Damaged goods

Remember the episode of Sex and the City when Carrie’s shoes get mixed up at a party, and her married mommy friend that hosted doesn’t feel it’s her responsibility to replace them?

What if you host a get-together and an item goes missing? Manolos or not, I think hosts carry a certain level of accountability to their guests. Whether its a baby barfing on a cashmere sweater that needs to go to the cleaner or a well-meaning puppy making a chew-toy out of a stiletto, a host is liable (literally and figuratively) for her guests well-being – and her stuff.

The key here is avoidance.

Have a safe place to store coats and shoes when guests come around. If you have a curious pet, keep it away from anything they might be apt to explore. And if your cat hairballs (is that a verb?) on a purse, or a friend snags a delicate garment on your stairwell, offer to clean, mend or replace it - at her convenience, and her choice of where and how.

If cost is a consideration, heaven forbid we are indeed talking Manolos here, this is not the time to try and talk her down to less expensive alternative.

Enjoy the top-notch retail experience and put your friendship before your wallet.
I know. Love hurts.