Christmas Charity & Susie Sparkle

Monday 3 December 2012
So I was waiting for it to hit December before getting a little festive around the edges. I never used to make much of Christmas but once you have children, it becomes a whole different ball game. Christmas is a big thing for small people and who am I to disappoint? And now we're getting festive, this gives me license to post this picture :


 Stunning and so festive.

This is how we decorate the outside of the house. We really let rip and go to town. It costs us an absolute fortune but it's worth it because the boys absolutely love it and we have lots of people who stop outside just to have a nosey. I know it's not to everyone's taste but it actually makes me really happy because it really is full of Christmas cheer. 

I had you going for a minute there didn't I? I profess to making no effort outside our house except for the obligatory wreath on the front door and a few lights in the window. This is a picture I took last week when I passed by the Christmas house. The Christmas house is sited at the other end of the village and each year, it sets up this extravaganza for all to enjoy. Some may find it an eyesore and though I tend to like my decorations a little more monochromatic and subdued, I like to stop past this house and take in the spectacle. The people who do this put an honesty box outside so they can collect for the MacMillan Cancer Trust. Last year, when we went, the honesty box wasn't there. It had been emptied of the donations and there was a note to tell us of such. I have to admit, I was quite saddened to know that there were people out there who could carry out such a mean spirited act. The honesty box is back this year - I hope that there is no repeat incident.


-------------------------------------------

Now that we are officially in December, I think it's time to think about the sequins and sparkles which many people will gladly be adorning for their Christmas parties or for Christmas day. I think this is the week when I turn in to Susie Sparkle and see what I have in my wardrobe. I confess to being a little frugal around the old evening dressing up mullarkey. I hate to buy a dress or an outfit for one off occasion and know that it is unlikely to see the light of day again after the event. If I splash out on a dress these days, it needs to have longevity.

Last year, I bought a dress for a friends 40th birthday do. I figured it was time for a new evening going out dress after a three year drought and I'd just gone to a party where I was in jeans and all the girls were in little sparkly dresses. Time to up the game. I settled on this one after trying on many, returning many and cursing many. It has sequins - I'm not normally drawn to sequin dresses but these were a little more unusual as they're rectangular and I liked the bronze tones. I can't actually remember how much the dress was but whatever it was, I thought it was worth it as it's a dress I can drag out from year to year for any number of occasions ... and it's comfortable.


Monsoon Bronze Sequin Dress (old)
Sequins feel a bit funny when you sit down though.

This is the dress that masks all evils. It has sleeves to cover bingo wings and it also means you don't need to find a jacket or cardigan or shrug to stave off the cold. It's a respectable knee length for those who don't like to show too much leg. I confess that I would wear a belt masqerading as a skirt right now if I had the legs for it but I don't, so just above the knee works for me. It has a sequin thing going on which tells you this is a going out dress and it is a polyester chiffon which means it doesn't crease. Polyester chiffon doesn't sound great but it means you stay crease free .... all night. And did I mention it had a little drawstring waist tie which you can loosen as your girth spreads over the course of an evening, after you've had a feast? My friend loved it so much after she saw it on me, she went and tried it on in the shops and bought it too. She's curvier than me but of all the party dresses she had tried on, she found it so flattering, she couldn't not buy it. This is the dress for all shapes.


Cold or warm? With or without?

Hard call this one - bare legs or opaques? I would wear with opaques on the grounds that I hate cold legs but that's me - nesh. Digging around, there aren't many sleeved dresses which fit my criteria for a good dress. In fact I'm really glad I'm not looking for a dress this year - I'm really struggling with the offerings out there. The short sleeved ones hit at a point on the arms I don't like and leave me cold literally. Some are too figure hugging - I like to eat but I don't like peoples eyes to linger at the old bagel belly after a fair blow out and I don't like too much cleavage - hey I'm just an old prude and my below choice for an evening going out dress proves it. This one by Boutique by Jaegar looks like it might pass my checklist though there are no sparkles (which I don't mind one bit - I almost prefer actually) and if I had to buy a dress this year, this would be one I would be making a note to have a look at. I think I would like to wear this with a pair of smart lace up ankle boots to make it a little funkier. I see this one as a "less is more" dress.





Have you got your party dress sorted? Are you a Susie Sparkle or a Prudence Prude? I guess I'm a bit of a both looking at my dress. A Sue Prue.


28 comments

  1. Sue I can't resist a dress and yours is beautiful, wish it was current but I really don't need another one!! Think both opaques and bare leg look great. Fab!
    You got me with the lights! Funny!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really love the Christmas house actually though I couldn't do it myself. I'm a bit more "restrained" or you could read "oppressed" if you like.

      You need a dress like this - does it all for you. Promise.

      Delete
  2. Lol! We have a few houses around us that are all out festive! I'm the same with just a wreath and lights in the window.

    That dress is perfect!!! I used to buy a LOT of dresses from Monsoon for myself and my girls but in the last couple of years, nothing has tempted me. Most of the dresses are sleeveless nowadays. I was so tempted by the Jaeger Boutique dress, been a long time fan of theirs. I think prefer the dress with the opaque tights - makes your legs look longer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you're going to look for a party dress on the high street - I guess Monsoon is the obvious place to stop by. I don't really shop in there much - the styling tends to be a bit "busy" for me but it came out trumps with this one. The Boutique by Jaegar one looks lovely though and I don't know if you can see on the picture, but it actually has a bow on the front waist. Very sweet (and I don't do sweet) but I like it.

      Delete
  3. I was quite relieved when you confessed that wasn't your garden - I thought I'd got you all wrong! Not that I have anything against it, but I had you down as the simple, classic decoration type judging by your great dress sense! I'm the same with the party dress - can't bring myself to splash out on something I don't get to wear much! As for the tights - I go for warmth every time - such a lightweight!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww - don't you like the colourful decs? We went past last night and little George went "Wow - it's boootiful". I didn't feel bad buying this dress because it's a little bit timeless (but aren't all black dresses) and as long as I don't overstuff myself over the next few years, I can drag it out at least once a year till I'm officially too old to want to wear it anymore.

      Delete
  4. Sue, I LOVE the dress on you. You look fabulous!! I actually prefer the bare legs but you'll be freezing though. I love dresses like this because I hate showing my arms. LOL! You got me there for a minute. I really thought it was your house!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love that everyone thinks that that is my house - says a lot about my taste doesn't it?

      I like the bare legs but oh it's bitter out there right now. To borrow Helens (Flaky Fashionista) term, only for car to bar if I'm doing bare legs. I hate the bare arms thing too so this is perfect. I'm tired of looking for cover ups - cover ups to cover up an otherwise gorgeous dress but no one can see it because .... you've covered it up.

      Delete
  5. Haha Sue - you had me going with the Christmas lights yes!! Was almost ready to believe it (against my better judgement!)

    I love that Monsoon dress - it looks equally stunning on you both ways. With the opaques the sheer arms seem to come to the forefront / be more apparent. It really works both ways, lovely :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm going to have to stop pulling pranks or it will backfire one day.

      Do you know what, I could totally see you in this dress. Your blonde hair will stand out against - I always think blonde hair and dark clothes make a fab combination.

      Delete
  6. Sue u wee tinker u had me going there! Gorgeous dress I prefer bare legs though, I'm sure that's not what you want to hear though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. See - it's a hard call this - the bare legs or the black opaques. If I'm going to go somewhere where the guaranteed temperature is inferno - then I'd like to give the bare legs a shot.

      Delete
  7. You look gorgeous and classy in your sequins, my instinct is the black tights (always) but I have to say with those colours and your colouring I just love the nude!

    Very disappointed that the Christmas lights aren't outside your house, was planning a stalker-ish Yorkshire drive-by!!

    Not really :)
    Jane
    X

    Jane XX

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was you cruising past my house last night then was it :o!

      Think it's even stevens at the moment with the opaques/nude debacle.

      Delete
  8. i like it with tights and you had me with the christmas decs,laugh, thought well I never had Susie for that.... very funny x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think the tights is younger, the bare legs possibly chic'er. Next question - the bling? What do you wear with the dress or nothing?

      Delete
  9. Yep! I fell for the lights hook, line & sinker .. and my jaw fell in tandem! Most relieved it wasn't true. Love the dress, think its gorgeous on you. Personally I prefer it with the opaques as I think it makes the sequins stand out more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Either I'm a wonderful prankster or ... people think I have really weird taste in Christmas decs. So worried now :o|

      Delete
  10. You did have me for a second there. I did actually think that might be your house. We don't do anything outside our house other than the wreath on the door but we do like driving around the town and looking at everyone else's festive lights.

    And what a great dress. I think it looks great with bare legs and with tights so I say see how cold you're feeling on the night!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gosh - aren't we all boring - just having a plain simple wreath on the door? Mine's down to sheer laziness rather than anything. But I adore houses which have gone to town. Some of my friends don't like the houses like the one above but it does genuinely make me happy and brings a smile to my face and my little boys.

      Delete
  11. haha, looks like we have sequins in common today!

    i vote first look. only because the sleeves already cover a sheer layer on your arms, bare legs or some very, very sheer nude tights would offer more visual balance.

    also last night the bf and i put up our first mini xmas tree. a real one! makes our living room look SO much more festive :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it's because it's officially December and Christmas is in the air. It was really surprising to see how many blogs yesterday went with the sequins.

      Do you know, I might take your advice & a leaf out of Kate Middy's book this year and buy a pair of those very sheer tights - about 8 denier and see what happens. Then I don't feel so vulnerable. It's getting over the fact that I'm probably going to be shot down in flames by fashionistas everywhere going "noooooo - not the nude tights!".

      The 6 boxes of decs & 2 trees are sitting in my hallway awaiting my attention. Big sigh.

      Delete
  12. I fell for it too until I scrolled down - I do hope they collect lots of money this year . There is a similar house in a village not far from here and it always brings a smile to my face - each year it seems to get even more extravagant. As for party dresses - I do like a touch of sparkle at this time of year!
    http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope they collect lots too - I think it's such a generous act on their part.

      Delete
  13. I love your dress! And if you can brave it, go without tights.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will try! But nowhere to go in a frock this year. Going for a Christmas girls night out on Saturday, possibly sat on the floor - I think I may be a little overdressed in this. And the sequins "rustle".

      Delete
  14. Your dress is fun and festive. A sheer denier tight would be the best of both worlds. I can't stand the thought of bare legs in winter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That might be the way to go - it seems a happy compromise. I really don't like bare legs come October. Goose pimples are so unattractive.

      Delete

Susie So So