Mar 22

Mar 22 Dallas in 24 (ish) Hours

Hey Y’all!

If you happen to be going to a Gala in Dallas or even a fashion type of ho-down. I am ready to blow your minds. I arrived in Dallas for a music showcase hosted by the Jordan Kahn Orchestra. It truly was a gift to be there. I was literally giddy on the flight. Please know that Jordan and his show are going to be covered in our next blog but for this one, it is all about Dallas. Or So I thought.

The Traveling break that we have all been on has been just where we have all been living. Travel was out. Travel was not happening and I had no idea how much I missed it until wheels up and we were taking off. Watching the safety video felt like watching the Oscars or the Super Bowl half-time commercials. It felt so good to snuggle in with some in-flight entertainment and be mindless. I planned to get a bunch of work done in the air but instead, I reveled in indulging in the moment of non-distracted distraction. Watched a few episodes of Apple TV+ now being offered on most American airline flights.

Every detail of this trip was taken care of to include our Uber vouchers and our stay at the Ritz Carlton Dallas. What a treat. The point was to feel free for a minute and to realize that things are coming back. To listen to some amazing music and think about our future events.

I am an island girl but I have the love of the City running through my veins. That being I said I can not think about much more after landing than the possibility of a good shopping spree and some incredible food. Dallas did not disappoint.

I arrived on the evening before the day of the show and I decided to hunker down and get some work done. To say that I thought the flight felt like freedom, room service felt like I was living in a dream. One of the things that I took for granted pre-covid. To have a salad while answering emails that was made by someone else. Well, you know the rest. HEAVEN.

The Showcase Day Rundown

8:00am

City Doc Rapid Covid test

9:15am

Done and registering with the Virgin Islands travel portal. Very easy step by step as I had to get this done so I could return the following day to St.Thomas.

12:00pm

I met with a new client and we ended up at a semi-fast food health food place called Flower Child. We both had about an hour and I did find that many restaurants in our area were not open for lunch Monday through Wednesday. Are Dallasonians not eating lunch out Monday -Wednesday? In all fairness, things have been affected since COVID and people have had to cut back where they could to keep the doors open. Lunch cuts. You could feel some of the changes that COVID has brought.

Flower Child was a perfect choice. It is a quick, order at a counter-style place, with cute shabby chic seating. If you get there have the brussel sprouts, have the gluten-free mac and cheese, and really anything else on the menu as it is sooooo good, fast, and healthy. I say they are coming to a city near you soon. Loved it.

I had brought a dress for the night that was formal and even though I loved the dress I brought with me. The shoes I knew were going to wear on my toes pretty quickly. My sandalized feet have not donned a pair of heels in a year and knew that I could easily be left out on dancing if I did not make a change. So I would need a dress and shoes. The Jordan Kahn Orchestra is all about the dancing. Anyway, all of these factors led me to Stanley Korshak. A luxury retailer that carries a bunch of different designers.

Prior to that, I stopped into Loro Lino. The bedding is divine and some of the most luxurious in the world. Seeing, that purchasing Bed linen was not my current mission I could only browse for a minute but before leaving I asked the sales associate if she knew the best place for me to look for said dress in Stanley Korshaks. She said go see Sonya Wood Rose on the 2nd floor. Her words were “ She is the best stylist in all of Dallas”. As you can imagine this is exactly where I head.

Once meeting Sonya I knew I was in the right hands. Not only is she stylish, but she also gets IT. Within a very brief period of time, I was in Sonya’s exclusive dressing room with a large selection of all different types of off the runway looks in varying styles and pricing. When I say Sonya’s exclusive dressing room what I mean is a dressing room that is furnished in high and comfortable style. A collection of pictures of Sonya and her life sit nicely on top of her writing desk and invite you to be part of Sonya’s world. Every minute, I felt like I was in good hands, comfortable, relaxed, invited to an unexpected experience. This to me is Luxury. I would love to say that the end of my story with Sonya involved me buying the most amazing gala gown or fun dancing outfit for the night it doesn’t. But what it does involve is the power of word of mouth and the impact of creating something that feels effortless to the customer. Will I go back and see Sonya every time I am in Dallas, without exception. Will I tell everyone I know about her, without a doubt.

I have another word-of-mouth story to tell you that loops this whole immersion into Dallas together. I did bring two dress options with me to Dallas and honestly, I knew that both were a bit long but with my time frame (36 hours) on the ground I didn’t think alternations were even possible.

2:00pm

Retry on the dresses and realize I really will feel better with an alternation. Event is starting at 7pm. I thought to myself “You are a destination wedding planner that makes magic happen everyday. Ask the question, do the google search and see what happens”. I call the first alternations person near me. He says, “Oh god no I cannot, this week or even next week. We are overwhelmed. Completely. I am not sure what has happened but we are buried”. (Of course what has happened is we are all coming out of a year of hibernation). Anyway, then he says, “I have someone though…her name is Irina and she never says NO. Ever”. He gave me her personal cell phone number and hung up. Well, as you can imagine, she is exactly who I want to meet. I call Irina and I say, “Irina I know this may sound impossible…”, after which she interrupts and says “Nothing is Impossible”.

WOW I love her. I explain my situation.

2:40pm

Irina is 25 minutes away via UBER and I have hair and make-up at 3:30pm. She says she will stay late come after my hair and make up. UMMM I think impossible. But ok

5:00pm

I call Irina.

Irina: “Ok where are you?”

Me: “Still at the hotel.” (Uber which I believe is having a bit of a crisis in Dallas will not reach me for 20 minutes and well, I just don’t think we have the time.)

Irina: “Send me a picture.”

Me: “Are you sure”

Irnia: “Yes, yes.”

Ok. I put the dress on and send a picture. I call her back, “Irina I would not even reach you until 6 or 6:15pm”. She says, “Send it via courier.” I decide right then and there I have to meet Irina. Not only does she not say NO. She does not quit. I love her. Anything is possible with Irina.

I retry Uber. 4 minutes until they can pick me up. 25 minutes later I am at the AMAZING place where Irina works. Elements on Lovers lane in Dallas. A high stylized boutique that has amazing island style leisure wear, as well mid fashion wear and equally as incredible Irina.

6:25pm

Irina has chalked the dress and is altering it. I am shopping for my after party outfit.

6:45pm

Dress is done and I am out the door with the after-party outfit. $50.00 for the alterations and when I asked her if I should try it on after the alterations she says “No it is done. It is perfect.” Out the door I go.

7:10pm

I am back at the Ritz Carlton. Quickly, hop in the altered dress.