Monday, March 2, 2009

The Silver Lining

I'm nervous.

Why am I so nervous?

I usually don't have a problem meeting new people. So why is my stomach in knots?

I look in the mirror and try to put on eye shadow.

My hand is shaking.

Ok, this has to stop.

I take a few deep breaths and finish my make up.

I look pretty good.

Apparently new eye shadow and mascara really does make a difference.

Now if it would only stop my heart from pounding so hard.

What is my problem>

I breathe deeply again.

And let it out.....

And gasp when I look in the mirror. My mascara left marks on my eye lid. Great. I'm like a ten year old playing with make up.

Fabulous.

I fix it and start the deep breathing again.

Ahhhh....

Breathing.....

I walk into my room to get dressed.

My LBD is waiting....it's been waiting. Hanging on the back of my door for weeks.

I've been so excited about this night it felt like it would never get here.

And now it's here.

And I'm a mess.

Breathing....breathing....breathing...

I was heading to my first Fashion Council event at the Museum of Fine Arts in the city.
The Fashion Council is a group of women, like myself, who appreciate and love fashion. Tonight's event was "Vintage After Dark". A close up on why vintage is so hot right now. We have a speaker from California in town. Cameron Silver. He owns Decades boutique in LA. His clients range from celebrities to those who just celebrate fashion.

So why was I so nervous?

I slip on my leopard print, patent leather Manolos.

I think I'm going to be ok.

One last look in the mirror,

I grab my Chanel clutch, my cashmere coat with the fur trim and I'm ready.

Really.

I am.

Ready.

Breathing....

I get to the Museum, sign in with the Fashion Council and head up to the restaurant to meet the other ladies and of course...Mr Cameron Silver.

Who I googled. Wouldn't you?

He not only lived up to his amazing pictures, he lived up to his amazing knowledge of vintage fashion. And he didn't mind dishing about some of the celebs either.

Suddenly I wasn't so nervous. I felt like I was in my element. A few of the women complimented my shoes and noticed my Chanel clutch. (a plus since I was at the Fashion Council) I wasn't sure what to wear, but apparently I picked right.

I walk around the room, chatting, sipping wine. I feel alive, I feel so much like me. I haven't felt this way in while.

I have MS and I was experiencing some symptoms. Some symptoms that could really ruin my night. I was a little dizzy and off balance. No one would notice. But I would. I fought through it. And for the next few hours immersed myself in the world I love so much.

Fashion.

Talking to Cameron Silver was definitely a highlight of the evening. I have never met someone like him before. I've seen him mentioned in just about every fashion mag I read (which includes the British versions too).

He inspired me to take more chances with fashion. Try new things for Spring. And he told me that of course....he had some fab things in his store.

A Silver Lining on a night when I felt like a dark cloud hovered over my head.

Now if he only had vintage Manolos....