One Moment In Time
Call it The Obama Bandwagon if you choose...but nepotism has it's privileges!
I have received countless emails (at my private email address!) from friends and those loyal (and found not to be e-stalkers) to this blog concerning my lack of mention of the campaign and election of our first African-American President. "Yours above all others is the opinion I am most curious about..." one friend wrote. Her curiosity was stoked by my multi-culti background and my philosophy of 'the safe negro'. I will not write my personal opinions on this matter...I will simply say that I did not dare hope for this milestone in my lifetime. Of course, one never saw the rapid fall of Communism coming either!
I exhibited a certain audacity of assurance on Election Day. My loved ones were on pins-and-needles...there was no doubt for me, after the last debate, that Obama would win. So, as he gained Ohio (our birth state); and my older sister received an interesting phone call with a half-joking request for prayer from an old friend; with an added promise of attendance to the Inaugural Festivities; I joined in the prayer with my added request for a Karmic response from the Universe; and I too was assured attendance. And that is how I am attending this historic event!
As I ship items to my sister's home (ball gowns, expensive coats, jewelry) to be driven to DC by a trusted friend (who can trust the airlines at a busy time like this?!); and pack my luggage to arrive Saturday morning at my cousin's townhouse (thank GOD for Howard grads that stay put!); and check into the hotel (YES the preens needed to have all the space in the world to prepare for their fetes); I realize my color scheme for my attire is very...dark. Every ensemble I have put together for the five days I will be there is either black, tan or either of these colors accented by muted gold. NYC has infected me so quickly? It is probably my knowledge that even though the Spring lines are showing, it definitely is NOT Spring in DC. One bright item I can be proud of is the ---- strapless seafoam gown I snagged. It is still on pre-order elsewhere but I let them know I wanted to wear it to the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball and they shipped it to me- CHOICE!
My mother has taken to sour-graping me, assuring me that I will have to replace my dainty stilettos with booties since I cannot bare to have my toes be wet and cold. I have prepared for this, just as I have gently treated the fabrics of my longer dresses to prevent salt from ruining them. My daywear is fairly tame except for the Alexander McQueen Degrade dress and that Anna Beth Jacquard dress from RL’s Black Label. My sister is waiting to see how I pull that one off! With flair (a fitted cashmere t-neck)and a blaise attitude like my decision to carry my Gstaad green python bag and the pairing of my khaki cashmere wide leg pants with my Stella McCartney sequined top. I will be attending four balls but I am bringing six gowns: two from Vintageous.com that I had tailored; the seafoam I mentioned previously; and three budget items from one of my favorite Chinese designer's Phoenix Evening Line. Two will be paired with my Tahitian Baroque pearl necklace from the breast cancer site; always the American Cancer Society volunteer, perhaps I can turn heads AND open wallets. A few casual pieces from Brooks Brothers and Brunello Cuccinelli paired with my shearling from Gorsuch, my Epic Assymetrical Coat from Barrie Pace (that I had the buttons switched to enamel vintage ones) and my long coat from Brooks Brothers, I will blend in, not look as though I was attempting to be noticed (futility on my budget).
When my sister met Mrs. Obama many years ago, during her employ at the University of Chicago, when my sister's company was still developing; then later was called upon to work with various programs while Mrs. Obama was working for the Chicago office of Public Allies; and once again while she was at the University of Chicago Hospitals, I am sure she was not thinking 'one day this woman will be married to the President of the United States'. Even when Michelle became her Honorary sorority sister last year (joining the likes of Eleanor Roosevelt) we were all still simply 'hoping'- hoping for what we believed would be best for our nation. Now we all sit on the cresting of "A New Birth of Freedom"; we now have tangible evidence that we are not just ready for a change...but to realize 'The Dream' of King. The 200th Anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, is a theme that is reflected in this monumentous event; my older sister with whom I have shared so many first (even those I felt hestitate to tell my mother about) will be my escort, and I could not think of a more appropriate person with which to share this moment in time.
I'll be back next week! Kisses, M.~
I have received countless emails (at my private email address!) from friends and those loyal (and found not to be e-stalkers) to this blog concerning my lack of mention of the campaign and election of our first African-American President. "Yours above all others is the opinion I am most curious about..." one friend wrote. Her curiosity was stoked by my multi-culti background and my philosophy of 'the safe negro'. I will not write my personal opinions on this matter...I will simply say that I did not dare hope for this milestone in my lifetime. Of course, one never saw the rapid fall of Communism coming either!
I exhibited a certain audacity of assurance on Election Day. My loved ones were on pins-and-needles...there was no doubt for me, after the last debate, that Obama would win. So, as he gained Ohio (our birth state); and my older sister received an interesting phone call with a half-joking request for prayer from an old friend; with an added promise of attendance to the Inaugural Festivities; I joined in the prayer with my added request for a Karmic response from the Universe; and I too was assured attendance. And that is how I am attending this historic event!
As I ship items to my sister's home (ball gowns, expensive coats, jewelry) to be driven to DC by a trusted friend (who can trust the airlines at a busy time like this?!); and pack my luggage to arrive Saturday morning at my cousin's townhouse (thank GOD for Howard grads that stay put!); and check into the hotel (YES the preens needed to have all the space in the world to prepare for their fetes); I realize my color scheme for my attire is very...dark. Every ensemble I have put together for the five days I will be there is either black, tan or either of these colors accented by muted gold. NYC has infected me so quickly? It is probably my knowledge that even though the Spring lines are showing, it definitely is NOT Spring in DC. One bright item I can be proud of is the ---- strapless seafoam gown I snagged. It is still on pre-order elsewhere but I let them know I wanted to wear it to the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball and they shipped it to me- CHOICE!
My mother has taken to sour-graping me, assuring me that I will have to replace my dainty stilettos with booties since I cannot bare to have my toes be wet and cold. I have prepared for this, just as I have gently treated the fabrics of my longer dresses to prevent salt from ruining them. My daywear is fairly tame except for the Alexander McQueen Degrade dress and that Anna Beth Jacquard dress from RL’s Black Label. My sister is waiting to see how I pull that one off! With flair (a fitted cashmere t-neck)and a blaise attitude like my decision to carry my Gstaad green python bag and the pairing of my khaki cashmere wide leg pants with my Stella McCartney sequined top. I will be attending four balls but I am bringing six gowns: two from Vintageous.com that I had tailored; the seafoam I mentioned previously; and three budget items from one of my favorite Chinese designer's Phoenix Evening Line. Two will be paired with my Tahitian Baroque pearl necklace from the breast cancer site; always the American Cancer Society volunteer, perhaps I can turn heads AND open wallets. A few casual pieces from Brooks Brothers and Brunello Cuccinelli paired with my shearling from Gorsuch, my Epic Assymetrical Coat from Barrie Pace (that I had the buttons switched to enamel vintage ones) and my long coat from Brooks Brothers, I will blend in, not look as though I was attempting to be noticed (futility on my budget).
When my sister met Mrs. Obama many years ago, during her employ at the University of Chicago, when my sister's company was still developing; then later was called upon to work with various programs while Mrs. Obama was working for the Chicago office of Public Allies; and once again while she was at the University of Chicago Hospitals, I am sure she was not thinking 'one day this woman will be married to the President of the United States'. Even when Michelle became her Honorary sorority sister last year (joining the likes of Eleanor Roosevelt) we were all still simply 'hoping'- hoping for what we believed would be best for our nation. Now we all sit on the cresting of "A New Birth of Freedom"; we now have tangible evidence that we are not just ready for a change...but to realize 'The Dream' of King. The 200th Anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, is a theme that is reflected in this monumentous event; my older sister with whom I have shared so many first (even those I felt hestitate to tell my mother about) will be my escort, and I could not think of a more appropriate person with which to share this moment in time.
I'll be back next week! Kisses, M.~
posted by ScreenGoddessComplex at 6:36 PM
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