Black tie benefit for international charitable ophthalmic medicine sponsored by DH's dept. Saturday. Bringing in a famous author whose new book on DH's colleague's Himalayan Cataract Project came out this week. Invited to the meet the author pre-party (probably +6 hour affair). Other attendees are donors, some of whom fund DH's research.

Practice run. I've worn the dress before, but no one will remember it. Shoes are what I can get on my healing foot and we are on a strict SYC for the rest of the month anyway. Regardless, I have got to get some shapewear although it's not as bad as the photos suggest.

Vintage handbag, hat, earrings and brooch. I hit EBay pretty hard for the accessories since I knew I could wear the same dress. Handbag is 1950s Wilardy lucite and I love it. I finished knitting the shawl last night, disregard trailing bits. I will do the finish work today.

Questions:
I have a hair appt a couple hours before the party for a do that works with the hat. Any Pinterest or other posts come to mind? It's below my shoulders, due for a trim, and naturally curly. Threw it in a bun for the photo.

Shawl and brooch. I bought the brooch with the idea of pinning the shawl (#3) to deal with the likely arctic A/C in the ballroom. I tried the brooch on the dress (4) as some place to put it until I need it. Is it way over the top and should I just stow it in the bag until needed? (I feel ridiculous even asking that with the hat).

Green or blue brooch? Original plan was green but it broke first time I tried it on. I might be able to glue it back together. The blue one feels solid, won't be worrying about it. Is the green enough better to bother?

Earrings are not as sparkly as the flash made out. They need to be cleaned. 1950s rhinestones. Windex?

Make-up: Angie's post came at just the right time. Thinking big mascara and a red lipstick. Good enough? Hairstylist does make-up, can help me if needed.

Shapewear-I haven't bought any since Spanxx came out. Is this something you try on in the store? Or just buy it like underwear? The things I do not know about clothes astound me.

Off to go try to even out my farmer's tan. No hope of that bruise healing by Saturday, guess I'll sling the shawl over that arm. Clutching my shawl will mean my credit card will stay in the wallet. For these docs, about $20 is all it takes to do a cataract surgery and restore someone in the third world to a functioning member of society. Actually 2 people, because families often have to pull a child out of school to tend a blind person while everyone else works. DH isn't a physician, our household income doesn't match his dept peers, but we do what we can do. New shoes or 5-10 surgeries? Hence the SYC.