Sunday, March 25, 2012

Atlanta's 31st Annual Heart Ball

Over the past year I've spent a lot of time focused on fundraising and friendraising for the American Heart Association. It all started with one of our employees came to me asking if we could hold a GO RED FOR WOMEN campaign, explaining that heart disease runs in her family.   This employee has lost family members to heart disease and she works hard to maintain her heart every day.   So the year long fundraising began.  We sold carnations, held an oatmeal bar, casual days and a karaoke night and we raised some money.
I blogged about Atlanta's Go Red For Women luncheon last June.  You can read about it here.  I'm still amazed that I got seated up close and personal with Star Jones!
Last night was the biggie, the Heart Ball, a black-tie affair.   As I was planning ahead for this event I was feeling some of the pain that some of the blogging "mothers-of the-bride" have been blogging about.  Pondside and Pat at Mille Fiori Favoriti have both posted about this recently.  Let me tell you that it is not easy to find a dress that is figure flattering while being age appropriate without breaking the bank.   I felt I came out lucky after 3 weeks of shopping, finally finding my gown at Macy's for $80!!!  My girlfriend ended up paying nearly $800 at Saks. 
 I wish I had more pictures but when you carry a small evening bag, there is no place to store your camera.  
We had a great time but given the prices of the items up for auction, I made sure to keep my paddle on the table! 
The auction might have been for a great cause but those auction items were expensive!

My son was having a fit that we were able to spend time with the Atlanta Falcon's head coach, Mike Smith.  
So now it's time to put away the gown and all the glittery accessories but for an evening it was fun playing dress up.

Today I'm linking up with The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday. 

16 comments:

  1. It sounds like a lot of work and a lot of fun! I'm so disappointed that the third and the last images would not open!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I know it was a lot of work too. I LOVED your dress - you looked very pretty. And what a great cause. sandie

    ReplyDelete
  3. We've gone to the Heart Ball for years and some of my dear friends have chaired it. It's such a great cause. You look great!
    Linda @ A Toile Tale

    ReplyDelete
  4. You look gorgeous and the dress is fabulous. $800???? Really??? I can't even imagine. I'm sure it didn't look any better than your $80 one. I know you have worked hard and that all your work is appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  5. You look gorgeous all dressed up and you both make such a handsome couple! What a great cause, I'm sure you worked so hard and are very happy to help this way. Many blessings to you beatutiful lady. Thans very much for coming by and leaving me such lovely and kind comments. Have a terrific week!
    FABBY

    ReplyDelete
  6. You look so lovely, Jojo. The gown is gorgeous...Christine

    ReplyDelete
  7. Cheryl, you look FABULOUS, Darling!!! Truly a beautiful dress & very flattering with your coloration. It really brings out your eyes. Nice price, too!!! GREAT photos & I'm sure it was a memorable evening for all.

    I always cringe when I hear Star Jones speak, as it is so apparent she has difficulty breathing. I want to reach for the oxygen to put on her.

    True story about attending a charity's silent auction....a friend was head of the committee & she asked her husband to "go place some bids to get the ball rolling". He placed a bid for $5000 on a trip for 4, to Napa Valley, which included a private dinner & wine tasting at the Beringer estates. Well, NOBODY ELSE BID!!! LOL

    I don't know whether they thought it was too high or perhaps just didn't want to outbid the committee head's DH, thinking that they wanted to go badly enough to pay that much. We were the lucky couple invited to go along & had a wonderful time! I should dig out the photos & do a post about it.

    Thanks for jogging those fun memories & thanks, too, for all your hard work to benefit the ♥ association.
    Hugs,
    Rett

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great cause and might I add you looked gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  9. You look fantastic! And it sounds like a terrific evening for such a worthy cause. I hope the Auction raised a lot of money!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your dress is GIORGEOUS, Cheryl! I love the color and style on you and that price is unbelievable! What a wonderful affair --I hope that a lot of money was raised for this important cause. So glad you were invited to this fantastic event.

    ReplyDelete
  11. You look absolutely fabulous! That dress looks perfect on you! It sounds like a fantastic night all around - good cause and a fun time! And good thinking on keeping the paddle on the table!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh honey A's Billy Crystal would say " you look Marvelous"!

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a wonderful cause and you look beautiful in your dress!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Looks like fun! What a wonderful cause. So great to have you be a part of Seasonal Sundays. Hope you'll join me this week too.

    - The Tablescaper

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great cause, Cheryl! You will look beautiful no matter what you wear!

    ReplyDelete