Christmas Party Dresses with French Connection (& #Passion4Fashion Linkup)

Anybody else obsessed with finding a great Christmas party dress?
I guess as someone who spends most of her life in casual attire the festive season is that one time of year where i get to go all out and get properly dressed up. And i really enjoy it too.

The dress hunt obviously starts in November, as it has to be just the right dress (obvs 😉)

So with the help of fine dress purveyors French Connection, I have found a plethora of marvellous dress suggestions for you and for me.

As we all know, there are SO many trends out there right now, so I thought i'd share some classic pieces that will never age, pieces that are fun, fabulous, fashionable and wearable.

Lets get crackin'

Left: Rainbow Jewel Embellished Dress

Middle: Safi Sequin Dress

Right: Strappy Sparkle Dress

Its the time of year when sequins, shiny and embellishment is completely and utterly acceptable. Whether it be house party or Christmas ball, you're fanciest wears are good to go! There is nothing nicer than shining extra bright through the festivities and these 3 dresses will most certainly help you shine.

I think my favourite for me is the Rainbow Jewel Embellished Dress which also comes in Opal grey which is utterly divine (be sure to go see that one as its not pictured above). But for a complete siren look you have to go for the Starlight Sparkle Strappy Dress: Gunmetal grey, close fitting, super flattering for the curves, low cut to show off the decolletage and a super leg lengthening split to the side. This should come with a warning for your husband/boyfriend/ partner 😉

Left:Band Mesh Insert Bodycon Dress

Middle: Tatlin beau Dress

Right: Tatlin Beau Flared Dress

The classic, the timeless, the chic and ever practical yet pretty, Little black dress.

I love that these French Connection dresses have the most gorgeous details to really up the LBD stakes, taking it from plain to, quite frankly, fabulous. Whether it be with mesh, lace or embroidery the LBD gets an upgrade and is perfect party attire. 

Left: Emmie Lace Dress

Middle: Snow Spell Feather Beaded Dress

Right: Anouk Flared Dress

Lace is just the most pretty and girly finery a lady could wear if you ask me. Exquisite detailing makes these dresses elegant yet bold... I mean just look at the Snow Spell dress, which is the most beautiful winter white and kind of fairy-esque. Paired with black accessories (Carrie Bradshaw style) would allow this to be less 5 year old girl in dress up, and more fabulous glamour. Alternatively we have the ever present 'self portrait' style dress that embodies lace detailing at its finest. The Anouk Dress could work well for Christmas, New Year celebrations, christenings and weddings!

Left: Prila Drape Embroidered Maxi Dress

Middle:Midnight Garden Embroidered Maxi Dress

Right: Amore Sparkle embroidered Maxi Dress

I have a real thing for maxi dresses this winter. I adore the flow of fabric in the cold winter breeze, the detailing and the fact that even though a lot of the flesh is covered (me no likey getting cold) the maxi dress still oozes sophistication.

I just sat staring at all 3 trying to decide which maxi dress is my favourite and i just cant decide between the Prila Drape dress or the Amore dress. So different yet both so beautiful. Again both dresses could allow for multiple wears through the year, and perfect for special occasions or a meal out.

Left:Sasha Satin Fluted Mini Dress

Middle:Juliet Satin Bow Dress

Right: Sasha Satin Fluted Maxi Dress

There's something so sumptuous about Satin. I think its because as a fabric it's definitely not something we wear on the daily ( I mean, I don't.. you might.. which if you do, I totally applaud) Its an occasion dress which deserves to be worn. I am smitten with the colour of the Sasha Satin Fluted Mini Dress, the fuchsia feels unexpected this time of year, with blacks and reds and winter whites a plenty, but this makes it even more attractive. Plus it could be accessorised and remixed differently for multiple wears with silver, black, navy gold or greens. Its a surprisingly versatile colour that really packs a punch.


Tell me if you had to choose which type of dress would you wear this festive season?

For me it has to be Starlight Sparkle Strappy Dress, paired with some black pointed heels, a black clutch and a bright red lip!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Best Midi Dress on the Market

 I have always found the midi dress a tricky length to carry off. I'm neither tall nor short (5ft 6") and that in-betweenie length always hits me mid-calf at my chunkiest lower leg part. As you can appreciate thats not entirely flattering (especially if you have rugby-esque chunky calves like moi.. lucky aren't it?! pah!) But my opinion on the midi dress has flipped and done a quick 180 degree stylish turn with this beautiful Warehouse Midi Floral dress. Its complete an utter dress love. I adore it. Literally can not wait to wear again, lust worthy, full on crushin' on this dress.
I think what makes this midi much more wearable for me is the fact that it has a split at the front, and it's not tooo much of a split either. A demure split if you will. Making it both flattering and easy to walk in.
I bought this on a(nother) mad dash last week for a meal for my besties 30th birthday (she's exactly 6 months younger than me, so whilst she's just thinking of turning 30 i'm already contemplating my next one!Booo) And so it seems my spur of the moment purchases have done me well of latel. First my River Island dress a couple of weeks ago and now this beauty.

Warehouse has always been my one stop shop for great dresses,more proof here(which is a rather scary walk down memory lane) and last summer in another Warehouse midi here and this past few months it's not just their dresses, it's pretty much everything.. they are on point this season, which makes my bank balance a little scared, but makes me and my wardrobe very verrry happy.

I can't wait to style this dress with some tan lace up flat sandals and a denim jacket for a more summer, casual outfit.
If you like it it act quick as it appears there's only a few left online.
Don't you just love when a new item excites you?!

 Dress: Warehouse

Shoes: French Connection 

Bag: Fossil

Both c/o Mcarthur Glen 

Hamsa Hand Necklace (£6) from Yosa

 Have you mastered the midi trend? How do you find it?

Shopping Trip at McArthur Glen

When McArthur Glen recently got in touch and posted the challenge of 2 accessories from their designer outlet store, remixed 5 ways, i obviously jumped in heels first.

 Re-mix is my buzz word, as you've probably come to realise. After years of frivolous buying and yet still standing in-front my wardrobe each morning with the daunting feeling of "I have nothing to wear", I decided to change and with that i started to curate a wardrobe filled with re-mixable pieces that each held numerous possible outfits. Waking up and getting dressed no longer feels so daunting and i seem to be collecting classic pieces with a few statement wow items. 

With that in mind off i trotted, with a rather lovely gift voucher in hand, to my local McArthur Glen in Bridgend, South Wales. I took my darling step daughter, Mia, along for a full on girly day of trying on clothes, hot chocolates and cake. It was the best, and something we've decided to make a regular thing.

Now McArthur Glen literally spoils you for choice.It has so much there like French Connection, Jaeger, Radley, Ted Baker and so on. All this at reduced rates. Needless to say with this in mind i was like a kid in a sweet shop(which fyi they also have those, and cakes to die for too!)

We literally shopped till we dropped. I have to say my 12 year old step daughter has far more shopping stamina than me (and quite the eye for a designer piece too it seems... this could prove expensive lol!)

As i mentioned the challenge was set to buy two items that could be worn five separate ways.

After a lot of shopping and changing room antics i decided on a gorgeous pair of tan sandals from French Connection and a tan bag from Carvela- Kurt Geiger (and with my change some extra goodies, which shall be revealed tomorrow).

To me tan accessories are just perfection. I will always always revert back to a great tan pair of shoes and bag. They will literally just take an outfit from meh to wow in 5 seconds. I am so super pleased with my purchases that i just know they will be getting endless wear this spring/summer and beyond.

Be sure to swing by tomorrow to see my 5 looks with my 2 accessories!

For now, Here's a few pics from our day..

Big HUGE thank you to the lovely people at McArthur Glen Bridgend for treating us so so nicely when we were there. Everyone was super lovely and made Mia and me feel like celebs for the day;)