My preparations for Prom started about two years ago, when I discovered a beautiful black dress from the fifties that my mom had purchased at a vintage store twenty odd years ago. At that moment, when I was getting ready for my sophomore Winter Formal, I did not know that was the perfect dress for me. But for the next two years it stuck in my head and at the start of senior year I asked my mom if I could have it for Prom.
I drove to LA to have it taken in a bit by a funny old seamstress who my mom had been visiting for years. I found the perfect black peep-toe heels and booked my essential appointments including manicure/pedicure at my favorite local nail salon, Kreme de la Kreme and a consultation with my hairstylist (my mom).
I never really went through the ordeal of finding a date; I just asked my boyfriend Kyle if he wanted to go. And about a month before Prom, I started putting together a group of my friends and Kyle's friends, and looking for transportation as well. I knew I didn't want a party bus with dancing poles that some intoxicated teenagers inevitably end up exposing themselves on, and a standard limo seemed boring. After several hours of searching, I found an amazing 1955 red Flxbile. The bus was gorgeous and fun and I could not stop fantasizing about it! It was completely unique and matched our group's collective personality perfectly.
Find out what's happening in Belmont Shore-Napleswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
When I received the email letting me know that the bus was unavailable, I was heartbroken. I googled desperately, trying to find something similar, but I had no luck. I asked Kyle if he could try to find something. The next day, he sent me a link to an extremely cool vintage trolley at a really great price! And the company emailed me saying they had availability!
But they only had their larger trolley available. It was not as cool as the older, small trolley, and it was much more expensive. This transportation thing was starting to bum me out. By this time Kyle's parents had offered to host a dinner with a menu including Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon and Crème Brûlée (yum!), and our group consisted of eighteen people: 9 girls and 9 guys, some in couples, some flying solo, all very cool kids.
Find out what's happening in Belmont Shore-Napleswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
I decided we would just get a regular limo. If we couldn't be original and unique, we could at least be dropped off in style. The nightmare began again. Every company I talked to tried to overcharge me the moment I mentioned Prom. I finally found a company charging a reasonable-ish $78/person, but when I called back two days later, they were already booked. My parents suggested I contact an event-planner friend of theirs, and she saved the day by booking the limo for us.
Last week, I found awesome vintage earrings at the Vintage Collective on 4th Street which are currently being converted from clip-ons to posts at . Kyle and I picked out a corsage and boutonniere at Sweet Peas in Naples and then everything was taken care of! Now I can relax and be excited for Prom! I hope we have a great DJ so my friends and I can dance all night! Check back for Prom Part II, a tell-all report on a real-life 2011 Senior Prom!