Fit for a future Queen

The anticipation was killing me! I was watching the Royal Wedding of William and Kate, but I was waiting for THE DRESS. One of the best kept secrets. We didn't know the designer, what it would look like. How long would her train be? As long as Diana's? Shorter?

And then the answers. Kate Middleton was helped out of the car in front of Westminster Abbey and it took my breath away..

Amazing. Beautiful....designed by Sarah Burton, Creative Director for the House of Alexander McQueen. With a V-neck lace bustier, a full embellished skirt, long sleeves and a nine foot train, it was a dress fit for the future Queen of England. Sarah Burton told Elle UK, "It has been the experience of a lifetime to work with Catherine Middleton to create her wedding dress, and I have enjoyed every minute of it. It was such an incredible honour to be asked, and I am so proud of what me and the Alexander McQueen team have created."

And what they created is a dress that will no doubt start a flurry of copies with brides-to-be dreaming of wearing it and designers making it.

So how did she choose? It's hard enough to choose a dress when you're getting married. But you're marrying a Prince in front of 1900 guests and 2 billion people around the world watching your every move. No pressure.

The official statement from Buckingham Palace said "Miss Middleton chose British brand Alexander McQueen for the beauty of its craftsmanship and its respect for traditional workmanship and the technical construction of clothing." The details of the workmanship are just unbelievable.

The hand-cut English and French Chantilly lace for the bodice and the skirt was hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework based at Hampton Court Palace. Within the lace were four emblems of the United Kingdom: the rose, thistle, daffodil and the shamrock. The Palace's statement revealed that "The workers washed their hands every thirty minutes to keep the lace and threads pristine, and the needles were renewed every three hours, to keep them sharp and clean."
Sarah Burton oversaw the creation and then she put it together by hand.

The ivory satin bodice curved into a nipped waist. The hips were slightly flared, which is a signature of a McQueen design. The skirt echoed an open flower, with arches and pleats. The back was finished with 58 buttons.

She also wore a veil of tulle and a tiara on loan from the Queen. The 'halo' tiara from Cartier was a gift to the Queen (when she was a Princess) from her mother on her 18th birthday. Kate's diamond earrings were a gift from her parents for her wedding day.

Kate Middleton was a glowing bride who carried herself with grace and beauty. The dress was understated elegance and she wore it well.

But we were in for one more surprise! The Prince and new Princess drove out from Buckingham Palace in his father's convertible Aston Martin which was decorated with balloons and a "Just Wed" license plate. They were on their way to Clarence House before going back to the Palace for a party.

She arrived as a commoner and left a Princess.

All done in royal style.

In-JEAN-ious!

Jeans.

We all have them. We all love wearing them.

But who likes to try them on?! You have to look for the right fit, cut, length, style, color, rise.....

So when I was invited to a fundraiser called "Denim After Dark" at the National Jean Company in Newton Center, Massachusetts I admit, I had some reservations. An entire night...surrounded...by...jeans?

But It was for a really good cause. And I knew it would be a fun time to catch up with friends and chat about fashion with new ones.

So I went.

And I'm so glad I did!

The fundraiser was for Youk's Kids. An organization started by Boston Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis. It raises money to help local kids. On this night the National Jean Company which features the Hudson Brand, was not only giving customers 15% off their purchase, they were donating 10% of all the night's sales to Youk's Kids. Money will go to a program called "Athletes for Heroes" (other Boston athlethes are involved as well). It will help kids who have lost a parent in the line of duty. Whether the parent was a member of the military, a firefighter, police officer or just a regular person. Kids will have help paying for sporting activities, anything to do with the arts or even a bereavement camp.

Everyone was shopping for the cause, but they didn't have to do it alone. At the National Jean Company the sales associates are experts in all things jeans. I've never seen so many women come out of dressing rooms smiling and HAPPY with their jeans!

I spoke with one woman who was just like me. Not thrilled to try on jeans. Especially in a store with ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE! We were laughing about it until the woman behind us held up a shopping bag and told us we had to see one of the store's sales associates, because she took one look at her, picked up a pair of jeans, led her to the dressing room...and voila! Her Denim Dream came true! New jeans that she absolutely LOVES.

What?!

I had to find out more. Not just about the sales associates at the store, but about jeans. What's in? What's out?

So I went to the source. Store manager Sarah Spalding. She gave me some advice on how to wear one of the new trends...colored jeans. Red, blue, yellow, green....oh my! But she said to keep the jeans as the focal point of your outfit. Simple accessories and a neutral top.

But the best advice? She said, "What's in, what's big is what looks good on you." Love it!

So how did a store that sells jeans and a local athlete come together?

National Jean Company is always looking to help local charities and it just so happens that Kevin Youkilis' charity was looking for some help.

So far Youk's Kids has raised $300,000. Judging by the VERY long line, which never seemed to slow down the entire night....I'm thinking they raised a whole lot more.

It was just a perfect fit. An In-jean-ious pairing!

And I'll definitely go back to the National Jean Company to find my perfect fit.

But I'm going to wait unitl the store doesn't have so many people in it.....