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It would have, like, been a total blast

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On Thursday afternoon I drove to Austin for my dad’s retirement party. He’s worked for the same company since 1972. To put it in perspective, I was one year old when he started. And now I am significantly older than that.

I’m not sure what I was expecting since I’ve never been to a retirement party before, but it far exceeded my expectations. My dad has always been my hero and to hear a room full of people talk about his integrity and character and what he has meant to them was an incredible experience. An experience that about sent me straight into the ugly cry. Seeing him honored that way will go down as one of the best nights of my life because he deserved every minute of it.

We drove back to San Antonio on Friday morning and I was supposed to fly out to Nashville later that afternoon for my friend Travis’s 40th birthday party. His sweet wife had been planning a surprise birthday celebration complete with an 80’s theme for months, but the real surprise ended up being almost a foot of snow in Nashville which meant there was no way I could make the party unless I flew into somewhere south of Nashville and procured a team of speedy sled dogs to take me the rest of the way. And don’t think I didn’t consider it.

Instead of being at a fun 80’s themed birthday party with several of my friends, I spent Friday night sitting on my couch, catching up on DVRed television, and eating a Frito pie made with Hormel chili out of a can. So it was pretty similar to how I spent many Friday nights in the 1980’s except there was no DVR back then so I would have been waiting for Friday Night Videos in the hopes they’d show some awesome Wham! videos and I could wonder if George Michael might fall in love with a fourteen year old girl from Beaumont, Texas. (Bless my heart, it was a naive time. I thought being fourteen was my biggest obstacle to long-lasting love with George Michael.)

And I was usually home because I was grounded for breaking curfew the previous Friday night. Now I’m just home because I’m lame and also old enough to be Lady GaGa’s much older sister.

(I know that because I looked her up on Wikipedia while watching the Grammys last night. She was born in 1986. NINETEEN HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-SIX. Otherwise known as my sophomore year of high school.)

Anyway, I was so disappointed because it’s a major letdown to think you’re going to spend time with some of your favorite people, only to find yourself at home alone with can of Hormel chili and an 80’s outfit that took weeks and several trips to Forever 21 to put together.

Look at what I now own. Again.

But wait. There’s more.

And these gems that I found on the sale rack at Forever 21 for $4.99.

It was a final sale so I guess I’ll have to save them for the next PTO meeting.

They’ll look great with my new blue eye makeup and hot pink lipstick.

I even bought a can of Freeze It! to ensure that I could attain maximum hair volume before I pulled it all back with a banana clip.

Don’t ask me how I thought I was going to get it on the plane in my carry-on bag. I guess I figured I could sweet talk security and maybe tell them that Frankie says RELAX.

The most shameful purchase of all was a Miley Cyrus brand dress that I purchased at Walmart last week. If you’d asked me a week ago for a list of things I would never do, that list would have read:

1. Will never eat dark meat from a chicken again. Ever.
2. Will never marry George Michael. (Guilty feet have got no rhythm)
3. Will never purchase any sort of Miley Cyrus clothing for myself.

But, yet, here is the Miley Cyrus dress.

In my defense, I bought it solely for the skirt. And it was on sale for $10.00.

Which now seems like $10.00 too much.

Ultimately, here is what the entire outfit would have looked like had Nashville not had the biggest snowstorm in the history of me knowing anyone who lives in Nashville.

By the way, I already owned the denim vest. There are some items of clothing that are too sacred to be thrown out even if they haven’t seen the outside of your closet in seventeen years. (Okay, fifteen years. It was hard for me to give up on the vest. As evidenced by the fact that I still own it.)

So happy birthday, Travis. I hope you got some new dentures and a gift certificate for your 4:00 p.m. dinners at Captain D’s. And maybe a nice cardigan to ward off the chill.

As for me, I had a lovely Friday night at home thinking about all the fun I was missing with sweet friends.

And I also have a daughter who has discovered the banana clip and the beauty of a flipped up collar.

Which kind of worried me until I remembered what Frankie says.

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  1. Awww! I love it! Wish you could have been there in all your 80’s glory, Mel. I miss the 80’s styles. They were so much fun!!

    I roller-skated quite a few couples skates to George Michael. “I’m never gonna dance again…”

  2. That outfit is amazing. Love it. I wish I would have seen this post a couple of weeks ago before I went to an 80’s-themed birthday party. I didn’t know what to wear, so I was one of two people who didn’t dress up. 🙁 Lame, I know. At least someone gave me a teal headband to wear when I got there.

  3. That’s sweet about your dad’s party. My dad’s retirement is coming up (he’s been at the same church for 36 years) and it’s going to be so emotional. Like saying good bye to family. Anyway. That outfit is totally rad. 🙂 Dress up bin material for sure. Or your next date night?

  4. Your dad’s party must have been a total joy and blessing…. Your 80’s outfit is hysterical!

    Adrienne

  6. That outfit cracks me up…and in 1986, I was a 27 yo working woman with my own apartment…so let’s just not go there about me being Lady GaGa’s mother!! Trust me, if I were her mother, she wouldn’t be leaving the house looking like that.
    Even though I was an ancient woman in the 80s, I did have a few banana clips and those haute-couture slides to scrunch up the edge of your tshirt.

  7. Ok…I loved and rocked the 80’s. That shirt made me laugh out loud and thats hard to do at 7am. LOVED IT!!!

    And I’m hung up on the fact that Lady GaGa was born in 1986. Wow.

    We are still snowed and iced in here in TN so i’m glad you are safe and sound in TX.

  9. this is quite possibly the best post in the history of all time! That outfit is to die for and I SERIOUSLY want some pics of YOU IN IT!

  12. I’m sorry you had to miss the party! But as someone who lives in the sticks outside of Nashville I can tell you school is canceled again today. Lovely.

  13. Best 80’s outfit EVER! I think I might get some of those same things…just to keep in my closet…in case I get invited to an 80s party. Thanks =)

  14. Oh, I wish I would have seen this earlier. We had 80s day at school (I am an assistant at my girls’ school) and I could not think of a thing to wear. Although I graduated in 1988 and SHOULD HAVE KNOWN.

    It’s a little disturbing that you were able to find those items TODAY. 80s coming back???

  15. Oh wow…banana clips are something I haven’t thought about in years. I’m just shocked you found them and sad that they must be coming back in?????? Nothing gave me a headache faster (unless it was one of those poofy headbands I owned). Sorry you missed your party. We live in TN and I’m ticked that Nashville got a FOOT of snow and we, who live in the mountains, only got 5″. BOO!! 🙁 Thanks for the laugh though!

  16. Eeek! I loved this post!! What’s scary is that the Miley Cyrus skirt sort of pulled that outfit into the current decade. You would have looked so bangin.’ 😉

    The t-shirt reminded me of the Friends episode where Ross and Rachel are having a fight (maybe breaking up?) and he takes that t-shirt back from her and puts it on when she argues that he can’t fit into it anymore.

    I’m sorry it didn’t work out with George, but I think it was for the best. 😉

    I think I just decided what theme I want for my *big* birthday in April. 🙂

  19. Ok- the funniest thing is that I saw that dress at Wal Mart and the very first thing that came to mind was “Hmm, I wonder if this would ever make a Fashion Friday post”. Who knew?
    BTW- scary to me that there is so much 80’s paraphernalia so readily available!

  20. I always say the 80’s was a time when we had the Rubik’s cube, big hair and the illusion that George Michael was straight :0) Great outfit, I would have so envied you as one of the popular girls back in high school!

  21. Nice work! I am impressed with your vision of the outfit and the final assembly is magnifique(first time I have used that word) What a shame no one got to tell you how cute you were in it or like ask you “how can I do my hair like that?” That is the ultimate compliment as we all know.

  22. Wow, you would have totally been rocking that 80’s look. You did a great job finding stuff. I love the banana clips. I always used those. And who didn’t love some great neon jewelry? And those t-shirt clips (I think that is what they were called, right?) would have really set off the outfit.

    I guess you could do an 80’s themed party in the future, or use it for Halloween. And Caroline looks so cute with the flipped up collar and banana clip.

    Ah the 80’s. Good times. Good times.

  23. Your 80’s outfit rocks! Just hang on to it because 80’s parties are all the rage (just like the 50’s party was in our younger days). I guarantee you’ll wear it somewhere and you will be totally rad!

  24. I totally forgot about those t-shirt buckles! We were all so visionary and ahead of our time! They are so much better than the boring old knot and hair band that my daughter uses. And way more comfortable! She is always adjusting that knot in the small of her back so she can actually rest her back against the back rest on a chair. I’ll have to run out to Forever 21 and get some for her. Although I am sure she will hate them if I suggest them!

  25. My 5 year old is in love with that dress. And every time we walk by it in walmart she flips out all over again. She likes the ruffles.
    I must live in a bubble because I had no IDEA that you would buy all of those 80’s things. I was born in 1980 so while yes, I did infact wear a banana clip in 1987, I was a child and therefore have little shame. Seeing those pants brings back fun memories of playing barbies. But I can see where if those pants brought back fun memories of highschool and hanging out at the mall, then yes, very embarrassing.

  26. Do you ever get tired of hearing how HYSTERICAL you are? I didn’t think so. So now you have to host an 80s party so that outfit doesn’t go to waste. Priceless! Love love the entire outfit and all the accessories. Loved the banana clip back in the day. Even owned a rhinestone one to go with my back strapless sequined prom dress.

  27. I’m disappointed that you didn’t put the outfit on and take a picture of yourself! You would have been a standout at the party! Too bad for that snow!

  28. Who’s Lady Gaga?

    *Love* the banana clip! I see no reason why they should not come back in style. And I am being completely serious.

    In 1986 I spent the majority of my Friday nights with my regular Friday night date who never let me down—“Mr. Belvedere”. Unfortunately, I could not take him to football games or school dances.

  30. I think the most disappointing thing about this post, besides the fact that you didn’t get to spend a weekend with friends, is the fact that you can actually purchase the perfect 80s style clothing without setting foot inside a Goodwill.

    I’m sorry about your weekend. But I hope you were able to take Frankie’s advice.

  32. I’m always glad when Monday rolls around so I can read your blog again! Can you save the 80s outfit for Halloween? It’s great!

  33. Okay, so it’s weird that when I saw the outfit put together I thought for a brief second that it was just darling. The 80’s never really leave us do they? Sorry you missed a trip back to Nashville- it is so beautiful here with the snow.

  35. Obviously, you need to have an 80s party, so as to debut that outfit, and make the Miley purchase worth it.

  36. With the same company since 1972 – wow – I know you are proud of your daddy!

    Love that you put the whole outfit together with turned up sleeves and all! You would have been the “belle” of the ball!

  38. Love it! But you really should a actually put on the outfit, complete with hair and make-up and post a picture…please!

  40. Add about a hundred silver bangle bracelets and you would have my outfit from many a Friday night back in the good ole’ days. How did our mothers let us go out like that?

    I love that P’s mom wants to know who Frankie is!!

  42. I LOVE that 80s outfit! It’s the bomb! You should have worn it at home anyway, since you’d already gone to all the trouble! 🙂

  44. PS: I never used “Freeze It.” I mean, had I known it existed I’m sure I would have. I used “Aussie Scrunch Spray” and sprayed on the inner part of the hair at each side, held the hair out with a pick and then blow dried it in place to create the volume at the sides. Awesome!

  45. My mom was SO bummed she didn’t get to go. She got the call on the way out the door to the airport. Y’all need to get together in your 80’s gear and redeem this. It would be totally radical!

  46. P’s Mommy…I don’t know who Frankie is either. Lady GaGa I know, from the time she wore a ZIPPER glued over her eye on American Idol. It’s official..I’m a dinosaur.

  47. My moms’ group had an 80’s party. It was hysterical! A lot of the moms found stuff at the DAV or Goodwill.

    I sported a white button-up shirt, with collar turned up, of course, a Transformers t-shirt under that, and my jeans rolled up. I laughed when I rolled up my jeans. It had been AGES since I had done that!

  52. What shoes? My 7 yr old daughter likes me to lay out full outfit choices for her on the floor (the way you hung yours) and we call them “scarecrows”. 🙂

    I went to an 80’s party a few years back and wore a black and white paisley oversized rayon jacket with gigantic shoulder pads….hot pink silk dress shirt buttoned all the way up with a broach between the two upturned collar tabs…leggings and pumps.

    found most of it at the salvation army store.

  55. 2 things come to mind when reading this post:

    1. My mother asked me WAY too recently where she could find some t-shirt slides. I told her to not even think about wearing those anymore since it is not a current style.

    2. I still love George Michael. I can’t even tell you how many buttons I have of him that used to be on my denim jacket back in high school (no I don’t wear them anymore). And I went to the Chicago concert in ’07 (and to prove it I have a keyring and a t-shirt and a…never mind). It was awesome!

    😀

  56. No way!!! A Frankie Says Relax shirt? Just two nights ago my husband and I were saying I needed one for yoga. Now I see I need those pants as well.

  58. I can’t believe you found banana clips!… Or that they are still being sold in retail stores! HA! C looks pretty cute in one tho:) That was a rad outfit! Too bad you didn’t get to wear it. Maybe you could use it for Halloween next year… or maybe YOU should host an 80’s themed party:)

  59. I am crushed that we don’t get to see pics of you in your 80’s outfit because it’s AWESOME! I know 80’s stuff is coming back, but that is seriously the best randomly put together outfit I’ve seen since 1991 (let’s face it the 80’s drifted into the early 90’s a bit).

  60. are you serious? you can buy that stuff. scary. I guess you already have your halloween costume for this year. My mom still has the real banana clips from the eighties. Luckily her hair is too short to wear them. Is that considered vintage now.

  61. GREAT outfit!
    BUMMER you couldn’t make it!!
    And I’m not sure if I should feel good about myself because I was born in 1985 or not. 🙂 But even I feel old when the teens in my youth group don’t remember a year before 1995 let alone know what the heck Y2K was all about. 😀

  62. That outfit is out of control! And completely AMAZING!

    And your dad’s retirement party…so fun! What a special night to celebrate and honor him. I think dad’s work so hard and are often underappreciated because for the most part, they are the silent providers never needing fanfare and praise. It’s nice when they can get it once in a while and hear their loved ones say that what they have done day in and day out is important and meant something to someone. From the sound of things, your dad meant something to a lot of someones. Glad it was a wonderful evening!

  63. Ohhhh I did NOT need to know that Lady Gaga is younger than I am. Especially after throwing out my high school graduation gown today because I felt I was (finally) too old to keep it in there for any reason other than to see what moths it might collect.

    And congratulations to your father on his retirement!

  64. The ugly cry. Yes. It makes my face actually hurt the day after.

    There was a Sebastian hair product (Spritz Forte, I believe it was called) that shellacked (sp?) my hair into voluminous splendor pre-banana clip placement.

    I grew up in Port Neches. We thought Beaumont girls were From the Big City. Maybe even sophisticated enough to marry George Michael.

  66. Okay, would you please put me out of my misery and tell me who Frankie is and why he said to relax? I just saw an old Friends episode where Ross made Rachael give him back this very same T shirt.

  67. Like I told Boomama…

    STINK!

    I was supposed to be there, too and I can’t even imagine getting to hang out with you girls in all of our 80’s glory.

    Although, I must say, I have seen the pictures of those who actually were able to gather at the party and you would have won best dressed HANDS DOWN!!!!

    Blessings,
    Dori

  68. Great outfit. Well worth the Miley dress.

    On the upside, 80’s themed parties are on the rise. My daughter’s both went to one recently..granted it was a Bachelorette party (I’m thinking you don’t go to a lot of those anymore). But, it still might be a trend. OR you could wear it next Halloween. That was a very scary clothing time.

    The use of a banana clip is way under-rated. They were a very handy accessory.

  69. Hm. Lady Gaga was born when you were a sophomore in high school?

    AND YOU THINK YOU’RE ONLY OLD ENOUGH TO BE HER SISTER?!??!?!

    Guess again.

    muahahaha.

    (just some love from CA–and one that also couldn’t make it out to TN for the party)

  70. I have TWO denim vests in the back of my closet that I refuse to get rid of! I just know that look is going to be back in style!

  71. Well, I’m glad it was only water that I spit at my computer at THIS sentence: “I thought being fourteen was my biggest obstacle to long-lasting love with George Michael.”

    You crack me up!

  73. You are, like totally, my new hero. That outfit has now given me something to strive for this week when I am dressing up my 6 and 4 year old for “80’s day” at their school. Hope I can find a few of the day-glo pink and green accessories. Wonder if Frankie says RELAX in a size 6X…

  76. That outfit is like, so totally awesome. I’m insanely bummed you didn’t get to wear it. You MUST wear it for Halloween and report back with pictures. Your loyal readers demand it!

  77. Such a special night for your daddy, so glad you were there to help him celebrate.
    If there was a door prize at the party for best costume, I think you woulda won! Sorry you didn’t get to go show it off. 🙁 And someone please inform me: has the flip collar gone outta style??? Because if so, I NEED TO KNOW NOW!

  78. Oh my. My son goes to a Christian School (he’s in Jr. High). They had spirit week last week – one day was 80’s day. I was in my 20’s in the 80’s. The styles – HILARIOUS. Okay, now on to serious things. I’m totally jealous of you because you are friends with Travis. But really jealous because you are so stinkin’ funny! When are you guys going to do another podcast? Love your blog, your family, and your love for the Lord.

  79. Last year I went to an 80’s party, a 70’s party AND a 50’s party. We have a vintage clothing shop here with racks divided by decades. It smells like old ladies or basements (or old ladies’ basements), but you can get some killer themed clothing.

    I actually planned the 80’s party for my hubby’s 40th. The hair and make-up came way too easily for me. When I walked out, my husband (who I met in 1985) told me I looked hot.

    Blessings,
    Sandy

  80. Could you please dissect this outfit even further for this weeks Fashion Friday? Its sure to garner ratings right up there with the scarf video. 🙂

  81. LMBO….
    first girls- Frankie was the lead singer of a group…Frankie Goes to Hollywood and if memory serves they were pretty much a one hit wonder with the song “RELAX”

    second I wouldnt mind if banana clips came back….when you have really thin fine hair, that is one of those awesome accessories for ponytails that no longer look like your stealing hair from a baby…

    as long as those clown jumpsuits from 1990 dont come back I am happy…I had about 10 of those cause my mom could make them….I had all the holidays covered…

    steff

  82. I feel like I’ve just been treated to a “Fashion Friday – 80’s Edition”! Your outfit is awesome!!! Sorry that you didn’t get to go to the party. Maybe you and Sophie can throw your own 80’s party and invite us – I would so BE THERE!

  83. Oh I LOVE that outfit! How pitiful is it that I still think it’s TOTALLY, like, cute, you know?
    I think you should start wearing it to take Caroline to school in the mornings. Not every day, just once a week or so (different days of course). Soon, everyone would know who you are, in the whole entire school!

  84. I am almost speechless. I think I wore that EXACT outfit to a Y-dance and thought I was the coolest because I got to dance with someone that will remain nameless due to the fact that I can only own up to so many embarrassing things in one day, and the outfit is it.

    A girl on “Stars” called me one time to ask if I had anything from the 80s in my closet that she could borrow because they were going to put on a program and one of the dances was an 80s theme. I asked her to please come over and rummage through my closet, and if she found anything that remotely resembled the 80s to PLEASE TAKE IT AWAY!!!! And now from your post, I am learning that you can actually go out and BUY 80s stuff.

  85. I absolutely LOVE this outfit, lol! You should totally be a fashion consultant (well, if crazy 80’s fashion officially comes back in style). 😉 But seriously, any ideas for a black tie wedding in Virginia at the end of April, where I may or may not be a few months pregnant and bloated, but want to look just as cute as the rest of my fashion forward sorority sisters? Oh, and don’t really want to spend more than $200? Yeah, thanks! 😉

  86. this has nothing in particular to do with this post, but i started reading your blog a little over a year ago. i didn’t read blogs at the time. just yours. now i read about a million every single day. and yours is still my absolute favorite one ever!

  87. Such a shame that totally rad outfit wasn’t able to be worn. Maybe you should put it on and watch Sixteen Candles or the Breakfast Club and that could make you feel better! But if nothing else, at least you’re passing the legacy on to Caroline! LOVE IT!

  88. The outfit was adorable…I wish the 80’s styles would keep coming back like the 70’s styles keep doing. Your daughter is a cutie-pie.

  89. Sis, you totally had the Madonna outfit rocking! I’m so sad you didn’t get to wear it! Maybe our next sleepover could be an 80’s themed one….just a thought!