I Have A Problem...

Hello again! It's been like nearly 4 months since my last entry. Whoops. I guess that happens when you wake up for a long day of work and school every day for 4 months. You tend to not have too much time aside from all the bloody practicing and homework. Blegh. Any who I'll give out a nice little recap of the past semester:

Overall I have absolutely LOVED school. Yes, my days were long and I was running on very little energy, but I managed to keep a good attitude and have fun. No joke. I haven't been this happy with myself as an individual or felt this accomplished in WAY too long. I have also been kind of deprived of any real social interaction after getting married and then just working and staying home. I haven't been forced to talk to people outside of my coworkers and family. I actually made friends! Isn't that crazy?

Anyway, I'll just say a couple things about each class I took and then move on.

Biology: Oh. My. Gosh. Never. Again.

Communications: I thoroughly enjoyed this class. My professor was simply amazing and my classmates were really great people. I actually miss those personalities and seeing them every day. I also enjoyed the material, I just found it overall a great class.

CGCC Singers (Concert Choir): SO much fun. I haven't sung in that large of a choir in 3 years, and it was refreshing. Don't get me wrong, I love singing in a smaller group because there are things you can't do with a large choir but can in a small one. It also goes the same way. I loved having both. And Marc Denton, the director, is an amazing director and our pianist Mary Ellen Loose is simply phenomenal. Don't even get me started with all the talent that is there. I am so excited to learn more here.

Aural Perception: First of all, my teacher Vance Acker is probably the coolest guy I've ever met. Hands down. It was also a cool class that pushed me to really listen (music people, that phrase will make sense to you).

Piano 1: It was such an easy class. I didn't learn a whole lot just because it was the very first piano class and I had to take it, but it was an easy A and I don't mind that.

Private Voice Lessons: Gee whiz I haven't actually practiced so much in my entire life. Both of my voice teachers (Kaarin and Alexis) pushed me to do better and it was really satisfying when I worked hard for it and improved. I love both of them as teachers and as people.

That's about it. Oh, and I got all A's. I think that's a pretty good accomplishment as well. :)

Other than that, the only other exciting thing I have done is lost my hair virginity and dyed my hair....RED!
I am so in love with it. I have never dyed my hair before so I'll admit I was a little nervous scheduling my appointment at the salon, but my stylist could not have done a better job.

It looks more brown-ish in the picture, but trust me, it's pretty red. It makes my blue eyes pop!

Alright, now I come to my original reason for this post.

I have a problem. 

I can't stop looking at pretty dresses. I can't. I get caught up in all the colors and fabrics.

This November, I get to be the lovely date of my handsome husband to the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. This is a black tie event. The most formal of formal events. The high-ups and all the Marines are on their best behavior. It's pretty dang exciting stuff. Ian already bought our tickets since they were cheaper in advance. I would have gone this last year, but being the protective and caring person he is, Ian went by himself to scope it out and spare me from any embarrassing drunk Marines. Fortunately, that behavior never exhibited itself at the ball (perhaps afterwards, but we don't care about afterwards). So this year, and the years to come I WILL BE ATTENDING THIS MARVELOUS EVENT. This is a big deal to me. Buying a pretty dress and "painting the town red" and going to a BALL FOR CRYING OUT LOUD is a huge deal to me. I never went to my Junior and Senior proms (because all the boys at my high school sucked and I found no point to spend a bunch of money partying with girls because I could do that for FREE at home. Call me old-fashioned but yeah). The idea of feeling pretty if just once a year will be a nice change. Any who this means that I need to find a pretty, classy dress for this event. Now as pretty and inexpensive prom dresses can be, they are a little young for me now. Not saying they aren't gorgeous dresses, I just don't want to look like his little sister tagging along with him instead of his wife. Initially I had found THE dress I wanted to wear:

It's so perfect and so pretty and I am in love. The only thing I'd do is add some black lace on the back, and wear my black half-tee underneath to cover my G's and it's done. If you know me at all, you know I'm all for online dress shopping. This beautiful dress would easily be $300 at Dillard's. Instead, I could order it off of JJ's House (which I've ordered from before, they're great) and have it custom fit for literally half that. Simply wonderful right? Of course, it would look so great with my long, beautiful golden locks. But that cascading waterfall of gold is now been replaced with ravishing red. Yes, it would look pretty but jewel-tones would look SO much better to really make my new hair color pop.

The search has once again began. And since it's so hard to find not-matronly formal dresses that are still modest, I have resulted to looking under "Mother of the Bride" dresses. Because let's be honest, I will NEVER look that good by the time my children get married:

(actual dress description: Trumpet/Mermaid Sweetheart Floor-Length Charmeuse Lace Mother of the Bride Dress With Ruffle)

Seriously people? Only in my wildest dreams. I don't even look that good NOW. Anyway, you get my point. But here are the options I have come to. These first dresses are for in case I don't get into the shape I plan on being by the end of the summer:

(imagine this a pretty Jade color)

(Maybe Jade or Emerald)

These are if I get into the awesome shape I hope (Knock on wood) I am in.

THIS JUST THIS I LOVE UGH

(imagine this not brown, probably black)

You get the idea. I may be a tidge too excited, but JUDGE ME I am having fun. So there. And if all else fails, I can get this gem of an ensemble ;)

I can't believe that one costs like $150. lawlz


Anywho, my musings are over now. Have a beautiful day my lovelies.