The invitation said to dress in 1950s style. I’m not convinced my dress was that authentic: sort of tulip-shape, cap-sleeves, slightly empire line. Could have been anywhere between the 40s to the 60s and most probably just 2011 as I bought it in the sales last year. Couldn’t get my hair to curl either. But hey, pop on a string of pearls, shove a head band on and I don’t think this was too bad an effort for a Jubilee party. Dougie, refusing to go along with my sophisticated look: “I wear a suit every day, I’m not wearing one for a party”, decided to go ‘Rockabilly’. He tried on a few combinations and seemed unable to roll his trousers up without dancing and singing in front of the mirror. Rory was invited too and his normal outfit of choice – jeans, check shirt and cardigan – seemed to hit the 50s groove rather well.
When we arrived we noticed there were quite a few Elvises in some very bad wigs: very hard to work out who was who as our bald friends were unrecognisable. We had a large gang of Pink Ladies, a la Grease, and even a leather-clad, curly-blonde-wigged Olivia Newton John. Lots of the ladies went to town with gorgeous big sticky-out frocks. Quite difficult to move in my friend’s galley kitchen with the amount of tulle blocking the way.
We had a fabulous time. The trestle tables groaned under the weight of cheesecakes decorated with strawberries and blueberries in Union Jack pattern, the beer was in a huge American style old fridge which was plugged in on the patio and the barbecue was laden with massive steaks and burgers. But food heaven came in the form of pizzas, made on the premises in our friends’ newly built brick oven. Another pal owns a pizza restaurant so he had a busman’s holiday and made the most delicious, light-as-a-feather pizzas all evening.
And the weather? It stayed dry all evening. It was cold later on, though, and the little shruggy cardi I’d brought did very little to help. So I borrowed a fleece from the pizza man and stood with my backside in front of his warming oven.
So beginneth the Jubilee weekend….
I could do with that pizza oven to stand in front of right now!Sounds like a fab time. You look beautiful.
Thanks Suzanne. We had a super time. Our hosts are always great at throwing parties: good company is all you need really.
Very jealous of that pizza oven and those pizzas! Sounds like you had a fab party!
I was told the pizza oven reaches a very high temperature so it had to be started hours before people arrived. But it was well worth it to achieve the real thing: we could have been somewhere in Tuscany!
Wow, you look fab, and Dougie doesn't look too bad either! Glad you had a great time, I've been a bit bah humbug about the whole Jubilee thing, but then I can be because it's not on my doorstep.
We scrub up ok, don't we! Normally I would moan about photos being taken but was quite pleased with this one.
I can understand how it would be hard to get into the spirit of the weekend when you're abroad. Difficult not to get caught up in the atmosphere here.
Sounds like a great party, and you looked fabulous! Seeing all the celebrations made me feel the most homesick I have ever felt. Glad that kind of things is only once every ten years!! 🙂
The UK did seem to pull out all the stops this weekend. Now back down to earth with a bump and a pile of ironing.
You two look fantastic. (And I know I always say this but you both always look so young) Love that dress on you and your husband looks ready to rock and roll Fifties style.
Thanks Jody! These days I do like a full-length photo rather than a close-up…but I suppose you're as old as you feel and we both act as daft as we did when we met so that probably helps.
I got thrills… they're multiplying…!
You better shape up…..!
Great outfits and photos Trish……I must admit we don't really do The Monarchy and 'Jubilee stuff' in this neck of the woods but I did think that the country and all of its people celebrating something together was cool….pity the weather was unkind…..that pizza sounds tasty!
Can't say we are big flag-wavers either but a party's a party! We were lucky with the weather Saturday night: I'm always cold but at least it didn't rain. We even missed the deluge on Sunday as we travelled up North where it was dry!
Woo Hoo!Betty Draper eat your heart out!You scrub up really well, girlie.
Loving the pizza bum…sorry meant oven! Lovely pics.
Haha! Yes, there is a bit of a Mad Men thing going on. I had hoped Dougie would do a 'Don' but he was having none of it.
I had to scroll back up and have a look at the bum!
Well done for finding something to fit the bill. I don't think I have anything that would have worked!
I'm also envious of that pizza oven. It probably bakes a decent loaf too.
Glad you had fun. We are belatedly celebrating the Jubilee this weekend with fairy cakes and Pimms. Not sure there'll be a pizza oven… must suggest that to our hosts…
The dress was from Laura Ashley and was such a steal I bought it, having no thought to when I could wear it. So was quite pleased it did the job here.
Yes, you must suggest they build an outside oven. But then they really need to hire a proper pizza chef too!
I agree – you definitely had a 'Mad Men' vibe going on; Dougie was definitely a bit more 'Grease.'
It looks wonderful, though. I can't even imagine it getting cold enough to need a fleece now in Seoul – we're all sweltering!
I also have pizza oven envy. I must suggest to MrL that we put one in when we have a house with a yard/garden again…
We didn't match at all, did we!
It had been so warm and sunny the previous weekend: such a shame that the temperatures dropped 🙁
I love themed parties! You both look fab, although would have been nice to see a photo of you wearing the fleece as a finishing touch… ;o)
Lol! There is a photo on Facebook I've been tagged in where I'm wearing Dougie's big woolly cardigan at one point: but then he got cold and nabbed it back!
Don't you both look absolutely excellent!! 50s revisited — and I am actually old enough to remember. Dougie looks like "The Man from Laramie" (except for the sneakers) along with his "Livin' Doll" (Sir Cliff is THAT old!!) who looks "Only Sixteen". Good job you weren't a Guy Mitchell fan, otherwise you might have picked "She Wears Red Feathers and a Hooly-Hooly Skirt" as the theme for your attire — but I'm betting you would have looked great anyway.
I'm jealous, bit of a royalist myself so particularly missing living in the UK right now.
Cheers
Marion in Panama
I should have emailed you before the party to get some ideas. Love the red feathers and hooly-hooly skirt suggestion.
Lovely to hear from you, Marion. Hope all is well with you xxx