The 1930s Peacock Gown Steps Out

Last night the 1930s Peacock Gown made its debut. My husband is a relatively newly-minted naval officer, and the Navy celebrates its birthday each October with a ball. (History fact of the day: The US Navy is considered to have been "born" in 1775 after an act of the Continental Congress, which realized that, er, if it was going to fight the greatest navy in the world--Britain--it was going to need some boats.) So we got cleaned up and went to the Birthday Ball this year to celebrate the Navy's 235th.

We spent the afternoon and evening at a turn-of-the-century resort town in southern Indiana (previously written about after a visit this summer.)

A few photos, for kicks!

The lobby of the West Baden hotel, with mini-dome. The actual dome, which covers a huge interior atrium, was closed off for another event.

That's me, chilling in the library on a corner chair before getting dressed.


We spent some time wandering around the gardens. I love the Greco-Roman inspired architecture:

And the fountains, and the pared-down beauty of autumn mums replacing summer flowers:

The resorts are surrounded by national forest property; you can see the idyllic woodsyness in the background. While wandering up the hill, we spotted a doe and this year's fawn, now nearly grown.

Then--on to the ball! We took photos after the evening of dinner and dancing, so I was a little tired--the gown in repose:

Overlooking the main lobby at French Lick:

A pensive peacock:


He dresses up ok, I think :)

Thanks for staying with me on the adventures of this gown! I'm already plotting next year's historically-inspired piece.