a lady and her knights

It's holiday party season!

A lovely excuse to brave the snowy streets in high heels and cocktail dresses, arm looped through a tux-clad gent's, en route to an evening of swirling skirts and sipped Manhattans.

Luckily for me, I hit the trifecta this year. Care to join me for a spin?

Welcome to the annual Mask & Wig Charity Ball! Wig is the oldest all-male musical comedy troupe in the country, so the prestigious club rightly attracts some of the best talent at Penn. Each year, they hold a black tie affair at their Clubhouse in center city, where the band serenades the cast, crew, business staff, plus-ones, community members and alumni who return to support the philanthropic mission.  This year, Wig raised over $3,500 for Walking for Wendy, a charity that supports the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

My date is the most hilarious yet humble person I've had the pleasure to meet. Thank you for a roarin' good time.

Next up, trade in the bow tie for something a bit more whimsical -- you're at Zeta Formal!

Held at XIX, a swanky restaurant on the 19th floor of the downtown Hyatt, the winter formal was a grand success for the ladies of Zeta Tau Alpha and their (lucky) dates!

I had the pleasure of being accompanied by Sir Quinton, a graduate student I'm proud to call my 'buddy hall' RA partner in crime. Frankly, he is one of the most inspirational people I know. His wisely informed outlook on life, combined with an utterly contagious sense of optimism, makes him one of my dearest friends and role models.




Cheers to the King!






Finally, I said a prayer, applied classic red lipstick from a fresh tube of Dior, and rushed down the castle steps to greet my own Gawain for the annual masquerade --

Squirrel baby tell me when to come collect you. I melt.

Oh, Travis. Tesoro. Where to begin? You have been my miracle this semester -- you are going so far, my love, and I'm just glad I get to come along for the ride. Remember how we met? All of those fellowship applications weren't for naught; they brought me to you.


So, before I descend into the misty depths of finals, I'm saying a heartfelt thank you, good sirs to these noblemen, whose company could make anyone feel like royalty.

L