Summer Solstice

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Duchess Pendant

Stella & Dot

The wedding date was the first day of summer...the summer solstice.  Solstice came with intrigue and a magical sense.  The wedding and reception were to be magical and grand...a black tie affair.

She shopped in a couture bridal boutique - Bridal Boutique at Kiyonna.com! - for a luxury gown fit for royalty.  She was inspired by the duchesses of England.

Kiyonna.com

The ceremony was to be held in a centuries old church in the heart of a major metropolis.

She was to arrive by an upscale limousine generally reserved for A-list visiting celebrities...and detailed in newly polished shiny black with slick silver lining.  He was to arrive in an upscale vintage automobile...a style often used in Hollywood film.

Her father was to give her away and his attire was very regal and royally proper.

His mother was to walk with him to the alter and her dress was a beautiful sun kissed yellow.

The guest list was at full capacity and everyone was royally impressive in tuxedos and dresses.

The reception was to be held in the penthouse of the city's most prestigious and oldest hotel.  The atmosphere was meant to reflect the history of the hotel dating to the turn of the 20th century.  A truly grand affair.

They were last to arrive as they took a horse-led carriage slowly trotting down the luxury avenue to the hotel.  They went with notice and received occasional shouts of congratulations from crowds of pedestrians seeing them share a romantic newly marital kiss.

The ceremony was set to begin at exactly noon.  The reception was set to last well into the afternoon and evening.  The bride and groom were to stay the night as the penthouse  was also rented as a honeymoon suite.

As the sun set on this solstice wedding, she in this moment was a duchess and he in this moment was a duke.  

A grand day to a magical love story.

First Anniversary - Vow Renewal

One year ago, they vowed to love and honor each other for as long as they both shall live.  Every church pew was filled with family, friends of each family, and close friends of the bride and groom.

The wedding and reception were black tie formal.  Her gown was custom made by Laurel, an exclusive couture designer for Bridal Bouquet - an upscale bridal salon in the heart of the very wealthy Sachs Park.  His tuxedo was custom tailored by Mr. Something - an upscale gentlemen's tailoring service also in Sachs Park.

In their first year of marriage, wedded bliss was very rocky.  Heated arguments filled the atmosphere of their newly purchased home.  They threatened to divorce on a monthly basis.  They fought to decide custody of their newly adopted Golden Retriever puppy.  Was their marriage truly meant to last?

She was left in sorrowful tears every night he came home late.  Was he really working or was he at a bar to stay away from home?

Today was Saturday...one week before their first anniversary.  He agreed to do rather mundane errands.  She took this available time to revisit her gown.

Innocent white.  Lace and satin fabric.

Ballgown with fit at the waist.  Sweetheart neckline.  Off the shoulder lace sleeves.  Long train.  Long tulle veil.  Swarovski crystal-encrusted tiara.

Inspired by the Royal Duchess.

Breathtaking.  Pure.

Joy.  Content happiness.  Peaceful.  Forever lasting.  Love.  Devotion.

Words cannot express.

How this marriage was meant to be.

They met and fell in love in high school but drifted apart after graduation.  They stumbled upon each other in graduate school and rekindled their love fairly quickly.  He proposed to her the day after their studies were complete.  She said yes before he asked.

One year after the proposal, they stood before a full church - before family, friends of each family, and their close friends - to formally say "I do."  They did.

On this Saturday, she put on her gown and admired herself in their master bedroom's standing mirror.  For every date they went on, he always told her how beautiful she looked.  On the day of their wedding, he said that her shining beauty would last in his heart forever and she, beyond the gown, would last in his soul...

"Forever."

She saw him in the mirror, standing behind her.

He warmly embraced her and said,

"I guess I just needed to see you in your wedding gown to know that our love is forever."

He knelt down on one knee, held her left hand, and said,

"I love you with my life.  I am so lucky and so honored to be in your life.  We are meant to be for each other.  You are my other half - a half I once thought would never be filled.  I cannot imagine my life without you..."

"Yes.  I will marry you."

On the day of their first anniversary, she wore her gown and he wore his tuxedo.  They stood together hand in hand and before no other in the church where their married life began to renew their now forever vows.

Channel Theory Boutique

Upscale and wealth best defined Channel Theory Boutique.  Makeup, skin care products, and beauty accessories were exclusive to Channel Theory Boutique.  Gift cards were offered but began at a rate of $300...requests for anything less were rarely accepted.  The atmosphere was young, sophisticated, and with a hint of pure class.  Overhead music reflected the atmosphere and did not dominate the experience.  Large poster images of models wearing the makeup or skin care products were prominently placed in the window displays.  Channel Theory Boutique  offered personalized tutorials on how best to use the products for free with every $500 or more spent in purchase.  Beauty accessories began in the $50 range and up.  Skin care products began in the $100 range and up.  Makeup was the most prized inventory line and what defined the boutique.  Therefore, all makeup products began in the hundreds of dollars range...being exclusive and upscale, the cost seemed justified.  Of course, Channel Theory Boutique was the first stop in a long line of upscale and wealthy boutiques and department stores.

She only wore makeup for special occasions, such as dates or interviews.  She felt too young to be concerned about skin care (outside the obvious need for sunblock in any season).  She did have a mirror compact bought at a local drugstore, so beauty accessories directly linked to makeup were again not of interest.  Her mother on the other hand adored makeup and beauty accessories, especially for work.

She was financially independent through employment during school semester breaks.  She earned just above minimum wage but was nonetheless thrilled with every payday because the employment was naturally temporary.

All of her classes were in the heart of downtown.  She aced her mid-terms exams and was allowed a pass on the finals because of her stellar mid-terms.  The only requirement for every student in her classes was to come in for an end of term discussion on what could be taken away from what was learned.  In the end, she was free to leave.

Channel Theory Boutique was mere blocks away from her campus.  On one gorgeous sunny day in crisp Autumn weather, she boldly walked to the boutique after her class, hesitated for a moment at the door, opened the door, and entered as casually as possible.  She hoped to blend in...

...She did not.  She looked like a typical college student with no reason to glam up, especially with upscale and wealthy makeup products.  Why, in all seriousness, would she belong - naturally - in a boutique such as this?

Her mother's birthday was coming up and she was saving all of her paychecks to buy something special.  They were not rich.  They were middle to upper-class and still could never afford a place like Channel Theory Boutique.  She, however, was bound and determined to buy something special for her mother to, on her one day, feel upscale, wealthy, and exclusive.

"Hello.  How may I help you?" asked one of the sales consultants in what sounded harsh in tone.

"Hi.  Um, I would like to purchase a gift card for my mother.  Her birthday is coming up and she is a makeup fanatic, so I thought I would go the gift card route to let her pick out what she wants." She nervously laughed at her nervous tone.

The sales consultant smiled at the kind gesture, but somehow lacked sincere meaning.

"Well, a gift card for your mother's birthday sounds great.  Does she like Channel Theory products?"

"Absolutely!" She knew her mother liked Channel Theory products but was intimidated by the hefty price tags.  The tone behind her exclamation was meant to impress the sales consultant in a pretend way.

"Great.  Good to know.  Well, our gift cards start at $300.  Is this cost okay with you?  Can you go up...since your mother loves our products so much?"

I don't plan on pursuing your upselling, lady, she thought to herself.

"Okay, in all honesty, I can only afford $100.  Is this cost okay with you?" A direct shot at the sales consultant's degrading tone.

The sales consultant caught on pretty quickly but as it just so happened, she needed more commissions to reach her expected monthly quota.  And so...

"Of course, you can pay $100 for the gift card."

After the checkout process and getting ready to leave as soon as possible, she was sincerely left with,

"I hope your mother has a wonderful birthday."

She sincerely smiled, thanked the sales consultant for the kind wish, and left.


Her mother was speechless when she received her gift card.

"I get to shop in Channel Theory Boutique?!"

"Yes, yes, yes!  Happy Birthday, Mom!"

Her mother could not wait to spend her gift card.  The two headed downtown the next day and, by surprise, was greeted by the same sales consultant in a more pleasant manner.  She guided the two around the boutique and offered suggestions on what best to spend the card on based on responses to questions she asked throughout the guide.

Her mother was giddy and could not help but spend a little over the gift card price.

"Channel Theory Boutique is having a sale one week from today - half off clearance items.  Stop on by!"

Mother and daughter planned to do just that.

Channel Theory Boutique was perhaps more possible than they thought.

Red Carpet

January  - A new year.  New resolutions.  New chances.  Fresh start.

January - New chances.  New hopes.  Start the year in the best way possible with the awards season.

January - Her birthday month.  She was unknown for so many years.  Who is Charlotte Reese?  Her name was always last at the end of the film credits.  By that point, of course, most of the theater goers had already left.  All she ever knew was being a B-Lister with hit or miss role opportunities.  She aspired to the coveted A-list.  In this month of January, her luck might change.  On this cool January evening in Southern California, Charlotte Reese got a new chance and new hope by making her first appearance on the famous Hollywood red carpet as the presenter for best supporting actress.

She was so nervous!  Backtrack.  She did not have a personal stylist for one reason - She was a B-list actress throughout her entire career and always gone without notice.  This was frustrating and painful because acting was her greatest passion and want in life.  She sorrowfully considered giving up and leaving the state altogether...until a minor part in a now nominated film by a landslide caught the attention of highly regarded critics.  She now had outstanding offers coming in and full marketing coverage by a nationally recognized public relations firm.  She left her last agent to sign on with a major talent agency.  Present time.  She still did not have a personal stylist but had a wide selection of designers to choose from.  Charlotte Reese was an official A-Lister with this evening's red carpet appearance as official proof.

"Charlotte!  Charlotte!"

Celebrities went on a first name basis on the red carpet, but that fact was nonetheless surreal to her.

"Charlotte!"

She was encouraged to chat with a reporter.

"Charlotte, first of all congratulations on being here..."

"Thank you."

"...This is your first time on the red carpet.  How does this experience feel to you?  Are you nervous?"

"This experience is a whirlwind of emotions.  Pure happiness best sums up the feeling.  And honestly yes, I am nervous..."

Both lightly laughed.

"...But I am just honored to be here, so."

"Hollywood is honored to have you here.  Well, you look beautiful.  As you know, I have to ask."

Charlotte lightly laughed and knew how to answer -

"Julie Bent design.  She is new to high profile designing - not that I am high profile!  Anyway, the dress is inspired in two ways - 1920s flapper gal because I concentrated on that time in United States history in college, and and the category I am presenting.  One of the actresses is in a 1920s era movie.  Love both apparently."

The seasoned reporter happily laughed and briefly noted her opinion.

"Shimmering A-line gold fabric, gold sequins, and delicate straps.  Your dress and Julie Bent's creative design are certainly the ones to beat.  Have a great time, Charlotte."

"Thank you."

Reporter after reporter with the same commentary.  Her same response.  Always a thank you at the end.

Charlotte Reese was very thankful.

She truly was having a great time and admitted to herself that she could get used to Hollywood attention.

Luxury Showroom

5th Luxe Boutique featured exclusive designers only haute couture in nature.  Established clients need only email their designated personal stylist for a showroom appointment.  New clients were booked for appointments typically six months in advance.  Those merely interested needed to anticipate a year long wait list before any of the stylists had an opening.  Those hoping to schedule a showroom appointment out of pure curiosity were encouraged not to bother.  5th Luxe Boutique had a distinguished reputation to uphold and was admittedly strict in who they accepted as clients.  Established and new clients were financially elite, whether from old money or from superior employment such as acting chief levels in a variety of roles or advanced positions in industries such as law or medicine.  In other words, think green and shiny credit cards with zero credit debt.  Potential clients, in pure honesty, were generally expected to come from wealth too.  5th Luxe Boutique began in the five-figure range and did not have a cap.  Elite wealth with no budget was essential for the boutique to keep open...and this was not a concern.  Commission pay for personal stylists was highly lucrative and therefore kept them and the boutique operating.

5th Luxe Boutique catered primarily to women but did offer bespoke service to discerning men.

5th Luxe Boutique was best known for couture dresses and wedding gowns by designers with international roots.  Customers buying directly for designers, via their websites, were required to put down an initial fee to cover the total cost, shipping and handling, and appropriate tax.  The higher the product cost, the higher the fee.  This was not a concern for the direct customers, of course.

Couture dresses were exceptionally formal in style and well thought out in creation.  Colorful dresses were kept to a minimum to accent the overall designs.  Designs that were outlandish to the average woman were in good class and taste to the average client.  Patterns were understated and enhanced the overall designs.  Ideal occasions to wear these dresses would be going to the theater, attending a black-tie dinner party, being a top wedding guest where over one hundred were invited to attend, perhaps an event with formal embossed invitation...leave the imagination to decide.  The couture dresses were extravagant yet timeless, beautiful in rich design while still maintaining the classic 5th Luxe Boutique style, unique, and limited to certain sizes generally up to a size eight.  Upon decision after the styling appointment, a client would typically pay and the chosen dress would be made  within a six-month time frame and then delivered in white glove manner.

Wedding gowns were exquisite with classic designs being the most popular.  Crystal touches were carefully accented to preserve the beauty of the overall aesthetic.  Lace and satin were the most preferred fabrics.  Ballgowns were the most common designs.  White was the only allowed color for presentation.  If a client desired color for a chosen gown, an extra cost was necessary for the given designer.  Wedding gown designers for 5th Luxe Boutique were exclusive.  A client's purchase process was the same as that of couture dresses, with the exception of necessary fitting appointments where a fee was required for the seamstress.  Wedding gowns generally took more time to make and required in-person pick up.

Original sketches of retired designs and notable signatures were proudly framed and hung around the boutique.

5th Luxe Boutique was an experience to remember.

Treasure Island

The multi-million dollar estate was on the mainland, but the estate sale was to be held at the vacation home in the tropics, as requested by the family.

Everything was up for sale as the family needed to downsize in a significant manner, especially for financial reasons.  In its irony, there was a legitimate cause - the estate was facing bankruptcy and the only way to salvage remaining investment was to hold an estate sale to afford the vacation home which was less expensive and more reasonable to live in.

And so...

Couture apparel, bags, and accessories...all up for sale

Couture household items...all up for sale

Antique trunk...Genuine birthstone crystals, real diamonds, fresh water pearls, multi-karat gold, silver, jewelry galore

The family really did need to downsize, so the antique trunk in the tropical vacation home...up for sale.

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.

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.