Leopard Prints and Marrakech

Last posting on this blog explained that pareos and Havaiana tongs were no longer "de rigeur" poolside. Pressure is on when you have half of Paris transported to La Mamounia for the Christmas Holidays........not to mention India and Tatiana who all of a sudden decided to pay attention to what their Mom was wearing. Since when did they decide to care? Could have given me some warning, right?

Honestly, I love this pant. It was not an easy purchase 5 years ago. The salesperson in the Roberto Cavalli shop in St. Tropez explained to me that it was a man's pant and not for ladies. I explained that I did not care and wanted to try it on. I swear to you I had to tell her more than once that I was aware that it was for men, but I truly wanted to try it on. She gave an exasperated sigh and handed it over. I was immediately seduced by that wonderful leopard print and the softness of the silk. I wanted it!!! The salesperson in question was so exasperated with me. Personally, she was persuaded by the ridiculousness of purchasing this man's pant. Would you not vote on this being perfect for us daring ladies as opposed to some man who did not know how in the hell to accessorise this!!!

Personally, I was persuaded that it would be another article that I would haul around the world and wear with great happiness when the occasion presented itself.

Voila.......situation presenting itself........away with the pareo and away with the rubber flip-flops. Linda presents herself poolside in Leopard Print Roberto Cavalli men's pyjama pants.

You can tell me what you think. Honestly, it will not hurt my feelings. Thus far after 5 years, I do believe I am the only one "getting" why these are so great. Oh, just get over it, everybody.

Linda loves these pants. Worn today with my trusty old gold Tropezienne sandals and that "take everywhere" stone colored crew neck from Crimson. I had to ask a stranger to take these pictures. My girls prefer me back in my pareo and my rubber tongs. I like to think they are just jealous. I will never let them borrow my leopard print pyjama pant. They swear they will never ask.

Lovin' ya, leavin' ya.......Linda

India in Marrakech

Holidays in Marrakech. Yes, with my girls!!! We have all three been to Marrakech before, but never together. So, I will document.....maybe too bold a statment. Hence, I will take pictures and hopefully, you will all keep me, India and Tatiana company during this last week before the New Year.

I have been trying to ignore the new pool fashion passage. Thinking it would go away and everyone would get back to pareos and Havaiana flip flops. You must understand that I have been collecting pareos on every island from every country I have visited over the last 20 years. Not to mention my new metallic Havaiana flip-flops. I bought both gold and silver. I felt proud when I was packing them. BOTH colors. I could not go wrong.

Wrong I was. Marrakech is meant for long fluid floaty cover-ups. I have used this expression before, but Marrakech is BOHEMIAN CHIC. Example personafied in India's choice of poolside wear today. What was I thinking!!! Guess who is going to the souk to look for new pool looks this afternoon? As IF I needed an excuse to go shopping in the souks of Marrakech. Oh, Please.

Thinking of you Madame B.

My love to all, Linda

CRIMSON & Lolita

Crimson Cashmere - Winter 2011/2012 from RDigitale on Vimeo.

Need A Little Dose of Pretty?

No one has ever accused me of doing raw, sexy or edgy.

Nope, don't know how. I will leave that to those who do.

I like pretty, I like simple, I like girly. I like attitude and I like charm.

These are a few items I have chosen for my boutique for Spring 2012.

Yes, I know it is a little early to be buying Spring, but I just felt like giving you a preview of something pretty. Paris has taken on its "I am going to rain on your parade attitude", so I decided to rebel. Oh, I already feel better with these pictures and my vanilla-herbal tea that I picked up at Rose Bakery. Yes, a porcelain pot of this next to my bed and the latest Harper's Bazaar from the US.

Now, this is what I call a girly night in.

Love and kisses from Me

Isabelle - How Does She Do It?

For those who follow my blog a tad bit, you might remember Isabelle reigning over my post from Capri this past summer. She has been my daughter Tatiana's bestest of best friends for 16 out of their 19 years. The title of my blog is How Does She Do It? Seriously that is my question. I have been watching her every year for the last 16 years myself. The girl is golden.

I love her for sure, but I am somewhat objective, still. Thanks to my own two young ladies, I have had the pleasure and priviledge of seeing so many young girls grow into young adults. Isabelle has eased so gracefully into that roll.

Not to underestimate her parents, because they are lovely people, but this is a girl who truly looks after herself. Her hair glows, her face glows, her teeth glow and yes, her eyes glow. She grooms herself. Call me old fashioned, but the results are so refreshing to behold. I never have to worry that Isabelle will turn up for a visit not looking as though she just stepped out of the shower. Let me repeat myself, folks. It is totally refreshing.

Oh, and another thing about Isabelle. She smiles and she says Hello and Goodbye and Thank You. Hey, let's face it, more and more of this generation's young adults seem to find that not necessary. What The Hell...........Isabelle still manages to do it.........So, just ask her how she does it. Never too late to learn a good thing.

Just call me Pathetic in Paris, but I still like pretty manners.

Sunday lunch in Versailles (The Town)

A few weeks ago, my best friend Grace, asked me if I would like to go for a drive in her new car. Take it for a spin to Versailles for lunch. AM I sounding obnoxious or what? New little Mercedes sports car.....lunch in Versailles......no big deal....normal routine for a sunday afternoon with nothing better to do, right? Embarrassed to admit this, but it has been about 31 years since I last visited the Kingdom of the Sun King. This is what Louis the Fourteenth is referred to as Le Roi du Soleil. But then you all know that.

Grace had made reservations at the Hotel Trianon Palace where the restaurant looks out on the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Not that it dampered our spirits or the fun of the day, but it was pouring rain. We just could not put the top down on her new convertible. I had so wanted to put on my sunglasses and tie a silk scarf around my head a la Grace Kelly. Too bad.

The lunch was nice, the wine was even better, but the desert was perfect. I'm thinking come spring, I need to make another trip and actually ignore the 1000 tourist buses and pop in to visit the Sun King's quarters. Had bad could that be?

Those photos should be more promising. Difficult to take pictures in the pouring rain.

Thanks Grace. Can I borrow your car when I go back?

Miami Blues

Indulge me one last Miami post.

It has been exactly one week today that I arrived back in my home city of Paris. Let me see now, it has rained and then it has showered and we had a 5 minute sun break and then back to the regular routine of cold and rainy. Some or most of you are saying, "What is her problem, it is still Paris, or others are saying "It is winter, so this is normal". I agree but I LOVE sunshine and I NEED sunshine. It just makes me feel alive and happy. I also love being outside and breathing air that is not heated or refrigerated. Now, that sounds normal to me.

So until I finally find that island or seaside that I can call home, I get to keep looking in my spare time. Now, how bad is that? I will certainly appreciate any and all suggestions from you, my friends. Next vacation in February. Where shall I go?

Next question... Why do women not like sky blue? I only ask because each time I order sweaters for my boutique in sky blue, they do NOT sell. I keep trying, but it just does not interest the average customer. My salesgirls are so tired of me insisting. They say Give It Up. It does NOT work. I say just ONE more time. It is so Pretty. I love my pretty blue crew neck sweater that I took to Miami and wore with my wonderful 45RPM jeans. Now that I am back in Paris, I love wearing it with my grey flannel pants, or my Vanessa Bruno navy heavy cotton pants or even my black Prada jodphurs. Pale (sky) blue goes with so many colors that it is almost a non color. Then in spring wear it with........O.K. too soon. Still, I will give it another go come spring for Crimson. However, this is the last time. So, get smart, girls........I'm begging you to love blue like I do!!! I will be so sad not to see powder blue on my shelves in Crimson. Feel sorry for me yet?

I did not think so........Love you, anyway, L

Luxury Speaks for Itself

On my way to the bank today, I passed in front of this Hermes window on ave. George V.

I totally adore the simple way in which this beautifully luxurious cashmere sweater is shown. This article seriously speaks for itself. Wish I had it in my window. Color and texture all say one word: QUALITY

Hermes is known for nothing less.

Girls and Their Bijoux or Girls and Their Jewelry

O.K. this is not about Miami even if the pictures were taken in Miami. It is about jewelry items that I like. Just bear with me because sometimes I get carried away about really unimportant things. Somehow makes the weight of the world seem a little lighter. I like THAT.

So for the nonsense on a friday night. Ready?

Picture Number One: Not an original idea. All credit goes to Garance Dore. I love looking at her blog. My favorite of all favorites. She takes wonderful pictures and writes with great wit and fun. I am a fan. A few months ago she posted a picture with a young lady wearing tiny delicate rings just like India in the picture and one being the Oui ring from Dior. Well, I aspired to have the Dior Oui ring. As the createur of Dior jewelry (Victoire de Castellane) is a client of mine I asked her why the Oui?

She replied simply that it was meant to say Oui Pour La Vie or in english Yes, TO Life.

Her thoughts are that by wearing this ring, we are saying yes and being positive. I immediately decided that there was no age limit for this, so I bought it for myself. I enjoyed wearing the ring for a few weeks, but when India asked to borrow it, I immediately knew she must keep it. I loved looking at it more on her hands. Also, hope the message brings her tons of positivity.

Picture Number Two: Several bracelets, several styles and all mixed up. Tatiana is wearing the Cartier Love bracelet that she received for her graduation from high school. Mixed with this are some of Isabel Marrant's pieces (the fake turqoise and fake coral) that I purchased at the press sales. I was so proud, girls, as I paid 10 euros for each piece. See? I know how to shop for bargains. Last but not least is a silver skull on black ebony beads bracelet from Luis Morais. He is another favorite for me and the girls. Get on line to see his wonderful collection of jewelry. He is based in Miami. I first discovered him at Colette in Paris. THE best place to shop in Paris.

I never seem to get tired of wearing bits and pieces of jewelry. Mixing and matching expensive to-keep forever pieces and very inexpensive pieces that are just a very fun accessory. So, that is the end of my friday night nonsense.

Have a good weekend. L

Greys and Beiges for the Beach

I guess we could say Miami was my Grey and Beige period. I did not plan this believe me. Was not even aware it was happening. Now that I am editing my pictures to see what I would like to show you, I realize there is a certain theme of colors I was working with. My ex-husband once told me that my favorite color was beige. It took me by surprise, because I never considered beige to be a real color and colors are my business. Live and Learn and sometimes Listen.

So, I am formally admitting he could have been right. Somehow wearing beige is like preparing yourself for a surprise. The surprise being what else you throw on with it.

Like Pot Luck in cooking, no? With good ingredients, you cannot go wrong. What do I mean by good ingredients? Let's see now. Hmm.....a great black pant, a beautiful grey pant, a chic navy blue pant, and oh, a cool khaki pant and do not forget a pretty white pant. So far so good? Now, you can also get more creative and pair the beige with some pretty colors.......lime, fushia, purple, orange. You getting my point by now. Beige is like a blank canvas for artists. Now go out there and create a look made to measure just for you.

Am I crazy to think I chose the Setai Hotel in Miami just for their colors? Maybe I did it unconciously. Nevermind. I could have stayed on forever. The grey and beige decor was in pefect harmony with the sandy beaches, beautiful shells, and palm trees swaying in the breeze.

Last of my Miami posts, sweethearts. Gotta move on at some point.

Girls and The Boys Sweaters

Not always easy to carry off the wearing of a man's sweater. What always seems to work is when it is contrasted with something either very feminin or when accompanying the oversized with something smaller in proportion.

India and Tatiana gravitate quite often to choosing something from the men's collection in my shop. I loved seeing how Tatiana threw her man's cardie over her floral dress and India putting her man's v-neck over a slim skirt. Strange phenomenon about enjoying the comfort of a piece of men's clothing. I think we could do a social study on this, but for simplicity's sake let's just go with the idea that we look laid back and cool and feeling good in our skin.

Tatiana's dress from Topshop in London

Bag is a Mini Peek-a-Boo from Fendi that I actually bought for myself this summer in St. Tropez. Tats loved it so much and in the end, I felt like the size was easier for her. So she won!!!

India's skirt from Helmut Lang in NYC

India's bag is a Maxi Proenza Schouler that is great for carrying her camera. As she is constantly taking pictures for her own blog...........indiasinsights..........and she needs something oversized.

Both are wearing good ole' Rayban sunglasses.

Thank you both for the fabulous four days we spent together in Miami. What a great way to spend Thanksgiving.

See you in Paris for Christmas. Love you, Mom

Pyjama Party at the Setai

Do you love J. Crew as much as I love J. Crew? If you do then you should go to your local boutique and pick up one of these fabulous silk pj tops. Great over a slim pant or even tucking into a baggy jean. I found mine while in Miami and wore it with pleasure as a swimsuit cover-up. As you can see, it was still cool around the pool, so I threw one of my v-neck cardies over it. This one is the same color as the poncho in the last posting. French Mustard. In Paris, I wear the Poncho over the sweater and make it my modern twin set. I loved the print on this one. Reminds me of a beautiful silk men's tie. This one is in navy and old gold or French Mustard as I am calling it these days. Piping is perfect around the pocket. You could just pull it up on-line. However, you had probably already thought of that. I also bought a pair of blue end on end cotton pj's. These have been feminized a bit from the men's standard. Different collar and a cute cut. NOW, don't panic, but I saw a picture of a girl the other day wearing white cotton pj's with navy piping , great pearl necklace and pretty sandals. Well, yea, I might try it come summer. Maybe not in Paris but.....well, we'll see.

More Miami postings this week even though I returned to Paris just today. I must show you my girls in their ponchos while in Miami. They look so cute. They are going to kill me when they see I put the picture on this blog. Shhh, don't tell. They might not notice. They are so busy they do not read my blog. So, they will never know.

Jet-lagged but terribly content to have spent time in the US of A.

Lots of xxxxx's Linda

Ponchos and Wrinkled Necks

First things first. All time best seller in my shop = PONCHO.

It is something I use on a daily basis just like creams for my face.

A bare necessity, girlfriends.

I usually stock about 20 colors including the basics of black, grey, white, navy blue and then dreamy colors. These can include turquoise, fuschia, lime green, purple, lavender, french mustard (re: photo), pale blue, pale pink, stone or light beige, khaki, dark bronz and it goes on and on. My sales assistants get nuts trying to place them all in the shop. There are several different ways it can be worn depending on the coolness of the weather factor. Honestly, too difficult to put into words, so be patient and probably within the next two weeks, there will actually be a video showing all the different possibilities. I travel with two in my carry-on. Summer air-conditioning too much for you? .....put on a poncho. Cool days or evenings.....put on a poncho. And yes, of course, it looks pretty even over a floaty little dress. When I go home to Texas in the summer, I use one for going to the movies, the shopping centers and do not get me started on food shopping (frozen food section!!!), oh, and of course the museums and other cultural endeavors.

Enough about the poncho. I want to talk with you about my neck. Yes, it is a problem, so listen up. Those miracle creams I have been buying over the last 20 years have just not done the trick so to say. If you will be so kind as to refer to the second picture now, please. See my hand up around the neck area? Well, I wanted to cover up the problem area. Modeling trick, right? Except I do not want to cover up my neck wrinkles anymore than I want to cover up my grey hair. This is getting tough, huh, ladies. More and More of a challenge. You understand by now that I am trying to live with ME. Self acceptance is not all that easy. It takes earnest work and humbling oneself to oneself, really. This is all making sense I hope. It is late here in Miami and my girls are on their respective planes heading back to their respective responsabilities. Yes, leaving Mom to reflect upon these last few glorious days we had together and those Four pair of Juicy Couture pants I bought and must find room for in my luggage tomorrow.

After Thanksgiving, pre-holiday sales were on and I went for FOUR. 30% off plus the euro vs. dollar exchange made me do it.....no discipline here.

See, earnest work. Took my mind right off those neck wrinkles. I bought turqoise, orange, navy blue and charcoal grey. Much better investment than neck creams.

Goodnight, Sleep Tight. Don't Let The Bedbugs Bite. That's what we say in Texas.

To Try Them is to Love Them

How many pairs of Juicy Couture's do I have? Oh, not nearly enough!!!

I just cannot help myself. They are a collectible item. You never know when they will stop producing them, right? I have had these in hiding for awhile. When I bought them last summer in Texas, I knew they would have their moment. The color is just the right mix of pale pink, peach and salmon. So perfect for the beach in Miami on this trip. I have spotted a Juicy Couture boutique about a 10 minute taxi ride from my hotel. I have convinced myself that I need a pair of black or charcoal grey to wear on the plane back to Paris with my black crew neck cashmere. I can be warm and feel quite cosy while trying to sleep on that -20° temperature plane. Why do they insist on keeping them so cold!!! Back to the story line, sorry!!!

I NEVER buy the matching hoodies. In this picture I teamed them with a great heavy cotton t-shirt from 45RPM (they make the best t's) and a man's modal and cashmere scarf from Crimson.Wearing them with sweaters of any shape works quite well, also. So, go out and get yourselves a pair, ladies. Promise you will be addicted.

IN closing, I just wanted to say thank you, girls, for those positive comments on my last post. Seriously does help the soul hearing those kind words. I so hope that I help your day be just a bit brighter with my nonsense. Nonsense is necessary. No?

Tons of hugs from Miami, Linda

Going, Going, Gone Grey

Yes, I was a little shocked when I saw the outcome of these pictures that India took of me on the beach yesterday. There is no more denying it. Yes, I have become a grey-haired lady.

You may think me crazy, but honestly, I am loving it. Yes, I did say loving it. I feel healthy and happy. No pretending that they are not there, no more worrying that it is about that time to call my colorist. I miss him and will send a Christmas card.

Next question is this. Can I still pull off these Liberty Print shorts? I brought them along on this vacation not knowing if I would have the courage to actually put them on. They are from my last spring/summer collection chez Crimson. Weather elements gave me the perfect opportunity.While it is definitely sunny in Miami, the beach can be a tad cool when the clouds roll in. Hence, shorts and a sweater. Crimson's ladies crew neck is one of my all time favorites. With the new knitting process I have just done, it is now woven more loosely which gives it a lighter and more softer feel on the body. So, the situation was there, and I took advantage. However, the question still remains. Are these particular shorts age appropriate?

My vote is still out, but India and Tatiana told me they thought I looked pretty. Now, that my dear friends, gave me confidence and put a smile on my face.

I am a firm believer that one must make errors in order to advance. I am so far ahead by now!!!

Lots of xxxxx's Linda