Hi guys!

I've sure left this for the last minute. Tomorrow night we're going to a dinner. My husband is in the graduating class of his medical residency training program, so he's kind of one of the guests of honor, will be roasted and awarded and all that jazz.

He's wearing a suit. I'm wearing a skirt and top that are not nearly fancy enough, but it was the best I could do on short notice (I'm bringing my 4 month old to the dinner so I needed nursing access!) The top is rust colored with ruffles and a deep v neckline, and the skirt is a simple brown just below the knee dealie. My shoes are leather sandals that are likewise not nearly fancy enough but are comfy so far and that's important to me.

SO. I'll be doing a makeup test run later today. I'm thinking of playing it safe with a smoky brown look. That way I leave the contrast to the rust playing up my blue eyes, but I still have enough drama to help shift my outfit from "nice office wear" to an evening look. What do you think? Melissa has a smoky eye tutorial out there doesn't she? I have a lot of browns to work with but I am just not sure where to start. HELP!

I remember you purchasing some pretty shades of pink as well.I like the idea of maybe a nude all over (inner corner,brow bone,etc.)and then maybe a brown as a little bit of a sublte liner or shade in the crease and then maybe a pretty peach or pink shade on your lid.

You could do that with a sheer peachy cheek and a pretty subtle lip.

Oooh I like armywife's suggestion ... a plain brown eye would certainly work, but I'm usually not a fan of really monochromatic looks (especially neutrals) once you start considering all the browns you'll have in your outfit. A brown with a pink or peach would still go with your outfit and make your blue eyes pop, but the pink or peach would help brighten up your face a little!

PS: Is it just a dinner (i.e. no dancing or anything involving lots of standing up?) I am all for comfy shoes myself (heck, I even wear orthotics part of the time now) but if you're just going to be sitting down at dinner all evening, maybe you could wear some less comfy shoes if you are worried about dressing too casually. Sunday morning church is my one time a week to wear all my painful heels -- I just make sure to go home and change shoes before I do my usual Sunday afternoon grocery shopping Just a thought -- wear what you want, of course!

Hm. I am sure wishing now that I had one of those great pinks like Orinoco. I'll look through what I have, maybe Cosette or Rosy Cheeks.

G_G, I've never been a shoes girl (any more than I've been a makeup girl!) but you have a point -- shoes do make the outfit, and it's mostly a sit-down event (hopefully parking will be nearby!) On the off chance I can go look this afternoon, any suggestions for styles? I really wanted an open toe, I'll be painting my nails with Lulu or slowburn and some bronze glam glitter.

I agree about the pink or the peach - since you have Cosette, I give that an enthusiastic thumbs up! Have a great time!

Maybe a cute pair of open-toe sling backs.They are soo sexy! I would have to see your outfit to really tell what would,IMO,look good but usually when I hear "just below the knee" I think of a sexier shoe since you're not showing too much leg.

MO2A's You Tube tuts!

OK, I wasn't sure how pink would go with rust but I decided y'all know makeup better than I do. I did Persian Kitten all over/on the brow bone and inner corner. Cosette on the lid. Teddy Wisp applied lightly (with a FO brush) in the crease and vee and under the lower lashes. Drama Cocoa wet to line, and Seed Pearl just under the eyebrow to highlight. Then I did Nectar rouge and Nuance for the lip and went ahead and tried on my top. I think I love it! I might have tried too hard to do "smokey" so I will tweak it a bit for tomorrow, but I just wanted to say THANKS for the "makeover"!

Glad you found a look that you liked! Honestly, I probably wouldn't think to wear pink with rust either, but I would naturally reach for a peach -- I just went off Armywife's suggestion If you have time to take pics tomorrow we'd love to see them!

Yaay! We must be channeling eachother because my first thought was Persian Kitten!

You have such gorgeous colouring and I love you with peaches and pinks.Im so glad you liked the colours you tried.Nectra is one of my favorite blushes as well.It is such a pretty,wearable pink.

I hope you have fun!!

Yaaay! So glad you found a look that works well with the outfit. Cossette is one of my favorite shadows!

Thanks, guys. As I may have mentioned, I have never worn much makeup, so it was a really pleasant surprise to go to the ladies' after several hours of dinner and pleasantries, feeling a bit worn out, but to look in the mirror and see a bright and fresh-looking face.

DH took one photo of me and the baby, if it turns out I'll post it but it won't have a close-up of the makeup.