Monday 12 December 2011

Not A Sequin In Sight



When Ceri asked the Ethical Bloggers group to post a photo of a Christmas Party outfit I drew a blank. I'm a last minute dresser and rarely plan an outfit in advance, it all comes together like magic just before I leave the house and I deal with the chaos the following morning.


My usual seasonal outfit of choice would be a teeny-weeny string bikini, a huge pair of vintage sunnies and a liberal application of Factor 30.



I'm not short on festive invites, virtually every night between 1st December and New Year has been booked up already. The trouble with Xmas is that the jollity is forced on you as is the expectation for sequins, glitter and novelty earrings. As much as I love dressing up the rebel in me almost makes me want to stick on a pair of jeans and keep it simple, doing what's expected never feels as fun as a spur of the moment decision.




I'm seeing friends this weekend that we haven't seen in months and they'd be disappointed if I turned up in something less than spectacular so I thought I'd try out this winter berry print chiffon maxi dress complete with a handmade variegated ivy head dress although I feel that the sleeves and a curry are going to be a tricky combination.


Peterson Maid of London vintage chiffon maxi dress (St Giles Hospice), hand-made ivy garland, second-hand bangles and filigree earrings (Xmas present, 2009), Velvet platform boots (£9, Office)
The manageress of the charity shop had saved this dress for me a few weeks ago. It's a couple of sizes too big and currently tacked into place waiting for me to do battle with the sewing machine, no doubt 15 minutes before I'm due to leave the house on Saturday evening.


Hippy Xmas!

77 comments:

  1. Ooh you like like a gorgeous elf, that headband is lovely.
    I can see how you would want to go plain, it's an explosion of glitter at Christmas - I can't get enough of glittery shoes at the moment. Magpie in me.
    Love that photo of you lounging on the beach.
    xxx

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  2. oh, those colours on the dress are gorgeous! I'm really addictive to glitter at the moment!!!

    Jules
    http://andsuddenlyisee.blogspot.com

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  3. Hi Vix,

    Firstly i would like to wish you a belated Happy Birthday! Been a bit poorly so missed your birthday posts.

    Love the dress, it really is gorgeous but can see it might not be enhanced with curry stained sleeves! lol. Love the little wreath around your head too.

    Yeah sequins can look great but past this time of the year look a bit sad like having tinsel out in the middle of May.

    Hope you have fun meeting up with your friends.


    MBB x

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  4. Ooh its gorgeous, loving the colour! I'm afraid I'll be wearing as many festive colours as possible in the next 2 weeks! :)

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  5. Oh so pretty Vix - however I do like a sequin. In fact people usually think the odd bit of sparkle is enough. Oh no. There are few things finer than layer on layer sequins. Over lurex. Mmmmm. But then I'm a bit partial year 'round so what do I know.

    You look very Burne-Jones xx

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  6. I love this, the ivy is perfect, I have a ton growing in my garden so could pretty easily adopt the look. The dress is beautiful, the sleeves are gorgeous (and the kind that I need). I can never plan outfits in advance either, which is usually the source of much wailing 5 minutes before I leave. I'm good at quick makeup though.

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  7. Ooh, that's beautiful, but yes you're definitely going to have fun with those sleeves and curry. I know what you mean about Christmas dressing, we suddenly start to blend in, I feel the same when I meet very tall women, I take that personally. Lol. Xx

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  8. Stunning! The colour, the style, the accessories all merge together beautifully.
    Love that beach shot too!
    Z xx

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  9. what a lovely dress.Ad you make it even more goegous.I love the colors and the flowy sleeves.xx

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  10. I just love the colours in that dress and those sleeves are so stunning. Love that garland too, though if I wore one like that it would bring me out in a nasty rash! xxx

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  11. Breathtakingly beautiful! Were you Liv Tyler's understudy in lord of the rings?!

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  12. Love the ivy garland, very whimsical Forrest fairy with the beautiful chiffon sleeves of the dress. Gorgeous.
    The photo of you on the beach is amazing with the ox and cart on the shore. Love V

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  13. What a gorgeous print, I'm not sequin mad either, they seem to be a liability to me.

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  14. That's a gorgeous maxi! :) Are you going to Goa again this year?

    ♡ from © tanvii.com

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  15. OMG what a stunning frock!I can see you at a Goa beach party in that,at a festival,pretty much anywhere!!!SO pretty!
    I'm all for glitter,but I also hate being overly organised,it's got to be down to the minute...I will think about it,but it's about how I feel at the time.At the moment I ahve to have something sorted each night for the next day as there's no light in the garage,and if I'm off the mark,or just don't feel right in what I chose,I'm stuck with it!Grrr!The last minute details are the most fabulous and important!
    You can't fail but have a splendid time in a frock like this!Yay to have lots on,keeps you busy and your mind off things,I hope.
    Love you to BITS and miss you terribly!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  17. Wrestling with chiffon seams 15 minutes before you go out? Not a problem for you... That pattern and the billowing sleeves are so Seriously Margo Leadbetter! Love it! And hope you're going to be kind to your liver, having the whole month booked up like that ;) x

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  18. The print on the dress is lovely, it's similar to a print I have on a Cooper Street maxi I have, but far less vintage. Have a wonderful night with your old friends.

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  19. You are a true vission, and from this minute, my farourite fairy in the whole wood.
    Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
    I know what you mean with all the over eating, and over buying and all the rest.
    We keep it very familiar, with the girls being away, their coming and getting together for Christmas is just a present, and they do the cooking, yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhh
    I have them well trained, jejejejeje.
    Since they were little we made each othe presents, and spending quality time together has always been the best present.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  20. Love this dress, it really does suit you well :) I don't really do sequins and glitter either at Christmas, just not very me really!

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  21. Now thats the way to spend Xmas! on a beach.

    Great dress Vix, think it will be tricky with your curry mind.

    X x

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  22. Stunning dress - I'll fight you for it ;-) ! I'd love to be able to wear a string bikini for christmas - sadly the body and weather render that an impossibility!
    Personally I'll wear sequins or glitter anytime, but I know what you mean x

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  23. Hi my dear-wow, gorgeous dress and the print is really stunning! Have a great time with your friends this weekend too xx

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  24. Very pretty. I know what you mean though wanting to put on jeans and keep it simple. The holidays get to be a bit over the top.

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  25. What an amazing dress - very you :)

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  26. That's a stunner, Vix. I reckon that's one of my favourites on you. xxxx

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  27. I WANT THAT FROCK!!!! lusting!!!


    xxxx

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  28. Very elfin, Im fascinated how you will manage a curry in those sleeves, maybe tie them behind you back!

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  29. The sleeves may be a tad impractical but by they are gorgeous. Definitely a much better festive outfit than all the usual lurex and sequin numbers. xxx

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  30. That is stunning on you. What a
    great look.

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  31. A stunning dress worth every penny xx

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  32. Beautiful dress Vix! I absolutely love the pic of you on the beach :-)

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  33. Your dress is gorgeous Vix! xxx

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  34. Hippy xmas indeed... ;-)) You look beautiful, lovely dress and such gorgeous shades on you. dee xxx

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  35. Love the ivy garland, always said I'm going to make one, never bothered!

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  36. That dress is just Amazing! You have such Fabulous style!

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  37. I love these wing-like sleeves! Perfect dress to wow your guests! The headband is great!

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  38. oh those wings !!!love that dress xx

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  39. I thought Nelly might be lusting after that frock!
    Well it is totally divine, such a lovely colour and print, and the sleeves are heaven, you are a little Christmas angel, hahaha! Don't you dare drag them in the curry!
    I know you'd rather be in your teeny weeny bikini sunning yourself and ignoring the Christmas hype, but I'm sure you'll have a great time out'n'about with all your friends here too. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  40. Oh you are GORGEOUS in that frock, of course! The sleeves are divine and the accessories are perfection - the rings and ivy headpiece are BEAUTIFUL! I often try to be organised and have my outfits prepared for the next day but it never ever works... I always end up wearing something else. I've got my xmas dress picked though!

    Love! We missed you - no skype last night? Sarah xxx

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  41. A vision from the garden!! the headpiece is amazing, and suits the dress so well! the sleeves are just beyond fabulous, you might have to eat before drinking too much!

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  42. You are a freaking PRINCESS. This dress is unbelievably beautiful and ethreal. I wish I owned something similar. Sigh.

    And that photo of you on the beach is kick ass. xoxo

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  43. I love this dress on you Vix and the colors suit you perfectly. With the ivy wreath you look like a woodland nymph!

    xo, Bonnie

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  44. Vixcita,
    Your a Goddess of fabulousness amor!
    I love your ivy crown and the flowy sleeves are gorgeous.
    I entered mi Virgen fotos! hope it counts.
    Besotes

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  45. You look like a Fairy Queen, or a Wood Nymph in that fab frock! I'm not one for sequins or shiny stuff. Velvet, fur and leather are my festive fabrics of choice. Have a fun and curry-filled holiday.

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  46. I love the sleeves on this frock so pretty! I don't dress up for Xmas we only stay at home or jump in the spa. I'd rather be comfortable. I cannot imagine you in jeans at all.

    xx

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  47. I'm loving this fairy forest look on you!
    I do pick my clothes and accessories ahead of time because I usually have a full day of work and activities and I don't have the time in the morning to pick up clothes.
    Here in South Florida and specially us Latinos love to dress up for the holidays with a lot of sparkle, colors and hairdos.

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  48. Frocktastic dahlink! I bought 2 dresses today, I think I have been inspired by you and the lovely Helga!
    PS RE Pic on the beach! Eat more pies dear! (So envious of your figure!)

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  49. wow what an absolutely stunning dress
    you are so lucky having people saving you such lovely treasures
    xx fee

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  50. oh you really look like an fairy tale elf in this beautiful dress darling! and what a beautiful elfcrown! how could they make lord of the rings without you?;)
    but i also would prefer the itsy bitsy teeny weeny polka dot bikini for christmas;)
    kiss,mary

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  51. I love that you can rock some ivy around your head like no other!!! I love you beach pic too. It looks so relaxing and beautiful. You are such a beach babe! :) Hearts, janna lynn

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  52. The dress is fabulous! The ivy is so cool, you are cool! How is the hip...
    About sequins, it is all you see here in the shops' windows in Montreal- Everybody will be dressed in sequins, well not me!

    Lots of love

    Ariane xxxxx

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  53. I love this Christmas outfit so not the norm! The sleeves on that dress are divine, but the beauty in the dress is over the top beautiful! I love the hair wreath too. I totally agree with wanting to go against whatever anyone is expecting you to wear. I think this year my theme will be candy, I want to look sweet and over the top in my cuteness!!!

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  54. Good lord! You look like a little nature nymph in that beautiful dress and head wreath! Absolutely adore the sleeves on it and the colours! Stunning! xxx

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  55. How pretty! I especially love your bangles. The whole outfit just works, each element playing off the other.

    I know what you mean about "enforced joviality". It's Christmas, not an excuse to get hysterical.

    www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.com

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  56. cooool! it's festive and still light and comfortable.

    love the beach picture too, blisssfull.

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  57. That headband is awesome. You're quite right to do you own thing. Vive la difference! Hippy Chrimbo to you too! xx
    We Shop Therefore We Are

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  58. Perfect as always and completely in everyway you. I adore the garland, it sure does beat a tacky crimbo headband xxx

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  59. I think this has to be one of my favourite outfits I've seen you wear, you look stunning Vix and I agree completely, Christmas shouldn't be about sequins and novelty earrings. And thank you, my house-mates and I had a good evening :) xxx

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  60. Such a lovely dress and thanks for joining the challenge. Wish I could be spontaneous with my outfits. For parties and nights out, it all just goes wrong if I don't have it planned out!

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  61. Your frock is beautiful. Loving the print and colours. I love ivy ... I dragged a trail of ivy sweeping the ground when I wed. Xxx

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  62. Great and modern ideas!

    http://paquetevistasbien.blogspot.com

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  63. I want a dress with sleeves like that - simply beautiful!

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  64. You look like a gorgeous woodland fairy in that dress and wreath! I'm with you on your seasonal outfit and I'm very happy I get to do a bikini + sunscreen as Christmas outfit this year - sending you some sun from Oz!

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  65. Hippy Xmas indeed! I think you look divinely solstice-y.

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  66. Love it! It's such a dreamy dress and your wreath is perfect! x

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  67. This has to be one of my most favourite outfits of yours ever! That dress is so Midsummer Night's Dream, you look like a beautiful wood elf! Em x

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  68. ME GUSTA VIX ! ME GUSTA THE DRESS! ME GUSTA TU! You're F*A*B*U*L*O*U*S! ME GUSTA !

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  69. These colours look so beautiful on you, i love the dress. Scarlett x

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  70. You look like a fairy in that dress. How gorgeous :)

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  71. you look so cool! hippy sunday or monday due to the time :) x

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Lots of love, Vix