Torya's Black and White "8 1/2" Formal Ball

I got invited to a birthday party this past weekend, but not any old birthday gig.  This one was a themed black and white formal ball!  The birthday girl Torya Blanchard (restauranteur and owner of Good Girls Go To Paris Crepes, and the newly opened and swanky Rodin ) and I both went to high school together.  Torya throws the BEST parties ever, and when I got this invite, I was ecstatic!  In the instructions for the invite, the party would be centered around a 1963 film titled "8 1/2" and she wanted her guest to wear black or white ball gowns and tuxedo's.  Now all I had to do was find something to wear, and a date, and I knew this was going to be a small task.



I knew that I really wanted to go, but I knew I couldn't spend a lot on a one day affair, so where else is a girl supposed to go to find a ball gown that's inexpensive??????  The thrift stores, DUH!!! lol!  I headed to my favorite go to spot called Regeneration.

I found my date, my favorite sister in love, TaNisha Prater.  She and I combed threw the racks at Regeneration looking for something that would be suitable for the ball.  TaNisha, who by the way is the QUEEN of thrifting, spotted this dress for me.

I tried the dress on, and wasn't in love with it immediately, but my husband would be the person who sealed the deal.  

Plus the dress was only........

While there, I also picked up this fluffy hair jacket, that was $20.00

I still wasn't sure if that would be the dress for me.  TaNisha and I headed out the next day to another thrift store to find some more gowns.

We headed over to Value World, and I spotted this velvet and sheer dress.

  I texted all my stylist friends and they picked this dress.  I was with it until my hubby, picked the first one, but I still had to get this dress.  The dress was super cute, and for $4.30 it was a steal!  I had to have it for a "just in case" 

TaNisha also scored a gown at the thrift store for the same amount!  It was a gorgeous velvet long sleeve dress, and the back had a V back line that criss crossed.

The day of the ball, TaNisha and I took a trip over to my favorite hair stylist, MeattaB!  She gave us tendrils on top of tendrils of curls, and old school, side swept, bouncy, wavy, Hollywood glamorous hair!!!!! I just adore her!

Our hair was done, now all we had to do it get dressed, and head on out to the ball.

The dress worked out perfectly. I sported a simple red lip (MAC's Ruby Woo), and winged eye liner for a old Hollywood feel.

 The location for the ball was the Jam Handy Building in Detroit.  It had the feel of an old warehouse, with exposed brick and wood beams.  The atmosphere was Ah-Mazing!  It was littered with gorgeous gowns and people, dapper men, music, laughter, champagne flowing, food, and fun!!!

 On a large part of the exposed brick wall, the film 8 1/2 looped all night.

I immediately wanted to take pictures with everyone in the room.  The first pic I nabbed, was the guest of honor herself, Torya Blanchard.

I met some wonderful people that night! 

I was sooooo feeling her beautiful gown!

  

All the DJ's were females, and they took turns mixing music all night long for us.  They were awesome!

 "Kung Food" pop up Creator and I 

Myself, James Feagin, and TaNisha

The super cool bartender :)

This handsome gentleman was a dancing machine, and a delight to dance with.

Some of the ladies were super creative and sported tuxedos!  What a great idea!

I had to have a picture with this man!  I was in love with his entire look.

This hands down was the BEST party ever!  I danced all night long, and met sooooooo many wonderful people!  It was the perfect night, my sister and I had a blast!