A while back, my husband and I got invited to a private jewelry event for Lagos Jewelry.  When we got there, a spirited gentlemen, all smiles, ushered us in like a good friend and we immediately walked towards our jeweler.  She's worked with us for years, and upon seeing us, excitedly showed us all of new Lagos pieces.   Pretty soon, I was dripping in new Lagos designs as the simple but elegant affair continued, and champagne magically refilled itself in my glass.

The jeweler asked, "so, did get a chance to meet with Steven?"
Both my husband and I say, "Steven? Who was he?"
Our jeweler replies, "You know, the guy you walked in with who welcomed you."
Neither one of us realized that this "spirited" man that we saw in the beginning was indeed Steven Lagos.  Before we could show our faux pas, my jeweler was already putting another 3 three bracelets on my hand and a few minutes later, Steven Lagos walked right over to admire, well, his handiwork on a living being.

We spent the rest of night talking with him, his travels, his family and all about his store in Philadelphia (we're from NJ so it's a stone's throw).  He was wonderful...gave us his contact info and told us to ring him if we were ever in town.  The night culminated as he hand engraved my new signature caviar two tone bracelet with his company insignia.

It's always a pleasure to meet a designer.  But when you have the opportunity to meet with someone who is truly passionate not only about their work, but as an individual, it's truly special.  I used to love LAGOS for its design, now, I love it even more for the man behind the label!

Happy Shopping - Beyond the Label!

The Huntress

        

One day last week, I had a particularly difficult day.  My hair did not cooperate.  My family did not cooperate.  My work filled me with ennui and everything around me was in a boring shade of grey.  All in all, I felt the joy sucked out of me.   Maybe it was just my allergies or the overall stress of small things that throughout the day gained such momemtum in my mind that pretty soon, I felt overwhelmed.

And then, I heard something out in front of our driveway.  Thinking it was just another car making a u-turn in our large cul-de-sac, I thought nothing of it and did not forsee the escape it would soon bring.  But then, as I sunk deeper in the couch in my self created misery (for what reason I still dont know), I heard the doorbell ring.  My husband, sitting in the study, closest to the door, went and approached the door with hesitation. 

"It's UPS," he says.

"UPS?"  A small glimmer awakens in my heart.

"Answer it!"  I say in response (this was moot, as by now, he's already answered the door and signing something)

"It's for you," he says while reading the address on the box.

And there it is, a grand smile has found my face from deep within the coffers of myself, knowing exactly what is waiting for me.

"Oh.....I ordered something," I say to him with a guilty smile, all the blood draining back to my face.

He rolls his eyes yet kindly opens the box to reveal a shoe box inside (big surprise) from Burberry.

Alas, my Burberry summer espadrilles have arrived!  Immediately, I pull apart the tissue paper and bring them to my feet.  My misery is nowhere to be found.  Clearly, swallowed up in my new found enthusiasm strutting around in my new shoes!!  I am smiling, I am cheerful.  I am ME.

Every now and then, when we lose ourselves, it is wonderful to have a simple box (of new shoes) arrive at the opportune time to remind us who we are.  Who says happiness doesnt come in small packages??  For me, it comes in the size of shoeboxes magically arriving at my door just when I need them, not necessarily to wear, but to remind me of my joyful existence when I finally put those babies on!  I highly recommend it!

Happy Shopping (online)

The Huntress

        

Last night, we planned to meet some friends at a wine bar for an evening of catch-up and conversation.  It was simple enough.....no drama, no major planning to see what outfit I would wear...it was just supposed to be relaxing.  BUT...it was a Saturday night....and we were going to a very trendy part of town.  So, "relaxed wear"  translates to:  wear something chic but dont look like you took hours to get dressed!

Ah...alas, the search begins....and the Huntress (me) begins her quest for the ulimate in relaxation/chic:  a pair of dark, fitted jeans (7 for All Mankind) and a simple shirt.  Now, stay with me here.  A simple shirt can be a very simple task....when you're 20 and EVERYTHING looks good on you.   As you get older however, finding pieces that have limited "support"/lycra can be tough and immediately start to look too done up.  I miss those days of youth when you put on anything and look good.  (for those of you who are still 20-somethings, enjoy this time!) 

So needless to say, I try on top after top to get that "simple/it didnt take me hours to get dressed" look.  And I get nowhere.  Then, I decide, this might be easier if I pick my shoes first....and work backwards.   And sure enough, a hidden box back in my closet seems to stand out with a light energy around it (ok, I am exaggerating a bit here) and I open it to reveal a gorgeous pair of RED Dolce & Gabbana sandals with multiple thin straps all over it.  i immediately know what to wear.  I find in my closet a matching red tank top with light ruffles around the neck , long chandelier earrings with a bit of red on them, a cocktail ruby ring, and pretty soon, within 10 minutes, I am dressed and ready to go!  Slipping into my shoes, I look and feel great (my husband says so) and I am ready to conquer my "relaxing" evening with friends!

Moral of the story:  Finding the right shoes IS always important whether it's step #1 or step #15.  The right shoe can make ALL the difference. (Cinderella)

Happy Shoe Shopping!

The Huntress

        

A while back, after a fun day of conquests at the mall, I took out my prized possession to wear for the night.  I had stopped at the Fendi store and picked up an absolutely stunning pair of black, criss cross front with lambskin straps, platform 4.5" sandals.   The conversation with the sales guy went something like this:

ME:  (trying on the shoes) Wow, these are SO comfortable, I dont even feel like I'm wearing shoes.
Salesguy:  Aren't they?  My boss she swears she can run a marathon in them!
ME:  That's impressive.  High heels and super comfort?  I'm sold.  I'll take these for a mere $350 (I know what you are thinking, Fendi heels for less than $500?  Well, they were like 40% off or something - that also helped to nail the impulsive buy)

With bag in hand, I left the store even taller, knowing that these glorious babies would be on my feet in just a few hours.

That night, I sashayed around in my new heels....showed them to everyone who would care to look and I felt like that Fendi princess I was meant to be.....until....

It's now almost 2am, and instead of just going to the clubs that are in the area of the nice paved roads, we decide we are going to be adventureous and hit the "local" clubs in Waikiki. The pavement/road is black and hard to see...and you can just imagine what happened next.  I got hit with the EVIL EYE!  (That's when everyone covets your shoes too much that they just want you to fall

And so, I fell hard.  It hurt so much that I couldnt stop crying.  Luckily, my heel wasnt broken....I do mean the heel of my shoe.  My ankle on the other hand was swelling up like a pumpkin!  Apparently, the heel of my shoe had found a deep pothole that was super skinny (just wide enough for my heel) and it fell right through.  It was hurt so bad that when I went to ER the next day, my ankle was sprained, on BOTH sides! 

Some folks blamed the high heels....but me, I know better.....I've walked in heels since I was 2 (ok, maybe 5), it wasn't the heels.  I blame the roads....and the EVIL EYE.  Never, ever blame the shoe....it's never the shoe's fault!!

P.S.  It's now 2 years later and I can finally wear heels again .....BEWARE of the EVIL EYE (and potholes too)

Happy Strutting!

The Huntress

        

Many years ago, when I was in my early twenties making not more than my age, a friend of mine took me to Nordstrom's for some shopping and relaxing.  I say relaxing because it was a Norstrom's store that had a pub on the ground floor.   So, our husbands and us had plenty of "relaxation" and then soon enough, they sent us to shop and said, "Enjoy," clearly in a semi inebriated state of mind.

Immediately, I veered towards the classical suits of St. John.  I was an aspiring to be corporate somebody and a St. John pantsuit would surely guarantee a promotion (or so I thought).  And of course, I had my new Nordstrom's never-been-used credit card (with a $1000 limit) burning a hole in my wallet. 

Well, the pantsuit was a hit and my husband loved it too...."go for it, it looks beautiful on you!"  God love my husband for the fact that he is an impulsive buyer and a great guy to shop with because of this nature.  So, feeling pretty good, I boldly sashayed to pay the $680 for the ensemble against my new un-used Nordstrom's card.

"I'm sorry, it's not taking your card," the Sales lady says with an irrating kindness.
"That's strange....can you try it again?" I reply.
"Oh...it's says you'r over your limit."
"That's impossible, I've never used it and it has a $1000 limit."
"A $1000 limit?  That's why."
"Why?  The outfit is only $680?"
"No sweetheart, the shirt is $680.  The pants are other $500."

SILENCE.

At that point, I said to myself.  "Am I going to spend more than 10% of my ANNUAL income on this Outfit???"   No.  I thanked her and left quietly.  St. John would have to wait.......  more on this later

Shopping is wonderful and can make you feel like a million bucks.....but do I necessarily want to pay a million bucks when I have just a hundred to my name?  Can you say, credit card fiasco?  All I'm saying is enjoy your shopping but just be a bit wiser before that extravagance takes you over!!  (Read the SHOPAHOLIC books if you are still unclear on this)!

Happy Shopping (within your budget)

The Huntress

        

        

Have you ever fallen in love with a shoe.....?  Of course you have!  But then, were you crushed when that love ended badly....like when the strap broke, the heel crumbled, or the delicate artistry faded away?

Well,a few years back, I had a pair of shoes, two pairs actually, and both were Nine West that suffered a devastating fate.  One pair was a bronze colored 4" inch heel that had a completely wrap around front with stones all embedded in the leather of the shoe.  I wore these shoes to death!!  And I got so many compliments on them, I mean every day.  They looked Indian with all of the bead work and yes, I even wore them to work at my corporate job....they were that gorgeous.  Anyway, one day, the straps could take it no more...and I had to bid them adieu.  I was crushed.

My second pair was also Nine West, I think, and it was very unique.  It had a diamond shape design across the front of a 3.5" inch heel and what made it unique was that the diamond shapes were in a hammered metal and the heels too were metallic.  And then one day, the very tip of the metal heel broke off leaving me sounding like a clamoring pot whenever I walked by.  And though I took it to every shoe Doctor I knew, they could not fix the heel due to its odd size and shape.  I think I still have these hiding somewhere in shame.

I have not been able to find any bronze replacements...is that so hard to do?   Yes...it is!  We love our shoes, and when they are perfect, we love them so much that when they finally die, they really are irreplaceable.  Both of these fine shoes died almost five years ago....and finally I can take steps forward.

With that said, can anyone tell me where to find the lovely bronze Ellie Tahari sandals in the latest issue of the ELLE magazine?  I may just be in love .....again! 

Tell me your shoe stories!

Happy Shopping!

The Huntress

        

For shopping mavens like us, it's almost painful to pay full price retail for something when we know if we just wait until the season is over, we can pick up a pair of Fendi's or Gucci's at almost 50% off at some outlet stores.  But this story is about the PLEASURE of paying retail and LOVING it!

Recently, when my husband came back from an international trip, he mentioned ever so casually (5 days after he got home), "Oh yeah, when I was on the plane, I met the Manager of the local Chanel store.  Nice guy.  He said we should stop by."

Ah, Excuse me??  You met the Manager at Chanel and you failed to tell me?  We should stop by?  Yes!  Like Now!

So, we head out there and after longingly peering at the store windows, we went inside to find the Manager that my husband met on the plane.  Sure enough he was there and the two of them started chatting right away.  He asked, "Would you guys like some coffee?"  Of course, make me feel like royalty I thought to myself.  He turned to my husband, "Let me get you some coffee and Shirly and Marion here can help your wife try on some things."  To which my husband, clearly not knowing how much Chanel wear cost, said, "Go have fun honey."

About ten minutes later, we were relaxed, laughing, and  having coffee on fine china and biscotti and warm cookies and I had to pinch myself.  As my husband continued to sip, I put on the ultimate fashion show:  a salmon colored dress, a white blouson,  in fitted jeans with a longer front than back to show off sexy heels, an amazing signature Chanel jacket, and my favorite high heeled Chanel logo stilettos.  All the while the girls from Pretty Women are fretting and fawning over how incredible I look.  I could used to shopping like this!

That afternoon, my husband did come through and bought me a pair of those salmon colored, open toe, Chanel logo pumps and they are absolutely gorgeous.  And yes, he paid full price and it was worth every penny.

So ladies, keep in mind that shopping and finding the ultimate deal is always fantastic.....BUT never underestimate the power of an incredible experience that you could have when you pay full price and get amazing service in exchange.  That is irreplaceable!

Happy Shopping!

The Huntress

        

Recently, a friend of mine celebrated her 50th birthday.  I knew that I wanted to get her something a little funky but not over the top so that she would shy away from it.  Ultimately, I chose a lovely pair of BCBGeneration black with silver folded straps platform sandals.  When choosing them, I really had to decide, is this something that she'll wear or are they simply too youthful?  After all, BCBGeneration definitely represents the younger version of the brand versus BCBGMAXAZRIA...and yet that was the look that I wanted to present to her for such a significant point in her life.

It got me thinking that the Generational gaps, alas the Generational Effects have almost worn out, at least in style and fashion.  No one looks at Coco Chanel as being outdated.  When you want something fun, its just as easy as knowing your mood and you can choose an item no matter what you age is.  Fashion is ageless and timeless.  It's simply a matter of taste and with the right pair of shoes, you can rarely go wrong.

My girlfriend absolutely loved her BCBGeneration shoes!  In fact, she danced all night in them at her 50th birthday party bash, and that is the epitomy of good style - it brings you incredible youth!

As always, the Huntress succeeded in finding the perfect gift!

~Enjoy your shopping adventures,

The Huntress 

        

These days, we are so bombarded with shopping that sometimes the task of shopping itself becomes too weary.  Day after day,emails magically arrive that contain every product in every brand I've indicated a preference to, exactly in my size 6 and size 37.5 shoe size.  Really, how does this satisfy the craving for the ultimate quest?

Women, by nature are huntresses.  We savor the hunt for the perfect blouse or skirt, and love it even more when the last one in our size!  I love being led to a great sale....just dont do the shopping for me.  Don't bombard with every product in my size, it just makes it all too easy.

One of my true favorite stories is about a pair of Badgley Mischka shoes that I wanted to wear for my sister's wedding.  They were silver T- strap sandals with an ever so delicate encrusting of diamonds across the top of the foot.  Wearing them can make me float on water I thought.  Sadly, the shoes were at NM for a bargain price (I jest) of $550.  Now, I didnt have that much money to spend on shoes so I waved goodbye to them, tears in my eyes...but never forgetting the love I felt for them.

About a year later, my sister (that same one) had a trip to LA so naturally she invited me to go with her and check out Rodeo Drive.  She said to me, "I was here in LA last week....I fell in love with these shoes, let me show them to you to get your thoughts."  Unbeknownst to me, she led me to a store, yes you guessed it, named Badgley Mischka and there, she pointed out the same shoes that I once fell in love with but in a multi-color.  They did not have her size in those shoes.  But right next to them, as if magically, were the silver ones that I knew were once destined to be mine.  And sure enough, they had one pair left, in 37.5, in my size!  To sweeten the prize, they were completely marked down to just $140! 

Like I said, women are meant to be huntresses and we love the chase!  Just remember that if you really want something, and it feels the connection to you, it will find its way to you eventually just my shoes did for me.  (They look gorgeous on my feet BTW)

Tell me your stories of shopping conquests!

Happy shopping!