Holiday Party

Every year, Frank's work, Efficient Capital Management, throws a holiday party for the employees at a fancy hotel so we were able to attend what hopefully will be the first of many ECM holiday parties in our future. We had a great time; we were able to have dinner and chat with our friends (and Frank's co-worker) Jonathan and his wife Rebekah. I was able to meet the company's owner, Ernest, his wife, and several of Frank's other co-workers and their families.
The party was set to take place at the Oak Brook Marriott. We stayed there for the weekend as did several other ECM employees and enjoyed a mini-vacation. Upon entering the room, I saw there was a pretty little box of chocolates sitting by the television.

The party was held in the hotel ballroom where we munched on hor d'oeuvres (I had my first crab cake!) and mingled for a bit while Sophie had a good time meeting and playing with the other children in attendance.

We had a lovely buffet dinner followed by a story for the children. Immediately after the story, the band began playing some good old jazz standards and the kids dominated the dance floor since they were already there. Sophie found a sweet young man of about 10-12 years of age to dance with who twirled her and jumped around with her to her heart's content. The next song found her seeking out a new partner; she ended up with a younger little fellow, slightly shorter than she, whom she twirled around to both of their delights. Another dance, another partner, then some down time with Mom and Dad. I really wish I'd had my camera for those dances!

We didn't stay too long after dinner was over; we were there for a total of about 3 hours or so, chatting and eating. A few days before, I took Frank to JCPenney to look at suits for the party (the invitation requested formal wear) since they were having such amazing deals on them at the moment, and luckily we were able to find just the right one: A charcoal gray, 3-button jacket with medium pinstriping and matching pants. It fit perfectly, no tailoring necessary, and it looked sharp! I even found him the perfect shirt and tie to coordinate with my dress and accessories.


My lovely friend from across the pond, Irish designer Bonzie Crotty, was sweet enough to make and send me an aubergine-colored silk flower brooch to wear in my hair. It was so kind of her to send me something to go with my dress! I was proud to wear it and also show off the gray silk purse she made for me a while back, as well! It's fun getting all gussied up once in a while. :)

(Sorry some of the shots are so yellow; I took them in the bathroom in terrible lighting conditions. I did the best I could to clean them up. Having a good camera certainly does not make one a good photographer!)

Originally, I wanted my hair like this:

But after an hour or so of it falling in my face, I had to do this:

And a family shot...