Saturday, August 7, 2010

Blogher CheeseburgHer Party: the Prologue

Quick: What's more nerve-wracking than going on a first date with a guy you want not only to impress but also to father your children?

Here's what: attending a gathering at a posh place to mingle with women you don't know, to whom you already feel inferior. My husband assures me that as long as I don't drink too much and hurl on some one's Jimmy Choo shoes, I'll be fine. I tell him that most of them are undoubtedly way younger than I, so he gives me a second piece of advice: impress them with the fact that I can use the Internet at my age.

Here's how I'll try to imagine myself:



The event is being held in Little Rock for women bloggers, and it's being hosted by BlogHer, which I'd never heard of until this week. I've not met our local hostess but know she is a terrific writer with three blogs, a gig at Good Housekeeping and a book deal. Did I already mention feeling inferior?

I'm going with two friends, both seriously gorgeous, witty and smart, and I imagine myself basking in their glory in a Forrest Gump-ish kind of way. They know our hostess and assure me that she's kind and gracious. I believe them, but still imagine myself as an old impression of Princess Anne: when our hostess tries to make me feel at home by asking a question, I'll begin pawing the ground.

Here's how I imagine others will see me:



Dress is "casual cocktail." I look up pictures and realize that I have nothing in my wardrobe faintly resembling casual cocktail, and since I am unemployed, I have no money to splurge on an outfit. I'll wear my black shapeless dress that I wear to all such events; I wish that I had at least indulged in some of that lingerie that holds in your stomach. It doesn't help that I'm wolfing down a French dip as I write this, and that a piece of dark chocolate mousse cake was my appetizer. I wish I wore contact lenses and that I knew how to apply makeup and fix my hair.

Since my feet resembled hooves, I did spring for a pedicure at a local beauty school today. The color I chose looked quite elegant, but alas, on my toes, it looks like doses of Pepto Bismol. My friend Sherry said to think of it as Granny Pink, which is apparently quite hip -- if you're in your 20s. All it looks like to me is a bad polish job.

My eyes, always dry, look red, which isn't helped when I stick a pencil in my right eye while trying to outline my lower lids. Wisps of mascera appear under my eye almost as soon as I blink.

At the last minute, I decided to wear all white. A simple white nightgown I got for $2.50 at a flea market, paired with white pants; over that I wear a sheer tunic I picked up years ago. In some countries, I look like a widow but it's loose and comfortable and I don't have to hold in my stomach.

I didn't mean to wear scent; I rarely do, but while rustling through some bins in the bathroom looking for makeup, I come across an old bottle that has spilled, so I am wearing Oscar, which takes me back at least 25 years.

I'm am army brat, meaning I'm never fashionably late. However, tonight we've decided we want to make an entrance. One of our husbands is driving us to the event and we're catching a cab home, although if we had the money, we'd spring for a limo.

Wish me luck.

12 comments:

  1. You were a huge hit. You should be besieged by trolls any day now.

    xo

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  2. It was so great to meet you and you looked fabulous!

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  3. Great to meet you and you did look fabulous! VERY glamorous!

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  4. You looked fabulous, and it was great to meet you. Also: your blog is hilarious, so consider me a new regular reader!

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  5. This made me smile, because 1) it's exceedingly charming; and 2) I have trouble reconciling the inward image with the elegant and striking woman I met last night (I thought you evoked Mia Farrow in her India phase). It was lovely to spend time with you!

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  6. You were elegant and wonderful and I want you to be my new aunt. Can we strike up some kind of deal? I'm with Ernie- I love finding new material for my google reader- sign me up!

    Also, who had on Jimmy Choos? I've never seen a pair in real life. :)

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  7. I would not recognize a Jimmy Choo from a Stride Rite, and my husband would think Jimmy Choo is an Asian martial arts guy....I toyed with the truth a bit.
    I would be happy to be your honorary aunt...

    Thanks very much for all your kind words.

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  8. I loved your outfit! You looked great! I'm following, and will be a regular reader.

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  9. You did make quite an entrance and your writing is hysterical.
    I'm with Kyran, your self-image post totally took me by surprise. I would have nailed you for artsy/intellectual with class.
    Well, I guess you still are those things, but I would've assumed you knew you looked stunning.

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  10. Girls, you are too kind -- I feel like a CheeseburgHer in Paradise.....since I'm currently unemployed, I think I'll put "artsy/intellectual" as my career.

    I've been trying to write a blog about the party but everything comes out so sappy.

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  11. So bummed I did not know about this, I would have driven to Little Rock to meet everyone!

    I would love to posts some of your material over on Arkansas Women Bloggers. Please contact me at arkansasbloggers at gmail.com

    Thanks, The Park Wife

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  12. You looked utterly chic and fab! It was so nice to meet you!

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