Black Lacquer Woman

Tonight was pretty meteoric as things go, or did I mean stratospheric? I have had a few drinks and the pretzel I stopped for at Cafe Katja is making my mind melt with delight so I'll let you choose the astronomical descriptor to fill in the blanks. I left my apartment around midday and I knew I wouldn't be home for about twelve hours (this always sounds theoretical but is in fact always true) so I wore what I'd wear by the end of the evening starting early afternoon. I do believe I'll go with an up-do and diamond earrings every day from here on out.

I started out at the Goethe-Institut with a brilliant meeting to discuss some potential projects for next year. From there, I strolled down to the Ritz-Carlton on Central Park for a champagne reception for Perfumes: The Guide that Lux Lotus reader Courtney Greenwald invited me to; I had two client events this evening but I thought I'd swing by. I talked to Maud on the phone while I walked-- she's one of those people for whom I simply cannot answer on the first ring fast enough.

I stopped as I always do at the clock in front of the Sherry-Netherland where family lore holds my paternal Italian grandfather used to clandestinely rendezvous with my paternal Swedish grandmother (who, aside: was Harry Houdini's secretary) in the '20s because their newly immigrated families forbade them to date. Later he had a hair salon in that hotel or one nearby where his clients included Jean Harlow. They started out with nothing, lost it all, and then my father started all over again, lost it all, etc. I like to remember where I came from. It's all very chic.

From there I went to the Vanity Fair pre-publication party for my publicity client Janice Erlbaum at Dooney & Bourke. Also very chic! Janice is, of course, the total package. She was wearing a deep green DVF wrap dress with perfect belt tied in a bow, gold bracelet, and black patent pumps. I was naturally assured of my fabulous taste when I made a beeline for a bag and it was... $650. Her husband Bill was nattily turned out as well in an Etro-esque button-down and brown blazer. Even though Janice said she was nervous she was an absolute natural when she made her remarks. And people immediately clamored for the limited copies of Have You Found Her? I'm very excited for that one so mark your calendars for February 12, when it's officially released.

From there, I had a bit of a quandary as I was supposed to be in Soho at that precise instant and I was in midtown at rush hour. I didn't know what to do as a cab was out of the question, a car service would take too long to arrive, and the subway at rush hour no less inviting. Then everyone's favorite venture capitalist coincidentally called exactly as I was walking past his office. I went to meet him and a cab pulled up, available, like some most welcome missive from a distant corner of the universe.

We made it to McNally Robinson just as Anne Landsman, also my publicity client, was finishing up her event for The Rowing Lesson, out today! She looked stunning in a deep plum dress with keyhole neckline that I can only describe as magnificent. She said it had a figure-skating vibe, but really, it just made me want to give her a gold medal. Afterward we went to Chinatown Brasserie for drinks to celebrate and I have to say I'm v. impressed with what they've done with the place.

Someone asked me and everyone's favorite venture capitalist how we became friends and actually we met there when I was there last and it was Time Cafe, we both new and friendless and alone in New York (I found him unbearable at first and I'm sure he felt the same way, but then: BFFs). I was handling media relations for a union and was stifled, underpaid, hopeless!

And if you tried to tell me then how my life would come full circle, how I would work on truly extraordinary, life-changing books and projects in every way and with such incredible people and how I'd feel like the happiest woman in New York, even if I'm not going to Paris for Thanksgiving, well, I never would've believed you. And that's why I do.

Comments

[Marco]

Take it higher. Very interesting about your Italian grandfather and the clock. Naples and Palermo should really be on your short list.

[satia]

Not only is the calendar marked but I already have that day and the next blocked out for reading. I'm going to preorder the book through my local bookstore only because every time I try to do it through amazon.com I wait around a week or two before the book (or cd or dvd) arrives.

I've waited long enough for Janice's latest! And it's lovely to finally put a face to your name!

[William K. Scurry Jr.]

No mention that the blazer was velvet?