Dressing for a Garden Party, Matalan Style.

Morning my lovely friends.

How are you?

Sorry I'm so late with today's post, but you know how it goes sometimes!

Been a busy weekend for me with dinner out on Saturday night for my brother-in-law's birthday.  We went to a local haunt that we used to use years ago - was nice to have a trip down memory lane remember the good times with family and friends.  

The Red Lion is a little village pub complete with green and church next door, typically an idyllic olde worlde venue and the meal we had emulated the fabulous ambiance.  I picked a delicious prawn and crab cocktail served with brown bread and followed this classic started with roast garlic and thyme chicken, dauphinoise potatoes served with seasonal greens and copious amounts of Prosecco - I certainly paid for it the next day feeling very much the worse for wear!  My daughter made a fantastic cake, chocolate with more chocolate decorated with a mixture of chocolates and a dusting of gold sprinkles [I'll try to link a piccy for you all].  It ended up a very late night after we carried on the party at my SIL's with more Prosecco & some dancing, I wonder why I couldn't move the next day - I certainly pulled some snazzy moves!

So after a late start on Sunday it was round 2!  I had been invited to my friend's birthday garden party.  I took a nice fresh potato salad to accompany the tempting buffet she'd laid on ... shall I tease you? 

Freshly bbq'd burgers and chicken, avocado salad, coleslaw, pesto rice & aubergine parmigiana [which I fell in love with, so I'm getting the recipe and am going to try making it myself].  This was followed by homemade apple and summer fruit crumble and custard, this was also very yummy.  I was a good girl and decided to drive, this meant taking a bottle of Nosecco .. my new found friend.  If you don't want to drink, but feel like you're missing out, this is a brilliant way to 'cheat'.  It pop's like a proper bottle and has bubbles too - if you pour it  into a champagne flute you'll feel like you're having a real drink - that's half the problem isn't it, having a coke in a big glass makes you feel like you're not drinking and being different.  [I don't know why that is a problem, but it is!]  So a wonderful afternoon was spent sitting in the garden having a laugh and chatting with good friends.  We left in time to watch the football at my daughter's house, let's not get onto that subject as it's still too sad to talk about! 😭   

Shall I let you see what I wore to the garden party?  It was perfect weather, not too hot and not too cold.  I wore this glorious dress.  It's a buffet style and just spot on for the wonderful buffet we devoured.

I spotted the buffet dress in Matalan a few months ago.  I liked it but didn't really need a new dress ( I know everyone needs a new dress don't they) but I didn't buy it.  When I went shopping a few weeks ago I saw it had been reduced in the sale - well I couldn't not buy it for £10 could I!!  It's a nice midi length with half sleeves and floaty fabric that is nice to move it.  It's a style that's perfect for garden parties when one might be balancing on a small chair or wall.  It doesn't crease and was just the right amount of coverage for the mediocre weather on Sunday.

I teamed some pink mules with the floral dress which picked out the bright pink beautifully. A wearable dress with a pattern that really stood out, nice for celebrating summer and the vivid flowers around now.

I'm glad I didn't let this feminine & flattering dress get away.  I was drawn to the vibrant rainbow tones and knew it would suit my colouring and without sounding too negative, it'll work well with boots and a jumper when the weather gets colder!  That's something blogging has taught me, buy clothes that will stretch across the seasons - this will do the job adequately I'm sure! 

It pop's like a proper bottle and has bubbles too - if you pour it into a champagne flute you'll feel like you're having a real drink - that's half the problem isn't it, having a coke in a big glass makes you feel like you're not drinking and being different.  [I don't know why that is a problem, but it is!]

Good to have you join me today - much love to you all.

Hope you'll stop by on Thursday for the brand new #Chicandstylish #LINKUP.  Also there'll be July's addition of At Home With ...  come see who it is!

Have a super week.

Bye for now. X