Saturday night brought Em a prom invitation of the best kind--a happy surprise by a certain senior guy that she likes. And while that is all sweet and all, homeboy didn't leave us much shopping time, so yesterday we ran to the prom dress mecca, "Peaches"--home to all things prom. And now the home of all of my money. Sigh.
While Joe settled on the couch to watch "Deliverance" with Burt Reynolds, Em and I heard "Dueling Banjos" as we shut the door. I should have taken it as a warning.
Peaches was insane. Packed with 200 women perusing all things sparkly, it was madness--controlled madness, but it was madness just the same. Loud dance music, bright colored dresses, sparkly jewelry, tulle, and satin everywhere--my head was spinning.
We were corralled like sheep, guided this way and that through the maze of Peaches, mesmerized into wondrous oblivion of all things girlie. You are in for the ride when you step in the door and there is no turning back. They've got you with their incredible dresses and then they sway you with rhinestone shoes and jewelry--it's all too lovely to resist.
After we found our dress and accessories, we sat there stunned. We were exhausted, over-stimulated, and my pocketbook was taken advantage of. Not that I didn't hand it over willingly, I just couldn't believe what I just dished out for my daughter.
Recession? Not at Peaches.
26 comments:
How times have changed! I sewed my dreses. Sounds like fun, though!
Oh you are a good mom ~ hopefully we will get to see some photos??? :)
xo Catherine
"...found our dress..."
Sounds like fun! I'm sure she'll have a blast, and what a NICE surprise! :)
Wow! Sounds like practice for shopping for a wedding dress...hopefully that's a longway off though. :)
Lola's Diner
When is prom? Ours is May 7 and my son hasn't made any plans yet...
Seriously. One stop? Dress and accessories? Might be jealous!
Then again. Not. Cause I'm saving my prom spending for a story after prom...and it's g-o-o-d! :-)
This is why God did not give me girls. You are a good woman.
My prom dress hunt began with a trip to Jo-Ann fabrics with my grandmother. If you think picking a finished dress is hard; imagine facing a wall of bolts of tulle, lace and satin in all the colors you can imagine, then strolling down aisles of sparkling finishy-bits. Fortunately she had a dress in her head already and I let her lead with suggestions. It was a wonderful dress, my only complaint being she didn't get quite ALL the straight pins out of it before the big day.
Hope you post PICTURES when Em's big day comes.
Oh, and to be fair, here's a snap of mine...
...Jersey hair and all.
http://northernoutpostpa.blogspot.com/2009/05/time-of-my-life.html
It was easier for us to raise our sons. Probably not cheaper. And:)
Graduation and prom time, is definitely expensive time! I remember our youngest daughter getting ready for her graduation dance 3 years ago, the dress, the shoes, the jewels (well at least I could save $ there!)And they all want the best too! It is worth it when you see how pretty they look in the end...even if it is only for 1 night! Ouch!!
I have always been grateful that I had sons:) I am presently taking my daughter-in-laws prom dress apart. It has a beautiful beaded top which I am remaking for her. I must be insane to do it.
I never went to a prom
:(
That's one thing I do not miss. Those dresses were insane!!!! And nobody shops in department stores for them anymore. They all go to those specialty bridal shops!
I never went to prom either.
Checked out the web site. Good grief. None of us ever looked like that in the 70's. Not to mention the cost-you weren't kidding.
My first birthday was at the Drake Hotel with a tiered cake that had wind up baby dolls crawling around it and me in a fancy dress-don't think I ever wore normal baby clothes. Sweet 16-hotel again with a special made cake looked like a gold basket. Made up for lack of prom. Found my ideal prom date 30 years after graduation-still waiting for him to ask me out-he's a doctor now. A divorced doctor.
YIKES I'm having flashbacks to proms of the past....lol
It was a furry orange stripy prom dress? Oh, I get it... wonder boy can't have any possible chance of seeing it ahead of time.
Eep. So the day's this weekend, eh? Sorry you had to battle the crowds! But...hopefully we'll get some good photos out of it!
Katnip--Oh, LOTS of things have changed since you and I went to prom. Including the cost. There is hair, make-up, nails, shoes, dress, jewelry.....it goes on and on. Ugh.
Catherine--It was hilarious. I kept thinking "blog post" the whole time I was there! I'll post a photo tomorrow.
Vanilla--Well, she's gonna wear it, but I bought it!
Sherrie--Oh, it was so sweet and I had fun being happy for her. :)
Lola--It reminded me of that show "Say Yes to the Dress" except a bit cheaper--although not much.
Diana--May 6. I think the girls have to plan a lot further ahead than the boys. He probably should be getting measured for a tux soon though. They go fast.
Jodi--I'm thinking you saved some cash, pally. This was my first round with this, so I'm sure we spent waaaaayyy too much. At least we'll have the shoes and slip for another prom. Can't wait for your story.
Betty--It was hell, Betty. But a hilarious and exciting hell. And she looks so dang pretty. Sigh. It will all be worth it.
Shieldmaiden--OWIE!! I remember that from the Prom contest on my blog!!! LOVE the date!! Hahahaha!
Chuck--It is nice to have one of each, Chuck. I like the fun of doing this with Em, but I sure liked the cost of Colin's prom much better.
Hot Rocks--I was really hoping to have another 2 years before this came up. Ugh. That said, I couldn't say no to her. He is a really nice guy and she is just so darn excited.
Mary Ann--OMG. I don't begrudge you that job!! Good luck! I hope we see "after" photos.
Pricilla--I went to prom and didn't have fun, Pricilla. That said, back in our day, we had to have a date--now the kids can just go and have fun with their friends. I think that is much better.
Violet--Yep. We were at the Prom Store of the world yesterday and yes, the prices are insane. That said, the dresses are LOVELY. Sigh. There goes my bonus that I got two days before. :(
Helene--Well, it sounds like you were spoiled enough!! :) The dresses now are incredible. Each one is more lovely than the next and I could have stood there all day watching those girls getting so excited. The cost....well, don't ask. I think you got the idea. Ugh.
Ann--I really hope she has fun with this group of kids. They are really nice and a lot of fun. She can't wait and neither can I. Prom is very different from we went--I hope.
Sharky--That was how I looked in Peaches yesterday. Talk about overstimulating!!! Yikes. I'll post it tomorrow.
Nancy--No photos allowed in that place. :( Not even for blog posts. I couldn't even go in the changing room with her--they don't want photos taken for comparison shopping. We have a few weeks before prom, but this is lots to be done yet.
Hmmm, maybe I should forget about doing taxes for a living and open a prom dress shop instead! Can't wait to see the photos though! Maybe you should have a who have a prom type contest on your blog like you had before.
Oh by the way, Hobbes is adorable!
Beaded Tail--I forgot about last year's contest, but we may just have to do that again. Do you have an entry????? :p
I do hope Em enjoyed the prom and felt incredibly lovely in her new dress.
I hope she has a great time. I am relieved that I have quite a few years until I have to worry about prom dresses. It doesn't sound like something I will enjoy.
Ohhhh, an older guy! I'm amazed at the price of dresses too, to wear them ONE TIME! I ended up using prom dresses for my bridesmaids (they were tasteful though) and bought them on ebay. Woot! Then I donated them all to a charity that gives prom dresses to underprivileged kids. So there, I'm not all bad.
Marilynne--It's not until May, but I'm sure she is going to feel like a real princess. I can't wait to see her all done up!
Anne--It's madness, Anne. Jodi says you can do it cheaper, but I'll just tell you to start saving now. Looking for prom dresses is like looking for a wedding dress--I'm just warning you.
Casey--I was torn--do we borrow a dress for this prom and hope she goes to her Junior or Senior prom? I didn't know, so we opted to get something nice. Even stores like Macy's and such charge $300 and up for dresses--it's crazy! It's like wedding dresses for goodness sake!
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