Once upon a time there was a laid-off girl with a little side project. See, before the epic fails and falls of late 2008 she was a copywriter for an advertising agency. She would sit in her hip desk tapping on her hip Mac and think about the empty something cushioning her life. When “let go,” she was nothing but relieved. She could live on the cheap, and really figure it out. You know, life.

Instead, she had a side project. A little storytelling thing. Where people come to tell true (and vulnerable and surprising) stories on a theme. Live on stage and without notes. Like The Moth. So after months of creative daydreams and planning sessions, Story Story Night was born. And ka-f*cking-boom. Unprecedented crazy magic. With sold-out audiences of 300/400+ every month.

And it’s my baby. My little wunderkind. And officially full-tilt out of my control. But still overwhelmingly in my hands. This is officially a full plate situation people.

So that was our theme for November 28, FULL PLATE: Stories of Biting Off More Than You Can Chew. I am the host (as well as the artistic & marketing director / driving force) behind Story Story Night. As you know by now, frivolous etiquette dictates the host should step it up big time, with a touch of bad assery. You are supposed to stand out. With ka-f*cking booms of surprise and delight.

I dress for the theme. Usually, I’ll have the vision for the outfit a month or so in advance. For FULL PLATE, seriously, how could I not embody the wonder of this Semplice embroidered and sequins peacock black lambswool and angora rabbit hair sweater ($5, thrift store)? With, to bite off more than I could chew perhaps, this CoryLynnCalter black waist high sequins skirt ($18, thrift store).

Over the top? Thank you very much. Especially paired with these posh tights leftover from Thanksgiving (and Nordstram’s Rack in Portland), and Enzo Angiolini black velvet and gold pumps ($7, thrift store).

Eat it up. Seriously. Once upon a time clothes were made to be delicious and you can buy them for about 500 pennies. Then fly away. Just take out the shoulder pads. Forged metal earrings ($3, thrift store).

The whole outfit matches my tattoo that was inspired by the brilliant freedom and wonder and danger that is my aftermath of this fall. I call it the infinity awesome pen bird (Chalice Tattoo).

Looks like I’m fading away into the background though, which happens to be the posh wine bar at Red Feather, the site of our new Story Story Afterparty. Until next time, and next theme.

Thanks Bethany Walter for the photos. You’re my laid-off work spouse for life.