how a weekend with colleagues turned into a mad search for a sneaker...

in mid june – i was able to spend an incredible four days in sonoma, california…while that alone was a treat…the icing on the cake was spending those four days with an incredible group of women…colleagues and friends that are all part of a monthly marketing group that meets via phone to discuss topics & marketing ideas for our businesses…we are all wardrobe & image consultants…while we have all spoken on the phone together…i had not met all these women…even though i felt like i already knew them…

so our first nite started with one of my dearest friends opening up her home for our first evening together…while it was the first nite of actually meeting some of these women for the first time…i have to say…it was like we had just not seen each other for a week or two…the chemistry was electric…so here is our “first” official picture…at the beginning of the evening i only had really met and knew six of these women…but that changed quickly…here we are…my colleagues and friends from all other the u.s. AND two came all the way from australia…

we spent the weekend having great workshops…including applying make-up, how to fit eyeglasses…and many table topics specifically about our businesses…the only time there was division…was when we realized that one day…our group was completely split…we had those wearing color…

and those wearing classic black & white…

of course…there was time for some winery stops…i mean…that is a given when you are spending a weekend in sonoma…right? here we are enjoying our weekend together…

and a fabulous pic of the whole group together…i still smile when i look at these pics…there was so much laughter…so much sharing…and i left that weekend feeling so inspired…

and of course…there was time for shopping…while we broke into smaller groups while shopping…so we didn’t get to see what treasures were found…now on our last evening…we all got together and shared our favorite moments of the weekend…and one of my “new” friends from australia…said she had to share her purchase of the day…apparently…the sneaker was tried on by her girlfriend (the other consultant from australia)…and the shoe didn’t fit…so she grabbed it…tried it on…and it fit…just like cinderella!

to which comes the point of this blog post…when she pulled out her purchase…this gorgeous sneaker…the room exploded into enthusiasm only a room full of image consultants could muster…of course for me…it went much further…i knew i needed to have them for my very own…

so i got home…and checked the regular dept stores that i figured would carry them…sizes were SO limited…there was a size 39…and a 38…then the 38 was gone…then there was a 41…ugh! where is the size 7?? i checked several other department stores…they were completely sold out…i checked the actual designer website…sold out…

i was on a mission at this point…you know that feeling? at this point…the more i couldn’t find it…the more i wanted them…

while checking ebay occasionally…sizes were popping up…but not frequently…and then it happened…
my size…brand new…and for 1/2 the original price…i waited patiently till the action was almost over…bid…and well…

i am now the proud owner of these babies…needless to say…i cannot wait to wear them…

alice + olivia “stace face’ sneaker