Air Force Ball 2013

Since so many of you left super sweet comments on the Air Force Ball instagrams I posted last weekend, I figured I'd share some more photos from our night out dancing and celebrating the good 'ol Air Force. Before moving to Germany, I'd never been to real true Air Force Ball. D was in ROTC all through high school and college, so I attended "mock" military balls with him on numerous occasions. In the spring last year, we attended our very first official Air Force ball while stationed here in Germany. Come to find out, these "mock" balls are actually identical to the real thing. This year's ball was no exception. Thanks for all the years of practice, D! 

As I mentioned in a previous post, I really hate the whole hair and makeup song and dance that goes along with these shindigs. Especially here in Germany where I can't find a single hairstylist I'd trust turning my hair into an up-do. By the grace of the hair gods, I somehow managed my own up-do and got complimented on my hard work all night long (BIG thank you to Kate of The Small Things blog for this tutorial! I have WAY more hair than she does, but I think I nailed it!). I also have to say thank you to America and their plethora of formal dress options during my visit home. NOT!!!! I had THE HARDEST TIME finding a formal dress for this ball back in the states. Every store I went to had slim (to no) pickings. I was shocked. Apparently no one in North Carolina goes to any formal functions other than prom...and if it's not prom season, no dresses for you! I did, however, find my beautiful lace sheath dress at Belk in the way back corner of the women's section hiding behind a ladder and a few neon hootchie dresses. Story of my life. While it wasn't exactly what I was wanting in ball dress, it turned out to be pretty darn comfy and fabulous. And as always, D was looking mighty handsome in his mess dress. I can't resist a good man in uniform! Needless to say, while the hype and dress-up was a bit of a hassle, a great night was had by all. :)

Fasching in Wiesbaden 2013

 

 What is Fasching you say? One big fat party is what most people would tell you, but in greater detail, it's Germany's famous pre-Lenten festivities. Much like Mardi Gras in New Orleans or Carnevale in Venice, Italy, Fasching is celebrated with grand costumes, exciting parades filled with floats and clowns throwing candy, and, of course, lots of booze and debauchery. Many towns across Germany hold their own Fasching parades and celebrations, but the most popular parades on Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) are held in Cologne and in Mainz (a town adjacent to our current host town) the Monday before Ash Wednesday. Knowing we couldn't attend the parades in those cities this year, D and I settled on joining the Fasching festivities in downtown Wiesbaden this past Sunday. I was amazed to see how much Fasching in Germany reminded me of Halloween. Practically every Halloween tradition, from dressing up in ridiculous costumes to getting candy from strangers blended right into the German Fasching traditions. They even have Fasching costume stores (which is exactly where I bought my Halloween costume this year)! D and I kept it simple, sporting our German pride with hats we bought on a day trip to Coburg last summer. We seemed to blend right into the mayhem quite nicely! Much like Mardi Gras, floats line up and ride up and down the city streets, throwing goodies to the hundreds of dressed up onlookers below. Instead of throwing beads, in Germany they throw out items like candy, popcorn, sponges (weird), gummie bears, and tiny bottles of schnapps. And you don't even have to show your ta-tas for them! Just yell out the words "HELAU!!" (sounds like hello) and the treats come flying! We came home with a bag of loot every trick-or-treater would be envious of. Plus 6 tiny bottles of alcohol. I'd say Fasching was a great success for Team Coté! We can't wait to do it up big next year!

To learn more about Fasching, read here or here.

A "Spooktacular" Evening!

I'm pretty positive that this past Saturday night was designated as the prime Halloween party night of the year. Photos of costumes, spooky party decorations, and all out debauchery flooded my Facebook newsfeed Sunday afternoon. Totally made me smile. I love how balls to the wall America goes for Halloween! Some of the costumes and haunted houses I've seen have been amazing this year! You guys are totally upping your Halloween game and I love it. Love it to tiny candy corn pieces. Germany is slowly getting on board with Halloween, but it's definitely not like home. If we get trick-or-treaters, I imagine they'll be teenagers with Rewe bags and David Hasselhoff t-shirts. Sigh. I miss home.

Anywho, D and I also had the pleasure of attending a Halloween party on Saturday night! My dear friend and fellow October birthday girl, Leanne, and her hubby, John, threw a spooktacular event in honor of Leanne's birthday and, of course, the greatest fall holiday of the year. We feasted on ghoulish treats like mummy franks and cupcakes, devilish eggs, and my homemade caramel corn until 3am Sunday morning. A totally big deal in my book. It's the first time in a long time that I've been up that late because of something other than jet lag. D and I are old farts, it's true. Nevertheless, we had a blast celebrating my most favorite holiday (next to Christmas) and one of my dearest friends here in Germany. What could be better than a Halloween birthday party? Leanne, I'm beyond jealous of your good birthday fortune. ;)

Our fabulous host, hostess, and pug ladybug!

Quite possibly my favorite photo of the night. Elton and pug ladybug just having a chat. 

She doesn't look amused.

The hatless Mad Hatter and Julius Caesar plotting to take over the world...with crossed legs, no less.

 Oh man, what a blast. Did any of you attend a Halloween party this past weekend and post about it? If so, leave me your post link in the comments section so I can check 'em out! I love a good party post, especially a Halloween one. :) 

Here's hoping your Monday is spooktacular!

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