SOCIAL MEDIA

15 September 2013

Pretending to Be a Princess







In 2006, somebody gave me this dress. It had belonged to her granddaughter or niece, someone who had worn it already and didn't have use for it anymore. It's hard to come up with uses for beaded, shimmery pink ballgowns, I must agree.

In the years I've had it, I've worn it to an extremely fancy wedding reception and as a Ginger Grant costume at a costume party. I've lent it to a cousin to wear to a school dance. There isn't a huge demand for pink ballgowns in my life, and sometimes that's a little bit of a sad thing. This gown is bigger and shinier and more beaded than even my wedding dress, it's definitely the fanciest thing in my closet. With each passing year it becomes a little more outdated, though in today's world of everything 'vintage' being cool....it might just always be in style.

My idea for participating in Katie's photoshoot link-up this month was obviously to don my extravagant pink ballgown and drag my brother out to the field behind my house for a few pictures. Like all pretty pictures on the blog, these were taken by Isaac. If you're not related to a photographer, you should start convincing one of your siblings or cousins to marry one. Because having a photographer in the family is at least as useful as having a medical professional in the family.

Also, I figure it's a good thing to prove every once in a while that I actually can do my own makeup and hair. Then, I got lazy and just did my makeup. Those windswept curls are the actual result of having curly hair and being outdoors. I have no idea how to create fake windswept curls.
(In this shot, I'm holding down my hair because it was attempting to go from windswept curls to I've been living in the wilderness curls)

Obviously, I'm also claiming that this totally counts as a dress for Skirtember, though I've been wearing significantly more casual dresses every other day of the week. For example, I wore this dress on Tuesday and this dress today. Other than that they're all blending together, but I promise, it's been a different dress every day!
Esther Ann said...

Hey, I came here from Hope Engaged. I love that you did this! Its such a great idea, an excuse to wear those never worn glam outfits. It could be an excuse for my hoarding of nice but never worn things. Also, i think your hair is amazing!

Esther x

Inge Jane said...

Oh fun that you got to play a little dress up in a very pretty dress! The pictures look great!

Inge Jane said...

Oh fun that you got to play a little dress up in a very pretty dress! The pictures look great!

Lena B, Actually said...

These photos are fabulous... I wish I had a photographer sibling to take my pics. ;)
We all should have a pink ballgown in our closet!

Lisa said...

You DO look like a princess!!! And isn't Katie's challenge the perfect excuse to get all dressed up!!!

The photo's are truly beautiful!!!

Katie said...

You look beautiful! That dress reminds me of my prom dress. That must have been a seriouly fancy wedding you wore it to. It is sad that the first thought was "that wedding must have cost more than a house"?

Whitney @ EHFAR said...

Pretty!! Loving the dress... pink is my favorite color!

Rachel Sayumi Porter said...

You look gorgeous!!

Michelle said...

You look gorgeous!

Elizabeth said...

you are so fun! I wish I had a photographer in the family! I just set up my tripod and have my neighbors think I am crazy :) I got rid of all my dresses like that - even my wedding dress - too much puffy space in my closet! ha. you are so beautiful! i love it!

Veronica Lee Burns said...

love these! you look awesome in that dress :)

I wish there were more events to wear pink gowns too...my prom dress would get so much more use.

Katie Cook said...

OH MY GOODNESS! You are seriously stunning! I LOVE THAT DRESS ON YOU GIRL! wow! Please bust it out more often:) These are just so perfect! I'm so glad you had fun!! {and you do look like a princess:)}

Lenya said...

Rachel you look drop dead gorgeous!!! Thse are my favorite photos of you so far. You look devine! Wow and double Wow!

have a lovely Sunday
Lenya

Lauren {at} Life.Love.Lauren said...

Can you say Keira Knightly in Atonement?!? BEAUTIFUL!!

Vicki said...

You look beautiful! That dress is gorgeous! Lovely photos, too!

~Vicki
decked out in ruffles

Bekah Loves Blog said...

There is definitely a shortage of occasions for pretty pink ballgowns. We should fix this.

Suzanne said...

The contrast of the cotton candy pink ball gown with the lush green scenery is beautiful and dream-like.

You look stunning.

I agree...I need to befriend a photographer.

bisous
Suzanne

Chantel said...

I agree, there really aren't enough reasons to wear fancy dresses any more, I wish there was more! And I totally get the photographer comment, though unfortunately I'm the photographer in our family so I'm always taking photos of everyone else and am hardly ever in any photos myself.

Imogen said...

This is such a beautiful dress. I definitely wish there were more occasions to wear such treasured pieces. What a stunning location for photos too.

Cramer Coffee and Jesus said...

one day I had a nice dslr camera and did photography - then one day I decided I didn't want to make money by photographing families anymore because it took up so much family time and I sold my camera - then one day, I regretted it. Because, DUH!!! I could've used it for personal use - I feel dumb and no longer have a nice camera nor do I have a close photographer family member. lol.

however, you my friend look so beautiful (as always) but this is a different kind of beautiful. ohhhh like a princess beautiful. haha.

J said...

That dress is gorgeous! Loving your pics :-)

Erica said...

I think you found the perfect occasion to wear that dress! I think I'd wear it while drinking chocolate milk out a wine glass and watching something classy, like James Bond or Big Bang Theory ;) It's so pretty though!

ChatterBlossom said...

These photos are just lovely! I especially like the photos with your back to us as it seems like you are off to have some romantic adventure on the horizon!
-Jamie
ChatterBlossom

Holly said...

I might never have a reason to wear a princess dress again. I should probably do a photo shoot like this.... a woman needs a reason to dress up like a princess every now and then.

Nikki said...

This dress is super pretty - I think I love the fact that it's vintage and passed down more than anything!
xoxo,
Nikki at www.bedazzlesafterdark.com

Unknown said...

Nice to meet you, Rachel! You look completely lovely, and these photos have their own beautiful integrity beyond your pretty self in your pretty dress. Hang on to this as long as you wish, 'cause you'll never get over the urge to dress like a princess (at least occasionally) no matter how old you get!

Chantal said...

So pretty! I love the second photo so much!

Thanks for linking up!
Chantal
www.scatteredseashells.com

Seraphima said...

beautiful vintage looking dress!!! You look lovely in it!!!

Jessi said...

These photos are gorgeous Rachel!! Your brother is obviously a talented photographer and this is such a beautiful dress.
Jessi
http://haircutandgeneralattitude.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! Yes, having a photographer in the family is a good thing! These are great pictures.

Lindsay said...

Gorgeous photos. Such a pretty and fun dress! Every girl needs to be a princess for a day.

Olivia Lovejoy said...

Wow! Your cousin is a great photographer! And you do look like a princess. Why doesn't life require more princess outfits of us?

Allexis said...

The princess dress is awesome and these pictures look amazing Rachel!!

xx
Allexis

Unknown said...

That top picture is just stunning!

two birds said...

well i'd say you found many uses for a beaded dressy dress! you look gorgeous. these shots are so pretty!

Katie @ Loverly She said...

Aw - beautiful pictures. I was just thinking the other day how much I'd like to wear my wedding dress and prance around our backyard and take pictures. Might just have to do that now :)

renae said...

Very pretty gown in the tall grass.

Unknown said...

I love it! The dress reminds me of things that were in style back when I was looking for a nice gown to wear for prom, hehe. Thank you for submitting this to The Blog Scene. I will definitely be featuring it! :)

Debbie Stinedurf said...

Are you rockin' the pink cotton candy dress or what?! What a cool and totally fun photo shoot! And how sad is it that there aren't more opportunities in life to wear a pink ballgown?
Debbie :)
www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com

bluehuewonderland said...

Such beautiful and natural pictures, just lovely in pink!

blue hue wonderland

Kristin said...

Those are great photos....and I do wonder why I hold onto my prom dresses. Will I ever wear them again? No.

Thanks for linking up!

AshleaD said...

Love your pink ball gown!

Thanks for the sweet comment on my whining/venting post. I really appreciate it.

Ashlea

Sarah Isis D said...

Wow.. I love the dress. I love pink :)
Thanks for visiting my blog. Linking up via plane pretty,

Diary of a Brown Eyed Girl said...

Gorgeous! Love your blog!

Martha Hokenson said...

What gorgeous pictures! I agree, it's sad that there's so little reason to wear shimmery pink ballgowns in everyday life. I just love pink. :)

Kari said...

You look beautiful! I love these photos. The lighting is gorgeous:)