Day 13...

Chains of love

Mom' s Gold Chain.

Lets's take this down a notch shall we? Van's, Men's button down, structured sweatpants.

Like the post about the Ferragamo shoes, a heavy gold chain can veer dangerously into two directions, rapper or poncy "ladies who lunch" territory.  Now don't get me wrong, I love my ladies and we love to lunch, but when doing my research to make sure I used 'poncy' correctly;  I found it to mean exactly what I had thought:  "pretentious or affected.".  And that is exactly what both my mother and I could never stand.  the "better than's"  The people that drank their own Kool-Aid and thought they where hot suff. Drove her nut's, drives me nut's.  That is why I believe my mother surrounded herself with the coolest, kindest, smartest most amazing women I have ever met.  Her best friend when I was born (who was named my godmother) was a woman named Frances Cox.  She was an incredible woman, a teacher, a photographer, social anthropologist.  When my mom was struggling I used to wish I could live with her.  The irony of this is that her kids wished they lived with my mom!  Over the years, these women unconditionally looked out for each other, and for us.  Sadly, cancer took Frances before it took my mother.  That was a terrible heartbreak for us all.  Frances's daughter Kathy was by our family's side, up to the final hours before my mom passed away-almost as if Frances had sent her.  Which I believe she did, (but that is a story for a later post.) And it was not just Kathy, it was Sarah, and Hanne, and Michelle, and Vivienne, and Margot, and Lucy and Nora and more that I am sure I am missing (I'm so sorry)  but know that she loved them and that they loved her.  In the depths of mourning and despair we were held up by this net of the strongest, most incredible women in the world.  Her sisters, and now my default mothers.  That is a powerful testament to the kind of friend my mother was.  That she had friends like you. My grandmother used to say "If you lie down with dogs you'll end up with fleas..."  My mom, got that, and she surrounded herself with the best.  I also feel wildly fortunate to have what I consider to be a circle of girlfriends my own age that are just as incredible and special to me.  Truly I feel blessed.  And as a woman and a mother I feel it is my duty to make sure my own daughters surround themselves with the "good eggs"  with the kind girls, with the funny, smart girls, the girls that have their backs.  Mamma, you always had my back.  I hope to continue to be the type of woman that would make you proud.  Thank you for giving me the legacy of your incredible friends.  I love you all- xoxoxoxo

Thank you for reading such a long post!  I will be back Monday.  Thank you all for so much support.

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Day Twelve...

“God is in the details”

— Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Vintage Cashmere Sweater with velvet frogs

Details

Oh these sweet sweaters.  My mother had ton's of these, and I remember them being the first items that I wanted to wear when I was young.   I mean look at this-how could you not?  These  were surely my gateway to loving vintage clothing.   I think that a lot of these may have been passed down to my mom from my grandmother, and others she collected over the years.  I still love them.  My daughters love them.  My girls are at the phase that they love to click clack around in my high heels, and noodle around in my closet.  That is pure heaven to me.  My mothers closet just felt good, and I am so happy to share that feeling with them.  They bring the  sunshine and healing.  Don't worry mom, I am loving them for you too, with all my heart.   XOXO

Day Eleven...

A shoe in…..

Vintage Ferragamo.

Styled for a casual day in LA. Vintage Ferragamo pumps, Current Eliot Jeans, Isabel Marant Pour H&M top, Vintage belt,and jewelry.

My mom's shoes are tricky, There was only a brief period when we shared the same shoe size, so there are not as many in this cannon as others, but the ones I did save, I love.  They are vintage Ferragamo. Ferragamo to me has always meant one thing, Audrey Hepburn, well that and the great bowed pumps my mom had that I thought were the epitome of chic in the 80's. (PS I'm coming for you in my size on ebay hold on!)  But this is a hard shoe to break out in all seriousness without it looking like wardrobe for Mad Men, so I think these shoes are best paired with a messy pair of jeans and something bohemian to balance them out.  I was going to comment that I think my mom would have hated the jeans, (and she very well may have) but I think she secretly would have liked the outfit.  She'd give me an eye roll, and a smirk, and then she might say "pretty cool kid"  I can see her face, and hear her voice.  That brings tears to my eyes, but I am so happy to be trying to find ways to feel her very day.  I feel you today, and for that moment I am so thankful.  xoxo

Day 10...

“your gonna hear me roar!”

— Katy Perry

Vintage Anne Klein scarf

If you knew my mother, you saw her wearing a scarf at some point, or at thousand points.  She loved scarves, and she rocked them.  She would not have liked that this was not pressed BTW, (sorry mom, your right, it would look better pressed.)  On seperate note, What I also hope to achieve with this blog is to find fresh, fun, modern, ways to wear her things. She would love that.  xo

Day Seven...

The first belt...

Gucci Belt with Vintage Norma Kamali Dress

This Gucci belt was the first belt my mother ever gave me, It was probably the fanciest belt I'd ever owned, and it is still one that I reach for often. The buckle fits with two other interchangeable belts, in different colors and patterns (a favorite element with many of my mom's belts, as you will see in future posts).  These belts are only wearable on the the waist, and often times, not after a decent meal, and they are completely out of commission with low waisted pants.  But there is one hard memory that this belt brings up for me.  During the time my mother struggled with substance abuse, and now in retrospect, I believe, body weight issues, this black belt, which at its smallest hole, was 22" or 23", was still too big for her, she was literally waisting away.  I am so thankful that she was able to escape from the grips of those demons.  It took a tremendous amount of strength.  You were always and will always be my beautiful Mother.  Love you.

Day Eight...

Couture in honor of the Oscar's!

If I only knew who the designer was!

It's all in the details...

I Just had to break out out one of my mom's vintage evening gowns in honor of the Oscars!  I absolutely love this dress, and actually have NO idea who made it.  My guess is that the tag was bothersome and may have been removed.  Of all of my mom's clothing, it's the evening gowns, I absolutely could not bear to part with.  How could I?!  There are many of them that feel like true works of art. My mother was as sentimental as I am, and was also the benefactor of my both my grandmother, and great Aunt's fabulous evening wear. My mothers first marriage was to my father Kenneth, who as I mentioned in a previous post, was an executive for Saks Fifth Avenue for 25 years.  When my father first started with Saks, designers like Pucci, Oscar De La Renta and Bill Blass were considered fledgling designers, and Saks was a breaking ground for them.  As a result, early Pucci's have a tag that just says "Saks Fifth Avenue"  Later tags say Emilio Pucci for Saks Fifth Avenue, and then finally, "Pucci".  It is an honor to own all three tiers of those tags, and mom, I promise I will try and take the best care of these dresses for your granddaughters, should they desire them. 

Day Nine...

The Sinking Ship.

If you look closely, the image is copyrighted!!!

This has always been a favorite piece of mine. I have never witnessed an item of clothing that is so simultaneously, bleak and hysterical.  I enjoy it on Monday's when I just cant seem to get motivated, or on days when I just want to put my hands up in the air and say "Blank-It! It cant get any worse!."  I can still see my mom's wry grin, the one that came out of one side of her mouth.  She was not sanctimonious, thank god!  She had a great sense of humor, and even in my saddest days of mourning her, this sweater made me smile,  It still does.  Keep smiling on us all mom.  xoxo

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Day Six...

The Night Watch.....

Last night my husband and I met a dear friend for an event and dinner.  I dressed in an outfit my mother would have loved, and I asked my husband to take a photo (I will post that another time;) As I looked at the picture, I noticed a detail I NEVER would have thought about before  starting this project.  My watch.  I wear the watch my husband bought me for our first anniversary every day, I LOVE it.  But because of it's stainless steel band, my mom would have considered it a "sport" watch, and probably not worn it at night.  My mom was into details, If her jacket was purple, she'd sure as hell be wearing some amethyst jewelry.  Now I don't believe that all things have to match, and in fact sometimes when they don't,  the best combinations arise.  But last night, after I saw that photo I knew I needed to wear a "Night Watch"  (probably more proper to say "evening watch"  but  "Night Watch" has a nice ring to it and kind of seems all John Snow, Game of Thrones-y,) Anyhoo, it was a small detail, but I know my mom would have nodded in approval.  The watch is simple, slender, and elegant, it is no longer working, but it is the one she wore most often. I even remember her sleeping in it.  The leather is soft, and feels so nice on my wrist. I am sure I will be having it repaired, and wearing it when the right occasion presents itself.

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As this first week comes to a close, I wanted to say that while I will be photographing over the weekends, I think I will only post on weekdays. I believe we all need a little digital downtime on the weekends, No?  Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone that has dropped by, subscribed, clicked, commented, It means so much to me, I SO greatly appreciate all the support and love. XOXOX- Amy

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Day Five….

Have you ever heard of a "Jean Ring" ? No?  Well if you haven't, let me fill you in; Jean Rings were invented in the 1970's in St. Louis MO, by a man named Marc.  They are brass keychains, that can loop onto a belt, shirt, bag etc.  They come in the classic shape above left and, a variety of other shapes, all brass.  The exception is this little number on the right. This my friends, is a 14 Kt solid gold Jean Ring charm.  Do you know how many Jean Rings you have to sell to get one of these?!  Actually I don't, but I venture it's a lot, or that Marc was really fond of you….Yes, my mother had a turn at selling Jean Rings at gift shows across the country.  Mind you this was at the height of the "excesses" of the era, to which my mother was not immune.  I believe that there may have been more 'bartering" in illicit substances than sale of Jean rings, but that's just my hunch.  Hey, my brother and I got a lot of Boris Vallejo themed blacklight posters and other 'Spencer's Gift' style paraphernalia out of the deal, so hey….But here is the hard part about this post, in direct opposition to the bag post yesterday, I asked for this necklace more than once, and my mom said "No."  Flat out, NO. No hesitation, no wavering.  I think about it now, and realize that I asked her for this when she was sick, and I think that she knew that things were not improving.  I can't ask her why she said no, but in my heart, I believe I know why.  I think that she was not ready to let go, she did not want to give it all away.  She was holding on.  Mom, I totally understand.  Thanks for holding on as long as you did.  You fought hard.  When I wear this now, I feel your fight.  I Love you.

Please do me a favor, and check out the Jean Ring Website- yes, they are still in production!  There is an Urban Myth page that is very worth checking out.  http://jeanring.com

Day Four...

There are bags, and then there is THE bag.  I remember this bag so clearly, it was a gift from my father, who was working as an executive for Saks Fifth Avenue at the time.  I don't remember the occasion my mom received it, (Birthday? Holiday? "I'm sorry" gift?) But what I do remember was her reaction, a dropped jaw, followed by a crazy grin, followed by her flinging it over her shoulder (it's worth noting that she was wearing a nightgown at the time) She loved this bag. It was so perfect with her late 70's camel and denim day clothes, and her equestrian phase, when she used to show jump on a horse named 'Flash' (I kid you not!)  As the years went on, and this bag became too heavy for her to comfortably carry, it would get less an less use.  Each time I would come home from college, I would eye it, and with her permission, wear it. And then one day, many, many years later, I jokingly said to her  "ya' know mom, no one wears Hermes anymore… can't I just have it?", she was quiet for a moment, gave me a "cut the B.S." raised eyebrow, and then a sweet smile spread across her face and she said "you can have it" That was my mom, she loved her things, but she loved giving more.  She was generous, always, with her possessions, and even more so with her love.  She knew I would wear it and cherish it, she knew it would have a second life.  It is a heavy bag, and now when I wear it, sometimes I feel like she is physically by my side.  As she is always in my heart.  Love you. 

Day Three...

Ah - the patchwork wrap skirt.  This is an item that takes a bit of styling to keep it from veering into the "Yep, were up in New Hampshire year round now" territory.  Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE New hampshire, but a wrap skirt in the wrong hands can go from zero to dowdy in about 10 seconds.  My mom used to rock hers with a super slim, boat neck, cap sleeve, tee, and a pair of coordinating Jack Rogers.  She would have also worn chunky gold hoop earrings- The bigger the better. I had to pair this down for a meeting later, (wearing nude high heel sandals in the upper pic, but I also love this skirt with a pair of vintage Frye boots for hanging out!)  Oh and did you happen to notice the leapord patch on the upper right thigh?  I mean that's my mom all the way. xoxo

Day Two....

Whoa Nelly! (who as you can see by the tag, hand made this shirt in Mexico for sale in Myrtle and Palm Beaches Natch!) There is something about a fun novelty shirt that say's "HELLO!  Yes, I'd love to chat, why else would I be wearing this shirt?" This shirt say's "I am fun, cheeky, and unafraid of what you think of me." Mom, that was you in a nutshell.  Thank you for giving me that gift. I treasure it every day.  xoxo.

Day One...

As promised, today is the day that I begin my year long journey into the pictorial remembrance of my beautiful mother, Carole, wearing at least one item of hers everyday.  Today it is simple: a gold snake chain Cheetah head belt.  She would have worn this in the seventies, maybe in an all camel ensemble, over her fitted turtleneck, to accentuate her waist. I love you and miss you everyday.