<p>Someone above said if price were no limit, this is what I saw and yearned for, but did not buy:
<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/diane-von-furstenberg-ellison-passementry-embellished-woven-column-gown/3686429?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=516&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_3_D”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/diane-von-furstenberg-ellison-passementry-embellished-woven-column-gown/3686429?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=516&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_3_D</a></p>
<p>Gourmetmom, when you say hugs in all the right places re: the McLaughlin top, is it one of those currently popular knits that is quite form fitting? In other words, do you see bra strap bulge? Very nice looking top.</p>
<p>A background reception where you might be inclined to sit on a blanket on the grass? Goodness, if it’s a celebration, go shopping and look for a dress that is TRULY comfortable and makes you smile. If you feel good in what you are wearing, you are much more likely to be relaxed and have a good time. Be who you are. 
Are you a fancy smancy person? I know I’m not and if I have to be worried about bending down, kneeling to talk to a child or walking across the grass and such, I surely can find a nice, age appropriate sundress, below the knee (to cover your scar if you are conscious of it) and a light cardigan to cover up or wear if it’s chilly. Dress for yourself first keeping in mind age appropriateness, weather, conditions and occassion. </p>
<p>^I agree. We have talked about dressing different body types but not really at all about style types. I don’t have the impression emerald is fancy smancy. I’ve been imagining rocker chic. : ) And more specifically, Pacific NW rocker chic.</p>
<p>Speaking of fancy schmancy:</p>
<p><a href=“http://m.nordstrom.com/Product/Details/3686426”>http://m.nordstrom.com/Product/Details/3686426</a></p>
<p>somemom, “all the right places” means that they outline and enhance your shape without being tight or clingy - not low cut, shoulders and arms fit properly, and no bra bulge and ZERO CLING. The same basic knit fabric (Catalina Cloth) is used in many of their tops and dresses - it’s a little thicker than you might expect, so it skims the body and drapes well. </p>
<p>J. McLaughlin is great for anyone who likes a classic look - I love the tops and dresses. Designed for a slightly more mature figure, but youthful and classic. </p>
<p>I just bought these things:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.jmclaughlin.com/women/dresses/maria-halter-dress-in-navy-jacquard.html”>http://www.jmclaughlin.com/women/dresses/maria-halter-dress-in-navy-jacquard.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://www.jmclaughlin.com/women/tops/gulf-sleeveless-shirt-in-stay-sail.html”>http://www.jmclaughlin.com/women/tops/gulf-sleeveless-shirt-in-stay-sail.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://www.jmclaughlin.com/women/sweaters/cardigan/simone-cardigan-in-blue.html”>http://www.jmclaughlin.com/women/sweaters/cardigan/simone-cardigan-in-blue.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://www.jmclaughlin.com/women/sweaters/cardigan/clarabelle-cashmere-cardigan-in-coral.html”>http://www.jmclaughlin.com/women/sweaters/cardigan/clarabelle-cashmere-cardigan-in-coral.html</a></p>
<p>I like the halter dress gourmet mom linked to.
I hate trying to figure out what to wear when I don’t have all the details. I think if I was in Emeraldkity’s shoes I would want something that is attractive, youthful but age appropriate. I like the idea of a maxi dress in that they can easily be both dressed up or casual.
What about having your younger D take you shopping or send you some links?</p>
<p>Since its BBQ, I would agree that wearing all white would be a bad idea!
I dont think it matters so much what I wear as opposed to a more traditional event, but I wanted to look nice to give myself more confidence.
I still dont feel comfortable attending unless she confirms my invitation, but even though H talked to her again yesterday, he didn’t manage to ask her. Perhaps we will get an actual mailed invitation to clarify.
I love all these ideas, its helping me focus on the actual event rather than on my mood swings.</p>
<p>If the invitation came, why confirm it again? Hoping the wedding starts a new chapter for you and your daughter!</p>
<p>Somemom, I ordered that eliza j dress in two sizes, after my unsuccessful mall trip, but as I havent worn a long dress for years, not sure what to think.
But I will let you know.
Im still checking out everything.
I like the jumpsuit that gourmetmom found, but you are right, probably not for my body type.</p>
<p>I can see #2 & 3 for EK, but still not perfect. I wish for a dress in navy/white pattern, or black/red flowers (as my secretary wore today), t-length, with wedge heels. Give me time over weekend, I am not so good with shopping as the rest of you are. I want EK to look perfect, so her clothes are not a source of controversy.</p>
<p>Harvestmoon, the reason why I am unclear is because in January, D called H and told him she was getting married in June. She then called me the next day to say the same thing, ( very short conversation).
She asked me to find hotels and to email her the information, which I did, but she hasn’t acknowledged that ( its been over a month)
Ive texted her a ? that I thought was innocuous like asking what we should get her H for his graduation and sending a link to a nice leather bag that I thought he would like. No response.
We found out a few weeks ago, that she actually got married in January.
Apparently she was vague when she spoke to H and he never asks questions.</p>
<p>Emerald, you mentioned in another thread loving Athleta - and you mentioned some colors you are comfortable with. How about any of these? I think appropriate for a backyard barbeque, cute, age appropriate - dress up with scarves or jewerly or shawl ???</p>
<p>EK, Whether you believe this whole thing is justified on her part or not, D obviously wants to be in control of initiating contact. Sorry to say, but I would not have sent the note about wanting to buy a brief case for SIL’s graduation or attempted to engage her as if things were already back to normal. Way too much, way too soon, IMO. D probably saw it as pushy. It was definitely rude of her not to respond, but maybe she thought that was better than saying something she’d regret. </p>
<p>What kind of research were you asked to do about hotels? Was that for just your family or all the out of town guests? Is she planning to reserve a block of rooms based on your research or was the whole point that you should just go ahead and reserve your own room? I think it was mostly D’s backhanded way of giving you the heads up that you are invited without spelling it out or giving you the satisfaction of discussing plans with you. </p>
<p>In any case, invitations for a wedding are sent on average 6-8 weeks ahead. A casual backyard BBQ would be far less. </p>
<p>Can you get a sense of what is going on from your other D, without putting her in the middle?</p>
<p>She perhaps saw it as pushy, but I see her as being cruel so perhaps we are even.
She had admitted that she was giving mixed messages to me earlier, as she would respond to other things I would ask, but then not to something similar, so it was very confusing.</p>
<p>She asked me to get bids on blocks of rooms/ find suggestions for the area as she was having people from out of town. ( although she didnt give me the address of the house, or a price range, just that she wanted it to be accessible to public transportation)</p>
<p>I thought I found her what she wanted, even though I had an anxiety attack doing so, but then when she didnt respond, I asked if she needed it formatted differently or something else, but I don’t even know if she got it.
If she wasnt going to respond, why ask me to do it in the first place?</p>
<p>My budget is blown ordering these dresses to try on since so far I havent found * anything* in the stores, but I appreciate the company, too bad we can’t all have a restorative lunch with a nice drink!
I think I probably want a dress with not as much white as the ones I ordered, so Im still looking!</p>
<p>If you want give us links to what you ordered. We all love a virtual try on party!</p>
<p>I just don’t understand. If SHE asked you to look up hotel information, why is she not responding. That to me is passive aggressive. I agree with Roshke that you may want to refrain from other attempts at contacts but SHE initiated the exchange about hotels. You are more patient than I could be.</p>
<p>Well I cant figure her out, I sent her a text asking about a gift card, and she responded right away with follow up questions.
If she was twenty years younger, it might make more sense to me, because twelve seemed to be the most difficult age.
I think it is compounded because I dont have my mom around anymore ( she died five years ago, at 75) and my youngest is really one of my best friends, although I dont want to take advantage of that.</p>
<p>This is the dress I ordered, it has good reviews but I wanted to see it in person. It might be too much white.
I was going to wear it with silver shoes and jewelry and belt & maybe a denim jacket with a coral bag.
<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/eliza-j-print-pleat-chiffon-maxi-dress-regular-petite/3643201?origin=related-3643201-null-1-3-FTR-RR&BaseUrl=Maxi&PageCategoryId=BR”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/eliza-j-print-pleat-chiffon-maxi-dress-regular-petite/3643201?origin=related-3643201-null-1-3-FTR-RR&BaseUrl=Maxi&PageCategoryId=BR</a></p>
<p>I liked the neck, cause being short waisted & full busted, there often is a little too much cleavage for polite company. Also since it is sleeveless and not camisole top, I can wear a bra. So yay. </p>
<p>The dress you got was my favorite ek, it’s very pretty. Sorry this is so tough. </p>