A shoe in!
Stubbs & Wootton Needlepoint loafers
Yep, frog needlepoint loafers. Come on, these are just pure fun, and sooo comfy. I love wearing these because they never fail to start a conversation, and I am a HUGE hit at the playground, what can I say? Kids love em'. xo
Oh Elsa
Elsa Peretti mesh bib necklace
1975 scarf necklace ad
This is a necklace my mom gave me as a gift. It is an Elsa Peretti silver scarf necklace. It is such a beautiful piece, so soft and fluid. My mother loved Elsa Peretti, as do I. Both modern and classic at the same time. Real works of art. Thank you mom. xo
Pucci Due
Vintage Pucci Swim Cover-up
Normally, I wouldn't profile 2 pieces by the same designer in one week, but somehow, being in Palm Springs just felt so perfect for at least 2 Pucci's. Believe it or not, this is a swim cover up. Um, I'm thinking the swimsuit is about all it covers! Holy shortness! Although, if you look at the latest ad for Mad Men, Megan Drapers mini is pretty mini, but at least she had tights! I love that there was a time that Pucci designed exclusively for Saks, and I love that I have this little piece of fashion history. I saw a friend today that suggested I donate some of the pieces to a fashion school. Not a bad idea, there really is a lot of history in some of these outfits, and I don't want them to disintegrate into a Miss Havisham state of disrepair. At some point, I will have to make decisions about the future of all of this. I believe having this year will be a very good tonic to help me navigate that terrain. Thank you for coming on this journey with me. xoxo
Gods hand
Hamsa bracelet
In its simplest form the symbol for Hamsa is the hand. It is talismanic symbol that people believed would protect them from harm against evil forces and bring them goodness, abundance, fertility, luck and good health. My mother gave this one to me. It is simple and sweet, and will always remind me that she wished all of those things on me, as I wish the same for my daughters, and all the loved ones in my life. The fact that she bought it at Neiman Marcus, pure mom. xoxo
Ole'!
Hand block printed skirt from Mexico
My mom brought this skirt back from her honeymoon after marrying my stepfather Mike. It has a matching top and it is so comfortable. She also brought back some really beautiful silver and amethyst jewelry, from that trip, which you will see sometime over the year. It was a very happy time for my mom, and for me. It felt so perfect for this trip. xo
Crochet? Ok.
Crochet bathing suit cover-up
So, this top falls into the category of the ankle bracelet. I am not really sure where my mom got this, but I do remember her wearing it on a vacation to Rehobeth Beach with her friends Annie and Bill Boucher, It was the eighties, and we were living in Maryland at the time. What is crazy about this, is that, I am now older than my mom, during the time I remember her wearing this. This is an homage to us being in Palm Springs during Coachella, it definitely feels more Rock & Roll than most of her pieces, but that's what is so fun about this. Fun fact: my mom was once asked out by the lead singer of the Psychedelic Furs. She said no, and literally had no idea who he was, and referred to him as the lead singer of the 'Psychedelic Fuzz', not as a joke, but because she really could not remember the name of the band, and this was in the 80's!!! I was freaking out, but she laughed it off. Mom, you had it going on! xoxo
Palm Springs Pucci 1
Oh how I love these old Pucci's, some are in great shape, others are not. This happens to be in very good shape. This is Emilio Pucci for Formfit Rogers, So this is actually a part of his lingerie line. For anyone that had any doubts about the past being more conservative, I am wearing this with pants, and are you looking at where the slit on this is?! This takes Agent Provocateur to task. We are spending our Spring Break in Palm Springs, which has a particular resonance for me. The Palm Springs store was one of the first Saks fifth Avenue's my father ever opened. And my mother loved it here. It was a new land in the 60's, she was a new bride, with a new son, and the future spread out before her. I believe that this was the place that she was truly the happiest. She always said she felt like a California girl at heart. I believe that, she loved the promise, the spirit and the light of it, just like I do. She hated that I moved so far away, but if I was going to go any where, she approved of California for sure. I wish I knew the name of her old street, I would try and find it. But even if I don't, I know where it is, I am close, I am in the old section of town, the section she would have lived. So I am here, she is here, we are here together. I am seeing your sky, and smelling your air, and seeing your flowers, and wearing your clothes. I even dreamt of you last night, You are near, and I hope you always will be. I love you forever.
Marrakech Express
Moroccan caftan
Caftan Detail
This Caftan is not vintage, not unless you consider 2001 to be vintage. What makes this caftan special to me, is that my mother and I got these matching caftans on a trip that she and I took alone together to the Southern Mediterranean. This sounds incredibly glamourous, no? No. Dont get me wrong, we had some great times on that trip, but we also has some pretty rough times literally. What kid would not accept their mothers offer to take them on a Mediterranean cruise? Well actually, probably quite a lot. It is not really the sort of trip that one takes with their mother. But I am actually doing what my husband calls "burying the lead" Because I have failed to mention that this cruise was actually part of what is called a "miniatures" cruise. Yep, a group of ladies that loooove miniatures, building them, buying them, selling them etc. So when you went on this cruise, all of your meals, and certain days at sea were spent with this group of ladies. My mom was a cool lady, and she loved miniatures, I love miniatures. These ladies, not so much, and frankly, not all that nice. I have blocked out the name of the woman that was the leader of the trip, but she was not particularly warm, and I remember that my mom felt the woman did not like her all that much, and that made me feel very protective of her. My mother was wildly sensitive, as am I, and I could not stand this big bully, oh the irony in that turn of phrase!
We travelled to Rome together, had a fabulous meal, made it to port, and bordered our vessel. It was an older, very worn ship in the Holland America line, called the the SS Nordam. We had some good times, and some very rough times on that trip, but one of the highlights was in Morocco. Being in the Grand Bazaar with my mother was simultaneously, hysterical and terrifying. As I turned around to find her, purse open, dollar bills flying out, surrounded by vendors attempting to sell her their wares. I swear at one point she had a monkey on her shoulder. Later, we ventured out to a rug, and housewares shop, where we drank sweet minted tea, and I politely haggled with them over slippers and caftans. I love this Caftan, now I have two. I have a dear friend that will look swell in it, and I think I am ready to pass it on. I still have mine, and her slippers, and another one, in a different color and pattern, that I will save for one of the girls. On this sweet Spring Break, I am so happy to be with my girls, and hope that one day, if I asked, they would come on a crazy adventure with me. Thank you mamma for your generosity, for your spirit, and your love.
The Bees Knees
Wolfie Harem pant, Bass sandals,
Sweet gold bee pin
I love Spring Break. I have always loved spring break. When I was a child, we spent all our Spring Breaks at my grandparents house in Palm Beach. They had a cabana at the Breakers hotel where we would swim in the pool, and try the too rough ocean (mostly we just made sand castles and ended up with tar on our feet and bottoms) My mom would always take me to the Lily Pulitzer shop there and buy me a new dress to wear to the Breaker's Easter brunch. Hands down, best brunch. Ever. That's what I love about this time, it feels like THE time for all those bright, beautiful, alive, colors, the colors of spring flowers, the colors of the dresses my mom took me shopping for. Fuchsia, emerald green, white, gold! Oh Lilly Pulitzer would be smiling. This pin was my moms, she had two, one with 'rubies' as well. This would have been on the shoulder of any spring suit she owned. I love it. It's so little, bright and sweet. Just like you mom. The fabulous hot pink eyelet harem pants I am wearing are from my sweet friend Stephanie Wolf-Hicks, who makes them in a almost every fabric and color. They are comfortable, and oh-in black silk with heels and a tank? Amazing. If you get a minute, you really should check out her website, Every girl needs a pair, or 4! Uh-oh, I really am my mothers daughter. xo
http://wolfie.co/
Better late than never?
Black Bag....
I know this post is woefully late in the day. Does it count that my husband is out of town, I have been working full time, and have to pack our family up to leave for spring break in the am? In my book, uh, yeah, it does. Also, this bag does not make me feel warm and fuzzy. I recently mentioned that it was my birthday, and that I have been doing a lot of looking at where I am know compared to last year. I took this bag out last Friday. I had not used it in a long time. When I opened it, the memorial card from my mom's funeral was in it. I was not prepared to look at it and put it on my dresser. For some bizarre reason (or not) I still don't want to look at it. I'll never forget being in the funeral home, being asked what picture I wanted on it and what I wanted the quote to be. It was such a strange time, making decisions about memorial cards and flowers. It had been the second time in as many years that I had to do that (losing my father previously), and I have to say, it's weird. There is a god given gift of strength, that helps you muscle through those times. You imagine it before it happens and think "I will never be able to do/handle this" but you do, you soldier on, because you have to. Because if you didn't, who knows what the damn card would say, or what the flowers would look like. Because I knew in my heart of hearts, that my mother did care about those things, and so I found the strength. So that bag, that I had not worn since my mother's funeral, had it's first outing since then. And it made me think. But instead of making me sad, it made me feel strong. xo
Twist of fate
Vintage twist a beads!
Ah ha! It's called a "Twist-A-Bead" necklace, and yes, you can find them on Etsy, or Pinterest. How do I know? Exhaustive internet research, that's how. I truly am so curious about the provenance of so many of these pieces, and like to share that info. (They were an eighties trend BTW) This is a necklace that I put together to match the belt I wore the other day, (in true mom fashion). Oh, and don't worry, I have close to 15 other strands in different colors. I think that I am going to have to start a revival of these, they really are fun. Does anyone else remember these? xo
Twists and turns
Belt detail
I really love this belt, this is the one I have in pastel tones, (I wore the jewel toned one on St. Patrick's Day.) I love the colors in this, and I love the detail. This is from a designer named Gay Boyer. My mother loved ALL things Gay Boyer, especially jewelry, and belts, so you will see a lot of these over the year. Gay was gracious enough to offer me a job in her showroom, in what Europeans call "the gap year" I call it the "uh oh, I had better get my s*$t together year!" During that year working for Gay, I lived at home in Long Island, and commuted to Manhattan. My mother loved having me at home, and as much as any 18 year would admit, I loved it too. I always loved being with my mom. It always felt like a treat, and not a burden. I loved our mother daughter time so much. Hopefully my daughters will always love it as well. xo
“Go Shorty, It’s your birthday”
Cos Dress, Birthday shoes, Vintage Brass Ring
Goldfinger….
I have not dropped the ball on daily posting, I promise, I just had an interesting thing happen yesterday, It was my birthday, and I truly embraced the self indulgence of the day. I really wanted it to be all about me. I spent a lovely day with my husband, we went to yoga, had a nice lunch, did some shopping, saw a movie and had a fabulous dinner at a Michelin rated restaurant. That's what I call a damn near perfect day. This birthday was very different from last years, when my mom's passing was SO fresh, this time, I looked back on the past year, as one always does on these benchmark occasions, and thought about how lucky I was. Lucky to have such sweet daughters, lucky to have my husband, and my friends. I let myself be happy. I don't have many friends my age that have lost their parents, especially both parents, but one of my friends that has, once said to me: "There will be a time that you will not be grieving as often, and that may bring you guilt." Wow, was he right. Please don't get me wrong, I still feel my grief, very often acutely, but it comes in waves, (PS pain and grief also teach you this nifty trick called compartmentalization, where you have to stow it away sometimes, just to make it through a day) I missed my mom desperately yesterday, her call, her card, her love. But I focused on what I have, more than what I have lost.
Yesterday I wore one of my favorite rings from my mom, a big chunky brass number that looks like a piece of a glamourous meteorite. I paired it with a dress I got in Paris, and my new birthday sandals. xo
I'm apologizing in advance…
Wool and Chinchilla Suit, Jill Sander boots
I am apologizing in advance for the fur, I know it's not PC, but what can I say? It's in the cannon of clothes, and for better or worse, it is beautiful, in a very Gorky Park way…I love when I have images of my mom wearing the outfit as well, that does not happen very often, so it feels very special. I would like to note that while wearing this, I was literally unable to breathe for fear of busting the buttons, which I think I did anyway. (bust buttons, not breathe)! This is one of those items that I think, what am I going to do with this? I can't wear it on a daily basis, or actually ever, it's so small. This brings up something that I have been thinking about a lot lately, how do I care for all of this? Do I save them all for the girls? Can I? There is a fragility to a lot of these clothes, some feel like they might just fall apart in my hands sometimes. The metaphor is not lost on me. There has to be a certain amount of holding on in life, and a certain amount of letting go. It is a fine line, and a delicate balance. Heres to finding the center.
Keep it simple
Gold and Turquoise
Sometimes less is more. I really love the simplicity of this combination, how the earthiness of the turquoise contrasts with the black, and I am particularly fond of the combination of gold with turquoise instead of silver on the ring. These are 70's era pieces, and really treasure them, and on those days when you feel vintaged to the hilt, it's nice to have the option to just add jewelry to a simple outfit. I jokingly told a friend over dinner this weekend, that I am nervous that by day 200, I will never want to see another piece of vintage clothing ever agin, and that when this is all over, I will want to wear nothing but black shift dresses! Probably not, but you never know. Each day is a new page, new emotions, new outlook. Thank you for going on the journey with me. x
Bit by a fox....
Vintage Carole Little for St. Tropez West Silk top, custom blended "French 75" cocktail from lady Prairie Rose
This was probably the best era for this brand.
I do not normally post on the weekends due to my desperate need of digital downtime, and the feeling that whatever I have to say can surely wait until normal business hours, but there is a bit of a time sensitive twist here, so I am coming to you on a Sunday evening. In this post I am wearing one of my mom's old Carole Little for St. Tropez West satin safari shirts, it's pretty fantastic, and in suprisingly great condition (stay tuned, I have one in rust as well!). In my hand I am holding a cocktail called a 'French 75', poplularized at the famed Stork Club, and customized this past Friday evening by renowned mixologist, and all around fantastic person, Prairie Rose Free. (homemade hibisuc syrup anyone!?) The event was a wonderful cocktail party hosted by dear friends, Prairie's blog (Bit By a Fox) has been nominated as one of the top cocktails blogs in the country by Savuer magazine, (one of my favortites!) and I think she deserves the win. If you feel thus inclined (and trust me you should!) please cast your vote at the link below:
http://www.saveur.com/content/best-food-blog-awards-vote
The deadline is this Wednesday April 9th, they will ask you to sign in/up, but you don't need to opt in for anything, emails or othewise, but I am a subscriber to the mag, and I will tell you I love their recipe blasts...
And or, check out her blog here: http://bitbyafox.com
See you on Monday. xoxo
Funky St. John Knit
Vintage Crochet St. John Knit top, Jerome Rousseau shoes, Eileen Fisher Harem pants
Sweater Detail
Ok people, it's Friday, and after yesterday's weeper, (sorry about that) I am officially saying; let's lighten things up a bit shall we!? Let's get funky! Yes, I used the word "Funky" in a post about a St. John knit top. This top is one of my mom's 70's era St, Johns, when - believe it or not, I think they actually did some, dare I say, sexy pieces. There are some pretty form fitting items in this cannon, even a full body sleeveless, bell bottom knit number. My mom would wear that as a base piece for the coordinating jackets and tops. If you ever see me wearing the knit one piece, trust me, it will need to be VERY artfully shot, it is not a terribly forgiving piece of clothing. I am really a fan of mixing these tops with more modern silhouettes, so it doesn't get too dowdy. Let's all get a little funky this weekend, wear something silly, or unexpected. Let's have a little fun-we all deserve it. x
“No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again”
Jade Buddha necklace 70's
This little necklace is a mystery piece to me, I am not sure where or who it came from, but I remember my mom wearing it, and me loving it when I was a little girl. It has all the earmarks that would make a child love it; a) it's colorful, b) it's miniature! I really love wearing this necklace now, it feels good, it feels nice around my neck, and I often times, feel my self reaching up to hold it. My mom would have loved the spiritual, healing elements of this pendant, and I can see her wearing it with a gaggle of other chains. When I posted this, it felt right to look up a quote from Buddha for it, but the first quote that came up and hit me smack in the face, was not the one above it was; "Holding onto anger is like drinking poison, and waiting for the other person to die." Yep. One of the deepest regrets I have is how angry I could get with my mom, especially at the end of her life. I was so exhausted, it had been two years of sickness and treatments, and pain. There had also been some times of remission and happiness, but towards the end, my mother was dealing with other types of pain, emotional pain that she tried desperately to shield me from. I did not realize how deep until after she passed. One day in Florida, on what would be the last trip I would see her alive, she wrote me a note, asking for me to send the girls into bed with her to snuggle and watch cartoons, and telling me to sleep in, and not to be too angry, that life was too short. Oh mom, you were so right. And I am so sorry. I wish I could go back in time, and hold you, and apologize for being so angry. If you are out there anywhere, please know that I love you, and I'm so sorry. I am so sorry you got sick, I am so sorry you got hurt, I am so sorry you ever suffered. You were right, life is short. Anger is a poison. Thank you for those words, I will try and carry them with me. It was almost as if, you were telling me those words again today. I love you so deeply, and I miss you so terribly, and I am trying, as buddha says, to begin again.
White Gucci Belt
Vintage White Gucci Belt
Ok, at the risk of sounding like a jerk, was there a time that Gucci went through a weird period? Maybe mid- late 70's or early 80's? Like maybe their was a new creative director? Or perhaps they flooded the market with a multi price point items? Jesus, I must sound like a snob, but there are some Gucci items that my mom owned that are of different qualities, or the "G's" are a funny shape, and I happen to know that all of those items are real. There was an interseting time in the 70's that a Halston clothing line showed up at J.C. Penny's, (and say what you will, fashionishtas, that was beacause he loved cocaine, not accessable fashion for ladies across America,) but I digress. This belt feels a little different than the other Gucci's, This actually looks more like the buckles they did for men...so maybe that's it. Oddly, I want to know more about it, beacuse I cant say "Hey where and when did you buy this?" I was never as in to this belt as some of the others, but now I think it's kind of cool. It is different, but that's what makes it special. Just like my mother. xo
Chester Weinberg, who knew...?
Mom killing it in Chester Weinberg in the 60's - Me wearing it in my mid 20's, (so sorry….)
A detail and wearing the dress today.
It is a very rare occurrence that I have photos of my mom in a dress, photos of me in that dress from a long time ago (In my 20's) AND a current photo. Let's start with talking about my mom, in it. Ok, wow. This is for sure the 60's because it is in Pittsburgh, and the adorable jacket was lost somewhere along the line. I just can't get over how great she looked in this picture, her hair, her smile, there is a timeless beauty there. THEN there is me wearing it in my 20's. Oh boy-wow, where do I start? The helmet hair? the waaay too white concealer under my eyes? That crazy tan!?) Oy Vey. So I am aware that I tend to suffer from "Euphoric Recall" You know that condition where you mostly choose to remember only the goods things about the dear departed or a crappy ex? But, it is really hard to find a terribly embarrassing picture of my mom. OR maybe she was good about disposing of them?….either way, one day I will post some childhood pics that will shed some light on my own insecurities. Believe me, it's messy. In todays picture, I am decidedly less tan, and tone, but oddly more comfortable in my own skin. That being said, I really would have preferred to wear it with the jacket!
I Know that Chester Weinberg may not be a household fashion name, so I did a little research for you. Enjoy:)
"A native New Yorker who attended the High School of Music and Art and went on to Parsons School of Design, Weinberg designed anonymously as an assistant at a number of clothing manufacturers on Seventh Avenue, among them Harvey Berin, Teal Traina, Leonard Arkin, and Herbert Sondheim. His first collection in 1966 was a great success and launched him into the fashion limelight. Preferring soft lines, ruffles, and an unstructured form, Weinberg designed a wide variety of evening dresses and daywear, including caftans, one-shouldered dresses with slash hems, elegant ball gowns, culotte suits, mod A-line dresses, exquisite dyed silk Japanese dresses, sweaters, jumpsuits, and soft, uniquely detailed suits with distinctive silhouettes. He was especially fond of good fabrics, using textiles from all over the world in bold, nontraditional colors. Urbane and timeless, his designs were never baroque or overwhelming."
Read more: http://www.fashionencyclopedia.com/Vi-Z/Weinberg-Chester.html#b#ixzz2xewCHaNT
