Saturday, October 27, 2012

Dance me to the end...




I can hardly sit still, I'm so excited. All year, I've looked forward to this night, this journey, this hand on my arm, this man at my side. Sometimes I wish that the Willow Manor Ball came along more often, but in truth, the waiting is part of the fun, and I don't know how I would manage to do this much shopping more than once a year. Not that I haven't enjoyed every wild, extravagant moment of it. I mean, a Cartier bracelet! Can you believe it?  What I love about this bracelet, by the way, is that it's really a watch, so when I'm dressing for the ball, watching for my escort (I'll tell you later who that is, but I've already given you a clue!) I can sneak a look at the watch to see how much time I have left.

My dress isn't complicated, thank goodness. This year I went for a young, romantic look, because I know how much that kind of silhouette complements my slim figure and my long, glossy hair. I chose my dress quite early, because I fell in love with it at first sight, but I wasn't sure what colour I wanted it to be until I found these earrings. Bingo! I thought at first that I would choose the pewter colour in the centre for my dress, and I still love that colour, but after all, this is a party, and a party calls for colour, so I've decided on the blue.

Then I went looking for shoes. That took some serious shopping. Do you have any idea how many fabulous pairs of shoes there are? I finally got it down to two pairs, but I couldn't make up my mind between them, so I bought both. This morning, I took out the two pairs of shoes and had a long talk with myself (and with them, actually, but don't tell anyone!) Suddenly, I was absolutely sure which pair I wanted to wear. Aren't these gorgeous?


And now, the pièce de résistance -- my wonderful, beautiful, stunning, absolutely unforgettable dress.

Just picture it in that luminous blue -- at least for now. Soon, very soon, there will be a knock at the door, and I will open it to greet my date, and we will be on our way to the manor, and all this will be real, not just images on a screen.

I mentioned my hair, didn't I? Well, this is the arrangement I decided on. My hairdresser has done herself proud. I promised to bring her some photographs from the ball. I just hope there will be an official photographer, because I don't know where I'd hide a camera in my gown!

The only really bright colour I'll be wearing is on my fingernails. I've fallen in love with nail art.
Even my mask will be understated. I want to waft through the room like a whisper, or like something you can't quite remember, but can't quite forget. Do you think I've captured that look?

All right. The time has come. He is at the door, looking distinguished, somehow looking mature and yet as youthful as when we first met.

Yes, it's Leonard Cohen. When he called, I confess that I played hard-to-get for a few minutes, but that was just until he promised to sing to me at the ball. Then I smiled and said that of course I would go with him.  He returned my smile, because he knew all along what I wanted.

Now we're off. We have the Lear jet, of course, and the limo at the other end, but it's still a long trip to the Manor, so we had better get going. Oh, look. Champagne. How thoughtful!



You know what I want Leonard to sing, don't you?






*Except for the photo of Leonard Cohen, which is a Google image, and the Willow Manor Ball badge, which is used by permission, all these images come from Pinterest, my department store of choice.



25 comments:

Omer Khan said...

v nice Sandra, thats a beautiful dress!

Tess Kincaid said...

And I was so sad that Lenny wouldn't be here this evening! You won't mind if I take a spin with him around lthe dance floor? Just once. You look stunning, dahling...your nails are especially charming!

Sandra Leigh said...

Thank you, Omer and Tess -- and Tess, of course. Leonard took one look at you in that dress and said "You know I'll be wanting to dance with that vision in red, don't you?" I told him I didn't mind at all.

Cheryl Cato said...

Beautiful dress,jewels and mask. I love the hairdo, so sheik. Oh, I should have known from the get-go that Leonard would be your man. Dance me to the end... I so hope he will sing it for us. Amazing!!! Have fun!

Anonymous said...

Lovely combo! The music is terrific tonight!

Sandra Leigh said...

Cheryl, ReBelle, thank you so much for dropping by. I've put a few appetizers out, and some champagne, of course, in case you need a little fortifying before the journey to the Manor. You are both looking fabulous!

Kathryn said...

I love the dress and your hair style is amazing! Lovely to meet you

Mimi Foxmorton said...

You, my dear, look LOVELY!

:)

Scarlet said...

Beautiful dress, hair, nails..the whole package ~

chiccoreal said...

Dream date...good thing you snatch up Leonard...I had my eye on him~found Ty Pennington available~you are an absolute vision my dear~

Sandra Leigh said...

Oh,my -- I must have had more absinthe than I realized. I see that I've had more visitors. I do hope you've all made yourselves at home. Thanks for popping by. Now we must get back to the dance floor. The night is young!

Marty C said...

Hope you don't mind me sneaking by your place just to get a glimpse of you and Lenny before he swoops you off to the Manor. You take my breath away, so glamorous. sigh! Living vicariously on the outside...looking in.

The Blog of Bee said...

I know I was here very early on in the Ball and I could have sworn I said hello. Obviously not! One too many perhaps!

Your ensemble is stunning - love everything about it.

I hope Leonard is not being moody! I just saw him skulk into a corner!

Marcheline said...

Leonard Cohen? I thought that was Anthony Bourdain! (my second pick for date)

FireLight said...

Ah yes Pinterest...isn't it just too marvelous! Oh the dress becomes you my dear...and shoes are perfect for tripping lightly and fantstically along the ballroom floor with Leonard! See you in swirlings of the evening@

JBinford-Bell said...

Lovely, very lovely. You have definitely achieved your goal.

Margaret said...

like a whisper... oh a whisper that will linger for sure! The dress is the most stunning one at the ball, I think. And what a fabulous choice for an escort.. we must get him to sing a few songs!

21 Wits said...

Oh you must share who did your hair? I noticed you "powdering your nose" but there was such a crowd hovering over the mirror I couldn't gain your attention. You did wear an unforgettable dress, as I wore white, do you think that will be remembered more than I'd like? Please do drop me a note with your hair-dressers name, okay ???

Sandra Leigh said...

I've been whirling around so fast, I haven't had time to check in here at the Turtle. So many lovely visitors! You all look fantastic, and I can't thank you enough for all your compliments.

Unknown said...

Gorgeous combo my dear! And you are NOT the only one to have conversations with shoes :-) Catching a glimpse of you gliding across the dance floor - you and your lovely selections remind me of moonlight! Beautiful dahling!

Yoli said...

Lovely! simply lovely! Nice to meet you at the ball!

Yoli said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Other Mary said...

Oh, you looked lovely at the ball! And remember, you don't have to worry about seeing elephants unless they are pink!

Kathy G said...

I am SO sorry we didn't meet up at the Ball. Maybe next year? Your dress and accessories look stunning, and with Leonard Cohen at your side I'm sure the night was perfect.

Great Falls VA house cleaning site info said...

wow gorgeous hair, I love how the hair stylist did on her hair, amazing i love it

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