Hands-down, my favorite purchase of 2007

Tasked by a familial client to do some last-minute holiday shopping, I hiked it four-inch heels, thin trench and all up to Georgetown this evening after work to make one last pilgrimage to Club Monaco before my impatience with shove-happy crowds and women who walk six shopping bags across manifested itself in the form of a potentially violent, "As a matter of fact, ma'am, I do have a problem" confrontation.

After picking up a pair of elbow-length leather gloves, a slouchy oversized gunmetal clutch and a few of the gauziest, coziest turtlenecks in three lovely shades of black, blacker and blackest, instead of heading home, something compelled me to abandon my 45-minute target and instead make a quick stop down and around the WiscAve/M St. intersection to Zara.

I didn't need anything, of course, but as Oprah is always telling me, when you hear that inner-voice speak to you, honey child, you better prick up those ears and listen.

So listen I did.

And thank goodness, because had I not, I would never have found this, my hands-down favorite purchase of 2007. There's really not much else to say other than I can now die happy that I've found a way to literally wear my love for all the world to see.

"Oh Mum, it's splendid, just splendid. But honestly, couldn't you have tidied up the box-shelf a bit before we sat for the photo?"

*I do apologize, but I think you'll understand why this post took precedence over the dress-code follow-up. Be sure to keep an eye out for that post (I promise) at some point this weekend...