A Peep at a Haute Private Shopping Party

Just when I thought I had seen it all…I wander into a neighborhood holiday jewelry party/luncheon and realize my radar screen isn’t picking up some fairly major signals.  I should have been tipped off by the private policemen standing in the driveway, or the burly man checking off names at the door, but I was truly caught by surprise at the array of jewels and avid shoppers inside.  Buying bracelets, rings and necklaces like they were muffins at Starbuck’s, ladies were four deep at a large, heavily stocked display table.  Guessing I was really out of my league, I picked up the smallest item within reach - a very thin bracelet.  $32,000 (no mistake with this comma).  Excuse me, is this the twilight zone?  Dodging women delicately picking at sculpted carrots, I rapidly consumed a large plate of chicken salad and three petit fours. After all, some of us need extra strength to fight the lines in the mall.