UNEXPECTED DELIGHTS! 

These beautiful, sweet but totally rockin’ stilettos are so much fun to wear; I always seem to get compliments whenever I have her on; maybe it’s because I feel like a rock diva in her and it shows! I named her Delightful Diva because delight is what I experienced the moment I tried her on; she felt wonderful on my feet and looked amazing. Carlos Santana (yes, the guitarist/singer-songwriter) and his designer did a wonderful job with these, the different shades of grey, the pointy-toe and unexpected strap at the front with the leather flower are what caught my eye right away. I have had my Delightful Diva’s for over eight years and whenever I put her on I think “Oh, my wonderful old friend, you still feel and look great!” I want to put on a Santana CD and start salsa-ing (not sure if that’s actually a word or not).  A segment from their advertising reads: “Carlos by Carlos Santana are hip, hot fashionable shoes designed for women who love to be in the spotlight.” I decided that was quite fitting for what happened last time I had her on my feet; let me tell you:

Usually during my busy work weekend I will wear a pair of my ‘power’ stilettos, so when planning my outfit for a less busy weekday (less busy people-wise, but busier with regard to paperwork) I decide I want something more comfortable and not quite as showy. On this particular Wednesday I choose a black skirt to my knees that has pleats all around the bottom (it’s one of those that's on the fine line of business-ey yet sexy), a grey & white pin-striped button-down shirt with white collar and cuffs with the cutest cufflinks. I then decide that my Delightful Diva’s are just the stiletto I need to complete my look.

On my way to work this morning I need to stop in at UPS to pick up a package I had sent to my old address by mistake. I drive up at about 8:30am and park right at the ‘will call’ door and notice all the UPS vans and trucks parked everywhere and am wondering what’s going on here this morning, it seems really busy. I walk up to the door and as I pull on it I notice it’s locked and the sign reads “Open 10am to 5pm”, I head back to my car and one of the men in brown asks if he can help. I tell him I am here to pick up a package, however ‘will call’ obviously isn’t open yet. He says “Let me see if I can’t get someone to help you.” “Thank you.” I respond. “Wait here; I’ll see what I can do.” He says as he heads into the massive warehouse. It dawns on me while I’m waiting that I have never been here at this early hour and since this is one of the UPS hubs, this is probably the time all the drivers pick up their loaded trucks for the day.

A few minutes later he re-appears and says “Susan is inside at her computer, she can help you, follow me.” I follow him into the warehouse that holds about 30 UPS vans and I am to quickly find out; 30 UPS drivers too! We head right into the fray; the men who seemed to have been talking, stretching and getting their morning coffee, part like the Red Sea as we walk through. I am aware that all eyes have turned to us and a hush passes through the swarm of men, however I can still hear a few muffled words; “Wow”, “Who’s that?”, “Sexy”, “Where’d she come from?” are all I can make out. I am looking from side to side, enjoying the view, back and forth I glance; when I suddenly realize “NICE” has escaped my lips (quite loudly, I might add). I hear several of them chuckle, one drops his aluminum travel mug and another says jokingly, “You made him nervous.” I laugh and I’m feeling a bit giddy and thinking this would be a great time for a musical number in the middle of the UPS warehouse. I want to be in one of Santana’s songs; E Papa Re, it has a great salsa beat and the words are close to what I'm experiencing at the moment:

“The sun is slowly rising, the day is just beginning.
Let me take you to a place you’ve never been to.
Imagine that you’re walking with me in the jungle.
The natives they are dancing and singing to a ritual.
The music’s getting to you, your knees are feeling shaky.
Your mind is getting dizzy, the spell is taking over.”

I swear I can feel the heat of the jungle washing over me and my feet want to start moving to the beat, when suddenly the cool blue light of Susan’s comupter brings me out of my musical daydream and I realize I've made it through the jungle of men!

Oh, well back to reality I guess……Now my mind goes to what I originally came here for; "Just where is that package of mine?"

GLADIATOR GIRL GOES DANCING

GLADIATOR GIRL GOES DANCING!

When a few of my girl friends suggest we go out dancing for our collective birthdays, I say “Why not!” So now the question is what to wear, hmmmmm what to wear? I ponder this while sitting in front of my open bulging closet. A dress? No. Skirt and top? No. Oooooh, how about some nice tight jeans and a sexy top? That’ll work! Now for the stilettos; I need to choose a color first to go with the outfit I’ve selected, then the style, lastly comfort for the occasion (yes even stilettos can be comfortable!).

I finally pick out my favorite Seven Jeans (I wear boot-cut because they make me look taller), a silver belt and a black and red geometric patterned top. I check out all my red shoes, then my white ones and decide I need black instead because you never know what someone might spill on you and black is more forgiving. Mulling over my many choices (I have over 20 pairs just in shades of black) I decide I must wear something with a platform to protect my feet and still be able to dance all night long. Once that decision is made it narrows down my options, so the final question is; something strappy or smooth? Then my eyes land on her; Gladiator Girl she will definitely protect my feet from the surging masses on the dance floor.

I named her Gladiator Girl when I first laid eyes on her because she was my first pair of gladiator stilettos; I did however own a pair of gladiator sandals back in the 80’s. I have a theory that women’s shoe styles don’t really change that much they just get recycled from a designers memory of a favorite shoe from the past and then they tweak  it here and there to modernize it. Gladiator Girl is so versatile (not only because of the color – black goes with everything) I can wear her with nice slacks to work, jeans for a casual lunch or shopping, I’ve even worn her with skirts and dresses and I love that I don’t have to mess with a bunch of buckles, she zips up the back! The way she covers the front of my foot, and has the five straps going across but leaves a peek-a-boo view of skin makes her strong, protective and sexy all at the same time. Yup! Most definitely the right stiletto for the evening.

Once all my choices are made and I’m dressed, I head to the night club ready for fun! When I arrive I realize I am the first one there, I text Georgia and her reply is that they are about 30 minutes away, so I decide to people watch while I wait. I go to the bar to order a lemon drop martini, however before I can get the bartenders attention a good-looking man comes over to chat with me, he orders our drinks and like a gentleman; pays for them too. After a few minutes I find out he is a yoga instructor (I noticed he was built quite nicely), we discuss yoga and its benefits to the mind, spirit and body. He gives me his card and before re-joining his friends suggests I call him for some private instruction; hmmm, sounds promising! Before dropping his card in my purse I glance at it, his name is Paul and his studio is in Riverside, I might have to try him out, after all I do love yoga.

While leaning against a bar stool sipping my martini a nice young woman sits down next to me and introduces herself as Tina, she compliments me on my look and she seems to be a bit tipsy. After a few moments her girlfriend (and yes; I mean girlfriend) comes over and says, “Sorry she comes on to beautiful women when she’s drunk.” “Thank you for the compliment.” I reply. “Can I give you a hug?” Tina abruptly asks. “Sure.” I respond. While hugging Tina I notice Georgia and the others have come into the club, as her girlfriend pulls her away Tina kisses me on the cheek and whispers in my ear “great cleavage”. Tina’s girlfriend then escorts her back to the other end of the bar as I greet my friends who have arrived.  Everyone decides to order drinks at the bar and while waiting for their drinks the bartender comes over and hands me a Purple Hooter from Tina (it’s a shot with vodka, Chambord and a splash of soda). I nod to her and her girlfriend in thanks for the drink and down it goes; mmmmmm yummy. My friends ask what that was all about; I tell them and they have a good chuckle over it.

The girls drinks arrive and with drinks in hand we find a table near the dance floor and listen to the wonderful 80’s & 90’s rock that the band is playing. It doesn’t take long before the yoga instructor comes over with a few friends to ask us all to dance. Onto the dance floor we troop; several songs later we plop down at our table and Paul buys us all a round of drinks, says thank you for the dances and excuses himself. We have a discussion on how nice it is that there are still gentlemen out there. For the next few hours we enjoy the music, we sing and laugh, we dance as a group and separately with different men who stop by our table and offer their services on the dance floor, Tina even stops by for a dance. By the end of the evening my legs are tired and I’ve had a really good workout and a wonderful time! Gladiator Girl kept my feet above the fray, out of any muck on the floor and were quite comfortable while dancing the night away; I have one word for her performance this evening and that is: FIERCE!

It’s now 1 a.m. and I need sleep before work later this morning, so I hug Georgia and all the girls goodnight. On my way out the door Paul asks if I’m leaving, when I tell him I am, he offers to walk me to my car; I accept his offer. Chatting all the way to my car, I’m wondering if he’ll continue to be the gentleman he has been all evening? We reach my car, Paul kisses me on the cheek and says “It was nice meeting you; I hope to hear from you soon.” He then leans in again and slowly kisses my neck ever so gently in several spots before whispering goodnight and walking away into the night…

I MEAN BUSINESS

I MEAN BUSINESS!

I love these stilettos; they’ve always been quite the dichotomy; part business with the buckle across the front and the stark black and white coloring, part tease because of the peep-toe and lastly part seductress with the 4" high black shiny patent-leather heel. Ever since I brought her home with me I knew I would be wearing her most often to work, so I name her Boss Lady. I imagine her motto to be “I get the job done and look fabulous doing it!”

I purchase her immediately knowing she’ll be very versatile and I will be able to wear her with most anything; work pants, skirts, dresses, even jeans. The very first time I wear her, I pair her with long black below-the-knee walking shorts, a starched white fitted button-down shirt and big fun jewelry; business-like, yet feminine. I’m a Realtor; I sell new homes so the only people who see me are ones who come into the tract in search of a home. On her first outing she receives quite a few compliments; one gentleman asks me where he can purchase them for his wife. He and I end up having a discussion on stilettos and master bedroom closet size (to hold all the wonderful shoes & handbags, of course), I didn’t sell him a home, however I’m sure his wife will appreciate the new shoes!

Boss Lady has been to work with me several times, however this past weekend she outdid herself. We’re having a campaign for the next few weeks for home buyers to qualify for the final part of the Federal Home Buyers Tax Credit and we all have to wear a promotional tee-shirt. So I decide to wear the shirt with black trousers, a black cashmere sweater with ¾ sleeves and pearl buttons, understated jewelry, I complete my look with Boss Lady, she dresses up the tee-shirt nicely.

The first people who come in that day are a young couple looking for their first home; my favorite type of buyer. As we get to know each other and walk through the models together, we discuss how they will live and grow in the home and after awhile decide to go out to the construction site and see the homes being built, so they can see the location and lot size. I change into my “mud shoes” (as I call them), which are clogs for walking in the dirt/mud. While treking to the construction site Jenny comments on my change of shoes; she tells me she likes the stilettos much better. I tell her I do too, however don’t want to ruin them.

Her fiancé says “Don’t get her started on shoes.”

“Oh, are you a shoe collector too?” I ask.

“Yes, I own about 30 pairs.” Jenny answers.

I chuckle thinking to myself; she’s just getting started, I won’t tell her how many I have and that I’ve named them all!

We walk three home sites and I help them choose the perfect location for their needs. When we get back to my office to write up their contract, I slip back into Boss Lady to get the job done! After signing their contract and the many pages of disclosures that go along with it, they head out. However about half an hour later they return bearing a Starbucks latte for me. I know I’m going to love having them as homeowners in our community. I tell Jenny I want to come over when she has all her shoes displayed in her walk-in closet, she promises she’ll invite me over after they’re all moved in.

Before I can drink much of my latte, the next person I talk to is a gentleman out scouting new homes for his wife who is still in Texas. He and I only walk two home sites when he decides which one he likes. Dan calls his wife, sends her several photos and she immediately approves the purchase. Wow! that was quick, I’m thinking to myself as we walk back to my office. However, once we sit down he starts in on the negotiations.  I slip Boss Lady back on because it's time to get down to business!  Back and forth we go for several hours until we reach a good deal for both parties. I love the art of negotiation; it makes me feel like I’m working for my commission (hmmm, maybe I should have been a lawyer)!

At the end of the day two homes sold, four happy buyers and one delighted & exhausted sales agent! 

Today I know I got the job done and looked fabulous doing it, thanks in part to Boss Lady!

Here Comes the Bridesmaid

HERE COMES THE BRIDESMAID

My sister and I love to spend the occasional day just having girl-time which will more than likely include a leisurely lunch and shopping to buy shoes, clothes, purses, or whatever else might catch our eye. Very seldom do we just window shop!

It was during one of our girls shopping days that we both spotted these beauties (sort of). When we meander into the shoe store, I notice the shiny green and purple satin rosette on the front and I immediately pick them up. As I am admiring them I hear my sister behind me say “Ooooooh, check these out.” I turn to see her holding the exact same shoe; only in a gold, orange and fuchsia color pattern. I start to laugh and show her the shoe I’m holding. “Oh, no!” she chuckles. We’re still laughing as we call over the clerk and ask her to bring us both pairs in a size 7 (yes, we both wear the same size stiletto). The only drawback to having the same shoe size is sometimes there’s only one pair left and we both have to have it! Which means there could be a catfight over them, this could get ugly!  As you can see shoe obsession runs through the veins of the women in my family, we're just born with it!  After trying on both pairs, I opt for my original find of purple & green and my sister decides on both!

Later on we head back to her house so I can show her what to wear with her new multi-colored beauties. This is always fun for me; going through someone else’s closet to match clothes with shoes & jewelry! When I’m helping my sister, I decide to name mine Donna, after Donna Reed the most elegant 50’s housewife. I can see her out with her always handsome husband Alex, for an evening of dining and dancing at ‘the club’ with the boss and his wife, dancing cheek-to-cheek with some fabulous orchestra playing. That’s how and when I picture her wearing these dainty peep-toed satin rosette stilettos.

A few weeks later we were out on a shopping mission to find my sister’s wedding dress and a bridesmaid dress for me. She had decided on an outdoor spring wedding and wanted her dress to relay that message, nothing frilly, fancy or wedding-ish. In our search we ended up at Nordstrom and that’s where we found her dress; a white, knee-length dress with a purple flower pattern. I also tried on a few dresses and found a solid purple one in the same cut, style and length as Sherry’s. As soon as I put it on, she said “That one is perfect and will look really great with those shoes we bought a few weeks ago.” When I got home later that day I try the shoes on with the dress and they are a great match!

On my sister’s wedding day Donna gives a stellar performance; I do not fall down the grassy sloped isle I have to stroll down and I stand through the ½ hour ceremony without an ache or pain. She poses beautifully like a lady for all the photos and supports me during my toast to the new bride and groom. She dances comfortably like a pair of ballroom pumps during my many dances with my Dad, brothers and friends.

When the evening is over and I’m home, I slip her off my feet, thank her for the lovely day and place her in her color-coordinated spot with all her sisters. After all she does deserve a rest after that long emotionally packed day.

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.......