I went dress shopping today with four out of my five BMs, my oldest daughter (who is my junior BM), and my mom. already had one Alvina Valenta that I loved. It was a strapless A-line gown with lace on the bottom and a ribbon sash/brooch. I was pretty much ready to get it except that I wanted to try on the Maggie Sottero Karena Royale and just make sure that I'd checked out a bunch of dresses.We went back to the salon with the AV and I tried it on for everyone and they were like "oh, it's pretty" without much enthusiam. I still loved it, but wanted a bit more WOW! response! So, there was another AV with a ballgown sillhouette and lace on the top, and I tried that one on and everyone loved it. I tried on 5-6 more at that salon, but that was the one to beat the whole time.After that, we had lunch and then went to another salon. It was awful. So crowded, the girl was surly and didn't even help me get the dresses on, etc. They had the Maggie but it just wasn't what I wanted. I could only find three dresses I liked enough to try on and none were even close to the AV. So, I knew. That was it!! We went back to the other salon and I got measured and they let me take tons of pics since I was ordering it.The one thing about the dress that I don't like is that the lace is scalloped on the neckline/bodice, which I HATE, so they are going to have it made to just go straight across for me. The one in the picture was antique and I ordered it in ivory. Otherwise, it's exactly like this dress! I really just plain love this dress. The satin is so thick and beautiful, and the lace is really delicate. The only sparkles on it at all are on the brooch, which I also like since the weird crystals and beads on wedding gowns weird me out. I looove the little sash thing, too. Plus, I feel beautiful in it and that's the most important part! Pictures! None of them are that great, largely owing to the angle from the floor to the runway thing, the weird lighting, and my awful tan lines, but try to imagine it!
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http://tinyurl.com/rbntgd[/img] The last one shows the detail... I tucked the scalloping under, which is why it's kind of uneven, but it won't be like that in reality! <img src="
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