My guy works at Raymond James, and every year his department puts on a pretty fancy holiday party at the Coliseum in St. Petersburg. Last year, we made sort of a last-minute decision to attend, so I found a dress I only marginally liked and threw my hair in some rollers and went. When I got there, everyone else looked fantastically polished.

I wasn't making that mistake again. I would save money and seize the excuse to spend an entire day primping. I mean, really. How often do adults get to spend all day getting dressed, waxed, buffed, polished, tweezed, painted, bleached and styled for a party? The event could be held in a McDonald's attic and it wouldn't matter as long as everyone got to dress up. We all know it. But that much self-indulgence seems excessive more than once a year, unless you're Angelina Jolie, so we let it fall by the wayside. The last time I remember getting hair, makeup and nails done was prom, and I had some serious regrets about my coiffure (Phyllis Diller).

Saturday, I got my hair done by the fabulous Josh DeBlock at Salon Lofts. Then, my girlfriends from Ray Jay and I went to M.A.C. at International Plaza for some face-caking. Here's the result!

My zip-front dress is Calvin Klein, found at Ross. It was marked down from $150 to $50. I almost didn't try it on because I thought it was something only stick insect supermodel women could wear. But I got up the courage and fell instantly in love.

I had to get it hemmed, and I had to buy iron-clad shapewear, so I'm not sure I saved a lot of money in the end. But I think it was worth it to have a piece that was really special (to me, anyway). The shoes are wooden platforms from Off Broadway Shoes, over by the Regal Park Place movie theaters in Pinellas Park. Off Broadway is just like DSW, but cheaper (or so it seemed). That store was a great discovery.

Accessories:

Bracelets were from Target and Forever 21. I tried to go for something a little more tribal, a little less sparkly, since the dress already did most of the work. I was most excited about my purse. I found it at an antique store called Menzer's Antiques in downtown Tarpon Springs while I was out perusing for items to feature in our St. Petersburg Times holiday gift guide (coming soon!). It was from the 1970s, made in Italy of gorgeous woven straw. $15! It looked as if it had never been used.

I loved it so much, I carried it to breakfast the next morning in my Chuck Taylors and jeans.

Til' next year, prom. Til' next year.

Are you guys going to any holiday parties this year? Do tell.

Deal Diva Stephanie