The LBD, Part Two.

voltee ♦ February 17, 2011 ♦ 4 Comments

Item: Little Black Dress Color/Fabric: Black (duh) and fabric, unknown Designer: Kenneth Cole Where Purchased: kennethcole.com Years Owned: 2

Today I started to see a little glimmer of my old self, my not sad and angsty self. My name-is-Kerry-I’m-so-very self. Just a little peek. But it’s nice to know that she’s coming back. Since I need her around.
I figured it would help if I wrote about positive, empowering sort of things.
Actually, it will help if I just write, period.
I love this LBD. Nate bought this for me during a crazy online sale almost two years ago, and I’ve worn it two times. The first time was on our ninth anniversary. We were either rehearsing or performing in Tommy, one of my favorite shows ever. We have been either in a show, or rehearsing for a show, for every anniversary for the last five years. So usually we just go out to dinner, and this time we went to Terrapin. It was very chilly for July, and we sat outside. And I wished that I had not chosen this dress.
The second time I wore this was here:

I love this picture. It reminds me of Robert Palmer’s “Simply Irresistable” video; the paleness, the crazy makeup, the black dress. The hair is a little out of place, though.
My hair and makeup are so crazy because this was after a performance of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and we were having Gala, which meant a dj dance party and costume contest.
It was awesome.
We got to stay in costume for the gala, and, sadly, there weren’t many non-cast members in costume. I didn’t even stay to see who won the contest. I was unbelievably tired.
I had wanted to be a part of a production of Rocky Horror for years, and I was so thrilled to be able to do it.
It was a really hard time for me, though.
My hip surgery wasn’t even three months before rehearsals, and I was still on crutches for the auditions.
I did sort of lie a little, though. I said that my surgeon had cleared me to do the show. He hadn’t. I didn’t even ask him for fear that he would say no.
I just really, really wanted to be in the show. And in the long run, I think it was the best thing for me. It meant that I never, ever skipped physical therapy, that I did all of my exercises, every day, and that I was extra cautious at all times.
And my recovery was so much speedier than many people who have my surgery.
I’m proud that I made it through that. It wasn’t the easiest experience, but it ended up being a fantastic show, and I made wonderful new friends.
My favorite memory was when Annie and I went to Hanniford still in full hair and make-up to buy water and salads and Monsters. We were doing two shows that night, which was one of the most exhausting things I’ve ever done. But no one even batted an eye at us in the grocery store! Well, except for one man, who could not stop staring and almost fell over himself.
My least favorite memory was my hair. Not that I didn’t love the way it looked- it was indescribably awesome! The process was painful and long. Annie spent a ridiculous amount of time and product on it every night. She is a genius with a bottle of Pump-It-Up. But it hurt. A lot. And it took forever to return it back to normal. And a ton of shampoo. Totally worth it, though.
Anyway, the dress. It really doesn’t look as garbage-bag-like as it does in the picture. It just has a subtle shimmer. And I think the neckline is very flattering, as are the pleated on the top. Anything that adds substance to that area is a winner for me! I did have to repair it, though, and I’m not sure I did a good enough job. Some of the pleats don’t lay exactly right now. It’s such a tiny thing that probably no one will ever notice except me. But it’s just enough for me to wonder if it’s worth keeping. Thoughts?

**I still love this dress, tiny flaw and all. It stays.