Trends: New Look Brights & Prints

Nothing says summer quite like a pop of colour!  This season, the hottest trends are dominated by all things bright and beautiful; vibrant colour and a jungle of prints.  From electric neons to lollipop pinks, aztec patterns to comic book chic, there's a shade, shape and style to suit every body.

New Look is one of my favourite high street fashion stores, having shopped there since my teens in the 90's.  They always bring out fantastic catwalk interpretations at affordable prices.  New Look has whet my appetite for the buzzing brights trend with so many pieces I could easily see myself wearing.  I never used to be one for wearing skirts but in the last couple of years I've really started enjoying wearing them, both short and floor skimming.  New Look has an amazing range of body con and maxi skirts this year.  I also love wearing colour, not only do I find it mood lifting it looks pretty cool too. 

These are my favourite pieces at New Look right now:

1.  Red Pink & Blue Aztec Cap Sleeve Mini Dress,  £12.99

2.  Black & Fuchsia Retro Sunglasses, £4.99

3.  Parisian White Comic Character Crop Top, £9.99

4.  Friis & Co Pink Locure Bag, £49.99

5.  Turquoise Stud Strap Sandals, £15.99

6.  Turquoise Shirred Waist Maxi Skirt, £14.99

7.  Neon Green Cut Out Back Texture Skater Dress, £19.99

8.  Neon Abstract Gladiator Sandals, £27.99

New Look asked me if I'd like what I loved most from their current collections and I chose the Pleated Voile Maxi Skirt which I got in a 12.  

The Deep Pink maxi skirt is a delicious raspberry colour.  I absolutely love it; the colour's gorgeous and the fabric is slinky and cool which is perfect when the weather's humid.  

I'm wearing the skirt here with my little Keane t skirt from their 2009 Perfect Symmetry tour.  It says "Did You Want To Be An Icon?"  Slogan tees:  there's another trend you can rock this summer!

Is colour your thing?  What do you think about the aztec print sensation?

Becky x

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Bra Review: La Senza Body Kiss

La Senza was always my go-to store when shopping for D+ bras but, these days, since their new ownership, the larger cups have unfortunately been done away with.  The new look La Senza is very much a reinvented, on trend brand with solely the A-DD market in its sights, focusing on sexy smalls for the smaller bust.

Even though I can't actually fit into La Senza bras any more, I've still been intrigued to see what the new La Senza offers.  From the website to the window displays it's clear that this is a sister company to powerhouse Victoria's Secret, with it's bright colours, full on enticing shapes and come and get it attitude.

La Senza sent me a set from their Body Kiss collection: a range of seam-free bras and smooth briefs to give a uncompromised silhouette and bring an end to digging and nipping.  I chose to check out the apricot colour Picot Trim bra in 32DD/E and small bikini brief.

*Now the sizing method does have me confused somewhat.  The La Senza website states that it uses US sizing and encourages you to check against your own country's size, which is a weird one as you'd expect a .co.uk website to be for the British consumers.  I requested an E cup and was sent a DD, but looking closer at the label it says 'INT 70DD/E, CDA/USA 32DD'.  Is this the US sizing coming into play?  Is this indeed a UK 32E?  Could La Senza embellish on this?*

The fabric is a high content polyester mix lending a silky feel to the touch.  The slight picot trim along the front edge of the cups gives a more feminine touch to an otherwise plain design.  The colour is a neon juicy watermelon shade, such a pretty colour for summer!

The Body Kiss collection is, in essence, a t shirt bra range, but it's also generously padded for incredible boob boosting.  The entire cup is cushioned which increases in depth the further down the cup it goes.  The structure is thoughtfully created to be light and leave minimal marks, as the unconventional underwiring is flattened for a more natural line, and the double sided wings ensure the band elastic is invisible.  I personally love this feature of hiding the elastic as I find this part of my bras usually aggravates my skin.  This would be a perfect choice for someone with skin sensitivities.

If you're looking for a smooth line beneath your summer tees and like a bit of cleavage, the Body Kiss is definitely worth having a look at.  It's just a shame that La Senza don't want to engage with the fuller cups they once over catered for, because, aside from the ample padding, there's much about the Body Kiss design that I'd love to wear.

What are your thoughts on the new La Senza? 

Becky x

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Hayley Westenra: Lullabies for a Royal Baby

Listening to classical and classical-crossover music is one of my favourite interests.  When I've had a manic day and all I want to do is chill out and forget the world, the soothing sounds of an instrumental piece or the enchanting vocals of a mezzo-soprano are hard to beat.  Add a bubbly bath and a few candles into the mix and I'm in 7th heaven! 

New Zealand's Hayley Westenra is by far my favourite classical artist whose repertoire, which sees her covering 80s pop classics to operatic arias, came into a world of it's own when she collaborated with world renowned composer Ennio Morricone two years ago.  (If you've not listened to the Paradiso album, I absolutely urge you to.)  She has the most delicate and pure voice and is so sweet and down to earth both when she chats away on stage and when you meet her.  

Even though her vocal abilities seem to know no boundaries I was still fairly surprised to hear Hayley was working on an album of lullabies. I thought it was quite a bizarre route to take and I was keen to hear what she'd been working on.  Over the last few weeks Hayley has been sharing newly arranged sound clips and videos of 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star', 'Dream a Little Dream of Me' and 'Hushabye Mountain', finally exposing the fruits of her labour.  On that note, the reason for the nursery serenades came clear: the album, entitled Hushabye, is dedicated to all the babies born in the year of the royal birth, with 'Sleep On' being her official gift to William and Kate's soon to be born baby!  I don't know about you, but awwww!  How cute?!  In this respect, the album of lullabies is a lovely tribute and quite a fantastic publicity move too.

Obviously lullabies are intended to send babies off to sleep but really, this collection of relaxing songs could benefit many an insomniac.  If you struggle to shake off the day and get a decent night's shut eye, it could be for you, and it may be my new chill out music too.

The album's UK release date is today (you can order it here) so I'm going to have to grab my copy when I head out into town tomorrow.

Here's a few videos of the pretty lullabies:

Edit:  As a huuuge fan of Hayley, it made my day when I saw she'd retweeted my Twitter message and blog post.  :-)

Becky x

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Parade to the Pool with Speedo Sculpture

Few of us can argue that we're not that great with this body confidence thing.  The lifestyle most western women lead today compared to some decades ago are worlds apart; we work hard, play hard and birth the babies.  So why is it we're still worrying about our bodies, comparing ourselves with the next woman and making us feel pretty crap about ourselves? 

The fact is you can't escape the human nature that we base a lot of our assumptions and decisions on looks, and if we're guilty of body snarking another woman we're obviously a sinner toward ourselves.  Does this attitude get us anywhere, any further forward in our plans?  Do we actually feel all warm and fuzzy inside following a good old dig at someone else's looks?  When we stand and look at ourselves in the mirror and disappointingly pinch at our squidgy bits, does it pay it's dividends?  Not in the slightest.

The UK's swimwear favourite, Speedo, have enrolled TV and radio personality, Gabby Logan, as ambassador of their Sculpture brand to tackle the issue of negative self confidence in women by heading the 'Parade To The Pool' campaign.  In a bid to encourage more women to get that skimpy suit on and hit the pool Gabby's challenge is to shirk the 'fat talk'.  According to a recent survey, 84% of women admit they have a negative relationship with their own body, with over half (55%) of all women avoiding activities such as swimming, just because they worry about revealing their body.  Pushing self demonizing thoughts aside and stepping into a swimsuit is a liberating experience, and if you want to do it, then why not?




Top psychologist Anjula Mutanda suggests confidence building tips such as:

• Seeing your body as part of you, not separate or your enemy
• Focus on what bits you like rather than what you hate
• Fake it until you make it - walk 'confidently' - stand and walk tall with shoulders back and keep eye contact
• Don't over think - just act - throw the towel away and stride to the pool!

Some members of the public were invited to don a swimsuit and literally parade to the pool, which saw them pounding the pavement through central London with a marching band, ticker tape and full fanfare until they reached their destination: the pool.  Sadly I couldn't make it down south for the parade which I would have loved - and equally feared - to do!  So thankfully I have some photos of the lovely, brave Speedo clad women who did triumph the parade!









How do you deal with your own self confidence issues and body confidence amongst your friends and family?

Check back again soon as I'll be reviewing a new style swimsuit from the 2013 collection by Speedo Sculpture.


Becky x

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Opinion: Calling Time on the Airbrush

This week, department store Debenhams announced it's decision to ban the airbrush: that all photographic images representing Debenham's own products would be minimally edited, no longer allowing major digital alterations of the model, in a bid to tackle the continuing trend of unrealistic imagery in the fashion industry.  With every magazine, catalogue, publication and product containing images obtained through outsourced photography libraries and by skillfully crafted in-house editors, is the banning of airbrush manipulation possible?  Can we ever tell if an image has been digitally tweaked and would we know the difference if a ban agreement was adhered to?

Debenhams Before, Corrections & After Editing

Wherever you look, an image is selling some brand or product, and whether we notice it or not every single image will have been tested through the editing process.  From McDonald's burgers to Victoria's Secret lingerie, every product photo has been scrutinised at close pixel range to create an ideal that we humans find appealing and desirable.   Whether it's oozing tomato ketchup or sun kissed skin, it's all an ideal that people - or the media - have decided are visually appealing and those selling it to us know it.  But when does digital enhancement become misrepresentation?  Do we know where the acceptable line is drawn and when it has been crossed?  Are we mis-sold when image manipulation gives us feelings of confusion, anger and upset, or are we just taking it all to heart?

McDonald's Before & After Editing

Airbrushing, or 'Photoshopping', is a procedure that most professionals in the industry are familiar with and implement all the time.  The most talented of photographers will have their images examined and retouched to ensure the aesthetics marry the feel and attitude of the image.  Detail is fine tuned, colours enhanced, distracting areas removed.  Capturing an image so specifically is crucially important to convey the right message in an advert or editorial.  If the consumer doesn't relate to an image then the product isn't sold.  If we don't believe it or are threatened by it, it can mean poor publicity.  If we don't accept it, the challenge is to change.

Image editing has it's place.  A manufacturer and retailer wants an image that shows off their product in the best light, and to do this digital tidying up is necessary.  A loose thread or fabric that has hadn't laid flat are mistakes that validate correcting.  Maybe the lighting reflected oddly on a certain area of the garment or the intricate detail along a hem wasn't picked up sufficiently on camera.  Even a model's flyaway hair or a crease on the skin from a previous pose or item of clothing, it all needs concealing so the most prominent article isn't detracted by irrelevant discrepancies.  This kind of airbrushing is acceptable because it's use is not to mislead or deceive, and because of it's subtlety, whether the image had been 'shopped' wouldn't even be a thought.  

It's the images we see that make us stop and think that there's something odd, when airbrushing takes it's unscrupulous turn.  The product isn't what's essentially caught our eye, it's the abnormally shaped torso and lack of normal bodily function that makes the model seem non human and in some cases, robotic.  When the airbrush changes the contour of a real model's figure, diminishes all natural movement in skin by deleting folds and lines, and when we start to be more aware, more conscious of what our younger generation think and how our toddlers want to look like teens, that's what makes this so real.  Airbrushing that recreates a model's figure, effectively building another model entity, is incredibly dangerous both to ourselves and our children because it means we are no longer being sold a product but being moulded into another's ideal, what we think is our ideal is warped by the altered images we flick through on a daily basis.  The dress we long for has become the tan and slender body we want too.  Advertising should never have crossed this line, from the point when we needed to question what we were seeing and whether we think it's real and right or not.  Because if we're fed and told what we want, we no longer know who's doing the thinking for us; we or them?

Victoria's Secret Before & After Editing

We're all attracted by that juicy burger, oozing it's tomato ketchup and voluptuous melting cheese and as much as we crave and desire it we know it is what it is, a burger, only made to look tastier.  What we need to make sure doesn't happen is for that tasty burger to transpire into a totally new, amazing burger with perfect edges and promises of an out of body eating experience, that alters how we think and starts making us think negatively about ourselves, but just ends up being the same old burger.  Clever, thought controlling advertising lurks around every corner.

Body confidence affects everyone and with commercial advertising heading in its current direction we do have an obligation to consider calling time on the airbrush.  If the over editing of images doesn't change, and editors don't rein in that correction pen, something's going to snap, and it won't be the model's digitally deformed torso.



Becky x

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Boux Avenue Swimwear & 25% Discount

The beautiful sun is finally shining and the souring temperatures have had us reaching for our holiday clothes before we've even hit the beach.  If you're like me, your thoughts have already turned to swimwear and possibly panicking about where you packed away last year's bikinis.  If you're a busty girl, the realisation of having to find cup sized bikini tops somewhere is the feeling of dread, especially ones that aren't of the frumpy variety.  Well, did you know Boux Avenue do fantastic swimwear for the D+?

I love going shopping for the holiday wardrobe, I think it's the best way to get yourself all in the mood for the summer shenanigans to come!  When I was last in store I found some gorgeous bikinis, such as the Palma Full Bust Bikini Top that I tried on in the 32G.  It's definitely my favourite collection because it's cute cherry design pays homage to the chic 50s pin up style and it's really support for bigger boobs too.

The full bust Palma is available from a D-G, but the stunning Palma also comes in the Halter Triangle style for A-DD cups.  

Right now you can get a huge 25% off swimwear!  Yay!  
Discount applied automatically at checkout.

The adorable Palma Bikini

Palma on me...

What do you think of the Palma?  Do you like halter necks or prefer bra straps?  I'd love to hear what you'll be wearing on the beach this summer!

Becky x

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Refresh Your Room with Laura Ashley

Now Spring and it's beautiful weather has finally arrived I've been able to put away last season's bed throws and blankets and lighten the bedroom up.  It's usually this time of year when you realise what home improvements still need doing, and I definitely know that the bedroom isn't anywhere near the boudoir I'm aiming it to be.  It's not helped that we weren't planning on living in this house for long and yet two years on, here we still are!  Two years on and I still have the style imperfections niggling me.

The Refresh Your Home competition run by blogger Tales of Annie Bean in conjunction with timeless lifestyle and interiors brand, Laura Ashley, has come at an appropriate time.  The task of picking elements of a room in need of a spring jujj up is a no brainer to me, simply because I'm aware of it everyday!  To win the £1000 gift card prize would most certainly help me acquire the country chic look that I'm trying to inject into our bedroom.

As you can see from this photo of our bedroom, there is much work to be done.  My biggest bane of the room is my desk cum dressing table as it's no longer functional.  In fact, it's going to the tip soon and I'll have nothing to replace it with.  It's decrepit and beyond repair, and even more crucially is a hideous eye sore!  The curtains and curtain pole also needs replacing as does the terribly uninspiring light pendant and lamps.  So, without further ado, this is my mood board, my inspiration and if you will, wish list, of gorgeous girly pieces I'm just itching to put into place in my boudoir.

This is a selection of some of my favourite Laura Ashley pieces that would perfect my ideal bedroom style.  The ditsy floral backdrop is a Laura Ashley print called Abbeville Pink that I'd firstly get made into curtains!

1. Dahlia Dressing Table Set
2. Pink Gingham Lamp & Shade
3. Large White Resin Poppy
4. Primrose Chandelier
5. Set of 3 White Lit Birds
6. Couture Rose Cotton Bedlinen

The Dahlia Dressing Table is simple and sleek with a touch of feminine curve.  My desk is really not worthy of being called a dressing table and this update alone would be a marked improvement in the room.

The Couture Rose Bedlinen is beautiful and vibrant without being brash, and makes a stunning colourful focal point amongst the white furniture.

The absolutely stunning Primrose Chandelier with it's abundance of flowers would look so pretty hanging above the bed.  My current incredibly mundane paper shade would be blown out of the water.  I don't think I've seen anything quite as opulent and girly.

I think we can all probably agree that these beautiful pieces would instantly transform my bedroom into the feminine boudoir it longs to be.

Fancy entering this amazing competition yourself?  Then head right over to the blog of Tales of Annie Bean.

Becky x

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Bra Review: Miss Mandalay Paris

Large cup lingerie for smaller backs is more accessible these days compared to only ten years ago.  Now it's pretty commonplace to find 30 back G cups in your local supermarket store and brands catering for the fuller busted have a much wider size scope.  This kind of availability - although it has much room for improvement with recognising the sub 28 demand and need for even larger cups - is fantastic for picking up essentials and pretty seasonals but sometimes you want something a little more luxurious and not so everyday, and you may actually want to support a British brand.  This is when your department store usually falls short.

Miss Mandalay is an independent British brand who've firmly established their mark in the fuller bust market since their arrival on the scene in 2005.  Their collections are both fashion forward and easy to wear thanks to the use of well structured fabrics and clever design which makes them so incredibly desirable.  Being a boutique brand specialising in beautiful design and fit lends to Miss Mandalay's indulgent persona, a refinement that puts the brand in a totally different class.

The 'Paris' collection has to be the most recognisable style of Miss Mandalay with new colourways launched every season.  This spring/summer sees the introduction of Cobalt Blue, a striking deep azure reminiscent of a perfect, tropical sea.  How appropriate for this time of year!  

Unsure which size to try, as I'd heard bands ran small in Miss Mandalay, I bought the Paris in a 30GG, as opposed to my usual 28H, which I must add I've not been most comfortably wearing.  Because of this, I was worried the 30GG would then be too small, but I instantly found the fit to be perfect - phew!

I am usually dubious of balcony styles as it all depends where the central gore sits on my ribcage, as too high or too wide gores can wreak havoc with my close set boobs.  The centre wires sit flush against my chest and it really is in the very best position.  The cups are ample deep and wide enough without the wires disappearing beneath my armpits, like some brands can.

Paris is a non padded style with two section cups fashioned in mesh, with the bottom section less sheer, and trimmed with a satin band along the edge of the cups.  The fit is very rounded and natural with no push up effect, which is a good choice for a simple, comfortable feeling as close to not wearing a bra as you can.

I know a lot of larger busted women like a wide strap on their bra, which in this case I wouldn't say Paris is for you, but I do want to say how amazing the straps do feel, despite their narrow width.  I find them excellent enough as there is no soreness or red marks on my shoulders.

This colour is stunning!  I've lost count how many times I've been disappointed by a bra's colour in reality compared to it's appearance online or in a catalogue.  Cobalt Blue really is a vibrant shade - the perfect colour pop to be wearing this summer.

Becky x

To see the Cobalt Blue Paris in 32C, check out Lingerie Lesbian's review here!

*This post was not sponsored or paid for in any way*

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A Medieval Experience: Harewood House, Leeds

It's not everyday you're given the opportunity to step back in time and experience life as you never knew it.  When I received a pair of tickets to attend the first ever Medieval Banquet held at Harewood House near Leeds, I was pretty excited at the prospect of living life in the middle ages and went armed with my trusty 21st century camera to document my life as a peasant wench.

Our drive down to Leeds was a pleasant one; the sun darted between threatening clouds as we passed sparse woods carpeted with vibrant bluebells.  It looked so pretty.

On arrival at the estate of Harewood House we drove through camps setting up tents and fires.  These were the folk preparing for the medieval fair following the banquet, which was to be held over the bank holiday.  We located the car park (merely an allocated spot in a bumpy field) and set off on foot into the medieval territory.  Handing our tickets over, we suddenly found ourselves in the high middle ages.

I've never donned fancy dress in my life (besides the obligatory primary school plays) and this occasion certainly called for authentic medieval dress.  Devising my own outfit was surprisingly fairly simple; I knew I had a burgundy raw silk gown hanging in the wardrobe which was still waiting to be worn, and I decided to team it with a corset, one of deep indigo silk, and a tassel edged emerald green scarf that draped around my shoulders.  My old natural coloured canvas boots finished off my look perfectly.

Mr BB's outfit took a little more effort.  The obvious choice was a knight and a Templar Knight it was at that.  After a week of arduous sewing the defender of the realm's costume was complete.  I'd created a tabbard with appliqued cross emblem, faux chain mail and a handsome red cloak.  Worn with a pair of brown trousers and black boots, and brandishing a metal tone sword, Mr BB was knight ready!

Heading toward the main hall tent which was to host our banquet, we joined several other groups and couples, some in authentic dress, others looking out of place (and quite silly) in modern day dress, and we were greeted by tavern wenches who offered us alcoholic beverages.  I took a chalice of cider while Mr BB opted for a lager.  

While we stood out on the grass in the gaze of the lowing sun, we admired others' costumes and were entertained by a maiden on stilts, a jester and manned stocks that beckoned folk for shaming.  I had been a bad wench and swiftly locked in the stocks!

It wasn't long before all we peasants, nobles and knights were invited to watch a display across the field.  There was the odd bale of straw alongside a cordoned off area which some people sat on, while others stood or sat on the grass (like we did.)  We enjoyed displays by our host knights and king who showcased their horsemanship skills, or rather showing off abilities to ride backward, stood up and bounce on and off a galloping horse.

By the time we were all directed into the large tent my tummy was rumbling - I was so ready for a banquet of kings!  Inside the tent lay three long tables headed by the top table prepared for the knights and king.  Mr BB and I found a table, taking a pew - literally - and sat before our wooden plates.  There were chalices, spoons, jugs of cider and the odd pot of apple sauce and chutney.  While we waited for the food to be served I decided to appease my hunger and have some bread.  The long tables appeared to be sectioned in sixes, which the sauces and drinks were to be distributed between.  A bowl of three pieces of bread told me they needed to be shared so I split a chunk between myself and Mr BB.

The starter of pea and ham soup arrived in mini pots, it's consistency too thin to be eaten with the large wooden spoon and too thick to drink, but it tasted lovely.  I'd wished I kept my bread to dip into it and mop up the peas I couldn't drink.  Some time later, between several trips to the portaloos and a few more glugs of cider, plates of game pie were put on our tables alongside a bowl of dressed mixed beans.  I'd never tried game pie before and I can wholeheartedly say I won't be eating it again.  Even the juicy chutney couldn't improve the taste of the dark meats which had a livery taste and resembled offal.

While we all ate and chatted amongst ourselves in our pairs and groups on the tables, it was apparent the head table were keeping in character.  It was a little too noisy and not prominent enough to figure out what was going on half the time.  The knights would argue, slam down cider (which was probably water) and proceed to brawl and challenge each other to games and fights.  Mr BB found himself in an early 'fruit machine' game only without the machine at the top table, somehow losing our table's alloted cider jugs which he managed to get back later on.  We found the entertainment was sporadic and left us hanging around waiting for long periods.  It didn't seemed timed well, probably because it took so much time to feed everyone and when the knights were in entertainment mode it was most likely in keeping with the first table, so our far table were trying to eat whilst catching a glimpse of whatever was going on in the room.

The grand arrival of the feast star - the roast whole hog - was heralded by music fanfare, and the displayed pig was carried around the room for all eyes to see.  I'm one of those annoying meat eaters that worry about animal welfare and adore living animals and yet have no problem digesting them.  Well, seeing the charred pig wasn't the best sight I could wish for but I looked forward to devouring him all the same.

Again we found ourselves almost twiddling our thumbs waiting for the hog, and when the wench waitresses brought it to the tables it was a fairly trumped up disappointment.  We received a plate of carved up meat with a little crackling on top of it.  There really wasn't much to share between us and I felt intimidated taking any of it.  I was quite shocked that we weren't served anything to accompany the bits of pork so all we ate it with was a spoonful or two of beans along with the chutney and apple sauce.  Food was an immense disappointment.  Surely the gentry didn't eat measly meals like this?  It was more a peasant supper rather than a king's banquet.

We were served bowls of apple pie and had a little jug of cream to pour over it.  It tasted quite nice, nothing fancy though but obviously homemade.  

Platters of cheese and crackers were handed out and I'd barely eaten one cracker when the host encouraged us to go outside and watch the knights 'fight it out'.  I grabbed a few grapes and we all scarpered out into the dimming light.  Sitting back down beside the display areas, we watched a sword fight and were treated to fire blazing skills of archery, fire breathing and the poor horse who was meant to jump over the fire fence and caved on the act.  The evening came to an official close when the host invited everyone to stay and dance in the tent and drink (which was a meager attempt of getting a few more sales in before the end of the night.)  So Mr BB and I decided to call it a night and headed off to our waiting steed...

My Conclusion
The medieval banquet was a brilliant concept, we loved getting kitted out and making ourselves head back into the middle ages.  Seeing most people dressed up made it an exciting experience and it was like a step back in time seeing all the camps set up for the night.  The banquet was a first for the Harewood House annual medieval fair, and there were definitely certain issues which should be improved on for a better experience next year.

1. The main hall tent wasn't level so we spent the whole evening sitting on an obvious slant.  Not good when you've only a bench to perch on.
2. Drinks were minimal and were only alcoholic.  The latter would be a positive to some people, but the provision of water would have made an additional and responsible option for drivers, non drinkers, those on medication and children, who I did see were drinking cider.  It wasn't fair to expect those wanting a non alcoholic drink to buy something from the bar.
3. Food was not of banquet proportion.  Providing plates of pork cuts doesn't make a satisfying meal.  The 3 course meal was a huge let down.
4. Medieval dress was not compulsory.  The experience was dampened by those in modern clothing.  It would have been more inclusive and authentic if all folk dressed the same.
5. The entertainment during the meal wasn't clear enough.  Most of it was missed through the noise and distraction of eating, rather than using the time waiting for food to be filled in with entertainment.
6. The games involving attendees should have been more involving and rewarded, much like party games.  There's no fun in simply shaming willing participants.
7. Bread was scarce.  The menu expressed there would be a selection of breads for the soup and then some mixed loaves to eat with the hog - but where were they?
8. The jester loved the kids.  As silly and engaging as he was, the jester spent too much time with children.  The tickets said over 18s only so how come children were there?

But what I did like - the talent acts involving the knights on horseback were awesome and we thoroughly enjoyed watching the archery and the fire displays.  The stocks were a fun experience and the medieval actors were good fun to watch.  I very much loved wearing my own outfit too and having my very own knight for the evening! 

The banquet evening cost £49.95 per head which was in my opinion, steep.  If the banquet was to run for the second year the food menu would have to be improved on and the entertainment tweaked if Mr BB and I were to return to the middle ages of Harewood.

Becky x

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