Four days into 2014 and no resolutions broken… mainly because I didn’t make any. I thought the year would hold enough challenges for me without adding in any more.

And sure enough before the old year was over the first challenge arrived with the news that our one and only daughter is getting married. This puts me in line to become a real live mother-in-law, in the not too distant future. How on earth has this happened? It really seems like yesterday that I was discussing the risks of her taking the bus into Nottingham to shop with her school friends. Before too long I could well be knee deep in flower arrangements and shopping for hats…

If there is one thing I’m particularly fond of it’s hats. My colourful hat boxes are currently in store with various favourites crammed inside – some looking a bit dated, others slightly crushed and a few just plain wonderful. Here in Cyprus I’ve been enjoying the sunny variety, with an old leather cowboy hat making an occasional outing and my favourite crumbling straw hat being thrown in the back of the car on any trip from beach to town. This became so battered over the first few weeks here that I had to invest in something more decent, one that didn’t have huge holes and moult straw crumbs over the floors of shops and cafés. Now I am the proud owner of a smart boater, purchased in the capital. Much as I like the hat, I’m not convinced it’s wedding material…I am thinking something with a peacock or a parrot on top might be just the thing. Surely, the whole point of the Mother of the Bride (MOB) is to make her hat (and possibly outfit) a talking point of the day? I’m very interested in thoughts on wedding hats and what works best. Suggestions on a postcard please, or just comment here.

In terms of outfits for the big day, I do have something rather amazing that was a surprise Christmas gift. I’m only concerned that it could be little hot, depending when and where the wedding is. It has a safari feel about it and completely transforms me and most of all it is so comfortable. Shoes could be an issue though and I really don’t know which handbag would tie in best, but with built in headgear there should be money in the budget for those. One thing is for sure it could be a first for MOB outfits and I really think it might start a new trend. There’s only one word for it….’weddingonesie’ here we go 🙂