Advent Calendar III

 

What can I say, last night was fabulous! The setting is wonderful, the company was fun and glittering, the wines excellent, and surprisingly for this type of event the food was good as well! 

A nice setting for dinner!

The occasion was a City of London Livery Company, a proper white tie banquet in the Egyptian room in the Mansion House (the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London). The Lord Mayor himself was not present as he had another pressing engagement round the corner at the Guildhall with the Prime Minister. 

We did have speeches from the retiring Master and the new Master (a bit like Doctor Who they get a new Master every year), and from the guest of honour, not me, but Dame Mary Berry! Since this is the Worshipful Company of Bakers I couldn't imagine a more appropriate guest!

Although I still have several concerts to go this year, this was by far and away my most glamorous event of the year. In the end I opted for the red dress with gold jewellery and a lovely black shawl to cover my shoulders. I didn't need the shawl for warmth but it definitely stopped me feeling self conscious about my shoulders. I am happy that I didn't let down my host and his other guests, and knowing that I looked OK did wonders for my self confidence and helped with the enjoyment of the evening.

I think that everything else I will be doing this "festive season" calls for all black, so maybe I will still get some more wear out of at least another couple of my other "posh frocks"!