This is the first time in several years that I don’t have a formal holiday party on the calendar. I’m excited to attend the more casual holiday parties we’ve been invited to, but since I bat for Team Dressy I will miss getting all dressed up.

Then it dawned on me that I can still get all dressed up if I create my own fancy holiday party occasion. Instead of having fancy supper at home on Christmas Eve, we’re going out to my favourite Japanese Restaurant, Nishino. I’ll be a little over dressed for the occasion in this outfit but that’s alright by me.

I’m following my own suggestion by remixing last year’s party dress ensemble. I have been  aching to wear my cropped black biker jacket over my retro 50’s ball gown complete with tulle petticoat. Well, here I am road testing the look right in the middle of downtown Seattle amidst the Christmas lights. The unexpected pairing is an acquired taste for sure, but I feel fabulously festive and dressed up!

For formal occasions I usually pair my red patent heels, micro fishnets, vintage clutch, brocade shawl and several pearl necklaces with this dress, while leaving off the specs (see here, for example).

This year I’m keeping the ensemble completely neutral, bar my bright red lips. It is black from head to toe, which is a combination I don’t sport often.  I’m dressing down the ball gown with the biker jacket, swapping out the red pumps for black ones with bamboo stacked heels, throwing in diamond micro fishnet hose and finishing off the look with a grey and metallic clutch AND specs. Of course the pile of pearls has to stay put.

If you’re on Team Dressy I encourage you to also create your own formal dressing opportunities. It doesn’t really matter if you’re slightly over dressed for the evening this one time. What matters is that you had fun during the process and enjoyed being the belle of the ball.

Since handbags are one of my very favourite things, I feel obliged to tell you about the fun stuff that’s on sale on Zappos at the moment. Remember to check out all the colour options if the ones shown are not to your taste.

1. Calvin Klein On The Dot Satchel: Adore the unique placement of hardware.
2. Calvin Klein On The Dot Hobo: A little less structured than the satchel but just as fab.
3. Juicy Couture Brogue Houndstooth Day Dreamer: I’m not usually a Juicy Couture fan, but the oversized houndstooth design has my attention.
4. Betseyville Kat’s Eye Satchel: Leave it to Betseyville to offer lilac and blue animal print.
5. Kenneth Cole New York I Let It Go Hobo: Looks great in Summer and Winter.
6. Kate Spade New York Pitrizzia Dot Louis: No prizes for guessing that this one is my favourite.
7. B. Makowsky Olympia North/South Hobo: Classic, clean and lovely.
8. Fossil Winslet II Fab Hobo: The distressed shimmery silver leather is cool.
9. Cole Haan Village Soft East/West Rouched Satchel: A good little basic black handbag.
10. Cole Haan Village Soft North/South Rouched Satchel: Who says you can’t sport a bright yellow handbag in the middle of Winter.
11. Lucky Brand Roadside Attraction Leather Bowler Bag: Bohemian and vintage at the same time.
12. Lucky Brand The Bandit Foldover Hobo with Bias Stitch: Nice for casual Mum on the go.
13. Nine West Stud It Crossbody Flap: Another great casual style for Mum on the go and won’t break the bank.
14. Matt & Nat Pharoah: Vegan leather and utterly fabulous.
15. Big Buddha Coco: Valentino inspired handbags are still the rage and the soft pleather fabrication of this one is impressive.
16. Marc by Marc Jacobs Perfect Tavi: The lining on this one will definitely make you smile.
17. BCBGeneration Medium Convertible Satchel: Interesting colours and a good size.
18. Fossil Hathaway Glazed Tote: Several of my clients love the practical simplicity of this one.

Note that these are affiliate links.

Pablo Picasso is my favourite artist. I don’t fancy all of his work, but the happy and colourful abstract female nude and still life pieces conjure up a positive emotion that I can’t quite explain. It’s partly thrilling, partly soothing and always breathtaking. I just can’t get enough of his pure artistic genius.

I’ve seen Picasso’s work in art museums in Amsterdam, Paris and Barcelona, but when I heard that a collection of his favourite pieces covering every phase of his legendary career was coming to Seattle’s Art Museum (SAM), I was even more excited. So Greg and I took ourselves off to see the exhibition over Thanksgiving weekend – and it was KILLER.

It was a cold and overcast November’s day so warm clothes and boots were in order. I deliberately chose a completely neutral outfit so that it wouldn’t detract from Picasso’s colourful art if we got the chance to take some pictures alongside my favourite pieces. So there are deliberately no pops of colour in my outfit– not even lipstick.

Even though we were going to view a collection of incomparable creativity, I chose a classic ensemble over an arty and trendy one. Call me crazy, but somehow, viewing Picasso’s work in a neutrally toned, clean cut, classic outfit felt respectfully right.

I paired a grey pencil skirt with a black turtleneck. I look more curvy when I wear form fitting items like these, which makes for a nice change. I further matched black and grey argyle hose with patent low wedged weatherproof boots and a Lanvin inspired ribbon and pearl necklace. I chose my retro cats eye specs, cream and black studded Michael Kors satchel, and topped off the outfit with a cream, dropped waist military coat.  Apart from the cream coat and hose, these components are between one and four years old – all wardrobe work horses.

The gigantic banners advertising Picasso’s collection on the outside Museum walls were fabulous. A huge orange wall with white lettering and a mesmerizing black and white photograph of Picasso. This is the closest I’m going to get to being photographed with my artistic hero.

One of my clients stumbled across these pretty, round toed platform pumps and was too delighted for words. When she modeled them with her outfits, I was just as excited. They are by eco-friendly footwear brand “Naya” who often makes nice looking AND comfortable shoes.

The Bakula pump has the typical makings of a comfortable shoe: soft leather, arch support, a cushioning foot bed and a sturdy heel. Three inch heels are still too high for my everyday needs, but it might be perfect for you. The platform does help to offset the height of the heel.

It’s the vintage–y rosette detailing on the side of the pump that sold us right off the bat. You’ll cover up the rosettes with boot cuts and wide leg pants, but wear peg legged trousers, or skirts and dresses and you’ll show them off. The pump is currently on sale and runs true to size. Very fab.

If the Bakula pumps aren’t to your taste, check out the rest of Naya’s footwear collection. Styles like the Ana, Cara, Briar, Jupiter and Jasper are lovely too.

Note that I have used affiliate links in this post, and the Naya Bakula is in the YLF store.