The Ups and Downs of The Gangsters' Ball

I originally wrote a full-length post for this, but decided it was too long, so I'm offering you a shortened version first (then you can skip down to the measly photos):

DOWNS:
- Wildilocks (the hair salon) cancelled my appointment, and were very rude about it
- I had no styling products to do my own hair, and couldn't find another hairdresser
- Our hotel was under renovations, was sweltering and our view was of scaffolding and tradies' behinds
- The hotel smoke alarms were so sensitive they went off at a whiff of hair spray or deodorant 
- The battery in my camera died before I could take any outfit snaps
- I have some amazing blisters (but they were totally worth it)

UPS:
- Chinese for tea was tasty
- The GB itself was amazing



LONG VERSION:

I was super excited for my hair appointment at Wildilocks in the city - I was planning on getting a smoking 1950s formal updo, but it wasn't to be. Half an hour before my appointment time of 2pm, I was walking through the city from our hotel carpark to said salon, when I received a phonecall, and was told that my appointment was cancelled because my stylist was sick, and they couldn't squeeze me in with another. The stylist on the phone was really quite rude, and actually tried to turn the blame around onto me, because she couldn't get through to me at 10am - no shit, I told them I didn't have any mobile reception at home - why not call the home phone number I left too? I am not blaming them for their staff member getting sick, I get that, I've been there. But, jeez, you understood it was for a formal event, so why not offer to stay back past 5pm and make it right? But I guess it's easier to lose a customer (sorry - I am really peeved at this).

So I was stuck in the city with no hairdresser, no hair styling tools other than a paddle brush and some Bobby pins, and some seriously dirty hair. Nearly in tears, J suggested just doing it myself, and getting a hat to cover up my hair... Ha! Yeah right, I wasn't taking that for an answer, I wanted to look bombshell beautiful.

Finally I calmed down enough and decided Js idea was valid, seeing as I'd have no hope finding another hairdresser with an opening within the next 3 hours for what might be a 1 hour styling gig. So I headed to Priceline for some hair wax and a comb, and off to Myer for a fascinator (thank God for Spring Racing). But, have you ever seen the prices of fascinators at Myer? Jeez, talk about expensive! So it was off to Diva for a bargain purchase. Then we got some bourbon and checked into the hotel. And it was time for more disappointments.

The room was like a sauna, and turning the thermostat to 0 degrees did nothing. The bathroom was disgusting. Using any aerosol products like deodorant and hairspray set off the fire alarm and evacuated the whole building (I know because I was the one using the hairspray). The building was undergoing refurbishments, so our bedroom window looked out onto scaffolding and tradie plumbers cracks.

With the help of bourbon, I pulled myself together and had a cold shower and washed my hair with hand soap (I didn't pack shampoo, thinking my hair would be looking beautiful by now). Then we drank and watched terrible TV and wasted away the afternoon.

We ate dinner in Chinatown, and the food was amazing! Poor J found it a bit spicy though. We had gongbao chicken, dry fried beans with pork mince, Qingdao beer and peach juice (宫宝鸡顶，干煸四季豆，青岛啤酒和水蜜桃汁). Amazingly good real Chinese food.

Then we sauntered back to the hotel and got dressed for the GB! And, this is where it gets even more disappointing... My freaking camera battery went flat before I could take any outfit shots! It said it was fully charged when we left home, I swear! I should have taken my DSLR, but I was worried it might get pinched.

So all I have are a couple of bad iPhone photos :( I'm so sorry ladies (But I guess it hides my crappy hairstyle.)

Now... the GB itself totally made up for any disappointments I'd experienced throughout the day! It was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! Big band, swing and r'n'r music playing, utterly amazing acts and performances, and everyone looking beautiful in 20s-50s fashion (although there were some who missed the mark by a few decades or so...).

Once photos start popping up online of the acts / fashion etc, I will post some for certain.