A dress that works in my 40's and 50's! #chicandstylish #linkup

Happy Thursday my friends.
How are you all - is Over 50's blogging land good for you this week?
I've been having a really good one so far, with one evening out for our anniversary meal (see more below) and another with some of the children round for dinner.  With a quiet weekend to look forward to I hope the weather stays nice and warm so I can enjoy the garden.

Last Friday hubby and I celebrated our 33rd wedding anniversary.  We left booking a table until the last minute so were unable to get booked at our favourite restaurant.  We toyed with the idea of going somewhere else but both had our hearts set on Read's so decided to book for last Tuesday.  We had a lovely evening anyway with him going to the pub with the boys and me going ballroom dancing with my bestie!  We did meet for drinks after so it was all in all it was a great evening.

When you see our meals you'll understand why we waited to go there and not 'make do' with somewhere less exciting for a special occasion!

How exciting to wear something for a second time and have it still fit after 15 years - the dress doesn't even look out-of-fashion or dated either.  I bought this beautiful cerise pink dream in Monsoon for my joint 40th birthday party.  We had a stunning marquee in the back garden, a large buffet, free bar, a disco and  Roy G Hemmings, who's an ex lead singer of The Drifters.  His appearance included lots of past hits like 'Under the Boardwalk' 'Save the last dance for me' & 'Saturday night at the movies'. With everyone singing along and dancing the night away, he was so good we paid for him to do his whole set again after a short break!
Fast forward to 2019 after dieting and losing two stone I wore the very same dress for the second time and loved how it felt on even more!

This certainly ticked all the boxes back in 2004, with bias cut dresses being the height of fashion, I wouldn't normally have chosen this style as they don't sit right on my hips and bottom section, this proved different.  It has an insert giving much more volume than the norm, so it balanced out my pear shape giving a very flattering finish.  The shoe string straps were also fabulous along with the soft flimsy chiffon material that has an eye catching pattern slanting diagonally across it.  How could I go wrong with the perfect dress in my most favoured colour?

I wore my gold sparkly 'dancing ' shoes, and that's just what we look like we're doing in the next photo, but we were walking away... in sync - honest!

Onto the meal.  One enchanting venue that also caters for weddings and small private occasions.
Let's talk you though our evening at Read's.

Upon arrival we were shown into the lounge to have predinner drinks and canapes, to our surprise our daughter and SIL had ordered a bottle of champagne as thanks for the wedding.  This was a wonderful treat and very much unexpected.

Photo opportunity in the court yard - just the perfect setting for lunch time treats.

Orders taken and wine picked we sat sat chatting about .... the children (or course) & also how could two people so young have been married 33 years and have five children!!
Then we were invited into the dining room......

It's always fills me with joy whenever I eat here, there's so much to enjoy and great pictures to relish.  This elegant manor house lives up to every expectation.  They also have rooms to stay overnight, so maybe that's one for the future - eh hubby???

Just one of the stunning pictures, the queens head replicating a stamp - all made with sequins and mother-of-pearl buttons!  Unique don't you think?

Just look at the tasty meals we had.
Appetizer - a fiery hot but eaten cold Gazpatcho soup, served in a delicate little cup and saucer - complete with a spoon of tiny croutons. Mwaahh. X

Both started with the cheese souffle, which simply melted in the mouth and also had smoked haddock  pieces in the cheese sauce - amazing.  With a choice of three homemade breads, I just had to step off the keto wagon for the night. 😉

Can I temp you with a main course ... certainly I'll have the Lamb, whilst hubby chose the beef, all served with a choice of home grown vegetables!

Finally I made room for a dessert - well someone has to!  I opted for one I'd always have if it was on the menu - lemon tart with rhubarb sorbet.  Hubby had his usual cheese and biscuits (only 1 because he's on keto too).

Feeling stuffed we returned to the lounge for coffee, tea, brandy and homemade sweets - I know what a piggy!!!  Our taxi was arrange (daughter and SIL)  to our utter amazement they had paid the bill too!  How wonderful to be repaid for the wedding in such a heartfelt way. ♡

Sorry this has been such a long post, I do hope you've enjoyed spending the time with me. Do join the #Chicandstylish #LINKUP my friends. X

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#CHICANDSTYLISH #LINKUP time.

Before we party who's favourite from last week?  How amazing does Darlene -  Aquamarina Style look in her mix and match swimwear?  I love the whole look and have really changed my opinion on everything having to 'match' perfectly since blogging.  Getting great inspriation from this look today - thanks Hun. x  Do stop over and see the rest of Darlene's swimsuit cover-ups.

Now let's start linking up.
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Thanks so much for joining me today - lovely to have you support this over 50 blog.
Catch you again here soon I hope, Oh and do leave me a little comment as I love to hear from you.
Bye for now. X