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Last Friday, Husband and I attended one of his Christmas Dinner Party’s. Of course, it was super casual and I was going to be over-dressed in what I originally planned to wear.

Christmas Party

Christmas Party by audreybella featuring short sleeve shirts

So I had to change my outfit at the last minute and chose this instead.
I paired the Metallic Lace Tee from Anthropologie with old J Crew Wool Tuxedo Shorts and Kate Spade Blaire Glitter Peep-Toe Heels. First, the online image of this blouse does not do it justice. It is just as pretty as the catalog image. I would not have given this a second look if I had not seen this in-store. I have on a 6 and the fit is perfect. There was a matching Metallic Tulle Skirt and Moulinette Soeurs has the Glitzen Lace Peplum Top that uses the same lace in this top. So pretty!
The shoes I have been eyeing forever and when they finally went on sale they sold out in my size pretty quick. I really really wanted to try them so I ordered what was left, a 6 1/2 and am glad I did. These don’t fit like the Karolina heels, which I find TTS, but a little bigger. I ended up finding the size 7 as well which fit OK but I knew they would slip off since they were a little big. There is one flaw with these shoes, although I somewhat expected it since I’ve seen some of the other Kate Spade glitter products IRL. The glitter rubs off. You certainly don’t need a trail of breadcrumbs to find your way home…just follow the glitter. But I LOVE these shoes and am so happy I found them. And, a pair of Party Pumps were on my Fall shopping list.
I have another dinner party tonight and these will definitely be on my feet
What would you wear to a “casual” Christmas Party? Which, honestly, unless the invite says Pajamas, no Christmas Party should be “casual-wear”. Something sparkly should always be involved, don’t you agree?
Have a Great Day!
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I LOVE THIS OUTFIT! I can’t put it any simpler than that. When I first saw this image on Pinterest I knew, just knew, I had to re-create it.
Tartan and Leopard…such an unexpected combination but it works. Honestly, I have no words on how to describe how I felt wearing this outfit other than love. I would wear it every day. The Polka Dot Flock dress is so very comfortable. The Tartan shirt looks great with it and I just LOVE my MacAlister  booties.

Apples and Pencil Skirt has tried Tartan and Leopard too.

Have a Great Evening!

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Here are a couple of work-from-home outfits that have also been keeping me warm during our cold-spell this week.

First up is the Wool City Mini in Black (size 6), Fisherman Sweater in Camel, Short Chalet Shearling Boots and Anthropologie Fleece-lined Leggings in Black. 

I live in these boots in the Winter. I could have left the house like this but probably would have changed to the Leopard MacAlister Booties had I done so. The Fleece-Lined leggings are amazing and keep my legs toasty warm, so much that I can wear a mini-skirt instead of jeans. They are great under jeans too.

I’m not sure if this next one really worked or not but I know I liked the Coral and Grey together. I am in LOVE with the Sterling Skirt, so much that I ordered the Heather Carbon and am seriously considering the Retro Jade. The ever-so-slight A-line is lovely. And that I found the 8 Petite is a better fit than the standard 6 has me sold on this skirt. I added a brown Perfect Tee under a cape-like Turtleneck I found at Off 5th a few years ago. I made the SA take it off the mannequin since there were none left in the store. I added Dark Grey tights and the MacAlister booties in Dark Cognac.
Have a Great Day!
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I tried on the Polka-Dot Ponte Dress in the store and brought it home to play with to see if I really liked it. I was able to get it with one of the 25% off promos.

J Crew Description: Tailored from the same flattering fabric we use for our pixie pant
(famous for its stretch and recovery), our season-spanning sleeveless
dress flaunts and flatters from the cubicle to cocktails. Tiny velvet
polka dots (they’re flock-printed, which gives them a soft, slightly
raised texture) round out the look with an unexpected pop of print.

  • Fitted at waist.
  • Viscose/polyamide/elastane.
  • Back zip.
  • Full skirt.
  • Falls above knee.
  • Dry clean.
  • Import.

The original Flared Ponte Knit Dress with the 3/4 sleeves was tight in the waist for me. I tried both a Small and Medium in this dress and took the Small home with me. The Medium was a little too loose in the chest for me. The Small is fitted on top but still comfortable.

Trying it with the Factory Draped Sequin Tee in Navy, an Old Navy bow belt in Pewter and the Printed Everly T-Strap Heels. I tucked under the tee since it was a little long for the dress.

I love Navy and Black together but have never tried it myself. I think the maroon in the Everly is just the right amount of color for this. I’d probably wear this to a Christmas dinner, adding black tights (or maybe these??).

What do you think of the Polka-Dot Ponte Dress? How would you wear it? 
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A quick review this morning of J Crew’s Biennial Briefcase. I was considering a new handbag and looked at the Biennial Satchel online. Luckily my store had one and that bag is huge. Way to overpowering for my frame. Then the Briefcase showed up one Thursday as part of new arrivals so I decided to take a chance as my current laptop bag is plain old black.
J Crew’s description: A best bet among bags: Our newest Biennial, in a roomy yet sleek
briefcase silhouette (and a subtly gorgeous color palette). Crafted in
the most exquisite pebbled leather—our designers spent months perfecting
the finish to give it its pliable, supple feel and grainy consistency.
With enough room for a 15″ laptop—plus padded sides to keep your stuff
safe—and separate compartments for your wallet, keys, makeup, an iPad
and whatever else, it keeps things totally organized and makes an entrance. Online only.
  • Leather.
  • Removable, adjustable shoulder strap fully extends to 18″.
  • 4 1/4″ handle drop.
  • 11 ¼”H x 15 ¾”W x 3″D.

The color is called Black Grey Lace.

Gorgeous contrasting handles in black leather along with a padded shoulder strap. Love that this has both handles and a shoulder strap so if you need your hands free you can adjust the strap and make it a cross-body.

Both pebbled leather in “lace” colorblocked with a smooth “grey” leather. The leather is gorgeous and I wouldn’t expect anything less from J Crew.

The zipper pulls have magnets so they don’t flop around and you feel like your bag is securely closed. Also, there are zipper pulls on both sides, for a total of 4 ways to unzip the briefcase.

There are brass feet to protect the bottom.

One side has a big open pocket with an interior zipper pocket. This is where the laptop would fit.

The other side has another interior zip pocket as well as three additional pockets. There are two by the interior zipper, one big enough for an iPad and the other a cell phone. The larger pocket could also fit an iPad and then there is still room in between the two for your wallet, mouse, cords, etc.

I have my laptop, which is 15 inches, on one side. It has an external battery on it as well and fit just fine. It wasn’t bulky at all and that side zipped without issue. The other side has just Diva II* in her Kate Spade carrier. There was still enough room for my mouse, wallet, two cell phones and some make-up. All zipped up everything looks sleek (sorry about not taking that picture.)

This was definitely a major splurge for me but I was able to get it with one of the 30% off promos. This one is a keeper and I can’t wait until to use it on my next office trip.

Have a Great Day! 

*I dropped Diva and shattered the digitizer (glass). She still worked but had to be replaced. If you buy any Apple products I highly HIGHLY recommend Apple Care. She survived Italy but not two dogs getting underfoot. I was lucky I was able to pull everything from the Cloud. Yay Cloud!