Christmas Party Outfits!

It's the most wonderful time of the year... but it might not feel like it when you're stressing out over what to wear to your next Christmas party! Fear not, for help is at hand - I've found four fabulous frocks and paired them with accessories to make sure that looking stunning at your next social is as easy as sipping the champagne!

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 This is a great outfit for a girlie night out, the office Christmas party or even New Year's Eve - it's smooth silhouette and mainly black palette will suit almost anyone! This dress is a bit of a blogger's favourite, and there's no question as to why - it's a flattering mid-thigh length and the sleeves finish at just the right point to hide any problem areas. It's also made of a heavy material, so doesn't cling and ride up like a normal bodycon dress, rather, it skims the silhouette and makes for an easy-to-wear and elegant look. The splash of colour at the top of the dress makes that bit more glitzy too, perfect for adding a bit of Christmas sparkle without feeling like a bauble! I've decided to pair this with platform shoeboots from ASOS, and a studded suede clutch from Topshop, both tying into the touch of gold on the dress and adding a fierce edge. Finish with a pop of bright pink lipstick, such as L'Oreal Rouge Caresse in Impuslive Fuschia. Gorgeous!

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If you prefer something a little more feminine and girlie than bodycon, how about this gorgeous A-line floaty black dress, by Jones and Jones at Topshop? The sweetheart front is super-flattering and enhances a cleavage, or creates one if you're lacking. The crossover straps slim the back, while the sequin waistband draws attention to the tiniest part of your body, before filling out into a floaty skirt - perfect for hiding a tum! I've paired this with nudes for a 1960s feel, but it would work with any kind of colour scheme you fancy. This stunning feather clutch from Dorothy Perkins is made for special nights out, and is a real statement piece against a plainer dress. Let the feathers and sparkle do the talking, and try these simple nude platforms, also from Dorothy Perkins, for endless legs! Finish the look with a soft smokey eye and a slick of Lip Stick in Coy from Topshop for an effortlessly elegant retro look.

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If you're looking for something spectacular for a super-special evening, look no further! Nothing is more showstopping than a thigh-split maxi gown, like this stunning cobalt blue sequinned maxi from Missguided. The deep V and high split ensure all eyes will be on you! The deep blue is glamorous and festive without being too Christmassy, but so sophisticated and sexy too. I've paired this with subtly sparkly nude and gold platform peeptoe heels from Boohoo, and an edgy box clutch from Missguided too. Soft gold glows next to the sequins without threatening to steal the show! Finish off with matching blue glittery nails, such as Models' Own Bluebell. Showstopping!

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This outfit is the perfect mix of sexy, showy and sophisticated, with a dress that you can make as glamorous or as casual as you please! It's a stunning dip-hem dress from Miss Selfridge, with a high neck and long sleeves, perfect for chillier evenings. The soft gold-cream colour is flattering and elegant, and the Baroque sequins add just the right amount of sparkle! I've picked some plain black platforms from Dorothy Perkins, with a small amount of studding detail to keep some interest, but let the dress take centre stage. The same principal is applied to the clutch, also from Miss Selfridge, which is plain black all over, apart from some gentle studding on the front and a statement panther head on the main flap, great for tying the look together without being a statement too! Finish off with a sexy golden smokey eye, using a palette like Urban Decay's Naked Palette. Subtle but absolutely stunning!

What will you be wearing to your Christmas night out? Which of these looks is your favourite?

Laura Jayne xox

The Best Budget Christmas Decorations - Traditional Style

As tradition dictates, Christmas trees shouldn't go up before Christmas Eve. But I was too excited to wait another three weeks, and my little tree got all dolled up on December 2nd. I've spent the few days since putting it up fretting over whether it looks full and festive enough, mostly thanks to the gloriously overstuffed trees on This Morning, and I've been casually stocking up on extra decorations throughout the week whenever I see them.

There's so many different styles and trends you can go for with your tree; I always had a very traditional tree as a child, with reds and golds, tinsel and wooden decorations. But since moving into my own home, I've gone for a much more modern take on the traditional, with candy colours, glitter, sequinned birds and a blue snowflake for my tree topper, although there is a candy cane and a gingerbread man in there too! My colour scheme is a mix of deep blues through to bright blues, lilac and indigo, pearly pink, gold and silver - I know it sounds like a big old mash, but anything goes when it comes to Christmas trees, and the gradual brightening colour palette of mine looks festive and pretty, without being too feminine. I love the traditional look still, and I think I'll go that way once we buy our own home and have room for an enormous tree.

I've seen some really lovely decorations this week whilst hunting for some new ones, and while some are priced somewhat extortionately, there are some really gorgeous ones out there for pennies, if you've a keen eye! My own decorations are from Primark, Wilkinson's, Pound Stretcher and various pound shops, hardly pricey but ever so pretty. So this is my pick of the best traditionally-themed Christmas decorations around, great if you're on a budget and even better if you're looking for a fun, festive feel for your home!

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1. Bunting is a fabulous way of giving your home a quirky vintage feel, and this lovely Merry Christmas bunting from Wilkinson's will look great strung across the bookcase or fireplace, hung across the front door or even around your dinner table! Turn it around once Christmas is over and use it all year round for a shabby-chic look.

2. Christmas isn't complete without mistletoe, and this cheeky little robin clutching his own branch will certainly perk up your Christmas tree! Get him from John Lewis and hang him atop your tree, over a door, or even use him as your wingman at a Christmas party - who could resist?!

3. Wilkinson's are absolutely great for cheap and stylish Christmas decorations, and this hanging bird and heart is no exception, especially for just £1.50. A lovely addition to a traditional-with-a-twist tree, and not so festive that he can't be used throughout the year!

4. Not just for children, a stocking is fun and allows you to treat your loved ones to some sillier or smaller gifts, alongside their 'serious' ones. This Inuit boot-style stocking from John Lewis is a great twist on the traditional, with its festive print and furry trim. Buy one for yourself and hope you've been good enough for it to be filled on Christmas Eve!

5.  A wreath on your front door lets your neighbours and visitors know your style before they even step in the door! Go for something classic and festive, like this gorgeous red and white wreath made of bells, and tied with a red velvet ribbon. For just £8 you can ensure your whole home is filled with festive fun, from the front door and beyond.

6. Nordic and Fair Isle styles are a fabulous mix of the modern and the traditional, giving your home a touch of geek-chic all the while. These Nordic-inspired red and white baubles from Tesco are a bargain at £3.17 for a pack of 4, and will lend a touch of Scandinavian elegance to your celebrations. Why not get a jumper to match?!

7. Decorations aren't just for the tree, as this gorgeous gold reindeer proves. Covered in a dusting of glitter, this elegant stag is both old-fashioned and oh-so modern, and will fit in with almost any colour scheme you go for.

8. Robins are a classic symbol of Christmas, so this lovely little robin from Wilkinson is a lovely addition to a traditional tree. Made of wood and with a woollen pom-pom breast, it also evokes all those home-made or age-old decorations we all had on our trees as children. He's just £1.50, so you could even buy a few and make your tree the most festive nest anyone ever saw!

9. Thanks to John Lewis' beautiful Christmas advert, everyone is loving snowmen this season. These frosted snowmen baubles from Next are so sweet and look just like the lovestruck snowman himself. They're sold in a pack of three, so you can give your tree a childlike flourish.

10. A gingerbread man for your tree? How can you resist? I have this gorgeous little man myself and he definitely brightens up my front room! He's just £1.75 from Wilkinson's, and is just perfect for any style of decoration.

11. Candy canes are a Christmas tree staple, whatever your age or style! If you decide you can't resist eating any edible ones, these pretty coloured canes from Tesco are a lovely substitute, and they'll still be on the tree come Christmas Day!

How are you decorating your home this Christmas?

Laura Jayne xox