Oh, the disappointment

A friend of mine is getting married soon, for the second time. Her husband to be, who is a really great bloke, wants a very low-key ceremony which will be attended by only the immediate family. This is fair enough, of course, and they decided that they'd have a big party to celebrate a few days after the wedding.

Now, I thought *party* and then I thought, 'I have nothing to wear'.

Looks severely at a choking temaris, who commented once that Mandragora has more clothes than anyone she knows. Mandragora then had to admit that 9 suitcases of clothes were actually missing from her wardrobes, as she'd taken them to Gibraltar...

Ahem, be that as it may, I didn't - I really didn't - have a *thing* to wear for a big weddingy type evening party. Really. So, I phoned my mother. Who is a professional standard seamstress. I then spent a happy weekend in her company choosing suitably sparkly-type material, with sequins, for a sleeveless top and matching non-sparkly material for an accompanying skirt. The colour is...difficult to describe, and is a sort of cross between maroon and red. It sounds horrible but should, I hope, look rather pretty. Then there was the expedition for shoes and bag. One strappy, ridiculously high pair of sandals and clutch-bag later and we were done. All for a lovely low price (benefit of making rather than buying).

So, today I finally get the official invitation to the party. And it's a *sob* barbecue. Starting at 4.00pm. Definitely officially not sparkly-outfit suitable. I mean, I like barbecues, they're a lot of fun. But sequins and satin? Don't really go.

Thankfully I've got a ball to go to in July, plus a wedding (a proper one including an evening do) in September, so All Is Not Lost.

Have phoned Mum and told her not to rush making the outfit, though. Sigh.