Last summer, after a few months of dating Richard, I learned that among our various coincidences and similarities (both played AYSO with our dads as coaches, both played KFC soccer for a few years then quit, both ran the 800, both donated to Locks of Love, both love Cheerwine and unagi) that we had been sharing the same hairstylist for a few years.  His name is Anton.  Anton is, in one word, a sweetheart.  He works at La Femme Touche, and treats his customers, mostly women, like queens.  He calls them by names like Beautiful and My Love.  He’s always smiling, he’s always singing the corny songs on B97.5, and he always says “Thank you for letting me play with your hair,” before I leave in a loose, romantic French braid. 

   Anton absolutely loves his job and the Jeffords family.  He made that clear when my mom mentioned I’d started dating Richard.  He described Richard as special, as the guy that’s quiet and keeps to himself but really has something going on.  He went on to say that Richard and I had “similar souls.”  That made me smile.  When I strolled into La Femme Touche for my haircut that summer, he was excited to talk about my new boyfriend.  He pulled out a book full of prom hairstyles and said he’d love to do my hair for senior prom, if I was still dating Richard of course.  From then on, every time I came in afterwards, he made sure we were still together, or he’d have to beat me up, he joked. 

   Anton’s inspired me with his enthusiasm, and I know he would do a good job with my hair.  So now that I’m going to prom, I’ve decided that I might as well embrace the whole thing!  If I’m really doing it, why not do it all the way?  You know, get my hair and nails done (I’ve never done either of those), buy a beautiful dress and matching heels (even though I’ve never bought new heels just for a dance),  get a corsage and boutonnière (I’ve always loved daisies…).  Maybe I’ll even get a limo with all our friends (I’ll probably draw the line before throwing down that much dough, though, and limos are so not my style).  Okay, so no limo.  Everything else, here I come!

   This week I’m starting to focus on the biggest issue: a dress.  I’m really struggling to find one that’s unique yet still in my budget.  Since Mom’s putting in $200 and I do have a job (I’ve worked at Putt Putt Golf & Games since last March), I’m willing to spend a total of $300, definitely no more than $400. 

      Here are my rules for a prom dress:

1. I refuse to wear a shiny, bedazzled bright pink or red dress.  I will never wear a pink or red dress.
2. I’m trying to stay away from the basic black dress.  It’s too boring and plain for a masquerade, and it’s what I always go for.
3. Nothing trashy.  No cutouts. 
4. No awkward knee- or shin-length dresses.  Either long or short. 
5. No sleeves.
6. I really want something I could wear again.  (Is that possible?)  So nothing way too prom-y.
7. No multi-colored patterned dresses.  I really hate those.

My picks thus far:

http://www.newyorkdress.com/Faviana/6238FAV.html    I like the emerald color of this one, but it’s so structured.  I’d rather have something that flows. 

http://www.newyorkdress.com/nicole_Bakti/6130.html    This one flows and it’s so classy.  My dad doesn’t like the slit, though, and the color may wash me out.

http://www.newyorkdress.com/Alyce/5322.html    This dress is kind of unique, despite its plain colors.  My mom thinks it looks like a spider web, though. 

http://www.newyorkdress.com/Terani/95221P.html    This is my sister’s pick.  Quite the princess dress.

http://www.promgirl.com/shop/dresses/viewitem-PD486793    I know I said no patterns, no pink… but I actually like this one.  Still, not very fit for a masquerade.

http://www.promgirl.com/shop/dresses/viewitem-FA504012    Somehow, I like it.  I really like it.

http://www.promgirl.com/shop/dresses/viewitem-FA456776    Yeah, I did have to put one black dress up.  One other problem: Dad does not approve of the slit.

http://www.cbslimited.com/faviana-prom-dress-6405.htm    It’s kind of unique.

Anyway, leave a comment and let me know which ones are your favorites and which ones are completely off the mark.  And, if you think you can do a better job (I bet you can), send me a link.