Through a dress shop’s plate glass window, I fell in love.  The object of my affection was basic, black and beautiful.

On a whim and for fun, my husband encouraged me to try it on…but this only deepened my desire to have it.  Married with two (at the time) children, it made no sense to buy an expensive formal dress with no reason to wear it!

The happy ending to this silly love story is, after pining for it for months, I snatched it on clearance for under $50. Never mind that at the time it was two sizes too big, it was the only one they had left.  I didn’t care–it was still wearable and I at long last had my Princess Dress!  (Fifteen years later, I’d be thankful for buying it large…!)

What I didn’t know then was I was making an investment in future fun…unforgettable memories and moments.

I’ve worn it four times:

  1. My first close friend to celebrate her 40th birthday (her husband surprised her with a limo to take our group to dinner, and though I was the only one in formal attire, everyone dressed to the nines).
  2. Blissdom, an annual blog conference in Nashville, TN (I had taken it to every conference I attended…but didn’t actually wear it until the third time).
  3. A Mother-Daughter Tea at our church.
  4. On the beach at Hilton Head Island, SC, on a retreat with DaySpring’s incourage writers.

Each, a spectacular memory; each, with a story of its own.

After my Hilton Head {cough} “photo shoot” {cough} someone had the wonderful idea for ALL of us to be on the lookout over the next year, to find a thrift store or clearance fun/funky/formal-or-not dress; then, next year when we gather together again, we’ll have a GROUP photo shoot.  I can hardly wait.

Because I know how much fun I had…and I’m anticipating even greater fun next year…I wanted to plant a seed of beauty for YOU.  Why don’t you join me and my girlfriends and plan a fun photo shoot with your friends or family!

Take your time over the next few months to treasure hunt in thrift stores.  Check the bargain racks at department stores–they’re just dying to unload last year’s designs to make room for next year’s.  Maybe plan a formal picnic to enjoy the Fall foliage–that would make a gorgeous backdrop to your photos!  If you aren’t in a hurry, wait until Spring and have a tea party with your favorite people!

It doesn’t really matter what you do, but that you just do it!  Consider why little girls love to play dress up, why they’re drawn to fairy tales and delight in princess pretense.

When you look like a princess, you feel like a princess.

It takes one to know one ;).  Won’t you join me?

 

Photo credit:  Top, Dawn Camp.  Bottom, Emily Freeman.