If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that I had a long weekend away up in the North-East with Ian, followed by two days in Manchester with my children and parents to visit the Christmas Markets and to watch the Billy Elliot theatre production. This was my parents’ Christmas gift to the three of us and it was absolutely brilliant.
When I reflect, and I do this frequently, I think just how fortunate I am to have such a close and loving family and so many friends. These five days, spent with those I love the most in the world, have been perfect and as 2016 draws to a close, I couldn’t be happier or more content. I have had so many brilliant times with my family and friends this year and have a whole new circle of friends, namely TheOver40Collective, with whom I spent a fabulous weekend with in November, which you can read about in this blog post.
So in this, my final post of 2016, I’d like to share a little of what my weekend entailed.
You know by now just how much I love a dress and that a dress will always be first choice for a special occasion or a night out. I wanted a real showstopper to wear to dinner in Newcastle on Friday night and this one stopped me in my tracks when I saw it in Next. It was the embroidery that caught my eye, followed by the ruffles on the sleeves. I absolutely love it and will be wearing it at least once more over the festive period.
I tried it in a regular fit at first and although it did fit, it was a little on the short side, in both the body (the waistline sat too high on me) and the length. I tried it in the (UK 12) Tall which was a much better fit. Next say the Tall range is for women of 5 ft 10 and over. I’m just under 5 ft 9 and was very glad I tried it.
Tynemouth
On the Saturday, we blew the cobwebs away with a walk followed a pub lunch and a quiet evening and on Sunday walked along the beaches of Tynemouth- the light was so beautiful- followed by a casual supper at Riley’s Fish Shack which has the best vibes and awesome food.
The Baltic Flour Mill, Newcastle
Monday was such a fab day. We went ice-skating, something I have never done before and I loved it. It helps having someone tall and strong to cling on to, but by the end I could manage a few strides and glides on the ice.
We went to The Baltic Flour Mill for lunch with a view- the restaurant is up at the top of the building.
A love of good food and wine is something we have very much in common…
The Gateshead Millenium Bridge looked spectacular with its changing colours.
And the Tyne Bridge certainly wasn’t overshadowed by its millenial neighbour.
Thank you so much for reading and for all of your lovely comments and emails, they really do mean the world. I’ll be back in 2017 with the outfits I’ll be wearing over the festive period.
Happy, happy Christmas.
Outfit details:
*Black Embroidered Floral Dress, £95 Next
Bee ring matt gold (also available in silver) £25 by Danon at Lizzy O
Blach high-heeled ankle boots, Clarks, past season.
The dress is indeed a showstopper and looks fantastic, as do your images. He's a lucky chap. Have a wonderful Christmas.
Gail
http://www.isthismutton.com
That's so kind of you Gail- thank you. I feel very lucky too to have met such a brilliant man. Happy Christmas xxxxxxx
Happy Christmas!! Wishing you and your loved ones a super celebration xx
Thank you so much Sarah. You too lovely xxx
Aww Liz you look so happy 😊 What a gorgeous dress, you looked fabulous….and I spotted a rather nice reindeer twinkly jumper too 😉 It sounds like you had a great weekend in Newcastle…..somewhere I have never been despite being half geordie! I bet Billie Elliot was amazing….I am hoping to go and see it with my friend. Have a wonderful Christmas with your gorgeous family and I look forward to reading lots more posts in 2017. Kareema xxx
Thank you Kareema. I am so happy and excited about everything, yes. The renideer jumper is lovely isn't it- soft and cosy yet with the required Christmas sparkle. Our weekend was fantastic- I fell in love with the whole area and hope to go back sometime soon. Billy Elliot was amazing. The young actor that played Billy was incredible. I cried and cried throughout and would love to see it again. Happy Christmas to you too Kareema and thank you for your lovely words and comments xxxxxx
Merry Christmas Liz and best wishes for 2017. Enjoy the festivities x
Thank you Lou. Have a fabulous Christmas xxxxx
You look radiant Liz, your new man obviously suits you. 💑
Thank you so much. Yes, he certainly makes me smile a lot. I'm very lucky xxxx
What a beautiful dress – and you look so happy. Jay Rayner gave Riley's Fish Shack a brilliant review in the Observer – making a trip to the NE from London tempting! Happy Christmas! Kx
Thank you very much. Yes, my boyfriend said it had received rave reviews and rightly so. It's such a cool, unpretentious place and the food was divine. A good wine list too. I'd highly recommend it and would love to go back xxx
Damn, girl, you look SO beautiful. The dress is just amazing, and it looks like a very expensive designer piece. You wear it perfectly. The food and the weekend look first class! I MAY or may not have squealed a little bit when you wrote "my boyfriend" above. Happy Christmas to you, darling friend. xx
Oh darling thank you. Yes, the dress is beautiful and looks far more expensive than it actually is. Thank you for being an amazing and gorgeous friend and I have to admit that it's lovely saying "my boyfriend" Lots of love and a very Happy Christmas to you, M and A xxxxx
Totally stunning dress and model and what a fab weekend x
Thank you darling. Happy Christmas xxxxx
Great to see you looking so very happy Liz! Sounds as though you've had some very special times. Perfect way to spend the days before Christmas.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas …and you new man too! 🙂
Looking forward to hearing from you in 2017
Rosie
Thank you so much Rosie. It was very special indeed and I'm still feeling a little "floaty" after it. Happy Christmas to you and your loved ones too and thank you for the lovely comments. They mean so much xxxxxxxx
Oh Liz you take my breath away! I would never have expected to see such an amazing dress in Next, well I never shop there to be honest but I'm going to re-think that now!
Your photos of your weekend away are just stunning, in fact if I were you I'd be framing those landscape shots they're incredible.
Fab post mate xxx
Thank you so much Michelle. I think Next have had a brilliant season. I've had quite a few things from there of late. The light at the beach was so beautifull so I think I may get some framed. Lovely memories.
Happy Christmas lovely. Thank you for being an amazing friend and here's to 2017 xxxxx
Merry Christmas Liz! Another stunning dress! Have a great break and I look forward to seeing some more fab outfits soon! xxx
Thank you so much Bee and a very merry Christmas to you too xxxxxxx
Another great post Liz. It's lovely to see you so happy. Have a lovely Christmas and a wonderful 2017 xx
Thank you so much Christine and a very happy new year to you too xxxxx