December 6, 2012

Getting Back on Track,The Dress

All righty then, the wedding is over and now it is time to get back on track!  

First, thank you, I had so many kind comments on the dress I wore for the wedding.  No secrets at "The Polka Dot Closet"...I had to share with you the "Thrifty mother of the groom"


I don't like clothes shopping at all...So I only went to a couple stores and bingo I found the dress for the wedding.  I knew it wouldn't come cheap but, I was thrilled to find THE dress for $219 but OH LOOK $79.99 for an Oleg Cassini!


It was a long dress so I did pay $60 to have it hemmed and the shrug made from the left over material ...But it was still a deal!

Next up shoes, oh it is so hard to find a comfortable dressy pair of shoes and you know you won't get much wear out of them


Yes folks I'm almost embarrassed to tell you I found these at the thrift store for...$5.00 and I borrowed the purse from my Mom 


OK, now we have to talk about the elephant in the room.... Well the two elephants.....Yes, I'm going to go there!


I was MORTIFIED when I saw the pictures.  I tried the dress on at the store and at the seamstress, but I didn't move around...It seems the more I moved around I eventually had a herd of elephants!
I'm a conservative dresser and had I known I would have had the seamstress make a ruffle or something to disguise the herd! Well, not much I can do about it now.

So my tip for the day, if you have a dress for a really special occasion...Give it a test drive!

So glad I got that off my chest!

Listen, I've got to run, my antiques booth is pretty sparse, so I have furniture to refinish and oh, Christmas...Maybe I should shop, put up the tree, bake (Who am I kidding, I don't bake), send out cards.......Yep, time to get back on track! 

Happy Creating!

Carol




54 comments:

stefanie said...

hahahaha, you made me laugh out loud!!! I didn't even notice, I just saw how beautiful you looked!

Maureen Wyatt said...

I would have thought that outfit cost a fortune. I have the same elephant issue and was happy to see someone else having to deal with the herd! LOL I figured if you were comfy with letting them show, I should be too.

Malissa said...

This was a delightful post!!! Your dress turned out lovely. I love your self deprecating humor. I did the same thing recently with 2 pairs of shoes I needed for my nephews wedding. I did an all day shoe hunt. I could probably find a dozen shoes that fit the bill, but if the price is not right, I pass on them. The last stop was at my local thrift store. I found a pair of shoes to go with both of my out fits for the wedding. Total cost for two pairs $12.00. The funny thing is, I got compliments on both pairs of shoes. I love your thrifty attitude and your outfit was lovely. Thank You for sharing.
Missy

Anonymous said...

well I think you look beautiful, I wish I has a little more up top, you look very feminine, just beautiful! People pay big money to have that bust line!

Feral Turtle said...

I did laugh as I was reading your post but Wow you looked great for the big day!

Passionate for White said...

You looked stunning and I thoroughly enjoyed your post...thanks for the smile :)

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

Hahaha... I agree with you: Take a test-drive, ahem, with the herd! HA! Oh, well, right?! You looked beautiful, and I'm glad you've not downwardly spiraled into a depression over it! Everything turned out so lovely, one of whom was you!

Anita said...

Hey, people pay big bucks to get a nice pair of elephants like yours...You are beautiful...inside and out

Victoria said...

This post made me laugh so hard! I am "busty" myself, I gain 5 lbs and it goes straight to the girls:(

I think you look fabulous, elephants and all!

Old Time Cindy said...

LOL! You are hilarious! And you look fabulous!

Bonnie said...

Carol - you made me laugh too - been there and done that and so proud of your shopping techniques!!! Always more fun when you can get a deal...

You looked beautiful, your special touches were amazing and it sounds like a good time also! Pretty bride and handsome groom...yay!!!

Bonnie

Sharon said...

Your are just so awesome! What a cute post!

anniegaprons said...

What I wouldn't give to have boobs like that!!

Terra said...

Oh this post made me giggle and I am impressed you found such a bargain price for the dress and shoes.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I only noticed the color and beautiful design of your dress...and your hair! You looked marvelous! I think the dress was perfect and you looked amazing! We are all a bit envious, I noticed! heehee!

Createology said...

You my dear have a wonderful sense of humor. I love how honest you are and what great deals you found. I shop thrift stores and love finding bargains. How smart to have the shrug made as it really enhanced the overall look of allure. You are beautiful and be proud of those sisters my friend. Holiday Bliss...

Kathy said...

Love your dress Carol. I know how hard it is to find that just right dress - memories still linger from when I shopped for my daughter's wedding - you just never know about dresses too - the one I wore to the rehearsal had my girls showing more than I'd like - but, I still love the dress - will just be more careful - you made me LOL - Hope you have a blessed day,
Kathy

Sandy~Romantique Inspirations~ said...

You are on one CRAZY lady Carol.... lol I think you did a wonderful job putting it all together... you look very lovely. I didn't notice your big boobs, but now that you mention it I had to take another look.... WOW.

Enjoy your Day~

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

LOL, listen it was good the girls got a little air and sun, Carol! I think you look fabulous, so you shouldn't be feeling bad. You should be glad yours don't trip you up. : ) I always check Marshalls or TJ Maxx now if I need a dress for a wedding. They came through for me once and now I just go there first.

Chenille Cottage said...

Oh...Carol! I am cracking up right now! You have given me a chuckle that will stay with me the rest of the day!!! I'm so glad you have a good sense of humor...It's my anedote to just about anything life throws at me.

I love your dress and oh...that shrug is just wonderful. Isn't it fun finding things at reasonable prices. You made the money you spent on your dress stretch by adding the shrug and by finding comfortably broken in and thrifted shoes. Absolutely brilliant!

I just have to share something from my trip to Barnes and Noble yesterday...I was chatting with a lady and mentioned thrifting. She disdainfully(spelling??) looked at me like I was from Mars and immediately distanced herself from me. I had to chuckle on the way to the car...She had no idea what a fun slice of life she was missing!

Have a great day, my talented and happy friend!
Smiles and blessings,
Carolynn xxx

pogonip said...

Your look was lovely and I'm sure somebody enjoyed watching the elephant herd so it was a win-win!

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

I do see the "elephants"...LOL!!! You got girl!!!
Thanks for the tip for when it's time for my girls wedding...
Warmly,
deb

camp and cottage living said...

Carol
You looked great, 'elephants' or not!
You sure did get a deal on your dress. I'm not sure that I would've had the imagination to picture how beautiful a long dress could look as a short one! And the shoes were just the icing on the cake.

Diane said...

You are such a hoot! You cracked me up. I think you looked beautiful. Great legs too!

Diane

Pat C. said...

Oh, Carol, what are we going to do with you? Hahaha! Your "elephants" looked fantastic... you're certainly allowed to air them out a little bit on such a special occasion as your son's wedding day!!

What amazing deals you got on your dress and shoes, and they went so well together. Yay for Carol!!

Good luck finding that track you need to get back on!

xoxo

Teresa said...

You chose a wonderful model. Made you look young and so youthful... and the ladies peeking discretly helped the look ahahahahah
Get over with it. " If you have it, show it." ;)
If you hadn't called attention to it I wouldn't have noticed. Really!
Amazing findings. Again if you didn't tell...
Love the pattern and with "ladies in view" or not you should use it again. It suits you wonderfully!

Marilyn said...

You made me laugh! Now I have a new meaning for a common vocabulary word. I believe I won't be sharing that one with my students! Besides, being glamorous would be fun on a special day!

Unknown said...

OMG Carol you had me cracking up over here! You look beautiful. You really do.I didn't notice any elephants..lol I'm sure men would though..lol Those shoes look expensive.$5!!! wow!! I must confess that I too have bought shoes from thrift stores. Sometimes you just can't pass up a good deal. Is it me or does Christmas creep up on us so quickly? I am never ready. I don't mind baking. It's cooking I am not crazy about.I lucked out with a hubby who loves to cook.:-D
Anyway it was fun visiting you Carol. I'll be back again. Have a fantastic weekend,
xxoo
Janet

Shabby chic Sandy said...

This post made me laugh--we are all so picky about the way we look--I think you looked beautiful!

Ruby Jean said...

Auntie Carol, you look Stunning!!!! And I would HONESTLY never believe you got those shoes for $5.. let alone a thrift store... You did a Fantastic job dressing for the Mother of the groomm, too bad we couldn't of been there with you :)
xoxo
Angelina

Elyse said...

you looked lovely!

happy december wishes

xo
elyse

Stampindamour said...

Ha ha!!! You are so hilarious!!! Love the price on the bottom of the shoes! You always crack me up!!!

-pamela

Kathy@ Gone North said...

Beautiful!! & I did not notice those things at your top until you mentioned them (you see, I have none : ) & I have read all of your posts...
I too, Mother of the groom, wore thrift store shoes & they were perfect & only $4.... got you beat : )
Thanks for sharing all your wedding fun. It has been fun to come along. K.

Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement said...

You look great! The dress looks great and I love the deals you got.

Pam

Betty@SouthernGrace said...

This made me LOL. And I love the shoes too...;)

Celestina Marie said...

Oh Carol, you have me LOL. So talented and a comic too. Wish I could talk about a herd. You looked gorgeous in that stunning dress and those shoes are a wow too. Your hair style is lovely.
Have fun getting back on track, filling your booth and getting ready for Christmas and thank you for sharing the special moments of the wedding and all leading up to it.
Hugs, Celestina Marie

DownTheLaneWithDaisy said...

You are a riot!!! You looked beautiful and sexy, which is just fine. And about the elephants in the room, at least they're not Chihuahuas, like mine!!!! Haha! Anyway....the dress, shoes and purse are just perfect together.

Little Miss Maggie said...

I think your dress was adorable, elephants and all, and I'm so glad someone else buys shoes at the thrift store. I have found some of my faves at the very same type of thrifty boutiques. The whole wedding was awesome, Carol, including the mother of the groom.

Unknown said...

Dear Carol:
You have the "elephant" so work it! LOL You looked lovely and you are way too hard on yourself ;)

Looking forward to your spruced up booth and you sharing all your lovely creations!

Roselle

June said...

Carol, you are way too funny! I love how you pulled everything together for the wedding. You pulled off such a youthful, glam look for a great price. You are an inspiration!

Bluebirdbasketry said...

Carol,

You are hilarious! You looked beautiful and as for the shoes...I would expect no less from a professional thrifter, good job :)

Sue

Savannah Granny said...

You are too funny! I love your dress and the shoes were perfect. Yes, I did notice but I was jealous. LOL. You are a beautiful lady. Love to all, Ginger

Anonymous said...

That was a fantastic idea to have that darling shrug made from the fabric!!

I wish I had a little herd to corral!! You looked beautiful!

First party tomorrow then 2nd on Sunday- think most of the decorating is done though I still have a few things to do before the other 2 parties come along!

bee blessed
mary

(this post was so you!) Think you got yourself down on this one!

romance-of-roses said...

I think the dress is very nice and you look great in it. But the shoes, wow, that is a steal, they are lovely for that price. I think many of us wish we had that herd on our front porch, I know I do. Hugs...Lu

Donna said...

You're an inspiration for thrifty folks everywhere! And you look stunning in the dress!

Anonymous said...

You are hysterical!! I am still chuckling from reading this post and all the others I have missed lately. I am modest too and would have been fiddling with the thing the whole darn party! And speaking of party, I loved reading the wedding post Carol. It was a perfect day it looks like and I wish happiness for always for the bride and groom. xoxo

ShabbyESP said...

Hello Carol.
You looked great for your sons wedding!!!! I have backtracked and looked at all the pics of the great day for your son and DIL. When I was young I always wanted some elephants but now I wish I could have smaller elephants :(
Enjoy your holidays!!!!
Suzann ~xoxo~

Unknown said...

Love it!! You look great! I would not have thought to cut the dress off, you are so smart.
The girls just got excited and couldn't stay in place, too much fun!
Happy shopping, see you next year.

Debbie said...

HAHAHAHHA!! Sorry, but the elephants in the room just tickled me this morning. I happen to have two such elephants, and they do indeed like to charge when you think they are completely covered.

Elephants and all, I think you looked just beautiful that night, and I'm thrilled double that you did it with an eye to thrift. I'm going to remember that hemming and saving for a shawl thing. Great idea!

Veronica said...

Oh Carol! LOL I am usually a lurker, but I just HAD to post a comment on how I LOVE your transparency (No pun intended) I LOVE your dress and it looked perfectly fine. But you and I are alike in the aspect of "the girls". To others it seems like nothing, but I too am conscience of not accentuating the girls! LOL
Once again you looked so lovely in your dress and no worries, everything was held in place just fine!

Rebecca Nelson said...

Beautiful wedding. Oh my gosh!

You are gorgeous and your ELEPHANTS are looking fine, too! :)

You are sooo talented.

Love, R

KimMalk said...

Congratulations, Carol! I can't wait to catch up on all of the wedding how-tos. Your dress is just lovely--how smart you were to have a little shrug made. The shoes are just perfect. I would feel the same way about exposing "the girls"!

kristiB said...

Carol, I
love the whole outfit! First I KNOW you are a classy lady, with that being said, you have a wonderful figure. So I think you are being way to hard on yourself, you look Amazing! Love the shrug, shoes and the clutch! Oh and I LOVE our hair too . :)

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