Preparing for Our Night at the Symphony!

My husband surprised me by purchasing tickets for us to go to the symphony later this mobth! Better yet, they are playing Star Wars music and will have our beloved Lando Calrissian actor, Billy Dee Williams, there! I'm so excited about it. As soon as he told me, I knew we had to dress up. Something that he totally agreed to.

He has decided to keep his attire simple. He will be wearing his "interview suit". But to dress it up, he requested Star Wars themed cufflinks and a tie. The cufflinks were relatively easy to find. I purchased these from Mercari.

As I looked for ties, however, I noticed that unless we wanted to pay a premium amount, finding him a Star Wars tie that wasn't tacky, wasn't easy. So I decided to look for another theme that suits him better. He might like Star Wars, but Star Trek holds a higher spot in his heart. And knowing him, he would rather show off such a love in front of Star Wars fans. So I decided to order him this tie to go with his ensemble! 

Now for my gown. After all, a lady should be regally attired when going to the symphony, don't you think? I wanted to create a dress that would reflect my love of Star Wars. While I loved Princess Leia as a character, her clothing choices were mostly your bland, everyday variety. So I looked at her mother's outfits instead for inspiration. Queen Padme Amidala had many to choose from. All in a great array of fanciful uniqueness. I used to enjoy trying to imitate her hair styles for everyday wear. In my own way. I got inspiration from various Pinterest photos.

My mother and sister sent me some dresses recently. I am considering giving this one a makeover, however, I had not had much time to consider how so in recent weeks as I was overseas.

Don't worry! I have not forgotten to regale you with tales of Israel. Just been busy trying to get back into the groove of daily routine. Anyhow, I thought of adding a leather-like thick banded belt to the higher waist. But that is where my mind blanks. I do also have a long black cape with a silver lining I'm thinking to pair with it...

What ideas might you have? Which dress from the Star Wars series would you choose if you were in my shoes? Can't wait to read your comments below!

14 Date Night Ideas for Any Budget

Before this summer, it had been a while since my husband and I had had a date night. A real one. Without kids. Without tasks and errands that take all our free time. That did not mean just playing a video game (although that isn't always a bad thing).  Something that let us unwind and actually talk to each other. For starters, we are still keeping to a strict budget. And secondly, we didn't live near someone who could take all 4 of the kids from time to time. I've been reading a book that had plenty of ideas for budget-friendly dates. And I decided that it was high time to make a list of things that would work for my husband and I. Here is to hoping that you might get inspired.

Date night ideas:

1. Take a drive. Sounds boring to some, but this is how you get closer together. Play your favorite music, sing along together and check out your city. 
2. Walk around, taking pictures. Take turns passing the camera back and forth while you each snap photos. Then compare to see who got the best shots. 
3. Go to the movies. This is something my husband and I finally did on our most recent date night. He had a coupon from when he worked for Target for 2 free movie tickets. Since there was no expiration date, we were able to see the new Godzilla movie. LOVED it! And yes, I believe there will be a sequel!
4. Play Just Dance for 2. See who racks up the most points as you both shake and jive. Do dances meant for two and really get close! Though my husband claims he can't dance, this is one game he beats me at often.
5. Have a Wii tournament. There are some great sports games that you can play together. Get moving while having fun together. 
6. Watch the sunset. While we don't live in the mountains or near the beach (where my favorite sunsets and sunrises happen), we can still get up early and head to a park. Maybe make a simple snack or bring a warm drink along. Cuddle up and watch the beauty unfold. 
7. Make a dessert together. There is something magical about cooking and baking with someone you love. Plus you get to enjoy something delicious when you are done. (We made these healthier cookies.)
   
   
8. Go for a hike. Don't forget to bring along water and be careful. Take the time to talk and really bond. 
9. Play a board game together. No TV in the background! Put on your favorite tunes instead. Not only do you bond, but you can see who has the skills to dominate the board! 
10. Try out a new restaurant. Even if it isn't new to the area, it might just be new to you guys. See if it is what it claims to be! 
11. Paint a canvas together. Doesn't matter what it is. Just put both of your ideas into one. The Dollar Tree carries some in the crafting section.
12. Have a movie night together at home. Grab snacks and snuggle on the couch. Do a marathon even! We have been working on Stranger Things, Season 3. Absolutely one of our favorites!
    
13. Check out a local flea market or thrift store. Walmart and Target will be there, selling whatever is in. But sometimes it can be fun to check out a place selling used and unusual things. So deviate and do something new! 
14. This last one is a favorite of mine. Check out the stars together! Set up an inflatable pool, filled with pillows and blankets in the backyard. Bring a snack. Set up the telescope (if you have one) and then relax together under the stars! 

Be spontaneous! 

 
You don't have to have money to have a great time and get closer to the one you love. You can be creative and just see what happens. A lesson I learned on a recent date was that not everything goes as planned. I'm a huge planner. But sometimes I need to lay off the planning and just go with it. Then things can flow and the fun comes naturally. What date night ideas do you have?