Spice Up the Night

Occasionally, I feel as if Des Moines is lacking in cultural opportunities. I generally can’t just pop into a new art exhibit or catch an up-and-coming band. Foreign films are only showcased at the Fleur Cinema, and historic districts featuring intriguing architecture are rare. Thus, whenever unique cultural opportunities do come along, I feel the need to check them out.

On Friday, we opted to make an appearance at the Salsa with the Stars event, hosted by Salsa Des Moines. Held at the Des Moines Embassy Club on the 34th floor of the Ruan Center, the night included lessons before dancing to the music of the Salsa Vibes Orchestra. We learned the basic steps, the turns, and the comb over, and were amazed at some people’s moves; my feet just don’t move quite that fast!

Salsa dancing practically requires a sultry dress. After all, salsa is the Spanish word for sauce and, in American Spanish, connotes a spicy flavor. Thus, I opted for one of the final LBDs hanging in my closet. This particular frock features the always flattering halter neckline and a slim fit through the bodice, which accentuates the figure. The skirt, though, is flared, making this number an obvious choice for salsa dancing. To complete the look, I added these Steve Madden high heels, black dangly earrings, a simple silver bracelet, and this Express wristlet.

Events like Salsa with the Stars and articles that highlight the top attractions in Des Moines help me remember that there is a plethora of cultural opportunities in the area. Sure, they might only happen once in awhile, and they might be a bit obscure, but that’s part of the fun – finding these unique opportunities that don’t occur on a regular basis in metros the size of Des Moines. In fact, it reflects the night’s theme perfectly; you never know where the evening or life is going to take you, but these things are sure to spice things up in one way or another.

Veni, Vidi, Vino

Beautiful (nearly) summer evening, check. Great friends, check. Prime downtown location, check. Nearly one thousand wines to choose from, check. Dress, check. All things considered, I would deem Friday night a success.

Since its inception eight years ago, Winefest has offered Des Moines area residents  the opportunity to  support local charities and to celebrate fine food and wine simultaneously. A large number of people opt to partake in Winefest because it offers a night or two of fun for them, and, in 2010, it benefits the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Because of the large and diverse crowd it draws, Winefest includes three nights of activities: Prima Dinners on Thursday, Sips & the City on Friday, and The Grand Tasting on Saturday.

Some people are under the impression that anyone who drinks wine is a bit of a snob. Yes, events such as Winefest may draw out oenophiles, but these events are relaxed and accessible enough that they draw out novices as well. The crowd at Sips & the City exemplified this diversity. There were individuals a couple of years younger than me sampling wines from around the globe next to people who could have been my grandparents and have been enjoying wine for the past forty years.

Sips & the City offered selections from approximately 110 wineries. Now, given the fact that each winery generally offers several selections, I’ll just say that it was a very fun evening. Sadly, though, we did not make it to any of the booths inside and only about one-third of those tents set up in Nollen Plaza. Next year, I guess we’ll just have to be a little more efficient!

In addition to a plethora of wines, events like Sips also offer a prime opportunity to dress up. Given the lovely weather, I selected a black and pink Jessica Howard tent dress. Although the high neckline presents a conservative look, its cut provides just a peek of the collarbone. The frock’s gentle pleating endows it with a bit more movement and volume, while the subtle shell pattern breaks up the monotony of what would otherwise be a pretty basic garment. The few inches of pink along the hemline also liven the dress up and help make it fitting for summer.

Normally, I would pair this dress with cute little peep toe heels, but, since we were walking around at Sips, I elected to slip on a pair of basic black flats. Then I added large silver and white hoop earrings and a coordinating bracelet from Express. Finally, I was ready for the evening. Veni, vidi, vino!

White Hot

Just last week, I was averse to wearing a white dress. Today, though, was a whole new ballgame. There were no nuptials being exchanged, so I was free to wear the hottest color of the season!

Both Cosmopolitan and Glamour highlighted white as an essential hue for the summer, and with good reason. White is feminine and elegant. It’s chic, it’s crisp, and it’s so appropriate for the season. Some people believe that you can only wear white between Memorial Day and Labor Day; I threw that rule out the window years ago. White is an attention getter in and of itself; when you slip on a white dress, the impact is amplified.

Take, for example, this white number Katherine Heigl dons in Killers, tonight’s main attraction. Imagine the dress in a ruby red color. It would still be attractive, but it wouldn’t make the same kind of statement that it does in white. Both colors beckon much attention, but white does so in a much more subdued manner. It’s not as bold as red, not as in your face, but it still gets the job done.

Today’s selection is similar in that regard. In any other color, this Forever 21 frock would be just a sweet little number and would likely blend into the scene. However, in white, it stands out and almost glows. Its airy fabric is optimal for summer, and the large embellishments around the neckline remove the need to accessorize with a separate necklace. This tent dress falls a few inches above the knees, meaning that it is perfect for pairing with medium height heels that elongate my legs and showcase that pedicure. The understated white also allows for the addition of these Fossil crystal rim hoop earrings in gold and this matching set of three dome rings, all of which jazz the look up just a bit.

These last two dress selections demonstrate that there is a time and a place for every dress. This dress certainly would have been overkill for dinner and a movie, while today’s dress would have been a little too casual for a wedding. As a planner, being prepared is just what I do, and that mentality carries over to my closet. Dresses of all colors and styles, all cuts and lengths… like a healthy community, a healthy closet needs diversity. Seriously, you never know when you might want to whip out that white hot look.

Going Green

The cardinal rule when selecting a dress to wear to someone else’s wedding: Do not wear white. Ever. It is the bride’s day to stand out, not yours. Ladies, etch this rule into your memory and do not, under any circumstances, break it; you’ll appreciate those who adhere to it even more on your own big day.

Rule number two: There is a difference between dresses that are appropriate for bachelorette parties and those that are appropriate for weddings. A dress that is fitting for a girls’ night out is likely a far cry from a frock that belongs at a wedding.

Rule number three: Consider the context of the wedding. What is the couple’s style? Where will the event take place? Who else will be attending the wedding – your grandma, that handsome acquaintance, your boss? Let your answers to these questions guide your selection.

With these three rules in mind, I opted to make a silky knee-length frock part thirty-seven of this experiment; the color and the style both seemed fitting for this weekend’s wedding.

This number’s deep emerald color drew me to it in the first place. Of course, I had no place to wear the dress when I bought it, but it was captivating (and on sale!). After several months, it clicked; I would don this dress to the my cousin’s wedding.

With an empire waist that ties in the back and an asymmetrical neckline highlighted by a radiant broach, the dress accentuates all the right features. Furthermore, the layer of netting beneath the fabric puffs the bottom out just a bit and evokes a playful feeling. This combination equates to a polished dress that is alluring yet doesn’t draw attention away from the elegant bride, whose dress was absolutely stunning.

The ceremony was held at the impressive Salisbury House & Gardens. Tucked away on ten acres in the South of Grand area (often cited as the Gold Coast of Des Moines), the gorgeous gardens provided the perfect backdrop for the intimate ceremony. Fortunately, the rain held off just long enough for the vows to be exchanged and for all to make it to the reception without being soaked.

The reception was held across town at the Embassy Suites in the East Village. Guests enjoyed cocktail hour before heading into the ballroom, which had been transformed from a generic conference room to something you only see on television. The chandeliers glistened as we toasted the newlyweds and their future together.

Then it was time for dinner. We were greeted with a plethora of options – a pasta station, a meat station, a potato station, and a salad station. Despite the filling dinner, I believe that there  is always room for dessert. Therefore, I opted for a decadent strawberry cake; it was refreshing, and, unlike many strawberry cakes, you could actually taste the strawberries in it.

We capped the night with plenty of dancing and drinks. Even my mother and aunt & uncle (the parents of the groom) busted a move! It truly was a perfect day to go green – not just in my dress selection but also for Ms. Lang. Here’s to the Greens: Wishing you a life full of love, of laughter, of joy – of all the things you desire and more.

Frilly in Philly

Every once in awhile, you are blessed to meet an extraordinary person that you just know is going to impact your life in some profound way. It could be a best friend, a mentor, a lover… Or it could be a group like the Next American Vanguard. Over the past couple of days, I was privileged enough to be part of this incredible group of young urban leaders committed to improving American cities.

Hailing from twenty states and a variety of focus areas, we descended upon Philadelphia’s Center City for two days full of networking and learning. We partook in a trolley tour of “eastern north” Philly and considered the built environment. As part of this tour, we visited a vacant lot where green stormwater management techniques have been implemented. Our group  checked out the Piazza at Schmidts, an open air plaza that is just one part of an urban renewal initiative.

We ventured to a superb model for urban farming at Greensgrow Farm. The farm is located on a former brownfield site and demonstrates that these areas can in fact successfully be reused and can become an integral part of the neighborhood. Day two featured seminars, a panel discussion on arts and the city, and a brainstorming session on leveraging the Vanguard, all held at the Painted Bride Art Center.

Now, the event wasn’t all work (if you can even call it that…) and no play. We enjoyed cocktail hour at the Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, a small shop that features a plethora of art contained within the structure’s original brick walls. Art in the Age also produces Root, an 80 proof organic spirit that contains thirteen ingredients and was originally introduced in the 1700s as an herbal remedy.

The Vanguards savored the scrumptious food of Farmicia, which offers local organic dishes and drinks (roasted eggplant cannelloni = yum!). On day two, I met some friends at El Vez, a modern Mexican restaurant that brings Des Moines’ own Dos Rios to mind. If you ever visit El Vez, be sure the bazooka limon guacamole is part of your experience; this concoction includes goat cheese, pistachio, chile flake, and roasted tomato, and is fabulous!

Unfortunately, words cannot explain the power of the Next American Vanguard event. As we discussed how to leverage the group, one idea continually arose. We were inspired – inspired to continue the discussions of the event, inspired to push the envelope and develop creative solutions, inspired to continue our endeavors to improve urban areas…

Such a special event naturally called for a special dress. Somehow, with all of the dresses that are hanging in my closet, I’ve managed to develop a favorite. This white eyelet Nanette Lepore frock was a college graduation present from my oldest sister and her boyfriend. The yellow underlay provides an aura of summer, while the amalgamation of thick straps, sweetheart neckline, and empire waist enhances the femininity of the dress by a few notches.

For me, the dress is just the complete package. Putting on a dress such as this one makes a girl feel graceful.  It’s comfortable while still flattering the figure. It’s frilly but not a little girl’s Easter dress. It’s elegant but possesses a bit of sex appeal. It’s that dress that makes a woman feel beautiful when she puts it on – and what woman doesn’t need one of those in her closet?!

As an aside, I strongly encourage you to visit Next American City and to subscribe, not that I’m biased or anything…

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things…

There are certain things in life that I adore… For example, I fancy dresses. I delight in wedding-related activities. And I love my family. This weekend, I had the privilege of enjoying all three simultaneously!

As I have previously mentioned, my cousin is getting married June 5th (and, yes, I already have my dress picked out!). Today, we celebrated with a bridal shower for his fiancée. My cousin is just a year older than I am, so the situation is a little bit different than my other cousins’ weddings have been.

Of the dozen Hofmeister grandchildren, ten of them are older than me. When my oldest cousin got married, I was in the third grade. Within five years, two more of my cousins were married. We had a break for a few years, and then welcomed a couple more in-laws to the family. When the first cousins got married, I was the little kid running around just dying to hang out with my awesome older cousins. I’m all grown up now, but they still see me as that little kid (this was evidenced at my cousin’s wedding last summer…).

With this wedding, though, the situation will be different. My cousin and I grew up together. We sat through the same Spanish class in high school. We rocked out at the same prom. We even graduated from our respective colleges the same semester.

Because of our ages, I’ve had the opportunity to hang out with the couple and get to know his fiancée. She’s incredibly sweet, and I’m thrilled she’ll be part of the family in just thirteen days. Of course, we wanted to welcome her to the family by throwing a bridal shower in her honor. We opted for a tea party-inspired theme, complete with a savory variety of tea sandwiches and plenty of dessert options (cream puffs, lemon coconut bars, thumbprint cookies, and raspberry truffle brownies!). We threw in a few floral arrangements fresh from my mother’s backyard, a wedding-inspired playlist, and a group of friends and family for good measure.

I chose this flapper-style H&M frock due to the shower’s theme. This dress, one of those six dresses I purchased last summer when I was in California, features a drop-waist and a squarish neckline reminiscent of the 1920s and 1930s. The light green (fitting? I think so!) color was appropriate for both the season and the context of the day.

I’d never worn this dress before today because the opportunity just hadn’t presented itself. I will admit that I did push for the tea party theme just so I could wear it. In my defense, though, I could have found another dress to wear today; this one just has more limitations in the number of appropriate places to wear it, so I thought I would take advantage of the situation. The shower turned out  to be a lovely event, and I was able to fully enjoy three things of my favorite things – a dress, a bridal shower, and family (including my favorite little guy!).

Where the Buffalo Roam

They say that buffaloes do not tolerate confinement well. They are driven, by necessity, to range, to meander, to roam… They travel without a fixed purpose or direction. Sometimes, I wish my life were more like this; I wish I could just pick up and go whenever I wanted to. However, there are just a few responsibilities to take care of at home.

Despite these commitments, there is always time for a night out! Last night, we ended up at one of my favorite spots – the Grand Piano Bistro, where Pianopalooza was on the bill. These guys always put on a great show, but the venue was a bit quiet last night. Maybe it was the fact that I just had one drink (the delicious Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, a concoction that includes Maker’s Mark and lemonade), or maybe it was the fact that I have been to the GPB numerous times as of late.

Heading into the evening, I was excited to spend time with some great friends in the East Village. I also was excited to be wearing my buffalo plaid dress! This was one of the last frocks I bought before undertaking this experiment, so this was the first time I’d worn it. With its empire waist, spaghetti straps, and flattering sweetheart neckline, it was befitting for the GPB; the dress exudes a laid-back confidence and sophistication, just as the GPB itself does. The pockets on the dress make it lighthearted, and it’s length makes it flirty yet refined.

Over the course of the evening, I came to a couple of realizations. First, I recognized that, yes, this article is so true. I already knew this, but last night just reinforced it; looking around the GPB, there definitely weren’t many unattached individuals (although there were three in my party…).

My second observation relates to the first. I can be a bit hyperactive. I get bored. I get disillusioned. I get the urge to take on new challenges. Sadly, Des Moines just isn’t cutting it in some regards. I have that urge to roam like the buffalo. I need more places to enjoy a night out. I need new adventures. I need that excitement in my life.

Granted, this tendency to dive into these new adventures has resulted in a plethora of learning opportunities. Still, I wouldn’t change a thing. Each experience builds upon the past; it’s all a cumulative effect, and we wouldn’t be who we are today without those past exploits. I’m quite confident that there will be many more learning opportunities in my future, but there will also be much more roaming…

Say No to the Dress!

Wow. It’s been quite awhile… eleven days without wearing a dress! Honestly, it was a challenging stretch; there simply was no appropriate place to wear any of my remaining dresses, or the weather chose not to cooperate. I was having such withdrawls that I nearly bought a dress. In fact, I almost bought two!

One of my cousins is getting married on June 5th, and my mother is yet to find a dress for the event. Therefore, we went shopping last weekend in search of a gown for her. My mother, though, is one of the pickiest shoppers in the world when it comes to clothes. “It looks too young,” “I would have nowhere else to wear it,” “You can see this supposed flaw…” – the list goes on and on and on.

I certainly took advantage of this expedition to look at dresses for myself. I figured it wouldn’t hurt anything. After all, my mother was there to make sure that I didn’t buy anything, and what could be the harm in trying on a few (or ten!) lovely frocks? Well, the problem was that there were a couple of dresses that I absolutely adored – this Calvin Klein sheath, which would be perfect for work, and this Jessica Simpson striped halter, which drew me in with its adorable open back.

Now, I thought my mother would really help me overcome this conundrum of wanting both dresses when I could not buy either one of them. However, I was wrong. She thinks that I should only include dresses that I have never worn as part of this experiment.

My mother even supported the purchase of the Calvin Klein dress! In fact, I had her convinced to buy it for me, so I wouldn’t technically be ruining my own experiment. We got up to the counter, though, and the dress was not on sale as we thought; therefore, it remained on the rack… However, I did go back and look at it tonight; trying to stay strong here, people!

Fortunately for this experiment, the eleven day dress dry spell is over. Today was a big meeting day at work, so I pulled the last work-appropriate dress out of my closet. This simple black knee-length frock with a satiny pink cowl neckline, donated to my closet by a friend, functioned well as part of today’s policy meeting. Of the five discussion items on the agenda, four were mine. Consequently, I needed something very professional, very comfortable, very grown-up; I needed a dress to function as the Calvin Klein dress would have.

When I was considering buying the Jessica Simpson dress, my mother asked where I would wear it. I replied that I could find someplace to wear it, it was just fun so I wanted it! This thinking, though, has filled my closet with too many dresses. Letting the two dresses remain in the store reminds me of why I embarked upon this experiment to begin with. I am saving money. I am leaving room in my extra closet. And I am working on saying ‘no’ to the dress rather than yes!

Pretty Eyes

“Maybe I would disappear without you,
maybe I would fall into the sky, but I’m in heaven
orbiting around you and your pretty eyes…”

What does a mother pass on to her child? Invaluable life lessons, support in joyous times and in the face of adversity, an unconditional love… but a mother passes on so much more. She passes on her smile, her laugh, her inability to hide her disdain. She passes on that chin of a Greek goddess, that petite figure, that passion for life.

Her oldest may be endowed with her hurdling ability, while her middle daughter may channel her stubbornness. And her baby, this damsel in the dress? She’s blessed with those pretty eyes that Jason Reeves sings about oh so eloquently.

It just so happened that Mr. Reeves played Pretty Eyes during his set at People’s Court on Mother’s Day. The concert presented the quintessential opportunity to  exhibit bonus dress number one (i.e., one that was not part of the original count of 47). With its carefree cotton fabric downplaying its dynamic chartreuse color (which was playing up those pretty eyes…), this frock equated to the optimal wardrobe choice for a Sunday evening in downtown.

In order to tone down the intense color, I completed the outfit with black accents – a cami, this Express double heart pave pendant necklace, a chunky bracelet, and the patent peep toe wedges. I knew we would probably get to meet Mr. Reeves after the show, so I wanted something fun yet not overly flamboyant.

After enjoying about an hour and a half of some of my favorite songs, we did in fact get to meet this talented Iowa native (did I mention that he co-wrote many of the songs on both of Colbie Caillat’s albums?!). And, yes, Vito, I did remember to tell him hello for you; he responded with an “I love that guy!” Then, he etched a final thought on my poster: “Love is real.”

Whether it’s a mother’s love or the love of that special someone somewhere, it cannot be denied. Love is real, just like those photographs and memories, those happy accidents, those pretty eyes… some stories just take a little longer to unfold than others.

Oh, What a Night!

Upon embarking on this experiment, I sketched out a general outline of when and where I could wear each dress. For some, I have yet to determine an appropriate occasion. For others, such as this hot pink Express mini, I knew exactly when and where I would don it. With its vibrant color, ruffles, and halter neck, it would function as my Cinco de Mayo dress!

This year, we decided to head to Dos Rios Cantina and Tequila Lounge for the festivities. Located on Court Avenue, the place was packed by the time we arrived. Therefore, we happily sipped upon our margaritas and sangrias, enjoyed the ambiance of the space, and made some friends while we waited for our table. Interestingly, they all had comments about our dresses (yes, this has spilled over to my nearest and dearest…); some were quite off the wall, while others were just sweet.

After a lengthy wait, the vegetarian enchilada (corn crepes stuffed with corn, mushrooms, carrots, shallots, chayote, and zucchini with melted jack cheese), served with pineapple rice and pumpkin mole sauce, was the perfect Cinco de Mayo entree.

From Dos Rios, we headed to Fong’s Pizza to meet up with some other friends. They were a bit hesitant about both the Funky Monkey and the Super Terrific Kamikaze shot. Seriously, though, the mugs are just too original and it’s a lot of fun to wear a fighter helmet, so how can one really say no?!

For the nightcap, we continued the Court Avenue theme with a stop at the Surf Shack. I had never been to this venue, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect; I think our friends were also thinking that it wasn’t their kind of place. After all, there was the gentleman with white leggings underneath his green plaid golf shorts who was also wearing two golf gloves. There was the girl who looked like she was wearing a towel. And then there we were: two girls in adorable dresses and a couple of guys in pretty basic clothes.

However, we ended up having a blast at the Surf Shack! The aforementioned frock, with its comfortable cotton fabric and relaxed fit, was perfect for tearing up the dance floor (after a little convincing, of course!). The coordinating rosette barrettes, basic jewelry, and simple white sandals balanced this vivacious dress and made it ideal for Cinco de Mayo festivities, just as I had planned.

By the way, Miss Swift, thanks for coming through town…