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So it may not be quite as long as "lifelong" initially sounds to some of you, given that I'm only turning 23 this November, but it's still amazing! Ever since I can remember I've been a bit of a "princess" at heart (despite being much more a tomboy in my day-to-day life) and as such, I've always loved the idea of things like castles and balls and pretty dresses.

Well, one of my special desires, especially since the first time I watched Phantom of the Opera, was to attend a masquerade ball.

This year, it's happening. I finally found one near me that works with my schedule and that I can afford. It's about a 2 hour drive from Boise to Baker City, but the tickets for the ball are only $25, which means we've been able to afford a little extra to stay at the fancy hotel it's happening at, the Geiser Grand hotel, which is a beautifully, amazingly, stunningly gorgeous hotel! Raised ceilings, stained glass, chandeliers and four poster beds: it's a little girl's dream come true.

My only remaining problem was a dress. Pardon my saying so, but a regular evening dress just wouldn't cut it for me, not for this. I needed more floof. :))

Well, I've been looking for weeks, and everything was either not-twirly or way, way expensive. I was starting to get really frustrated and feeling like I would have to settle, when my wonderful friend @BakeryStables reminded me that I can sew (somewhat). Why not alter a dress?

I'm not the greatest, not by a long shot, but I know how to work a sewing machine and I've made a couple pieces, including a simple Link (LoZ) costume (tunic/kilt/hat/bag) for my brother several years ago. I've not ever used a pattern except for once with the help of my mom, so I wasn't confident in my ability to sew a dress from scratch, but altering a few things certainly seemed within the realm of possibility.

$23.61, two days, and 10 work hours later, and I have an even more beautiful dress with enough material it can twirl. :x

I'm feeling on top of the world right now!

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