A black-tie affair or: how I realized I don't have enough fancy knits

Last weekend was pretty special. I had one of those rare invites that only come along once in a blue moon if you aren't a Kardashian. I was on the guest list to a black-tie party to celebrate the launch of a major new tech endeavor here in Fresno. 

Awesome, right? Well, if you aren't a Kardashian, it may not be as fun as it sounds. I had to go through at least 4 different closets to cobble together an appropriate outfit. Finally, I ransacked my Grandma's closet and found a vintage 1970's LBD and pearls, but came up empty handed when it came to a jacket, shawl, or wrap. 

I even went through my own knits, but I have a penchant for really bright, unicorn-laser-cat colors, and so my shawls more closely resemble something Molly Weasley from Harry Potter would have on, not so much Paris Hilton. 

So you know what I did? I froze. 

This is me, hanging out with Grumpy Cat at Bitwise South Stadium, hiding inside while everyone else was drinking chilled champagne and listening to live music outside, all because I didn't have an appropriate wrap.

This is me, hanging out with Grumpy Cat at Bitwise South Stadium, hiding inside while everyone else was drinking chilled champagne and listening to live music outside, all because I didn't have an appropriate wrap.

There are a lot of potentially fancy gatherings coming up with the holidays just around the corner, so I figured I'd better get my warm-and-elegant act together before I end up wearing a hoodie to the company Christmas party.

Thank goodness for Anzula Nebula. 86% Superwash Merino, 14% Sparkling Stellina, 100% classy. 

Here are a couple of patterns that would look divine with any LBD or floor-length sequined number.

Artesian by Rosemary (Romi) Hill

Asymmetical and lacy, this one won't keep you warm at an outdoor Christmas party in, like Michigan, but then again, are there even outdoor Christmas parties in Michigan? So sayeth the California girl. This would have been perfect for me last weekend.

Riddles with Dragons Shawl by Kate Poe

A glamorous stunner, this scale pattern is sure to be a conversation starter in case you're having the "Ugh, I won't have anything to talk to these people about!" dilemma that so often comes up at fancy gala events. 

Marcella Evening Gown by Lacie Lynnae

Take knitted elegance one step further and make the whole evening gown. Isn't it amazing? This pattern incorporates three Anzula yarns, Cloud, Milky Way, and Nebula. Might want to start working on this for next Thanksgiving, if you're not a super knitter. My sister could totally do it. I, unfortunately, am not my sister. I might as well start it now to have it ready for my daughter's eventual wedding. My daughter is one. Actually, maybe I can bribe my sister to make this for me. <3

So what's your favorite go-to, hoity-toity-event knit? 

And now, here's my inner monologue: If I make one of these in a normal color like Sexy or Elephant, I can go back to knitting in my happy, though impractical place. Which is pretty much like Paradise.