On 1/14/04 11:54 PM, in article , "Ellice"
wrote:

On 1/14/04 3:55 PM,"Ericka Kammerer" posted:

Ellice wrote:


Now - I'm heading out to try and find something to wear to this BlackTie Bat
Mitzvah reception - nothing like waiting to shop.


If you haven't tried already, try Mae's in McLean.
*Huge* selection.

LOL - I have actually gotten some really nice things at Mae's. Actually -
the outfit I wore for our wedding was from Mae's - mid-green - like deep
pistachio - silk & silk velvet - long straight skirt, double layer, slit up
the sides, with Saworski crystals hanging at the 4 corners, silk camisole
with the velvet trim, and a long, floaty, burn-out silk velvet jacket - with
extra-long pointy kind of fairy type sleeves - ripple edge hems - with more
crystal drops hanging from the points of the sleeves and the jacket. The
most expensive thing I've every owned - except my prior real wedding gown
(which I'm trying to decide how to sell). Anyhow, I don't want to wear it to
this thing. The great thing about Mae's - they carry an incredible variety
of size (2-24), and price - from the low hundred's to about $10,000. It's
one of those places where people going to the real galas buy dresses. And
they have great customer service, actual seamstresses that do the
alterations - just like in the olden days :^) And it's always fun to check
out Mae's huge jewelry (the owner has some worth ogling).

So, FWIW - I did really well in Nordie's at Tyson's. Got 2 outfits - one is
kind of sort of victorian meets fantasy - floaty on the bias skirt,
asymetrical hem - black on black with a couple of kinds of lace trim, long
tunic w/ half sleeves - kind of petal sleeves of lace, and a deep v-neck
-with more assymetrical trim. It's nice. Also got - what I think I'm wearing
- a really nice silk, Ivory, burn-out velvet blouse with a deep drape
neckline, and long, pointy sleeves - embroidered with some really nice
opally beads, little cyrstals. It's a floral burn-out pattern.. And I like
the very long, slit open sleeves. Have black silk evening pants - kind of
interesting - they're 2 layers - the under like regular palazzo pants, and
the over - slit open all the way up the sides. It's an interesting look - I
think that's what I want to wear for the Black Tie evening -it's on a boat,
and I still have the stupid walking cast, so......DH got a really nice white
on white shirt, with a black on black tie, so we should go nicely together -
as if that would honestly matter - sartorially speaking. I did learn that
the formal wear shirts - even with traditional rather than wing collar -
have no pocket - which distinguishes them from regular shirts.

And for more fun - I bought a casual, fun shirt - one of those oversize, man
style - white cotton with black stripes, with little sparkly things here and
there - and for a design it's got kind of pyschedelic 1" tall martinis here
and there - the olive's kind of glow. It's pretty fun - has something to do
with our friends that we go out with a lot - we're all kind of 'tini
drinkers. Well, I'm the cheapest drunk in town - 1 and I'm very happy - 1
more, and well - definitely don't let me drive - I can barely get around I'm
so happy.

Anyhow, Erika - thanks for the suggestion. Now, if only I can get thru the
wash, and the work I have to do tonight, tomorrow, etc.

ellice



Funny - I've been shopping, but at places like Burlington Coat Factory
(underwear to coats and all the layers in between), Marshall's and TJ Maxx.
Most expensive thing - a tie for a pair of sandals and a dressy blouse (tank
top with sheer over shirt in deep red) at $36. The back velvet pants were
$18 and the blue satin top was 11. The new underwear adds $50, 5 new bras!


Someday I do have to go shopping with you!
Cheryl