A couple of months ago I was super chuffed to get an invite from a lovely lady called Corinne who when I initially met her, worked at the same office that I did.
Fast forward a few years and she is now working in a different office and I am now her Supervisor.
She had sent a Facebook invite to her 30th Birthday and told me it had a Wild West theme. Well, I could hardly miss out on that.
Now of course the problem with a Wild West theme is that there are only so many different looks you can go for.
This is where I fall down.
- I don’t own a pair of jeans.
- I don’t own a checked shirt.
- I can’t get cowboy boots to fit my large calves.
Yeah. Big problems
So what else could a girl go as?
This was when I started to think out of the box. Then I remembered an outfit that I had worn to a Rocky Horror Show night in Birmingham. I had ordered a feather boa tulle skirt from eBay. Sadly I no longer had the skirt as my cats had shredded it!
Luckily I could remember the name of the seller, Buffies and went straight to their shop to see if they still had items in my size.
Thankfully they did and I ordered this –
Beautiful Bustle
My plan was to put it with a frilled shoulder black top, a black brocade waspie and some cute red satin shoes with black trim and red ribbons that tie up the legs.
Well, that plan went out of the window when I did my knee in. High heels were off the menu, however I did add some fishnets and a little pair of black suede pumps.
Now I needed to do something about the hair and make-up. Slightly problematic since I shaved the side of my head off.
Queue Louisa at Q.L Salon who I have spoken about on several blogs had a few ideas which involved some clip in hair extensions and a smoky eye make-over.
Heading to the salon at lunchtime, I settled myself in for a wait. There was a couple of ladies in having their hair dyed and I knew there was a ‘no mirror challenge’ due in later too.
Louisa came and explained that they had a master plan. The original idea of putting in clip in extensions really wasn’t going to work as there was no hair on the shaved side to clip it to.
Instead they had decided to use a full wig made of natural hair which could be styled with heat.
Firstly though was the subject of my nails. I had lost a couple of my acrylics due to clumsiness and these needed to be replaced before giving them a new look.
As my outfit was red and black, we decided to go with a pillar-box red which Lou put on before adding a red glitter coat. They looked like Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers.
There’s no place like home
Moving into the stylist chair Lou set about waxing my eyebrows and neatening me up. I was so shattered I actually fell asleep during the waxing! I couldn’t believe it.
Curly Girlie
After that it was time for the wig and the styling.
Janine did a sterling job of curling it before styling it in a half up-do. I have to admit I was stunned at how different I looked.
I have hair!
The final touch would be a smokey eye make-up and then I was ready to go.
Janine set work with her powders and potions and I just sat back and let her get on with it.
Saloon Style
Finally I was done and Janine revealed the end result. Well, I was so stunned I hardly recognised myself! A dewy complexion, big full eyes and a slightly larger lip than normal.
Dewy and Fresh
I absolutely loved it.
Time was ticking on and I was being picked up by the wonderful H, my partner in crime. Rushing home I found the basic parts of my costume and started getting ready.
Wild and Western
H looked fantastic in her Poncho, mustache and a sombrero and we had to have a few silly photos.
Hostage Hi-Jinx
Eventually we got to the Party venue and were thrilled to see the Birthday Girl herself. She was pretty in pink and denim and looked to be having a fabulous time.
The Family Lees
Country and Western music was blaring out from the disco and there was a mechanical bull outdoors for the guests to have a go on.
Photobombed!
Obviously that was not something I was going to attempt with my dodgy knee, however I was more than happy to sit and watch with an ice cold drink.
Adam setting the Record
Sausage and bacon baps were served a little later and were very tasty. A bit of line dancing was going on and everyone looked like they were having an amazing time.
Selfie Time
Eventually it was time to head on home, happy, full and ready to get the itchy net skirt off!
Happy Birthday!!
So, what do you reckon to my outfit choice? Good idea?
Saloon Girl
Until next time,
SPSG xxx