Packing For Las Vegas Begins Today...AKA The Painful Decision Making Process

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know that I'm an anal retentive packer before I take a trip. Granted, when we went to Galveston for the Fourth of July, I was hungover and packed nothing I really needed. That was fine though, since we mostly hung out at the beach. Besides, that faux pas afforded me two shopping trips. However, when headed to some place like Los Angeles, Mexico or Las Vegas, I want everything to be perfect. So, this gives me time to sew on loose buttons and do whatever mending needs to be done. Thus, I begin packing a week ahead of time, which makes Mr. Snooty crazy. He throws his things into his bag at the very last moment and that's that. You know how easy it is for guys. Pack khakis, starched shirts, navy blazer, loafers, and a dark suit and they are good. For most women, life has never been that simple. However, I don't want to show up in Las Vegas like I'm Meryl Streep in Out of Africa. You know, with crates full of clothes.


So, here is my dilemma. I'm trying to decide if I should take cocktail clothes (really dressy) or just go with Casual Dressy. Or maybe I should do a combination of both. I have a great deal of trouble making little decisions like this. For the first time in our marriage, Mr. Snooty told me to *Go For It*. Take anything and everything I want. Southwest Airlines allows TWO checked bags per person (For Free), so why not? Well, if I actually took everything I wanted to, I'd need for him to stuff a lot of my things into his two bags. What can I say? He was nice to tell me to go for it but really, I'd need several steamer trunks to accomplish that.



I also have another quandary about what to wear at night. I never can decide what to wear this time of year when the weather is still warm. So, I'm going to need a little help from my Bloggy Friends. I was thinking I might take the Victor Costa cocktail suit I wore to my friends' son's wedding last April, but I'm worried that it might be too Spring-y. I've been dying to wear it again ever since I spent $75.00 on fabulous new Swarovski crystal & gold buttons. You just have to click on the picture to see them, because they are tres fabulous. But, tell me if you think it's just too late in the year to wear it, and I won't take it. Otherwise, I will.





Then, I'm thinking I might take this black and white pants outfit that is really dressy and shows my cleavage in the best way. I love this outfit and have only worn it once to a big Christmas party last year, so I've been dying to wear it again. I'll probably wear the mules instead of the stilettos, for comfort purposes. I don't need a repeat of the Los Angeles trip blisters on my feet and everyone knows there is a lot of walking to be done in Vegas. The pants are made of a polyester crepe, with full legs and they feel sexy as well as comfortable, which is a very nice, although unusual, combination for me. I also have a long black crepe pencil skirt that I can replace the pants with, if and when I feel like it.


You probably might remember this outfit. It's not quite as dressy as the first two, but certainly dressy enough for going out to an elegant dinner. Also, I can wear my bronze flats with it and still be relatively comfortable. I have no doubts with this outfit, as it's going with me, no matter what I finally decide on the others. It makes me feel feminine and stylish and I love it.


For a more casual evening, I'm thinking I could wear this next outfit. The skirt is a washable suede and this is another one of my most favorite outfits for the Fall and Winter. The tan leather booties are by Nickels and they are some of the most comfortable shoes I own, even though they have 3 inch heels. I feel really wonderful when I wear this outfit and I'm coming close to completely wearing it out. This is also my favorite outfit to wear when going to watch the Texas Longhorns play football. Hook 'Em Horns!





Then, if I decide to go casual dressy another night, I have this wonderful outfit, which you've probably seen before. It's another one of my favorites. The skirt is reversible with Fall looking flowers on one side and a subtle Cheetah print on the reversible side. I love to wear this with my cowboy boots I bought on eBay for $35.00 (then had to spend $130.00 to have them repaired. Uh-Huh.) They once belonged to a real live working cowboy in Montana and they were broken in just a bit too much. Anyway, they are comfortable and I love them. However, I could also wear this outfit during the day, which is nice too. I have a couple of different tops I can wear with this skirt as well. You can click on the pictures to see a larger view.

I'm planning to wear jeans and flats on the airplane, for comfort purposes. I never know if my feet are going to swell or not. Sometimes they swell like a helium balloon, then other times not at all. I don't think I'll ever figure that one out. Then again, I might wear a casual long skirt with a top and flats, even though it tends to make me look a bit house frau-ish. Why is it so damn hard for me to make decisions like this? I wish I had a clue.


You see, the key to me winning and having a certain amount of good luck depends on how I feel. Much of how I feel is governed by how I feel in the clothes I'm wearing. I know. It does sound a bit cuckoo, but it's the way I am. If I don't think I look great, then I just don't feel right. If I don't feel right, then the good luck won't be flowing. So, I have to believe that I look great, right? Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. By the way, this is my jewelry box contents, but I'm not quite sure what I'm going to take, if any. I might just stick with costume jewelry, that way I won't be too upset if I'm robbed in Vegas (it happened once before).

So, Dear Bloggy Friends, I obviously need your support, input, and opinions to make this a successful trip for our 31st anniversary and my 56th birthday. I need this help from you because I can't seem to make a damned decision and frankly, I don't want to drag my entire wardrobe along with me. Please help!!!!!!!

Wow ~ What A Party!

Thank you! to all of you who answered my plea for help disguised as a contest. You shall be rewarded! I wore the #5 outfit, as is, with my *cocktail cowgirl boots* (my new name for them). As we left the house @ 7:10 p.m. (you can't be the first one to the party) I had a moment that I almost ran back to the bedroom and put on #3. I kid you not. I thought I was suddenly making a mistake, but I quickly came to my senses & realized that this is a crazy place. Like I said before, one never really knows what cocktail means in this town. Although, I think I'm beginning to see a pattern. More on this at a later date.


Knowing my hubby would likely rather lock me in the trunk of his car than let me change clothes, I decided I was fine & he rushed me through the front door almost as if he knew what I was thinking. After 30 yrs. of marriage? Nah! Besides, I'm an artist, which means you can wear & do whatever the heck you want, like wearing cowgirl boots to a cocktail party.


Upon arriving at the party, it was instantly obvious to me that the other women in attendance had been no less confused than I. What a treat! Of course the young people were in what I'd call cocktail attire & dressy and undeniably adorable, all. The over 50 crowd were about as diverse in costume as you can imagine in your wildest dreams (except for the men who were, of course, in the usual navy blazer uniform). I felt adorable even in my *cocktail cowgirl boots* but I'm seeing a definite trend that screams *too much comfort* arising from my generation. The attire was a dead giveaway on that & it was scary, as if suddenly seeing us all becoming our own parents. Well, maybe not ALL of us. The best part of all is my feet were as cozy as two babes in blankets and I still looked cute! Okay, maybe not cute....


So, I was able to take a quick shot of the betrothed pair, *A* & *C* and are they not just gorgeous? They are both so elegant & so in love & have such a wonderful road ahead of them, especially with an angel to watch over them. I almost envy them, but I've had my time and it's been one hell of a wonderful, wild ride. I wouldn't have missed it for anything. Their time is beginning now and I hope they will have as much fun as we've had on our journey, which isn't nearly over yet, folks.


Tomorrow I'll find out what all you winners want of my wares, if any. Don't worry. Either way, these feelings won't be hurt or otherwise. And congratulations should certainly accompany thank yous for your excellent choices! You girlfriends definitely have style!


Actually, can't you tell they were just being nice to this old lady so they could get back to having fun @ their party? Who cares? I'm glad I made them do it.