess because it wasn’t the same as my friends’, but now I’m experimenting and I feel free, it’s wonderful. (My best friends couldn’t have more different styles: one is classy and elegant and polished, while the other is tomboyish and grandpa-ish, and then there’s me, a mess with kitschy clothes lol).
Congrats to George for the first year of Jimmy’s!
P.S. I’ve finally caved in and bought a blazer (a red velvet one!), and I feel so powerful while I’m wearing it, you were right 😉
Ahhh thank you Anna, truly means the world!
Absolutely THRILLED to hear you’ve bought a blazer!!! And a red velvet one at that… SEND ME A LINK ASAP! Sounds divine! So glad you’re feeling powerful when wearing it girlie WOOOO! xo
Sadly I can’t find the link, but it’s from Pimkie, I don’t know if there are physical shops in the UK, but the brand is sold on Asos!
Oh fabulous! Thanks babe, i’ll keep my eyes peeled xo
Bloody brilliant!! You look fabulous ?? Cheers to the festive season ?? xx
Cheers gorgeous xo
You total BABE this is absolutely beaut – that dress looks like it was made for you. All your Vlogmas vids are giving me life too – your pups are too adorable.
x Camilla
camillaackley.com
Oh Camilla thank you darling, both of what you said mean the absolute world! Thank you for always being so kind xx
You are incredible! I think I might have to steal that bad it’s INSANE xx
You are incredible! I think I might have to steal that bad it’s INSANE xx
Go on gaaaaal!!!!! x
Beautiful dress 🙂 And amazing bag 🙂 So colorful and beautiful 🙂
http://www.ivanasworld.com
Thank you Ivana, means a lot xo
Omg amazing!!!! I could not pull that dress off – it would look like a prom photo from the 80’s! So in love with it on you though! STUNNING!!!! X
https://ainsleylouise.com/
HAHA ahh thanks boo x
First off, this dress is a FLIPPIN show-stopper. All the razzmatazz a girl could want. I have been thinking and writing a lot recently about authentic and impromptu photos that capture (or at least gesture at!) one’s essence. I’ve been talking to friends recently who have little knowledge of the fashion blogosphere, and I’ve heard repeatedly from them that their favorite photos and posts on my blog are the ones that make it clear that I am a real person, photographing my real outfits, full of clothes that I’ve owned and been wearing for years. It sometimes feels a bit counter-intuitive to go against what feels like the now integral focus of fashion blogging on new in, and I do love doing more editorial-style work, but it’s also deeply satisfying to feel like I’m actually documenting my style in a realistic and honest way.
Much love!
:~) alexandra | http://www.glowygirl.blogspot.com
I could not agree with you more babe! And so beautifully put!
Thank you xo
OH my god Megan, you look so incredible- I can’t get over it! (Plus I now need that dress in my life NOW! Ahaha) xxx
Oh Holly stop it!!! You’re toooo kind!
Means the world, thank you angel! And absolutely this dress will look KILLER on you! xo
I love these photos! They kind of remind me of when my friends & I were in our uni days getting ready to go out and would have a ball having mini “photo shoots” around the apartment (not looking nearly as glam or stunning as this though obvs!). I absolutely love it & that dress is freaking amazing xx
Ahhh yes! I’m so glad they evoked that kind of memory for you! Thats exactly what I was going for! Thanks soso much honey ox
This dress is gorgeous, i love the colour and the 80’s spirit
http://tdwof.blogspot.fr/
Ahhh thanks so much Lisa! It’s such a show stopper isn’t it! x
Absolutely LOVING that dress!! It takes a certain amount of confidence to really embrace your own individuality, which I’ve definitely gained with age, and it’s so lovely seeing you simply be yourself! I’ve actually just written about how easy it is to lose a bit of your personal style when it comes to dressing up during party season in my latest blog post. xx
Faye | http://www.femaleoriginal.wordpress.com
Great minds think alike ey babe?
But I couldn’t agree more, party season is so tricky for so many women!
Lots of love and merry christmas xo
That fluo colour look great on you
http://7-sevendays.blogspot.it/
Ohhh wow thanks babe x
I love the message to this post of being yourself! I love that 😀 The part about seeing a group of best friends reminds me of my nearest and dearest, how we all have completely different styles and I love that 🙂
Also this dress looks amazing on you and the photography in this blog is incredible as always!
VioletDaffodils
xx