Wednesday

#operationformaldress* Part 1

*(aka panic buying of formal dresses & panic extreme exercise)
It all kicked off at the weekend. I suddenly realised it was 2 weeks to the IN Glamour Awards and I still hadn't sorted a dress. I realised all this while stuffing my face with a creme egg. 
Panic number 2 swiftly set in - I'll never fit into a slinky dress and will look like a heifer beside Tiffany Brien (aka Peanut Butter Girl and ex Miss NI, who is sitting at my table). 

So I decided the answer was to climb a mountain. Here I am at the top of Cavehill (Belfast's mountain) wearing my new Target Dry Aintree Coat because every trip out of my garden is an outfit photo opportunity after all! 
Navy Lightweight Waterproof Coat - Target Dry Aintree
All Weather Boots - Sorel
Red Marl Top - Primark
Navy Jeggings - Heatons
Have I ever told you about my love of all things horsey? I used to horse ride regularly before I had kids and have a particular soft spot for equestrian styling so when I saw this super lightweight but waterproof jacket in a proper deep navy, I really wanted to try it for this spring. The shoulder cape does come off but I love the detail it adds and it's a nice change from the parka style I've been wearing so much. 
 'A Coat with a View'....
So all that exertion took my mind off formal dresses and flabby thighs and seriously - if you live near Belfast, get yourself up this hill - the views are incredible!

Two hours later and in more pain than I care to admit, I was still a size 12 but I'm sure I burned off the creme egg...and I still have about 10 days left to be good.

Meanwhile, 24 hours on from the original panic, it transpired my slightly tipsy bid on one completely tiny size 10 dress had been a winner, I had two PR dress offers AND three dress offers from friends...

#operationformaldress Part 2 is coming up tomorrow where I share with you some of these dresses. I've just done the photos and I'm feeling even more panicked!
Ax
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19 comments

  1. Oh wow such beautiful views :) we climbed the peaks last year and I panicked when I seen a shear drop so we had to walk the long way back, too us hours,haha. Great outfit, love your boots :)

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    1. Oh I have to stay back from the edges!! There are some very scary drops up here too but it's got a good wide path all the way up and down thankfully x

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  2. Oh I can't wait to see your dresses - v jealous that you have options - don't upstage me *too* much! ;)

    Nic x

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    1. I promise I won't - your gorgeous dress will be amazing on you. I'm so envious of it! x

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  3. Good luck but I am sure you will look amazing.

    X x

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  4. Aww lovely outfit Avril - I too ride and having moved from Liverpool to Dorset have had the luxury of the Grand National in the past and now some new local horses in the lane behind were we live. I've got my two year old little boy obsessed already!

    Oh my gosh you look great don't know why you are worrying?! Love the Sorel boots, feel a purchase coming along with them soon.

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    1. Oh lovely - I do miss it but it's so expensive to do classes. I would love to help someone nearby exercise and look after a horse - that's the best arrangement! And those boots would be perfect for riding too! x

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  5. Stunning views! I can't wait to see the dresses, so excited for you
    Abbi x

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    1. Thank you Abbi - you might not be too impressed with the photos I took today...I'm hoping that one I'm being sent will work out better! x

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  6. What an accomplishment climbing that mountain....incredible views too! Cannot wait to see your dress selection, how exciting to have a lovely occasion to dress up for! :0) x

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    1. I'm looking forward to it - love a good excuse to dress up! Let's hope I can find something I'm happy in - not that I'm fussy or anything! x

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  7. Fab views Avril and I love your coat. I like equestrian styles too. I can't wait to see your dress options! xxx Love Liz xxx

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  8. I love capes on jackets like this - my favourite Barbour jacket has a cape detail. Looking forward to the dresses.......exciting x

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  9. I really need to climb that mountain sometime- although it may be a few wks! You are perfect the way you are Avril, but a week and a half of being 'good' will make you feel better so I say go for it, anything that will give u that little boost on the night is worth it. Cant wait to see the chosen dress!

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  10. Sorry Avril, I posted my original SPANX idea under the wrong blog post. Sleepy Mummy Brain and all that. Anyway, I found the exact one that I have used to save me over the last 4 years, every time I have a panic over a wedding. It's the Slim Cognito Shaping Mid-Thigh Bodysuit, priced at £74.00. Eye watering I know, but it's been really worth it for me. Composition is: 80% Nylon, 18% Spandex/Elastane, 2% Cotton. It comes up quite small. I'm a size 10-12 and I have the 'M'. Best wishes.

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  11. Avril, you will look stunning in whatever you wear! Looking forward to seeing 'the' dress when you decide on it! What fab views, well done for getting to the top, fab coat I am loving all things cape at the moment..oooooo how about a cape on a dress a la Kate Hudson at the Oscars, love that look! xxx

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  12. Well done on climbing the mountain! When is a mountain a mountain and not a hill?!!!!
    I cannot wait to see you in your dress of choice, you need to hire Marlene to take your photos!!

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  13. Loving that cape detail, the perfect outerwear for this weather when you never know what it will turn out like xx

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  14. You will look amazing whatever you wear Avril & you certainly burned that cream egg off getting to the top! Have another! ;) Ax

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