Presenting Miss Isla ....

There should be a help line or a forum devoted to the mothers of all year 11 girls about to be presented at their Debutante Ball ..or maybe it's just me?

Today's the day and tonight's the night that months of planning and weeping and wailing ( me) come to fruition  and my daughter will step into an elaborately crystalled white dress ( that looks very similar to a wedding dress) and become part of  an ancient Victorian ...as in the state but perhaps the era...tradition of girls being presented to society. Tonight's society will consist of family, friends, teachers and an esteemed dignatory. According to the guidelines their dresses are to be modest in style ( oops!) , they must wear elbow length white gloves ( which I've learned come in either shiny or matt, ours are shiny) and these will cover her perfectly manicured nails.

To quote " dress cannot be backless, have a train, have high splits or plunging neckline" oops.

We are even given guidance on what colour of underwear should be worn...neutral in case you are wondering as white shows through in photos.

This whole rigmarole is all new to me. Number one child is a young man, number two child showed absolutely no interest in participating in such an event but there was never any doubt that number three child would be first in the queue to take part.

Applications were made months ago , nights were allocated 2 months ago to much consternation of us the 'Sunday night group' ( there was another event last night for the perhaps luckier Saturday night group who would have access to their usual hairdressers / make up people ...we are taking a leap of faith and heading out shortly to unknown salons.

She was fake tanned yesterday and to our amusement changed colour from peely wally to oh my , been anywhere nice on your holidays? Hair has been grown to accomodate the style she wants.

So, oh my goodness , my stress levels have reached a peak not reached for a while.
Hairdresser was running late then said " you need to show me the video of how to do this style" ...all Isla had was a photo and not too elaborate a style! So, hair done and then make up , girl was also running a bit late and then had to clean all her brushes from previous client ( who is also a debutante tonight) ...tick, tick , tick of my inner clock . Make up done, stunning , lovely , let's go...wait says make up girl, can I please take photos for my portfolio ?  Me....thinking, .noooooooo, can I please just pay , we are in such a rush  .

Every traffic light on way home was a red one, Isla had to paint her toe nails and put her jewellry on in the car . Then we had to get her into her dress and all 300 layers of netting sorted. By this time I'm starting to raise my voice. A gift for her partner ( who knew we had to do such a thing ? Not us until last week) still to be wrapped. Son bringing me the wrong coloured ribbon from my ribbon drawer ( I actually do have a ribbon drawer) Fiona's friend Selena sent to select a more suitable colour. Time for a quick photo session then Fiona and Selena hoisting her skirts aloft to avoid getting muddy.

Isla ensconced safely  in the car , the destination not found on Sat Nav and just a bit more stress ....then we got to the pre deb destination. A family very kindly hosting 16 couples and their families for photo opportunity and a driveway long enough to accommodate stretch limos, stretch Hummers and a lovely black Mercedes for Isla and Adam...the red carpet rolled out for them. The strap on Isla's dress snapped and trying to find a mum with eyesight good enough to thread a needle was impossible! Anyway..problem solved , strap sewed on, photos taken around the pool ....girls chittering in the cold ( just as well they had their long gloves on then 😬)


So blinged up crutches , painkillers and spare plastic straps dropped off at a wonderfully decorated town hall and I'm sure we will have the most amazing evening with formal dancing and dinner.

I need a holiday ...oh wait....that's tomorrow!

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