Happy Easter! What a lovely celebration we had this year at my in-laws' country club after church followed by a relaxing and festive day at their home. Even the snow didn’t stop me from pulling out my spring polka dots and Easter hat. 

But when I was pouring over friends' social media pictures at the end of the day, I couldn’t help reminiscing about when I last wore polka dots and pearls: the 2017 White House Easter Egg Roll! If you haven’t heard of this annual Easter Monday tradition, you must add it to your bucket list. What a treat for families! The tickets are completely free and distributed on a lottery system with sign-ups in February, but if you know someone on staff, you can usually get around the lottery and snag a spot (thanks Mr. O&O!). 

Aside from tickets, the only other obstacle is the entry line. Our experience started out a little rainy, which seemed to deter more people than previous years, so we only waited about an hour from arrival to stepping on the South Lawn. Historically, however, lines have snaked blocks and people have waited several hours. Once you get inside, the lines are pretty minimal and thankfully they pass out snacks and drinks while waiting in the initial line, but I’d recommend bringing an iPad or something similar to entertain the kiddos. 

The Presidential Tennis Court is one of the first things you pass entering the South Lawn, so we stopped by and tossed balls around with a crew of Special Olympics athletes. Baby O&O also got to kick a soccer ball to the D.C. United Women’s soccer team at another station, comprising the top sports highlights of the day.

The namesake event is a must-do once you get there. The roll (and the actual egg hunt) are the only other substantial lines we had to stand in once inside, but the wait was 20 min or less, and the line for the egg roll was actually rather enjoyable. We passed by The Beast, enjoyed music by the United States Marine Band  (added to the event by Indiana’s own Benjamin Harrison in 1889), and even spied the White House Rose Garden and the Oval Office windows as we waited. Before we knew it, it was our turn. The basic concept is you scoop/roll a hardboiled egg down a lane with a spoon, racing others to the finish line. Baby O&O needed a bit of help but happily played along. It was exhilarating to take part in the 140-year-old tradition!

Countless other activities sprinkle the lawn from live music to arts and crafts, with many photo ops in between. On the way out, every attendee receives a wooden egg keepsake and a goody bag of Easter toys and treats. It was wildly successful and I would highly recommend it to any family!

Just after completing a 30-day self-love journey where I made a deliberate effort to love and prioritize myself a bit each day, I received the most perfectly timed invitation to attend a “Love Yourself Portrait and Beauty Celebration” from photographer, artist, and owner of Lusicovi Creative, Elise Rorick. Mr. O&O and I have a stunning collage in our dining room from a Charles Dickens themed Christmas photo shoot she did for us a few years ago, so already knowing how talented she is, I was thrilled to have the chance to pose for this #loveyourself themed shoot. 

The event included several local vendors offering a variety of self-care themed items, my favorites being the complimentary hand massages from Hillside Avenue Spa & Salon, a fun just-because flower arrangement I took home from Southern Sky Design, and some heavenly-smelling tea I picked up for a friend from Lesley Saligone Wellness.

​But the highlight of the day was a festive photo booth where you could color a heart and write one thing you love about yourself to hold in your photos in exchange for amazing, complimentary, edited pictures from the lovely Lusicovi Creative. What a perfect way to show yourself some love! I even got to fulfill a secret goal of mine to wear a flower crown. Elise was tons of fun to work with and she is incredibly talented. If you are looking for a photographer, give Elise a call and mention this post for 15% off your booking fee.

This event was such a blessing! I loved spending an hour just enjoying some me-time surrounded by gorgeous flowers while quietly coloring. As an extrovert, I of course also enjoyed chatting with the local small businesses about their passions and mission to promote self-care, but it was a great reminder to take time for myself. Even Jesus withdrew from the crowded world to pray and recharge in solitude, so I’m thinking that this self-care stuff is totally legit! Thanks Elise for putting on this awesome event at the most perfect time. Can’t wait for next year!   

Back in August, at the first Junior League meeting of the new league the year, Kid President asked me, “What do you want to teach the world?” In response, I started this blog to create a platform with which I could teach the world something. I am still experimenting with exactly what to teach, but I’m especially thankful to the JLI for inspiring me to start writing again, and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to give back to them! If you aren’t familiar with this fantastic organization of women, the Junior League is a national non-profit committed to 3 simple things: 

• Promoting volunteerism
  
• Developing the potential of women
  
• Improving the community through trained volunteers

It is now the time of year when the Junior League of Indianapolis puts on their largest fundraiser of the year: Holiday Mart.

Another one of my favorites is Indianapolis local shop Delaney’s, specializing in fashion, gifts, and home goods. I found a fabulous cape there last year. 

Holiday Mart opens Wednesday, Nov 12 for a special preview event called Shopper’s Eve, which includes valet parking, wine, hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction. This is loads of fun, but don’t worry if you miss it; Girls Night Out is on Friday, Nov 14 at 6 pm, which is a similar deal with complimentary desserts, cocktails, swag bags, and special discounts. But you don’t need a special event to get your shop on! General admission shopping hours are listed below:

• Thursday, November 13 10 am - 8 pm
  
• Friday, November 14 10 am - 5 pm
  
• Saturday, November 15 10 am - 8 pm
  
• Sunday, November 16 11 am - 5 pm

Tickets for Girl’s Night Out are $25 and tickets for general admission are $10, both available at Marsh supermarkets or at the door. However, if you are local and ready to shop this weekend, you’re in luck: I have 2 free general admission tickets to giveaway! Just follow these 2 steps and I’ll draw a random winner by 4pm, Thursday, November 13.

1. Share a link to your favorite Overdressed & Overeducated blog post on any social media platform you want. 
2. Either tag me in your share or comment below with the link to your share on social media and include your email. 

I’ll contact you ASAP to coordinate the best way to get you your tickets! And thanks in advance for supporting the Junior League! 

I have a confession to make: In all 23 of my southern-living years, I only attended one polo match. Yet, in only year 4 of my Midwest residency, I have over half a dozen under my belt! How’s that for ironic, Alanis? Since living Indy, I am now fully versed in chukkers and mallets, have perfected my divot-stomping technique, and am the proud owner of one well-polished Pretty Woman award. Therefore, while I was, admittedly, a late starter to this fabulously preppy sport, I would venture to say I am now sufficiently qualified to impart both wisdom and style to any interested neophyte reader.

The Basics
Polo is a team sport with the object of hitting a small, white ball down a grassy field through the opposing team’s goal posts using a long wooden mallet. A polo team consists of 4 players, each riding their own pony. The game is broken down into 7-minute time periods called chukkers, and each match has between 4 and 8 chukkers. Aside from this brief foundation, the main rule to remember is that each time one team scores a goal, the play switches directions, and the scoring team aims for the opposite goal from which they just scored.

The Venue
A polo field is roughly 9 times the size of a football field. Virginia has options all over for public polo-watching, but the one I’m most familiar with is in Crozet at King Family Vineyards. They have matches every Sunday during the summer at 1 p.m. As for Indiana, the place to go is Hickory Hall Polo Club in Whitestown. Hickory Hall has matches all summer and well into fall. At Friday night matches, referred to as Polo at Sunset, spectators pull their cars right up to the sidelines and picnic on blankets and lawn chairs brought from home. For the more formal Saturday matches, known as Polo on the Prairie, you park your cars at the front gate and sit on the sidelines to enjoy the match. Many local organizations have private tents and bring a catered spread; these are typically invite-only and located on the right sideline (facing the barn). The left sideline is more for individuals and families, and there is usually a kids’ area available for any little ones to play. Chairs are provided.

The Dress
When you think of polo attire, the first thing that typically comes to mind is Julia Roberts in her brown and white polka-dot dress and matching hat. Well, Pretty Woman was spot on, and Polo on the Prairie is the real-life version of this. A light sundress and large sunhat are staples for most women in attendance, and sometimes I like to take it up a notch with crisp white gloves or a lacy parasol. As for the men, you will definitely see a few seersucker suits, but it is equally appropriate for the guys to come in colored or critter pants; a nice, preppy button-down; and a skinny or bow tie. On especially hot days, a nice polo T-shirt can replace the button-down, and a classy pair of madras shorts can replace the pants.

Polo at Sunset is much more casual, and really, anything goes. Most people wear jeans to these matches, however; the cover photo on my About Me page was from a Polo at Sunset match my family and I attended, so dressing up is also appropriate. Quick story about this photo: Not only did this appear in the Indy Star last summer, but a few weeks ago, when Mama O&O was visiting, we took her to her first Polo on the Prairie match. A few girls were passing out magnets to advertise Hickory Hall’s upcoming annual fundraising event, Polo and Pearls. We each took one and dropped them in our purses, but Mr. O&O actually looked at his magnet and noticed the photo on it was this very photo, featuring us! Magnet celebrities! HA! This made for a great laugh, and we quickly called the girls back over to take home a few more of the mementos. 

The Attractions
Polo at Sunset doesn't offer much more than the match itself, but there are several additional draws at Polo on the Prairie. One of my favorites is the silent auction, which is located under a tent on the right sideline as you walk in. Additionally, the famous half-time divot stomping is a must. Hickory Hall plays music, and the crowd dances and stomps around the field for a great time. Just be sure to avoid any steaming “divots” – you won’t want to stomp on those!

The most enticing attraction, though, is the fact that a different local charity hosts each match and benefits from all the proceeds. This includes the $20-per-car entry fee, all silent auction earnings, and any private tent sales. It is truly a great way to give back while enjoying a match. Based on the charity hosting, some will provide extra attractions that vary match to match, including the following: 

• A raffle: Many times this is a 50/50, and most recipients end up donating their 50% back to the charity at hand. 

• Wine tasting: At almost every match I’ve attended, at least one vineyard had a box on the right sideline near the silent auction that offered free wine tastings to anyone who walked by. 

• A Pretty Woman contest: This is just as it sounds: The woman with the prettiest outfit wins. There are judges, prizes, and a plaque. It is quite exhilarating. My second summer attending, Bally Foundation bestowed this fabulous honor upon me, and my life was complete. For any competitors out there, here are a couple pointers: 

1. Bring at least one stand-out item. For me, it was a parasol. No one else had one. Other ideas might be a horse-critter dress, an extra-large/extra-fancy hat and gloves combo, or a lace fan. 
   
2. Spend a LOT of time walking around on the right sideline, in front of the deck, and at the silent auction. This is where the judges sit, and if they don’t see you, they won’t pick you. 

The Events
Aside from the typical Polo at Sunset and Polo on the Prairie matches, there are two special events each year.

• Costume Match: While it appears this event isn't happening this year, in the past, Hickory Hall has held a special family-oriented match in October where the polo players all dress up and play in Halloween costumes. This event always has the candy drop and a special family fun zone on the left sideline. There is no extra charge for this event.
  
•  Polo and Pearls: This is Hickory Hall’s annual fundraiser for their own grounds, upkeep, uniforms, etc., so they can continue hosting charity matches each year. This event is especially fancy and is not one to sub the polo shirt or shorts at. (I actually ended up wearing the new vintage outfit I posted about a few weeks ago, and it was a big hit!) This event offers several additional attractions, including a full buffet dinner, champagne barn tours, cash bar, silent auction, wine pull raffle for a strand of pearls, psychic readings, a special half-time St. Germain cocktail, an after-dinner concert, and a Chinese lantern release. This year, they also added a horse-drawn carriage ride and a fireworks display. The cost is $100 per person, with the option to purchase a 6-person table for slightly less. We have been 2 years in a row and love it. 

That is about all you need to know about polo! For any of you out-of-staters, I am quite confident Google can help you find a local polo match, but if not, a road trip to Whitestown, Indiana, may be in order. It is truly a great way to spend a casual Friday night, or make an all-day special event of it on Saturdays, all while giving to charity. The next scheduled match is Friday, August 29, at 5 p.m., benefiting the political leadership development program Lugar Series. Let me know if you go! 

What a weekend to start a blog! First off, I am literally typing this in the few hours between parading around at a polo match and picnicking at an outdoor Shakespeare play. More to come on those later, but I just couldn't wait to post about my truly amazing find Saturday morning from the Indie Arts and Vintage Marketplace (IAVM). 

Before I reveal this treasure, let me first tell you that I am not normally the vintage type. I typically prefer a more contemporary style. However, Mama Overdressed & Overeducated made the journey from Virginia to Indy this weekend to spend some much-needed mother-daughter time together, and she requested a trip to the IAVM, so I happily complied. Not to mention, my two lovely friends, Liz and Laura, were hosting booths there, and I relish any excuse to see their smiling faces. So, purses and umbrellas (foreshadowing alert) in tow, Mama O&O and I set out this drizzly morning to explore some vintage attractions. 

My first fun find was a pair of sailboat cuff links for the husband. Mr. O&O had recently mentioned both a desire to pick up sailing and a need for more cuff links. Coincidence? I think not. And mind you, I bargained these bad boys down to a whopping $5. Done and done. However, this was nothing compared to what Mama O&O stumbled upon for me next. 

Ever heard of an umbrella purse? Well, they exist, and they are nothing short of darling. This adorable bag is waterproof, matches my Kate Spade wallet to a tee, and oh yeah, it has an umbrella slot,  for events JUST LIKE THIS ONE – rainy, outdoor, shopping events, that is. And any other event that may require an umbrella. Or a cute purse. Or both. Especially both. 

So, how much did this vintage gem set me back? A mere $15! I can’t remember the last time I bought any purse for less than $50, not to mention a stylish (yet functional) umbrella purse. A quick Google search tells me that Marc by Marc Jacobs once sold an umbrella purse for either $320 or $250, depending on where you’re looking. Or, in 2008, I could have purchased one (brand unknown) for the bargain price of $825. I don't see any available anymore. I’m feeling pretty darn good right about now. 

And just as a bonus, I also picked up a jumbo strand of faux pearls for $4, a Jackie O pillbox hat for $5, and a 50’s pink polka dot dress for $10 at this amazing vintage mart.

Some quick takeaways:

• Vintage marketplaces have more than just home décor; they have clothes and accessories too.
•  If you put time and effort into it, you can find some great stylish vintage fashion accessories.
• Vintage marketplaces have said accessories for great prices, which are all up for negotiation.

Have I mentioned I’m a vintage sale convert?