Fashionistas and clothes-wearing friends, thank you for popping in for today’s Holiday Looks: Ageless Style 12.2021. Last month’s theme was breaking out the booties. I was so happy when our temps dropped below 80* so I could legitimately wear booties. This edition is all about holiday looks.
However, truth be told, this Christmas I will probably be sporting pjs or yoga pants most of the day. We will be in Ft. Worth celebrating and sharing in the birth of our first grandson, Declan Ashraf Orya. Who is making his debut on 12.20.2021. We’ve been on pins and needles all week because baby boy is very, very small. And there was discussion about taking him early but it was decided that the longer he can remain in utero, the better. So, the look I am sharing is probably not authentic to what I will be wearing Christmas Day.
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AGELESS STYLE LINK UP
This series is hosted by 9 of my blogging buddies and me. Our group recently expanded so you might see some new faces. Honored to be joining this stylish group of fashion bloggers. Hope you will stop by to check out the holiday dazzle of all of my fashionable friends.
The Ageless Style Link Up goes live on the third Thursday of the month. For each post one of the gals in the group selects a theme then all of us put together a look or looks reflecting it. Last month’s theme was ‘breaking out the booties,’ chosen by Bo at Bo’s Bodacious Blog. If you missed that post, please have a peek here. The month before, Amy at Amy’s Creative Pursuits selected ‘cozy cardis’ for our theme. You can check out that post, here.
Too Hot for Holidays
Was hoping for another downward turn in temperature soon after Thanksgiving, in order to break out the boots, the scarves and puffer vests. But NO!! Global warming is alive and well in far west Texas. It’s been so warm that my wooden snowmen decorating the front porch are melting. Now, that’s warm, girls. We’re talking mid-70s. So, I’ve felt kind of silly pulling out my flannel, velvet and Buffalo plaid.
Instead, I am sharing something a little different for my holiday look. No red, no green and not even a sprinkle of sparkle. It’s what I wore to our church Christmas program last Sunday. I felt feminine and festive even without the traditional colors or prints for the season. But before we get to that outfit, here are a few looks from holidays past. Click the pics to enlarge.
Holiday Looks
Shortly before Thanksgiving my friend and fellow blogger Cyndi Spivey featured this dress on her blog or Instagram or Facebook.
I have searched and searched for the post and cannot find it. Was positive Cyndi shared this dress, but now I am wondering if maybe my memory fails me. Anyway, I fell in look with the dress and followed the link to discover it was from WALMART. And available at a very reasonable $38.00.
Here’s how I styled it for Sunday’s Christmas program at church.
Blouson Midi Dress with Bow Back
The dress is made of a delicious, silky chiffon-like polyester that moves in a very feminine way in a rich tobacco brown animal print.
It features a flirty keyhole closure with a velvet drawstring neckline that ties in a bow in the back. Smocking at the waist. And full blouson sleeves. For accessories I wore a wide black belt, black tights, slouchy black boots and a moto jacket. Added my Alison & Aubrey gem stone hoop earrings for a little holiday bling.
Our church service was a-mazing. Music, ballet, the nativity story. Beautiful performances. We followed that with tacos from Taco Tote, which are very Weight Watcher friendly. Then took our weekly spin around the outlet mall. On our way home, PC indulged me with a few pictures on the grounds of the northeast campus of our community college.
By mid-afternoon, our temperature was in the mid-70s, and that December sun was quite warm. I was ready to shed my jacket for a bit and take refuge in the shade of a picnic table umbrella.
Can you see the keyhole opening and velvet bow at the neck of the dress? Such a pretty detail. How about our beautiful Franklin Mountains?
It’s been so unseasonably warm that our trees have just begun to change.
Looks more like October than December. So maybe this holiday look is more appropriate for Halloween? Or Thanksgiving? Just couldn’t bring myself to pile on the wool, the plaid, the sequins.
It was 85* in Ft. Worth this past weekend. Brennyn nearly burned up at work today. Of course, she is 9 months pregnant, too. But I have a feeling we will be packing tees and tennies for our trip and leaving the winter clothes behind.
Are you experiencing an unusually warm December, too?
Gracias
A big thanks to my PC for taking a few minutes to get some better photos of me for this post. I am always so impressed with the professional looking posts of my Ageless Style friends. Hoping to up my game, with Paul’s help, this coming year.
And with that promise, allow me to share this ‘outtake’ photo that PC snapped without my knowledge. Looks like a horse’s patootie. Gotta love how my behind fills the whole shot. Good grief. Was horsing around – pardon the pun – and he took full advantage.
In the market for a sweet deal? Well, guess what? This dress is now on sale for $10.00!! Yup, you read that right…ten dollars. Check it out here. I think you will love it as much as I do.
Your Turn
Thank you for stopping in today. Hope you will take a few minutes to visit the blogs of my stylish friends joining me for this edition of Ageless Style.
Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Bo ~ Bo’s Bodacious Blog
Blog / Instagram /Pinterest / Bloglovin’
Carrie ~ A Simple Lovely Life
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Daenel ~ Living Outside the Stacks
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |Twitter |
Joanna ~ My Slice of Life
Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style
Leslie ~ Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Robin ~ Hello I am 50ish
Blog / Instagram / Pinterest / Facebook
You are cordially invited to link up your holiday look post with us below. Even if it’s a Halloween or Easter look!!
Once we get this baby born, and get back home again, I hope hope hope to settle back into some kind of routine. Will have been out of town almost as much as I have been home these last weeks of the year. Sure looking forward to meeting our baby boy. No greater Christmas gift!!
Before I go, thank you to those who have reached out to ask about my Kentucky family after the devastating storms that hit that state and others this past weekend. We had been in Lexington just days before. And feel very fortunate that our family was not in the line of the tornadoes. But so many others were not so fortunate. Would like to invite you to join me in making a small donation to the Kentucky Red Cross in hopes of bringing a bit of sunshine back into the lives of those affected by this tragedy.
Hugs and kisses,
Looking lovely Leslie – very Autumn/Winter and classy. You would have made quite a contrast to anyone in a Christmas sweater or too many sparkles!
Exiting times for you! Enjoy! That dress looks so fabulous on you! There is nothing better then a leopard dress with a black jacket!
Leslie,
I am so excited about the birth of baby Declan and keeping him in my prayers. I hope he puts on a little weight and when he makes his debut he is happy and healthy!
That dress is GORGEOUS on you – wow! Walmart has been surprising me like crazy lately. I have underestimated them and their ability to offer fashion that is well made. I’ll bet PC was quite happy to take those photos of his beautiful wife – especially that last shot – ha!!!
xo,
Kellyann
You look fabulous!! I love these photos of you. I tend to spent most of Christmas day in yoga pants or pajamas too.
Oh that is a lovely dress! I love the fact it has that hidden detail at the back.
Weather here in the UK is mild but nowhere near your temperatures! I can’t imagine a sunny Christmas Day.
I hope that your little grandson arrives safely very soon, you must all be anxious and jumping every time a text message comes through!
You look fabulous in this dress! Happy Holidays and wishes for a healthy baby and Mom.
That dress is perfect and I am about to order it (as soon as you see my message about sizing). Love the pictures! Will be praying for your new grandson!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Your holiday looks are super pretty, Leslie.
I literally have not worn a dress in years. You are very inspiring.
Your dress is so pretty and so totally in-style right now!
I love your holiday look! It is warm here in Alabama, too. It will be in the mid 70’s today. I actually wore sandals to work one day last week which felt totally silly but I was comfortable.
That dress looks great on you! I appreciate your dressing for the weather and not what you might prefer to be wearing. Also HAHAHA to the butt picture. My daughter gets pictures of me like that all the time. WHY?!?!?!
First off, the rear shot is fabulous!! I always say that’s my best angle because I don’t have to worry about how my hair looks, if my eyes are closed or if there’s something between my teeth, LOL!!
And the wooden snowmen melting? Crack me up!!
Sending love for little Declan, and I just love the leopard dress. BTW, I wouldn’t mind the warmth because then I could wear my sleeveless, green velvet dress that I had to figure out how to layer earlier this week on the blog!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I absolutely LOVE the dress and the price, WOW!! What a deal! Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy holiday season!
Leslie, I love this dress! Cannot believe it was only $38. What a great deal! I think the jacket is the perfect piece to complete this look.
Oh, Leslie! You are positively stunning in this dress! I love that leather moto jacket! I have been praying that Declan gains and has a wonderful birth. What an absolutely awesome (in every sense of the word) Christmas gift! Enjoy your time with the new little one as well as the rest of your family!
https://marshainthemiddle.com
That dress is lovely! You look very nice in it. Happy Holiday Season!
Happy New Year, doll!! Thank you. Anxious to wear my dress again but have very possibly eaten my way out of it over the holidays.
Hi Leslie!
I am playing catch up on blogs as I spent 2 weeks at my moms in Pittsburgh over Thanksgiving. I LOVE that dress on you, the bow detail is fabulous and I love it with the tall booties. Gorgeous! You know I love leopard print. It does look quite warm. We have had some warmer days too and our leaves dont change here until Mid November. Best wishes on your first Grandson! I bought my hubby and I buffalo plaid pjs and the dogs buffalo plaid sweaters, so I hope to share a family portrait after Christmas. I tend to dress up then later get into pjs.
Have a Blessed Christmas and wishing you the best for the New Year!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Happy New Year, doll!! So enjoyed the photos of the fam in Buffalo plaid. Your fur babies were most festive. Someday I am going to convince my Prince C to give matching pjs a go. Maybe we will try to wrestle our kitties into something, too!!
Hope you are feeling well as we jump into this new year. And stay healthy and happy the whole year through.
You look very bootylicious in that horsing around pic! It was very cold here with a frost – lately it’s been unseasonally warm (global warming). Enjoy your new grandson and have a wonderful Christmas in Ft Worth
Ha!! Booty I have…for days!! This global warming is no joke, it seems, because the weather has been very odd everywhere. We are in the 70s or 80s in the afternoon and then BAM, down in the 20s or 30s. Had hoped we get at least one snowfall but nothing yet. I always enjoy your forest walk photos and seeing the weather you are experiencing.
You look fantastic in that dress, Leslie.
Wishing you a very happy 2022!
Thank you, sweet angel. Happy New Year!!
How exciting, your new grandson!! Wyatt was a teensy little peanut when he was born. He was born early at 33 weeks but they said he was still measuring small regardless and would have been tiny even born full term. 🙂 I hope your little guy is here and thriving! Enjoy all these special times this season.
Thank you, Erin. Declan was under 6 pounds when he left the hospital but is 6.5 pounds as of his appointment today. Hurray!!
LOVE your WalMart dress. Looks great and comfty (not an easy combination to find).
I’m playing catch up, so I hope you had a merry Christmas and that grandbaby is here.
Iris