The Nutcracker

Dress: BB Dakota via TJ Maxx (very similar style); Heels: Michael Kors

The first time I went to the Nutcracker, I was about 5 or 6. My mom, baby brother and I were visiting my grandmother in Seattle and went to see the Pacific Northwest Ballet perform. I don't remember the Nutcracker (or the entire visit to Seattle), but it became a future-tradition once I moved to the mainland. In my first year in college, my grandmother and I went to the PNB Nutcracker again. And then I started attending with my friends in college - dressing up to sit in the nosebleed seats that only cost $25 with a student ID. I have a lot of fun memories of dressing in something weird, purple and Forever21-y with some black patent heels and feeling seriously fancy. Ben and I have been to the Nutcracker twice, starting last Christmas here in Portland with the Oregon Ballet Theatre. The ballet here is a beautiful, traditional Nutcracker and I love walking to the auditorium and watching everyone in their pretty dresses, suits and ties, and little children all dressed in velvet and chiffon. It brings back memories (that I don't actually remember) of going with my mom and grandmother almost 20 years ago!

Ben and I are winding down our solo Christmas activities and launching into a week of family traditions. His family will be coming here for Christmas as I only have Christmas Day off of work. It'll be a full house but a merry one for the next week or so!

If you're still on the hunt for some pretty party dresses for all of your festivities this week and next (New Years approaches), be sure to check out some of these on-sale and under $100 sparkly options from Shopbop below! I'm seriously loving BB Dakota lately (the maker of my gold dress above) for pretty, ultra-flattering shapes and dresses that have the convenience of big pockets!

BB Dakota (under $100); J.O.A. (under $100); Otte New York (on sale!); DKNY (on sale!)