Red Dress Gala

I just realized I didn't post any updates about Red Dress Gala (RDG) which was last Friday.  Ryan and I went to the philanthropy event hosted by Alpha Phi to raise money for women's heart health and cardiac care organizations.  The tickets were $35 each which isn't too bad considering it included a full dinner.  The event was held at the Hilton Rialto

The RDG was hosted during the Alpha Phi alumnae weekend so there were numerous alumnae who flew in from all over the country to attend the weekend's events.  For RDG, all the girls were dressed up (in red dresses of course) and everyone looked so pretty!

Unfortunately this one is a bit low quality off someone's phone but here's me and all the alumnae at the event...I'm not going to lie, we are one gorgeous group of ladies :)

While dinner was served, the group had a local doctor come and give a speech on the importance of cardiac care.  He did a pretty good job but it was hard to hear and people started getting restless...I hope he didn't think the group was rude.  After the speech came chocolate cake and then the live auction!  Here's the quilt that I made for the girls to auction off (they gave me the shirts and then I did the sewing and bought the border/backing fabric):

My quilt ended up selling for $250 - one of the other advisors, Leslie, bought it, haha!  I was so happy that it earned such a generous donation for the foundation (and that's about how much it would have cost if I sold it).

After RDG, some of the alumnae went downtown for more drinks but I was too tired so my friends (and bridesmaids) Rachel and Beth and I went back to my house and chit-chatted a bit before going to sleep. 

On Saturday, I had to go to Orlando for an alterations appointment for my wedding dress.  I was worried about how much it would cost but it wasn't too bad.  I got it bustled and a few other minor alterations for about $55.  Unfortunately, I've gotten a little fatter since I bought the dress so they are going to have to let out the sides a little bit for $60.  I have bought shoes for the wedding but I wasn't sure if they were too tall/uncomfortable.  Well the alterations appointment made up my mind - the dress length was PERFECT with the shoes I bought and to get it hemmed would be $150!  I guess since there are so many details at the bottom of the dress they actually have to take in the extra length at the waist which sounds to me like they have to take the dress apart just to hem it.  So I'm keeping the shoes :)

When I got back from Orlando I went to an Alumnae BBQ at the Alpha Phi house.  It was just a couple hours of everyone hanging out at the house and telling stories, catching up and munching on some delicious food that all the APhis made for us.  There were a couple more events over the weekend (drinks at the local bar that night and then a beach day on Sunday) but I had too much other stuff to do to go them.  Hopefully they still had a good turn out at the rest of the events!

Thanks a lot to all the girls for hosting a wonderful Alumnae weekend and Red Dress Gala - I can't wait to see everyone again next year!