If we do manage to get up to the wine country on Sunday with Nilly, I'm going to want to stop at both of the premium outlets. The one in Napa itself has the nice usual list of outlet stores: BCBG et all. The smaller one in St. Helena is smaller, but very chichi, and it has a two-storey Donna Karan outlet and a Coach outlet.

Lilty, my sister in Manolos! Although actually, his shoes are cut entirely wrong for my feet, and I actually can, and do, wear high heels. Can't wear Jimmy Choo, either; cut too shallow where the instep starts, and too narrow where the arch ends.

Well, I think my problem is that I'll wear shoes that aren't so right anyway if they are sassy enough. I don't wear heels every day, though. I 've got a pair of EU 40 Dansko clogs in both black and brown so I can wear them with everything when I've got to be on my feet all day.

But there was a pair of shoes in the window of a shop across the way...grassy green...strappy...kitten heel.....with a flower made of shiny, shiny beads on the toes.

Sniff...want them....

Am I the only one who wouldn't dare buy shoes without trying them on first?

I'd love a chance to try them on. Problem is, there are so few available to actually try. I have pretty much memorized which companies have a good fit for me (it's not that much to remember), just like I know who sells clothes that fit.

I've bought shoes online, but only from brands I know, and only with a rock-solid return policy.

Yep, this. I have Fred Flintstone Feet (wide, rectangular and flat) so I have to try stuff on. Or, use a brand I know.

Well, I think my problem is that I'll wear shoes that aren't so right anyway if they are sassy enough.

This is me. Lilty can share my shoe closet.

Vortex, will do. Are you coming? Because tess (non-buffista good buddy) is thinking of coming, too.

I am thinking of coming, would like to very much. will depend much on timing and finances.

will depend much on timing and finances.

Eeeexcellent. There was an insent about an hour ago....

I would totally kill like fifty people if we could find a way to let Nilly play in real live actual snow.

De-lurking in F2F. I've been reading and making myself depressed because I can't join in, but now I actually have something to add!

Nilly could pop up to Juneau. We have glaciers, and helicopters that land on them. You can also hike up to snow here, but we've had a very hot summer this year (I believe 8 days over 80, a record), so it would be a full day hike for someone who's in shape, not me. Plus, I have a futon and a couch. But, alas, no other buffistas. It would probably cost about another $450 round trip to fly up from SF, plus I think about another $150 for the helicopter trip, and I would be willing to help, but it would take other money, and of course time. I know it's not practical, but, on the bright side, no one would need to be killed.

By the way, I adored the line story. It makes me think that perhaps I must go back and read everything else Nilly has written.

It makes me think that perhaps I must go back and read everything else Nilly has written.

If you're at all a Firefly fan, you should go back through those threads and read her gushing about the show. It's a thing of beauty.

juliana, received. I'm on it later today. Woot!