Happy Birthday, Madame Chanel!

On August 18th Coco Chanel would have been 128 years old - or 118 depending which biography of Coco we read.  It's hard to believe that so many things that we take for granted in our wardrobes, like trousers, a little black dress, or jackets, we should thank her for.  She did us all a big favour of "stealing" from the boys and passing the goodies to us. One of many invaluable lessons we learned from her is not to be afraid to experiment in fashion - it leads to great discoveries and grooms our sense of style. We may not actually own anything with a "Chanel" label, but our wardrobe favorites echo hers. 
Her choices were brave for the times she lived in, and her courage to be a fashion trailblazer led her to be a fashion icon. It was her who said that luxury is a state of mind, and not a state of our bank account.  A century later after she opened her first boutique her brand stays strong and we continue to crave all things Chanel. What else can I say about Coco Chanel, that hasn't already been said? Merci!

Fall Cravings

August is here and summer is still here, but I'm impatiently awaiting September issues of Bazaar, Vogue, and Elle with their loadful of autumn and winter fashions - it's almost like getting new school books before a new school year starts.  When I was a kid the major thrill was shopping for new school stuff, books smelling of fresh print, pages crisp.  I loved choosing new pens, pencils, new colorful markers, everything was so new, fresh, and holding promise.
Many years later I still get that anticipatory flutter - looking forward to pouring over thick tomes of magazines.  Even in the age of internet, when fall collections are announced well in advance, the allure of glossy pages draws me in.  For me September issues are like Christmas gifts in summer, and a postman a Santa in a blue uniform.  Can't wait!

At Last - New Website

After months of - creating, musing, agonizing, losing sleep, deciding, etc - my new website has launched! I am so excited to share it with you, my dear friends and fans.  It was hard work, but also fun fun fun! I hope you like what you see.  Please click on my logo to visit and browse my latest designs for Fall/Winter 2011:

A Sneak Peek at Fall

I am so excited about my Fall 2011 Lookbook that I decided to share a little bit of it with you.  More soon!

Vive la France!

Happy Birrthday to France, my favorite travel destination!  July 14th 1789 marks the beginning of France as a modern nation.  Yes, it was bloody and I think generally dreadful, but it has been celebrated ever since as a big national holiday.  In my family, although we're not French, we are drawn to French food, places, traditions, and - naturellement - fashion.  Here, in Seattle, far away from France, Cafe Campagne is my favorite spot where I can perch at the bar and sip my kir royale.  From there Le Panier is conveniently close by to pick up a baguette and a bag of macarons.  In my 'hood we adore sitting in the garden of Le Reve and munch on croque monsieur...

 Vive La France!

Claude Monet, Rue Montorgueil, Paris, Festival of June 30, 1878.

Coffee with Liv

Had coffee with Liv at my favorite neighborhood spot - Caffe Vita.  Liv was my model at the last photoshoot - it is not what she does for a living, but she could!  The woman of multiple talents, she is also a gifted artist (see for yourself here).  We chatted and laughed, and it is so sad she is moving to the East coast in a month.  Bon voyage and bon chance, Liv!

Lovely Liv

One of Liv's paintings

My Favorite Summer Things...

"Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language."  ~ Henry James

Summer - a perfect time of year, but oh so short and precious.  Long days pass too quickly as we savor deliciously warm minutes trying to save up the feeling of contentment to last us into the rainy season...

How to stop time and make the flavors and scents linger a little longer? 

Here are a few of my favorites I will miss when summer is gone:

Farmers Markets around town with their parade of summer fruit - starting with strawberries and cherries, ending with plums and pears - well into autumn

Blackberry fields in our own neighborhood
The simple elegance of a little white summer dress, and -
Turquoise, robin egg and aqua blue jewelry to complement my LWD

Warm nights perfect for dining al fresco
Languishing...
An abundance of flowers



Easier, slower, gentler living
etc, etc, etc ...  a rose is a rose is a rose is a rose....

What are your summer favorites?