I wonder if this dinner is the root cause of a panic attack I suffered during the night. I woke with my heart racing and was totally sweating due to a bad dream. It took at least 15 minutes before I calmed down. And I'm still running the dream through my head hours later.

kitty, they are ALL your weeks - the tough part is claiming them.

allison, the artificial color sensitivity has been a blessing in disguise. This will be my 2nd Easter with zero interest in jelly beans (though Trader Joe does carry some that are naturally colored) and anything other than dark chocolate. Skittles and Starbursts probably played a major role in my run-up to my highest weight. I laughed out loud when I pictured the CEO of Sunshine Foods sitting at his huge desk with a letter from me, begging him to put artificial colors in the Cheezits. The look on his face ... priceless! Sorry the dinner is causing you such stress! I am sure your clients would be horrified if they knew! From the club you are describing, (sounds like Bloomfield Hills "casual"), it's dressy casual - which has meant recognizably high-end designer lines with great shoes and your absolute best jewelry. I think it's the toughest dress code there is. Seriously, I'd rather see "formal", since I can just rent it.

It would be priceless to see the CEO's face!

And as for dress, this is the guy's exact words on the email "We will plan getting to the Pour House early. It gets busy fast. Very casual."

I think black slacks and a nice top with a sweater as it's rather chilly today.

I love black pants. They go everywhere! Except ... there was a time we bailed out of work on a sunny afternoon to go golfing. Hot summer sun and black slacks ... sort of like wearing a sauna!

Is the restaurant situated such that you could do a drive-by and see what people are wearing into it? Or maybe a website could reveal some clues? A restaurant review with descriptions of the decor? Gosh, I'd be lost here!

Nope. It's inside the country club and we have to have our names at the gate in order to get inside. I've been there once before (for a meet and greet for a guy running for city council). It was not in the actual restaurant, but in a private room behind it. If I remember correctly, it was kind of swanky.

ETA: I did Google it. It's actually called the Pour House (DH was wrong!).

"Comfortable Atmosphere, Incredible Cuisine & Engaging Conversations

The Pour House features an ideal place to meet for an energizing breakfast, casual lunch with friends, cocktails following a terrific day on the golf course or an incredible dinner. The Pour House is the place to be! Enjoy creekside dining with mountain views, entertaining conversation around the firepit or laughter and cocktails within our warm interiors.

The Pour House menu encompasses an incredible array of today’s favorites, comfort foods and traditional dishes. Prepared with the freshest ingredients, from top quality cuts of meat and seafood and the sweetest sensations. The Pour House is ready to take your order either dining in or taking out. Those with special dietary needs are covered; just let your server know any food allergies or low calorie guides to follow."

dressy casual - which has meant recognizably high-end designer lines with great shoes and your absolute best jewelry. I think it's the toughest dress code there is.

lol. so true.

Wear your basic black dress ( You do have one, don't you ? ) simple but real jewelry, heels but not stilettos. I would call the style simple but elegant. You don't want to overdress either.

My little black dress doesn't fit. I still have it--I think I wore it about 14 years ago LOL! I found a perfect one last year, hesitated trying it on for a week, and when I went back they no longer had my size. If I go shopping again, I shouldn't hesitate!

DH was nice--the client emailed him to verify we were still on for tonight. DH asked "Is casual slacks and dress shirt or shorts and polo shirt?" to which the client said "Either, but we will do slacks and shirt. " The client said jeans were also fine, but DH said that we wear jeans all day long and getting a little dressier is a nice change of pace.

Dressy casual is when I pull out a pantsuit from a decent label, knot a scarf around my neck and put on one piece of the Victorian jewelry that I've collected (earrings or a cuff bracelet, or if no scarf, a thick interesting watch chain) or else a pair of interesting, artisan-made earrings. Shoes have kitten heels or are my dressier Ferrragamo horse-bit loafers.

I must admit, I have also worn jeans. They have to be good ones, and very, very dark. But then the rest of the outfit has to overcompensate a little. So on top, it would be a good silk blouse and vintage Gucci scarf, or if I wanted to be a little satirical, a cashmere twin set and pearls.

Also the sleeveless sheath dress is my friend here. The kind of dress that sometimes looks like nothing on the hanger but is incredibly fun to mess with as far as a cardigan, belt, jewelry, scarf, etc. If it's not black, I pick a color that really sings for me. This is an investment piece worth spending on & looking long & hard for. I had a red one that I wore to rags.

Allison - what fun to go to a different kind of place. I've been asked today, by someone else, for my advice about "what to wear". My answer was "something clean". But this was for an appeals tribunal which is, I'm certain, rather different! Have a great time.

I typically equate "dressy casual" with "business casual." For me that means slacks or a skirt on the bottom, and a sweater or nice blouse on top, plus jewelry and nice shoes. Have fun!

My girlfriend (sorority sister from college) said "think Muffy, with pearls." I envision some bouffant hairdo, a cashmere twin set in a pastel color and pearls. No. I never dressed like that in college!

Any my DD sometimes thinks that getting dressed up for class means taking off her pajamas and putting something else on. Seriously? I cannot fathom wearing pajamas in public!

I just bought a new dress. I bought it to wear to a wedding, I hadn't planned on wearing black but when I saw this I fell in love. It has tons of possibilities. It is a black , sleeveless sheath, with white shrug. You can do anything with this dress , take off the shrug and you have a basic, black, sleeveless shift, put on a jacket, any jacket, blazer or I see a jacket from Chico's, or a sweater cardigan, anything. I see myself wearing this for years as long as weight doesn't go up.

I have 3 sheath dresses - they can dress up or down, can be worn in any season, and are totally my thing - unfussy! For this "Pour House" place I would probably wear the teal sheath, my art deco charm necklace, green suede loafers and lighter green cashmere cardi. Sounds weird but it looks quite casual yet elegant.

Dagmar