Ok, I'm going to the ball. Sorta. I spent £3 on a dress ... what next?

[NotQuiteCockney]

It's some sort of work do. DH is going in suit and tie, so it's not black tie or anything like that.

The dress is knee-length. Pics here. Does it look ok? I've shrunk a lot over the last few years, and never wore anything this revealing before.

I have no idea what to wear with it.

I probably will wear contacts, for at least part of the night. Areas of concern:

1. I have no bras that go with this. I don't really have much in the way of boobs, and the bodice is fairly thick. Can I just skip a bra? (I tried my one halter neck thing, and it doesn't work.) Oh, wait, I have a strapless bra, and that looks ok, maybe a tiny peek shows at the neckline, as it's white and v plain ... do I have to go get a black strapless bra?

1. Do I wear a necklace to fill in the neckline? Pendant? String of pearls?

1. I don't really wear makeup. Should I be trying? My left eye leaks a lot (ugh) so this is a problem ...

1. I might consider wearing heels. I'm a lot thinner than the last time I wore them, maybe they bug me less? Can I manage with flats?

1. What sort of tights? I'm tempted by fishnets, as I love them now ...

1. I am tempted by the idea of some sort of body glitter or something for my shoulders? I'm not used to having them on display. I don't have spots, at least.

Ok, here they are. They're not as high as they look, and the heel is quite stable at the bottom.

I did find some ones in a shop that were like those next ones with the button, and they were v sweet, but they hurt when they were on, so I didn't get them.

Apparently I'm an 8 now. Ish. I was an 8 before I had kids.

Oh the shoes are v nice NQC. You will be glam! You won't regret the bra I think - it will make you feel smart and well-foundationed IYKWIM (it's not just about size...)

Love your shoes! Definatly(sp) sheer tights, I wouldn't wear a necklace and can't advise on make-up as I go for the 'plastered in it' look. Have a great time!

Gorgeous shoes. Very yummy!

LOL and at the dress making you look 'huge'

very, very pretty NQC and a lovely shape for your figure. I was going to say I don't think you will need a bra but agree you might feel a bit less risky with one. it's very annoying to turn up somewhere smart and spend the evening worrying your skirt is riding up, or whatever.

so where did you find the dress? Did I miss that bit?

love the dress NQC, and I love this virtual Trinny and susannah thing which goes on, on here...

Wish I could come.

I found the dress at the local market - I did a thread earlier (in this section) bragging about spending £30 and getting this dress, an FCUK skirt, a miss selfridge skirt, a random skirt and a sweater.

I have sheer nearly black tights, should be good.

you have splendid taste NQC. If you're ever having a clear-out.....

Oh, I have to get rid of about 8 billion things, but they're all size 18.

And none of it is pirate-y even.

(It really is a great local market, loads there, lots of it v cheap.)

excellent shoes btw

v versatile

They felt reasonably comfortable in the store. I am about the whole thing, but will bring flats, too.

They really aren't uncomfortable. I used to wear heels about 6 years ago, a bit, for work. These are so much more comfortable (and higher!) than the ones I used to wear. I've lost about 20% of my body weight in the interim, which is no doubt a factor, but it does seem like they've got better at making comfy heels.

Oh NQC this thread made me have a nightmare last night about going to a posh dinner dance

it was terrible, I couldn't find my pants and there were beetles in my hair, and nobody would get out of the swimming pool, you know, that sort of dream

it made me very glad that it is you going to the ball in the slinky dress and I can stay at home and read children's novels under the duvet

however you will like it at the ball, won't you?

Btw this dream was an improvement on the previous night's, which was about serial killers eating spaghetti and made me lie awake for about an hour listening for noises on the stairs. What happened to the lovely sex dreams I was having a month ago I would like to know?

I do not miss pregnancy dreams.

I think I will like it. Today is all about a) getting cosmetics or something b) making sure all the child care people know about each other.

Check it out: DS2 will be collected from the co-op by nanny A. Nanny A will take DS2 to another co-op. (this was pre-arranged as I have an afternoon appointment) Nanny B will collect DS1, DS2 (and several other children) and take them to my house. Where she will be met by my neighbour, who will stay over.

In the morning, my neighbour will take both DSes to a friend's house, who will keep them for the morning, so we don't have to come home at stupid o'clock. (Neighbour is lovely and a friend, but we don't pay her for childcare, so asking her to give up her Saturday morning is a bit much.)

Are beetles the new fascinator?

I don't know

I think they were actually pubic lice but I thought that was a bit strong for this time of the morning

I shall also gloss over all the orgasms I was having in my sleep a few weeks ago; I was looking forward to more of the same and then I get some gothic Cinderella hybrid. I am not happy, I can tell you.

I can't even follow your childcare arrangements. I would give it up and go back to bed, probably

Are there public lice? I thought there were just crabs? Probably the same thing.

There needs to be some body you can write to, to complain about dreams - I used to suffer from wildly inappropriate sex dreams, about people I resolutely didn't fancy, and had to spend a few days afterwards peering at them, confused. (oooh, have you read that Rachel Pollack book? Good on dreams.)

Yes, the childcare arrangements are mad. At least, though, all the people involved are v reliable and nice and all that. No crappy nannies, thankfullly.

Got hair gel. Makeup this afternoon, probably, at Space NK Apothecary. (Or JL tomorrow?)

those shoes are FABULOUS

I may copy

dress lovely too

Got makeup, just tinted gloss, shiny body stuff, and concealer (which is meant to withstand the tear thing).

DS1 has nits though, so I'm quite tired and fed up (and have to talk to nanny for tomorrow about it, although I expect (hope!) she's mellow). I did a big comb through with oil tonight, obviously, and will redo on Saturday. He's only got them a bit, I think I got three adults if that.

You see! My dream foretold that! Oh god, spaghetti eating serial killers are going to get us next

Oh good god. It's your fault!

He'd been itching this week, and I did check his head, but didn't find any. (I found some on a classmate's head today, as his parents asked me what they looked like ...)

I've tried slicking my hair back, but it's not really working. I bought some product that claims to be not-gross-feeling, and it doesn't work. So I'll go buy one of the ones that don't claim to be not-gross-feeling but hopefully works.

The lip gloss is nice but not too much. And the concealer is nice, too.

I'm stuck now, my weirdo neighbour got evicted yesterday and left a bunch of furniture in my house. A friend of his is meant to be collecting it tonight, but is of course not here yet. DH is out.

what do you need concealer for? you have nothing to conceal

I like lipgloss

Giant circles under my eyes.

Not least because I think I got about 1.5 hours of sleep last night.