Charleston Princess
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2008
- Messages
- 21,444
Each year our school holds a semi-formal eighth grade farewell dance. All of our girls look forward to it all year long (the boys probably not so much), and Chelsea has been talking about it for months.
Well, recently Chelsea started saying she wasnt sure if she wanted to go or not. I finally pinned her down as to why she was being ambivalent. I wasnt sure if it was because she hadnt been asked by anyone (silly boys) or if she really didnt want to go. It turns out she was worried we couldnt afford to get her a dress. I guess thats what happens when I grouse about all the expenses we have coming up. Poor girl. I felt really bad and assured her we could afford a dress for her, and we would not starve as a result.
Since this week was spring break, I figured it was perfect timing to go dress shopping, and I thought this could be a very fun mother-daughter outing. Chelsea has never been shopping for a dress like this. I picked Chelsea up yesterday morning from her friends house where she had spent the night, stopped at Starbucks to arm ourselves with caramel frozen coffee drinks, and headed towards the mall. On the way down, I made a point to mention that semi-formal meant cocktail/party dresses not prom dresses and my budget for the dress (under $100). Chelsea was surprisingly acquiescent. (Of course, that may have also been because she had mouthed off to me at her friends house, and I had been quick to point out the minute we were in the car away from others that this trip was for her and I would not hesitate to turn right around and go home if she wasnt respectful. LOL!)
Our first stop was Davids Bridal -- two of Chelseas friends had found dresses there. We were not as lucky. None of the dresses were very cute and nothing was in Chelseas size. (She is so itty-bitty.) I was a little worried we would spend the day looking for a dress that fit her never mind if we liked it or not. I suggested we head over to the mall and start with Macys.
We hit the mother lode! Macy had a ton of cute, appropriate dresses in the Juniors department. Chelsea and I picked out about four that we really liked in what would hopefully be her size and headed to the dressing rooms.
The first one was kind of a shot in the dark. I had a feeling it would be too big, but I loved, loved, loved it. It was a gorgeous aqua color with a delicate lace overlay and a big sash that tied in the back. Sadly, I was right, and it was too big.
The next one was equally as beautiful. I loved it, but I tried not to gush too much because sometimes if I really like something, Chelsea decides she doesnt. Chelsea declared that she loved it as well. A definite maybe since it fit my criteria of being appropriate for her age and my checking account. ($79)
The third one was the only one I had cringed over when she picked it up. I hadnt said too much about it (again, because sometimes if I say I dont like something, Chelsea decides she loves it -- sometimes I think she pairs strange ensembles just to make me squirm -- it is all I can do sometimes not to say things when she leaves for school wearing Ugg boots and Nike shorts). It was this silvery turquoise material that draped. It was a cute dress, but I thought it was too old looking for Chelsea. Luckily, the dress goddess was looking out for me yesterday. When my mermaid came out to model, the zipper in the back wouldnt stay up. Whew!
The fourth one Chelsea tried on was cute, but not as cute as the second dress. Neither one of us felt that it screamed, Im the one.
Chelsea tried on the second dress again, did a few dances moves in it to make sure it stayed up (she was cracking me up), and decreed that was the dress she wanted. I mentioned we could go to some other stores, but the longer Chelsea had this dress on, the more she fell in love with it.
We came home with it. All in all, a very fun, productive day (with a stop at the Disney Store since we were right there -- Chelsea laughed when I held up the Tiana dress and mentioned she should just wear that to the dance)!
Now we just have to figure out what hairstyle she wants and some shoes that wont make her feet hurt.
Well, recently Chelsea started saying she wasnt sure if she wanted to go or not. I finally pinned her down as to why she was being ambivalent. I wasnt sure if it was because she hadnt been asked by anyone (silly boys) or if she really didnt want to go. It turns out she was worried we couldnt afford to get her a dress. I guess thats what happens when I grouse about all the expenses we have coming up. Poor girl. I felt really bad and assured her we could afford a dress for her, and we would not starve as a result.
Since this week was spring break, I figured it was perfect timing to go dress shopping, and I thought this could be a very fun mother-daughter outing. Chelsea has never been shopping for a dress like this. I picked Chelsea up yesterday morning from her friends house where she had spent the night, stopped at Starbucks to arm ourselves with caramel frozen coffee drinks, and headed towards the mall. On the way down, I made a point to mention that semi-formal meant cocktail/party dresses not prom dresses and my budget for the dress (under $100). Chelsea was surprisingly acquiescent. (Of course, that may have also been because she had mouthed off to me at her friends house, and I had been quick to point out the minute we were in the car away from others that this trip was for her and I would not hesitate to turn right around and go home if she wasnt respectful. LOL!)
Our first stop was Davids Bridal -- two of Chelseas friends had found dresses there. We were not as lucky. None of the dresses were very cute and nothing was in Chelseas size. (She is so itty-bitty.) I was a little worried we would spend the day looking for a dress that fit her never mind if we liked it or not. I suggested we head over to the mall and start with Macys.
We hit the mother lode! Macy had a ton of cute, appropriate dresses in the Juniors department. Chelsea and I picked out about four that we really liked in what would hopefully be her size and headed to the dressing rooms.
The first one was kind of a shot in the dark. I had a feeling it would be too big, but I loved, loved, loved it. It was a gorgeous aqua color with a delicate lace overlay and a big sash that tied in the back. Sadly, I was right, and it was too big.
The next one was equally as beautiful. I loved it, but I tried not to gush too much because sometimes if I really like something, Chelsea decides she doesnt. Chelsea declared that she loved it as well. A definite maybe since it fit my criteria of being appropriate for her age and my checking account. ($79)
The third one was the only one I had cringed over when she picked it up. I hadnt said too much about it (again, because sometimes if I say I dont like something, Chelsea decides she loves it -- sometimes I think she pairs strange ensembles just to make me squirm -- it is all I can do sometimes not to say things when she leaves for school wearing Ugg boots and Nike shorts). It was this silvery turquoise material that draped. It was a cute dress, but I thought it was too old looking for Chelsea. Luckily, the dress goddess was looking out for me yesterday. When my mermaid came out to model, the zipper in the back wouldnt stay up. Whew!
The fourth one Chelsea tried on was cute, but not as cute as the second dress. Neither one of us felt that it screamed, Im the one.
Chelsea tried on the second dress again, did a few dances moves in it to make sure it stayed up (she was cracking me up), and decreed that was the dress she wanted. I mentioned we could go to some other stores, but the longer Chelsea had this dress on, the more she fell in love with it.
We came home with it. All in all, a very fun, productive day (with a stop at the Disney Store since we were right there -- Chelsea laughed when I held up the Tiana dress and mentioned she should just wear that to the dance)!
Now we just have to figure out what hairstyle she wants and some shoes that wont make her feet hurt.
What a great find! 
I am glad you had a great day together.
Girls!
She's looks too cute for words.
Actually, I guess she is taking a break, but I'm sure you can start a PTR for New Year's with a mini report on the beach so we can find you...
( where did that time go ) and it was a whole day affair- she is itty bitty too. We almost gave up but finally found something. Had to hit the Jessica McClintock store 
