Saturday 20 November 2010

Lucky Girl

Growing another year older isn't so bad when you're lucky enough to receive the most wonderful gifts. My lovely lovely husband doesn't quite get how happy he's made me with this beautiful dress that I have dreamed of wearing for months. Years in fact, if you count how long I have longed for a dress from Cath.
Its the ridiculusly expensive clothes that I always fall in love with in the CK catalogues. Other things I adore too but it is the perfect, out of reach dresses and coats I wish for longingly. You have to be a bit restrained with Cath I find. Too much, and as my wonderful friend Lucy says, you can look like someone's vomited shabby chic all over your house. I know what she means. A little bit of Cath can do you good but too much is definitley too much. To be honest I don't do co-ordinated anything so a tea towel here, a washbag there and the odd mug is just enough for me.

But the clothes, oh the clothes. The autumn catalogue especially makes me feel all I Capture the Castle if you know what I mean?! But gosh its pricey, so imagine my joy at the clothing sale just before my birthday and the look of relief on Woody's face at knowing what to get for me.
"Lottie" is set to become an old friend I can already tell . Her first outing was dinner here  in Chelsea with our oldest friends on what was the best of birthday weekends in early November. They have very kind neighbours who work at the Royal Hospital and generously let us stay at their flat in the grounds. I wish I'd remembered the camera, it was a fabulous place to stay.
Since then she's been paired with new boots (from my lovely parents after the longest search ever, but a sale baragin again - hurrah!), long cosy cardis and coloured, velvety tights for pub drinks with my sister and another treasure hunting trip to Ludlow with Lucy.

She is a joy to wear, fits just right and is the sort of dress I've only found once or twice before - reliable but special dress and makes me feel much improved on the usual sack of potatoes feeling and perhaps a tiny bit glamourous. Lottie will have a long stay at No.25. What a lucky girl I am!
But it doesn't stop there - my sweet sister knows me so very well and tracked down a gift to make me jump with joy. Presents don't get much better than an original 40s tablecloth, delicately embroidered with the prettiest of spring flowers as bright today as the day they were sewn. Thank you, thank you Eechie.

27 comments:

Rose H (UK) said...

Happy, happy birthday!
What perfect gifts. Hope you had a lovely day :o)

bellaboo said...

Many happy returns! Hope you are having a wonderful day in your gorgeous new dress!
I have tried to restrict CK to the kitchen only,but a bit has crept into the bathroom as well! :0)

julie said...

Just rediscovered your blog and am really enjoying it. Happy birthday, sounds like you had a lovely time celebrating and what a wonderful husband you have there - that's definitely the perfect gift! I always think the best gifts are things that you really really want but just can't justify in the ordinary course of things. Do love your friends description of too much CK though, and I know exactly what she means, but a little sure does look lovely

VintageVicki said...

Happy Birthday :)

That is one gorgeous dress - definately something that will make you feel fab everytime you wear it :)

prettyshabby said...

Happy belated Birthday Steph!
your birthday treats are fantastic.LOVE that pretty CK dress...but Oh those boots! swoon! just my cup of tea. I'd only been blogging recently about how I love peeking in peoples wardrobes and you come up trumps!
Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend xx

Tilly said...

OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH them boots there just swoon worthy! can I ask were they are from as I need a pair!

glad you had a great birthday :)

MyCretanlife said...

Happy birthday to you.
Love the dress and the boots. The tablecloth is so lovely and colourful. You have been very lucky to recieve all the fantastic presents

Lyn said...

Glad you had a lovely day.
I know what you mean about CK and having too much of a good thing, just a hint is just right.
love your teadress though.
love
Lyn
xxx

Little stitch and me said...

Happy Birthday hope you had a great day, beautiful dress I love the sound of it teamed with the velvety tights, I love coloured tights, the brighter the better.

Debbie said...

Happy Birthday what lovely pressies you received. I would love to know where the boots came from I love them :)

Katy Noelle said...

Ooooooo! Pretty dress! I dream of Cabbages and Roses clothes and a figure to really look pretty in them. Maybe, someday....

Happy belated birthday, Steff!

Love, Katy

P.S. It's just a year since I last found your blog. The first real blog that I had ever seen. Blogging has filled an empty spot for me. Thanks for sharing your magic! =]

Naturally Carol said...

Reading about your wonderful birthday made me feel blessed that you shared it with us! I wish you the happiest yet year and heaps of blessings! Your new dress is beautiful and I absolutely love the linens...thank God for a family around you that care about you so much.

...Nina Nixon... said...

Happy, happy birthday and 'wowsa' what a beautiful dress and teamed with those boots at this time of the year....well I would wear them all the time even in the height of Summer as they just sooooo lovely.

Enjoy your weekend,

Nina xxxx

Celia Hart said...

Happy Birthday!

Love the boots :-) they go perfectly with the frock.

Celia

Anonymous said...

What lovely presents. The boots are great with the dress. I reallly agree about getting the right balance of Kath K things. You seem to have achieved it!

Anonymous said...

What lovely presents. The boots are great with the dress. I reallly agree about getting the right balance of Kath K things. You seem to have achieved it!

Goosey said...

What a lovely present you have had, and I love the embroidered cloth too. I didn't know CK did dresses and clothes!

silverpebble said...

What a truly precious dress. You ARE lucky. Goodness, if I get a little Christmas money a teadress would be a very lovely thing to have.

charl said...

drooling over your dress and boots!!! gorgeous .. just what i want so when your finished with them let me know haha!!

inmykitchen said...

You lucky, lucky girl all your gifts are gorgeous.

Garden Girl said...

Ahh, the boy did good!! Belated birthday wishes to you, my lovely! glad you have such a lovely time. Loving the boots as well. If you want me to wear the dress in for you a bit then give me a shout, no trouble whatsoever!
xxxxx

LinenandRoses said...

A belated happy birthday. The dress is totally gorgeous as are the boots and table cloth. I too love Cath's clothes but have never been lucky enough to own any. On the wish list for the future.

Rubyred said...

Wishing you a belated happy Birthday!Bet you look fabulous in the gorgeous dress and boots!Don't you just love it when you find an outfit you feel special in!
Rachel x

- said...

What great presents. I really love those boots.

Sara said...

Happy birthday! Glad to hear you received gifts as wonderful as you.
Lottie is perfectly lovely :)

thriftymissustalesfromtoadstoolhouse. said...

happy belated birthday,i m new to blogging but love it, so hi.
Can i ask where the boots are from they are just what i was looking for too.xx

Victoria said...

Aha what a pretty dress! I love the print. I didn't even know CK did clothes! x