A little red dress and a corker of a statement necklace
ON Saturday night I painted the city red.
(Kinda.) As part of early birthday celebrations (my big day is on Friday) I did a night of glamour in Leeds with some of my dearest pals. And I did it in a rather lovely red dress. I take absolutely no credit for finding this amazing dress from Matalan of all places! Nope, it was all the work of a dear Twitter and Instagram friend of mine. After struggling to find a budget friendly dress that screamed ‘glamour’ and ‘birthday’, I enlisted the help of Tracey, a gorgeous style guru if ever I’ve known one and asked her if she’d come across any super frocks of late. Thankfully she had and she pointed me in the direction of this fetching bandeau pencil dress from the Abbey Clancy collection. When I tried it on, it just whispered Hollywood old school glamour so I was then on a mission to find a necklace worthy of the Oscars. Thankfully I knew just the place and snapped up an incredible statement neck from YOSA, called ‘Heritage’. It looks like it’s sold out already (no surprise, it’s an amazing piece!) but it’s similar to this one and very beautiful. And I have to tell you I don’t think I’ve ever had as many compliments about a piece of jewellery in a loooonnngg time. In my ears I wore Swarovski and on my feet, I wore leopard print court shoes from Carvela. (After all, Hollywood glamour wouldn’t be complete without a touch of that.) Silly blogger that I am, I forgot to get a pic of my bag but it was large metallic fan shaped clutch from Warehouse that I’ve had for donkeys years. Here I am having a cuddle with Elsie just before leaving. I may have been dolled up to the nines, but Elsie still wanted picking up, fancy frock or not. Proof that you’re never really off duty when you’re a mum! Here she is admiring my earrings. The little lady has clearly got good taste already! I had, an INCREDIBLE night out with friends. We dined at Raymond Blanc’s Brasserie Blanc. (The food was delicious.) We wined (a lot), indulged in a cocktail and then hit the dance floor where we danced until our feet hurt and our taxi man arrived. It’s a bit blurry (thanks phone!) but here we are altogether. I even managed to indulge in a bit of a chinwag over a tipple or two with the ever gorgeous Vicki from Honest Mum too and some of her lovely friends. As birthday nights out go, it’s up there with the best. And it just goes to show, that life is always that bit more fabulous when you up the glamour stakes. (Even if it is just for a few child-free hours).
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Pssst – apologies for the pics being a bit fuzzy and blurry. It’s pretty hard to take half decent pics on a phone on a winter evening no?! *looks for a handbag friendly camera as good as an SLR* x
With love,
Kate
This post is linked up to: Passion For Fashion, Visible Monday and Reasons To Dress
Bloody gorgeous! All of you xxx and happy birthday for Friday xxxx
Aww thank you lovely! Can’t wait! xxx
You looked absolutely stunning and it looks like you had much fun. Great pre-birthday celebrations. Thankyou for my mention :)) there’s nothing like your birthday build-up xxx
Thank you darling! It really was such a fun night and thank you again for all your style help! Mwah! xxx
Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday – wow, you look gorgeous!
My pleasure Patti! It’s a great link up. Thanks so much x
Wow!! You look stunning! What a find. I love the red and the fit on you, your lipcolor looks fab with it as well
from the link up,
please stop by, jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Thank you Jess! I do love a bit of a red :) x
Darling you were a knock out, a film star in Leeds, so beautiful, inside and out, I just love, LOVE hanging out you with, I’m a little bit in love with you lady! OK a LOT! Thanks for becoming such a gorgeous friend and here’s to Christmas drinkies soon, Happy Birthday darling for Friday xx
One of my favourite comments EVER! Thank you so much darling, you looked beautiful yourself! Had such a fun night and it was fabulous to meet up with you for a couple of drinks. I’m a little bit in love with you too – there’s definitely a mutual appreciation thang going on for sure! ;-) Looking forward to Christmas drinks soon! xxx
You looked beautiful! Gorgeous dress. Sounds like a fabulous night, and fab start to your birthday week! Xxx
Thank you Leigh :) It really was! Nothing like a night out with the girls to boost your spirits and kick off birthday celebrations X
LOOK AT YOU! I can’t handle it – the dress, the necklace, your hair, the lipstick. YOU ARE A SEX POT!
Heather Wyancko
http://thriftstories.me
Haha! Thank you Heather for your lovely comment and for making me chuckle, if only you could see me now ;-) X
You are so stunning. You can never go wrong with red. Ugh I really need more occasions in my life to wear a killer dress like this, good for you for dressing the part and enjoying your femininity!
The #resonstodress real mom street style linkup is live, if you get a chance I would love to have you linkup!
Angie from reasons to dress
Drop dead gorgeous! What a stunning dress. Glad you had a good birthday x
Absolutely stunning lady, you made the right choice this dress is just ultimate glamour. Happy Birthday darling, big kisses xxx #streetstylesunday
Beautiful, love your dress :)
You look amazing in that dress. Very glamourous, especially with the red lippy. Can’t believe it was from Matalan. Such a great score! #fashionfriday
You look a million dollars!! Absolutely stunning dress, and that necklace, wowzers, where are my sunnies?! Just gorgeous. Love that you really painted the town red, and what gorgeous pic of two of my bestest blog buddies, you and fabulous Vicki! Yay! So wish I was up in your neck of the woods too, and looks like you had a wonderful time. That pic of Elsie admiring your earrings reminded me that as mothers we become hoarders, as I can’t bear to throw anything away that perhaps my little girl will someday love too! xx