As it's the last post of the year and it's the last link up I thought I'd share 10 GOOD things about 2016!
The past 12 months have been hailed by many as "the worst year ever" so I thought I'd publish my own Good Things That Happened in 2016 - I purposely haven't included amazing things that have happened in terms of science breakthroughs or endangered animal numbers increasing (you can read those here if you wish), but I included things that affected me personally.
Some are things that happened to me directly, some are things that happened in the world that made an impact on me or made me happy... You get my drift. So yes, while we lost some truly awesome people (I'm still reeling from George Michael, Carrie Fisher and then her mum) and there have been some horrible things happening in the world, we shouldn't forget the good things because there have been many.
My Best of the Blogosphere - Unmissable Links post is a monthly round up of things I've seen, watched and liked in the blogosphere that I'm sure you'll love too.
This month I'm sharing DIY disco pom pom shoes, amazing comebacks for street harassment and the perfect bar cart. As always there are loads of things to read and digest - if you're still in Christmas mode why not pin this post or save to your Bloglovin feed and have a read later?
A little reminder: Don't miss my annual Bloopers and Outtakes post on New Year's Day - it's going to be a good one again this year :)
WHAT LINKS DID YOU LIKE - AND HAVE YOU FOUND ANY FABULOUS NEW BLOGS TO FOLLOW? COMMENT BELOW, OR TWEET ME @NOTLAMB!
Happy Christmas, lovelies - hope you had a wonderful day yesterday full of love and happy stuff!
Just a very quick outfit post today for the #iwillwearwhatilike link up and to show you what I wore for Christmas Day.
I chose a winner of an outfit where Christmas dinner practicality was concerned: A burgundy jumpsuit with a tie-waist. The bathroom issues didn't bother me when I had an expandable waist to be my friend come mid-afternoon - in fact by the evening, instead of putting my "comfies" on as we say in our family (pyjamas or sweat pants), I just undid the tie on the waist altogether and plonked myself onto the sofa...!
Time has run away with me this week - I'm sure you know what that's like! -
but I thought I'd take one last chance to wish all my readers a very, very Merry Christmas and to thank you all for your unwavering support.
Not Dressed As Lamb wouldn't be anywhere near as much fun without the amazing feedback I get from so many of you, and I wanted to say a MASSIVE thank you for reading, tweeting/talking about and supporting this blog... Like once again voting for me in the UK Blog Awards (I'll know on 2nd January if I'm one of the 8 finalists) - you lot really came through for me, I can't tell you how much I appreciated it!
2016 hasn't been a great year for a lot of people and for a lot of reasons (though every time someone mentions the "dreadful" 2016 I do think about how great the summer Olympics and Paralympics were, so we did have one amazing highlight), but here's wishing everyone a safe and happy festive period and a hopeful look to the New Year.
Want to know what's coming up?
Bloopers and outtakes
Forget a round up of my best outfits of the year (you can see all of them on my Outfits page any time you like), the annual New Year's Day Not Dressed As Lamb bloopers and outtakes post will be live in 1st January. I've looked especially hideous/goofy/unfortunate many, many times this year, so this one may be the best yet.
Not that I want to panic you or anything, but New Year's Eve is only nine days away... Have you got your party outfit sorted yet?
If you haven't then don't worry - I've picked out 11 of my own party or date night outfits that I've worn over the last few years that would be perfect for your New Year's Eve celebrations, whether the dress code is casual, dressy or formal.
I've featured jeans and a sparkly top right through to formal gowns - and everything in between. I've got combinations you've maybe not tried before (a dress over kick flares). I've got vintage dresses so that you're guaranteed not to turn up in the same dress as someone else. I've got statement tops and funky clutches and beautiful dresses.
USE MY OUTFITS AS INSPIRATION FOR PUTTING SOMETHING TOGETHER FROM YOUR EXISTING WARDROBE, OR USE MY SUGGESTIONS OF SHOPPING LINKS IN CASE YOU WANT TO GET SOMETHING JUST FOR THE OCCASION.
In other words, all bases are covered. Use my outfits as inspiration for putting something together from your existing wardrobe, or use my suggestions of shopping links in case you want to get something just for the occasion. Hopefully there are a variety of styles, colours and shapes to suit all budgets and tastes.
But don't delay - get your outfit sorted before Christmas (if you can), or at least start to think about it: I'm thinking order now, and get it delivered between Christmas and New Year. It'll be like another round of gifts for just yourself to open... You've got to stretch out the Christmas spirit as much as you can!
So let's start with casual...
~ Casual outfits (when you can dress up jeans)
Look 1: Faux fur gilet and a statement necklace
A faux fur gilet is a really "semi glam" piece: It not only keeps you warm but adds a touch of luxury to an otherwise casual outfit. Bold jewellery ups the glamour level even more - all whilst wearing jeans. Original post >>
SHOP FAUX FUR GILETS AND BOLD JEWELLERY:
Look 2: Statement top and mules
If you choose a statement top (my top in this picture is still available and on sale) you can get away with wearing almost anything with it, it'll still look fabulous - especially if you go for something with glitter or sequins. Choosing this year's on-trend shoe shape, the mule, is a great way to stay comfy all night in heels and have a shoe that's Spring-ready. Original post >>
SHOP STATEMENT TOPS AND MULES:
Look 3: A patterned blouse and funky clutch
Instead of going for sequins or glitter why not try a patterned blouse? They're dressy enough for a party but can then be toned down in the day for work with a neutral blazer. Add a fabulous clutch and you'll have a great conversation-starter on standby. Original post >>
SHOP PATTERNED BLOUSES AND CLUTCHES:
~ Dressy outfits (dresses or trousers)
Look 4: A red dress that does all the talking
Forget LDBs, the LRD is the dress that'll do all the work for you. A little red dress is a real head turner, all you have to do is add heels and maybe some minimal jewellery and you're good to go. This Hobbs red pleated dress is less than half price so snap one up while there are still some available. Original post >>
SHOP LITTLE RED DRESSES:
Look 5: A skater dress over kick flares
I've worn this combination so many times over the years it's pretty much my signature look - but a short dress (especially a skater or fit and flare style) over kick flares gives you perfect proportions to lengthen legs PLUS is a great solution for those of us who aren't keen on getting their legs out. Always choose a cropped length and wear heels to elongate those ankles. Original post >>
SHOP SKATER DRESSES AND KICK FLARES:
Look 6: A long blazer over a shift/bodycon dress and patterned tights
This is a pretty bold look but the long blazer tones it down a little, especially if you're self conscious about wearing a tight or slim-fitting dress. Patterned tights are back in so dig out all the ones you had from a few years ago (I'm glad I kept mine), or shop some of the new styles below. Original post >>
SHOP SHIFT DRESSES AND PATTERNED TIGHTS:
Look 7: A statement blazer with bold heels
Like a reverse of the outfit above, this outfit is all about the blazer. With a statement blazer or jacket you only need a plain t-shirt or top plus trousers (black will always work if you don't have many coloured trousers), but add some interest with bold heels and you're done. Original post >>
SHOP STATEMENT BLAZERS AND BOLD HEELS:
Look 8: A cape that will lift the plainest of outfits
One of my absolute favourite looks of 2016, this cape-and-culottes combo is an absolute winner. Add a cape to anything and it'll make it look fabulous. You can get tailored capes, feathered capes, faux fur capes, velvet capes... The choice is endless. Always great for adding a touch of glam to plain dresses, trousers or even jeans. Original post >>
SHOP CAPES:
~ Formal outfits (long gowns or evening wear)
Look 9: A floor length gown or maxi
If you've got a black tie or formal dress code party invite, you've got to go for a long gown. This is not the time to be a wallflower - look in the sales and you'll find lots of dresses on sale with amazing prints or embellishments in beautiful fabrics. Original post >>
SHOP MAXI DRESSES:
Look 10: A sparkly top and tulle skirt
This is the one of the most glamorous outfits to achieve with the least amount of effort (and one where you won't turn up in the same outfit as another party guest). One sparkly top + one tulle skirt = super glam outfit. Don't worry about "crop tops" if that's how they're described on retailers' websites: Tulle skirts are generally high-waisted so you won't be flashing your midriff 90s-style. And if tulle isn't your thing, try a full length, satin skirt instead. Original post >>
SHOP SPARKLY TOPS AND TULLE SKIRTS:
Look 11: A vintage gown
Vintage is nearly always my go-to for an event: You'll end up with something totally unique, it'll pretty much never go out of fashion and it won't be seen on anyone else. I've picked a bunch of true vintage gowns for you (from the 50s to the 80s), but if the one you like isn't your size, search for "vintage gowns" on Etsy (refine your search by price to work within your budget) - they have an amazing selection. Original post >>
SHOP (TRUE) VINTAGE GOWNS:
WHAT WILL YOU BE WEARING FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE THIS YEAR? COMMENT BELOW, OR TAKE IT TO TWITTER @NOTLAMB!
It doesn't happen to me very often, but sometimes you find a bargain so amazing that you absolutely have to have it whether or not it suits you/fits you - but the risk is worth it!
Last week I was at my local Tesco supermarket (which has the smallest range of F&F Clothing I've ever seen in any branch anywhere) and walked past a rail of sale items. This embroidered bomber jacket caught my eye because it looked exactly the same as the one from ASOS I've had in my Saved Items for ages, you know the ones you save for a rainy day (otherwise known as a 30% off voucher or a mega sale)?
This F&F bomber jacket really did look like the ASOS one, so I checked out the price and nearly died from shock: Reduced from £29.00 to £6.80.
Yes you read that right: SIX POUNDS AND EIGHTY PENCE*.
Christmas Day is one week today (eek!) but fear not if you haven't sorted out something to wear on the big day.
If you want something that's comfy, won't show up too much mess from cooking (or eating!) Christmas dinner and will actually hide your inevitable food baby (all round Christmas dinner-friendly, in other words) - you're in the right place. I've picked out 18 dresses that will hide that turkey, mince pies and Terry's Chocolate Orange-induced bloat that we all want to hide.
And if you really go casual on Christmas Day, why not think about these for New Year? Many of us also over-indulge on that night too, though if you're anything like me then you will have probably been eating an average of 8,000 calories on every day from Christmas to New Year, so a comfy dress would be most welcome...!
I've had them done a few times in the past but never featured them properly on the blog - I'm sharing the stunning new eyelash extensions I had done this week!
I'm very lucky in that one of my nieces is trained in doing eyelash extensions, and she kindly does my eyelashes (with a little family discount, of course) every now and then when I need them for an event or a party.
Christmas and the winter is actually a great time to get them done because those of us with pale skin tend to get very pasty in the winter, and I'm someone who needs some colour in my face or I pretty much look like death warmed up without any make up at all once the colour from summer has worn off.
Here they are in all their sparkly white, straight glory: My new teeth after their full makeover. I promised a follow up post to part one when I had them whitened - here are the final before and after pictures!
At the end of November I wrote a review of the Philips Zoom teeth whitening process, and I couldn't have been happier with how beautifully white (but not scarily white) they turned out in the end. But when I had the initial consultation at Devon Teeth Straightening in South Street, Exeter*, I asked the very lovely Dr Grant about the possibility of having my teeth reshaped, meaning filed down a little.
*this post is not sponsored - see the end of the post for a full disclosure.
The reason the idea was in my head was because my 26-year-old niece had been to the same practice a few years ago to have her teeth whitened and filed, and they looked absolutely beautiful. She and I have almost identical teeth, typical of our family: Quite big teeth with pointed canines. She was conscious of her canines - as I've always been about mine - and the difference that having them filed down was amazing.
She'd ended up with teeth that were all the same length (meaning level along the bottom of the top teeth, hopefully you know what I mean!) and for ages I'd been meaning to book an appointment. So when I was at the practice for the pre-whitening consultation I asked about the filing - and to my delight I was told it would be very easy to do. Being conscious of my pointy teeth permanently affected the way I smile: I couldn't bear seeing them in photos, so I trained myself to smile without showing the canines until I did it subconsciously.
Here are the before and after pictures (always the best bit)!
It's that time of year when most of us are guaranteed some sort of party or gathering to go to - which begs the question: what to wear to the Christmas party?
If you've got a last minute invite then fret not - here are 7 last minute Christmas party outfit ideas for you. Together with the rest of the Over40Collective I've created a perfect party look... Lots of sequins and rich colours!
I came up with an outfit from things I already owned - we set ourselves a theme of "last minute", so we could either create something from what's already hanging in our wardrobes or make an emergency purchase (so many retailers do next day delivery, and for example ASOS will deliver next day in the UK if you order before midnight. That's amazing.)
MY OUTFIT WOULD WORK FOR AN INTIMATE PARTY, A LARGE GATHERING, A GLAMOROUS SHINDIG, A DINNER PARTY, AN OFFICE PARTY... ANY TIME I'M NOT SURE OF THE DRESS CODE (OR IF THERE ISN'T ONE), I GO FOR TROUSERS, HEELS AND SOME SPARKLE.
My outfit would work for an intimate party, a large gathering, a glamorous shindig, a dinner party, an office party... Any time I'm not sure of the dress code (or if there isn't one), I go for trousers (not jeans), heels and some sparkle. Your sparkle could be jewellery, glitter or sequins: Just make sure it looks at least a little bit glam.
This week I've come to realise that a faux fur collar is an absolute life saver when it comes to saving a bland outfit.
I saw this beautiful green faux fur collar online and added it to my basket while I was doing some Christmas shopping. I have one already in a warm browny-beige colour but I'd forgotten just how fabulous they make a winter outfit look (see this outfit from last year as another example).
In other words, if your outfit needs tszujing up then try a fur collar - it's an inexpensive way of making your outfit look much more expensive!
IF YOUR OUTFIT NEEDS TSZUJING UP THEN TRY A FUR COLLAR - IT'S AN INEXPENSIVE WAY OF MAKING YOUR OUTFIT LOOK MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE.
I wore mine over a jacket I rediscovered when getting my winter wardrobe out - the red plaid jacket from a couple of winters ago (this one is almost identical). I don't think I actually wore it once last year as I didn't go out that much due to my leg injury, so I wore very few of my winter coats.
