Happy Birthday to Me!!

Well, it was my birthday this past Thursday.  I turned 23.  Yay me!  I was determined to finish this dress, and I did, though it took much longer than expected.

This was the very first vintage pattern I got.  In fact, when I bought it, I didn't even know I would be wearing vintage right now, I just really liked the pattern.  They are very fancy ladies indeed.  I love this dress so much, I decided, if ever I were to make a reproduction dress shop to sell on Etsy, this would be the pattern to use.  It is so classy and detailed and different, I'm sure others would love it too.

I darkened this next picture and cropped off my head because it was a truly disastrous picture that I am embarrassed I ever took, but this way you can see the pleating.  It is like this in the back as well.

I even attempted to do hand sewn button holes...Let me tell you, it took awhile doing 10 of those babies.  Yeah, but it was worth it in the end to keep with the correct sewing techniques of the time period.

So, Saturday night, my dad

and mom

took me out to eat for my birthday.  We went to the Ocean Club at the Easton Shopping Center.

Mmmm... It is definitely my favorite restaurant ever, and we only get to go there once a year because it is so dang expensive, but it's worth it.  It is not one of those places that the food is outrageous, but the quality is mediocre.  Oh no.  This place is expensive, and the food is out of this world.   Plus it has the feel of a 50's nightclub, where you could just imagine Frank Sinatra crooning along on stage. 

And take a look at these beauties:

Aren't those glasses just a scream?  They are 100% fake 60's reproduction, because I don't know if anyone has looked for cat eye sunglasses on ebay or etsy lately, but they go for over $40 per pair.  Yikes.  That's not in my budget.  So for now its fakies for me.  I think they complete the outfit really well, even though my dress is 40's, and the glasses are 60's.  You are allowed to mix and match eras, right?  Well I am:D  I think my glasses made such a stir, though.  I wrote about this on my facebook page, but I am going to rewrite it here.  So, this girl probably a few years older than me was sitting next to us with her mother, and when she sat down she stared at me for the longest time, and then throughout our entire meal, she just kept staring at me and was not even being sneaky about.  She just kept staring almost glaring at me like, how dare I wear what I was wearing.  She made me mad.  Boo hiss on her.

Well, anyways, I ordered lobster and an amaretto sour (which was the most perfect blend of amaretto and sour), because lets be honest, what else am I going to order for my birthday that I can only afford once a year. 

Of course, we got a free dessert.  A chocolate peanut butter mousse pie with oreo crust, chocolate ganache, and real whipping cream.  Why yes, I did enjoy it.  Thanks for asking.

And of course, we had to get a token family picture taken.

So then today we had my family birthday party, but first I had to teach Sunday school, and, I don't think I need to tell you, 4 year olds say the funniest things sometimes.  Here's an example from today.  I was talking about how it was Memorial Day weekend and how there is usually a parade to honor people in the military, and one of the little girls in my class who usually talks nonstop about nonsensical things raised her hand and in all seriousness said, "I saw a parade once.  The statue of liberty was in it.  And when I saw that statue of liberty lady, I said to myself: what the heck is that statue of liberty lady doing in my parade?"  I don't know if it translates very well in writing, but just the way she said it and how serious she was about it, I had to stifle a laugh, because it was too precious!
So anyways, back to my party.  Of course, I planned the menu and we had shredded chicken sandwhiches, baked beans, homemade macaroni and cheese, banana pudding, brownies, and gruyere cheese crackers.  Yep, I finally used the last of the gruyere.  Cheese, it was lovely knowing thee, but I can't afford thee on a regular basis.

I don't think my family appreciates me taking pictures very much, but I don't really care.  I love family photos.

And of course, baby Dexter was out and about, being a sweet perfect little angel.

I'm pretty sure everyone loves him.  I ask you, how could they not?  I mean look at him, he's obviously perfect:D I kid, I kid!  And I promise he is not a demon dog.  He looks rather demonic with the creepy glowing eyes he has going on.  Hmm.  If anyone knows how to correct that with taking pictures please let me know! 
I got the fabulous roses from my cousin and her fiance

And then I got some money from others.  Which is going straight to my camera fund.  I have saved $325 so far, so I figure I am about half way towards a decent camera.  If anyone knows of a fantastic digital camera that takes crisp, clear, true to life pictures, please let me know.  Anyways, I think that is it for now.  I am going to devote a new post to Glee soon, I think, because I have quite a lot to say about this past weeks episode.  Angry things and happy things, and soso things....Oh I almost forgot, I got a part in Godspell that our church is putting on.

Godspell pic credit

We are not sure of roles yet, but everyone who got a role has to re-audition so they can assign parts.  I could not be more eccstatic.  If you know me, you know I live for musicals.  Never been in one, but I am one of those crazies who blasts broadway musicals on my radio instead of rap and roll down the window of my car so every can hear the fabulousness of Broadway.  And, I am trying to convince my mom to go see Wicked again.

 Wicked pic credit
We went to see it the last time it was in Columbus a few years ago, and it was one of the best musicals I have seen, besides Lion King.  I am trying to convince her that people see the same shows more than once.  In fact, if you really like a show you see it multiple times even with the same cast.  I told her just be glad we don't live in New York, because in Columbus we are constrained by the few shows a year that tour to Columbus, but in New York I wouldn't be constrained by that limit since all the shows originate in New York and play at the same time.  You could see a different show once a week if you had a never ending bank account, but sadly one show a year is all I can afford in boring old Columbus, Ohio.  Although, Les Miserable is coming to Columbus next March which, wow! Can we say love?  Is there a word stronger for love...because that would be what I have for Les Mis.  But that is so far away, Wicked will tide me over in the mean time!  If anyone would like to help convince my mother to take me, feel free to comment.  Please.  please:D  Well, until next time,