Change of a Dress (with apologies to SAtC)

Progress continues to slowly trickle in. My mom and I drove to Atlanta last week to check out a few dress places. We really liked this little spot, as it was cute, cozy, and full of (relatively--a word that has changed meaning during this process) affordable options. After doing the ill-fated David's Bridal thing here in town, this was a much better, less tiara-pimping experience. I will give it up to DB's though; we used them like a one night stand to figure out what kind of silhouettes work best on my crazy figure. Turns out the awesome kooky, vintage-y styles I covet are either way outta my price league (oh, how I covet thee!) or made for those with more waifish figures. So, anyway, it looks like structured a-lines are my friend.

After a brief dalliance into the bridal dress realm, I would like to warn you, dear readers, about an alarming trend: the flaming vagina factor. Look in any bridal shop, catalogue, magazine, what have you. What you may see is a flourish of sequins and beaded flowers either erupting over or pointing toward your privates. You'll also occasionally notice some butt embellishment.

Witness dress #1:


Dress #2 (horribly unflattering, complete with cotton candy butt fluff):


Dress #3 (makes me feel like I should be working at the saloon in Deadwood):


Dress #4 (I kinda like, though it is getting a little too close to fairy princess land for my taste):


Dress #5 (a close second favorite, but not worth the extra $600):


Dress #6 (the current lead contender):


After a few more stops closer to the 'Ham, I'll hopefully have the dress crossed off my list. I'll most likely choose #6 unless I find something cheaper and/or more delicious. Can't wait too long, though, as that bad boy is going to need altering like no one's business.

Since I am getting further away from my dream of being an offbeat bride wearing a casual, more wacky dress, I am deterined to have fun with my shoes. Here are my current thoughts:


Many of you with more traditional taste--hi, mom!--are probably looking (virtually) at me with the same look of horror that crossed my gynocologist's face last month when I told her I wasn't yet sure if I was going to change my last name ("Oh, Cindy!!"), but I must have at least a small touch of 'tude.