Today I suddenly realized that we will meet the Queen of Holland in one month! M plans to go buy a very nice suit, as it is for the opening of a show he is in, but I have plenty of cute clothes and only need to buy a few small accessories. Luckily, my most elegantly dressed friend H sent along some clothing that she no longer wants, so indirectly with H’s help, I now have a perfect combination, (which I decided I must absolutely find today, before beginning my hours of practicing and research) :
Flowy dark black pants
H’s white shirt – an attempt to explain: an elegant, thin cotton halter top with transparent back, the front is made of 5 horizontal ruffles, each about 3 inches in width (the ruffles also do away with the need for undergarments); the effect is part wedding cake, part wedding dress, part little girl, but very, very cute for an art opening that the Queen is attending! (I’ll attach a photo after the event.)
White, thin-strappy, sandal-like heels
Floating pearls from M that I wore at our wedding
What I need to get:
I plan to wear my hair up in a French twist, and I’d like to find some sort of pearly accents – must look around.
Pearl dangle earrings (ok, fake pearl, but pretty)
MAYBE a new fun hand purse – literally, just to hold in the hand. I always see cute beaded hand purses at stores here and never have the chance to use one. If they are too expensive, I do have two nice simple black small purses, one in satin.
I plan to do my own make-up (cousins, do not cringe! i will use the ideas i learned at my wedding, and i’m getting less afraid of lipstick), but M has said that he’d like me to treat myself to a manicure and pedicure on that day. French manicure, here I come! Don’t know about pedicures. I tend to really like dark reds, but I might do a French pedicure, too. Will see.
How exciting! I hear there is even going to be a red carpet! I also hear that we are not allowed to take cameras inside, so I’ll not be able to show you a photo of me with the Queen. Oh well. I’ll have the memories.
How exciting! Wish you lived closer, I’d send you the dangly pearl earrings I wore at my wedding.
How fun this sounds! Lovely details about the shirt, sounds so much fun. And please do post photos of you guys all dressed up.
I have faith you can do your own makeup! I’m sure you’ll look wonderful.
This sounds fun! My tip for lips: buy a good gloss with sheer color, not a lipstick. It will feel lighter and look more fresh and modern than a matte lipstick. I’m looking forward to the photos!
so diplomatic, Mandy
you’re fit for the queen, or rather, you R the queen 
with the sound of your ‘ensemble’ 
‘clothes I no longer want’…rather than, I no longer can fit into…
yes, do send along photos, with or without the queen, we’re more interested in how YOU look!!!
can’t wait
I like hearing about all the ‘tips’ from your cousins and sis, so sweet.