Follow Up: Success

Hello internet! It's been awhile. My last post was concerning a vintage dress I hoped to buy as a prom dress, but unfortunately that didn't work out. I was deeply disappointed, but quickly cheered up in the joy of hunting for a new prom dress.

I knew I wanted a few things in my prom dress this year:

1. I wanted it to be floor length. This ended up being an extremely good decision, as play rehearsals resulted in extremely scabbed and bruised knees. That would not have been pretty.

2. I wanted it to be simple. No huge embellishments, wild prints or neon colors.

3. I wanted it to be classy and elegant. Nothing very revealing or risque.

4. I wanted it to go with a pair of heels I already owned as I was not interested in shopping for prom shoes.

5. I wanted it to have straps-- my prom dress last year did not, and what a pain that was. I have sworn off strapless dresses and tops ever since. They just don't work for me.

With these preferences in mind, I spent much frustrated time searching in stores and online. After much time, careful deliberation and consideration, my parents and I finally settled on a dress. Though the purchase was a bit last-minute and I wasn't sure about it at first, I ended up really loving the dress I chose.

We chose a beautiful, floor-length, dusty-pink/mauve dress from Nordstrom by Adrianna Papell (this is really a designer to check out for classy formal dresses). Though it didn't look exactly the same in real life as it did online and I did have to get it hemmed quite a bit, the overall fit was good and the dress grew on me more and more every time I tried it on. I loved the one-shoulder look, the crossover bust, even the tiny sequins embellishments. Ultimately, it was everything I was looking for. Beautiful, comfortable, flattering, and elegant. And I've been absolutely obsessed with this color the past few months.

I was also very pleased to find that I was the only one at prom wearing this particular dress. That was my biggest worry. I really dislike owning the same clothes as other people I know, and it would really have bothered me to be wearing the same dress as another girl at prom. My dress was also the only mauve or dusty pink dress I saw. Curiously, white was an extremely popular color this year.

It was an investment, but this is a dress I will keep for as long as it fits me. It was well worth the money and the service of Nordstrom's website was excellent. I highly recommend this dress to anyone who is looking for an elegant prom dress. I have every intention of wearing it to any and all special occasions I can. I'm absolutely itching to wear it again.

Overall, prom was a massive success. My beautiful friend Jackie, the girl in the white, is a complete makeup guru and has her own makeup blog. She agreed to do my makeup and did an absolutely fantastic job. I asked for a silver smokey eye to match my date's silver tux and my silver accessories.  She made me look as close to flawless as I ever have and I felt really beautiful.

I decided to do my hair myself and was quite proud of what I came up with :)

My sweet boyfriend became the first guy to ever ask me to a school dance. He left me lots of post it notes and duct taped a rose on my car.

He turned out to be the absolutely best prom date ever. 

Although he hates taking pictures, he was such a good sport as our parents clicked endlessly away. He seemed mildly amused at my attempts to make the situation less stuffy with a series of silly faces.

My group consisted of my best friend, my boyfriend, and my best friend's boyfriend (who is also my boyfriend's good friend). They were the best prom group ever.

Jackie's lovely mother made us an absolutely delicious dinner (free of charge!) and my date and I were lucky enough to snag a ride in a ridiculously fancy limousine. Prom was held in the Science Museum in the large atrium. It was decorated with the theme of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, and it was pretty magical. The music wasn't very good, but my date and I had a great time dancing anyway. Overall, it was a fantastic, fun, and very successful night that I will always remember.
I couldn't have asked for a better dress, date, prom group, or senior prom.
Until later,
Annika