Help me nail it!

On Saturday my husband and I are joining a few friends for the "Champagne & Feathers Ball". This black-tie event benefits Meningitis Charities as our friend had a nearly fatal battle with spinal meningitis. Several years later and fully recovered, paying her gratitude forward is genuine.

While I am looking forward to the event, I am a bit nervous. While my casual Florida style is accustomed to formal events, the English level of formality is completely different than what I am used to. My husband and I went shopping a couple of weeks ago and both managed to get something to wear with very little stress.

Obviously, finding a tux is a bit easier than a dress, but we found one to buy that was cheaper than renting practically. We figured we can take it on our cruise and it will be a good test to see if we should invest in a higher quality tuxedo for my husband.

My dress was much too easy as well. Very little alterations are needed and are things I can do myself. Surprisingly enough, I found a full length dress that can I can wear without hemming as long as I wear some platform heels. I think I have a pair to wear, and they're from Clark's, so they will be comfortable as well. I just have to stop looking, like most women, I'm a bit of a shoeahilic and continue the quest regardless of what is in my closet.

My other dilemma is how to accessorize. There are some gem details on the dress, so I think less is more. With nail art being so popular at the moment, I thought fun nails would be my big accessory. Here are a few ideas I've come up with, let me know what you think. My husband likes the blue and glitter.

America has gone Mad for the Royals

Photo by friend Sandy K

It has been over 2 months since the Royal wedding and America has not lost interest in the Royal couple.  Their current visit to North America is only adding fuel to the fire.  The Duchess of Cambridge is certainly delighting all of the fashion magazines and retailers as her clothing sells out within minutes of her appearances.  She also continues to grace the cover of numerous magazines, however, not always without a bit of added help with her appearance (as if she needs any help)


The Duchess of Cambridge is a natural beauty, she works hard to keep fit and trim, however someone felt her waist wasn't small enough and airbrushed some of her wedding photos that appeared on the cover of various magazines.  On TV in the States an industry insider was spilling the beans on a variety of shots that have been touched up, I am not sure if it was this one of not, but I think her waist is more than slim enough

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As if being in the public eye and many comparing the Duchess to her husbands late mother, Princess Diana this week Newsweek has done the ultimate comparison and photoshoped an image that appears to be The Duchess and The Princess walking down the street together and they have aged Princess Diana to look as she would today at 50. 



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She however has been coached well and always appears with style and grace...

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Praised for both wearing new local designers as well as a few classic staples from her own wardrobe she is becoming a style icon in her own right.  Hopefully she will learn about the airbrushing and take a stand about her published photos. 

Girls and women around the world are under such pressure to look like a certain size and shape.  It would be nice to see people as they really are, not as the publishers want them to look. 

In the mean time another great series has made it to America from across the pond... My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding!  I watched with my husband while in England and have enjoyed it a second time around (with new narration and the occasional subtitles!) in America.  I laugh even more the second time around and have enjoyed translating and answering questions for my friends back here in the States.  If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend it, the season finale is this weekend with the gypsy version of a royal wedding...  Jersey Shore ain't got nothin' on the Gypsies!

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