Saturday night I had the opportunity to get dressed up and go to Charlotte STYLES "25 Most Stylish Awards" (you know, since I write for them for free). It was hosted at Suite, which has a really great outdoor area with a decent view of the city around you.  Perfect for a warmer spring night.

I wore my awesome. sequined Tracy Reese for Target and Neiman Marcus shirt and these heels that matched perfectly, but were a hazard to the well-being of my feet.After a snafu at the front door/desk, where I was not on any list I was told I would be on, it was decided I looked trustworthy enough and knew all the right names so I could go on in.

Not actually knowing anyone there, since I do all my interacting with the editors online and through email, I sat down and made friends with some people for the hour we had to wait for anything to happen.  One pair of girls were social workers who knew one of the past members of the 25 Most Stylish and another pair were aspiring jewelry designers that I suspect made their way through the door because their friend was manning it. Totally acceptable in my book. This falls under Faking It Till You Make It.  I totally would flaunt their  work, but I think their card actually fell out of my butt pocket and off a balcony...

While we waited, we had different foods from around the Epicentre. Lots of them were not finger foods, but were disguised as such.  It's hard to daintily eat a "Roast Beef Bruschetta" when the roast beef is trailing more roast beef after you bite into it. Or ribs (enough said about that). The food was pretty delicious though, if largely not vegetarian.  I was 'forced' to drink a beer by the waiting around and about halfway through it a group of very talented girls from the EleKtriK Dance Company started performing to a mashup. They even customized their own white button down shirts for the performance, giving them leopard print cuffs and collars.

Sorry, I failed on pics and video.  I had a sneaking suspicion that my camera and my deeply uncomfortable heels would not get along.

After the dancing we were allowed to mosey on into Suite and stand about for another 10 minutes before the real show started.  I literally mean stand, my feet were so unhappy.

The show was certainly fun, with people cheering on their friends (You guys should totally nominate me for next years 25 Most Stylish). I would like to know the process after nomination though.  Is it a popularity contest or do you actually get evaluated on style and what you're bringing to the community?

One of the makeup artists that works with me got chosen.  YAY JAIME! She's adorable and incredibly nice, so go her!  She told me today that she doesn't actually remember walking down the catwalk.  She got off and was wondering if she tripped or smiled enough.

After the showing of the 25, there was a couple of fashion shows. The Impeccable Pig and Mae Vivid (which I wrote about here). The Impeccable Pigs show was definitely something every preppy southern girl wants to know about and something every other girl needs to know about so they can mix and match.  Mae Vivid was much more "out there" with his show.

It featured a legless bodysuit with large sculptural shoulder pads and a sheath dress that went straight down to the floor, forcing the model to do a nice little geisha walk down the runway. Then they had a Junior League of Charlotte fashion show with things one can find at their store.  Some of the proceeds of the night went to support the organization.

After the shows, my feet made me peace out.  So it certainly goes to show you shouldn't always go with fashion over comfort when going to supremely stylish events.