November 11, 2014

It Takes a Village...

… to get me ready to go to the Baltimore Museum of Art’s Party of the Century!

In July, I wrote about the massive renovations and restorations happening at the Baltimore Museum of Art, here. I was asked to be on the party planning committee and jumped at the chance to celebrate that, and the Museum’s 100th Anniversary this year.

There are actually two parties, both on the same night. First is a gala dinner for all of the major donors to the Museum’s restoration funds, and then there’s a fun after-party with music and dancing. I was lucky enough to be invited to the dinner, and of course, I will also go for the dancing!

That left me with a quandary as to what to wear that would be glamorous, but comfortable enough to go from cocktails at 6:00 to dinner at 7:30 to dancing at 9:30! If you’re like me, I have to be comfortable or else I get all squirmy!


I decided to create a Pinterest Page where I could pin all of the ideas I had and finally came up with an outfit, with a little lot of help from my friends. 


To start with the top, I had a piece from last year that I like – a cashmere boat neck sweater with a vintage mink collar. It’s comfortable, and fits beautifully.


On to the skirt. Little Augury, aka blogger Patricia Gaye Tapp, had pinned a number of vintage Balenciaga designs, and I found one which I thought would work, with a little tweaking. I wasn’t wild about the jacket, especially with its peplum ruffle, but I loved the way the skirt was designed, with a demi-train.


I knew I’d never find anything like this, but then I remembered one of my neighbours is a professional seamstress. After a consultation with her, she said that she could make the skirt, and we began the process. Using the mink from the top, we picked out a heavy Armani silk taffeta, in a deep brown/black moiré. I had several fittings and we agreed on things like the length, which I didn’t want to trail after me, especially with the crowd for dinner and dancing. I had visions of a Marx Brothers type skit – someone steps on the train and I keep walking , the skirt rips and I end up in my knickers!


Next up was my friend Andrea, the owner of Bosom Buddy Bags. I picked out a gorgeous evening bag at her sale a few weeks ago. It’s the perfect size, just big enough to hold my phone, some lippie and a credit card.



She also helped with the shoe situation. Since I had the stress fracture in my knee two years ago, I’ve found it impossible to wear heels. And since the party’s going to be long, and the floors are marble, I knew I had to have comfortable shoes. So I found a pair of quilted Chanel-style ballet flats, with lots of cushioning, and Andrea augmented them with satin ribbon to match.

I am having my hair and make-up done, and also getting a manicure, so by
I might actually be ready to party!

Thanks to the village of friends who invited me to the party and helped me get ready! I couldn't have done it without you!


PS: SO sorry for the wonky formatting. I was having major issues uploading, so had to write the post in the blogger editor, which is ghastly!

19 comments:

  1. Have a wonderful evening.

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  2. I keep thinking of Cinderella.....you re going to have the BEST time and you will be Radient! I'm going out to get a pair of those shoes asap! Might get two pairs and bow one for holiday parties.

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  3. It's going to look wonderful on you! Can't wait oy see you in the outfit in a beautiful setting

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  4. Hi Meg,
    Sending hugs for a wonderful Saturday night. I know that you will sparkle.
    Mary

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  5. Replies
    1. Taking my phone and will be instagramming and facebooking it!

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  6. You will look beautifully attired at this wonderful event Meg. I think that you will want to wear something that when you are dancing, will be cool enough and not have a hem you could trip or catch your heel on!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

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    Replies
    1. We did the hem a little short - maybe 1.5 inches above the floor, so I won't trip. That's the last thing I need to happen!

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  7. it does take a village + how blessed are you? + you will be stunningly beautiful + let us see you. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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  8. You will be just gorgeous, royal, really. Timeless. I hope you find yourself sharing photos. Wait. What about hiring a photog? Or getting a friend to come shoot you? I know that might sound silly, but heck, we do it for weddings. Why not the party of the the century? Someone to shoot you in the Golden Hour for remembrance? I bet a great wedding photog would know someone who does portraits.

    Anyway, I just love your outfit, and all its details.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, LPC! There are going to be photographers, and a photo booth. I am sure someone will get a picture!

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  9. Looks fab, Meg! Love that you got a skirt custom made. More people should consider doing that. Depending on what you want done, it can be affordable.

    Missed you at Single Carrot's gala last weekend, but I know a lot of people bought tickets to the BMA instead. Wish I could be there, but I'll just have to live vicariously through you!

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