I snapped this photo before going out for our Valentine’s Day dinner on Tuesday so I could show you my dress. Some of you asked why the holiday is so annoying for restaurant staff, so I will tell you (in my opinion) what makes Valentine’s Day difficult from a former waitress’ perspective:
a) Most of the tables that day are converted to two-tops to seat couples (as opposed to four and six), which creates more chaos and table checks to manage, not to mention more tables to move around when you’re dashing around.
b) Couples moonily looking at each other may take forever to vacate tables and diners arriving for later reservations start waiting longer, getting annoyed, etc. Plus from a purely financial perspective, the more tables you turn, the more tips you get!
c) For some reason V-Day in my experience was the biggest holiday for people to feel almost obligated to order dessert and champagne/sparkly drinks – which of course takes longer and thus extends the dinner. Plus, prix fixe (which the menu almost always is on Valentine’s Day) menus tend to be a little more pricey themselves – throw in the extra charges of alcohol, etc. and sometimes couples get stunned by the price and then tip poorly. Sigh. Memories.
d) Any other former/current restaurant staff reading out there? What’re your thoughts?
There’s also this nice feather/studded detail on the shoulder, though I’ve gotten the pieces stuck a few times taking them in and out of my luggage and am afraid it’ll start looking mangy soon. Der.
Finally I’m so glad you liked the George R. R. Martin interview, isn’t he super cool? I’m going to do more reading recommendations/favorite book posts in the future.
This feather dress fits you perfectly, and goes so well the your nude Louboutin platform pumps. Super feminine and chic look! <3
I'm also a former waitress, and I avoid the V-D rush. I found that the stakes are generally so high for restaurant goers (it's got to be perfect! it's Valentine's Day!) that the disappointments are greater too. That–and the other things you mention–are a huge burden on servers, and I'd just rather not go there.
Meanwhile, the DVF dress is stunning, and I enjoyed looking at the dresses you're considering next. I've got DVF on my mind these days and am budgeting for several in the next coming months. Wrap dresses are the ones getting my attention.
I LOVE your dress! You look gorgeous.The feather at the shoulder really adds to the whole dress… and it is perfect for your blog!
As for a former waitress opinion, I love V-day! I think people are less stressed out waiting for food because they are occupied with one another, people usually order more, thus more tips. At the restaurant that I worked at, it is reservation only on Valentine's day and we were full every year. So it is guaranteed that you will have tables from opening to close, non-stop. I do see where you are coming from with your perspective though…
HTH
♥ Pjlatte's Bag Book ♥
Gorgeous dress!
Stunning dress, love your clutch too!
I love your whole look today and the pop of red with the YSL clutch is perfect! I'm glad that you had a great Valentine's Day Dinner with Mr. Feather.
Interesting.. I wore a Diane Von Furstenberg dress for Valentine's Day too. It's a dress I've had for a really long time. Her details on clothing is superb. She knows what, where and how to flatter a figure or define a figure.
I went out to dinner and it was chaos. A dinner that should be about 1 hour turned into a 2 hour dinner and it was because the restaurant was so backed up. I order from the Prix Fixe menu too and I noticed other tables that ordered regularly didn't have to wait as long. And that's a shame because I really like the Prix Fixe menus. It's pretty much the only reason I go out on Valentine's Day. But to wait so long for one course after another, I don't know if I can handle it. I have kids that I want to get home to.
Helen
Now I understand why you didn't like the "holiday" in the past. It's natural!
I loved your feathered dress, it looks so elegant on you! And I liked how you paired it with the nude pumps and the red clutch!
Such an amazing dress! I don't think I've ever waitressed on V-day but plenty of other holidays – my worst nightmares haha
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous!
Have a fab weekend xoxo
http://www.intotheblonde.com/
My best friend waitresses, so I've heard plenty of horror stories from her (not even just on holidays, apparently, grouchy people and poor tippers know no season, haha). She always says everyone should wait tables at least once in their lives.
Glad you had a lovely evening! That outfit is a showstopper.
I've heard from a woman who owns a hat boutique that the best way to care for decorative feathers is to dust/"perk them up" with other feathers. It looked really cool when she was doing it, anyway.
pretty! i`m glad you weren`t decked out in pink and red. the clutch was the perfect amount of v-day color! and your legs look suppppper long in your nude CLs! it`s so cute that your hubby got you guys the same table, i wish more men were sentimental like that!
xoxo, LC
Beautiful dress!
Stunning dress, Katherine! The red clutch works beautifully.
Gotta say how much I enjoy your blog. I like your writing style–simple, warm, natural. You don't try too hard to be funny, witty, etc. Maybe it's because you already are. =)
Oh what a beautifully wispy concoction and I really like how how you punctuated it with a splash of red.
I really love the dress, Katherine, and it's perfectly paired with those decolletes!
lovely dress and suits you well.
old memories, an acquaintance of mine treats waitress/waitor rudely and it irritates me when she do that. serving customers is a tough job – not easy.
Beautiful dress! Love the real feathers.
Also, it`s amazing how great nude pumps you got! They go with your skin tone so well!
I wish I could wear a similar outfit right now, but I am stuck in snow.
OMG, that dress is to die for!!
Such a unique dress. Very original. And it suits you to perfection. Nice!
Love everything about this outfit – gorgeous dress, elegant shoes and stunning clutch…perfection!
You look gorgeous Katherine. DVF does amazing dresses. PS Bet Mr Feather couldn't take his eyes off you the whole evening!
Wow, this dress is beautiful! I love how softly it flows.
What a gorgeous dress, and so surprising with the real feather details!
http://www.littlelaurascloset.com
Nice dress, looks good on you.
I' ve never worked in a restorant, but I can imagine it's not a lot of fun on busy days like Vday
http://www.tripsandtreasures.net
new outfit post
I've always loved your DVF feather dress, Katherine! Glad you had a nice Valentine's Day
And thanks for sharing your thoughts on why it's so hellish for servers… I've never worked in that industry but I can see how annoying it must have been.
xo, alison*elle
Wow that dress is awesome! I love the mix of feathers!
katattack2000.wordpress.com
That dress is so gorgeous– it's making me want to draw some sort of feather lady. xD The feather detail really makes it seem like the whole dress is made of feathers rather than being a print, and the overall effect is so ethereal but has an edge to it as well. So jealous. xD
Such a beautiful dress! It looks amazing on you
you look stunning
Oh my!! You look AMAZING!! (As always)
This dress is perfection on you and the play on the feather factor just makes it over the top incredible for me!! Thanks for sharing the close-up detailing on the shoulder, it is my favorite "hidden" part of this dress.
This is amazing!! What a gorgeous and unique dress, you look fantastic in it!
Whoa that dress is awesome. How would you clean it, though?
I love the detailing on the dress. Really, so perfect for you!
You know I've cleaned it once and I just took it to my local dry cleaners and shut my eyes – it seems to have been returned in OK shape though!
TOTALLY! Well I don't think everybody should be a waitress but for nasty customers they should definitely go to some kind of waiter/waitress bootcamp!
gorgeous dress! you look lovely!
Bummer, for some reason, I can't see any photos on your blog today. Grrrr….I can't recall ever celebrating Valentine's Day. I guess being a waitress on this day is similar to being a salesperson at a shop on Boxing Day. Madness. To date, I still avoid shops like the plague unless it's something I'm desperate to get.
Bummer, for some reason, I can't see any photos on your blog today. Grrrr….I can't recall ever celebrating Valentine's Day. I guess being a waitress on this day is similar to being a salesperson at a shop on Boxing Day. Madness. To date, I still avoid shops like the plague unless it's something I'm desperate to get.
That dress is beautiful on you, Katherine! I love that it actually features some real feathers!
Glad to hear you had a great Valentine's Day – I was a homebody, but because I had to study for midterms, hah. I usually prefer staying in for Valentine's anyways, because restaurants can be so hectic and behind schedule. Kudos to all the people in the hospitality industry though, they definitely put up with a lot on that day!
Beautiful dress. I am a huge fan of DVF. We stayed at home this year and I cooked for a change, lovely food, great company and good wine. Plus I put on my waitress pinny on…… now now no naughty ideas!
Such a gorgeous dress, you look beautiful! Glad to hear you and Mr. Feather had a good Valentine's Day.
keepcalmandcarrylipstick.blogspot.com
Gorgeous dress!
We just did our favorite hole in the wall…. No reservations required or prie fixe.
Interesting dress…it did a double take – at first I did not realize there was so much texture to it and it just looked patterned. Fun surprise
The Fashionable ESQ
http://www.thefashionableesq.blogspot.com/
Absolutely stunning dress! You look amazing! I love your list of things you noticed as a former waitress, so funny!
http://www.styleisalwaysfashionable.blogspot.com
oh, i love it! the heels go perfectly with that dress!
oh, i love it! the heels go perfectly with that dress!
What a fabulous dress! DVF can do no wrong!
xo,
Hannah
http://www.chillairandperfume.blogspot.com
What a fabulous dress! DVF can do no wrong!
xo,
Hannah
http://www.chillairandperfume.blogspot.com
Even though feathers really creep me out, I love that dress. It's so unique and really flatters your figure.
Even though feathers really creep me out, I love that dress. It's so unique and really flatters your figure.
"Couples moonily looking at each other may take forever to vacate tables" HAHAHA…there was definitely none of that going on with my man and I this year. It was more like trying to get him to eat the chicken soup I made him while he pounded down cough syrup. Sigh. You looked beautiful though, that dress is insane!
"Couples moonily looking at each other may take forever to vacate tables" HAHAHA…there was definitely none of that going on with my man and I this year. It was more like trying to get him to eat the chicken soup I made him while he pounded down cough syrup. Sigh. You looked beautiful though, that dress is insane!
What a flirty, romantic outfit! I have to agree that Valentine's Day service is probably worse than usual since all the kitchens are clogged and everyone demands everything to be 'perfect' like they're the only couple in the world with the bright idea of going out to dinner. I tried to convince the boyfriend to stay at home this year to no avail. He's the hopeless romantic, while I'm the one most likely to buy him a crossbow just because it's funny! On the bright side, I insisted 'no fancy restaurants' in an attempt to veer away from the restaurants most likely to be jam packed. To be honest, if I had things my way, we'd be eating Mexican fast food at this great place we discovered. So what if it's in the same building as a gas station-convenience store haha!
beautiful feather dress, dvf always rocks!!
http://stylegod7.blogspot.com
Ooh let me know what you get! You have such impeccable taste
Lucy that is such a sweet comment, thank you <3
Such a gorgeous dress, the detail is just amazing! Hope you had a great Valentine's Day and thank you for your lovely comment!
Such a gorgeous dress, the detail is just amazing! Hope you had a great Valentine's Day and thank you for your lovely comment!
love all your looks dear!
HAVE FUN
cayridice xoxo
http://cayridiceverydayfashion
It is indeed a very nice dress and perfect for Valentine's Day. I totally like your YSL clutch lots =)
a very unique piece !
a very unique piece !
Beautiful dress! Love that the feathers does not overpower the dress. Beautiful clutch!
Mary
simplybeautifulyou.blogspot.com
You have such a fabulous blog, and great taste too, of course!
Love from the NaNa girls x
I can send you one (vaseline lip balm) if you want
I can send you one (vaseline lip balm) if you want
Perfect timing. I'm obsessed with DVF right now.
OMG this dress is magical!
XoXo
Plami
http://www.fashionthrill.com/
This dress is DIVINE.
http://xjole.blogspot.com
This dress is sooooo flattering on you!
Gorgeous dress! The red clutch is the perfect accent.
I lovvvvvve DVF – her clothes are so well made.
I like the feather detail