Could this be the most perfect summer dress ever? This red ombré shirt dress formed my birthday party outfit and felt wonderful…
As I’m sure you know, when you find a perfect dress it’s one of the best things ever – and I decided to make this red, pink and blush beauty my dress of choice last Monday for my (mini) birthday party of tea and cake I enjoyed with the family. If you’ve been following my blog this summer you’ll know that I’ve worn dresses almost exclusively, and this one is the most flattering, the most beautifully cut and possibly my favourite summer dress of all time.
It’s from the J by Jasper Conran collection at Debenhams, and I’m VERY tempted to get the solid yellow version of this dress… can I resist? SHOULD I resist?! I feel my mouse clicking on the Add to Basket button right now…!
SHOP THE LOOK:
Thank you for sticking with me while I’ve been without broadband since we moved house: We were finally reconnected today! I’ve done this post as quickly as I could – I’m without an office till we get the spare room sorted and properly unpacked so I’m currently on the laptop on the sofa and finding it very awkward. But it means I should be able to reply to comments (I just can’t do it on a phone – too small and fiddly!), respond to emails more quickly and generally get on with my work more easily.
Hopefully more will follow on social media too now that I’m not burning my way through 4G!
So we’ve reached stage one with the house (moving and basic unpacking) and we’re now onto stage two (rearranging and ordering stuff like sheds and building new IKEA furniture, mostly storage. All very grown up stuff). It’s been absolutely exhausting but totally thrilling – I can’t wait to get the house straight and start sharing pictures. The house feels 100% like home already and I haven’t given the old house a second thought I’m glad to say.
Exciting times are DEFINITELY ahead, and we’re so glad we made the decision to move house earlier this year. And to those who are always asking after Riley: he LOVES his new home. He sleeps out in the garden for hours (something he never did at our old house due to having no grass) and is much more settled at night. It’s made us so very, very happy.
Soooooo… add your outfits to this week’s link up – and if you’ve added a link to here or my button to your post you may be featured next week!
HAVE YOU FOUND THE PERFECT SUMMER DRESS THIS YEAR? AND ARE YOU CONTEMPLATING A HOUSE MOVE, OR IF YOU MOVED RECENTLY: HOW DID IT GO?! TELL US IN THE COMMENTS BELOW…!
Like this post? You might also like…
– My Style Evolution 2011-2018 (and My 7th Blogiversary/46th Birthday)
– How to Style a Summer Shirt Dress (With Pattern Mixing)
Dress: Jasper Conran at Debenhams
Shoes: Marks & Spencer (you might like these block heel slingbacks)
Sunglasses: Mango (you might like these)
Earrings: Toolally c/o
Watch: Daniel Wellington
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Thank you for joining the #iwillwearwhatilike link up! This started as a campaign on Instagram in August 2015 where women over 30 wore everything on a journalist’s list of “inappropriate” items for 30+ women (including leopard print, short dresses and oversized sunglasses. Yes, really). It was so popular that I decided to carry it on weekly where women of all ages link up their fabulous style, never mind what anyone tells them not to wear!
The link up goes live every Monday at around 3pm UK time and will stay open for a week. Whilst the original article was of course aimed at the 30+, you can be ANY age to link up. The only criteria is that you’re wearing whatever you damn well like!
Linking up etiquette…
CLICK HERE to read the rules of linking up (and to grab the #iwillwearwhatilike button). Basically it’s just good manners to link back to here – to leave a comment is even nicer!
Want to receive an email reminder for the next link up?
Please note that due to the new GDPR laws I’m unable to send an email reminder unless you subscribe to the mailing list of your own accord. CLICK HERE if you wish to be sent an email with a reminder to link up to the #iwillwearwhatilike link up as soon as it’s live!
Featured favourites
No featured favourites this week due to the house move… it’ll be back next week as I’ve only just got Wifi back!
To get yourself featured next week, make sure you’ve included a link back to Not Dressed As Lamb or my button in your post/sidebar.
Do share the love and visit as many links as you can (you never know what other lovely like-minded ladies you might meet) – the original Instagram campaign forged some wonderful new friendships so don’t miss out!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which means if you click through and buy I may receive a small commission at no cost to you (click here for my full disclosure). Items listed as c/o were gifted.
What a beautiful, vibrant dress! xo
Love this statement dress so much! Happy belated birthday, hope it was amazing x
That dress is a total dream, I LOVE it. I’m thinking the yellow one is a green light too 🙂 The layered red and pink is such a perfect birthday dress for you, that is for sure. I’m so glad you’re settling beautifully into your new home and I’m DESPERATE for more photos of it!! xxx
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It was a green light… I bought the yellow! And yes I’ll get photos done of the house soon, we’re still up to our eyes in boxes until we get the shed (on order) and get the loft boarded (soon to be sorted)!
You stopped me in my scroll on Insta with this dress Catherine, it’s divine!
Pink & red together is amazing but on you, with your hair colour, it’s spectacular my friend xxx
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Thank youuuuuuuuu MT 😀 xx
Belated birthday hugs, Catherine 🙂 I can only imagine that with Keith by your side, and Riley calm and happy, it was a good one. And well-deserved too xoxo
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Sheela it WAS a good one, thank you – for all the reasons you said! x
Such a gorgeous dress, Catherine. It’s perfect on you…. I look forward to seeing the yellow one on the blog soon 😉
Suzy xx
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hehe you may get to see it sooner than you think Suzy… I bought it!! thank you hon 😉
Wow! This dress is perfect! You look stunning in it!
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thank you Amy my lovely x
That dress is just beautiful. I must see if they still have it. Good luck with all the final moving in bits. xx
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thank you Hilda – they had a few sizes last week but they seem to have disappeared very suddenly I’m afraid! There’s always the yellow one…?
That is an adorable dress – so lovely on you! Here’s wishing you a bleated Happy Birthday!
Belated not bleated – oops!
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lol thanks Penny…!! As I’m someone who usually bleats on about their birthday in the run-up to it maybe you got it right first time?! 😉 x
A belated happy birthday Catherine! That’s a smashing dress, I was actually eyeing that in Debenhams recently. Another colour way? It would be rude not to… Xx
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Well if you insist, Porcelina… yep I bought the yellow!!
Very striking dress Catherine and you look pretty and glam wearing it. Happy Birthday belatedly and best wishes for life in your new home. Sarah aka badassbabyboomer
What a beautiful dress, love the colour and style of it 🙂 Happy belated birthday. Thanks for hosting.
That dress is super on you. Lovely red and the shape is fun and feminine. Glad the move has gone well.
Yey I’m so happy Riley is enjoying his new garden! Your dress is fabulous!! It’s a real winner xx
I love that dress on you and those shoes are perfect! You look lovely!
Happy Birthday! That dress is beautiful and you look lovely wearing it!
debbiethisandthat.blogspot.com
Happy belated birthday, hope the tea was the best. What a perfect dress for tea, and it’s got a nice 50s vibe. Longing to see the house shots! X.
Fun dress! I love the ombre effect.
Happy belated birthday, Catherine! I am glad that you are settling in nicely. And this dress is magnificent. You are stunning.
Shelbee
Absolutely love that dress! This season I’m all in love with pink and red!
It really is a great dress! Glad all is going well xx