Hair and Makeup for LB and C.'s Wedding

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LB had a fortress of women (similar to a binder of women, really) as bridesmaids. There were 11 of us in total, so the hair/makeup side of the wedding day had to start early to make sure we were all taken care of. I arrived a bit early to the salon, which was across the street from DiBruno Brothers, so I went inside and ordered myself a latte and sat outside until others arrived. Then the fun really began.


LB's mother brought us all funny glasses, which we wore throughout the day. RPM went with the martini glasses.
This lady also did my hair. As a woman who doesn't own a blow dryer, I wasn't entirely sure how much information or direction I needed to give her. Or, rather, I wasn't capable of giving that much information or direction. But I had discussed my hair preliminarily with LW and MP in the office, so I did say that I was hoping for a low chignon and some sort of braid component. You'll see my hair soon enough. The four stylists did a really great job, I don't feel like they rushed any of our looks, and even though my hair was done by 11, it held up for the remainder of the day and all the way into the evening.
LB's hair took many more steps, which befits the role of bride. So there were a lot of moments when we just congregated around her as she was blown out, curled up, sprayed etc.
In addition to glasses, there were also snacks and mimosas for us, but somehow I took zero photographs of the spread.
I did, however, make sure my glasses were documented. I was the only one who didn't think to wear a button down shirt, which became a challenge when it was time to put on my dress without ruining my hair. I managed. I also managed to forget a very important undergarment at my apartment, which led to a anxious period of time when my hair was still getting done, but all I could think about was catching a cab, getting home, picking the item up and returning before everyone else's hair was done. It turned out just fine.
J. gave LB a massage, which LB loved...but she was quite shocked by just how strong J.'s hands were.

BC was also rather amazed.

My hair.
LB's hair in transition.
Cuties.


LB's hair in a light hairspray mist.


Once a good number of us had our hair complete, we started a migration back to the Union League for the next part of the journey: makeup. While this day was totally not about me, I gotta tell you, my makeup was really quite good. But somehow I didn't think to ask anyone to take any photographs of me when it was fresh, and even throughout the night I didn't really get as many photos as I should have. Actually, I was so concerned about what to do with my camera during the ceremony that I handed it over to LW hours earlier than I should have, thus missing out on many of the best stages of the prep process...I took photos with LB's camera, but that means I don't have them to share. In any case, here is LB getting her makeup did.
There were also snacks and champagne in the suite while we all got made up and ready. Here, RPM and AP both enjoy a hearty laugh about something while sitting near the unpictured food...man I really just wiffed the food aspect of this day.
The prep process went by in such a funny way. Time stopped, expanded and contracted. One moment it felt like there were so many hours to go before the bridesmaids needed to put their dresses on, next thing you know V. and I are in her room getting into go-mode. Funny aside, while I originally forgot the crazy brassiere that I purchased for the dress, I had brought two additional strapless bras just in case I had a wardrobe malfunction. Turns out that both of those bras were ultimately needed by two other bridesmaids. I'm quite pleased with my own weird craziness...I think most would agree that you don't need to bring three bras for one dress/night. And yet, actually, you do.
I hope that I turn up in a few of LB's pro photos so I can just give you a better sense of the overall look etc.

Wedding Reception Fun Times

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I've known LB since I was 13. We lived on the same hall our freshmen and sophomore years of high school. I don't quite recall how it began, but during those years I'd often come to LB's room and we'd chat about this and that. Boys and the like. And even when we lived on different halls, I would often meander my way to her room to hang out during study hall. We managed to keep in touch post-high school and through our various locations and life changes. I recall having gone a pretty long time without talking to LB on the phone when I was in Chicago, and finally catching up. And I very much remember a portion of that conversation, which focused on keeping in touch. I feel like we both assured the other that if we ever got married, the other would totally be invited to the wedding. When I moved to Philly I enjoyed getting to spend more quality time with LB. We found a nice balance in our friendship and I have treasured LB's continued role as confidante and fun friend over the last five years.   When I first arrived in Philly LB was just starting to date C., and I had a good feeling about him from the start. So, to see them finally tying the knot, and to be invited to the wedding, is really just a happy making occasion all around. The fact that the reception really was just full on fancy/classy was a nice finishing touch, but it could have been in a dungeon and I think LB's family and friends would have been just as excited and danced and reveled just as much. And so, now that I've established that I am grateful for LB's friendship and glad to see her married to such a stand-up guy, lets get to it. After the wedding itself we took a handful of photos in a nearby park before making our way, trolley-style, back to the Union League and reception. After getting ourselves drinks we reconvened outside for a few more professional photos. Before all the other members of the bridal/groom party arrived, I asked LB to get a few candids with me...unfortunately the person taking the photograph didn't really stop to look at them, so out of the three, only this one is decent for both of us. Double chin on my part not withstanding.
And after those outdoor photos, it was time to go to the big ballroom for the dinner and dancing part of the evening. Just gorgeous. I don't know what V. is looking at, but she lost a hand over of it.
C. and M. are in lurve.
LW and V. LW was my junior year roommate, and V. lived on our floor as well. Sometimes it doesn't feel like it's been nearly 15 years since those days but, in fact, it truly has been. V.'s had a baby, LW is engaged. Time marches on.
Snap!
Their entrance was fantastic.
Sass!
The appetizer was a scallop with cubed potatoes, asparagus and some delectable sauce.
Lovely little salad.
And the piece de resistance, a nice bit of steak and an equally delectable portion of sea bass. Mmmm. Yeah I ate this entire plate.
Mr. Ass was in attendance, properly tuxedoed.
N. and I made a quick stop in the luxurious bathroom and I needed to take mirror photos. Needed it.



There was plenty of dancing, with the help of a live band from Baltimore.




I took a very similar photo of C. and R. at their wedding. Love it.
Dessert included these fun sticks of chocolate magic. I'll have to ask LB to comment in order to remember just what they consisted of.
I will also need to seek out additional photos of myself that prove that my makeup looked good. Here is really the only one I have.
A little tri-dancing and photobombing. Best photograph of the night.
Debonaire.
Action shot.
The evening was just lovely. I enjoyed a steady stream of champagne but knew to pace myself in order to fully enjoy myself without getting too sauced. Once the reception ended a bunch of folks went out to a bar, but I had work the next day and decided it would be best to retire to my room and get more hours of sleep than hours of revelry. This was a very good decision on my part. The next morning V. and I enjoyed the Union League breakfast buffet, which included omelets made to order. I went with peppers, tomato, bacon and smoked salmon, with a side of sausage. Gotta say, the sausage looked better than it was but the omelet hit the spot. After all the hullabaloo and excitement, it was quite strange to get into regular people clothes, get into a cab, and get to work. Going from so many faces I enjoy and so much fun to just another day in the office was a rather rough transition, but I kept my false eyelashes on for that day and that helped me feel like a little magic remained:)

I'm sure that we will never...

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make the Forbes list of best places in the US to work, but Aggie and Peter and I really like working at home.  They're not much help, but they are lots of company.  They are also good listeners.  While Aggie takes her position as Senior Associate and Director of Security very seriously, I am sure people regard her barking as more of a nuisance than a deterrent.  Peter naps works behind the scenes and generally makes an appearance at the desk around quitting time every day.  I am blessed to be able to work at home and spend time with my pets - especially these past few weeks with no means of transportation!  A conventional employer would not have been as understanding as I am.  Not that I am conventional - but you know what I mean.  I've also been blessed this week with lots of additional - and unexpected - work (as well as payments from deadbeats!) that will make Ray's unforeseen car doctor bills a little easier to handle.  And in the big scheme of things, my associates and I don't really need much more than each other and a stack of good books.And for that, I am really thankful!

Since I've been housebound...

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for the last month, I haven't been to the grocery.  My well-stocked pantry and hoarding of household supplies has finally come in handy!  Of course, there is nothing in my refrigerator at this point that could possibly be described as fresh - so Ariela offered to take me to Publix this morning so I could stock up again.  Shopping is always fun, but I've never gone to the market with a five-year-old before - so this was an adventure.  Baby was already a little hyped up from whatever sugar he consumed with breakfast, but I may have made matters worse by alerting him to the fact that he could get a free cookie from the lady in the bakery.  I mean, who says no to a free cookie?  I'd also forgotten how unique a child's point of view can be.  When we got to the dairy department, I reached for a container of sour cream and as I went to put it in the car, Baby stopped talking mid-joke to shriek: "Taco butter!" and wanted to know why I was buying that.  I guess sour cream isn't part of a child's vocabulary, but he knows it's something you put on tacos.  I laughed, the guy who was stocking the yogurt section laughed and Baby laughed, too - although I'm not sure he knew why.  I also discovered that Baby is a person of vanilla sensibility.  Ice cream was on sale - I chose peach because it's summer, I asked him to choose the flavor he wanted to take home and share with his dad and sisters.  And do you know what he chose from the plethora of yummy flavors available?  Yep, vanilla.  Maybe I'm just a choco-holic - and while I don't have anything against vanilla in principle, I would certainly have chosen something more exciting if I were five.  When we got back to my house, my sweet friend brought the groceries inside while Baby spun around in my chair and regaled Aggie with a highly embroidered tale of our morning adventure.  Thanks to Ariela, I now have lettuce, tomatoes, veggie burgers (on sale!) and peach ice cream.  Friends are a good thing!