In the early 1980s, I also arranged home party needlecraft demos for the Creative Circle. Their kits included crewel embroidery, cross stitch, needlepoint, and applique projects. The guests had a lot of fun! Some of them bought the full-sized kits, some did not - they just came for the party kit and to socialize, which is also great! I looked up Creative Circle online, and the needlecraft company site said nothing about home parties, but they do sell kits online now. There is also a different company called Creative Circle that is a "recruiting and consulting services company". They have nothing to do with needle crafts. I still have, and display, my samples from when I was a party consultant. They are very high quality and beautiful.

Ooooo, the LE one is very cute. As Faron points out, you'll need some nice dresses for your future trip to the Maui Four Seasons so maybe the others you've ordered will still be worth keeping. I like the look of the Betsy but reading the material is nylon makes me hot and itchy. You might not have that problem. I like the theory of the Sundance dress but the color doesn't appeal to me. But I'm not wearing it. The AT stripe is definitely a keeper, you'll find a use for it even if it isn't this party. I think you should start the tradition of having a 50th birthday party every year from now on (since you'll have plenty of dresses to wear). It could be the fun, quirky thing that defines you. It doesn't always have to be a rented venue, just a celebration. If anyone questions it, tell them they are dropped from future guest lists. Who doesn't love a chance to celebrate life and wear a pretty dress?

Absolutely have it inspected with your own inspector and DO NOT CLOSE until all items you want fixed are completed. If the builder is motivated, you will be amazed how fast they will get things done if you won't close!! You have no leverage after you close to get items fixed in a timely manner. We had our own inspector find numerous things on a new home we bought a few years ago. Most things that turned up were minor, except one roofing issue where the flashing was done incorrectly. If we hadn't had it inspected, we wouldn't have found that issue until we had leakage into the attic and then onto a bedroom ceiling...big headache to clean up after the fact.

Ok I think the violet one is a win ( I also like that it has sleeves) but this morning I was FB and I guess since I have looked at the suggestions on this thread, the powers that be thought I might like this .lace dress....and I immediately thought of you jojo and came here to share it. comes in pink and pale blue as well as black.