MaryB and the City

Dream a little dream.

I anticipate that the upcoming weekend is going to be nothing less than epic…and let it be known that said adjective is not thrown around lightly in my vocabulary.

The next 48-72 hours is a culmination of what I’ve dreamt about for the last 15 years, give or take. I’ll be attending the skirt! creative writing conference in Hotlanta, Georgia.

As fate would have it, one short week ago I was paroozing Facebook and noticed that the national magazine had posted a link, promoting a 3-day pow wow for women writers. It took approximately 3.5 seconds for me to make a decision: I’m going, no matter what it takes.

Sure I would have to back out of 3 prior commitments I had already made, including cutting a week-long stint of dog sitting duties short on Friday, attending an out-of-town baby shower on Saturday, and making an appearance at a birthday brunch on Sunday…but certainly they would each appreciate that my absence is strictly due to following, what feels like, fate.

For one, it is being hosted in my manfriend’s backyard, the capitol of Georgia…which means I’m immediately saving on hotel expenses. Darn - an excuse to see him again, what a drag [grin].

Secondly, my girl crush / fave chick lit author extraordinaire / recent movie star, Emily Giffin — was listed as a keynote speaker.

Done & done.

First things first, I hustled my way to get a discount attendee ticket. Through the wonders of social networking, I finagled the $300 fee down to a mere $99. Then, I booked a reasonable flight thanks to Delta’s fair airfare. Next I scoured the Internet in search of a personal business card.

While I have several versions stuffed in my wallet, they’re all related to my full-time marketing role in the pet industry or non-profit group affiliations. At this niche event though, I knew an impressionable writing-centric rolodex filler would be necessary. My super fun cards were designed & shipped all the way from England, and I couldn’t be more pleased!

I admit this sounds incredibly cheesy, but the stars seem to be aligning right before my very eyes…to the point they’re practically blinding me with their collective brightness.

Not only because every aspect of organizing logistics and preparing to attend what will surely be a highly informative, insightful and creatively charged event — but then I was also accidentally accepted to become an official skirt blogger for the magazine’s national web site!

While registering online and working with an awesome staffer to work out some kinks, I was informed about how one can become on board as a digital muser. After filling out a bunch of questions which included making a case for why I would be an asset to the team of wordsmiths, next thing I knew, a congratulations was sitting in my inbox.

So what’s a girl to do when she is going on what will essentially be the most important, influential interview to date — rubbing shoulders with ‘the biggest names in blogs and books’ including editors & publishers?

She goes shopping.

My boss, who has a shopping problem affinity for fashion like myself, knew I was in the market for a sassy but sophisticated frock. She summoned me to Anthropologie. I’ve never purchased a single garment from there before, as my budget doesn’t allow for us to be comrades. However, apparently there is a big sale taking place, and the rest was history.

Per her advice, I got aquainted with the inventory on their web site beforehand. Then I called in my “order” and asked the associate to pull my sizes. On my coveted lunch break, I scooted on over to the super posh Fashion Park {note they don’t call it a mall} — determined to get in and out, stat. But of course life isn’t that simple, or frugal.

This gorgeous dragonfly dress didn’t fit me well, so my original plan of only investing $60 on the discounted outfit, went up in flames.

The adorable polka dot skirt that wasn’t on sale, but needed to be a part of my life in a meaningful way, was a little too big around the waist — so she too got left behind.

Instead, I styled these two pieces together. Sadly, the top wasn’t on sale, only the skirt. I plan on wearing this on Saturday; hopefully it and Emily will be photographed together.

Lastly, I tried this number on and had an intense staring match in the fitting room. It too was full price — being a new item on the floor and all — so I haven’t decided its fate; go home to its original owner, or permanently take up residence in my wardrobe. If she makes the final cut, I plan to sport her on Sunday.

In retrospect I was surprised that both outfits have this rich mustard yellow color, as the shade has never once graced my closet.

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And so, the day has quickly arrived, I’m ecstatic to finally start what feels like the beginning of dreams manifesting into reality.

To become a published author.