Magdalene May Ball 2015

Last week the hubby and I attended the Magdalene College White Tie May Ball in Cambridge. If you have been reading my blog for a while you will see these posts pop up every two years. I love sharing these experiences with you all, especially when there is an opportunity to dress up! It’s funny to think that this year will be 10 years since we matriculated and here we are back again still feeling (and behaving) like teenagers.

Rather than going for a traditional ball gown (I wore a pretty big MaxMara number to the last one) I decided to switch it up with something a little more sleek and form fitting.

The India dress from Forever Unique was on sale in two different colours (purple version from ASOS here). However, as I wore a purple one shouldered gown (from Coast) four years ago I decided to try the emerald green. I absolutely loved the heavy embellishment on the sleeve of this dress and its overall shape.

Of course the material of these types of dresses is always quite thin so you can see every contour, making a tactical choice of underwear a must!

For makeup I did a very simple smokey eye using the Naked 3 palette from Urban Decay. I made sure that the look lasted all night by using a really long lasting foundation (Mac Studio Fix) and setting it all carefully with powder (I used a combination of MAC MSF natural and ELF Mineral Glow powder). I finished the look off with false lashes from Eyelure (Cheryl Girls Night style).

 

For hair I used the Babyliss wide barrel tong (Glamour Waves) to create large curls. I then clipped the bottom sections while getting ready to ensure they had more texture and gently curled the top section at the end so it looked smooth and sleek.

It was a wonderful night of champagne, street food, music and dancing with the Fratellis performing.

We bumped into so many alumni from our university days and it was really fun catching up with them all!

I made it from sunset to sunrise! Hopefully we will be back in 2017!!

Magdalene May Ball 2013

With a full time job and a wedding to save up for it's not often these days that I get to have a really extravagant night out. However, the fiance and I decided that this year we would once again return to the Magdalene May Ball and indulge in some nostalgia.

I chose a black MaxMara Pianoforte ball gown that has been hanging in my wardrobe for the last 10 years! The last time I wore this I was 16! It was a special gift from my mama to wear for my first ever ball at school and having carefully preserved it for a decade I decided that this would be the perfect time to revive it. The dress itself is pretty simple as it is made up of layers of black material. The netting underskirt really gives it the vavavoom, however it can feel a little overwhelming so I tied the belt in a kimono style (tying it around twice with a bow at the front) to add some definition to my waist.

I paired it with simple black heels that had soft feather detailing to match my feathery ASOS bag. I also kept jewelery very minimal as such a classic dress requires very little. I finished off the outfit with a simple diamond tennis bracelet and long Swarovski crystal earrings.

 

For my hair I used my trusty Babyliss rollers. I decided on a half up, half down style to ensure my hair stayed in place all night and secured it at the back with a beautiful silver feather comb the fiance got me for Christmas. When it came to makeup  I reverted to form with a silver and black smokey eye topped with false lashes. 

We had such a fabulous night! Though I didn't quite make it all the way to the survivors photo at 7am, especially after being at work during the day, I am so happy we took a little time out of our busy schedules to sample all the delights that were on offer!

As much as I love having a career I do sometimes miss those carefree student days! Going back to work felt very sombre the next day. Oh well, time to look forward to 2015! xxx

Centenary Magdalene May Ball 2011

On Wednesday I attended the Magdalene May Ball in Cambridge to celebrate the end of an era as my smarty pants bf graduates to become Dr. bf.

 Starting at 6.30pm and ending just before 9am it was a night full of glamour, decadence, fun and endurance!

 

On arrival we were greeted by a champagne reception and oyster bar, which we took full advantage of!

I chose to wear a purple asymmetric Grecian inspired dress from Coast, which I paired with nude shoes and bag from Zara. To adhere to the white tie dress code I also added long black satin gloves (from ebay) and a black shawl from H&M. As the neckline of the dress has some pleated detailing I decided to forgo a necklace and instead add some sparkle with a diamond tennis bracelet, tear drop earrings from Mikey, a large black and silver ring and a hair clip from Swarovski.

For makeup that would last the full 15 hours I used:

Mix of Estee Lauder's Double Wear and Rimmel's Lasting Finish 25 hour foundation set with MAC mineralize skinfinish natural

NARS Laguna Bronzer

MAC well dressed blush

UDPP

MAC electra, knight divine, carbon and vapour eyeshadows

Collection 2000 glitter liner for the lower lashline and L'Oreal carbon gloss liquid liner in black

Ardell runway lashes

MAC creme cup lipstick

Clarins instant light lipgloss

 With limited dressing facilities I went back to basics and styled my hair using the Babyliss heated rollers. I back combed the top sections to add some volume and secured the back with a hair clip.

We had such a fantastic night sampling all the food, drink and entertainment on offer, which included copious cocktails and champagne, fish spa pedicures, The Mystery Jets, Truly Medley Deeply, various comedy acts, burlesque, salsa dancing, sushi platters, magicians and much more!

 The Mystery Jets

By the time morning came we were happily exhausted.. but we made it!

We survived the Magdalene May Ball... and are already looking forward to the next one in 2013! :) xxx