Living in DC, especially during presidential elections, certainly has its perks. One of the coolest things I’ve done is attend an inaugural ball this year. Now, before it sounds like I met Obama, he didn’t attend this ball! Some of my friends (most of us from NC) and I attended the North Carolina State Society Inaugural Ball at the Washington National’s Ballpark in the luxury ballrooms.

It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience (or maybe it wasn’t…), and I felt a bit like Cinderella at the ball throughout the entire evening. It was a little surreal, as I’m not used to donning a ballgown on a typical weekend!

Bridgette was visiting me that weekend, and we set out to get our makeup done at the Clinique counter at the mall. Confession: I’d never had my makeup done before this trip! It was fun get all glammed up with a bright red lip to go with the look.

And, as I’ve mentioned before, I had grand intentions of re-wearing a bridesmaid dress (a long black gown I wore to Erica’s wedding in Napa Valley in the Fall) to an inaugural ball. Little did I know that that would actually happen! It was definitely nice to re-wear this pretty dress and save some money, too.

Suzanne, Lindsey, Kathryn, and I all went to the Inaugural Ball together (all North Carolinians!), and we had the best time! It was over-the-top beautiful and festive. Think red, white, and blue decor everywhere, lots of patriotic + baseball + North Carolina touches, incredible & delicious North Carolina food, gorgeous people in ballgowns and tuxes everywhere, an amazing NC band, lots of dancing, etc

It was awesome.