MODERN ELEGANCE

"Don't worry. Modern elegance is not about squeezing one more thing into your already hectic schedule - it's about looking at things from a different perspective. It's about conducting your life in a way that lets your notice the beauty inside yourself, and in the world around you. Living elegantly is about adding a sparkle and a wink to your daily life, so that you're not simply trying to get through the day, but savoring moments of every day." - The Little Pink Book of Elegance
xx.L

NEW LOVE

xx.L

GLAMOUR IS A MENTAL STATE

The other day a friend of mine mentioned that she wished her life was more glamorous. She also mentioned that she wished her surroundings were more glamorous. The first thought that came to mind, which I blurted out more quickly than I could form an explanation was that - glamour is a mental state. I suppose I said that so very quickly because it is how I truly feel inside. No matter what your surroundings may look like, what clothes you can afford to buy, what furnishings you have in your house, if you wear your hair the way you want to... most importantly, glamour to me comes from the inside. I think those that are most glamorous are the ones that are kind, polite & respectful to anyone they meet no matter what walk of life they may be on. Glamour is being able to smile when times are either good or rough & most importantly to be proud of the person you have become or are becoming and not by the things that you own. To be glamorous is to take care of the people that you love, to take care of yourself & to always be that person on the bus with a happy face even if you are running late. A smile changes the world & like a wise man once said, "most will forget what you said, but remember how you made them feel". xx.L

SUMMERTIME AND THE LIVIN' IS EASY

It has surely been a whirlwind summer I'll tell ya! Ive been running from the ocean to the lake & back over again, sewing up dozens of new clothes for those lovely ladies in need, getting more and more excited for a super special end of the summer road trip with a fellow cupcake-loving friend from London, but most importantly, the best part of summer, is that my birthday is coming around again. This time though, I look forward to a glass too many of my favorite pink champagne & a souffle or two at Jacqueline's with my ladies du jour...and perhaps a new pair of knickers, or two, or three...This summer in San Francisco has just been incredible. Summer weather all around except for the occasional blanket of fog. I'm looking forward to taking a warm evening stroll with my handsome man & only can hope for him to take me to Zuni for a roast chicken. I have been grateful for a bit of free time to rediscover old music I had forgotten about, lovely frocks in the back of the closet that need a night out & after this next order is complete - selfishly sticking my nose into a book & dreaming of a world that is not mine. Cooking...cleaning...sewing...daydreaming...story of my life. xx.L

GRACIOUS CURVES

Gracious - adj.
1. pleasantly kind, benevolent & courteous.
2. characterized by good taste, comfort, ease, or luxury.
3. indulgent or beneficent in a pleasantly condescending way, especially to inferiors. 


Well, are yours? I've drawn you this photo,  measure them out! xx.L

YOU DO THAT VOODOO THAT..

Did I ever tell you Peggy Lee has always & will always be my forever favorite? Wiggle around the house with me. xx.L

"You do something to me, something that simply mystifies me. Tell me, why should it be, you have the power to hypnotize me? Let me live beneath your spell, you do that voodoo that you do so well. For you, do, something thing to me, that nobody else can do. You do that, voodoo that you do so well." -Peggy Lee

SINNER NOT A SAINT

I've been dancing around the studio to this since friday, so I think you should too. xx.L

TRULY INSPIRATIONAL

So rarely do I repost something from another blog, but this woman made me smile, made me giggle, made me dream & made me tear up. I so so so wish there were more lovely ladies like this in the world, so fearless in wearing what suits you best. Perhaps you are out there. Perhaps someday I will see you walking down the street. If I do, I hope you put a smile on my face like this colorful soul. xx.L

Video courtesy of the amazing blog - http://advancedstyle.blogspot.com

NEW FANCY

It has been so dreary & chilly outside, drizzling enough to have to take the bus to work instead of my normal lovely walk & cold enough to want to stay indoors. I have been one busy bee, as I unexpectedly have about 13 orders to fill, currently working on the 3rd - very happily back to the sewing cave I go! It feels amazing to get back into the swing of things as they say, lots of new ideas have started buzzing around my mind, and the general excitement that I wake up with every day now if refreshing compared to the past stressed feelings of being uninspired. So since my orders I am working on are private, I thought I would show you a photo or two of my new fancys. Drool-worthy, scalloped, laminated & zig zag bakelite - because every now & then, a girl needs to treat herself, right? Funny enough, I have no problem doing this on a constant basis. Ha! xx.L

ROCK ON DOWN THE LINE

Thursday morning, the handsome man & I ventured on bart to the airport, almost missed the connecting train directly to the airport, but made it nevertheless! This is why I try to squeeze everything into one suitcase & one bag - as it is so easy to hop on the train & plant yourself at the airport with no traffic. This year we had to as Obama was in town & was clogging up the highway to the airport at the time we needed to be leaving! We were the last of our friends to get there & I had high hopes of this year as sadly some of my most favorite people in the world were not able to make it out, it would be a small clan of us, I knew (and was still hoping) that it would be a great time. Turns out I was a fool for doubting, because with our group & with one of my most favorite men around - Patrick, we ALWAYS have a blast. Rain, sun, shine, wind, you name it, the second we all get together from all around the world, it is such a trip. So thursday we rocked up to the Orleans, where we always stay because it is just easier than staying anywhere else, unloaded the bags, slapped on the wrist bands & headed out for some good ole rockabilly fun. Where's that you ask? Why, straight to Frankie's tiki bar! After that adventure it was a night filled with crazy shenanigans, bands, dancing, drinking, laughing until you were red in the face..which continued all the way thru the weekend where sadly, always sadly, Monday morning peeks its evil head & its time to go home. To those amazing, gorgeous friends who made it, I had a total blast with you, can't wait to do it all over again! To those amazing, gorgeous friends who didn't make it, you were sorely missed & you'd better make it next year! But you all know, you all have my heart. This year I  wore pink lurex - vintage, emerald green/black lurex - vintage, aqua/silver palm tree lame - vintage fabric, made by me, green & white playsuit - vintage, heaps of fun dancing fits (which I don't have photos of), gold silk pajamas with matching quilted smoking jacket and two vintage Cole of California Scandal Suits - one leopard, one red & white stripes for our "nautical" themed pool party. So happy to meet some fabulous new friends this year as well. Cheers! xx.L