Pondering Pre-Fall

Earlier this month, I tracked down a cream Gucci bag. It comes in beige, too. But, to my eye, the beige veers toward peach. This is where online shopping gets a bit tricky. Anyway, I chose this color to wear with my grey coats — a grey coat is something I seriously don’t need.  Top of my list are these Louis Vuitton boots that I whiffed on a few seasons ago. However, they are back again in the PF21 collection, which is trickling into stores now.

Partow coat, Gucci bag here and here.

Provence Style

When Vendome asked if I would like an advance copy of their recently released Provence Style: Decorating with French Country Flair by Shauna Varvel, I couldn’t say ‘yes, please’ fast enough. The book is “an intimate tour of quintessential Provencal style, showcasing homes and interior details inspired by this picturesque region.”  As we are still putting in the gardens and have masses of lavender to be planted, I am completely captivated by these stunning images of Provence — one of my favorite places on earth.

“Summertime and the Livin’ is Easy”

The Fourth of July is a heartbeat away and then, after the fireworks, summer seems to slip right by. Inspired by this image from Self Service issue N°6, I bought a stack of white hotel pool towels and two white umbrellas. After I ordered new K. Jacques sandals, I spied these — another pair is always a good idea. Jennifer Creel is making me an anklet out of the same chain I bought from her recently (much finer than the one above). And I’ve just started Malibu Rising — the quintessential beach read. Here’s to summer 2021!

A Cool Convergence

Father’s Day + the summer solstice = the longest day with (or to remember) dad. My husband is a superb father. Both girls are home for the weekend and we’ll celebrate their dad today and have extra hours of daylight to do so.

#Don’tOverpurge

In an article in this weekend’s WSJ. Magazine titled ‘Do Not Clean Out Your Closet Right Now. Really.’, Marisa Meltzer makes an excellent argument for not rigorously editing your wardrobe. Ms. Meltzer’s piece supports my favorite mantra #Don’tOverpurge. A few months ago I posted that I’d unearthed this Gucci bag from 1978. Bought on a trip to Rome with my mother and stored for over 30 years, I dug it out and had it refurbished at Artbag. They did a phenomenal job and I’m happily wearing this once beloved hobo again. It’s not just a handbag, it’s a tangible memory of a long ago place and time.

Style Inspo

Valerie Leberichel has enviable personal style — she makes chic look so easy. This picture from her Instagram feed above and the Saint Laurent campaign image below are on my inspiration board.

Agnes Baddoo Cross Sandals

Designer Agnes Baddoo added sandals to her line. They are effortlessly chic, just like Agnes herself. Well done you.

I’ll Have What She’s Having

Refreshing beauty advice from model/entrepreneur Rachel Roberts on designer Kendall Conrad’s blog Aficionada:

Filling The Gap

The weather warmed up significantly, so I moved my coats, wool skirts, and winter wear to a back closet. Sadly, most items went unworn last season. Sweaters are being cleaned and repaired before they, too, go into storage. I’ve gone a bit overboard with moth traps, but these actually work and have prevented untold damage. In exchange, out came my spring standbys. This is the moment when I realize that I don’t have fill-in-the-blank. This year it’s lighter-weight, knee-length skirts and dresses. I have a ton of mini-ish skirts, and dressy dresses to the knee, but I need something in-between. The A.P.C. shirt dress from the previous post should be here today; I’m hoping it will help fill this gap in my wardrobe. I, also, ordered this aRossGirl❤️Soler medium-wale corduroy skirt (it’s darker IRL) —  I will shorten it and wear it three seasons. On a side note, I don’t grab my midi-length pieces that often and may alter a few to get more wear out of them.

Sweater & Sandals Weather

The temps are in the high 60s/low 70s, which is ideal for my favorite sweater and sandals mashup. A cardigan — layered over a button-down or tee  — that you can take off and throw over your shoulders when it warms up. Add classic earrings and go. I cropped these straight Saint Laurent jeans.