The "Little Black Dress"...oh, what a NIGHT!

Today I have a card using Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge and a REALLY fun story behind my card!

Here's the sketch:

And here's my card:

Isn't little Stella Sprout from The Greeting Farm sporting that perfect "little black dress"?   I made this card as a thank you.   Something very exciting took place last night, but I'll give you a little background first.

One of my favorite places to browse besides my LSS is the Bookstore.  I LOVE bookstores.  There is something so gratifying about the smell, look, and feel of a new book let alone what's inside the covers.  Anyway, a few weeks ago, I was browsing through the new/bestsellers and came across this book:

I thought it was cute and really liked the theme.  I somehow got distracted and set it aside.   A few night's later, on my local news, I saw a featured segment on the book and the book's author, Jordan Christy, who happened to be a local Nashville resident and thought, darn it, I should've gotten it.  Suffering from NON-buyer's remorse, haha, I went out and picked up the book the day or two after, along with Eat, Pray Love, the book I was looking for when I found Jordan's. 

I was visiting Jordan's website and discussing some things with Marie, my boss at TGF, when we both noticed that Jordan was having a "True Hepburn" essay contest.  This is something I feel really strongly about especially for our younger, impressionable girls not to act like a "Paris Hilton" or "Snookie" from Jersey shore.  ICK!   Anyway, Marie gave me the nudge to submit my entry and the deadline came and went and I didn't hear anything...oh well, was still super fun to write and submit.  You probably aren't surprised when I tell you I like to write...and ramble, LOL!

To my surprise, a few weeks later, I got an email from Jordan saying that I had WON the essay contest and that along with a BEAUTIFUL prize package ( I got some yummy scented soaps, a three-disc Audrey Hepburn DVD collection AND a Massage gift certificate-LOVE that!), I also won a speaking engagement.  Jordan said she'd come speak at my local book club, church group, etc.   I quickly had an idea for her to come talk to my daughters class-what a wonderful role model for young girls!  I wanted to make sure that she could do it though, and also that the school would allow it.

Well, not only did they ALLOW it, but they went ALL OUT!   We created a "Dinner at Tiffany's" theme, a Mother/Daughter event based on Breakfast at Tiffany's and Jordan's book.   The principal, assistant Principal and staff dressed up in AMAZING outfits, ball gowns, and there were several Audrey-esque "little black dresses".

Our adorable Principal and Asst. Principal..how cute are they?!?

These women REALLY know how to throw a last-minute party together, can I tell ya?  We had dinner catered.  Chicken parmesan, pasta, yummy roasted veggies and salad.  Chocolate cake for dessert. It was amazing.  Check out the adorable centerpieces that were created based on Tiffany & Co. boxes:

We got to sit with Jordan, my Mom came, too, and there were a little over 100 people there.   Jordan and Madelynn talked about Madelynn's love of reading and writing and Madelynn got to tell her that she just attended the Tennessee Young Author's Conference this past March.  What a role model for my girl!  After dinner it was time for Jordan to speak:

She is just the cutest thing and had such a wonderful message for the girls.  That they have something that most girls don't have: a clean slate.  Make good choices.  Dress and act appropriately.  Choose your friends wisely...and DON'T ever compromise your values for anyone, especially a boy.   It was age-appropriate, a little different from her book (being that her book is geared toward an older crowd)..it was just perfect.

After Jordan spoke it was time for pictures and book signing!   HOW cool is that?!?!  The school did a beautiful job and were very grateful that I shared my prize with them...are you kidding?  I couldn't think of a BETTER reason.  It was wonderful.  I am SO grateful to Jordan for the gift she gave 53 girls last night, and their mothers, too.  Here's a photo of my Mom, me and my DD after a really touching candle lighting ceremony, based on the quote Jordan uses at the end of her book...a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt:

"It's better to light a candle than curse the darkness..."

So now, long story longer, you know why I made this card as a thank you to Jordan, using her book cover as the inspiration, for the wonderful gift of her time and talents!

Be sure to check out the rest of Mercy's Muses today-links are on my sidebar.  Thanks for coming by!  I've been BURSTING to tell you guys about this exciting event after winning the contest and thanks for letting me share it with you!  It was definitely a night to remember!

Have a FABULOUS evening,

Jess ;) xoxo

"Pick the day. Enjoy it -to the hilt. The day as it comes. People as they come... The past, I think, has helped me appreciate the present - and I don't want to spoil any of it by fretting about the future.

~Audrey Hepburn