Life's a ball! - our Style not Age challenge for September

Hello and welcome again to our monthly Style Not Age challenge with my co-conspirators Hilda, Emma and Jacqui.  This month I chose the theme of Life's a Ball, giving us a fine excuse to bring out our ball gowns. I've been angling to introduce my new ball gown for months now, so without further ado here we go...


The gown was a charity shop purchase; a designer piece by Sonia Pena and was an absolute bargain at £25. But more of this later. Let's take a look at my dear blogging friends to see what they made of this month's challenge.


Hilda, sporting a youthful new haircut, is resplendent in a rich green gown with a lace and beading bodice, a theme she has continued with her bead encrusted clutch. See more on her blog Over the Hilda.


Emma's stunning dress is actually her wedding gown. Lady in Red comes to mind as the soundtrack for this beautiful lady. Join Emma on her blog, Style Splash to see more of this exquisite creation.


Sleek and elegant is how Jacqui has played it in her black gown with diamante trim. Lots of sparkles and fabulous heels complete this chic ensemble. Jacqui's blog Mummabstylish is where you'll catch up with the rest of her story.


The story of this dress starts in April this year when I came across it in a charity shop in Penzance. I tried it on, fell in love with it, but had a real issue with transporting it. I was on my way to Harrogate on business and didn't have the space in my suitcase to carry it all the way there and back. 


Fast forward to June when Steve and I went to Penzance together and as we were walking down the main street I told him about his wonderful dress I'd seen some months before. By that time we were standing in front of the shop and I told him to wait as I just wanted to check in case it was still there. Yay, it was and surely was destined to be mine! Steve said it's a dress that needs to be taken on a cruise...


The colour, the embroidery, the beading, the style, the fit - all make this a dream of a gown. 


I decided to bring out my orange nail polish for this special frock adding my green amethyst bracelet and citron rings to finish the look.


So let's talk about the setting for my photo shoot shall we? As you can see, it was blowing an absolute gale on the only day I had available so rather than trying to hide from the wind Steve and I decided to embrace the conditions. 


A dramatic gown deserves a dramatic backdrop don't you think? We are on the rocky headland at the North End of the island overlooking the neighbouring island of Bryher with the raging Atlantic beyond.


We used the ruin building of King Charles Castle as our location. Steve kept guard as I changed out of jeans and cosy coat into my dress, amidst gusts of wind that whipped scarves, hangers and plastic dress cover skywards. Steve darted about as I hopped from foot to foot into dainty heels totally unfit for the surroundings. It was an absolute hoot. Cold? I can't say I had time to notice.


These pretty satin shoes are my much loved Primark specials, gold heels and all for £5!


We had one or two spectators at this stage, but being ever the professionals we just pretended that this was a totally normal thing and just carried on.



The castle acted as a vantage point protecting the north channel from attack and dates back to the 1500's. I've gathered together lots of shots in and around the building and plan to put them into a stand alone post for those of you who might like to see more of my island paradise, to follow soon.

Thanks for joining us for this month's feature. Jacqui has cleverly added links in her post taking you to all of our previous challenges so do pop over to see those when you get a moment. In the meantime, do have a lovely week!

Anna x

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29 comments

  1. What a great theme for a challenge Anna! Absolutely loving your gown, a real show stopper, and superb accessories as always.

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    1. Cheers Gail. We all love an excuse to do some proper dressing up from time to time don't we? Thank goodness I just happened to have this ol' thing lying around!

      Have a super week!
      Anna x

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  2. Fab-u-lous photos Anna, what a spectacular setting. I definitely think you need to book that cruise Hun! What a great challenge as always. It's been a dream. x Jacqui Mummabstylish

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    1. So kind, thanks Jacqui. I'm pleased we all enjoyed this one - I wondered if it would work out at one point...

      Have a great week sweetie!
      Anna x

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  3. Beautiful dress and a stunning location! That dress was meant to be yours! I love your shoes - another fab bargain! I really enjoyed this challenge, it was quite nostalgic putting my wedding dress on again!

    Emma xxx
    www.style-splash.com

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    1. Emma, I'm delighted to see your sensational wedding dress - isn't it divine! I felt so lucky to find this dress again and just knew it was fate. And now, to find that cruise...

      Wishing you a fab week!
      Anna x

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  4. What drama!!! I'm watching the series Outlander {swoon!} and this location really reminds me of some of the shots of Scotland.

    You are such a pro getting out there while combating the wind.


    The story of the dress is fantastic, your destiny.

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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    1. Steve is becoming quite the expert at finding the best locations for these shots. I must admit it felt a bit crazy at the time, but the results were worth it. And yes, how lucky was I to find this dress again!

      Wishing you a super week ahead!
      Anna x

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  5. Oh, Anna, what a fantastic dress, and how lucky you were that it was still there! I have to say that, with you posing on that dramatic rocky headland, you're almost looking like a mermaid. A fabulously dressed mermaid, obviously. Love the orange embroidery, enhanced by your orange scarf and nail polish. Just gorgeous! xxx

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    1. I know Ann, I really couldn't quite believe my luck when I saw it still hanging on the rack. I love this dress and can't wait to put it to good use again. The stitchwork is superb and is the icing on the cake.

      Have a super week!
      Anna x

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  6. This looks like it was made for you Anna. Why can't I look that elegant in windy photos?!! xx

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    1. Cheers Laurie. I think the secret is a long scarf and dark glasses - these tell us that we're seeing glamour, even if it's not!

      Anna x

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  7. It goes to show that the dress was made for you Anna!! It's absolutely lovely, and I do think a cruise is in order for you to have even more people oogle it!!
    XOOX
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. It does fit like a dream and yes, I think it was destined for me. I'm starting to look at cruises for next year...

      Have a good week!
      Anna x

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  8. Beautiful! Using the dramatic wind was really smart Steve! Why fight it when your scarf really wanted to show off! I don't even have a gown come to think of it. The last time I wore a gown was when I got married many, many years ago. Hmmmmm. I need better, fancier events to go to so I can have a gown. Sounds like a plan!

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    1. I don't know about you Julia, but I've found that blogging helps you create the perfect excuse to wear just about anything, as you can see here. And now it seems that I've had permission to look out for an cruise to sashay about it this wonderful ballgown again too!

      Have a fab week!
      Anna x

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  9. Anna, I just love your ball gown and the colour suits you so well, and huge congrats on braving the elements to get those stunning pics with such a dramatic back drop. Great challenge.

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    1. Thanks so much Hilda. These are great colours for me I must admit. And yes, what a backdrop and what fun we had! Hurrah for another lovely challenge in the bag!

      Anna x

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  10. How lucky were you to find the dress still there - MONTHS later! As you say it was destined to be yours...you look fabulous in it and it's a really beautiful dress. I loved how you accessorised it, too.

    The other participants look wonderful in their ball gowns. All you need now is a ball to go to!!

    Hope your week is going well
    xxxx

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    1. I was thrilled to find this hanging exactly where I'd left it months before Vronni. It clearly had my name on it! I think there may not be a ball in the pipeline, but maybe a cruise is more likely...

      Wishing you a lovely weekend!
      Anna x

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  11. Love your dress. The bright green background with orange embroidered flowers. Scrumptious.

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    1. Hello and welcome Theresa! Thanks for your comments and yes, it's rather scrumptious indeed.

      Have a super weekend!
      Anna x

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  12. Oh, I am a sucker for a ballgown! This one is fabulous - it reminds me of the early 00s styles (lots of strapless and satin). The colour is fabulous - that orange detailing is just wonderful.
    Anna, you look like a million bucks (pounds? Euros??). Brava, my dear! Drama!

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    1. Oh we do love a bit of drama and a ballgown certainly delivers doesn't it? I could imagine you wearing this with style too my dear. A million bucks? I'll take that, thanks!


      Enjoy your weekend!
      Anna x

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  13. Oh boy! This is a very special dress Anna! The Orange embroidery is just gorgeous and these colors are SO flattering on you. This gown deserved to be modeled against this uniquely dramatic backdrop and the shots of the streaming orange scarf are kind of thrilling! :-) This was meant to be Anna!

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed this post Jude. It was a wild day when we bundled off out to the far end of the island for this challenge, but the wind just seemed to whip up a bit of excitement to the shoot too. Steve has a great eye for capturing the best shots - he's doing a fab job this year.

      Have a super weekend!
      Anna x

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  14. Now this is a treat for the eyes , you all look just stunning in those ball gowns.That gown was just meant to be yours and fits like a glove and shows your trim figure perfectly. It is a gorgeous dress with its embroidery . The dramatic scenery only adds to the drama.
    I am a little behind on your posts , so many congratulations on the advertising campaign , it is so good. Your sunny personality shines through. Life really does begin at 60 and you are looking mighty fine.

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    1. So lovely to hear from you again Jill - I understand that getting behind feeling as I'm struggling that way too! Life is very exciting all of a sudden with the new venture taking up more time than I expected. I'm glad you enjoyed the ballgown feature - we all had great fun didn't we?

      Take care,
      Anna x

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  15. wowww, not only the dress is fabulous and you look gorgeous in it, but also the pictures are amazing, the landscapes, the wind!. Love that you share with us the challenge of taking pictures in the middle of nowhere!, pretending that everything is totally normal! mwhaha
    besos

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