Sometimes I feel as though I am a bit of a hypocrite, because I regularly give you the impression that the only thing I really like to wear is a pair of jeans and the rest of the fluff of fashion is slightly below me. Yea, well that is so not true. So, I am confessing right now.

I so care and I so want and I so buy, and I am so happy when I CAN and when I do. I have a distinct idea of what makes me feel good when I am dressing. It is an important detail in how my day goes. You know when you are having a bad hair day, well, same thing applies when I feel I am not dressed like me day. Part of my psychological make-up....makes me feel more confident. It is just so easy to spot an individual who knows their personal style and makes it work for them. Could be going against the grain of fashion for the season, but that individual gives us the desire to have their "style". That is called IMAGE. Well, let me cut this short, because obviously there is so much to be said on this subject, and I would love to help you all with finding your own personal style, but I have work to do. I know you all care, so I will tell you ........one of the worst seasons my boutique has experienced in deliveries. Must be orchestrated by that great "Who Gets What and When" production chief in the sky. I must have sinned a lot in the world of fashion this year, because I have been punished beyond punished. Hence, I am off to my boutique to pray that my beautiful sweaters and scarfs will be flowing from the Fed-Ex delivery van today. Let me end this on a high note and tell you the source of this gathering of my favorite things........Purse is a classic Kelly from Hermes, scarf is a gorgeous France meets America (notice the flags) silk square from Hermes, shoes....oh those shoes, hand made from John Lobb (Hermes), RED socks from my shop Crimson, beautiful vintage shirt from Hilditch and Key and stolen from my ex's closet (Nope do not regret doing it) and oh, yea, an incredible pair of vintage Levi's (so short that my great red socks show). My coat is a covert cloth english classic hand made by Henry Poole in London (notice my red lining).

I felt so good wearing these to brunch on sunday at Rose Bakery. A girl in the check-out counter said I looked pretty. I actually believed her!!! Love to You All, Linda

Club 55 ? What? You have never been? Just kidding here, guys!!!

Actually, I am very fortunate to have discovered this wonderful beach in St. Tropez about 22 years ago. I was working for a french fashion magazine at the time - Femme- it was called. The chief fashion editor decided we should do a summer story based in St. Tropez. Magazine no longer exists, but my desire to return each year is still there. This year I was late in going, but have decided that September is definitely less stressful. You see Club 55 is the place to see and be seen. It is a constant fashion show, and the star watching is unbeatable. So, one needs to be conscientious about one's beach attire. For the ladies it is Eres swimsuits, Pucci coverups, Missoni caftans.....Get the picture? AND please, beach bags!!!

If it is not a "Brand" you have on your arm, girl, wear some Gucci sun glasses to hide your embarrassement. Chanel flip-flops and Zanotti multi-colored stone sandals seem to finish these

fine laid- back beach looks.....Oh My God, girlfriends, I am in such big trouble here. Yes, I do love fashion, but seriously, it must be my roots (Texas remember), because for me there is nothing cooler than a pair of cut off jean shorts, great t-shirt or shirt and my handy carry-all LL Bean canvas tote for feeling I am "it" in the summer. Some people just never grow up.....sophistication seems to avoid me like I will now avoid those "fashionistas"in august.

I have to be honest, though, I love seeing these well turned-out ladies embark on the beach. It nurtures my "voyeur's" soul.

For those who do not know the details of my life, I will let you in on a major happening. My youngest daughter just left for college to the United States. I could not be more proud, but at the same time I could not be more nostalgic. Let me use that word to encompass all the emotions that this mother is feeling. Yes, those schools runs and weekend battles with curfews have come to an end. So, instead of sitting at home waiting for her to call and catch me up (which is not gonna happen right away!!!) I hopped on a plane to St. Tropez. What else is a mother to do, right? Seemed logical to me.........

So, here I am distracting myself in St. Tropez. Seriously, I recommend it. September in St. Tropez is absolute heaven. The tourist invasion is over and the traffic jams are finished.

Instead there is an incredible light and just a slight cool breeze from the sea.

Sennequier is the ONLY place to go for a delicious morning coffee a la francaise.

On the Place de Lices, men are playing petanque morning, noon and night.

I noticed this banner about the Brigitte Bardot exposition, and you just know I will be there tomorrow and I promise you a peek at that. Have no idea what is in store for us, but Brigitte deserves our time and recognition. Afterall, she did put St. Tropez on the map.

More from me tomorrow after a visit to the beach and Club 55. In case you have not had the opportunity to experience Club 55, I promise you a personal tour with photos tomorrow.

Bonne nuit, Me

ROSE BAKERY

makes Paris a better place!!! Yes, surprising as it may seem, I prefer this low profile organic restaurant to the sauce laden dishes of most Paris bistros. Rose Bakery is the answer to my saturday and sunday lunches. I enjoy taking my Mini Cooper and crossing all of Paris from the 8th arrondisement (where I live) to rue Debellyme in the Marais. Rose and her husband Jean Charles have created a haven for those who care about what they eat. No exaggeration, folks.

Fresh organic food and wonderful fruit and/or vegetable juices. Their cakes are as good as they are gorgeous. The mocha soy coffee pictured above is the only coffee I can digest.

I constantly buy the Rose Bakery cook book as a gift to friends. I admire their courage to show the french public an alternative way of eating. Guess what? You have to get there early to avoid the lines. So, the french are not as obstinate about those sauces as we thought!!!

Next posting will be from St. Tropez, where I have decided to treat myself to a late summer weekend. I will be ordering those Tropezienne sandals for all my nieces in Texas. Just like I promised, girls. Better late than never.

Love to You All from a cool autumn day in Paris.