RACY LACY

RACY LACY

Lacy calls to me from the window of the shoe store, I hear her through the glass saying; “Terry, let’s go dance and play, come on in and liberate me, we’ll have fun, I promise!” I look in the window and there’s a blue radiance beckoning to me; I notice her on a pedestal, the gorgeous blue satin covered with delicate black lace. She is perched next to her more audacious sister who is red satin with the same black lace overlay. There’s no way I can pass up trying her on, so into the store I go. As soon as I put her on my feet I name her Lacy, however little do I know I’m going to have to add Racy to her name the first time I wear her! I roll up the legs of my jeans to my knees and walk around the store; I immediately get several compliments on Lacy by other ladies in the store. Even the young store clerk weighs in and says, “Those are fierce on you Momma!” Although he’s going for the sale, I do agree with him and I decide I must purchase her and find out what kind of fun we are going to have together.

Afterwards, I meet a girlfriend for lunch and when I show her Lacy she immediately asks “What are you going to wear those with?” “First off, she’s not a ‘those’, her name is Lacy and I know exactly what I will wear her with.” I respond. “You name your shoes?” she asks. “Of course I do, they all have their own personalities.” I reply. I then explain to Meg, “I can dress her down with jeans and a simple black tee-shirt, turtle neck or button-down. Maybe for work I’ll pair her with a black skirt or pants and powder blue button-down tailored shirt. Even all black with light blue bold jewelry, but still leaving her the center of attention. I think with stilettos like Lacy you have to keep it simple and just let her make the statement for the outfit.” “Wow, you’ve really figured all that out already?” Meg asks. “I’d say 9 out of 10 times I know exactly what I will wear with the shoes before I buy them.” I answer.

A few weeks later I need to go into Orange County for a sales meeting and dinner with an old friend whom I haven’t seen in five or so years, so I decide it’s time for Lacy to go on her first outing. I put on my favorite black pants and a simple light blue tailored shirt with some fun bold black and blue jewelry and head out the door. I’ve given myself ample time to get there, however in California you never can tell what the traffic demons will have in store for you. Today they decide to mess with me in the way of a red and black Camaro on a winding two-lane highway driving 35mph! I drive behind him for half an hour and wish he would pull over and hand me the keys, I’ll show him how to drive that car! Finally after quite some distance behind him we get an additional lane and now I can get around him. Regrettably I decide to make up the time I’ve lost and I’m speeding a bit; suddenly there they are the red lights and siren right behind me!

As I’m pulling over Sammy Hagar’s voice goes through my head;
“Go on write me up for 125
Post my face, wanted dead or alive
Take my license n’ all that jive
I can’t drive 55!”

When the Officer comes up to my window, he asks, “Did you know you were going 65 in a 45 zone?” “Sorry, I didn’t realize I was going that fast.” I reply. I hand him my license, registration and proof of insurance. I then suggest to him, “You should be giving a ticket to the guy I just followed doing 35 in the 45 zone for the past half hour.” I’m guessing he doesn’t think this is as funny or helpful as I do because he gives me a ticket. This is the first ticket in a really long time I haven’t been able to talk my way out of; oh well I’m sure I deserved it.

My meeting goes long but very well and Lacy is a big hit in the office, she gets lots of “oooh’s” and “aaah’s” and “where did you find those?” I’m quite delighted with her; she really does make a statement.

Now I’m off to an early dinner with my old friend Tim. Last time I saw him was at a birthday party for a work associate about five or six years ago. When I walk into the restaurant, I spot him immediately (it helps that he’s 6’3”, has powder blue eyes and an electric smile) I give him a big hug. We enjoy a nice long dinner and reminisce and laugh for hours. When it’s time to go, Tim says “I have something to show you.” We head outside and he walks me over to (you guessed it) his new red and black Camaro! I immediately start laughing while he is trying to tell me all about her; startled Tim asks “What’s so funny?” When I finally compose myself I ask him “Didn’t you see me behind you this morning on Ortega Highway trying to get around you or get you to speed up?” “No, I’m usually in my own little world when I’m driving Ortega.” I proceed to tell him about my speeding ticket, what I told the Officer and that I blame him for it. He laughs and says “Here you can drive her down PCH, since you think you’re a better driver than me.” He hands me the keys and I say to him “I am, you drive her like an old lady, let me show you how she should be driven.”

As I slide into the driver’s seat I wonder if Racy Lacy is going to get me into more trouble tonight, I guess we’ll see……

OH, OSCAR!

I love Oscar night; if I’m not hosting a fabulous party then I’m most definitely at one! Except the one year I was a limousine driver (as a favor to my brother-in-law; Michael). I drove Geoffrey Rush; he won best actor that night for Shine. I have a photo of me holding his Oscar in the back of the limo while he was in the Vanity Fair party! In case you were wondering I wore a black suit with a skirt, white button down shirt and of course black stilettos. At one point I was parked waiting for Geoffrey and his group to come out of yet another party and was stretching my legs outside the car when a very inebriated Andy Dick and his entourage walked by and he started yelling “Hey look, Madonna's driving a limo tonight, hello Madonna.” So I waved and blew kisses; he ran over and kept hugging me until they pulled him away.

Anyway, tonight when I walk up to where the party is there’s a red carpet on the ground leading to an open door. When I step on the red carpet flash bulbs go off like I’m surrounded by paparazzi and I start laughing, now this is the movie star experience! As soon as I walk inside I feel as if I just stepped into a champagne commercial (yes, I’m old enough to remember TV commercials for alcohol); everything is beautiful and sparkly with twinkle lights everywhere and everyone is dressed so stylishly, some as their favorite character from an Oscar nominated movie. There are little stars all over the hardwood floor and also on the table that’s set with marvelous looking food; I also notice mini Oscar statuettes placed throughout. Our hostess immediately greets me and hands me some fun star sunglasses and offers me the cocktail of the evening; Blue Angel, its blue Curacao with champagne for the movie Avatar.

I too have dressed for the occasion, in a more subdued way; I am wearing my Sixties Siren Stilettos. When I saw the pale tan color of the patent leather, the detail of the charming bow and side strap, pointy toe and of course that silver spiked heel, they instantly screamed 60’s siren to me. I could picture Sophia Loren wearing these with a tight pencil skirt, smooth tight top with a matching sweater and string of pearls, strolling the streets of Italy. I had decided to emulate the movie Nine (for the era) and Up in the Air and The Blind Side (for their more updated version). In Nine I can see Claudia (the movie star and muse) wearing these with her evening gown as she sings to Guido at the fountain, or Stephanie (the Vogue writer) in them with her chic Chanel suit. In The Blind Side these would have looked great on Leigh Anne when she’s wearing one of her pencil skirts, I can also see them on Alex when she’s sitting at the bar where she seduces Ryan in Up in the Air. I paired my 60's Sirens with my black pencil skirt that laces up the front/side, a tan mock turtle neck with short sleeves, cute black sweater and my gold pearl necklace that has a big crystal flower on the side of it and the matching bracelet. My short blonde hair is already very 1960’s and contemporary at the same time.

I’m enjoying a spirited conversation over who should win best director, actress, actor and picture, while sipping my yummy cocktail and checking out the other guests shoes and deciding to myself whether or not they’re appropriate for their outfit (I do this constantly, no matter where I am). On the table next to me there’s an appealing array of hors d’oeuvres; baked brie, blue cheese vodka balls, garlic spinach dip and several varieties of bruschetta. There are also silver buckets of various types of popcorn and trays of miniature cheesecakes and chocolate truffles, I’m in heaven. The Red Carpet pre-show is on the big screen and I’m loving all the beautiful gowns, the rich reds and purples, bold blues, pretty pinks and yellows; it’s so nice to see the myriad of colors and daring styles from the designers this year, also the up-dos and sleek hair are a beautiful sight! The men all look dashing too, however I must say to my gorgeous Antonio Banderas; what’s up with all the facial hair? We like seeing your handsome face, all of it! Are you with me ladies?

As I watch I realize I have stilettos to go with all the magnificent gowns I’m seeing. I smile to myself knowing I could definitely be the stiletto stylist to the stars; Sandra Bullock in the gold lace Marchesa, Queen Latifa in lilac Badgley Mischka, Sarah Jessica Parker in the buttery yellow (a color not many people can wear) Chanel, Jennifer Lopez in the pale, pale pink Armani Prive, Zoe Saldana in that vivid gradated purple Givenchy, Rachael McAdams in the beautiful soft flower water colored Elie Saab, Penelope Cruz in vivid red Donna Karan Couture and Demi Moore in the peach colored Versace. All of the ladies are dressed very classic old Hollywood tonight and I would love to have chosen their stilettos for the evening. Maybe I missed my calling, should I have been a stylist or costume designer?

While I’m pondering this, the Oscars start and I mingle about watching sporadically while enjoying the scrumptious cuisine, cocktails and conversation. I’m loving the lively discussions after each category and I’m happy when The Young Victoria wins for costume design (if it couldn’t be Nine, that is). As the evening is winding down, there’s an intense discussion at the end about best director and picture. The final consensus on the show is that the 2 hosts were funny; however everyone’s all-time favorite is still Billy Crystal and his comical opening musical numbers. The best picture and director winner is still being hotly discussed, however I’m leaving before I take off one of my stilettos and hit someone in the head with it!

I hate to leave this fabulous party, but all good things must come to and end; on my way to the door I stop to kiss and hug all the beautiful people goodbye.

Until next year......Just maybe when one of the stars is asked "Who are you wearing?" She just might reply, "I'm wearing Versace, however Terry chose the stilettos and aren't they fabulous!"

SWEET CHOCOLATE DREAMS

Chocolate, Chocolate,

Everywhere,

Dark Chocolate,

Do I Dare?

Although not really your traditional stilettos, I still love these high-heels, they seem very 1940’s-ish to me because of the thicker heel and rounded toe. I just love all the detail with the laces on the side, the bric-a-brac across the front and the way they positioned the patent leather with the suede. So no matter which way you see the shoe it looks interesting and I love the cute rounded toe.

When I first laid eyes on these I thought “Yummy – Sweet Chocolate Dreams” (I wanted to lick them); they have all the shades of chocolate I love: the (almost) white chocolate, the milk chocolate and of course the dark chocolate (my favorite!). Since I named these my Sweet Chocolate Dreams I thought it quite fitting to wear them to the Dove Chocolate Discoveries™ tasting party I was invited to – YES I’m not kidding, a
c-h-o-c-o-l-a-t-e tasting party!

I decide to pair my Sweet Chocolate Dreams with my favorite Seven jeans (which finally fit again, however after tonight, who knows...) and a dark brown button-down tailored shirt that has a white trimmed ruffle on the front and of course a really fun ring (my big blue and white crystal Koi fish) and since it is cold out I add my faux chinchilla coat. I feel fabulous and am ready for some yummy chocolate!

When I arrive at Michelle’s most the girls are already there and the air is filled with the fabulous smell of melting chocolate! I hug Michelle, Jodi, Tiffany, and my daughter Bre; then introduce myself to all the other ladies.  We are informed that the chocolate we will be sampling is the Dove Chocolate Discoveries'™ their exclusive line of premium chocolates not sold in stores; Ooooh, now I feel special, let the decadence begin!

First we sample the chocolate covered; biscotti balls, cranberries and almonds, cute little truffles in all three chocolate flavors. Our Chocolatier tells us about their ready-made candies and explains how to make our own truffles, candy bars, mini tiramisus' and chocolate embellishments. Then we sample dark chocolate espresso beans, I don’t think there’s anything better than the sweet bitterness of the dark chocolate then the bite of the espresso bean! Bre and I are reminded of a funny story that she shares with everyone; on a trip to Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco about 10 years earlier we bought chocolate covered espresso beans. While walking around all day we ate the entire bag, we were bouncing off the walls later and couldn’t sleep that night and couldn’t figure out why! Can anyone say 'blonde moment'?

Next the Chocolatier shows us how to make 10-minute mousse; yummmmm, creamy smooth fluffy chocolate on my spoon. What’s getting to me though is the melting chocolate that has been wafting through the air since I came in the door; the dark chocolate has been liquefying in the cutest heart-shaped fondue pot and calling to me for the past 1/2 hour. We finally get to taste it and mmmmmmm; it has the most fabulous rich flavor, first I dip a strawberry then a graham cracker, then another strawberry. Okay, I tell myself, time to stop this madness, drop that third strawberry!

I didn’t think we could surpass the fondue but then I see the chocolate martini mix and vodka come out! She first swirls rich chocolate syrup into the frozen martini glasses. “You can also rim the glass in raw sugar mixed with ground chocolate, cocoa powder or the syrup” she tells us while shaking the mix with the vodka and ice. Ohhhhhh my, so many different sensations; the sweet chocolate, the chill of the drink, then the warmth of the vodka, yum, yum and more yum! While enjoying our martini’s she begins to telling us that you can also make chocolate turtle and creamsicle martinis, this just gets better and better!

Later after several entertaining stories and lots of laughter…. Bre and I each order the chocolate martini mix, promising to host a ‘girls only martini party' and head home after an evening of decadent deliciousness!

I know every time I slip these beauties on my feet I'll be thinking of indulging in a yummy chocolate martini.

Goodnight all & Sweet Chocolate Dreams.......