Kathi Lake
11-12-2011, 05:53 PM
Yesterday was going to be a shopping trip. I had a coupon for 15% off, and the store was having a sale of 20% off, plus another 5% for frequent shoppers (guilty! :)). It was so on! Or so I thought.
Monday was a Laser Day. This was my 10th (I think) appointment, and I just have a few stubborn stragglers, it seems. My laser tech turned the thing up to 11. I swear, this thing would have popped a bag of microwave popcorn in a .0026th of a second! Even with the numbing cream, when she did my upper lip, . . . well, let's just say that this grown man does cry! I learned early not to wear mascara to a laser appointment.
Anyway, my face was still kind of rough - rougher than even Dermablend could handle, I thought. That, coupled with the fact that work has been entirely crazy lately led to me not going. Sad face!! :sad:
On Facebook, I saw Sue had posted a picture of the cake for their Tri-Ess banquet. I asked her about it, and said I might stop by to at least say hello (the real reason? I wanted to see everyone's pretty dresses and share in the event at least vicariously). I had to pick my wife up at the airport at 9:00, so I left home a bit early so I could stop by. When I got to the hotel, I went to the front desk to ask where the banquet was. When I mentioned the group name, she kind of stepped back a bit, looked at me, and said, "Oh, honey - I think you're a little underdressed!" I laughed and said I was just stopping by. She directed me upstairs.
I went up the stairs, looking for the room. On the way there, I heard two guys on their way to setting up their room, and discussing a few of the ladies. One guy asked if they were dressing up for a joke. The other one said, in a voice with actual respect, "Oh no - they're totally serious. They feel they were born this way. Why are you hassling them? What? Did you think they were cute?" The first guy said, "Well, the one in the red dress was kinda cute." (Looks like Mia has an admirer! :)) and they laughed and went into their room.
I then found the room Tri-Ess was in and went in. :eek:
Have you ever felt like a black hole? It seemed like as soon as I stepped in the room, it got really hushed, and all heads were drawn to look at the skinny gray-haired guy. You know those scenes in the movie when you hear the record needle skipping across and everything comes to a stop? Yeah. That was me last night. I felt like a Bhuddist at a barbecue or something. :)
Luckily, Sue and Sarah came to rescue me (not to mention Mia, Sue's wife, and others). I said my hellos, chatted a bit, and then left. Ladies, it was wonderful seeing you all, and I hope your banquet and chapter recognition was a wonderful time. You all looked fabulous, and I was sincerely jealous! Thanks for letting me not feel out of place - even though I was sorely out of place. :)
Well, I still had some time to kill before heading to the airport. What to do, what to do? Oh, . . . I know!! Shopping! (Duh!) Sadly, as I didn't think I was going, I had left my coupons at home, but I still had time to go and at least try some things on. So, off I went to my favorite store. I got there at around 7:30 and walked in the door. I was met by Kim and Laura. I said, "Let me guess; you close at 8:00, right?" They agreed, but said they would stay as long as I needed. Awwwwww. They also said that they almost didn't recognize me without "all your pretty clothes, and hair and makeup. You always look too cute when you come in here - not that you're not cute now, but, . . ."
Kim took me over to see some of the new sweaters they had just gotten in. She told me of how her paycheck was really taking a hit this time, as she just had to have a few of the new sweaters. She said, "I love the employee discount, and I hate the employee discount." I picked out a few to try. On my way back, I stopped, stunned. Have you ever seen anything so pretty, that it almost catches your breath? Like "The Dress" I bought a year or so ago, this dress just looked incredible! It was a beautiful tapestry dress in rose red, black, and other colors. Strapless, knee-length, gathered at the waist, and with fabric layers crossing just under the bodice. Kim saw the way I looked at it. "We just got it in today, isn't it gorgeous!?" Laura agreed, saying that she not only wished she could buy the dress, but that she could be invited to the parties that would require a dress that beautiful. Next to is was a beautiful dress that was a waterfall of tiered satin. Kim said, "That would look so good on you, with your slim hips. It's very flattering."
I reminded her that I wasn't exactly dressed for trying on dresses today, and didn't have a lot of time. They both said I had all the time I needed. I told them I needed to pick my wife up in an hour, and Kim said, "well then, time's a wasting! Let's get you into a room!" I reminded them that they had other customers that might not appreciate a guy trying on dresses, but they said, "Oh come on - it's just us girls here. No one will care - until, of course, they see how good you look."
We got two sizes of both the black and the red dress. On the way back to the tryon rooms, I thought I'd see if they would grab a pair of black pumps to go with the dress (in for a penny, in for a pound, right?). That's when I saw, The Shoes! My heart stopped once again when i saw the shoes. They were a perfect pump in the same material as the red dress with a little rosette on the top/side. Soooooo cute!!! Kim said, "You head on back, and I'll bring you a pair in size 10."
I went into the room, took my guy clothes off, and tried on the 4. It was such a fitted dress, and the material didn't give that much, so I couldn't even zip it up. Lim knocked and said she put the shoes outside the door. I asked her for a black shrug to go with the dresses. She said she already had one waiting for me (Man, they're good! :)) I opened the door and grabbed the shoes and shrug, got out of the smaller dress and tried the 6. This one zipped up fine. I put the shoes on. Did I mention the shoes were really, really cute?! I put on the shrug and stepped out.
There was a lady at the mirror. When she saw me clicking towards the mirror, she looked kind of surprised and laughed a bit. I said, "Yeah. I know, but my wife said she wanted me to "dress up" more. . . What? You don't think this is what she meant? Dang it! I always get things wrong!" :) She laughed and said, "Ummmm, no. I don't think it's what she meant, but you do look spectacular. Nice legs!" and walked off. Another lady came back with some things to try on. She saw me and the dress, and was immediately complimentary. She told Laura (who was helping her), "Oh my God, I want what she's wearing! But only if I can look that good." Laura said, "Oh, we all hate her here. Doesn't she look incredible?"
Kim walked up mid-conversation. I saw her looking down. I looked down as well and said, "Yeah, I only shaved from the knees down. If my legs weren't so freakishly long, this would look a whole lot better." She said it still looked better on me than it would on her, and said it looked stunning. She did say that it would look a bit better with, you know (as she cupped her hand in front of her chest). I sad I knew, but I didn't bring mine with me this time." She said that this dress looked great on me, and said she wanted to see the other one.
I went in and tried on the larger size black dress. It was kind of loose and floppy. I grabbed the smaller size and zipped it up. Instead of a more stiff tapestry fabric, this one was much more stretchy, with bands of tiered satin. It also was a strapless and fitted party dress. I walked outside and Kim said, "Oh, that one's a winner on you. It just gives you such a shape. Mmmm! You make me jealous, girl!" I liked it, but it didn't have the heart-stopping power that the red one did. Plus, I already have two (OK, four or so) black dresses in various amounts of dressiness. Knowing that I had to get moving to get them out of the store, and that I had a plane to meet, I grudgingly got out of the pretties and put my boring boy clothes on. I came out of the room and said the I loved the dress, but that I couldn't justify it right now. Kim said, "Well, it is a holiday dress, so I expect it to go on sale -and the shoes - pretty quickly." I smiled and thanked them and left.
I always find it amazing how much fun I can pack into a short time. I'm also constantly amazed on just how much fun this stuff is. Pretty clothes, pretty shoes, makeup, hair, accessories. My oh my - what fun we have in our lives!
:)
Kathi
Oh yeah, I forgot - the picture! This isn't me (as I didn't even bring my camera), but you can see what all the fuss was about. Also, the picture of the dress does NOT do it justice!
168524
Monday was a Laser Day. This was my 10th (I think) appointment, and I just have a few stubborn stragglers, it seems. My laser tech turned the thing up to 11. I swear, this thing would have popped a bag of microwave popcorn in a .0026th of a second! Even with the numbing cream, when she did my upper lip, . . . well, let's just say that this grown man does cry! I learned early not to wear mascara to a laser appointment.
Anyway, my face was still kind of rough - rougher than even Dermablend could handle, I thought. That, coupled with the fact that work has been entirely crazy lately led to me not going. Sad face!! :sad:
On Facebook, I saw Sue had posted a picture of the cake for their Tri-Ess banquet. I asked her about it, and said I might stop by to at least say hello (the real reason? I wanted to see everyone's pretty dresses and share in the event at least vicariously). I had to pick my wife up at the airport at 9:00, so I left home a bit early so I could stop by. When I got to the hotel, I went to the front desk to ask where the banquet was. When I mentioned the group name, she kind of stepped back a bit, looked at me, and said, "Oh, honey - I think you're a little underdressed!" I laughed and said I was just stopping by. She directed me upstairs.
I went up the stairs, looking for the room. On the way there, I heard two guys on their way to setting up their room, and discussing a few of the ladies. One guy asked if they were dressing up for a joke. The other one said, in a voice with actual respect, "Oh no - they're totally serious. They feel they were born this way. Why are you hassling them? What? Did you think they were cute?" The first guy said, "Well, the one in the red dress was kinda cute." (Looks like Mia has an admirer! :)) and they laughed and went into their room.
I then found the room Tri-Ess was in and went in. :eek:
Have you ever felt like a black hole? It seemed like as soon as I stepped in the room, it got really hushed, and all heads were drawn to look at the skinny gray-haired guy. You know those scenes in the movie when you hear the record needle skipping across and everything comes to a stop? Yeah. That was me last night. I felt like a Bhuddist at a barbecue or something. :)
Luckily, Sue and Sarah came to rescue me (not to mention Mia, Sue's wife, and others). I said my hellos, chatted a bit, and then left. Ladies, it was wonderful seeing you all, and I hope your banquet and chapter recognition was a wonderful time. You all looked fabulous, and I was sincerely jealous! Thanks for letting me not feel out of place - even though I was sorely out of place. :)
Well, I still had some time to kill before heading to the airport. What to do, what to do? Oh, . . . I know!! Shopping! (Duh!) Sadly, as I didn't think I was going, I had left my coupons at home, but I still had time to go and at least try some things on. So, off I went to my favorite store. I got there at around 7:30 and walked in the door. I was met by Kim and Laura. I said, "Let me guess; you close at 8:00, right?" They agreed, but said they would stay as long as I needed. Awwwwww. They also said that they almost didn't recognize me without "all your pretty clothes, and hair and makeup. You always look too cute when you come in here - not that you're not cute now, but, . . ."
Kim took me over to see some of the new sweaters they had just gotten in. She told me of how her paycheck was really taking a hit this time, as she just had to have a few of the new sweaters. She said, "I love the employee discount, and I hate the employee discount." I picked out a few to try. On my way back, I stopped, stunned. Have you ever seen anything so pretty, that it almost catches your breath? Like "The Dress" I bought a year or so ago, this dress just looked incredible! It was a beautiful tapestry dress in rose red, black, and other colors. Strapless, knee-length, gathered at the waist, and with fabric layers crossing just under the bodice. Kim saw the way I looked at it. "We just got it in today, isn't it gorgeous!?" Laura agreed, saying that she not only wished she could buy the dress, but that she could be invited to the parties that would require a dress that beautiful. Next to is was a beautiful dress that was a waterfall of tiered satin. Kim said, "That would look so good on you, with your slim hips. It's very flattering."
I reminded her that I wasn't exactly dressed for trying on dresses today, and didn't have a lot of time. They both said I had all the time I needed. I told them I needed to pick my wife up in an hour, and Kim said, "well then, time's a wasting! Let's get you into a room!" I reminded them that they had other customers that might not appreciate a guy trying on dresses, but they said, "Oh come on - it's just us girls here. No one will care - until, of course, they see how good you look."
We got two sizes of both the black and the red dress. On the way back to the tryon rooms, I thought I'd see if they would grab a pair of black pumps to go with the dress (in for a penny, in for a pound, right?). That's when I saw, The Shoes! My heart stopped once again when i saw the shoes. They were a perfect pump in the same material as the red dress with a little rosette on the top/side. Soooooo cute!!! Kim said, "You head on back, and I'll bring you a pair in size 10."
I went into the room, took my guy clothes off, and tried on the 4. It was such a fitted dress, and the material didn't give that much, so I couldn't even zip it up. Lim knocked and said she put the shoes outside the door. I asked her for a black shrug to go with the dresses. She said she already had one waiting for me (Man, they're good! :)) I opened the door and grabbed the shoes and shrug, got out of the smaller dress and tried the 6. This one zipped up fine. I put the shoes on. Did I mention the shoes were really, really cute?! I put on the shrug and stepped out.
There was a lady at the mirror. When she saw me clicking towards the mirror, she looked kind of surprised and laughed a bit. I said, "Yeah. I know, but my wife said she wanted me to "dress up" more. . . What? You don't think this is what she meant? Dang it! I always get things wrong!" :) She laughed and said, "Ummmm, no. I don't think it's what she meant, but you do look spectacular. Nice legs!" and walked off. Another lady came back with some things to try on. She saw me and the dress, and was immediately complimentary. She told Laura (who was helping her), "Oh my God, I want what she's wearing! But only if I can look that good." Laura said, "Oh, we all hate her here. Doesn't she look incredible?"
Kim walked up mid-conversation. I saw her looking down. I looked down as well and said, "Yeah, I only shaved from the knees down. If my legs weren't so freakishly long, this would look a whole lot better." She said it still looked better on me than it would on her, and said it looked stunning. She did say that it would look a bit better with, you know (as she cupped her hand in front of her chest). I sad I knew, but I didn't bring mine with me this time." She said that this dress looked great on me, and said she wanted to see the other one.
I went in and tried on the larger size black dress. It was kind of loose and floppy. I grabbed the smaller size and zipped it up. Instead of a more stiff tapestry fabric, this one was much more stretchy, with bands of tiered satin. It also was a strapless and fitted party dress. I walked outside and Kim said, "Oh, that one's a winner on you. It just gives you such a shape. Mmmm! You make me jealous, girl!" I liked it, but it didn't have the heart-stopping power that the red one did. Plus, I already have two (OK, four or so) black dresses in various amounts of dressiness. Knowing that I had to get moving to get them out of the store, and that I had a plane to meet, I grudgingly got out of the pretties and put my boring boy clothes on. I came out of the room and said the I loved the dress, but that I couldn't justify it right now. Kim said, "Well, it is a holiday dress, so I expect it to go on sale -and the shoes - pretty quickly." I smiled and thanked them and left.
I always find it amazing how much fun I can pack into a short time. I'm also constantly amazed on just how much fun this stuff is. Pretty clothes, pretty shoes, makeup, hair, accessories. My oh my - what fun we have in our lives!
:)
Kathi
Oh yeah, I forgot - the picture! This isn't me (as I didn't even bring my camera), but you can see what all the fuss was about. Also, the picture of the dress does NOT do it justice!
168524