Dress You Up in My Love

Seven months. It doesn’t sound like much time. Then I think back to the beginning of this experiment, and it seems as if it were a lifetime ago. So much has transpired since I decided to embark upon this journey. Trips to new places and experiences at home. Weddings and babies. Hellos and goodbyes.

I came to some realizations about myself over the course of this experiment. I realized that dresses are just a part of me, and that’s okay. I simply enjoy wearing them; many people may not understand it, but a little mystery is never a bad thing. I also realized that what I think I need and what I actually need aren’t necessarily the same thing – in regard to both dresses and life in general.

I remembered  just how fortunate I am to be where I am in life. No, it’s not perfect, but it’s perfect for me. Every learning opportunity from my past led to the plethora of wonderful opportunities and experiences that I had over the course of this experiment. Still, there is a big part of me that needs to explore, to travel, to spread my wings beyond the cozy confines of Iowa. It’s a big world out there, and I’ve seen just a fraction of it.

The hellos and the goodbyes helped define this experiment. Hello to new friends, new family members, new guys… Wearing a dress really is a great way to meet new people, but why, oh why, do the most intriguing gentlemen that I meet generally live in other states?! Seriously, am I the only one with this horrible talent? The hellos, though, were balanced by plenty of goodbyes – to a friend who chose to express negative thoughts rather than to share in my happiness, to the boys who only gave half of their hearts, to my loving grandmother…

Life, though, simply is a matter of learning which ones – both relationships and dresses – to let go and which ones to hold onto. Sometimes, all you can do is look back and be grateful for what was, what you learned from those relationships, and what you have become because of them.

You learn to roll with the punches, take each day as it comes, and smile even when you want to cry. You slip on a dress, dance your cares away, and enjoy the moment. And, perhaps most importantly, you maintain that mantra that there are always three answers – yes, not yet, and there’s something better down the road. Ha, maybe that will be the next round of dresses!

Thanks to you all for your support (i.e., reading this), and keep an eye out for the next blog; this damsel has a few ideas floating around in her head, but, for now, it’s time to focus on a few other things.

All my love,
Bethany

Make It Work

Over seven months in the making, but the day has finally arrived. I have conquered my closet and all forty-nine dresses hanging in it. I am free to buy dresses again (and in fact did make it an even fifty Monday afternoon!).

Because of this experiment’s lengthy duration, I naturally needed to celebrate its completion. I also needed an excuse to wear the final dress. Like the previous dress, this particular frock is an attention-getter and can’t be worn just any time; it requires a special night out on the town. Therefore, on Saturday night, a friend and I hit Court Avenue.

Our first stop was Court Avenue Brewing Company, which offers $5 martinis on Saturday nights. Given my affinity for martinis, it was only natural to begin our evening there. We made some new friends in the process and were joined, albeit briefly, by a volleyball teammate and a couple of his buddies (thanks for the Root Down, by the way).

We then headed to Fong’s Pizza where we enjoyed Super Terrific Kamikazes (of course we opted to wear the fighter pilot helmets) and the Volcano, which is served on fire. From there, we stopped in at Liars Club before heading back to my friend’s house to relish the starry night from the deck.

So what exactly was this final dress, this last little number that took me so long to wear? It is the manifestation of one of the season’s hottest trends. No, it’s not plaid, it’s not lace, it’s not military-inspired. Rather, dress number forty-nine is a bold leopard print.

The audacious print, though, is only part of the challenge of wearing this dress. It is short. As Heidi Klum recently stated on Project Runway, in reference to a particular dress, “I love it short.” Me too, Heidi.

The length of the dress and the fitted bottom might make this frock a little too much for some. In his book, however, Tim Gunn offers a simple piece of advice: Make it work. Making it work it part of the fun in wearing this dress; it’s not something for everybody. Leopard print isn’t for everybody. Bright red nails aren’t for everybody. If you desire to make it work, though, why not go for it?!

Coming Up Roses? Not Quite.

A million things on my mind, and it is only Monday. Most all are interrelated, swirling together and inseparable -  much like the print of yesterday’s dress. With its vibrantly colored flowers, the dress is a fun, flirty little number. Sometimes, though, I wonder if that is a such a good thing.

A dress such as yesterday’s stands out. Its length… well, I think that speaks for itself (although I did temper it with bargain bin magenta sandals). Its structuring highlights certain features. Its empire waist flatters any figure. And then I am back to that vibrant floral print…

I purchased this dress on Melrose Avenue during a trip to Los Angeles last May (that trip where I bought five or six dresses). Since then, though, I have only worn it two times – to a cousin’s wedding last summer and to the Pianopalooza performance Sunday night at Jordan Creek Town Center. It’s a challenging dress to wear. It may be a little in your face, a little over the top – that’s probably why it has taken me so long to wear it as part of this experiment (and why the lone remaining dress still hangs in my closet)!

It has the potential to attract attention for the wrong reasons, and what girl wants that? I deserve more. Women in general deserve more. It is not merely about having fun or about the dress; it is about the substance. Thus, I chose to wear it to dinner at On the Border and to the subsequent Pianopalooza show with my immediate family (minus the Austinites), not for an evening out on the town.

A fun, flirty dress. Coming up on the ripe old age of twenty-four, I think it may be time to shove this one to the back of my closet (although that would throw off its organization). It’s time to put it in the books, change things up, move on, and not put up with any more shenanigans or false pretenses; I have had my fill. On that note, it’s time for my run – to tone those legs for that last dress and to maybe,  just maybe, get rid of some of those things in my mind.

It Takes Two

It takes two, baby. Two legs to propel my body swiftly around the lake. Two people to build and maintain a relationship. Two ears to thoroughly enjoy a new song. Two old friends to enjoy a Tuesday evening happy hour.

Coincidentally, during our time at Court Avenue’s Sbrocco, I enjoyed Wine Flight #2, which consists of Martin & Weyrich Moscato, Quady Electra Orange Muscat, and Loosen Bros. Dr. L Riesling. While we opted not to order any food, we certainly plan to make a return visit to Sbrocco. Not only did the dishes being delivered to other tables look succulent, Sbrocco focuses upon the inclusion of “fresh, local, organic, and seasonal ingredients” in its dishes. How can one not support such an endeavor?!

While some may be intimidated by the notion of a wine bar, Sbrocco is anything but pretentious. With its exposed architectural details, many of which come from West End Architectural Salvage, the interior conveys a certain level of warmth in its decor and accommodates intimate conversations just as well as business dinners.

For this happy hour, I selected a swingy day dress. This particular gray frock falls just below the knees; the length is appropriate for a midweek outing on a nearly perfect late summer evening. The detailing at the bust provides a focal point, and the surprise tie-back accentuates the appeal of the oft ignored upper back. The seams on both the front and the back of the dress elongate my short frame, which also is enhanced by unexpected royal blue peep toe heels. I finished off the look with two more accessories: coordinating gold Fossil jewelry and an indigo faux croc patent leather clutch.

Two old friends. Two days of work remaining this week. Two people to explore that possibility. Two dresses to go. Yes, baby, it really does take two.

Sweet Thing

It’s the single largest event in the state. It’s one of the thousand places you should see before you die. It’s the place to go for food on a stick. “It,” of course, is the Iowa State Fair.

Each year, the fair draws over a million people to Des Moines. Fairgoers desire to sample the latest food on a stick, to relish in the free entertainment, to people watch… Yes, the Iowa State Fair, especially East Side Night (the first Friday of the fair), provides a golden opportunity to see the breadth of people in the state.

Considering that I’m not an Eastsider, you may be wondering why I would subject myself to an even larger crowd than the one found on an average evening. I wasn’t practicing my patience nor was I dying to see a plethora of mullets; we were there to see Keith Urban in concert! Before heading to the Grandstand, though, we had the opportunity to find dinner on a stick (veggie corndog, anybody?!), to sample the Fair Squares, to visit the wine garden, and to people watch.

As usual, I didn’t want to stand out in that regard. Therefore, I opted for a darling pink day dress. The patchwork print makes it a little bit country, while the u-neckline, accented by ruffled straps, ensures that the frock is suited for sweltering summer nights. The length meant that I could still rock out for the duration of the concert, an integral factor in choosing my outfit for the night.

My accessory selections were based upon two goals:

1. Dress the frock down in order to make it more fair appropriate; and,
2. Highlight the blue-green flowers in the dress’ print.

Hence, I pulled a pair of coordinating flip-flop sandals from my closet as well as a Liz Claiborne wristlet just big enough to hold the essentials. I completed the look with a turquoise ring from Robert Redford’s Sundance Catalog, a complementary vintage necklace of my mother’s, and a pair of Nine West shades.

As the concert began, the moon was high, the night was young, and, in dress number forty-six, I felt like the Sweet Thing that Mr. Urban sang about in his nearly two hour set.

Thai Me Up

So it’s been quite awhile since I’ve made any progress in completing this experiment. With just a few dresses remaining, it’s been even harder to find appropriate venues for them. Furthermore, life has been just a bit hectic – visiting an old friend, making these scrumptious chocolate zucchini cupcakes, checking out the Chuck Wicks concert, playing sand volleyball, applying for a multi-million dollar grant… Dresses have not exactly been a top priority as of late!

Therefore, when a little calmness does enter my life and I am afforded the opportunity to slip on an innocent little day dress, you can bet I am going to take advantage. This orange number is splendid for a warm summer day – a dynamic color, a little flair, and an empire waist that ties in the back. Its basic tank cut and mid-thigh length make it versatile, which makes the frock even more appealing.

Yesterday, one of my sisters and my mother were in town. While they were doing a little shopping, I was at the Animal Rescue League with my little sister (she found a puppy!). By the time we were finished up with our respective activities, we were ready to chow down. Naturally, I suggested we try some place new. We ended up visiting Cool Basil, a Thai restaurant with a wonderful ambiance despite the fact that it is located in a strip mall.

Thai food is most commonly associated with spiciness, which is why it is one of my favorite cuisines. I had heard some great things about Cool Basil, but, sadly, I was a bit disappointed. While the veggie potstickers were delectable, my Pineapple Delight dish was forgettable. I ordered it at a medium spiciness and expected my tofu, pineapple, veggies, and cashew nuts to have at least a little kick; however, there was none.

Cool Basil simply didn’t compare to The Spice or the last Thai restaurant I visited; it was more like Los Angeles’ Palm’s Thai (although that does have the Thai Elvis going for it). Fortunately, I rarely go to the same restaurant twice; there is an entire list of restaurants I have yet to visit. While Cool Basil failed to enthrall and didn’t Thai me up, at least I could count on my dress to do so.

A Time for Everything

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven; a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…

Over the past few months, life has been a time to dance – a time to revel in the beauty of discovering oneself, in new relationships, in all that is life… Still, the dancing can’t continue perpetually; there also is a time to mourn.

Earlier this week, we laid my grandmother to rest. In her ninety-three years, she experienced the weeping, the laughing, the mourning, and the dancing. Her life was full. She traveled the country. She experienced the ups and downs of being a farmer’s wife. She cherished her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Yes, family was the most important thing to Grandma Edith. With all the cousins growing up in close proximity to one another and my grandparents, the visits occurred frequently. Holidays, birthdays, random picnics – we always were together.

Even as I grew up, practically every visit back to my parents’ house included a visit to Grandma. Her face lit up when she saw her grandchildren walk into the room. She wasn’t very expressive, so I always knew it had been a good visit if I managed to get a smile out of her; if there had been a laugh, even better…

Just as there is a time for everything, there is a dress for every occasion. This selection: A black knee-length Jessica Howard number. With its empire waist and beaded cutaway neckline, the frock provided the proper balance in bearing the heat and paying tribute to the sweet little lady I was fortunate enough to call my grandma. I paired the dress with these black Bandolino slingbacks and gold jewelry for an elegant look.

Times of mourning make you more thankful for those times of dancing. It also makes you realize there truly is a time for everything – a time to reflect upon the memories (e.g., the grape soda from the cellar or the jewel-toned sweatsuits), a time to laugh about the “hot shot nurses,” a time to give thanks for such a wonderful soul… I love you, Grandma.

Every Dress Deserves Its Day

I was this close to crossing two more dresses of my list yesterday. After all, the end of this experiment finally is in sight. I have been ogling the bold silhouettes and hues we’ll be seeing this fall and would like to add them to my closet.  I  found the dress for my birthday party and would like to order it. Quite frankly, I am ready to start buying dresses once again!

I’m down to just six more dresses, which compounds the situation. My anticipation is like that of a child awaiting Christmas morning. Even so, I chose to wear only one dress yesterday; every dress deserves its day.

Not only does every dress deserve its day, so too does every bachelorette. We didn’t want to limit ourselves to a night on the town, so we elected to kick off Nicole’s bachelorette party a few hours early. We began the festivities at the Kil’n Time Studio in downtown Ames. Despite the fact that six of the eight of us graduated from Iowa State’s College of Design, we were a bit overwhelmed. The  plethora of paints, stamps, and techniques, coupled with the desire to create masterpieces, made designing our respective pieces more challenging.

After agonizing over every little detail and finishing our pieces, we headed off to Hickory Park, an Ames tradition that central Iowans selected as one of the top 100 restaurants in the area. Then, it was time for a wardrobe change. Seriously, we couldn’t arrive in Campustown smelling like barbecue – not so attractive…

Since it wasn’t my bachelorette party, I selected a charcoal gray mini; the color allowed me to blend into the background with the other ladies. The beaded neckline makes this frock more glamorous, and, while the cut isn’t very forgiving, it does play up the shoulders and legs. To further accentuate my legs, I decided upon these Steven Madden peep toes. Finally, because of the dress’s bold beading, I chose to pull a low-key sterling silver bracelet and black dangly earrings from my jewelry armoire.

Like many bachelorette parties, the maid of honor created a clever list of slightly naughty tasks for the bride-to-be to complete at various bars. The first stop, though, was an obvious choice. During our college days, practically every Friday After Class (FAC) excursion began at Welch Avenue Station, so why would we deviate from that?! Then we traversed Campustown as Nicole endeavored to complete her tasks.

The bride-to-be managed to complete all of her tasks in an extremely efficient manner. I’m not so sure that this dress experiment has been executed with that level of efficiency, but that’s alright. I’ve been conscientious in selecting where to don each dress, making sure each occasion is just as special as the next; after all, every dress truly does deserve its own day.

It’s in the Bag

The most challenging aspect in preparing for a trip? It’s not coordinating schedules, researching the best restaurants, or finding a place for Coco to stay. It’s selecting the outfits, of course.

For my recent trip to Wyoming, I packed over two totes full of clothes. In my defense, though, the temperatures were forecast to range from the low forties to nearly eighty degrees. Further compounding the situation was the fact that I needed outfits for an assortment of activities.

The trip called for jeans and sweatshirts for early morning hikes around the cabin, located in the Centennial Valley, and for making s’mores around the bonfire. It necessitated capris and tees for exploring the intriguing rock formations at Vedauwoo. It also required me to pack specific shoes for these activities, all of which occupy a considerable amount of room in a tote.

In addition to the hiking and the exploring, the vacation included a trip to Saratoga to check out the famed hot springs. Therefore, I was forced to pack a swimsuit or three… Although billed as a “true Carbon County gem,” the springs were extremely disappointing. While I knew that they would be hot, they were too warm to even stand in momentarily! Fortunately, the springs were the largest disappointment of the trip (others related to a lack of vegetarian options, although Laramie’s Sweet Melissa and Saratoga’s Lollypops did offer outstanding menus).

Besides these outdoor activities, we spent some time in Laramie taking in works of art at the University of Wyoming Art Museum (there was even an exhibit featuring dresses!), sampling fruits and homemade goods at the farmers market, visiting the Territorial Prison, and partaking in Jubilee Days. These excursions required thought-out, well-executed outfits; after all, who knows when or where a dashing rancher might appear!

A dress naturally falls into the aforementioned category. Still, because I wasn’t quite sure of the weather or the activities, I packed two frocks for the trip. Ultimately, I chose to wear this army green J. Crew dress that I have had since high school. Yet another bonus dress, this mini is full of attitude – perfect for the day we visited the prison. The pocket detailing, cuffed sleeves, and collar transform this cotton dress from dull to compelling. Because the color of the dress is subdued, I supplemented the look with these Relativity wedges and coordinating leather and silver jewelry.

While the trip was relaxing, I was ready to head back to the city by the end of it. I was ready to see Coco, to have some family un-togetherness, to not be limited to the clothes thrown into two bags. Planners love having numerous alternatives, and just two bags greatly restrict my options. I guess I should start preparing for the next trip and prioritizing my alternatives; they have threatened to limit me to just one bag – eek!

Rocking on Out of Here

In its latest issue, Vogue inquires as to when chic became so cool. The simple answer: “When a generation turned away from slouchy tees and leather leggings.” Lucky for me, I absolutely adore the chicness that results from looking polished and grown-up rather than looking like a rocker. Nevertheless, there are a couple of those rocker girl looks hiding in my closet.

These looks include dress number forty-one, which allows me to channel my inner frockstar when the mood strikes. How? Black is practically a prerequisite for any rocker. The cotton dress includes a slouchy bodice, which exudes the laid-back attitude that exemplifies the rocker trend of the last few years. Additionally, the skirt of the dress projects a sense of fun, of not trying too hard when putting an outfit together – both of which are indicators of the rocker look.

Since this trend began, women have spent ridiculous amounts of money to look a bit disheveled, but this look certainly isn’t me. Furthermore, I didn’t want to be too much of a frockstar, so I opted to complete the look with simple teal and black snakeskin flip flops and silver jewelry. After all, the day was not about being a frockstar or about fashion in general. It was not about rock stars. No, it was about two men preparing to deploy to Afghanistan to serve our country. It was about two men who already have returned from war zones. It was about my cousins.

These two men will deploy later this month for a “year-long vacation,” leaving their wives and young children at home. They are proud to serve our country, to protect us, to maintain those freedoms. After enjoying a barbecue and spending time catching up with the family, it was time to say goodbye. But what do you say in a moment like that? A simple thank you just doesn’t cut it. Instead, it was a “be safe and take care of yourself” kind of moment.

It was a moment in which you remember how fortunate you are to live where you do. It was a moment in which you realize just how much you take for granted each and every day. It was a moment in which you recognize that chicness doesn’t necessarily equate to being a frockstar and that the people we should be celebrating as rock stars aren’t the rock stars themselves; they are our friends, our neighbors, our cousins…

Just a bit windy...