When Mr Snail asked me where I would like to go to celebrate my birthday this year, my reply was unequivocal: The Ritz. I wanted to go to the Palm Court for afternoon tea… and so, Mr Snail made it happen…
I decided that a new dress was in order for the special event. Had I seen the video below before now, I could have been inspired by the dancers’ outfits (and oh, those hats!), but in fact I decided to go with something simple in a silk and wool mix. The pattern isfrom a company called The Assembly Line – it’s the second of their patterns that I’ve made (the first was my recent pinafore dress) and it was really lovely to do. One of the things that I like about these patterns is the finished edges and neatness of the final garment.
Anyway, the fabric was beautiful to work with – it’s black with little blue palm trees (none of the photos really do it justice), which I considered very appropriate for the location. Initially I planned to line the whole dress, and I had cut out and partially stitched the lining, but at the last minute I changed my mind, and I’m glad I did because it would have made it far too warm. I did adjust the pattern to fit me and Mimi was invaluable for this.
Teamed with boots, it was a comfortable and classy outfit for our day out, which also included visiting the Tutankhamun Exhibition, Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh, at the Saatchi Gallery. I think that Mr Snail and I were probably the best-dressed visitors to the gallery. And then there were tiny sandwiches and champagne and cake… a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ as the cakes for all of us celebrating were brought out, and my own very special cake… one of my best ever birthdays!
The music was rather more genteel than that featured below, but the quartet providing the background to our afternoon tea did finish with ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’.
The Snail of Happiness 
Wild Daffodil
/ January 30, 2020Aw – heartwarming – sounds so good. Belated Happy Birthday Jan. xx
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The Snail of Happiness
/ January 30, 2020I really was good fun.
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tialys
/ January 30, 2020What a birthday treat – you both look very happy, relaxed and elegant in the photos. A fitting occasion for your lovely dress to make its first appearance.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ January 30, 2020we both really enjoyed it – it’s like going to a posh fancy dress party!
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Laurie Graves
/ January 30, 2020Happy, happy birthday! What a splendid way to celebrate. And you both look very elegant indeed.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ January 30, 2020Jon looks remarkably relaxed considering how rarely he wears a suit!
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Ann Pole
/ January 30, 2020Aww, lovey. 🙂 XX
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The Snail of Happiness
/ January 30, 2020it was … such a treat
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nanacathy2
/ January 30, 2020Lady you put on that Ritz with pzzaz! Gorgeous happy couple.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ January 30, 2020It was such a great day and we both really had fun.
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thecontentedcrafter
/ January 30, 2020You both scrubbed up extremely well 🙂 and what a nice birthday activity. It’s such a treat to go somewhere that requires being dressed up once in a while isn’t it. The fact you made your elegant dress is also impressive!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ January 30, 2020It’s so rare that we go out anywhere posh!
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deborah @ the magic jug
/ February 2, 2020What a wonderful thing to do! – such fun. I love that you dressed accordingly. Belated happy birthday to you (and how nice to see your photo – I love to put a face to the name).
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Nikki
/ February 4, 2020What a fabulous way to celebrate! Happy birthday Mrs Snail & thank you for sharing! You both look like you’re having a ball 🙂
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crawcraftsbeasties
/ February 7, 2020Woweeeee! That dress is beautiful… And beautifully made! Perfect for a great day out. And happy belated birthday to you as well!
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