Cinderella for a Day & Link-Up!

December 29, 2014·

all images by Em Grey Photography

I look forward to my husband’s company Christmas party EVERY year. It’s always held in the Wine Cellar of the Angus Barn in Raleigh and it’s just such a great night. So much delicious food, a chance to get gussied up, and a night without the kiddo (you know, not that we don’t like her or anything… haha!) Well, I was getting a little nervous because I did NOT have anything to wear for the Christmas party… I searched through my closet and came up with bupkis. And THEN was all like, “But what will I do with my HAIR?!” You guys know how much I am hair-challenged.

Well, I was so excited because I basically got to be Cinderella for the day. Without the pumpkin carriage. And ugly step sisters. And having to be home by midnight. Or something.

The FABULOUS folks at Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh hooked me up with a signature blowout so I could get ready for my night! It was SUCH a fun experience. I’ve only had a blowout once before and I loved it. It was such a nice treat to just sit back, relax, sip something yummy, and have someone do my hair for me!

I told Liz, my stylist, that I have very hard to style hair… so I just wanted something with a lot of curls that, knowing my hair will “fall out,” will look classic, but styled all night.

My friend Em Grey came along to take pictures for me… so I thought I’d share some with y’all of me getting ready!

Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (2) Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (3) Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (4) Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (5) Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (6) Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (7) Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (8) Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (9)

The bigger the hair, the closer to God, right?Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (10) Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (11) Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (12) Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (13)

Bahaha I’m including this one for Em! 🙂 Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (14)

ALL the hairspray.Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (15) Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (16) Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (17)

All done! (pre-“combing” through the curls)Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (18)

And voila! The finished look! All dressed and ready for the party! 

Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (19)

Badgley Mischka Manhattan Socialite Dress c/o Rent the Runway | Slate and Willow Kensington Drop Earrings c/o Rent the Runway

Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (20) Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (21)

Well, because the Christmas party was going to be at the Angus Barn, I thought the denim jacket would be a great way to keep warm, while also making the sequin dress a little more “dressed down” – I absolutely LOVE denim and sequins together! Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (22) Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (23) Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (24) Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (25)

Me with the fabulous Emily, owner of Parlor Blow Dry Bar. Isn’t she gorgeous? If you live in the Raleigh area, you MUST stop by Parlor and get your hair done! Doesn’t even have to be a special occasion… it’s so much fun.

Parlor Blow Dry Bar in Raleigh, North Carolina experience and Rent the Runway dress rental (26)

Just a couple pictures of me and my handsome date at the Angus Barn Christmas Party. I didn’t take too many pictures that night, but I wanted to share these two with y’all!

Processed with VSCOcam with c2 preset

My AWESOME friend Em put together this little video of me “getting ready” at Parlor… it was so sweet of her to come with me, take pictures, and THEN put together this video! Just thought I’d share it with y’all!

Still Being Molly — A Visit to Parlor Dry Bar from Em Grey on Vimeo.

*This is not a sponsored post. I was gifted a free rental for the dress and earrings from Rent the Runway and the sweet folks at Parlor Blow Dry Bar gave me a free blowout, but I was not paid any monetary compensation and I’m not being paid to write this post… in fact, I don’t even have to… I wanted to because it was such a fun experience and SUCH a fun night! HUGE thank you to my friend Em Grey, Rent the Runway and Parlor Blow Dry Bar for making it such a great day!

730x100letitshine Welcome to Let it Shine! Welcome to the new, revamped Funday Monday! After two years, we decided to rename our link up to something we felt was a better fit. Welcome to Let it Shine! Why the name? Because, we want this link up to be just that…..your chance to let it shine! We will be sharing our favorites each week here, and on social media!

a few of our favs1228
/ Black and Pearls / Layered Leather / Holiday Look /

Another place we will be showcasing our favs? The Let It Shine Pinterest Board! let it shine hashtag_edited-1