Transform the Night + Link-Up
Gown: Monique Lhuillier ML Glamorous in Lace Gown rented from Rent the Runway | Bag: Vintage Prada | Bracelets: GroopDealz (and my Jawbone! haha!)
On Friday night, I got all dressed up and whatnot and headed to a masquerade ball. Before I get to talking about the dress and all that for the evening, I wanna talk about what the evening was about.
The event was called Transform the Night and it was a masquerade ball for Transforming Hope Ministries, a local organization that I am on the Board of Directors for and an organization that I’ve been involved with for three years. In short, Transforming Hope is a grassroots organization that is working (tirelessly) to make an impact and put an end on the horrific reality that is modern day slavery – human trafficking.
There are over 28 million people in the world TODAY that are current victims of human trafficking. 300,000 people in the United States alone. And North Carolina ranks #8 of all 50 states for the most children enslaved by human trafficking.
It’s a very, VERY serious reality and so often these days people only think that it happens internationally – they have no clue that it’s a domestic problem, too. Heck, it’s happening in our own back yard. The more I learn about what’s happening, the more angry and fired up I get. I believe righteous anger is God given and I am truly angry about the fact that there are 10, 11, 12+ year-old girls being told that their worth is only determined by how much money someone is willing to pay for them, take advantage of them, and perform heinous acts with them. It makes me physically sick to think about it.
And so often, I just feel so helpless. I want to do something. So I’m doing the only thing I know how, and that’s to support organizations like Transforming Hope in every way that I can to bring awareness, help raise money, provide resources, or whatever to help save even ONE girl’s life.
Transform the Night was a night dedicated to unveiling the mask on human trafficking as it is in our local community and in our state. We also will be launching a campaign in November called The Hope Effect to raise support for our upcoming education, prevention, and restoration programs. If you’re interested in finding out more about Transforming Hope or just learning some more about domestic minor human trafficking, you can watch the video series we just launched here – that will give you some great information. And you can always email me and I’d LOVE to talk with you more about it!
Okay, as difficult as it is to transition to something completely opposite from human trafficking, I’m just going to flip the switch and talk superficial stuff now… I hope that’s okay!
It was my first time renting a dress from Rent the Runway and I had such a GREAT experience. I was so nervous because they only had one size available in the dress I wanted to rent, so I took a gamble and based upon reviews, others said this Monique Lhuillier gown ran pretty true to size. It honestly not often that I truly can say that I “feel beautiful” – but I felt like a princess in this dress! I put on false eyelashes (which took me the better part of an hour to put on!), did my hair (albeit a little bit unsuccessfully…), and got dressed and I just felt awesome!
I shared just a couple photos on Instagram that night, but I wanted to share a few more so you can see the whole dress. I mean, this dress was honestly probably nicer then my wedding gown. Haha! How often do I have the excuse to get this gussied up?
My handsome date… totally wore what he wore when we got married. So hunky.
Us at the ball.
My makeup…
Some masks…
And some Instagram and iPhone shots. I was totally having too much fun photobombing… haha!!
As much fun as it was to get dressed up, it really was such an amazing night celebrating an organization that I’m so HONORED to be a part of!
Welcome to Let it Shine! Welcome to the new, revamped Funday Monday! After two years, we decided to rename our link up to something we felt was a better fit. Welcome to Let it Shine! Why the name? Because, we want this link up to be just that…..your chance to let it shine! We will be sharing our favorites each week here, and on social media!
/ Plaid / Fabrik Jeans / Color Block /
Another place we will be showcasing our favs? The Let It Shine Pinterest Board! 
Linking up to Let it Shine? Don’t forget to link back to our blogs or share our button, thanks y’all! 
I had no idea you were a part of Transforming Hope! SO AWESOME! My church had people come and talk about that ministry at one point. I am with you – it makes me physically sick to think about these poor young girls trapped into sexual slavery. It is probably worse than murder in my opinion. So cool that you and others are working to STOP IT.
As a side note – you look absolutely amazing!! That dress is absolutely perfect for you!
First and foremost, what a fantastic cause – thank you for being one of the few brave people to talk about human trafficking and what an awful reality it is for so many individuals in the world/our country. Second, holy moly, Molly, you look stunning in this dress! I love the lace, the open back, the color, your HAIR!!
I am head over heels for that dress and you look amazing in it! You should really do lace more often, you look fab! 🙂
What an important cause to be so patiently behind! I would love to get some more information as to how I can help and get involved in my own community with this, thanks for bringing this to our attention!
P.S. THAT DRESS! O my goodness I want to wear the same one to the Air Force ball next year!! You looked absolutely beautiful!
First of all, what an amazing organization! This was in the news a lot when I lived in SF, but not as much here in NYC, although I know it’s still a huge problem. Second, you look absolutely stunning! Looks like it was a super fun night:)
so excited to join your weekly link up! love the idea of let it shine, anything that is pretty, fun, and girly can shine! you looked beautiful at the event looked like so much fun!
Beautiful gown! I’ve always wanted to try a rental, but I’ve been skeptical. Glad to know it was a success.
Emily
http://www.waltzmetoheaven.blogspot.com
What a fun event! I would love to go to a masquerade ball! You look great too. Gorgeous pictures of the event!
-Katie
http://hellokatiegirl.blogspot.com/
No disclaimers needed. You looked amazing! Hair was perfect. Lashes worth it. I would have NO idea how to do my hair and makeup all glam and gorgeous like that. I really can’t remember the last time I had an event to really dress up for. A dear friend owns a consignment shop in Cary. She closed the shop for the last three years and just reopened it. She is shocked at how fast Cary has become so casual. Nobody wants dressy or business clothes. What a treat to get all glam!!!
What a great organization! You look so very beautiful! Fabulous dress!!
This dress looks amazing on you! It looks like you all had a lot of fun. Too awesome!
You looked gorgeous, Molly!
Woah.. #babe! But for real – you look GORGEOUS Molly! Sounds like an amazing event. I love your dress and lipstick combo 🙂
xoxo,
Nikki at Bedazzles After Dark
You look fantastic, Molly! The dress is everything. Simply fabulous!
Molly!! You look drop dead gorgeous! Great pick from Rent the Runway! What an amazing cause to get all dressed up for! Bringing awareness to violence and abuse against women is near and dear to my heart! I love organizations that are dedicated to helping survivors thrive!
Robyn
http://feelgreatfashion.com/
Transforming Hope Ministries sounds like a great organization and very important in the world today. I always enjoy a dressed up night out but it’s much more worth it if it’s for a good cause. You look absolutely beautiful! Love that color on you! ~Cynthia
Molly –
You.
Look.
Drop.
Dead.
Gorgeous!!!!!!!
Howwwwwwwwwwww beautiful is that dress and how stunning do you look in it?!! The dress truly matched the event in terms of making an impact – what a great cause. And your photo bombs are flippin’ hilarious…!
Thank you for hosting lovely lady 🙂
Catherine x
notdressedaslamb.com
This sounds like such a great event and organization. Definitely an important topic that needs to be discussed. You look seriously stunning! That lace dress is just gorgeous.
xo, Amy Ann
The Real Arnolds
What a wonderful organization that you are part of! Your dress fits like a glove and the color looks great on you! You look stunning!
Jill
http://www.dousedinpink.com
Wow Molly you look lovely!! As a mom of a teen girl, this mission hits close to home. I would love to hear more about it. Can I get some information from you? Thanks!! Susan
What a showstopper of a dress!! You look sensational, I love the makeup also. And what an incredibly worthy cause. Thanks for hosting x
oh molly you look absolutely radiant! this dress fits you like a perfect glove. Its so lovely to get all dressed up for a fun occasion!
As always thanks for hosting!xx
You look down right stunning Molly!! That dress looks amazing on you!
What a fun night, for a great cause!
This sounds like a wonderful organization! And wow – this dress fits you like a glove – what a stunning dress!
I hope you will join me in TBT Fashion link up this Thursday.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
1. You look STUNNING.
2. What a phenomenal cause. It’s still mind-boggling to me that these things are happening right here in our own country and yet it’s completely under the radar. Thank you for bringing awareness and support to such a worthy cause!
Kaitlin
http://www.teaandsequins.com
Beautiful dress – love the lace details!
Liz @ ShoppingMyCloset.com