Belle of the Ball

"Class, class, attention please.  Let's give a warm and sincere Huskies welcome to Jennifer Tripp.  Jennifer is a transfer from her high school in Northern California.

"All the best to you," said Mrs. Jones with a kind smile.

Ring

"Okay everyone, don't forget your assignment for Monday!  Homecoming should not be an all-weekend priority!

"Jennifer, I need to talk to you."

"I need to talk to you" was heard so many times today, that the words somehow became a Huskies motto.  She wasn't in trouble but was being overwhelmed in homework to complete over the weekend in order to catch up as soon as possible, with United States History and Physics being dealt the hardest.

As for her new peers, no one was paying attention to her.  No one was paying attention to their teachers or classes.  Today was Friday and the majority of the student population was looking forward to the Huskies homecoming football game and dance.  The homecoming court was elected, so Jennifer guessed the winners were rather popular.  She understood the excitement, though.  In her previous high school, she looked forward to homecoming...but not an all-consuming interest.  Today was Friday - a thought she maintained to stay positive.  Her family's move across the country did not make her happy.  Change in every way did not make her happy.

Alas, Jennifer's response to every "I need to see you" was,

"Okay."

"So, I am waiving the assignment due next Monday.  I have a thought, though.  Catch up to where we are in the textbook, write an essay, and turn it in next Friday."

"How many chapters should I read?" Jennifer asked as she pulled her heavily filled backpack over her shoulder.

"Oh, of course!  The first three chapters.  In this one instance, your essay can be any length.  And in this one time only, the topic can be of your choosing."

"Okay.  Well, have a good weekend, Mrs. Jones.  I will make this assignment a top priority."

"Smart girl."

Smart indeed.  All of her classes were AP.  Every assignment this weekend was a top priority.

As Jennifer left the classroom (her last one for the day), a fellow classmate met her just out the door.

"Hi Jennifer.  My name is John.  I've seen you in all of my classes.  AP doesn't make life easy."

Jennifer lightly laughed and replied,

"Hi John.  My first day and I don't feel new with all of the homework.  Outside of lunch, I've had eight introductions."

"You're the belle of the ball!"

"Perhaps true, but I'm a belle without a ballgown to match."

"Hey!  I don't have a date to homecoming.  Do you want to come with me?"

"Oh gosh, I have so much work to catch up on.  I'm not familiar with the town yet.  I'm still settling into my new home.  Picking out a gown and getting ready would take up time I don't have.  I'm sorry, but no."

"Oh.  Okay.  Well, welcome to the school.  I really hope we can be friends, even if we are first meeting senior year...Belle."

Jennifer laughed and said,

"I would like to be friends too, John.  One request, though - no longer belle, just Jennifer."

Blushing Bride

The wedding day was four weeks away.  Vows had yet to be written.  Salmon, Cornish game hen, vegetarian, any selection, or all had yet to be decided in full because guest replies - beyond actually accepting or declining to attend - were still being reviewed.  The ceremony venue was set quite some time ago.  However, the weather was not certain.  The wedding was going to be in an outdoor courtyard adjacent to a church.  The reception was going to be held in a beautiful park overlooking the lake.  The reception, though, was going to be tented, so she guessed everyone would be okay.  Weather forecasts consistently predicted dangerous doom in this summer month of June.  She really hoped everyone would be okay.  What else, she thought nervously to herself.

The wedding gown.

She was anxious for the final fitting.  Under doctor's orders, she lost a significant amount of weight after purchasing her dream dress one year ago and hoped beyond hope the dress would still fit.

The final fitting.

"Oh dear," said the seamstress.

"Um, is there something wrong?" She asked, already knowing the answer.

"Yes dear.  I see you have lost quite a bit of weight since your purchase, so I will have to take in half the dress.  I will not have time to finish the changes by your wedding."

"Oh.  Okay," she said with swelling tears.

Her dream dress by her dream designer no longer.  The wedding was paid for by her parents and her fiance's parents.  The wedding gown, though, was paid for solely by her.  She was devastated and embarrassed.  She was devastated because she left the bridal salon empty handed.  She was embarrassed because although her weight loss was achieved with positive intentions, hearing the need for massive alterations out loud was a shock despite the intentions.  She somehow no longer felt worthy of a dream dress because a part of her still lacked self-esteem from when she was heavier.  Heartbroken, she didn't have time to restart her search nor did she have the finances.

As she left the bridal salon in deep sorrow and wiping away tears, she happened to overhear a consultant tell a client about an upcoming blowout sale.

Blowout sale

She bee lined up and down the aisles, rejecting every dress she browsed through and quickly lost faith until...

Wedding day

"My sweetheart daughter, you are beautiful," said her happily tearful mother.

"Thank you, Mom," she said with a tear in her eye.

"Oh honey, you are blushing!" exclaimed her father.

"Thank you, Dad."

She proudly beamed.

Cue the music

She blushed in pure joy and content happiness.

She was marrying her soulmate.  She was wearing the perfectly fitted new dress of her dreams - on deep discount.  The weather was cooperative with a hint of sunshine.  Her confidence was strong.  In this moment, she felt perfect and profoundly beautiful.

A seamless day.

A blushing day.

Luxury to Luxe

B*L*O*G*G*E*R

As an established, well-known fashion blogger showcasing personal style and inspirational style, she felt honored to be an affiliate with an equally well-known fashion company recognizing her as one to note.

She defined her life as rags to riches.  This would hold great meaning in her blog.

She grew up in poverty with four siblings and a single mother working two jobs just to get by.  She was in charge of getting the mail every day.  For reasons unknown to anyone in the family, they were subscribed to a fashion magazine.  She didn't care.  She studied the magazine as much as she studied her homework.  She self-taught herself the world of fashion and when she graduated from high school, she worked two jobs to afford a laptop.  She would never be able to afford formal training, so she took what she learned and launched what would change her life, both personally and financially, forever.  She became the voice of what many needed to hear.  She recognized what her life could afford and what most could too.

And so...

She was proud to promote couture luxury products on a reasonable budget for the everyday woman.  She firmly believed that the everyday woman did not have thousands and far beyond to spend on luxury items generally only affordable to the affluent.  What did she offer?

All American designers to international designers

Apparel, bags, shoes, accessories, beauty

Couture luxury at an affordable price

She communicated with her many followers on a daily basis.  She answered questions, offered advice, and just kept the conversation positive and lighthearted.

One day, she received a few comments from some followers requesting to see higher priced designs from the same couture designers.  She was hesitant to heed the want of her loyal audience.  She briefly thought the comments were spam because her base followers are always intrigued by her unique approach to couture promotion.  Upon review of who sent the comments, she sent a blanket reply that she would honor the request, but cautiously.

Haute couture luxe with no budget

She was nervous to know what her other followers would think as they may not have seen her change of plans.  Prior to posting, she made sure to leave a disclosure of her new product promotional tactic.  How might this go?

All American designers to international designers

Simple apparel at discounted prices now extravagant apparel with base cost of well into the hundreds...and now far pricier.

Simple bags at discounted prices now exclusive bags especially under international names.

Simple shoes at discounted prices now gorgeous and stylish shoes.

Accessories and beauty products at discounted prices now generally featured in high end boutiques that don't generally offer sales.

She could go no further.  The luxe couture prices were overwhelming to what she would rather prefer.  Yet they asked.  She certainly delivered.  Her silver lining to showcasing haute couture products with no budget was their want led to her blog's financial success.

And so she stayed true to her belief - couture luxury on a reasonable budget for the everyday woman.

Runway Ave

Cars, taxis, transit buses, tour double-deckers, sight seer buses, pedestrians crossing the street with the light, pedestrians stuck in thick crowds in the middle of the street and forced to cross against the light.  Driver impatience.  Car horns blaring.  Loud car radios.  Sidewalk performers.  Occasional homeless people and beggers with rattling cans.  Shoppers with department store bags.  Shoppers with couture boutique bags.  Walk and talk cell phone conversations that didn't always pay attention to their surroundings.  In-person chatter.  Metropolitan life defined with hustle and bustle noise as music.

By day, Runway Ave was otherwise known as Lake Ave, the most popular and equally congested street in the city.  Lake Ave was known nationwide for haute couture boutiques and high-end department stores.  Lake Ave was considered akin to elite drives on the east coast and west coast. Why would this avenue need more attention?

By night, the city shuts down Lake Ave and creates a fashion runway for Asbury fashion week - Runway Ave.

Emerging designers featured works created as final school term projects, hoping to land a career.  Emerging models walked the runway, hoping to land a contract and agent.

Lit trees.  Illuminated pavement.  Bright white spotlights at the entrance of the runway.  Potted flower arrangements in the median.  Lined photographers.  Seated guests on both sides of the road.  Let the show begin.

Obscure.  Outlandish.  Over the top.  Some not making sense to the average woman but finding relative interest among prospective buyers.  Admittedly impressed.

Showers of accolades to every designer showcasing the end of their work.  Models following in suit.  May a new era in fashion begin.

Fashion week wrapped up.  The glitz and glam of runway fashion is taken down and the hustle and bustle of Lake Ave returns.  The average woman is none the wiser, but fashionistas will soon have intriguing options.

Always remember Runway Ave.

Jewels

"Sparkling jewels.  Luxe jewels.  Classic jewels.  Jewels to complete the outfit."

One day before...

Ring, ring, ring, ring

"Brooklyn Paige Designs.  Brooklyn speaking.  How may I help you?"

"Hi!  I am going to a dinner party at my boss's home tomorrow and I need help creating an outfit.  The party is black tie and my boss lives on Maple Avenue.  Are you familiar with that neighborhood?  Anyway, I really need to look impressive because my boss is currently promoting from within for a senior management position that has just come up and I really want the job.  Oh!  My name is Anna Duncan."

"Well hello, Anna Duncan!  I appreciate you thinking of me and my services.  I am in fact well aware of Maple Avenue...quite the upscale neighborhood.  First and foremost though, I need you to fill out a style survey so I can best assess how I can help you and what budget I need to be mindful of.  This survey can be found on my website - brooklynpaigedesigns.com.  Look for the Just For You tab.  Now, will you have available time tomorrow?  I ask only because one of my services is personal shopping with my clients."

"Oh.  Okay.  Well, I will have the afternoon off."

"Perfect!  Let's say around one o'clock to go shopping?"

"Sounds great!"

Day of...

The door bells clattered at exactly one o'clock.

"Hello, Brooklyn?"

"Hi!  You must be Anna.  Welcome to my boutique!  I am just finishing some odds and ends, so feel free to look around.  Won't be more than a few minutes."

"Okay," Anna faintly spoke as she began to explore.

Anna oohed and awed in her mind.  The apparel and shoes and bags and jewelry and accessories were amazing.  Modern and trendy.  Elegant and classic.  Something for any woman (and any budget, she hoped?).  She was in girly girl heaven.

"Okay Anna.  Are you ready to go shopping?"

"Can we stay here?" Anna eagerly asked.

Brooklyn lightly laughed and said,

"The inventory I carry here is for guests at fashion week runway shows.  I'm sorry, but these products are not available to the public."

Anna looked a bit down but was quickly assured that the local boutiques they were going to would have perfect selections based on her survey responses and indicated budget (being rather generous given her current decent income).

Play Dress Up - for an exclusive Italian couture label little black dress just shy of her budget.

Shoe! - for an all-American couture black suede kitten heels on sale even!

Wrap It Up - for a popular French designer known especially best for black clutches with silver ornate clasp right on budget.

Brooklyn Paige Designs -

"For jewels on the house.  Sparkling jewels.  Luxe jewels.  Classic jewels  Jewels to complete the outfit.

"Yes, my dear Anna, you will be dressed for success tonight.  I know you will get the promotion."

Anna beamed, thanked Brooklyn profusely, and left.

She planned to return when she got the promotion and significant raise...and to brag about her new huge office with dedicated assistant.

Jewels to complete the outfit.

Cowgirl Fashionista

Jill was a typical cowgirl, tending to cattle on her family's sprawling ranch.  She was content to be a tom girl.  T-shirts, jeans, and sneakers comprised her wardrobe.  The only girly item she had was rose lip gloss she once bought when last she visited her sister in the city.  She didn't need makeup to blush, though, for one reason.

He was handsome and a manly man.  He was always on a horse when stopping by her ranch.

"Hi Jill."

"Hi Mike."  A soft smile began to show on her face.

"I'm having drinks with some friends in the city tonight.  I would love for you to come."

Oh my gosh, is he asking me out?!

"I would love to, Mike.  What time should I meet you?  Oh!  And where?"

"Seven o'clock.  I can pick you up and we can go together if you want.

"Man it's a scorcher today." Mike proceeded to take his shirt off.

Oh my, Jill thought to herself.  A hint of blush dusted her cheeks.

"Yes, yes that would be fine."

"Great!  See you tonight!"

Jill made a beeline for the carriage house she rented from her parents and called her sister for fashionista advice.

"Ashley!  I need your fashion thoughts."

"Hey Jill!  Who's the guy?"

"Why.  Why would you automatically assume...Okay, his name is Mike."

"Wait.  Do you mean Mike O'Donald?"

"Yeah!  Yes.  How do you know him?"

"He's a part-time style advisor in the men's bespoke boutique two doors down from the coffee house I go to.  We run into each other all the time."

"He's a style advisor?  Why would he be on a ranch?"

"Oh yeah.  Mike trains horses to be service animals."

Fine body.  Great personality.  A manly man.  Friendly.  But fashion?

"Mike's job is just to pay the bills.  Don't worry, Jill.  He is totally perfect for you.  He is as much of a cowboy as you are a cowgirl.  So let's get you glammed up."

Ashley and Jill agreed that rose was a good shade on Jill, so varying shades of red was a good place to start.

Jill opted for a long red wool skirt and a long-sleeved blue velvet sequined-embellished blouse.

"What do you think?"

Oh my dear Jill, Ashley thought to herself.

"Okay Jill.  Go to Jess's Closet. There are really cute summer dresses that you could pair with canvas slip-on sneakers.  The boutique also has purses and jewelry.

"Let's see.  Um.  Oh, I know!  Get the stylish magenta-white camisole dress.  Your figure would look awesome in it.  And get the white chunky high heel shoes.  Make sure to get a pair of insoles so your feet will stay comfortable.  Let's see.  What else.  Jess's Closet has really cute and trendy bracelet-watch sets.  I love the pearl bracelet-cubic zirconia watch.  And look for magenta clutches.  Some come with removable straps.  Your call.

"Style your hair down with a magenta headband."

"Ashley, how on earth am I going to afford this outfit?  Jess's Closet can be expensive."

"Jill, I've been to Jess's Closet so often that they have my info on file.  They'll know who you are, so just mention me and they'll charge the bill to my account.

"Look, sis, you will be a stunning and adorable fashionista tonight.  Mike will be a fool not to want to go out with you again."

"Do you think he really likes me?"

"Are you kidding me?!  He talks about you all the time!  And showing off his bod...Oh yeah, he totally likes you."

"Cowgirl fashionista...awesome perks, huh?"

Jill and Ashley laughed and continued catching up.  Jill vowed to shop at Jess's Closet more often.

Cowgirl fashionista.

M'O

She wasn't this type.  She was a good person with a strong respect for right and wrong.  She held a strong sense of karma.  She just...She wasn't this type.

He hushed millions of dollars under the table.  He had connections that kept him undercover - "safely" hidden from the law.  He was prepared in full with reasons dependent on the crime.  He was untouchable.  He was the type, he defined the type.  He knew his destiny and his karma, but he simply did not care.

On a warm summer evening, circumstances changed.

"Disengage the alarm, spray every security camera with black paint, cut off the price tags, remove the anti-theft tags, and fill the clothes in the bags.  What's not to understand woman?"

She understood his orders but could not figure out how she got roped into this haute heist.  She worked in this luxury boutique.  She came across as a lovely, innocent, and seemingly gullible woman.  She was sweet-talked into this haute heist with the promise of being given some of what was under the table.

"I get it.  I understand.  But won't the clothes wrinkle or otherwise get damaged?"

Wrinkle or damaged?  This was her main concern?

"I mean, I mean the clothes are couture.   They need special care!"

"Do I look like I care about the need for special care?!  This robbery is timed and I cannot believe I don't have an M'O yet!  Focus, focus.  What is the most expensive item?"

An intriguing question for the pair.

"Um..."

"Well?!"

"Um!  In the five figures.  Most of the clothes are in the four figures.  Are we stealing the jewelry too?"

"Yes!  Of course.  And the cost of the jewelry...?"

An intriguing question for the pair.

"Million range.  Six figure range.  Most of the pieces are in the five figure range."

"Mmm, numbers I like to hear..."

As long as the money was guaranteed under the table and never caught, she liked the numbers too.

"...So since you know the inventory so well, come up with our M'O."

"Um, well I could say..."

Sirens roared, blared, became quieter, and quieter, and silence.  Deafening police lights.  Busy law enforcement communication.

They were caught...perhaps.

She was nowhere to be found...neither were the clothes and jewelry.

"Sir, we received a call that the alarm to this boutique was tripped.  Do you happen to have a credible explanation as to why you happen to be here?"

He frantically looked around for her.  She never came up with a reason.

"Um, I, I...You know, I really don't know.  The woman can better explain.  I swear I'm innocent."

"The woman?  Sir, are you under any influence?  I don't see a woman."

"I'm fine!  I mean, no.  No, I am sober.  And I am not mentally ill either.  I swear there was a woman with me...uh oh."

"Okay, sir, you have the right..."

The robbery may not have been the crime of the century, but the sure thing crime at any rate fell apart in the most desperate of ways.  He now cared.

A quiet BMW engine was running in the alley behind the boutique.

"Hey girl.  You got out just in time.  Made me nervous how close the police were coming.  Where shall we go next?"

"I'm good for now.  This lot will look amazing in my boutique."

"Do you have a name yet by the way?"

"I've been thinking M'O.  Catchy, don't you think?"

The robbery was flawless for her and she did not care.  She was a genius.  She was a secret connection no one knew about.  She had plenty of reasons to get him out of trouble with the law, but she also just stole millions in fashion apparel and accessories.  Why would she keep him safe?

Her M'O - master operator with no reason needed.  She excelled.  She knew right robbery methods from wrong robbery methods.  She knew how to maintain positive karma.

She was the type.