Holiday Party Dress Jewelry Accessory Inspo

Style

by Janis Brett Elspas, Editor

Mommy Blog Expert

MBE partnered with Responsival, post contains affiliate links

Gold Chains, Sparkles, Bows Trending for the Holidays

There's no better time than now that calls for more festive dressing up for parties, celebrations and all other special occasions than during the holidays. 

Sparkling Sequin Styling is Hot this Season

This holiday season, gold jewelry, sparkles and beautiful details like rhinestone trims, sequins, ribbons and bows are all in high demand in women's clothing and accessories. As a girl who loves all the holiday glitter and bling, I could not be more excited to share my favorite picks for this season. Whether you're shopping for what to wear to the holiday office party, an elegant Hanukkah or Christmas gala, casual yuletide get together, or New Year's Eve bash, check out these glitzy, fun fashion finds I've discovered for you. 

Festive Jewelry

Let's start with the basics to add some bling to your seasonal look. Riding on the popular continuing trend of layering gold necklaces of varying lengths and types which I absolutely love, this is the place to start your holiday wardrobe planning, shopping, and building. 

Gold necklaces as foundational jewelry don't just to add that needed sparkle accent to whatever you're wearing. Whether it's a new sequin bedazzled dress or a piece from your existing wardrobe, a gold necklace or two can go with just about every style of holiday dress from casual to formal, boho to elegant, and simple to over-the-top glitzy.

The December holidays are the perfect time to elevate your style vibe with statement earrings, too. No matter which holiday you celebrate, there is something you'll appreciate in this jewelry category. I just love these sparkling over-sized menorah earrings for Hanukkah.

 

For those of you going to Christmas parties this season these rainbow rhinestone 2-inch Christmas tree earrings are perfect. Meanwhile, Disneyana collectible fans will want to check out these huge twinkling novel Disney Mickey Mouse Christmas Tree Earrings. 

Don't just decorate your neck and ears, consider rounding out your jewelry ensemble with some holiday-inspired bracelets like this Tis the Season Bracelet Set or this pretty Gold Bow Crystal and Pearl Cocktail Ring.

Beautiful Holiday Clothing

One of the hottest picks of the season is the sequin mini skirt which can be dressed up or down with a sweater or blouse depending on the event. Dazzling fringed sequin mini dresses are also vibing during the holidays this year. Equally full of sparkle is the long sleeve sequin shift dress.

Ribbons and bows are also front and center in holiday dressing for the current season. You'll be the talk of the party in a Christmas Red Cutout Sleeve Bow Sweater that can be worn casually with your favorite jeans or dressed up to top a sequin skirt. For a more elegant, formal look to make your big party entrance this one shoulder white taffeta bow mini dress is a great choice for the holidays as well as for you to wear again year-round to other special occasions like weddings.

Holiday Handbags, Shoes and Accessories

A special handbag is another must-have holiday wardrobe find to go with your holiday outfits. My favorites include this boho rhinestone hobo shoulder bag which goes from day to evening with ease so you can take it to the office and then out to an evening on the town. Another look in basic black that I really like is this elegant cutout handle box clutch with a big bow with a removeable chain shoulder strap.

For something really special and sparkling for New Year's Eve parties, I'm leaning toward  sparkling conversational bags from a designer brand I have bought several handbags from before. On my personal gift wish list is this stunning pink champagne on ice bag conversation starter that's handbeaded. I'd also like to own this white and gold beaded champagne toast crossbody handbag with removable bead star charm and gold chain strap. It's small but roomy enough to stash your iPhone or Android phone and few other essentials, keeping your phone handy for those Instagram-worthy holiday moments while you're enjoying all the festivities.  

You're not going to want to forget the shoes either. These can definitely make or break your entire holidaty outfit. Among the season's plentiful collection of party shoes available, this pair of slingback flats with rhinestone side bows and these sweet rose gold glitter ballet ankle ribbon tie flats are my style. For other accessories to take your holiday party look to the next level, how about some black fishnet rhinestone tights which would look so beautful with a pair of black stilletos with rhinestone embellished bow and your own chosen holiday party dress. For dressing up a more casual look, I'm also loving these sequin furry lined slip on boots which are comfy and cozy, as well as festive and sparkling so they'd be great to wear with jeans, a denim skirt or boho maxi dress. 

Holiday Inspired Shopping Now Underway

There are so many truly beautiful fashion and accessories that are calling your name and personal style and so many holiday sales with big savings to discover. If you haven't already planned what you'll be wearing to all the holiday events you're going to attend, now's the time to stop everything and go online shopping to have your outfit delivered to your doorstep or to order ahead of time to pick up in many stores nationwide. 

Happy Holidays!

Little House Homecoming Movie Debut Review

Movies

Little House Documentary Premieres Thanksgiving Weekend

The whole family is invited to gather around your flatscreen TV or monitor at home to watch the new documentary film Little House Homecoming exclusively on Trellis Virtual Cinema. The debut of this home entertainment release marks 50 years since the beloved Little House on the Prairie hit television show, starring the late Michael Landon as Pa Ingalls and Melissa Gilbert as Laura, first aired in 1974 on NBC television.

Many thanks to Trellis Virtual Cinema for providing a screening in advance screening to facilitate this review and the Little House Homecoming Giveaway we are hosting.  Opinions are 100% my own.

Interviews with Original Cast, Michael Landon's Children

The TV show, like the documentary Little House Homecoming, is inspired by the Little House fiction book series by Laura Ingalls Wilder based on her frontier life and first published in 1932. During the film, original Little House TV cast members take viewers on a virtual roadtrip to visit each of the real life historical Midwest small towns where Laura lived during her lifetime from early childhood in Pepin, Wisconsin until her passing at the age of 90. She was laid to rest in 1957 next to her husband Almanzo Wilder in Mansfield, Missouri.

Co-hosted by original TV series actors Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder) and Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson), the documentary features Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls), Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle, the teacher) and Wendi Lou Lee (who played Baby Grace along with her twin sister Brenda). Two of Michael Landon's nine real life children also appear, including Michael Landon, Jr. and Jennifer Landon, reminiscing about their father and their lives together both on the set and at home.

A Virtual Journey to Places Where Laura Really Lived

The documentary visits all the important Laura Ingalls Wilder historical homestead sites. The fascinating footage gives the audience the opportunity to see important preserved buildings, artifacts, and vintage photos related to Laura's personal life as well as her work as an author.

• Pepin, Wisconsin, setting of Little House in the Big Woods 
• Independence, Kansas, setting of Little House on the Prairie
• Walnut Grove, Minnesota, setting of On the Shores of Plum Creek
• Burr Oak, Iowa, Laura lived here between books
• De Smet, South Dakota, setting for By the Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, Little Town on the Prairie, These Happy Golden Years, and The First Four Years.
• Mansfield, Missouri, where Laura lived and wrote all her books until her death
• Malone, New York, Almanzo's childhood farm homestead

With a wonderful script, heartfelt interviews and behind the scenes cinematograpy, the documentary beautifully ties together Laura's pioneer history with the Little House TV series which generations of viewers have loved.

Kids, Parents, Grandparents and Will Love It

Whether you're 8 or 90+ years old, Little House Homecoming has something for every member of the family. The characters like Laura and her family remind us why they have endured for generations. Their resourcefulness, strong work ethic, faith, creativity, and love for one another during pioneer days remain with us, despite our lives today living in a fast-paced world. Without a doubt fans of all ages, young and old, will enjoy watching this together.

Virtual Movie Giveaway

Win a Chance to See Little House Homecoming

Hurry, Enter NOW, Giveaway Ends 12/1 

To Enter for chance to win a virtual code to see Little House Homecoming, follow @mommyblogexpert on Instagram and leave a comment on this Instagram post. Winner will be notified by Instagram direct message

More about the Movie

Little House Homecoming is available for viewing now exclusively on the Trellis Virtual Cinema. See the movie trailer, Buy Tickets and learn more about the new documentary on the official movie site.

The Rise of Multigenerational Travel

Family Travel

Guest Post

by Michelle Catin, Vice President Marketing

Club Med

Travel Across Generations is Trending

Traveling with a small family unit including kids might seem simple, but it often isn't. Mom and dad typically handle all the vacation planning and payments, with mom usually shouldering the burden of vacation reservations, trip organization, packing, and caring for the children. On these so-called vacations, parents more often than not end up spending little time unwinding when they need it most. That’s why more families, especially millennials and Gen Z parents with young kids are considering multigenerational travel. By incorporating grandparents to help with childcare as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins into the mix, everyone has something to do that they enjoy and can also have a little time to themselves. 

Reasons to Consider Big Family Trips

Vacations with extended family do require work, but they also yield huge benefits

• Tag-team childcare, taking turns taking care of each other's kids
• Increased quality time and bonding with family who may not live nearby
• Time as a cohesive family unit, helping pass traditions on to younger generations
• Lasting family memories that everyone will cherish for a lifetime 

As long as you keep your expectations realistic, you can get these rewards and more. 

Great Options for Multigen Travel 

Since travel is a time-honored tradition for millions of families, it’s easy to find vacation variations that work even for both small and large family trips. 

Your best bet is to choose family trips that have something for everyone like

• All-Inclusive Resorts
• Cruises
• Theme Parks
• National Parks 
• Cities with family-friendly activities 

Be expansive in your lodging options, and you’ll find something that works for the group.

 

How to Incorporate Everyone Into Your Travel Plans 

Designate a coordinator 

The first thing you should do as part of your travel plan is to designate a family member coordinator. This person should be primarily responsible for getting the discussion going and keeping it progressing toward actual decisions and commitments. Ideally, the coordinator has some experience in navigating reservation systems and general travel planning. Skills in working well with others and finding the best options to present to the group are also highly desirable. Note that this person should not be doing 100% of the work. It’s just wise to have a single point who can organize suggestions and do some of the legwork of executing the plan. 

Plan early

Family travel planning is essential. Multigenerational travel is not usually a thing you can plan on the fly, so it really helps to get a head start. The designated coordinator should aim to allow three months or more to coordinate and gather everyone's preferences and dates for reservations. Everyone should commit to an affordable budget and be considerate of family size when you breaking down what each group will pay. If you need to stick to a specific budget and not go over, consider options like all-inclusive vacation packages that have all the costs included from the outset. 

Encourage collaboration 

The goal is to have a trip that everyone enjoys, which means that all parties need to have a say in the location and activities. Kids' opinions should be considered, too! Create a group chat to discuss options and get consensus before the trip coordinator starts planning the itinerary. If you notice that someone slows their participation in the chat, considering them aside to find out if there’s a reason they aren’t investing. They might feel bowled over with the discussion and need some help contributing.

Create some flexibility

While family trips ought to have plenty of activities to keep everyone occupied, they also need to provide some flexibility. Babies and young children may need breaks throughout the day to nap or decompress. Older adults may want to dip in and out based on their energy levels. Big families often have varying opinions about what counts as fun, so they’ll want to choose how to participate. When planning activity options, be sure to include some time for everyone to relax or do things as an individual family unit. 

Work and play 

There’s no doubt that family trips take a lot of work in preparation and during the event. To avoid the most Type A person getting left with all the responsibility and none of the fun, break down the work into tasks. 

A few ideas to create balance

• Ask each family (or generation) to take over planning everything for one day 
• Have all the adults take a shift to attend to the kids
• Use a sign-up sheet template to coordinate meals, reservations, and other activities 

Remember you don't need to have people sign up for every minute of the trip, but you should aim to cover all the basics before you go.

 

The sky's the limit for the family vacation you dream up ...

Multigenerational family travel is increasingly popular because it offers so much more than a nuclear family trip. The trick is to make vacation plans that work for everyone, by getting input and making choices that value each person’s physical and emotional needs, likes and dislikes. With these tips, you'll have some great ideas to help make your next family trip a memorable experience for everyone. 

About the Author

Michelle Catin is Vice President Marketing at Club Med, a provider of premium all-inclusive vacation packages. She has over 20 years of experience in marketing PR, and specializes in the hospitality industry.