Go East

We spent a fabulous few days at my Aunt Judi's place on the North Shore. My mom and aunt are planning a shower for me out here in June, for my mom's family and friends who live in the area. They took me to the place where the shower will take place, a restaurant called the Sea Glass, which is right on the water.

Inside it was beautiful, with sweeping views of the ocean and delicious food. I got to help plan the menu for the shower, and poked around in the gift shop while secret discussions went on behind closed doors. I can only imagine what was being schemed and planned!

Afterward we went into downtown Newburyport for some retail therapy. We visited a local whoopie pie bakery. Judi thought the pies might be a cool alternative to cupcakes for the shower. After a tasting, all I had to say was WHOOPIE!!!

We also successfully shopped for a dress for my mother to wear, possibly to the after-wedding brunch. For the first time I watched several bridal-themed tv shows. Both of them were about the drama some brides apparently go through in selecting a wedding dress. It was highly entertaining. The next day we headed to the mall for the big appointment.... I was getting my colors done!!! I have never had my colors done. I didn't even really know what that meant, and so arrived with a mix of excitement and anxiety. We were met with an enormous collection of containers in every shade.

I think even a mantis shrimp would be impressed. Somewhere among the piles of powder was a friendly lady named Amy, who immediately put us at ease and proceeded to use an endless parade of brushes and products to get me, as my friend Sara would say, "all tairted up."

The before shot...

...not quite ready for my closeup...

...and voila! The finished me!

Amy was exceedingly thorough. She drew and brushed and dabbed and even plucked. But she wasn't done yet. She then turned her beauty product arsenal my mother. And then my aunt! It was a cacophony of colors being done.

When it was finished we stood, three of us, buffed and polished to a high gloss finish. Thanks to Amy for a memorable afternoon! She is able to make those brushes and wands truly magical.

Judi had offered to do my makeup, and gifted me with my very own set of colors! Someday I will master them, but I am very glad that she will be there to do them for me on the big day.