{ an affair to remember }

every wonderful one of you was invited...

...but for those who couldn't make it, i'm going to do my best to recap the magic of tuesday's coach collaboration cocktail party. before this post really gets underway, let me apologize in advance for what is about to be a total deluge of photos. it's not every day that a girl gets to be the guest of honor at a big splashy party on madison avenue ~ these moments must be savored, no?! okay, so here we go:

first and foremost, i loved seeing my bag design displayed all over the shop. and i really loved how the store employees kept whispering to me that my style was flying off the shelves! hurray for everybody who bought one!! please send me pictures when you wear it (or better yet, take it on an adventure, then tell us all about it, like my friends the beckermans did)!

it was also really wonderful to share the experience with three such talented, dynamic, and inspiring gals as krystal, emily, and karla...



...though it seemed that before the four of us even had a moment to catch up (or to catch our breath!), we were engulfed by an unexpectedly sizable stampede of lovely ladies (and quite a few dapper dudes, too!):

i was floored by how many people took the time to come see us ~ and all looking so darn good to boot! one of the shopgirls sweetly intimated to me that, of the many events they've hosted behind coach's gold-and-glass doors, this one boasted the most stylish crowd of all. she opined that bloggers are re-inspiring society to dress up, and i sure do hope that's true!



the unfortunate downside to the night's terrific turnout was that i was only able to talk to people ever-so briefly. i wished i could linger longer over conversations with old friends and new ~ like the especially sweet reader who left work early and drove in all the way from philadelphia to have me sign the bag she'd ordered online. i wanted to hug her to pieces! or at least give her considerably more time than i was able.

alas, before i knew it, the store doors were closed and the bellinis had gone dry. but pity us not ~ the party wasn't yet over for your intrepid bloggerinas! we were quickly whisked downtown, to the speakeasy-esque drinkery death&co ~ where we were surprised by custom cocktails, individually designed with our particular palliative preferences in mind. i couldn't believe how tastefully they combined my love of irish whiskey and summery mojitos ~ it sure gave new context to my somewhat infamous penchant for mixology!


as with any good cinderella story, i was back in my carriage by midnight. i rode home feeling giddily happy, overwhelmingly tired, and altogether grateful to everyone who made this monumentous occasion so memorable: the gracious, generous team at coach, my sweet glamourguy ~ who dutifully (and beautifully) documented the day's far-reaching festivities, my faithful friends and especially all of the readers who turned out to share a drink and a few hours of chic revelry with me.