by Chrysa Smith
If you’re hip to the social scene, you know that the hottest event these days is ‘The White Party.’ As the name suggests, everyone dresses in white, so the atmosphere is very chick. And while everyone who hosts one might have a different reason—from fun to fundraiser, if you go, you wind up rubbing elbows with the rich and famous—and ridiculously beautiful.

How do I know this, you might ask? Well, despite my social status as suburban housewife, author and blogger, I actually attended one this past week. And although I’d like to believe that my self-esteem holds a steady mid-range, I must admit that it dipped a few decibels as I did what therapists and other self-help gurus warn against—compare myself to others.

First of all there was the glitz and glamour of it all. I felt like I was on a movie set, as the beautiful and completely gorgeous lined up to be checked in. It was then that I took a deep gulp, as I questioned, “What am I doing in a place like this?” quickly followed by “OMG, if I had known what people wear, well, I would have gone to Loehman’s instead of Marshalls to find a new glitzy dress!” Now, realistically, I had on a perfectly nice summer dress. But it was more suited to running through a meadow to pick daisies, or go to an afternoon luncheon. It was not white party standards. So I made my way into the giant white tents, filled with strings of white lights, illuminated white globes and some of the most beautifully, long-legged ladies I’ve ever seen. Second gulp, as I thought “Well, 20 lbs lighter , a makeup artist and the right personal shopper could make me much more suited to such an event, but you can’t change your legs. You can tone, tan and thin them out, but you can’t lengthen.

I’ve never seen the lengths of legs and heights of heads that I saw at the white party. Straight, long hair framing thin faces with slim toned bodies. Even with the corrections named above, I’ll always be cute. No amount of makeup, stilettos or sexy clothing will change the cute round face with the wavy hair–nor the length of this body.

It may well be wrong to compare yourself with others, but sometimes good things do come of it—namely, I’m back on track with eating healthy. I may never look like a super model, but it doesn’t hurt to think twice before putting that Tostito or truffle in my mouth. It all comes down to looking and feeling the best you can be. And while I always find it difficult to stick to that theory, such events serve as a smack in the face—-where getting in better shape will no longer leave me wanting to go to a dress- in- black party instead of an ethereal white one.