Sara Blakely, the founder of shapewear pioneer and activewear Spanx, is tackling the Rubik's Cube of fashion challenges: making a comfortable high-heel shoe.

Why it matters: Next Tuesday, the Buckhead entrepreneur and Atlanta success story will launch Sneex, a "luxury hybrid stiletto" and "hy-heel sneaker."

Catch up quick: The new company has been in the making for roughly a decade. In 2013, Blakely told "60 Minutes Australia" she wanted to invent a comfortable stiletto.

• "We put a man on the moon," she said. "Somebody needs to invent a comfortable high heel."

The design: On the Sneex website, Blakely says the company "broke the mold while creating a new mold, one that addresses all of our major pain points in high heels."

• The hand-crafted "hy-heel" shoes are made in Spain and come in a variety of styles and colors. Prices start at roughly $395 for The Icon and run up to $595 for The Tepper.
• The shoes look part-sneaker, part-heel. Most designs include a rubber-like sole visible on the sides of the shoe plus a single or double strap — some are adjustable — where laces usually go. And they can be worn with socks.

What they're saying: "Sneex are my love letter to every woman who has taken her shoes off at a party, who wears flats to work with heels in her bag, who thought her days of wearing heels were over," Blakely says on the website.

The intrigue: Blakely posted a cryptic video on Tuesday teasing her newest invention.

• Axios tracked down patent and trademark registration information to nail down the story.

Flashback: Blakely's origin story has become the stuff of legend: She invented the shapewear brand in her Atlanta apartment while she worked as a fax machine salesperson and stand-up comedian.

• In 2021, she sold a majority stake in the company to investment firm Blackstone, which valued the company at $1.2 billion.

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It's going to be a nice weekend, so let's get out there and explore the city with these events:

🎤 After canceling his show last night, Usher is back with his Past Present Future tour to State Farm Arena.

• Tickets are sold out, but there are some available on the resale market — for eye-watering prices. (Friday–Saturday)

🏀 The Atlanta Dream takes on Seattle Storm and Connecticut Sun at Gateway Center Arena. (Friday and Sunday)

🚗 Savoy Automobile Museum in Cartersville hosts the annual Connection Car Show. (Saturday)

💃🏾 Like Glue Fest, an outdoor music festival highlighting dancehall, Afrobeats, reggaeton, hip-hop and soca, returns to Underground Atlanta. (Saturday)

🕺 Breakdancing enthusiasts, take note: Hustle Hornets's Break Loose II competition takes over the Smyrna Community Center. (Saturday)

🪘 East Point City Hall hosts the Standing Peachtree Native American Festival & Pow Wow. (Saturday–Sunday)

🖼️ Piedmont Park Arts Festival features more than 200 artists, music, a children's play area, food and beverages. (Saturday–Sunday)

🚴 Atlanta Streets Alive returns from 1 to 5pm on Peachtree Street from Mitchell Street in Downtown and 15th Street in Midtown. (Sunday)

More weekend events

Many politicians who leave public office can't wait to name drop world leaders and trumpet their accomplishments. Former Gov. Nathan Deal wanted to tell people about Veto, his beloved cat.

Why it matters: Deal, who served two terms as Georgia governor from 2011 to 2019, released his children's book "Veto, The Governor's Cat" yesterday.

Zoom in: The book, geared toward children ages 7 to 10, chronicles the adventures of Veto and his brother Bill, two cats whose quiet life on a farm is upended when they are moved to the governor's mansion to chase away chipmunks.

Catch up quick: Deal told Axios he wrote the book at the request of his late wife Sandra. As first lady, she read to Georgia classrooms and advocated for early childhood education and literacy.

• Roughly one year after making the request, Sandra was diagnosed with brain cancer, and Deal was compelled to write. She read the original draft, Deal said, and gave him a thumbs up.
• Sandra Deal died in August 2022.

What they're saying: Writing the book was cathartic, he said.

• "It helped me get through my period of grief. I'm still not over the grieving part, and maybe I won't ever be, but that's OK," he said. "It's all dedicated to her, her memory and her legacy."

Fun fact: Portions from the book's proceeds will fund the Deal Foundation to continue the first lady's mission of childhood literacy.

What's next: Deal plans to criss-cross the state promoting and signing the book.

• He'll appear at the Georgia Center for the Book on Aug. 20 at 6:30-7:30pm. Get your free tickets here.

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Grindhouse Killer Burgers! Y'all really know your restaurants.

• Congrats to Spencer B., Joanna L., Kim K., Jonathan D., Bailey S., Laura P., Caroline O., Josh D., Ted F., L. Calloway, KG, Amy K., Matt T., Joy T., Brian O and Mike H.!

🎤 Usher postponed last night's performance at State Farm Arena to "give my body a second to rest and heal." (X)

⚖️ Jewish groups have filed a lawsuit against the Fulton County School System alleging Israeli and Jewish students were subjected to harassment and bullying in district schools. (AJC)

🚨 Atlanta police say a fire at a construction site was the latest in a series of arsons allegedly committed in protest of the Public Safety Training Center. (Fox 5 Atlanta)

🍕Bocado will open a new restaurant focusing on pasta and wood-fire pizza served on sourdough in Sandy Springs. (Atlanta)