What a great Girls' Day In!

Diana, Mysti, Reachel, Katie, Cathy and Cheri. Not pictured: Nancy, Karen and Jamie.

Diana, Mysti, Reachel, Katie, Cathy and Cheri.
Not pictured: Nancy, Karen and Jamie.

As many of you know, I spent about three weeks away from home recently from mid-March through the beginning of April. Don’t worry, it was mostly for fun (with just a little bit of work in there). I started out with the Keystone Conference down in Harrisburg, and from there headed out to visit with my sister in Oregon. I’ve been back a week, and am only just starting to feel aligned with this time zone. Sometimes my vacation self is a little too optimistic with how much I want to tackle when I get home, leading to this extended feeling of jet lag.

One of the things that has really helped me get back in the groove has been visiting and catching up with people! Thursday’s Open House had a great mix of newbies and old friends. I even managed to get a group shot, at least of everyone who wanted to be captured by the camera!

Over the years the Girls’ Day In events I host in my studio have fostered many friendships, and the support and encouragement given to each other through the course of the day warms my heart every time I witness it. Knowing I can create these opportunities for connection is so rewarding to me.

Hot for the Holidays

It’s December. The stores have had Christmas decorations out for weeks now (since right around Ghouls’ Night Out, in fact). And that means annual FishN.E.T.S. Hot for the Holidays party!

Hosted at Bobby’s Place in Taunton once again, join the FishN.E.T.S. crew at 6pm on December 15th for dinner at the club, followed by a fun night of dancing, pool, and friendship. The dinner is potluck, arranged in advance (meaning that a handful of volunteers coordinate dishes - no need to bring your own).

Closest reasonable hotel is the Quality Inn in Raynham, which is where I’ll be for makeovers before the party. Let me know if you’d like one of the time slots!

Hope to see you all there!

2018 Hot for Holidays.jpg

Three weeks and counting!

Ghouls’ Night Out is coming right up! Tickets are available in advance, as always, through BrownPaperTickets. You save a couple dollars, and I get a handle on how many people to expect.

So you still have three weeks to find a costume and get ready, but just over a week to get the discounted room rate over at the Econolodge. You must call the hotel directly at (508) 865-5222 and mention Scarlett’s Ghouls’ Night Out to get the discounted group rate. The room block and special rate will be released on 10/1.

I’m looking forward to a full night of dancing, laughs, and TONS of pictures at the Dudley Gendron on the 13th! See you all there!

Thank you for your patience.

Welcome to September!

I'm still here, and am still available for makeovers, shopping trips, and general presentation help. I'm a bit behind on responding to emails, but I will get to all of them. I'm not ready to declare “email bankruptcy”, and am very grateful for your continued patience while I catch up on business matters.

I unfortunately could not pull off a Maine Event this year. I will revisit planning an event for 2019. But Ghouls’ Night it is definitely a go! With less than one month before the biggest Halloween party, head to the Ghouls’ Night page for all the details!

I have Open House dates posted on the Event page, as well Diva Social dates. Conference dates are coming soon, but you can count on me being available at the Erie Gala, First Event, and Keystone for starters.

Consignment shopping tips!

Just two more weeks until the annual Spring Bling!  Does everyone have their new outfits picked out and accessorized for maximum sparkle?  

Can you tell my dress was a consignment store find, but Katie's was not?

Can you tell my dress was a consignment store find, but Katie's was not?

One of my favorite things to do for an event like Spring Bling (coming up on 4/29!) is go on a hunt through consignment and thrift stores for something new, but affordable.  My dress last year cost $35, and fit me perfectly right off the rack.  

Here's my top tips for scoring a great deal!

1)  Find a Store
Do some research to find a handful of consignment stores that carry styles you like.  Many stores have a particular focus (for example home goods or children's clothes) and sometimes that's hard to tell just from a web listing.  Additionally, many stores have their own personality based on the items they receive and the neighborhood they're located in.  Time of year counts too; with prom season starting in May, stores will accept more formal wear in early spring than they do in, say, autumn.  For an event like Spring Bling, call stores in advance and ask what they have for cocktail dresses and formal wear.  

2)  Try it on!  
Go around the store and pull anything that looks interesting.  Items may look better on your body than they do on the rack (and vice versa!).  Remember that previous owners may have had alterations done, particularly to formal wear.  Formal wear is also sized differently from everyday clothing, so just because an item is your size doesn't mean it will necessarily fit you. 

3)  Have a shopping buddy
Extra important if you are prone to impulse purchases, or will make a bad choice because "it's such a great deal".  Bring along a shopping buddy that will keep you to your goal and will be honest about how garments look on you.  If you don't have a buddy to come out with you, phone a friend - don't be afraid to take pics of yourself in a mirror and send it off to a level head for evaluation from afar.

4)  Be focused, but be flexible
It may not be exactly what you envisioned, but when a great find comes along don't pass it up.  If you have your heart set on a strapless, hunter green cocktail dress with beading but no sequins, you're almost certainly setting yourself up for disappointment.  Knowing that you'd ideally like a strapless cocktail dress, however, will help focus your search.  Being open to that floor length gown that highlights your best features is crucial.  

5)  Alterations can enhance a purchase
It's great if a dress can be worn right off the rack, but alterations can really make it perfect for you.  Just be realistic on what can and can't be done.  Garments can usually be taken in to fit better, but not let out.  Hems can be shortened, but not dropped.  The more layers a garment has, the more difficult tailoring can be.  Ask someone working for the store if they think something can or can't be done; they will usually be honest about their knowledge of alterations.

NELA's Fetish Fair Fleamarket

FFF #48 starts tomorrow, with programming starting at 6pm.  I'm so glad I can attend this year after several years of conflicts on the weekend.  I haven't attended the Flea since it moved from Providence to Warwick several years ago, but I used to have a blast perusing the vending area and attending presentations on topics of which I knew nothing previously.  What I love most about the Fetish Fair Fleamarket, though, is the environment of total acceptance.  Regardless of age, body type, race, fetish, kink, gender presentation....all are welcome.  

I'll have my kit with me at the La Quinta near TF Green if anyone needs some makeup.  Please call or text (860) 965-5125.  If not, I'll just enjoy the weekend meeting new friends!

More information can be found here: https://nelaonline.org/fetish-fair-fleamarket/winter-fleamarket

Calendar updated for 2017!

If you've been looking for some events to attend, or wondering where I'll be as far as conferences and parties, go check out the Events page...I've updated it to the best of my knowledge at this point.  Just a reminder, I post the events and parties I'm planning on personally attending to this page.  If you're looking for a more comprehensive list that includes parties I may not make it to, you should join my Meetup page.  The Tiffany Club also posts a wide variety of t-friendly or t-oriented places and events.

Take particular note of the following eventsin 2017 that I'll be attending or hosting:

I will be available for makeovers before the Fetish Fair Fleamarket February 17-19.  I am not an official vendor, nor am I at the Crowne Plaza where it is being held, but I have a room to work out of at the La Quinta in Warwick (about 10 minutes away).

Fish-NETS will be hosting their annual Winter Blues party on February 25th at Bobby's Place in Taunton, MA.

I will be at the Keystone Conference next month for the sixth time.  My schedule is already taking shape, so if you're interested in a makeover contact me soon!

Heather Leigh and I will be co-hosting a Triangles Reunion on May 12 at the Portuguese Cultural Center in Danbury.  Make it a double-header weekend by heading to New Haven on Saturday for Heather's monthly Diva Social.

I am please to announce I will be making it out to the west coast for Esprit this year!  Super excited to reconnect with the wonderful people I met in 2015.

Scarlett's Maine Event is scheduled for September 6-10 at the Meadowmere Resort in Ogunquit, ME.  The Maine Event page will be updated as information is available.

 

Counting down to Ghouls' Night Out!

Ghouls’ Night Out is now less than one week away, so get ready to join me at The Manor! 

As a reminder, the party is at The Manor at 42 West Boylston St, W. Boylston MA on Oct. 21st from 8pm until 1am.  DJ Edwina will be keeping everyone on the dance floor, and Kendra will once again be helping to capture the evening with her photography skills.  

Some additional details and reminders will help you all prepare for the evening.

The bar is CASH ONLY!  There is an ATM on site, but try to come prepared.

Tickets are still available at the discounted price of $15 if purchased before 10/19 from www.scarlettsgno.brownpapertickets.com.  Tickets at the door will be $20, cash only.  The check-in table will be in the lobby.  You will be asked to remove any full-face mask when approaching the registration table.

The nearest hotel, Classic Suites and Inns, is sold out, so listed below are some other great options within a 10-20 minute drive.

Heather Leigh and Mandi will be available for makeovers in the bridal suite at The Manor starting at 3pm.  Please contact me directly at scarlettssexymakeovers@gmail.com for an appointment with either artist.

There will be another Halloween party in the other ballroom that will be ending around 9:30pm.  Please be mindful of this, and respectful of others in common areas.  There is an alternate entrance that allows for a quick walk to the Grecian Room without passing the restaurant or the other ballroom.  When looking at the front of the building, the entrance is on the left (there is a white railing and a small patio). 

Keep costumes appropriate for a public venue, and be conscientious of others when taking pictures at the party.  These parties have always been safe, friendly, and problem-free; let’s strive to keep them that way so everyone can have a great time!

Extended Stay hotel - $118, 5.2 miles away
50 Oriol Dr, Worcester
508-852-2801

Days Inn, Shrewsbury/Worcester - $110, 10.5 miles away
889 Boston Turnpike, Rt 9, Shrewsbury
508-842-8500

Motel 6 Leominster - $90, 15.2 miles away
48 Commercial Road, Leominster
978-537-8161

Days inn Leominster/Fitchburg - $103, 16 miles away
482 N. Main St, Leominster
978-537-2800