Tuesday, April 27, 2010

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

26 comments:

Danni said...

You so rock! How totally amazing!!

donna mikasa said...

Wow, Jessica! Congrats on winning the essay and a FABULOUS prize! Wish I could read your essay! I'm so inpsired to make a card and get Jordan's book, too! Thanks for sharing your memorable evening!

Julie said...

WOW WOW WOW! What an amazing experience!!! That little girl is so lucky to have a mom like you! :) Gorgeous card, beautiful story! Thanks for sharing! :)

Sheri Gilson said...

What an amazing experience you were able to share with your daughter and classmates!! Jess, your card is fabulous too!!

Sparkplug17 said...

Your card is lovely!

Congrats on winning and such lovely pictures of the whole event!

Cindy Haffner said...

ADORABLE!!!

♥Rach♥ said...

OMLord, I just got all teary eyed reading your story. CONGRATS girl, I'm sure it was well deserved and what a wonderful gift to share with your daughter and the other young girls. VERY proud of you, what a wonderful event!!! HUGS!!

WickedPixie said...

Jess, this brought a tear to my eye! First, congratulations on winning the essay contest! What a wonderful experience you were able to bring to all of those girls!!! (Your card is adorable, too!) :-)Traci

Shirley N said...

A fabulous story, a fabulous gift and a fabulous card. TFS and congrats on your win!!!

♥ Kristy Woods ♥ said...

WOW WOW WOW what an amazing story and WELL DONE on winning and how fabulous what you did, I couldnt think of anything better! I LOVE reading, I have eat pray love, havent read it yet but will soon. Your card is absolutly gorgeous I think stella is my fav sprout! Im so going to have to buy this book now too! I am so scared of my daughter growing up because of the paris hilton like beahviours and violence in the world seems to be so much worse.
Kristy xx
P.s I have always wanted to write a book but dont know where to start lol.

StampinCathy said...

Congrats! Congrats! What an awesome prize. Your card is so so cute.

Anonymous said...

WTG Jess, what an amazing story. A gorgeous card too. I'm sure those girls will remember last night for years to come :)

Suzi
xxx

Pam Speidel said...

This is AWESOME Jess! You Go Girl! Just reading your blog, it doesn't surprise me one iota that you won the essay contest. Love your card and thoroughly enjoyed hearing all about your event to remember! Congrats! Pam :)

Unknown said...

beautiful card, jess...but what an even better story behind it! i wasn't surprised at all that you won the essay contest, sister...but what a classy thing to share your prize with your future-writer and her school. that will be a night that they will remember forever! amazing job and CONGRATULATIONS!

Basement Stamper said...

Congratulations, how fantastic was that she was able to come speak to the girls at your daughter's school!!!

The card is gorgeous and I'm sure she will so thrilled to receive it and will love it!

Tangii Crain said...

Your card is stunning! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE those colors!! Everything about it is just perfect! and OMG, congratulations!!! That is just awesome, and what a wonderful essay to win! Your idea of speaking at your dd's school was fabulous! Sounds like the whole thing was just dreamy!!! I agree, our girls need more Hepburn role models and far fewer Hilton ones!!! Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful story!!!

Silke Ledlow said...

WOW what a story and experience Jessica!!! Good for you all!!! Thanks for sharing all these photos and the wonderful Audrey saying at the end!!!

Your inspired card is the cutest!!! Love this sweet Anya image and you totally rocked the sketch GF!!! Hugs ~S~

Kim said...

Congratulations Jess, I am always in awe of your beautiful writing talent so I wasn't at all surprised by your win! What a special day to share with the ladies in your family. I will definitely have to read that book. Oh yeah, super sweet card too, can't have too many perfect black dresses!

Kim said...

Oh and puleeeeese post your essay if you can, I am certain we would all love to read it!

Lisa in Tucson said...

OMG Jess! Congrats to you girl! What a fantastic win and to share it with your family and your daughter,s school! Consider yourself a fantastic role model! I agree that you should share your winning essay with us faithful followers! I now want to get the book and make some of your fantastic cards! You ROK, Girl!! My hat's off to ya! Hugs...Lisa

Ann Kranitz said...

That is so awesome!!! What a great gift to the girls at your DD school. Way to go on winning the contest!!

Tanya said...

What an awesome thing Jordan did!!!

I was just talking to my neighbor the other day about so many girls at our daughters school so not on a good path. Our girls (which are 9th grade) see this everyday and recently on of their friends got sucked into some bad choices. How awesome to do an event like this. My mind is spinning now and how to do an even tlike this at their school. Need to think, thanks for sharing your story.

Sammi said...

wow! What a wonderful post!! Such a wonderful string of events and what a great job you did!! :D
I bet she loved the card you made her too!
Sammi
xxx

Jessie/knightrone said...

What an amazing story Jess...you are just awesome!!! How cool!!

Andrea Murdock said...

this story had happy tears rolling out of my eyes. Congratulations on such an incredible prize! I don't think you could have picked a better audience to share your prize with. You have helped to shape each and every one of the girls and women there that evening to help understand their self worth and how having values should still be prized above all the flash and glitz that is out there to tempt them. You may never get to know the impact it has had on each person there but this is one of those life defining moments hun. What an incredible story (and great card too hee hee)

kadie said...

That is FANTASTIC, Jess!! What a wonderful story and experience. Thanks for so much for sharing it with us and a Big Congrats for your essay being acknowledged in such an amazing way. YGG!! I'm so honored to know you!! :)
And the card is beautiful. I'm sure it will make a fab keepsake for Jordan!