Feeling Like a Movie Star with JJ’s House & #SpreadTheKindness Link Up #36
The title of this post is a bit misleading as I didn’t actually feel like a movie star…at first, anyway. Actually, I was just feeling rather silly walking around Watertown, New York, in this gorgeous black evening gown. At 10:00 in the morning. In the rain. Having myself photographed. Movie star, I am not. But fashion blogger with obligations, that I am. And finally, two years into this gig, I am just now owning that. But that doesn’t make me feel any less ridiculous in scenarios such as these.
*This is a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Let me be clear…as much as I love blogging and have gotten comfortable in front of the camera, I absolutely hate when I have an audience during a photoshoot! My blogger friends know what I ‘m talking about. You’re innocently and discreetly trying to get some outfit photographs in a public setting and a small group of people start watching, wondering what the heck you are doing. And then they keep watching. Sometimes, they start asking questions. Oh, I feel so absurd when this happens. But again, I just have to own it.
The above photos were taken at Thompson Park. When we arrived at this exact location, there was a group of people sitting at a table socializing. In the rain. We kept driving. When we circled back around a few minutes later, they were just leaving. Even this…circling back around…elicited lots of stares in my direction as I got of the car in this fancy dress. We got a few decent photos here and then decided to change location. We headed to the Paddock Arcade to get out of the rain for a bit. And this is where the movie star business happened!
As I was posing for these photos, an elderly gentleman was strolling through the arcade and stopped to watch. And by stopped to watch, I mean he sat down on a bench, front and center, and watched. At one point, he chimed in and asked with a hint of adulation and very much sincerity, “Are you a movie star?” Well, then. I maybe never laughed so hard in my life. But it was a good laugh. I was not laughing at him at all. Rather I was laughing because my ego just happened to need a comment like that right at that moment. It was the kind of soulful glee-filled laugh that is drawn forth because of someone’s extraordinary kindness. Although I was temporarily uncomfortable with this one-man audience, the reward was exponential. Because I rocked the rest of the photo shoot like I was a real movie star!
Seriously, I channeled my inner movie star. Everyone has that, right? An inner movie star? My ego was boosted and I no longer cared if people were staring at the strange girl in a black evening gown at 10:00 a.m. on a rainy morning in Watertown. Whatever. Let them stare! I’m a freaking movie star! At least in the eyes of that one man!
I mean, I went all out Hollywood here…
I even took the opportunity to model some fun eyewear from EyeCrave Optics.
But even though I am feeling like a movie star, I still have blogger obligations! So now I have to tell you about this dress.
The dress is from JJ’s House, an online retailer that specializes in all of your special occasion needs from wedding and prom dresses to shoes to accessories. You can read more about them and see my favorite picks here. All of their gowns are made to order with your size and color choice. The selection is extraordinary. The service superb. And the shipping was super fast! It was 10 days from the time my order was placed to the day I received the dress at my front door. So if you are looking for wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses, or other special occasion gowns, JJ’s House is the place to visit.
Other than one minor alteration, the fit was great! And now I have to add a huge thank you to Judy Groff. I recently met Judy at a Business Networking event and I called her to see if she could tack the sides of the train to the shorter skirt to hold them open and in place. She was at my door within 20 minutes. Ten minutes later, I was all pinned up and she took the dress with her. The next morning she delivered it right to my door, perfectly altered and ready to be styled!
So if you are local and need an amazing seamstress, do let me know so I can forward her contact information to you!
In the interest of #SpreadingTheKindness, which is what this post is about, and to show my gratitude for the kindnesses I have received, I want to say thank you to JJ’s House for my beautiful movie star dress. Thank you to Judy Groff for making the dress perfect. Thank you to EyeCrave Optics for letting me borrow all of this gorgeous eyewear. And thank you to the man in the arcade for making me feel like a real Hollywood movie star!
Outfit Details
Dress: A-Line/Princess Scoop Neck Floor-Length Chiffon Bridesmaid Dress With Ruffle Lace Beading c/o JJ’s House.
Shoes: Mix No. 6 Lina Sandal from DSW.
Bag: Lulu Townsend Glitter Mesh Clutch from DSW.
Jacket and Umbrella: Very Old.
Jewelry: Claire’s (All old).
Eyewear: EyeCrave Optics.
How much kindness are you giving and receiving these days? Let’s check out your favorite posts from last week’s link up!
Of course, you all were clicking on Jessica’s page at JESCA.life…I mean I featured her. And she is fascinating. And exuberant. So I get it! If you missed it, you should go check it out!
Pamela of Style Yourself Confident shared a fun color lesson in her post Who needs 50 Shades of Grey? Check out what she has to say about the right shades of gray for your complexion!
And Catherine of Atypical 60 is featured for the second consecutive week…well, because she is awesome! She shared her post A Paler Shade of White Eyeliner! which has everything from food, fashion, make-up, and her man-candy! So definitely go check it out. She always provides a good chuckle!
And I have to share this photo from Catherine’s post…well because she said this about it…“Manchic!! Or is it Man Candy? The very bashful and handsome Bonaparte. He will be so surprised when he sees this!! He should be a model!”
Won’t he be really surprised now!?! Sorry, Bonaparte! I know you may be bashful, but Catherine is right, you should be a model!
Have fun linking up! And keep spreading the kindness!
Feeling like Hollywood on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Ups.
72 Comments
Kellyann
Movie star gorgeous indeed! Glad you got your Hollywood on!
xo,
Kellyann
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Kellyann! It was definitely very fun to go all Hollywood once I got my movie star groove! Have the most wonderful day, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
jacqui
What a fantastic dress Shelbee, it is so YOU. It looks lovely quality and a real investment piece that you’ll wear time and time again. Thanks for sharing and hosting the link-up. x Jacqui
http://www.mummabstylish.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jacqui, thank you so much! I will definitely be keeping this dress for the next special occasion! I hope you have a fantastic day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Deborah Stinedurf
That dress is a whole lotta beautiful…you do look like a movie star! I get so uncomfortable when people stop and watch. My all-time favorite though was, like yours, the sweetest elderly man. He watched while telling me stories about his life; it was so cool and an experience I would’ve never had if it weren’t for the blog. 🙂
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Debbie, thanks so much! This was a whole lotta fun to style and prance around town like a movie star (once that man helped me get into my movie star groove)! Isn’t it funny how we have no problem sharing the photos all over social media and the internet for everyone to see, but the process of getting the photos makes us so uncomfortable? But there are many very cool experiences that have come out of blogging, for sure. I hope you have a wonderful day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Pam Greer
What a gorgeous dress! You look amazing!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Pam, thanks so much! This was so much fun to style for no reason at all! Have a fabulous day.
xoxo
Shelbee
Kathrine Eldridge
What a stunning dress Shelbee! I love the high/low hem and that lace is so pretty. You are a movie star in this look! Thanks for the link up.
http://www.kathrineeldridge.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Kathrine! I sure did feel like a movie star! The long train part is super dramatic and was so fun to walk while the wind blew it behind me. I am hoping I have a special occasion soon so I can wear this dress in real life!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nistha Saraf
You look like a princess ❤️
Nistha
https://www.fashionistha.com/back-in-bright-workwear/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Nistha, thank you so much! I will take princess! We were going to shoot the photos in a castle, but the weather was so icky that we didn’t feel up to the drive and boat ride required to get to the nearest castle. Perhaps one of these days, I will don another princess dress and photograph it at a castle!
xoxo
Shelbee
jodie filogomo
I’m glad you owned it Shelbee, because you do look like a movie star!! And you might have made that gentlemen’s day!! It is a gorgeous dress on you!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jodie, thanks so much! He was kind of awestruck! It was adorable. And funny. He thought he was witnessing some famous person doing a photo shoot in his little town. Oh, I will never forget it!
xoxo
Shelbee
Catherine
Thank you Shelbee!! LOL!! I am now officially Madame Bonaparte! The Montgomery County Courthouse will never be the same!! I love that photo of my hubs!! He should be a model!! I agree!! And I should have worn that fabulous dress of yours to the Courthouse!XOXO!!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh Catherine, I adore you! I am sure that courthouse has never experienced the joy that you brought to it! Congratulations on becoming Madame Bonaparte! You both could be models! Gorgeous, amazing couple. Are there photos from your special day? I guess I need to go stalk all of your social media accounts! Thanks so much for stopping by, for making me laugh, for inspiring me, and for your always supremely wonderful comments.
xoxo
Shelbee
Cheryl Tuckerr
The dress is beautiful and yes you do look like a movie star! But isn’t it nice how sometimes the right person and can say the right thing at just the right time. You have done that before with your comments. Always so thoughtful! Have a great day Shelbee!
Peace!
Cheryl
http://www.northwestmountainliving.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Cheryl, thank you so much! It really is amazing how the right words are delivered to you just when you need them! I really appreciate all of your kindness in your comments as well. Have the most wonderful day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Rena
Shelbee, oh but you are a star, movie or otherwise, and looking oh so fabulous. An audience is one thing but I hate when the photographer gets distracted by it because it messes up my flow (lol). I guess that’s what you get from volunteer help. Anyway, your post does indeed spread some kindness and thanks for the link up.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Rena, thank you so much for this wonderful comment! I don’t think I have had the problem yet of the photographer getting distracted…it seems to always be me who gets distracted! And man, do I appreciate the volunteer photographers in my life! I wouldn’t be here without them (I have a few great friends and my husband who help me often. You know who you are…so thank you!) And your pictures always look fabulous even with a distracted cameraman! Thanks so much for stopping by and have a wonderful day.
xoxo
Shelbee
Laurie
Shelbee you look Red carpet ready! I just looked through your archives and I can’t believe how far you have come in the last year or so!. And I’m enjoying the journey, my friend xx
http://www.vanityandmestyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Laurie, thank you so, so much for this comment! I felt red carpet ready and I agree…there has been tons of progress on my little blog in the past year! I appreciate that you have recognized that. Thank you! I hope you are having a fabulous day.
xoxo
Shelbee
Laura
You definitely channeled your inner movie star! You look amazing!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Laura! It was super fun! I hope you have a wonderful week.
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Maybe you are and don’t know it. You look like you belong on the red carpet. Thanks for hosting and have a wonderful week.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Ha! Thanks so much, Patrick! Believe me, even if I look the part, I am no actress! And I am a stuttering fool in front of an audience! But I appreciate the daydream and the compliment. Thanks for stopping by and have a fantastic day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Laura @ Walking in Memphis in High Heels
That lace detail at the top is gorgeous!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Laura! I love all the little details on this dress! I can’t wait to have a special occasion when I can actually wear the dress. Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mary Colleen
Shelbee you look absolutely stunning! Of course you would be mistaken for being a movie star! That cut and style looks fabulous on you, and you wear black so well.
Mary
https://www.themarycurator.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Mary, thank you so very much! I try so often to get away from too much black, but I am really comfortable wearing it, too! It is a very striking color. I appreciate your lovely comment! Have a fabulous day.
xoxo
Shelbee
Getyourprettyon
Love these photos! Way to let your inner movie star out. You look fabulous!! 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Alison, thank you so very much for this wonderful compliment! Have a fabulous day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Gigi Kiersten
I just started taking photos for my personal outfit posts. And I’m the same where I don’t want anyone around when I’m taking photos. I totally would be too nervous to take photos with a stranger watching. The dress is gorgeous and you look fab in it, Shelbee!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks for the lovely comment, Gigi! I don’t know if I will ever get used to taking photos in public. But I am getting a little less uncomfortable! Just keep taking your photos and it does get a little easier. Thanks for stopping by and have a fantastic day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Neti
Yes. . you are ready for your closeup Mr Producer. You look so, so Fabulous in this dress!!!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Neti, thanks so much! I really appreciate all the wonderful comments on this post! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day.
xoxo
Shelbee
Emily
You look stunning! Thank you for sharing with us!
Isn’t That Charming.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Emily! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nikki Gwin
I lift my glass to the man in the arcade. *clink* YOu do indeed look like a movie star. I love the dress and it looks fantastic on you. I loved the story also.
🙂 gwingal
Nikki Gwin
ps. I feel uncomfortable trying to take photos in my own yard, if the neighbor happens to walk outside.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Nikki, I actually feel more uncomfortable taking photos in my yard in front of the neighbors than I do when I am out in public with a photographer! I think we are all in that same boat of discomfort!
xoxo
Shelbee
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Nikki, thanks so much! It was a super fun moment in blogger-life. I had to share the story!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lorena
Incredible what a comment like that can make you feel huh ? Yes MOVIE STAR! 🙂
You owned it. That’s the attitude.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
So true, Lorena! Thanks so much for stopping by and for the very lovely compliment! Have a fabulous day.
xoxo
Shelbee
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
I just love the high low detail of this skirt! So pretty! The back is gorgeous, too with the sheer panel. I would feel like a movie star, too!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Carrie, thank you so much! I love the back also, except for those 26 tiny little buttons! I definitely need some help getting into the dress with all the buttons! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day.
xoxo
Shelbee
Cathy
Beautiful gown! Love the neckline.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Cathy, thank you so much! I hope you have a lovely day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Chrissy Rowden
I laughed out loud when I read about your initial feelings of posing in public. I try to so hard to be discreet, but you’re absolutely right – you looked like a movie star! 😉 Beautiful dress, beautifully styled. 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Chrissy, I am glad that everyone here is able to laugh with me! It is nice to know that I am not the only who feels so strange doing the things we do as bloggers. It is so much fun but so uncomfortable…just proving my point that great things happen outside of our comfort zones..because this blogging journey has been amazing! Thanks for sharing your experience and thanks for the wonderful compliment. Have a fabulous day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Amanda
Hi Shelbee! You look stunning in this pictures! I love high-low dresses and if they’re black, OMG, they’re an absolute win!
I laughed out loud with your post’ story, it has also happened to me A LOT more than I would like to admit to be asked or looked at when taking pictures for the blog, be it with regular or fancier looks anyway. Fashion blogging life is though!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your lovely comment,
Best,
Amanda
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Amanda, thanks so much for sharing your experience and for the lovely compliment! I am glad I shared the silly little story because now I know that I am not alone in this weird blogger life! I am so glad you all can relate and laugh with me! It is so much fun though no matter how uncomfortable some situations can be. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nikki
That is a GOREGOUS dress and you look like a hundred million bucks in it! Beautiful! I know what you mean about not liking an audience. I often feel very self conscious in my own neighborhood when taking blog photos. I once had a neighbor jog by on the sidewalk while I was mid-flash and he made me laugh. It actually turned out to be a great photo. But I’m glad you didn’t let your audiences bother you because these photos are stunning. I’m loving it!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Nikki, thanks so much! It is so reassuring to know that I am not alone on this weird blogger journey where we head out into public places and take photos of ourselves! Ha. It is so much fun, but so strange sometimes! Thanks so much for sharing your experience and thank you for the lovely compliment. I very much appreciate it!
xoxo
Shelbee
jess jannenga
Shelbee, you had me chuckling again! I am like you when it comes to photoshoots and I had a 20 something guy come up to me in our local Starbucks and say, you are the lady that does the fashion poses right? in ( our development) It was funny! I have encountered that with people watching while you shoot and it is wierd for me too.
I love your movie star vibe, and the older man’s comment! The dress is lovely on you and I love the shots you took.
Have a great week!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jess, I am so glad you can laugh along with me! Knowing I am not the only crazy fashion blogger lady who gets funny looks while shooting photos is a relief! Some people think it is amazing and fun and they are all interested in what I do. Other people just don’t get it and it’s kind of funny but still embarrassing. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experience! And thank you for the lovely compliment.
xoxo
Shelbee
Emma Peach
That’s a gorgeous dress Shelbee, you look stunning! I don’t like doing photos where there are lots of people, I feel really silly. I often wonder how bloggers get those shots where they’re standing in the middle of a road in a city…I can imagine my husband’s response if I suggested that!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Emma, thank you so much! It’s funny that you mentioned shots in the middle of a road…because I just brought that up during this photo shoot! I was wondering the same thin. I love those shots, but HOW do they get them?!
xoxo
Shelbee
Ruth
I totally understand what you mean. Fashion blogging is a wierd thing when you take pics of yourself people always probably think I’m totally self absorbed. You look amazing and I can see your confidence in that last set of pictures!
http://www.mylittlenest.org
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Ruth, thank you so much for stopping by and for sharing your experience! I totally feel self absorbed when I am taking pictures! It is such a weird balance that we strike as fashion bloggers, isn’t it? Have a fabulous day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lazy Daisy Jones
Hi Shelbee
Great to meet you through the linky! I have tweeted you too and thank you also for joining our link up
best wishes
Ashley
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
It is a pleasure to meet you, Ashley! Thanks for tweeting and for stopping by! Have the most wonderful day.
xoxo
Shelbee
Molly
Oh my that is a brilliant dress
Mollyx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
And that is a fantastic compliment, Molly! Thank you so very much!
xoxo
Shelbee
nicole
Thanks for linking up to the Top of the World Style party.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Nicole!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mother of 3
I love that dress! Such a lovely style. Rock it, movie star!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Joanne, thank you so much! Have a fabulous weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Carrie
Beautiful dress and I love how open you are about modeling outside and with an audience. I don’t think I could do that.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Carrie! Oh, it was quite uncomfortable…then I just laughed about it and pretended like I was someone famous just doing my famous thing! Hahaha. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Anna Shirley
Such a lovely story. o) You really look like an star. I’m happy that your dress work for you perfectly. Thank you for sharing with My Red Carpet.
Anna
http://www.glamadventure.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Anna! It was fun to style up this dress all glamorous! I really hope you can make your dress work for you.
xoxo
Shelbee