Pretty Pretty Bang Bang

Tomorrow marks the opening day of the new shoe department at [Saks Fifth Avenue’s](http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/SectionPage.jsp?JSESSIONID=GGXpkp09kT4tYdjH2JLyYCtvnQC8JCM4vgvNvp9QGyhpflrzdF7P!522857449&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374303439605&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395222441&bmUID=1187272606298) flagship store in New York City. The eighth floor shoe department is so large it even has it’s own zip code. Yep, over 10,000 square feet housing more than 100,000 pairs of shoes. Mmmmm, my version of heaven. So, with the new opening comes the latest in fall footwear fashions. Here’s a sample of what’s hot according to Saks:

* The Shoe Bootie: Rather than wear regular pumps with a skirt, try the shoe bootie this fall. SFA suggests going for something metallic like [these](http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492706710&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446161764&R=440477432445&P_name=Giuseppe+Zanotti&sid=1146E22B93C7&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395222441&bmUID=1187273441139) from Giuseppe Zanotti.

* Pumps are back in a big way and, thankfully, the pointed toe is in. Rather than plain black patent (which is always chic) why not punch up your wardrobe with [metallic gold python](http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574490523833&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446162238&R=45273240210&P_name=Jimmy+Choo&sid=1146E22B93C7&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395222441&bmUID=1187273560690) from Jimmy Choo. It’s a timeless look in an updated material.

* No wardrobe would be complete this season without some animal print, specifically leopard. I’m not a big fan of animal print, but I do like punches of it in accessories. [These boots](http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446161892&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492706925&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395222441&bmUID=1187273695016&ev19=1:10) by shoe god Christian Louboutin are to die for. I’m drooling now.

* In a sea of black, color takes center stage this season. Why not add a punch of color at your feet? Check out [these](http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446164556&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492707087&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395222441&bmUID=1187273834623&ev19=1:1) open-toed pumps from Prada. The shot of green makes them modern, while the silhouette keeps them timeless.

* Metallic accents are all over the runways this fall and the shinier the better. Many shoes are going for a mirrored look like [these](http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446160133&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492706711&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395222441&bmUID=1187273977200&ev19=1:11) from Giuseppe Zanotti. If really shiny metallic isn’t your style, choose one that’s distressed or textured. You’ll still look chic.

* Finally, with the holiday season just around the corner, we can’t leave out evening shoes. These are jewelry for your feet so have some fun with them. Purple is the hot color replacing black this year so choose something with a shot of this royal hue. Check out [these](http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446140035&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492703783&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395222441&bmUID=1187274197306&ev19=1:4) from Pedro Garcia. Yummy!

Now, I realize I’ve shown you designer shoes at outrageous prices, but you can find all sorts of styles at lower prices. So, get out there and get shopping!

I spent most of the day today without the Internet or email and I can tell you it’s both relaxing and irritating. For some reason, my brain kept thinking of all these fabulous websites for design research and I’d head down the hall to the computer only to be reminded that I had no Internet access. Every time I ventured near the computer I had the urge to jostle the mouse to see if I had email. Of course I didn’t!

This afternoon it was double trouble in the Red Bee studios as Rhiannon and Lori both came over to work. We would have accomplished so much had my supplier not run out of 12 gauge fine silver wire. Seriously, who in the hell runs out of 12 ga FS wire?! However, they both worked hard and did a lot in the 2.5 hours they worked. Plus, it was fun to have them around. I set up a granulation spot and worked on some new pieces. I also took some new photos so check out my [website](http://www.redbeedesigns.com/) for the new pieces. Most won’t be available until the first weekend in October when I unveil them at the [Waverly House](http://www.waverlyhousegifts.com/) show.

So, even though I was unplugged for most of the day, I still managed to get quite a bit done. Plus, it’s nice not to think about the World Wide Web for awhile.

With temperatures in the triple digits most people take refuge in air-conditioned comfort or pools. Not us. We prefer to assemble a gazebo on our patio in the hot sun. That was the plan yesterday. We woke around 8 (early, considering our Friday night festivities), drank some coffee and got dressed to work in the yard. At 10 am it was already in the 80s and temps were rising fast. We dragged all the furniture off the patio and opened the box. Steve got out the instructions and started going over the assembly while I took the pieces out and counted them. All there and we were ready to go. We’d been outside about 45 minutes and were drenched. The instructions said it should take 45 minutes to assemble so we figured we’d double the time in estimation. I unwrapped the first two pieces and discovered the main top frame had been crushed. The round piece was oval. No big deal, I thought, I’m a metalsmith and can round this out. I went inside to my studio to hammer out the piece and discovered one of the welds had been broken. I told Steve there was no way I was going to use this and I didn’t have a welder to fix it any way. So he called the company, left a message we needed a replacement piece, we reassembled the patio and were done. All in all, about 1 hour 15 minutes of sweating for nothing. Guess it’s a sign we had no business erecting a gazebo in 100 degree weather. Next weekend is supposed to be cooler so maybe it’s good we’re waiting.

I swear, it feels like I’m living on the surface of the sun. Ok, perhaps I exaggerate a little, but it’s damned hot here with no end for at least a week. This morning I woke up late so my walk was extra sweaty. Yesterday, in order to escape the heat, I spent most of the afternoon at the mall. Over an hour of that time in the Dillard’s shoe department alone. I’m so irritated with the blousy tops that make everyone look pregnant that I’ve resorted to buying shoes to update my summer look. A fellow shopper asked me an opinion and I ended up helping her select shoes for most of that hour. It was fun helping a stranger spend her money fashionably!

Today I have to go to Target and do a few other errands, but I’ll end up back at home where I think Steve wants to throw together a happy hour gathering. At least it will be cool! Stay inside, drink lots of water and try to enjoy your day.

It’s been a busy and productive week here at the studios of [Red Bee Designs](http://www.redbeedesigns.com/). Before they start back to school, I’ve been taking advantage of Lori and Rhiannon to get some work done for the holidays. I swear, I don’t know what I’ll do when I have to make everything myself again! It’s nice to be working on granulation while someone else does all the hammering and drilling. I still start and finish all pieces, but their contributions make work so much easier and faster. I have about 6 weeks until my big show at [Waverly House](http://www.waverlyhousegifts.com/) then the holiday season starts up big time. Guess there’s no such thing as getting ahead of the game.

Tomorrow I’m planning on taking a break and maybe spending my Sephora gift certificate. I think a new lipstick is in my immediate future!

I don’t believe in watering my lawn. I look at it as a waste of resources and time. I’d rather just let it get all crispy in the hot summer sun than use gallons of water just to make it a little more green. Exceptions are for seeding and fertilizing. However, there are others who take great pride in the appearance of their lawns and watering is just part of the daily routine. It’s their money. What begins to irritate me is when they position the sprinklers to water the sidewalk at the same time making it impossible to pass without getting wet. This morning, during my walk, I was accosted by a lawn watering system that not only went over the sidewalk, but out across the entire street. Arg! Since I was one of many walkers out this morning, I’m sure I’m not the only one irritated by this. So if watering your lawn is important to you, please don’t water the sidewalk. Your neighborhood will thank you.

Yesterday, after working like dogs in the backyard, Steve and I cleaned up and drove over to the [Brown Derby Wine Center](http://www.brownderby.com/) for their Saturday tasting. We’ve become friends with Nancy and Tracy, who work at the cheese counter, and Don, the tasting pourer. Don has a love and appreciation for good wines and beers and is always helpful in recommendations. Plus, he lets us taste cool new things that aren’t readily available like a special beer from the Schlafly brewery in St. Louis. To say thanks, we took Don some beer from the Millstream Brewery in Iowa that isn’t sold here. Yesterday, Don asked us if we were in a hurry to leave the tasting, which ended at 4 p.m., or if we wanted to stick around and enjoy something special. Of course we were game. It was then that Don introduced us to the back room tasting that was going on in the private tasting room. Brown Derby owner Ron Junge hosts this event each Saturday with a small, select group of his friends and good customers. I have no idea how the hell we ended up there. Don took us back, introduced us to the group (I knew a couple of them) and told us we could sample the wines from their personal cellars. It was a surreal experience. The wines are placed in decanters and everyone tastes them and tries to guess what they are. Then the person who brought the wine reveals it once everyone has a go at guessing. If you want to participate, you offer your own bottle for the group (we didn’t know this in the beginning but Ron and Don explained it). Upon Don’s recommendation, we offered a mid-price pinot noir which I thought was pretty good, but another person brought a pinot that was excellent. The whole time I’m thinking to myself, “What in the hell am I doing here? I’m completely out of my element.” Everyone was really nice, but I don’t think this is something Steve and I will be participating in regularly. First of all, these people are connoisseurs and we’re just drinkers. Second, they seem to favor wines that are out of our normal price range (over $20). Third, I just felt out of place. Give me our annual wine tasting party where everyone laughs and brings cheap wine and I’ll be more comfortable!

Last night I encouraged Steve to attend yoga class with me. I told him how refreshing and relaxing it was and how much I was enjoying it. Poor guy. Little did he (and I) know that last night Kirsten would really push us. I loved it and really enjoyed the challenge, but I think it was a little much for Steve. I asked him this morning if he was sore and he exclaimed, “F*&$ yes.” Guess that sums up his feelings quite succinctly. I’m not sore, but this was my third class and I knew when to stop. I’m afraid to ask him if he wants to go back!

I came across [this interesting article](http://www.ncjolt.org/content/view/73/91) today and wondered how fashion would be forever changed if this bill was passed. I admit, I hate seeing knockoffs of popular trends (think the ubiquitous Burberry plaid) but I’m not sure this is the answer. I’d love to see more creativity in the fashion field, but placing strict rules and guidelines on designers might actually hinder rather than help. Read the article and tell me what you think.

What a week! It’s only Thursday but we’ve managed to cram enough social events into four days to last a month. Sunday night we returned home late from Des Moines so we called Mick and Carrie to meet us for dinner. They’d spent the weekend moving into their new home so, after dinner, we went over to their new house and enjoyed a glass of wine on their enclosed sun porch. Monday night Matt and Sarah came over after work so Sarah could shop my old Coach handbag selection before they headed off to the resale shop. One thing led to another and we ended up at their house for burgers on the grill and some Arrested Development viewing. Tuesday Mick and Carrie stopped by after finalizing the walk through on their old rental house (which was across the street) and I put together an impromptu dinner before Carrie and I headed out to TJ Maxx for some new home shopping.

Whew! Then Prudy and Duane called. They wanted to dine at the newly reopened Clary’s restaurant last night. Since we hadn’t seen them in a while and were curious about Clary’s, we went. What a night! First of all, Clary’s was one of Springfield’s premier restaurants in the late 80s and 90s. James, the owner, sold the business last year to a couple who just didn’t know what they were doing. Business suffered and it closed. James realized that serving quality food in an elegant atmosphere was what he really wanted to do so he reopened Clary’s in a new location. The atmosphere was outstanding. It was plush, but not stuffy, and very comfortable. Last night was opening night but you’d never know it. The staff was very well prepared and the food was delicious. I had the vegetable pizza, Steve had chicken picatta, Duane had the sea bass (a Clary’s specialty) and I cannot remember what Prudy ordered. Anyway, everything was wonderful. We spent an evening with good friends laughing until our faces hurt.

This morning Steve asked me what our social obligations were tonight and I was pleased to tell him we had none. I guess being social is a very small price to pay for having so many great friends. I wouldn’t change it for anything!