Dressed Up with Somewhere to Go

As my single status continues on and on, I find less and less reason to get dressed up.  So, for Christmas, I decided that’s exactly what I was getting myself.

Tickets to a big band Christmas concert, an Air Force ball with a friend, the Philharmonic, the opera, and the big dance end-of-year showcase.

There’s something about knowing in a couple hours you’re going to look your absolute best, wearing something extra special and needing extra time to prepare yourself for it.  The basic act of cleaning and grooming takes on new anticipation and excitement.  The mere act of slipping into a slip, a glittering necklace or earrings, a bespeckled ball gown, and high-heeled shoes becomes a magical transaction.

Then, because I can, I pull out the vintage white velvet gloves with beading up the sides and around the elbows.  I lay them neatly next to my purse and keys as if they were fragile, then smooth out any wrinkles so they’ll be perfect when I put them on.

I toil for days wondering whether to wear my hair straight or curled and change at the last minute causing me to panic a little because once the decision’s made, there’s no going back without lots of rework.

Same for makeup.  Natural would be so much more dramatic with all the beading and sparkle I’m wearing, but maybe I haven’t given smokey eyes enough thought…or maybe I’m just lingering over the preparation.

Finally, a spritz of my special perfume.  The one that only comes out on special occasions.  I feel more powerful and beautiful than Cinderella could have felt on the way to her own ball.

If only I had a mink stole, I would be truly as royal as I felt.

The musicians are warming up, a gentleman waits for me, and the time as come.  Descending the staircase like Audrey after she returns from her Roman Holiday, I head out into the night.  Ready to reflect the light of the recently full moon in all directions as I’m finally dressed up with somewhere to go.

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