Chocolate love

I was told, in England in 1991, when I had my colours (note British spelling) done, that I was a “late Autumn.”  I was informed that brown was one of my key colours.

Turns out, as clothes go this season, I’m in luck.

At Sonja’s Clothing for Women, I found not only some key layering pieces — leggings, long-sleeved tees — in my key color (note American spelling) but the most amazing pair of shoes I think I’ve ever possessed, also in my key color, with a fabulous zinnia/mum print in persimmon, sage, and oatmeal.

These sling-back, open-toed wedges have some kind of squish factor that makes them dreamy and comfy, and as they’re wedges, not spikes, they make walking easy, because nothing kills the look of a hot pair of shoes like a limping stride.

But wait, it gets better.

They were less than $50.

And, like everything at the shop, they came with Sonja’s trademark service, which included some invaluable advice on how I can evolve my clothes into a wardrobe.

What I want to know, though, is can my wardrobe be all about nothing but outfits to wear with those shoes?

[Sonja Clothing for Women, 2701 N. 21st St., Tacoma, 253.272.1565]

Puppy Love, RIP

Some good friends of mine lost the first “baby” of their family, their dog Tarn.

He had the patented golden retriever attitude, with his loyalty, good manners and wagging tail-stub, which he didn’t even lose as an elderly sick boy.

He was the sweet son of the family, paired with an active puppy sibling and a human she-sibling the same age as my own kid.

The wee one and I had a discussion about the situation, and she thought it a fine plan to make a picture for her friend, to express her sympathy.

The picture showed a smiling child petting a dog, with the message “and then the dog died.”

Deciding to undo whatever damage might have been done with that message, I made a trip to Gardensphere to get something that would grow and memorialize the pup.

I ended up with a basket of perennials with the thought that they can sit in the basket now, and brighten moods as they look bright; or they can go into the ground later, and serve to trigger memories to honor Tarn.

As for the kid, I think she’ll go into the greeting card business soon.

I think she has a knack with words.

[Gardensphere, 3310 N. Proctor, Tacoma, 253.761.7936]