“David! Watch where you sit! Do not sit on that pink yoke and mind that big box.” Our son-in-law David tidies himself up and begins to take off his boots after a long hard day.

My husband Tim continues: “There was a mad rush to Naas today and the credit card overheated!” The men exchange knowing glances.

I was as smug as could be. An inner calm had come over me. Philip and Aileen’s wedding was only three weeks away and I was dressed.

I despaired finding lace and stiff satin and embellishment that did not suit my age or taste

Over the last few months, I’d been perusing the mother of the bride/groom offerings around the country.

I despaired finding lace and stiff satin and embellishment that did not suit my age or taste. Some of the outfits terrified me. They were so fitted and the “mothers” modelling the outfits must have had their baby girls and boys when they were 10!

Honestly, a bit of realism would be nice.

I gradually got used to the online shopping concept to the point that I had absolutely no interest in travelling to shops

They were also wildly expensive, but I did notice that one could get quite a bargain returning to a site over time. I gradually got used to the online shopping concept to the point that I had absolutely no interest in travelling to shops or traipsing around Cork or Dublin for an outfit. COVID-19 has changed the whole experience.

On one level, I long for one of those trips; taking in a visit to some friends and having time. Those trips were an amazing day out.

The browsing, the freedom to explore with no deadlines, the anticipation of hitting the jackpot and the satisfaction when the decision to purchase was made and then returning with bags.

Where to shop?

People advised a trip to various boutiques in Newcastlewest, Adare, Gorey and so on. I saw a lot of nice things in Buncrana while on holiday. No purchase was made. So I returned to the internet. I kept coming back to two options; one was in The Modern Boutique in Dundalk, the second was a blue dress in Nicola Ross in Naas. There are times when you know your own figure and you know what suits.

Our son Colm and Tim wondered what the big deal was? Sure, I’d be in and out to Cork city in a few hours. I told them the dress was in Naas!

On that Thursday, I dropped Ricky to Mary, his minder in Ballincollig. He goes to her two days a week, giving me the freedom to do other things. She politely reminded me that she was going on three weeks’ holidays. That was when the panic set in! It would not be an option to drag my grandson to Naas.

Around the kitchen table at lunchtime. I announced that I needed to get away to sort out a dress. Our son Colm and Tim wondered what the big deal was? Sure, I’d be in and out to Cork city in a few hours. I told them the dress was in Naas! “Is there no dress that would suit in Cork?” Tim asked. With no further delay I was on my way. Julie would collect Ricky herself. I phoned ahead to make sure they had the sizes and that it was OK to try on a dress. Going up the road, I did think it was a bit extreme but I had a good feeling about it.

Destination Naas

Google maps brought me to the door of Nicola Ross and I found parking nearby. Vanessa had the dress on hand. I collected a few other dresses on the way into the changing room. It felt good to be out.

There was another lady called Joan at the same boutique. We got chatting and she enhanced my experience immensely. There is nothing like a kindred spirit who will tell you what is flattering and what is not so nice. She became my personal dresser and I hers. We had a great bit of fun together. I bought my blue dress and she purchased also. I also got a great big hat. I love the opportunity to wear a hat.

I walked out of that shop feeling like Julia Roberts in the film Pretty Woman. I dropped in to see the folks in Tipperary and was home in Cork for 9.30pm.

The excitement is building

I laid my bag and big hat box on the couch. It was indeed a good day’s work. In contrast we headed into Denis in Gentleman’s Quarters in Cork city for Tim’s suit. We were done within the hour and had time to have a nice lunch before returning home.

The excitement is building. There is going to be a wedding and there will be 100 guests!