Southampton Boat Show Cocktail Evening

The annual Boat Show is in town until the 20th September, and on the launch night, myself and a few other Southampton Bloggers received an invitation to a cocktail reception at the Grand Harbour Hotel. The hotel is right on top of the Boat Show, located on West Quay Road, so we had the prime location to sip our Bottega Prosecco, dream about the Sunseekers, and have a bit of a gossip.

: Photo credit Anna

I relished the opportunity to get a bit dressed up, which I don’t get the opportunity to do very often. With September being fully established, and the weather bound to take a turn for the worst, I tried to hold on to the last glimpses of summer with my outfit. I chose this cute floral print dress from New Look – you can find a similar one here. I teamed the dress with last year’s favourite sandals, also from New Look, and my go-to handbag from Fiorelli. I have a feeling that this bag might not be making much more of an appearance this year, but it will remain a favourite I’m sure.

: I love this dress!
Photo credit Jess

Upon arriving at the Grand Harbour Hotel, the Southampton Bloggers – Rachel, Charlotte, Jess, Tanya, Jess, Alice, Brogan and Anna – and I were directed to the Bottega Prosecco pop up bar out on the grass. This al-fresco environment epitomises the idea of the Boat Show, in my opinion, and it was such a chilled environment. We were offered glasses of the Bottega Prosseco, which was delicious, and we made our way to a table. We had a fab view of a Sunseeker, and could hear all the hustle and bustle from the Boat Show across the road. Our glasses were kept topped up, and then the canapés arrived. We were treated to mini Croque Monsieurs, grilled halloumi and peppers, and salmon on rye bread. It was all delicious! We were also treated to some cocktails. We had these incredible looking pink and black cocktails, called The Breakup. They were incredible!

: L-R: Alice, Charlotte, Rachel, me, Anna, Jess, Tanya
Photo credit Alice

: Photo credit Anna

: The lovely blogging girls - L-R: Brogan, Jess, Anna, me
Photo credit Brogan

: Our Breakup cocktails

: The beautiful Anna and I
Photo credit Anna

I had a fabulous evening, and it was lovely to spend some time in the Grand Harbour Hotel – despite being born and bred in Southampton, I have never been into the hotel. It’s always lovely to catch up with the blogging girls, and this was such a nice setting to do so in. I’d always known about the Boat Show but I hadn’t ever had the opportunity to find out a bit more about the event, or attend it.