Fashion Tea Party

Cleaning out my closet is never a fun chore, but the growing pile of old bridesmaid's dresses was making me a bit depressed. Hundreds of dollars were spent on dresses that were worn only once, and now they were headed for the Goodwill box.

"Where did you get all these pretty clothes?" my daughter Brittany asked as she wandered into my bedroom.

"I love this one!" She grabbed a poufy fuchsia number that still makes me cringe. I don't think that dress was ever in style.

With a few strategically-placed safety pins, Brittany was soon prancing around the room in the dress and a borrowed pair of heels. Admiring her reflection in the full-length mirror, she promised with a giggle, "I'm going to the dance, Mom. Be home later!"

Brittany's delight at playing dress-up gave me a great idea for her upcoming birthday party — glamming up Brittany and her friends for a fashion-themed tea party.

After calling a few friends, I soon had a large number of old prom and bridesmaid dresses, as well as satin pumps in every size and color. To complete my supplies, I bought some boa feathers, plastic bead necklaces, nail polish, and makeup.

As the party guests arrived, each girl was asked to choose a dress and shoes before being fitted by one of the "fashion consultants" (Moms) standing by with belts and pins.

"I want the blue one," one girl shouted as another clutched a frilly yellow dress with ruffles. "These are like princess dresses."

After choosing their accessories, the girls moved to the manicure station to get their nails painted, and then sat in the makeup chair to get their faces done while their nails dried.

Once they were all glammed up, they headed to the "runway" (a paper runner stretched out on the floor) and pretended to model their clothes until it was time for lunch.

For something fancy, I served fruit punch in plastic tea cups and made PB & J Blossom Sandwiches with a daisy-shaped cookie cutter. I used celery stalks for the stems and for the center of the flower, I dyed banana slices pink with a small drop of red food coloring.

The fashion tea party was a big hit with the girls, and since then, we've passed the fashion box around the neighborhood, letting each girl have a turn hosting a party. While it's somewhat shameful to let the old '80s styles out in public again, it's great to see those expensive dreses used over again and again.