Pictured: Earrings: Swarovski (also online here and here) / Lipstick: Tom Ford / Dress: ASOS / Ring: Vardy’s Jeweler’s (also love this one, and this one) / Handbag: Chanel (pre-loved style here) / Nail Polish: Nars: Hard to Get / Shoes: Valentino (non-patent here, lower heel here)

I love this black lace holiday party dress which I wore earlier this week to the Junior League of San Jose sustainer holiday party. The high neck, and long sleeves, were perfect for keeping me warm. The lace sleeves, and cut-outs, kept the dress festive; so it didn’t look like I was bundled up from the cold!

When I dressed for the party, the sun had already gone down, which is why we tried to take these pictures in the dark. We tried using the lighting on the house, combined with the camera flash, to get photos, but they are not the quality I prefer from natural light. I hope you don’t mind, and can still get a feel for what a black lace holiday party dress looks like this season!

The JLSJ sustainer holiday party is an annual affair which brings together all of the sustainers for a festive night. It is great to celebrate all of the volunteer work, and fundraising, we have done together this year, and in years past. Many of the ladies present at the event are truly inspirational. It can be quite humbling to be in the presence of power philanthropists who give so much of their time for the good of the community.

This time of year, so many of us are focused on decorating the house for the holiday we celebrate, purchasing presents, buying an abundance of food and sweets, and thinking about ourselves rather than the community as a whole. During the cold winter months, this is when the community needs our help the most. Many people are fighting the elements, and looking for shelter. Many people are out of work and struggling to survive. It is at this time that we must stop and look around; it isn’t about buying presents, cakes, and decorations; the holiday season is about giving back to others.

Now is the time to find at least one day this season to volunteer in the community, and give back to the society which has blessed you with so much good fortune. If you are able, please consider donating to your favorite charity, or a local charity which serves the community.

A few of my favorite charities to give to this time of year:

Heritage Home (helps homeless and abandoned pregnant women see their pregnancy through, get a job, and find a place to live)

Kids in the Kitchen (focused on children’s health and wellness)

Sunday Friends (helping families break the cycle of poverty)

Family Giving Tree (volunteer opps!)

Valley Medical Center Foundation

Junior League of San Jose (volunteer opps if you join!!)

Where do you like to volunteer this time of year? Do you have any favorite charities to donate to? Please share in the comment section below!

Black lace holiday party dress and outfit details: