So, we pretty much hightailed it out of the broken-heater boutique after dress #3, changing locations to a super-cute and excellent place. I highly recommend Anna-Be and our saleswoman, Nicky--they know what they're talking about,* they stock dresses in a wide range of styles and sizes,** and they give you champagne to keep things light while you try things on. AND, they have gorgeous Jenny Yoo bridesmaids*** things for your mother to look at while you're being clipped and unclipped. Anyway, I started with the least-likely-to-succeed dress in the batch they pulled, which was insanely cheap due to a small and reparable tear in the shoulder (which is why it pooches out on the right like that). Sadly, not to be: cute dress, just not on me. Too Grecian, not enough Mod.

* I heard a man giving a very informed and fabulous lecture on the pros, cons, and history of the empire waist to a bride-to-be who was definitely more flattered by a different cut. She chose the excellent dress.
** I saw, like more than five which were not strapless!
*** See them in the background?

(4. The dress that wasn't me)