Holiday Party Dresses

We’re through an actually very productive weekend (finally photographed our Christmas tree and can’t wait to show you tomorrow!) and got lots of little chores done around the house too.  We’re even on the way to finishing our Christmas cards, although I still wish they’d already gone out.  One quirky thing I did over the weekend was get eyelash extensions.  Have you heard of that or tried it?  It seems it’s pretty popular in Houston, judging by how quickly the appointments fill up.  My mom wanted them for her birthday, so getting them together was a fun, (weird?) experiment.  So far, I can say I like how they look, but my right eye is also red and irritated due to the glue (but I’m told that will go away within a day).  My mom isn’t having any issues like that though. Let me know if you’d be interested in hearing about the whole experience, if so, I’ll write a detailed post about it.
holiday party dresses
Today, I’m turing my attention to holiday parties and more specifically, holiday dresses!  Let me tell you, trying to find a party-ready dress at 27 weeks pregnant wasn’t easy!  Stubborn me wanted to try on non-maternity dresses, since it’s highly doubtful I’ll ever need a maternity holiday dress in the future, but most of them do not accommodate a growing baby bump.  #shocker
I’ll show you three that ended up working for me (a dressier green one and two more casual LBD that I already had in my closet).  I have lots of dress options for your upcoming shindigs! And some fun bag and shoes too.  Do you have party plans?!  If so, have a drink for me!
Dressing the bump - holiday style #27weekspregnant

This kelly green Tahari dress was the clear winner for me.  Although it’s non-maternity, the rusching on the sides worked perfectly for some extra room around the middle. I’m wearing a 4P, but it also comes in regular sizes.  I figure, next year, if I need to, I can take it in a little and still wear it. Also, bonus that it happens to be on sale (I was able to get a price adjustment on it- woo hoo!)
Dressing the bump - holiday style #27weekspregnant

 

Dressing the bump - holiday style #27weekspregnant
Oh mama!  I just hope I don’t look like a giant, green Christmas tree! I don’t think I’ve ever worn a green dress before, but I think it’s perfect and refreshing for December.
Dressing the bump - holiday style #27weekspregnant
Don’t get me wrong, I’m in love with being pregnant right now, BUT, if I weren’t, this dress would be calling my name! So feminine and elegant!
Perfect festive green holiday dress
See more GREEN dress options here:

But, if GREEN isn’t your thing, what better time of year than now to wear RED?!
Red holiday-party festive dresses
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

little black dress
For a couple more casual options, or for something you might already have in your wardrobe, I pulled out two dresses that I already had in my closet- the ASTR shift dress (similar) & solid black here (available in all sizes) & the Lush Karly Shift Dress (both at great prices ($58 and $48) and both shift dress style, so they hide a (small) baby bump or just dessert! 😉
Dressing the bump- holiday party style
I belted this dress to accentuate the bump and then, because it’s cold out and to make me feel more covered, wore black opaque tights and heeled booties (similar).  My inexpensive quilted crossbody bag completes the look.
And for sure, red lips! My go-to is MAC ‘Brave Red’.  Another fun accessory is a sequined scarf. Mine is a cherished gift from a girlfriend years ago, but Nordstrom has a similar black sequin wrap (especially perfect for keeping shoulders warm with a sleeveless dress & this shimmery gold sequin scarf is festive.
Dressing the bump- holiday party style
Dressing the bump- holiday party style
Dressing the bump- holiday party style
Next up, I dressed up this simple black shift dress (it’s only $48 and currently available in all sizes/other colors) by adding a festive red Kendra Scott pendent necklace and again with the similar fringe heels.
Fall fashion - little black dress with red Kendra Scott necklace and fringe heels - date night here I come!
Size reference : XS (runs big) | red Kendra Scott pendent necklace
Fringe heels are so fun, especially if you end up dancing and making the fringe swing!
Fringe heels - yes, please!
Fall fashion - little black dress with red Kendra Scott necklace and fringe heels - date night here I come!
As you can tell, this inexpensive quilted crossbody bag gets a lot of mileage.  You know I love my new pink Kate Spade bag, but we generally save the splurges for special occasions.  #Happy8years! 
quilted crossbody bag
For winter, or if it’s already cooler where you are, you can add a faux fur vest for an extra layer and a luxurious look.  I found this one last year, and my here’s my new favorite faux fur vest.  I’ve seen it go in and out of stock (so you might have to check back for your size).  It also comes in black.  You can find more faux fur vest options here.
Fall fashion - little black dress with red Kendra Scott necklace and fringe heels + faux fur vest
Fall fashion - little black dress with red Kendra Scott necklace and fringe heels + faux fur vest
Little Black Dress styled two ways, with fur fur vest and red Kendra Scott pendant necklace. Lips are MAC Brave Red. Hello date night!
If you need a sassy shoe to complete your holiday look, check out these fringe heels.  So fun for an adult night out!
sassy fringe heels

 

Sassy fringe heels
top left to right : 

More “night out” bag options too.  Because you know you’re gonna need somewhere to stash that red lipstick! 😉

For more HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS, check out these posts:

 

 

And you can check my Facebook page daily for the Deal of the Day!
Have a great week!

 

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affiliate links used
Thanks to Nordstrom for partnering on today’s post and helping us ladies get holiday-party ready!

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Meet Megan

Hi! I’m Megan, mom to a thoughtful teenager and spunky young girl. We call Houston home and recently moved into our dream home. I traded my lawyer hat to become a full-time blogger in 2010. I love sharing my passion for affordable fashion, home decor, organization, & fitness to help inspire you to take care of you!

39 Comments

  1. Hi!! You look fantastic and congratulations on your baby girl. Your skin always looks so great. Would you share your skin care/make-up routine and the products you use? I would love to know. Thanks!

    1. Thank you! My skin has been crazy with this pregnancy! But, it seems like what I'm doing now is keeping it pretty clear- just Cetaphil cleanser morning and night and Sea Breeze (for sensitive skin) once a day. I'll keep in mind to do a makeup post too, definitely been needing to clean out my makeup drawer.

  2. I've never been a fan of green dresses but you have totally changed my mind. You look gorgeous in your new Christmas party outfit. Shows off your precious baby bump with classy beautiful style. I am so excited to welcome your baby girl in 2016. Merry Christmas Megan to you and your beautiful family. God bless. Debbie

    1. I've never had a green dress either and I was trying on anything I thought might fit! Thank you so much for your sweet comment, I have been on a cloud since finding out we're having a baby and keeping up with workouts and not eating everything in sight has made this pregnancy much more enjoyable! Wishing you the happiest Christmas too!

    1. That's one reason I like having a blog, to look at things from years ago! Tomorrow I'm sharing our tree and I found an old picture of James hanging ornaments, it got me all sentimental! I was pregnant at Christmas with my son too- but was definitely even bigger then. Hope you are enjoying this holiday month! 🙂

  3. You look fabulous!! And yes, would love to hear your experience with eyelash extensions and also a hair tutorial on how you do your hair. You always look great!!

  4. My youngest found a mascara by Almay that helps grow lashes (not that my youngest needs it…hers are amazing…long and full). Much better than extensions, as they are your own.

  5. Girlie!!! You look gorgeous in every option!! Color is your color! 😉 And can't wait to see the lashes…text me a pic! xo

  6. LOVE the green dress on you. That is a color I feel like isn't worn a lot but you look amazing! Such a flattering silhouette and color. And eyelash extensions! I got that done right before I got married and loved them. They lasted for the whole week of my wedding festivities and my honeymoon! Definitely a worth-it splurge in my opinion. 🙂

    1. My eye is better now (thankfully)! I haven't put on makeup yet with them, so I'm excited to see how they look tomorrow when I get dolled up! These are supposed to last 2-3 weeks, but we'll see. I can see how people get hooked on them and then it's like getting your nails done, where you feel like you have to go! Maybe a once-in-a-while thing for me? We'll see!

  7. You are seriously making me miss my baby bump. Everything looks so good on you but that green is stunning!!

  8. Please do a post on your eyelash extension experience! I've been thinking about trying it for quite some time now, so reading about your experience would be helpful.
    I love your blog, your photos, your ideas, your generous and creative nature. All the best and God bless! 🙂

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