Hitting a milestone in life and celebrating it is such a rewarding feeling. One of my favorite moments in life is to reach that peak in a given situation, when you know that you have accomplished something and done your very best, and there is no other way you would want to look back and redo it. That inner joy and satisfaction should be celebrated with those you care about and are close to. Or, if you simply want to throw a big party, invite everyone in your phonebook, which is who we were at the 30-year anniversary party we attended this evening.

Our not-so-close neighbors apparently spent 30 lovely years happily married and they invited almost everyone in this little town to celebrate. I’ve never been to an anniversary party before, but I was assuming it would be a formal event, so I put my best foot forward and slipped into my brown, Calvin Klein dress. It’s sleeveless cut and high waist emphasized my upper body, and I finished the look with a beaded necklace. I pulled my hair back in a bun, revealing my matching brown earrings. The dress flows down to my toes, and I’m proud to say that I didn’t even have it altered! Usually it’s so difficult for me to find evening dresses that fall perfectly down to my ankles. Oh how I love Mr. Klein!

Even though I felt like a bombshell standing in front of my mirror before leaving the house, I felt like a fish out of water when I arrived at my neighbors. When I hear “anniversary party”, I think of lavish parties with live music and lots of bling. People in this town, however, seem to define it as “please-show-up-in-casual-wear-because-the-wife-and-husband-will-be-in-jeans.” While there were a good amount of people who slightly dressed up, the hosts of the party socialized in jeans. Other guests wore cocktail dresses, suits and ties, and even fishnet stockings, which I didn’t find too appropriate for an anniversary party. Even though I felt like the black sheep of the party, I decided to have a good time and mingle.

After a couple of good white wines, I seemed to be speaking better German that I thought I was capable of. I somehow got involved in discussing the current European economy which honestly surprised me! I actually had more fun that I thought I would, and even got complimented on my outfit! Unfortunately I didn’t have much of an opportunity to talk to the hosts, but, at least, I managed to squeeze through everyone to find them and say something.

Tonight I learned that not every milestone party consists of bling, and that it is okay to show up at anniversary parties in jeans (although that is something that I will never be capable of doing). It just seems wrong, doesn’t it? Well, I’m not going to make a big deal out of it because I will be spending the next week in one of the most fashionable cities in the world, which is Milan! I’m sure I’ll observe some of the most beautiful fashions and perhaps get inspired to play with new colors and styles. Can’t wait!

Love always,
Mia