I spent most of New Year’s Eve day pampering myself for the big party -  nails, hair, etc. I wanted to make an extra special effort to bring in 2010. I bought my sexy red corset dress about a month before but saved it for New Years Eve. I accessoried it with some red and pink sandals and the cutest little Lulu Guiness clutch bag in pink, shaped like a pair of lips. Pity it didn’t come out too well in the pics. Another one of my lovely pressies was a perspex necklace and earrings set which was edged in red. The gent concerned had no idea it would go so well with my chosen outfit. As it was a chilly evening I added a little fur stole to complete the ensemble. I definitely made a grand entrance and turned more than a few heads!

The function was in Chester where we started the evening with champagne and canapes. We were then entertained by a live band while we dined on scallops, beef wellington and panacotta (and of course more bubbly) – the food was prepared by Heathcotes and was divine. Everyone was in a very jovial mood and banter was exchanged across the tables, which almost never happens in a restaurant on a normal evening.

Just before midnight, my party and I decided to move next door to  a night club as Boy George was bringing in the New Year. That was a bit of a disappointment as he was on stage for approximately 5 minutes and we were surrounded by beer monsters pushing and shoving us. Incidentally, I was told the next day that Boy George was on Jools Holland Hootenanny. No, that can’t be true I thought.  Jools Holland is always live on New Year’s Eve. Right? Wrong. I did a bit of research and found out that the show is recorded the week before! Can you believe it? What a swizz – all those people pretending it is 12 o’clock and jumping around like idiots.

Anyway, we decided to return to the more sedate environment next door and were treated to a fabulous fireworks display on the way back. The second band was now on stage and playing some really cheesy disco music so, of course we all hit the floor and partied the rest of the night away until the wee small hours. We returned to our nearby hotel exhausted but happy. Definitely a night to remember. Bring on 2010!