Shiny happy people

First things first;

 

thanks for all your advice and suggestions about what to wear for a Black Tie party, and also for your (early) birthday wishes. 

 

I love hearing what you lot have to say!

 

We all thoroughly enjoyed our Italian meal on Friday - I was overdressed, as usual.

 

As previously noted, I have no trouble whatsoever wearing a 1970s evening dress on the school run or out to a local restaurant, but set me the task of dressing up for an Occasion where there are Rules, and I get in a tizz.

(I've spoken to my sister about what is expected for her party, and am tizzing no longer. So that's a relief.)

  

Look at Eldest, posing like a good 'un. 

This is a rather more representative set of images - Eldest tucking in, Seldom Seen excited about his pizza, and Littlest pulling a face, for no reason other than that she can.

 

And this is a pretty typical representation of me too - hair dishevelled after mere minutes, and looking cross-eyed. Thanks to Seldom Seen for the most unflattering camera angle...

Saturday;

our local festival.

Despite the dire weather forecast, it stayed dry.

There was belly dancing, live music, food, loads of stalls and activities, and as always, we bumped into lots of people we knew for a chat. 

 

Littlest made a bee house...

...and joined in with the drumming.

I love the view of our city from up on the hill.

 

We bought sweets from our friend Zander (delicious) and perused the vintage wares at this lovely stall...

...where Teresa was selling all sorts of linens and haberdashery and homewares.

All so pretty - check out her website.

And look what I found;

 

 

my birth year, and gorgeous flowers on pure Irish linen - perfect as an early birthday present to myself!

Now I have to confess that the other big event of the weekend, the infamous Park Night, was not documented. I did take my camera, but got too caught up in the wine-drinking, chat, laughter and foolishness to remember to take photos.

But you can picture the scene - six respectable and responsible mums, pillars of the local community, sprawled on picnic blankets, spilling our wine, nipping off for a wee in the bushes, and cackling at our own ever-increasing levels of rudeness. We had a ball.

 

Probably just as well there is no photographic evidence... 

 

We frightened off the local youth, we're apparently a better deterrent than the Neighbourhood Watch.

I treated myself again today - to this pendant, which happened to match my dress perfectly, and to these;

 

a well-loved reminder of my childhood.

 

All charity shopped, of course.

1960s Davisella maxi dress - Ebay

Denim jacket, cardigan, pendant, bangles and sunglasses - charity shopped

Sandals - retail (sale)

I think this print makes me visible enough to join in over at Patti's usual Monday gathering, and I'll also hanging out with Jane at her inaugural Shiny T Tuesday link-up tomorrow.

I'll be catching up with your blogs this evening, I hope, a couple of days off and I am waaaaay behind with my comments!

   xxxxx