96 Degrees In The Shade

I was up early this morning to check on the trees here at the farm. The heat is making me run the pumps every evening for hours and the morning light is announcing the coming of another very hot day coming. The trees beyond the ponds already have that haze that echoes August. It my be cliche for mid-summer but I'm in love and I really did not see it coming. I guess it happens that way. This past weekend was spent at the Greenbrier in White Sulfur Springs, WV. I was there to do a trunk show as well as celebrate the opening of their new casino. I grew up there on some level, and have seen the tenor of the place change over the years. However, this past weekend was one of the best weekends I have had in a long time. It was just a special Fourth of July, and my romance with the hotel is back on. There was so much glamour that had been missing over the last few years that seems to have returned. I must of thought of "Some Like it Hot" five times during the weekend. That fun and glamour they seemed to have going at the Hotel Del Coronado in the movie, was taking place on the Mason Dixon line complete with, Civil War reenactments, fireworks and Hollywood A-listers. My dinner partner and later dance partner was Raquel Welch, who is far more then a pretty face. What struck me about spending time with her was listening to her talk about how she used to wear jewelry and how difficult it is to find places to wear it now. I do admit that I have spent alot of time listening to clients talk about not wearing jewelry enough, and I generally agree that there are less places to wear the big glamorous pieces that really turn people on. Function is really what jewelry has become. However, jewelry is about fantasy and glamour, and Raquel, Jennifer Garner (a West Virginia girl) and a host of other ladys brought the heat. It was a rocks show and everyone had a blast at the dinner and following Lionel Richie concert. The casino was packed. 

My godmother is Barbara Eden, or "Jeannie" to most. She is one of the kindest, most wonderful people on the planet, but she takes a long time to get ready for an evening. I remember asking her once why she just did not throw something on and head out the door. Her answer I will never forget. She simply does not want to let anyone down. She wants to be the person for her fans that they have grown up watching on television. The responsibility she feels to the people that have been her supporters over the years is so different from the stars today. Most of the stars in OK magazine are wearing hoodies and a shimmel shirt. Kind of like comparing bikinis at the Quisiesana to jean shorts at an above ground pool.  Barbara and Raquel put it together.  I exclude Brooke Shields from the dressed down list. She is simply fantastic and nice at the same time. Perhaps it is easy to see why I fell in love.

Women create the atmosphere of an evening and the stage is their venue. This past weekend was the most romantic and glamorous weekend I've had in years. I am so glad that the hotel I have grown up loving is back, and judging by the crowd, will be back for a long time. I, on a creative level, needed to be reminded that there is very much a place for jewelry that sings. Big diamonds and bold design continue to be what attracts people. They are the magic of adornment as a whole. Texans really never forgot that, but some places have. It was so nice to see women walking around and comfortable with their artillery on. I will go water the watermelon patch very happy this morning, as falling back in love does that to people. The heat is on!