What a Choice!!!

Coco Chanel famously said, "If fashion does not make it to the streets, it is not fashion". This is what is printed on the face of this model now showing in a Chanel window in Paris.

One of my favorite streets in the Marais. Not a lot of fashion in the street on this day!!!

Nina Ricci is one my faves these days.

Erin Wasson, a top Model from Texas, is another one of my faves.

I immediately think of my daughters when seeing this window. However, I could throw that jacket on with a pair of jeans or a great sweater and skirt. Put on some ankle boots and I am out the door. Yea, do not ask me where I am going.......

Valentino is doing incredible designing these days for daughters and mothers. I just bought a great pair of shoes. Blush and grey patent leather with metallic studs on the straps. (DO SEE the picture above for the "studs")

Dior is pretty as a picture........lots of feminin and floaty dresses this fall. However, girls, grab a coat to go over them, right?

Loving all these touches of red. Kinda perks up the day.

Oh la la Lanvin.

Prada seems to always surprise us in a good way.

Does it get any better than these Chanel bags. I LOVE the silver metalic one.

Now, if I stop eating lunch everyday at my expensive sushi restaurant, I might could budget for a pair of these Roger Vivier suede flats. It will take about a month. I think I can discipline myself..........Nah, who am I trying to kid. It will never happen. Hanawa is my habit.....

I am not giving it up. Roger Vivier shoes will just have to be a lust after but not attainable item for this year. Half the fun of having is the desire, anyway. I just made that up, and I find it to be really intelligent, no? Yea, right, I am just getting carried away now.

So, hope your enjoyed these windows. I never get tired of window shopping. Do you?

Loads of love to you all, Linda

Belgian Loafers Forever

My once best friend (we have recently had a falling out after 40 years.....saddest thing). Bon, O.K., back to the story at hand. One day we must discuss best friend business, though. I never believed the saying that "all good things must come to an end", but in this case it did. I miss her terribly, but she decided I was too bossy, and believe me, people, I thought I was just urging her forward. Oops, got off the subject again.........must concentrate here. In fact, it was and probably still is Betsy who is the princess of Belgian Loafers. If Betsy were a horse, she would have been born a thoroughbred. As it is, she is the epitome of a natural beauty and has an inborn sense of what is valuable in classic-chic dressing. About 30 years ago, I visited her lovely home in the Hamptons (yes, once again, how Chic). We were chatting in her lovely dressing area ( carpeted walk-in dressing of course). I immediately spotted her new pair of shoes, they were gold with silver piping and a delicious little black pattened bow on the front. As usual, Betsy was a step ahead of me. I had never heard of and or seen Belgian Loafers. They are very cult, my dears. There is but one boutique in the world and it is on the Upper East Side of NYC. They are entirely hand made in Belgium and are like putting a coat of the most luxurious cream around your feet. Yes, they feel that good! Betsy, over the years, always resquested them for her birthday, mother's day or Christmas. To say she has an incredible collection is an understatement. I have just added my fifth pair after this last trip to NYC.

I have a gold pair (exactly like Betsy's)

I have a brown leather pair with brown piping and brown bow

I have a brown suede pair with brown piping and brown bow

I have an apple green leather pair with hot pink piping and a pink bow

and my latest are the red ones with the navy piping and navy bow.

The beautiful caramel pair with black piping and black bow were requested from my friend Madame B. I promised to bring her back a pair from the shop. Not too much of a risk as they are all beautiful. Have a look for yourself on their web site. If you should want to visit the shop, be careful as they are closed on saturday. You know anybody who is anybody goes to the countryside or seaside for the weekend, hence no decent clientel on the weekends....

Personally, I just hang around and wait for them to open on Monday!!!

This will be my last post from New York. Back in Paris and working on those fall windows. That is the next post. Promise!!!

Uh, by the way, special thanks to Betsy (my ex-best friend forever) for the inspiration she has given to me for all these years. My message to you, Betsy, and for all you deserving girls out there:

You are beautiful, and whatever you do, DO NOT let a man tell you any different.

All my love, Linda

Rainy Day In NYC

This is going to be a simple story. See those low hanging clouds over NYC? Guess what happened next?

I started the day in my lovely pearl grey ballet shoes from J. Crew. It started pouring rain, and I ran into the nearest "cool" store (Barney's on Madison) and purchased myself a pair of these fabulous Hunter Wellington rubber boots. No need to tell you that my pretty ballerinas were soaked and may never recover. The strange thing is that every other girl in NYC seemed to be wearing "Wellies" from the start of the day. Where was I when they announced rain? If you need to buy a pair of rain boots, these are the ones. They have been around for a hundred years (slight exageration), but have made a huge come back since Kate Moss was photographed wearing them with a mini skirt during a rock concert on some lovely English Island.........

Meanwhile, it is my last day on the Island of Manhattan and I have some serious shopping to do. Show you my favorite shops next post...........then back to Paris and those fall windows I promised. I DO NOT forget a promise.

All love from America, Linda

P.S. Want to laugh? I do not know why in the hell this is printing in blue!!! Too late to call for counseling, so you are getting the ending in blue. Hope you like it, because I have no idea how to change it for the moment. Hopefully will find someone to correct my problem for the next post...........I am not only lactose intolerant but technically ignorant, too.......That makes no sense what I just said. Think I will turn off the light and try to sleep!!!

Random in NYC

Yes, random in New York, because I am definitely running around like a chicken with it's head cut off (old Texas expression). Maybe one reason why I am vegetarian.

Love this picture of Tatiana in her long Alexander Wang T-shirt dress. Do not think I could pull this off, but would have loved to try. Comfort, comfort, comfort.......On her style, style style.

She teamed it with her bright green Balenciaga bag. Just a word on bags........I personally love to buy bags for myself and my girls. Cannot help myself. For me they are investment pieces and great to wear with jeans and t's or other paired down items. Makes or breaks the look.

That long scarf is from CRIMSON. Had them in the shop for this summer and they literally flew out the door. They are made out of 100% modal and have vintage Italian photos printed on them. However, the winning point I believe is in the color ways. All neutrals which mix and match with everything. I wrap mine around several times and make it shorter. Tatiana preferred hers long with her dress this day. Still wearing her Tropezienne's. Last days of summer essential.

My girls and I always stop in at Liza Nails on Madison Ave. for a quick mani-pedi when we arrive in NYC. Tatiana went for a fall color from Essie nail polishes. Essie's are my favorite. So happy I can find them in Paris now.

Love, love, love this bag. Obviously a copy of the Goyard. Am thinking about buying this one before I leave, because I love the Whatever aspect of it......

Eli Zabar has the best delicatessens on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. As they are close to my hotel, I always pop in for a great and quick breakfast, lunch or dinner.

It is 7:30 a.m., and I am ready for that breakfast before I go out on another random day in NYC.

Big hugs from The Big Apple, Linda

Girls on the Go

Change is in the air. Summer has come and gone and apparently so have my girls.

I am in NYC with Tatiana and India enjoying my last few days with them. Tatiana is back to Smith College for her sophomore year and India's modeling agency in NYC has requested her presence in the city for awhile. So, I am enjoying my last photo opportunities with the two together while we walk around New York City and enjoy our time together.

I guess we could say this is the long and short of the story today.

Tatiana opted for her long floral dress (Tara Jarmon - Paris) pared with her Tropezienne sandals and her vintage army bag found at a flea market in Paris.

India's shorts are a pair of old favorite Current/Elliott's. Two new purchases already made in NYC are her sweater and boots both from Rag and Bone.

Bag from Proenza Schouler

Gold Ray Ban sunglasses for both

This will be a fun few days getting my girls settled into their new environments. Glad I take daily vitamins. Seriously need to be in good shape to keep up with this generation.

Have seen so many things I would like to buy for myself, but am putting a few days between my "try-ons" and my "purchases". The importance of reflection is worth gold........or less erreurs on my behalf. Anyway, will let you know "toute suite" the big decisions.

xxxxxxx's from The Big Apple