Etro boots bought circa 2011 (still alive and well)
I’ve been blessed in many areas of life, but one that’s always on the forefront of my mind is my friendships. I’ve had and still have many great friends that I enjoy and love deeply and consistently. It’s not easy to have, keep, or make new friends as we get older. It takes time, commitment and often consistency, and sometimes when you’d rather not talk, you make the effort.
We have to fight for our time and for our friendships, everything about the busyness of life is a direct onslaught of distraction from quality relationships. The voracious technology we surround ourselves with has sadly chewed our bandwidths smaller than ever. Technology has shrunk our capacity for connection ironically. Many of our relationships are crumbs, and left-over fragments, which rarely satiate.
Back back to Etro and Eden and our evening out.
Eden is a dear friend. We’ve now been friends over 20 years. I met her when we were both young fund-raisers at a non-profit foundation and probably a bit delusioned that this was the ‘holy grail’ and last stop to do good. We have both gotten more joy out of motherhood than anything else. At the time we met, I was pregnant with my son and we just clicked. I actually remember where I was standing when we were introduced. I’m thankful to say we’ve been close ever since. I’ve watched her have her twins, I moved out of LA for a year, and then back, and we never lost touch. It’s so rare these days. Whereas most people view relationships as ‘out of sight out of mind’. True friendships can have periods of ‘out of sight’ but never out of mind or heart.
One of our favorite memories aka ‘fashion stories’ is the night we had tickets to really big fashion show. I forget who it was, but it was a high level event at St. Vibiana’s — a gorgoues ominous runway fit for any Miranda and aspiring future Anna. We still laugh about this today.
I chose to wear these Etro boots (pic above). I think I paired them with black, charcoal liquid vibe skinny jeans and a top, but I only focused on the boots and probably had a cool clutch too.
We got out of the car and headed to the check-in tables to the right of the red carpet and step and repeat. We had general tickets through a contact, so we weren’t going full wedding crashers; however, little did I know the power of an Etro entree.
A young man behind the table looked at me but then lasered in on the boots, it was a Devil Wears Prada scan for sure. He smiled. We checked in and waited for direction.
The Etro boots approached. They were calm, cool, and collected. Not obsequious, not annoying, not rude. Courteous, confident, present. That’s how these fashion and Hollywood people need to be handled. And it’s a very very thin line. If you notice, these boots are not stiletto, but they balanced that delicate fine line perfectly.
He smiled and said, “Hi, here you go.”
Eden and I look down, A1 and A2. We may not have kept our composure because I think one of us giggled a bit. I wanted to squeal but didn’t. I yelped inside, or I hope.
It was awesome. A1, A2, right in front, with all the cameras and flashing bulbs and all it’s glory. It was true fashion euphoria. And we were there. So was Etro. He was almost our mascot all evening.
We watched several collections, also enjoyed the pre and after party in their always idyllic garden. My contact said hello authentically which was appreciated. This contact IS a celebrity, legit Project Runway icon, and also a host of fashion on E! etc. He is the real deal and so kind in real life. It was a great feeling all around. We didn’t want it to end.
But like all great evenings, the Cinderella pumpkin awaits. My pumpkin came when my feet hurt and to be honest, I think we both got hungry and went to get tacos. I feel as if I can never eat at those events. Most parties in LA seems to be ‘liquid only’ to be honest.
So Etro, Eden, and I ended up at a taco stand. Egos and stomachs full.
- xx, C. Nor.
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