Saturday, July 27, 2013

Preparing for a night out, but taking time to nourish my soul...

I'm waiting out some time this morning while my hair dries.
Tonight we're off to a dressy awards ceremony and I have yet to give myself a manicure and paint my nails - BUT, I have the dress, shoes and bag all ready. 

Mr E took me shopping yesterday and after we found the perfect suit, tie and belt for him, we spent the remaining 90% of the afternoon shopping for my outfit.
The dress was found within 30 minutes, but the shoes and bag? Hours. I didn't want sky high heels that I couldn't balance on so that narrowed the field for finding some sweet strappy blacks to match the purple beaded chiffon dress.
It's been about 25 years since I wore a cocktail dress or attended such a function so it felt like a new learning curve. I decided to call it an 'adventure' and to enjoy every moment - that helped calm the anxiety.

The dress is a purple satiny slip with shoestring straps, and it sits underneath a purple chiffon floaty sheath...like wearing two dresses. 

The shoes have 4" heels, which will take some balancing, but they were better than the 6" heels I saw in abundance everywhere or the 2" heeled granny sandals!
You'd think designers would make some middle of the road pretty shoes for us "no-longer-20-but-not-yet-old" women, don't you? I bet there is a huge market out there for them if my shoe shopping hours of yesterday can be claimed as evidence.
(Princess Sophie is not impressed at all, just annoyed that I was disturbing her morning nap...)

The bag is a clutch purse, but has a long finely chained strap if I need to pop it over my shoulder during the evening.
Again, it took a lot of time to find a bag that didn't have any sharp edges, beading or glitter. As the over-dress is chiffon I needed a 'smooth' finish to my bag so as not to catch chiffon threads accidentally. 

I hope the outfit comes together tonight. My husband looks amazing in his black suit and blue/purple tie - but as this is a work function for him I'd like to 'compliment' his appearance with mine (there will be a lot of mingling during the first hour, and then it's the awards and dinner).

ANYHOW...in the big scheme of life tonight's dress code or dinner will not hold much importance. It's just an event that this time tomorrow will be a memory.
This morning I wanted to remind myself of that, and as I opened one of my Bibles to the Psalms, this note I printed out a few years ago fell at my feet.
It was what I needed to read, and as it ministered so graciously to my soul I decided to share it with you too...

This came from a lovely woman named Jewels. She wrote it on her blog many years ago and I kept it because the message was exactly what I needed that day, and what I was sure I'd need in the future.
Sometimes I feel so very alone, and in those times I just wish I'd known my mum, and could remember what it felt like to have her hold me; to hear her say 'I love you, Jennifer'.
But I don't have those pre-3yo toddler memories, so there is an aching emptiness always present that occasionally needs to be felt and not hidden.
This prayer and note from Jewels is love shone into my heart, comforting and affirming me. She would never have realised the blessed gift of her blog that day, but it was something I still treasure.

No matter if you're a Christian or not, Jewel's words and her prayer will nourish your soul and give life to you today. Read it. She wrote it to *you*, precious woman, to who you are and where you're at right now in your life.


hugs
Jenny
xx

28 comments:

Kaisievic said...

Enjoy the awards night!

Christine M said...

Have a lovely time tonight Jenny. I hope we're going to see a photo of the two of you all dolled up!

Alice said...

What a great message--one we should think about everyday. I hope you enjoy your special evening. Love the purple of course. And if you find that person that sells shoes for the real world let me know!
L,A-

Rhonda Cafe said...

Just relax, have fun and be yourself - and it will be a magical night. Love the colour and your fashion choices. Had to shop for a wedding earlier in the year and I know just how you feel!! Beautiful words - reminds us we are special just as we are. Enjoy your night xoxo

creations.1 said...

You will look beautiful tonight jenny - go out and enjoy every moment!

creations.1 said...

You will look beautiful tonight jenny - go out and enjoy every moment!

creations.1 said...

You will look beautiful tonight jenny - go out and enjoy every moment!

Vickie said...

lovely outfit..I sure hope Blossom is home to get a photo of the two of you or that someone takes one for you..let your hair down and enjoy..you will look stunnig...I feel your alone feeling..even though my mother is very much alive I truly struggle and cannot recall a time as a child where I was hugged and told I was loved,thanks for sharing them words-cheers Vickie

www.somewhereinstitches.blogspot.com said...

Wow jenny hope you have a beautiful night and sorry to hear you didn't have the love of your Mum when you were small .I was lucky I had 2 and My stepmother loved me and showed me the love very much. I miss both my mums but one was more loving than the other so here's a hug from somone who knows and Remember you Mum is looking down on you!!! I'm sure and she watches your beautiful talent and gifts you give to us all!!!! Know you are loved. Thanks you Debbie Kelly http://somewhereinstitches.blogspot.com

margaret said...

thank you Jenny, I needed that verse this morning, like you I have copied it to go back to sometimes. Life is a struggle.

Now when are we going to see a photo of your new dress?, the shoes and bag look very nice, I could no more wear those heels than fly to the moon, afraid I can only wear flats, does not matter too much as I am foot 10 and never have socials to go to!!

The day will be past now but I am sure you will have lots of happy memories from it.

Larissa said...

Have fun tonight sweetie!! You will look fabulous in that outfit - what a lovely selection!! Hugs xx

Colleen's Blog Long Island NY said...

Hope you have a wonderful time. Love the dress. Purple is my favorite color. I could never balance on the shoes though.

Dolores said...

I do hope you and your hubby enjoyed yourselves. I do like your bag and the colour of your dress.

Maxine said...

Jewels' comments are just what I need today as I face a challenging family gathering. I know He cares for me and blesses me with people like you and Jewels. Thank you.

Maxine said...

Please post photos of you and Mr. E.

Charimeru said...

Que bonitos, sobre todo los zapatos!

barcord said...

Thank you Jenny for sharing that lovely message.
I would love to see you and hubby all dressed up for your big night out......don't forget to post a pic.

Stitched With Prayer said...

Hi Jenny! Beautiful words from Jewels, thanx so much for sharing! I do hope there will be a picture coming of you and hubby all dressed up! I know you will look absolutely beautiful...how could you not? You are truly beautiful inside and out and with Jesus shining through your eyes, you will be a sight to behold. I do hope you have a wonderful time, your outfit is gorgeous, my favorite color!!! Big Hugs and God Bless...
**Do you know I am 63 years old and have never in my life worn a cocktail dress or a long formal evening gown of any kind!!!

Karen said...

ooooh! love that purple - it is so beautiful and so you! You are going to look fantastic in that. Mr E will be so happy with you on his arm. Have a fantastic time!

Allie said...

PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope you have a wonderful time, Jenny, relax and be yourself, how could anyone help but love you!!!!!

Lida said...

I hope you had a fantastic evening and will you share us a photo of you and your hubby all dressed up? I really love the shoes and the purse, but I wished I could see more of the wonderful dress! Hugs
lida

Anonymous said...

The dress is my favourite colour and I just know you will look beautiful! Thank you for the Jewel message, just what I needed to read after such a mad week end xx

Melody said...

Such a beautiful post. I bet you look fabulous.

Robin in New Jersey said...

Beautiful!

How did it go? Did you have your picture taken? :)

Tammy said...

Jenny I am sure you all mad ea stunnign couple all dressed up. Purple should loook very nice on you and compliment your beautiful dark heair. I am so sorry to hear you do not have the memories of a Mother. I know tha thas got to b ea very hard and lonely place to be. I was lucky and had a Mother and luckily still have her. I moved away and was gone for 22 years outta state and was doing good to see her once or twice a year. But we moved back to our hometown 2 years ago. I am lucky I can see her and talk to her often. But remember your Mother is still their watching ove ryou and being so proud of the woman you have become and one day you will be reunited with her again. Just know that their are often no answers to our questions. But our frreinds are their for us with their love and companionship whenever we need it. So huge hugs going out to you my freind.If you were here I would share my Mom with you. I did that a few times over the years with girlfriends that would visit my mom with me.

MamaT said...

The note was lovely. God has a way of giving us what we need exactly when we need it. Hope you had a good time!

Love Bears All Things said...

Don't you love to dress up? I do, my club dresses up at Christmas and for Awards event in February so I'm already planning my outfit....I love what you chose...I could never walk in those shoes...I'm afraid I choose comfort over style or sexy everytime...I wear the 2 inch granny heals or else sandals. Have fun and let us see the two of you in all your glamour.
Mama Bear

Shawkl said...

Lovely message to share. Beautiful dress and accessories. An adventure! You are sure to have a wonderful time with that kind of attitude. And, I hope that your tooties don't hurt too much at the end of the night! Hugs!
Kathy