Countdown

Every year in late May, right around Memorial Day Weekend, I look forward to our annual Club 21  dinner dance.

Similar to the fashionable crowd that attends the Met Gala in New York City, I want to look my best.  I start my countdown at least four-months before to prepare.

Countdown

I developed my own must-do checklist after twenty years of attending the soiree, that includes the following:

AT the Hershey Country Club. Wearing Lafayette 148 crepe wool dress, Kate Spade bag from Gilt and Boden calf-hair t-strap.
At the Hershey Country Club. Wearing Lafayette 148 Nouveau Crepe Rosalie Fit and Flare wool dress, Kate Spade bag from Gilt and Boden Beatrice calf-hair Leopard t-strap.

Exercise:  I fell off the proverbial bandwagon over the winter. Late February, I started to notice some arm jiggle and the scale inching up a few pounds. I had excuse after excuse about why I couldn’t do the 10,000 steps I already committed to over the last few years. Perhaps, I was bored or needed a new Fitbit.  But I’m back to being fully dedicated to keeping this body fit.

2016 Club 21 Gown, Kate Spade "Licorice" navy suede heels, old beaded evening clutch and J.Crew beaded tassel earrings.
2016 Club 21 Gown, Kate Spade “Licorice” navy suede heels, old beaded evening clutch and J.Crew beaded tassel earrings.

Gown: I start to look online for ideas as early as January every year. I hear about women who rent cocktail dresses and gowns. For me, my pear-shaped silhouette always leads me to alterations, even if my selection is an a-line gown or dress.

2016 Club 21 Accessories: Kate Spade "Licorice" navy suede pump, beaded evening clutch and J. Crew bead tassel earrings.
2016 Club 21 Accessories: Kate Spade “Licorice” navy suede pump, old beaded evening clutch and J. Crew bead tassel earrings.

Accessories:  Once I’ve purchased my gown and it’s sent for alterations, I start to look for my accessories. I examine what I already have versus what would be appropriate for the dress I’ve chosen.  Since my gown is long and you really won’t see my shoes, I chose a pair of Kate Spade suede navy heels. My gown is navy and I didn’t need another pair of black evening shoes.

As for earrings, tassels seem to be having their moment, I wanted to join the parade.  I chose a pair gold beaded tassel earrings. My gold beaded evening bag, from my collection of formal clutches, hopefully isn’t too matchy matchy.

Close-Up of Moi
Close-up of moi

 

Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar, Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser, Aztec Indian Clay Mask, and Witch Hazel.
My Drugstore Beauty Products:  Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar, Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser, Aztec Indian Clay Mask, and Witch Hazel.

Skin: Since my development of acne as an adult when I entered middle-age, I routinely get a facial every six-eight weeks.  The Hydra-facial is my anti-aging treatment of choice and I’ve timed it so that I  receive one a week before the event. A few days before I will use my inexpensive routine to reduce the appearance of being tired.

Undo

2013 Club 21 at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center
2013 Club 21 at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center.  Wearing a Teri Jon gown.

Hair:  Since my hair is thinning more than I wish to share at this point, an updo is an easy option. I put off colouring my gray hair until only a week before the event.

2016 Club 21 beauty products: Opi nail polish, Peter Thomas Roth cleansing butter and Lancome Lip polish.
2016 Club 21 beauty products: Opi nail polish, Peter Thomas Roth cleansing butter, Lancôme Pigment Infused Bi-Phased Lip Oil and my Mother’s Day Diptyque candles.

Beauty products:  I shared in a previous post about a new product that I’m loving, Peter Thomas Roth cleansing butter. During this time, I also like to try new nail color and lipstick or lip polish to freshen up my look.

Sacred Heart Medical Diet soup to help one lose 5-pounds. My finished product, yum!
Sacred Heart Medical Diet soup to help one lose 5-pounds. My finished product, yum!

Diet:  The week before, I make a pot of Sacred Heart Soup to drop at least five pounds.

Sassy Water
Sassy Water

Sassy Water

Water:  The week before I make a batch or two or three of Sassy water (fat flush water).  This usually flushes my system out of toxins and turns fat into fuel in the body.

Please stay tuned for my gown reveal and review of the night.  Do you have a fancy event that you attend?  Do you utilize the countdown method to accomplish your end result?  Do tell!

Have a fabulous week!

 

Siggy