Tatler threw their 31st Anniversary Ball on Friday. It was held at the really rather fun and fabulous W Hotel on Sentosa and themed ‘Enchanted Garden’.

Their parties always do have some sort of theme to them. The last Tatler Ball I went to was two years ago when it was ‘1920’s Shanghai’ which positively oozed good old fashioned glamour and was the only excuse I’ve ever had to wear fur in the tropics. We got off quite lightly this year, when almost any pastel coloured dress would have worked.

There were varying interpretations of Enchanted Garden. I wore yellow that let me, rather lamely, pass myself off as some sort of daffodil – one of my favourite flowers which, incidentally, I’m thrilled to have sourced as an ingenious Christmas present: 100 scented winter Narcissi for £28 (a post on perfect presents to follow shortly).

As my dress was acid yellow, it absolutely necessitated a spray tan to transform me from pasty to a half decent colour.  I forgot all about needing to book one and had to do it on the day itself (thank you to the very accommodating Spray Tanner Hannah for fitting me in). I also forgot to get a leg wax…but thank GOD for full length evening gowns.

Other people tried a bit harder:

The trains on some dresses were spectacular. My dress (Notte by Marchesa) had one too but it was more like a small puddle and people kept treading on it.  Not ideal. You need a spectacular one if you’re going to drag something behind you:

My friend IC had it about right:

Headpieces were the order of the day

GW looked fresh and beautiful (above) and LC founder of gnossem.com looked effortless, photographed here with fellow blogger Jaime Yong (below left) of I Love Bon Bons.

Food was excellent which was a nice change as usually hotel nosh at a big events is rather disappointing  (I think we were 500 people in total)

…it included various forms of my favourite ingredient which always makes me feel utterly decadent: nasturtiums (edible flowers).  I’m desperate to grow some in my garden tubs but can’t seem to find any seeds here in Sing.

Pudding was a huge spread that was laid out before the main courses were even served. I have never seen so many bejewelled women raising fork to mouth in what I believe is termed ‘eating’; it was a sight to behold. In England people in their finery never get properly stuck in. I much prefer it this way and love not being the only girl with her nose in the trough.

The outdoor terrace with very comfy seating was where the real party was, complete with a cigar girl:

On a more serious note, two of my friend won awards which was very special. Kris Wiluan for Leadership in Business and Dr. Jade Kua who won the Leadership Award for Community Service.

On a less serious note, the goody bag weighed in at a very impressive 3kg – or there abouts, I couldn’t bring myself to actually weigh it…but it was darn heavy arm candy.  The Royal Selangor peweter tankard will be perfect for flowers (sorry if it’s meant for drinking out of) and the big bottle of Tom Ford eau de p is also really rather useful.

Until next year!

Thank you Singapore Tatler for my invitation and congratulations on being another year older.