I t was over a month late, but Sharon and I finally got out and enjoyed our eighth anniversary at a very lovely, quiet and romantic Italian restaurant.
Sharon and I spent much time trying to plan our 8th Wedding anniversary, at first, we were planning on attending Stage West for a wonderful weekend, including a Saturday evening when we could slip into formal attire and get dressed for the "nines". However, nothing that interested Sharon or I was playing at Stage West and with other holiday activities taking the Saturday evenings leading up to the holiday season, the idea of going to Stage West soon fizzled out. We were determined to go out for an evening to celebrate our anniversary by Christmas, and Sharon and I quickly started making plans and looking at options.
We decided that we would still try and dress to the "nines" and choose a restaurant that would provide a romantic and formal environment for Sharon and I to go and not look out of place. Look as we may, we could not find a place that was appropriate in our area, and decided to consider other options. Sharon remembered that there is an Italian restaurant near her work that one of her co-workers frequent. From what her co-worker described was rather classy and upscale, so Sharon inquired about attire and what we were planning on wearing and copied me on the emails and basically, here was the result:
"It is a romantic and quiet setting, however, I have seen women in casual attire, slacks and such to and business attire, skirts and blazers, but nothing really more than that".
I was a little disappointed, but Sharon suggested "business formal", maybe just a little more than formal, and we planned on the last Friday night before Christmas, as the Saturday night was all booked up. Sharon booked a time at 6pm, as she was told the place gets really busy around the 6:30 to 7pm time frame, and the plans were set, well, except for the clothes.
Trying to decide on how formal we would, or would not dress was the challenge of this special event. So the closets were scoured, I picked through tons of dresses and Skirt/blouse combinations and so did Sharon. Eventually I kept on coming back to 3 very special lace and silk blouses I bought years ago, and have only worn one out, and decided that I would make another one the top of my outfit for the evening. The top I chose for the evening was all pink lace, with a silk shell underneath, and was definitely "semi-formal" looking and depending on the skirt and other accessories were worn with it, they would dress it up or down.
Sharon decided on her special red holiday sweater, with a white lace camisole underneath, and a comfortable black skirt. Sharon and I decided to wear matching sheer black pantyhose, deep red lipstick, nail polish and gold anklets as well as 3 ½" black patent heels.
I waited for my skirt selection until the day of the dinner as it was either going to be a short, cute little crushed velvet mini, or my knee length black skirt, I was going to let my mood dictate which way I was going to go.
Well the big day arrived and a couple of hours prior to the time Sharon and I agreed that we would be leaving, we both started to get ready. Sharon upstairs and me in my own room downstairs, there was not going to be any conflicts in sharing the makeup mirror. I started by slipping into my favorite lace bra, and thanks to the design of the blouse I was able to wear a conventional bra, rather than a strapless. I wore my white silk and lace panties, same as the day I got Married and then slipped into the sheer black pantyhose and to protect the pantyhose, a low 2" pair of black heels. Then I put on my pink makeup coat and headed to the bathroom mirror to put on my makeup.
Makeup for this evening was going to be special, the style was to be right in the middle of business and what I usually apply for a formal evening out, so all of the colours and shades were selected accordingly. I ended up applying my mascara as I would for a formal evening out, a little darker and thicker than business, but thought "what the heck", after seeing how my eyes turned out and decided to apply the rest of my makeup in formal style. So out came the darker shade of pink for my upper lids of my eyes and my dark purple for the lower. Next came the blush, to carry on the formal look, I used my darker shade and made sure I did not over do it. Finally the lipstick, I applied a coat and then looked at the job I had done and was quite pleased, formal was the look, but not too formal. I then took the lipstick and brought it upstairs to Sharon and when I handed it too her she looked me over and said, "very nice", I thanked her and headed back downstairs to finish getting ready.
I applied my nail polish once they were dry, spirited myself with Obsession perfume, behind the ears, wrists and ankles, I was ready for my outfit for the evening. I started with the silk and lace blouse, carefully doing up the buttons on the back of the neck. Then the decision, which skirt?, I decided on the leather skirt, as it was just right for the mood, not too sexy, but a hint of class with the blouse. I slipped it on, then a belt with a gold buckle at the front and even with the short black 2" heels the outfit looked rather "smart". I then went upstairs and gave Sharon the polish so she could do her nails.
Returning downstairs, I finished off the look with my favorite special gold anklet on my right ankle and a pair of classy pearl drop earrings. Then I slipped into my 3 ½" black patent heels and was ready for an evening out with my lovely husband. Before I went up stairs to meet her, I took special time in packing my clutch purse for the evening and packed my lipstick, formal blush and compact.
I met Sharon in the kitchen and she looked me over and agreed I have outdone myself, and I looked her over and agreed she looked lovely as well, and managing the heels very well. Sharon and I took a few pictures for memory sake and then decided we were running late and hurried to get ready to leave.
The weather was cool, but not really cold, and I asked Sharon what coat she was going to be wearing to the restaurant, she told me her long winter coat. When I asked her what I should wear, as I did want the more formal look, and she said, "well girl, we can be really formal to the door you know, wear your faux fur coat". I could not pass that up and grabbed the faux fur jacket and headed for the door. Sharon met me at the door, her clutch purse in hand and gave me a light kiss and said, "ready to go Jennifer?", I nodded and we were out the door Villa Rosa.
Sharon and I arrived at the restaurant and I had to admit, the initial look of the restaurant was anything less than spectacular and was basically a little restaurant in a strip mall. Sharon assured me that the inside was nothing what the outside looked like, and I had to trust her.
We entered the restaurant and I was pleasantly surprised, the entrance had a quaint area to hang our coats, and I was a little worried about mine as Sharon help me to take it off, you have to love chivalry!, but she assured me it was safe. We were then greeted by the head waiter in a tux no less. He confirmed our reservation, and Sharon had already requested a quite table when she booked the reservation, "right this way ladies" said the waiter and we were showed to our table.
The ambiance of the restaurant was exactly as Sharon described, waiters in tuxes, candlelight, low lighting and soft music, the restaurant definitely was the right environment for getting all dressed up to the nines. Sharon and I ordered, a special chicken and pasta dish for both of us and fancy cocktails rather than simply wine. The waiters were very attentive, always coming over to not only us, but other guests as well, "is everything alight here ladies?", is what we heard. Sharon and I had a very special time, talking about our relationship and such, and other girl talk, it was really nice.
A comical moment to the evening came when I dropped my napkin over the side of the table and when I reached to grab in while sitting, a heel slipped out of place and I nearly ended up on the floor!, thanks to a nice man at the table beside me, I did not.
Eventually it was time for the ladies room, and Sharon explained it was downstairs and that I have to be really careful, "especially in heels", and she was not kidding, down some narrow and steep stairs I found the ladies room. Not very feminine at all, but the two stall washroom served it purpose. After finishing my business, I touched up my lipstick and rejoined Sharon at the table. Her friend was right the place was filling up quickly and it was only about 7pm, Sharon and I definitely arrived at the right time.
By the time I got back to the table, Sharon had settled up the bill and she took a quick trip to the washroom while I waited. I scanned around the restaurant and could also see what Sharon's co-worker was talking about, Sharon and I definitely were the most formally dressed women in the restaurant. There were a few in skirts and one in a dress, but nothing close to formal. I thought to myself, "what a shame", as this would have been a perfect place to come dressed to the "nines".
Sharon returned to the table, and I could see that she had also fixed her lipstick, and smiled at me, "ready to go my dear", and I followed her to the coat area, and she once again displayed her husband chivalry and helped me into my fur. We left the restaurant and headed for the car were she opened the door for me to slide in.
On the way home we held hands and I could not tell her how my I loved her and how proud I was to be her wife, she smiled at me and gripped my hand harder each time.
Once home, Sharon and slipped into our lingerie, both of us choosing the lingerie we wore on our Wedding night and snuggled on the couch watching television until both were tired enough to retire to bed, myself falling asleep in her arms.