Monday 25 March 2013

It Was My Party

Don't say you weren't warned - I told you last week I was getting everything ready for my birthday party, and here's the party post - sadly, without pictures of the ladies' pretty dresses, because some of said ladies usually do not like a) having their picture taken in the first place and b) do not wish to see themselves displayed on the internet. Therefore, you'll have to rely on my descriptions of the classic, above-knee-length black dress my sister wore, elegant lacey midnight-blue number my Mum had bought for the occasion, dark green taffetta overlaid with black lace (done after a vintage 1950s cut) one of my friends had chosen and the very pretty blue dress with mandarin collar and full skirt another one of my friends was wearing. Some of my male guests looked very dapper in elegant suits and ties, as befitted the occasion. But of course I was happy about ALL my guests - no matter what their outfit was!

Here are some pictures of the preparations - none of the party in full swing, for the aforementioned reasons:

Until about half an hour before the party, I was torn between the new dress (the one with the polka dots) and the lilac one (the same one I wore for my birthday last year). In the end, I went for lilac again, it seemed more cheerful. And is it just me or do my totally average-sized feet look HUGE in those shoes?!

Getting the living room ready with extra chairs and streamers across the ceiling.

 Yep, that's the same one again, just like last year, in my tiny hallway.

Next, the "cocktail bar" was set up in the kitchen. The empty space on the table was later taken up by my biggest salad bowl, filled with crushed ice for the drinks.

Doesn't it all look really appetizing? All those dainty little sandwiches and nibbles were made by my Mum, while I was putting up the streamers, answering the phone and trying to decide on my dress :-) Honestly, she deserves a HUGE thankyou!

Some cards had arrived, most of these are from England, but there are also some from as far away from where I live as possible without leaving the planet:

And flowers, and presents!!! 
Stupidly enough, I accidentally deleted the picture I took of the whole array of flowers and presents I got, but here are some glimpses:


I do hope that each of my guests enjoyed themselves as much as I did!
RJ and I spent part of the Saturday eating and drinking leftovers - but there's still so much booze left in the cellar I could host another party. And maybe I am going to do just that!

21 comments:

  1. I think, your guests enjoyed the party as well. So did I, and I did not make everything of the food alone- you decorated nicely with little radishes, parsley and pickles....;-)

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    1. Danke, Mutti! I did little bits and bobs but the main work load was yours, plus you made the "Cold Dog" :-)

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  2. The lilac dress suits you! As for the shoes, I think it's in the camera angle and the contrast of colours. Glad you enjoyed your party.

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  3. 1) White shoes always look bigger!
    2) Your Mum deserves acolades for the lovely array of canapes.

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    1. I'll keep that in mind, Jill. But white simply goes best with lilac, I thought.
      My Mum deserves a medal!

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  4. My comment justb upped and disappeared and I can't even blsmer Ivy!

    I'm glad you chose the lilac - it's my favourite.

    If anyone hasn't clicked on the photos of the food they should do so - it's superb. And so artistically laid out. I don't suppose you could post some! And are there any of those chocolates left?

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    1. It does look fabulous, doesn't it, Scriptor?

      So glad you had a great time, Meike.


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    2. I haven't even opened the chocolates yet! They are of rather unusual flavours, I'll probably post about them once I try them (all on my own, not going to share those!).

      Thanks, Carol! It all was as delicious as it looks.

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  5. What a good looking party! Your mom is a sweetie! And white shoes just make you feel like your feet look big :-)
    Hope you had a wonderful birthday!!!
    ~Dorothy and Ms.Wilma~~

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  6. Love both of your dresses, I can see why it was difficult to choose! Looks like you had a fun time! Love all the goodies, I'll bet it was delicious and a fun time!

    Have a wonderful week!

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    1. Thank you, Mary! It was both - delicious and fun!

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  7. Your Mum's food looks fantastic! You know, you are so lucky, but I don't have to tell you that I am sure!
    Now, I must ask you, please explain that chocolate to me. Is that chocolate wrapped up in that colorful paper? Or is that something edible on top of the chocolate? Whatever it is, it looks lovely.
    And I would have had a hard time choosing between those dresses too!
    Glad you have a good time at your birthday party. If I had been there, I would have sung Happy Birthday to you, like Elvis!! (That is my party trick, you know.)

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    1. Now that you mention it, Kay, nobody sung to me... Must write that in next year's invitation as a condition to get in :-)
      The choccies are all edible, they are not wrapped individually. I'll post about them in detail once I get round to trying them, they are very unusual.

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  8. You look beautiful in both dresses. I am quite partial to all shades of purple so I would have picked the lilac one. Your Mom is so fantastic. All that food looks so good. I am glad you had such a happy birthday celebration. I was surprised to see the Falcon Crest discs! I watched that series the first time around, lol. I hope you enjoy it. I love those kind of serial dramas.

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    1. Janice, my Mum and I always watched Falcon Crest together when it aired here in Germany in the 1980s - we had a love-hate-relationship with that series :-D It often was so silly and over-dramatic, we couldn't help laughing, and had nick names for almost every character. It was my sister's idea to give me the DVDs.
      Yes, my Mum is fantastic!

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  9. Looks like a great time indeed.
    Loved the lilac for party feeling.
    WHite is hard on feet - although not sure what else would work without matching the dress…. the nude look I guess - or "bone"?

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    1. Thank you, Fi!
      Hmmm maybe a real bright clashing colour (such as red or my beloved yellow) would do the trick with the dotted dress. I must try! Don't have any nude or bone coloured shoes.

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  10. Well I'm bringing up the rear as usual. Given that I'm usually early with everything else my blog reading seems to get into arrears whenever I go away. The food looks absolutely scrumptious. (Gosh the spillchucker allowed scrumptious. My family have used it for ever but I didn't realise that it was a 'real' word!). The dress is a delight (I would have expected nothing less) but (and a true friend is always honest) perhaps I could support the suggestion that white shoes contrast a bit too much and contribute to your own thoughts on the subject. Overall though I'm so glad that all went well and you enjoyed yourselves.

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    1. I knew the word scrumptious, too - can't remember where from, whether someone in the family used it or I read it, but I definitely knew it was a real word.
      Yes, those shoes... maybe I'll let them go, they are not comfortable enough to be worn for an entire day anyway.

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