playing dress up.

I love dressing up.

Fancy, silly, or otherwise – it’s one of my favorite things.  It’s probably the thing I miss most about college.  There was always some party or another with a theme.  Well, this weekend was like pure heaven for me, because I had not one, but two excuses to dress up!

EXCUSE #1:
Fashion Show

My friend Jamie and I attended the Portland Mercury’s annual Open Season fashion show and had a fabulous time.

{Jamie’s outfit}


{my outfit…I look kind of a like a “lady of the night” with the flash and location, but oh well}

dress: F21
lace slip: Nordstrom
shirt: Michael Stars
“belt”: leather shoelace
necklaces: thrifted & F21
vest: F21
shoes: F21

 {the best ever pre-show fondue at Rontoms}

{Open Season program}

{we were front and center: here’s the designer line-up}
{a lovely dress by Gretchen Jones}

{ethereal loveliness by Leanne Marshall}


A lot of the runway photos turned out blurry, because I’d borrowed my father-in-law’s fancy pants Nikon and I had no clue what I was doing with it, but I’m learning :).

EXCUSE #2:
Derby Party

My friend Jessie from work hosts a derby party every year and I was so excited to attend.


{my derby attire of choice}





hat: borrowed from my friend Jamie
flower on hat: removed from necklace
dress: F21 (4 years ago)
cardigan: BP
necklace: pearls from husband
ring: F21
shoes: Banana Republic

 {party goers getting into the spirit of the derby}


{Jessie and I}

{the name tag for the winner of the derby pool}

 {mint juleps}

 Dressing up is so fun!

I think I need to host a themed party sometime soon.  
Any suggestions?

xo
{Lauren}

Comments

  1. It’s true, dressing up is the most fun. I went to a Derby party last year and loved all the outfits and mint juleps!

  2. fun! i love dress up too. i want to have a ‘mad men’ themed birthday dinner party for my next celebration 🙂

  3. Oh my goodness there is just too much good stuff in this post. And, I am contemplating packing mine and Marc’s bags and moving to Portland RIGHT NOW!! Fondue is my favorite meal … Marc and I make it all of the time .. when you visit we are having our classic fondue. And Mint Juleps yes please. Oh and your Derby Dress … gorgeous!! Hugs and Love my friend!! XO. Counting down the days till your visit.

  4. ill bet the derby party was fun!!!
    i love that y’all stayed true to Kentucky and made mint juleps!! 🙂 i LOVE julep cups, they look so beautiful filled with flowers and candles. 🙂
    i always love your outfit posts, you have such a great sense of style!

  5. The third Gretchen Jones photo is amazing – even if it is blurry! I think the blurry makes the photo, the way the swirl of the fabric was captured dancing in the air.. I love it!

  6. I like such parties, too!
    Maybe a Party with a funny theme like Childhood-Hero’s 🙂

  7. *gasp!* I love the pictures from your derby party!!!!! I’ve always wanted to host a derby themed party. Your dress and hat are absolutely adorable.

  8. I love those derby hats! <3

  9. oh derby hat are so fun. I love playing dress up,too. It is amazing what cool things you can find in your closet.

  10. A derby party would be SO FUN!

  11. I love dress up! We go to the Virgina Gold Cup races every year on Derby day, and I confess that I care way more about seeing what everyone is wearing than actually watching the horses. Except when they come galloping by really close; that is pretty cool. 🙂 Themed parties are just the best fun!

  12. haha…lady of the night! Whatever, you looked cute. A dress up party would be fun!

  13. I totally want to go to some sort of fancy theme party now. Too bad none of my fancy dresses actually fit at the moment.

    Also, I love Leanne Marshall.

  14. The derby party sounds like I blast! I look for any excuse to wear vintage clothes or old-timey hats!

  15. I love dressing up too! That is such a fun idea, a derby party. Even if you don’t care about the derby, it’s cool to dress up like you care.

  16. Sooo… now that Blogger is back up and running, I think I am just going to make up some blanks to fill in. Feel free to check them out or to post your own here. If I know you, you might be secretly glad for a break 🙂 Happy weekend, Miss Lauren.

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