Christmas Eve [Christmas Outfit 2 of 3]

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! I've taken a nice break from blogging to enjoy what was one of the best Christmas celebrations I've ever had. I've a bit caught up in the happy spirit so forgive me for neglecting to comment on post out there! Starting today I have a few posts lined up, first to finish off my holiday celebrations off, then to show off some of my beautiful gifts.

For Christmas Eve, I like to sparkle and go as over the top girly and fun as I can. I wore nothing but pink tulle and lace last year, and this year I couldn't resist the Spinning Lace dress. I've been wearing this dress quite often, and I admit this isn't my favourite outfit I've made with it, but it was festive and sparkly fun none the less. I wanted to match my mum's adorable mini tree in the dining room. She always gets one smaller tree that is nothing but shades of blue, silver, and pale gold. My two new accessories in their shades of pearly taupe, blue and subtle gold shimmer were perfect accents.

Christmas Eve;
Hair: Anthropologie Floating Gardenia hairband
Dress: Anthropologie / Tracy Reese Spinning Lace dress
Top: H&M taupe shrug
Belt: Anthropologie Dewy Sash belt in blue
Necklace: Topshop floral cameo necklace
Legwear: Hue tights in blue
Shoes: Steve Madden Ulltra gold glitter heels

I look forward to catching up on the holiday looks sported by the Anthropologie blogging community over the weekend!

Christmas Party [Christmas Outfit 1 of 3]

It's time to wish everyone who celebrates a very Merry Christmas! My holiday preparation has already been rather hectic but I'm still so excited for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The outfit in tonight's post is one of my three big outfits for the season. You'll have to endure three different Christmas posts, dear readers.

My parents always throw a big party for our family friends a few days before Christmas, so I went with something a bit easily elegant to be able to rush around greeting every guest, posing for pictures.
I wanted to thank the community at Effortless Anthropologie for helping me track down this beautiful frock. I had to call at least a dozen stores to get this beauty and I couldn't be happier with it. The shift style silhouette makes me a bit nervous because it doesn't suit my body type normally. This dress though has enough of an A cut that I feel it's forgiving of my curves.

Christmas Party;
Dress: Anthropologie Discovered Lace Dress
Necklaces: Urban Outfitters typewriter key initial & Miss Selfridge
rose & pearl ribbon
Bottom: Anthropologie Scant Summer Petticoat
Legwear: Topshop dusty rose tights
Shoes: Steve Madden Heaven leather flats

Making a special appearance in my holiday posts is my mum's beautiful Christmas decorations. She's been collecting Christmas pieces all her life and goes all out decorating our home. Many of her items, and all my favourites, are from Scandinavia. Her family is Danish, so we've been to that part of the world many times over the years, though she is the only one lucky enough to have gone at Christmas. I really love Christmas decor. Besides the traditional Scandinavian pieces, she mixes in a lot of Victorian items, 1940s vintage, and even some fun modern items.

Sing Sweetly & lost imagination...

This will be brief, dear blogging world, because I must run off to do about a thousand things for Christmas preparation. I just had to check in with some new arrivals at Anthropologie and I was delighted to find this new dress. Oh yes, Sing Sweetly Party Dress, you will be mine. Anthropologie always seems to know there is no resisting birds. Their last bird themed dress, the Snowy Egret Shift, was a disaster on me, much to my displeasure. I think I will have far more luck with this frock. I have to tap into my restraint until after Christmas though and oh will that be tough. Are there any early January arrivals tempting your wallet?

Speaking of a lack of will power, I picked up a few sale and FP items during Anthro's unexpected 25% off sale. Sadly the item I was most excited to get, my blue Artist's Imagination Necklace (right), was canceled from my order. It's so small I'm not sure I'll track it down and pay for shipping on a charge send since that would negate the brilliant discount. I was dying for this necklace to go on sale and it slipped through my fingers. My local store never had this lovely thing so alas I think I'm going to go without it. I did at least pick up a few belts and a blouse for a tidy price. Did anyone else indulge in this rare percent sale?
The rest of my order; Floating Gardenia Headband, Celia Blouse ($28), Soft Bow Belt ($11), Dewy Dash Belt ($15), Climbing Ticket Pullover.

Blair Waldorf

I've been resisting for a while, but I have to admit that I've fallen for Gossip Girl. I love my bubble gum TV, especially when it involves people as well dressed as Blair Waldorf. I have lusted after nearly everything she's worn. While I don't have the money to afford most of it, I decided to try my best with my closet of high street items to create something in Blair's style. Sure my dress is H&M rather than Chanel, my pearls are fake, and my Mulberry is from Target, but I think I captured the spirit of Ms Waldorf.

Blair Waldorf;
Hair: Forever21 ivory bow hairban
Dress: H&M pale pink dress with black trim (thanks to Anjali of goldenmeans for posting about this dress a few seasons back!)
Cardigan: Old Navy white ruffle trim cardigan
Necklace: Anthropologie Perpetual Spring pearl beaded necklace
Legwear: Ruffian for Anthropologie Lacy Vine tights
Shoes: Steve Madden heaven leather flat
Bag: Mulberry for Target patent satchel

The one item I could see Blair approving of are my couture Ruffian tights. I wish I had bought multiple pairs of these when Anthropologie sold them last year. They are nothing like any other pair of tights I've owned. I definitely see the allure of couture hosiery now.

Little Women

Every time the seasons change, I decide the current season must be my favourite. Truthfully, they're all my favourite since I live in the lovely and mild Bay Area California. Our winter is about as cold as I like things to get. We get temperatures just cold enough to call for wool coats now and again which is all I need. I have some gorgeous outerwear, so it's time to show it off.

Little Women;
Hat: Accessorize (UK) crocheted beret
Hair: H&M pale pink bow clip
Outer accessories: Urban Outfitters bird applique scarf & lace fingerless gloves
Coat: Old Navy wool peacoat in bottle green
Cardigan: Anthropologie Blooming Lattice cardigan in green
Necklace: Silver birdcage (gift)
Dress: H&M ivory ruffle shirt dress
Legwear: Target heather gray leggings
Bag: Urban Outfitters BDG Primary Satchel
Shoes: Anthropologie Winding Ruffle boots

I haven't done a post for a Clothbound Classic book in a little bit so I'm glad to post the latest entry in my series. I took a break from the classics for a bit to read a book loaned to me by a friend ("Hello, I'm Special" by Hal Niedzviecki) and to catch up on some past New Yorkers, but I'm back to them now. I always like to read Little Women in the wintertime. The story makes me think of fireplaces, ice skating, and sipping hot chocolate. I am, in fact, enjoying a cup of hot chocolate as I sit here finishing this post.

Beauxbatons

I alluded to it in a past post, but it's time to out myself. My name is Alissa, and I'm a Harry Potter nerd - a big Harry Potter nerd. I spent Thanksgiving with my family and dear friend Amanda in Orlando, enjoying Disneyworld and more importantly, Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I was in heaven. Since I still haven't come down from the joy of the theme park, this outfit is my unabashed ode to my favourite book series.

Beauxbatons;
Hair: Urban Outfitters metal floral hairband
Cardigan: H&M gold boyfriend cardigan
Top: Beauxbatons Academy tee from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Necklace: Foever21 double chained key necklace
Ring: Topshop pink unicorn ring (I forgot to wear this for the photoshoot, but I have a close-up below!)
Skirt: Anthropologie Leifsdottir From-The-Sky skirt
Legwear: Hue opaque tights in black
Shoes: Steve Madden heaven leather Flat
Bag: Mulberry for Target patent satchel

I am a big fan of graphic t-shirts. I am convinced that they can still be a chic and beautiful outfit given the right design and the right outfit. With this Beauxbatons shirt, I knew its reference was subtle enough, and its design beautiful enough to still look fashionable. The one thing I wish is that I had an ice or Tiffany shade of blue cardigan to go with this shirt as well.

At Boyfriend's request, I have two special guests in my final photos: Sirius Black (played by my dog Luke), and Arthur, my Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes Wonder Witch pink pygmy puff (I told you I was a big nerd).