Dinner with Debenhams

When Debenhams invite you to dinner you know you’re in for a treat. Last week, I joined them at the Blythswood Square Hotel in Glasgow, and the evening didn’t disappoint – Christmas had come early!

I arrived to the super chic hotel (anyone been, or going for a visit soon?), a popular choice for stylish events, and immediately had to pee after a three hour drive (which should have taken 90 minutes) and a pint of coffee… ah, so glamorous! Anyway, thankfully I wasn’t late for dinner and even managed twenty minutes previewing the Christmas collections in the private lounge, which had been dressed with the best bits of Debenhams’ Christmas. Think tweeds and warm knits, Pinterst-worthy accessories such as Christmas decorations and gifts, and plenty of party wear – my favourite being the feminine Jenny Packham dresses.  The champagne was flowing (well, it was Christmas, after all) but it was a tap water for me while I caught up with some blogging gals that I hadn’t seen in FOREVER, our conversations interrupted with “oohs” and “aahs” over the new collections.

Dinner was in the Monte Carlo Suite and it was gorgeous; a beautiful table (which has become the inspo for my own Christmas), fine wine, and good food: smoked salmon to start, roast lamb with seasonal veg for the main course, followed by a winter classic, Sticky Toffee Pudding.  The evening concluded with a peppermint tea (wild, I know) and a quick catch up with our host Patrick Grant (his Designers at Debenham’s line, Hammond & Co, is the most popular one), a hug for Rachel and Victoria, and a big thank you to the PR team.

You already know how much I love Debenhams – I actually just blogged a checked blazer from The Collection – partly because I think they’re a really great department store where you can get everything you need under one roof without spending a fortune,  but also because I admire them for celebrating British design at affordable prices through their Designers at Debenhams range. Can you believe the concept is twenty years old? Anyway, I think you’re going to love what they’ve got on offer this Christmas.

Images: Martin Shields.