Excerpt Twenty Six

Playing dress-up begins at age five and never truly ends. —Kate Spade

I re-read this message a few times over. I was rather upset upon my first glance at it. I had never had a man plan a date with me on a Saturday night only to tell me that there were rules and stipulations that came along with it. I found it upsetting and bizarre. 

“Honey, please tell me you are beyond satisfied with this color … it is truly stunning! You look upset….” 

I quickly interrupted Elizabeth before she could finish her sentence and snapped out of my trance with the odd message I had just received. 

“Oh my goodness, no sorry I was sidetracked. The color is beyond fabulous. He did such a great job- I am thrilled with it!” I exclaimed enthusiastically. I kissed the Asian hairdresser on both cheeks, tipped him 20 Euros and gave him three or four merci beaucoups… Next, we were headed to Isabelle’s boutique which was ironically called It’s a date. I now no longer knew if I even had a date that evening, it sounded more like an arranged dinner. 

Upon entering Isabelle’s store, I was immediately drawn to a gorgeous grey mink fur jacket with a thick leather strap presenting as a belt with two large antique buttons. I slipped into it, and became instantly infatuated. I knew I had to purchase this. I looked at the price tag and saw 800 Euros. Ouch! Maybe it was my new hair, or being around a former LA model, or having a girls day in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. I didn’t know what had come over me. 

“Here, I have zee-perfect dress for you Kreesta.” Exclaimed the ultra chic Isabelle as she unveiled a jet black Givenchy dress with a zipper that went up the side. I quickly noticed the designer as I had seen the Givenchy boutique in the fabulous 8th arrondissement one day as I had been strolling the boulevards of Paris. I had never purchased a designer piece of anything, particularly clothing. Other than my symbolic Hermes wallet I had never spent money on haute couture. Elizabeth instantly gasped in awe, and demanded that I immediately head into the dressing room to try it on.  I slipped into the dress, which surprised me as I easily was just in a sample size Givenchy, but it did hug my body quite well. It accentuated my curves, and was slimming as it was black and possessed a flattering cut. The neckline was low cut into a V and I did not need a bra as the upper part of the dress hugged my chest perfectly still accentuating the shape of my breasts. The dress made me feel beautiful and feminine. Elizabeth and Isabelle both gasped in admiration as I walked out of the dressing room. 

“Oh honey, you must purchase this. It was made for you.” Elizabeth exclaimed. 

“It reeeally is zeee a perfect feeet for you.” Isabelle came over to straighten out the back of the dress as she spoke.  She studied the dress on me as if I was a painting worth 1 million dollars. I noticed her skin was immaculate. I couldn’t see her pores, not a single blemish, and she had a heavenly perfume on. 

I was in trouble. I already knew I was going to purchase the fur/leather mink jacket. I had always wanted a fabulous fur and where other than to buy it but Paris. I also knew that I felt fabulous in this dress. I never really went shopping for designer pieces, and I was really having such a magical day. This was a top day in Paris for me. Strolling through the chic 16th arrondissement at a designer boutique, trying on 1,000 Euro pieces of clothing. I didn’t want to take the dress off. 

“You should wear that tonight with Damien. You will absolutely have a French husband if he sees you in this dress.” Elizabeth said in a serious tone. I chuckled, but she may have been right. I had never tried on a piece that seemed made for my body shape. I agreed to the purchase. I also told myself in that moment… you only live once.