Cobalt blue jacquard midi dress
Over the years, we’ve had every imaginable weather condition on Poppy’s birthday from snow to blazing sunshine. This year, on her 21st birthday, it was at the better end of the scale, and although it was by no means blazing hot, it was warm enough to wear a spring dress. I chose this one, unsurprisingly for the stunning colour. The fabric is a lightweight jacquard that has enough texture to add interest but not so much that it adds bulk. It has a slight sheen which highlights the floral pattern.
I teamed it with my zebra and cobalt shoes and a contrasting fuchsia pink clutch for a smart overall look. Add a fascinator and it’d be the ideal outfit to wear to a wedding or for a day at the races. Add sneakers and a denim jacket and it’d make a picnic, barbecue or lunch outfit. I could swap the self-fabric belt for something different; imagine it with bright yellow, the complement to this vivid shade of blue.
Poppy’s birthday celebrations
I prepared a celebration breakfast with Bucks Fizz, Pains au Chocolate, smoked salmon and cheese. Poppy opened her gifts and cards and we enjoyed it all in a very leisurely fashion.
My parents and my brother and his family came in the evening to join the celebrations. I love entertaining and cooking but this year, Poppy asked for something a little bit different. We decided to ask the Elsworth Kitchen chef to prepare some food for me to collect. (Elsworth Kitchen is a fabulous restaurant here in Skipton which I highly recommend you visit should you be in the area). They did an amazing job as you can see from the photographs. I will definitely use them again in future, as well as eat there more often.
The whole day was lovely and really quite emotional. I made this Instagram Reel featuring some of my favourite photographs of her that I’ve taken throughout her life and I get tearful just watching it. I’m so incredibly proud of the woman she has grown into- she’s kind, thoughtful, sensitive, intelligent and beautiful. She’s hard-working and has never bowed to peer pressure to look or act in a certain way. I hope that she never changes.
Style notes
*Cobalt blue jacquard midi dress: Coast.
Zebra print shoes: Zapitos, past season. (The eagle eyed amongst you will have noticed that I changed out of these shoes for some of the later photographs. This is because I spilled water on them!)
Glitter shoes: Tahiti, Jimmy Choo, past season.
Pink clutch: Jacques Vert, past season.
Necklace: Tahitian Sands by Celeste Starre
I’m 5 ft 9, 175cm tall. This dress fits true to size, is machine washable and has pockets. This cobalt blue midi dress is available in several different colours.
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