holiday party attire: casual (ok, very casual)
We had two holiday events on the calendar over the weekend, and here’s what I wore to the first. While this might not look like typical Holiday Party Attire™, it was perfect for an event we look forward to annually: our friends’ Boat Parade Party in Long Beach. Because I knew it would be a cool evening, and we’d be watching the parade from the deck of their docked sailboat, casual, warm and comfortable was the way to go. But the scarf adds a little subtle sparkle, as does the jewelry.
More like these:
The weather for the event was as close to perfect as it gets: cool, clear and calm. I decided to bring along my DSLR camera this time to try to get some good low-light shots, and I think these are an improvement over the smart-phone pictures from previous years.
We all thought this was one of the best years for parade entries in quite some time. After the parade, it’s back to the house to eat…
Sadly we had to miss out on those tamales and other goodies as jeune homme was still recovering from an ear infection and tiring fast, so we made our apologies and took him home to bed.
How is your holiday party season shaping up? What’s your favorite kind of holiday event?
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Love your coat and bracelets!
Oh, how I wish I could have seen the boat parade – my daughter will be so envious of your pictures! We were in Long Beach in October, the $2 trip across the harbour and back is the BEST value ever! My (now deceased) husband – a steward in the Queen’s Grill – was one of the crew who brought the Queen Mary to Long Beach in 1967. The weekend of their arrival (Dec 9 1967 as I recall) was warm and sunny in Long Beach whereas in UK we had the heaviest snow fall for generations. Mrs Meyer (of Metro Goldwyn Meyer) took my husband back to her home, which had been decorated for the season. My, how the years have flown by:( The brother of a friend owns the bar on the QM side of the harbour (Reefs, I think is the name). My favourite seasonal event is actually the Festival of Light in Naples, Florida. My own city here in UK has NO lights, No tree, NO carol singers…this is what happens when town hall officials allow politics to interfere with seasonal traditions.
Hi Roz,
What wonderful stories I bet your late husband could tell of his adventures with the Queen Mary. By the way, don’t let the town bureaucrats rain on your parade. (At one point, a large city I’m told here in the U.S., had deemed it proper to officially drop “Christmas” in their communications and re-name the holiday “Sparkle Day” or some such euphemism. Luckily, I believe saner minds prevailed.)
A very merry, merry and happy, happy to you….
What a wonderful parade! And your photos are super. Our Christmas celebrations are always music related…so this week it’s Carols, Classics (some piano/cello duets) and Cookies at our house!
I loved the parade! Thanks so much for sharing; it brightened my Monday morning back in the office more than I can say.
We have Christmas carol ships in Vancouver. Monsieur loves to go carolling but the traditional songs are dying out. Your boats look lovely.
Oh, what a festive evening that must have been! (Love my JCrew pea coat as well, so much that I bought a second one, in turquoise!)
The boat parade looke like fun! It amazes me how much work goes into decorating a vessel and those kayakers must have been quite chilled by the time the parade was over….hope the young Monsieur gets well soon. Our grand daughter has been sick too.
Your jacket is perfect for a cool evening on a boat as it has a nautical vibe and looks cozy.
That looks like fun. So very different from the parades here. Love the dolphins pulling Santa’s sleigh. Kind of like that old Christmas song from the 60’s called “Six White Boomers,” About six big kangaroos pulling Santa’s sleigh down under. Loved that song as a kid! Your pea coat looks great!
The parade— beautiful, festive and looks like huge fun! I like the nautical flair of you pea coat and the way your gold buttons and bracelets play off each other.
Parade looks great and I always enjoy hanging around a boat. Pea coats are so perfect for our climate and getting in and out of the car!
Oh!! How sweet to see these photos. I am enchanted with how much time and energy some people have for Holiday Festivities! Just LOVED the FRANCOPHILE with the lite Eiffel Tower.
Looks like fun! I don’t doubt that a coat was in order, once the sun goes down the breezes around the water are chilly.
So happy your family was able to get out and enjoy the unusual parade.
Very festive photos! Nothing like a little sparkle in a scarf to transform an outfit into holiday attire!
I can’t believe I haven’t gone to this yet. Have you visited the Mission Inn in Riverside? If not, plan to go. It’s amazing.
I think your outfit is perfect for the occasion. I really like this look on you!
We have been going to the Huntington Beach boat parade for the past several years and I agree that the weather could not have been more perfect. We watched the parade from the deck of my friend’s home and I didn’t even need my jacket or scarf. Great pictures.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
You are perfectly attired for this fun event. I must admit I’ve never been to a boat parade but it does look fun!!
The Boat Parade looks fab – and so does your reefer jacket.
I never saw such a parade, it’s fantastic!
I love your bracelets again and the boots
Always looking for one of those coats in thrift shops, but they are never in good condition
Just a question re: the JCrew jacket. Is it a petite size or the regular size. I know that you are about 5″3 which is my height.
Hi Laurie, I’m 5’1″ and wearing the Petite here.
Thank-you. The fit is great on you; not overwhelming as a double-breasted jacket can sometimes look on petite women. I may try this one!
Lovely pictures of the boat parade. Reminds me of one on the opposite coast in Virginia a few years ago.
I am so envious, the boat parade looked beautiful (and your outfit perfect). I never realised you were only 5’1″ – you seem so much taller in your photos (I’m only 5’3″, but usually manage to look like a stumpy hobbit).
Amazing pics! 🙂