Sunday Music Corner

Helmut Fricker is a jolly fixture here, and really seems to have a good time playing with and for the visitors, especially kids. He has a pretty broad repertoire on that alpenhorn; I've heard him play everything from Bach to Barney's "I Love You." ("This Old Man" to most of us.)

No I didn't take this video. I would've tried to capture one of his more traditional Swiss tunes which are very beautiful and melodic.
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Les sports d'hiver

Aprés-ski heaven by deja pseu on Polyvore.com

We're off tomorrow for a week of skiing and other winter fun. I enjoy a good day out on the mountain, but especially when followed with a nice warm beverage by a roaring fire.
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The Look for Less: Classic Silk Scarves

Or, Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...

Hermès, Les Cles

Talbot's Antique Key scarf, $54.

Hermès - Chasse en Inde
Talbot's floral print scarf, $54.

Hermès scarf pictures from Luxury-Scarves.com Database.

Edited to add:

I'm in agreement with those who have commented that they'd prefer a Talbot's scarf in an original design to one that seems to be a copy of Hermès. Here are two I particularly like.

Talbot's Cafe scarf (silk/cotton) $29.

Talbot's Walk in the Park scarf, $54.

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Les voyages de la mode

Some women are fortunate enough to develop and hone their personal style from a very early age. They know what they like, and they stick with it. Some of us flounder a bit more, not trusting when a certain style or garment speaks to us, perhaps because someone in whom we've vested authority steered us in another direction or perhaps because we're not yet confident enough to march to our inner beat when it goes against current wisdom. We launch ourselves on one style odyssey after another.

But like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, who realizes only after her lengthy travails that she's had the power to go home all along, I've come to realize that while my innate style sense has been trying to guide me, I've often been allowing various style blogs and InStyle and How To Not Look Old and Sex & the City and a plethora of books and articles on how to have _______ style (trend du jour, fill in the blank) to overpower that inner voice. I've often searched for my style somewhere over the rainbow, when it's been right there with me the whole time.

"Classic With a Twist" is my Kansas. The pieces that still most make my heart go pitter-pat are simple, elegant and iconic: a strand (or three) of pearls, a great jacket, well-tailored pants, a cashmere sweater, a classic bag, a silk scarf. But I also need to mix in quirky, slightly edgy elements to keep the whole from looking and feeling too "done" and stodgy. (Emily Gilmore, Society Matron™, pictured at left, is not the look I'm aiming for!) My comfort zone is also a bit more covered up than modern norms; I've never felt right in tight, flashy, skin-exposing ensembles, not even in my clubbing twenties. (And I get cold!) I've always gravitated to Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Katherine Hepburn as style icons while my friends were swooning over Madonna's latest look. Owning my style has been a slow and shaky process; fear of being dismissed as drab, boring, or matronly has made me hesitant to fully embrace my classic sartorial inclinations.

And despite my lifelong love of elegant and beautiful clothing, much of what constitutes Fashion these days (with some exceptions, bien sur) just leaves me cold. Very little of what I see from runway coverage or fashion pages or even in designer boutiques inspires or generates desire. Sure, age (and attendant wisdom, hopefully?) is part of it, but so much of the fashion game seems to be about celebrity red carpet looks, edginess and exposure and those have never been inherently part of my style. Still, I often admire women who are able to pull off more fashion forward looks beautifully and organically, even when I know the same looks aren't right for me. Inspiration should only lead to emulation when there's alignment with our inner sense of style, those little clicks of "ahhh, yes!"

What about you? Are you at home with your style, or do you periodically travel down the Yellow Brick Road of fashion? Are there influences in your life that prevent you from owning your style? Or are you still on a search to find it?
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OK, OK...

Gotta Love Galliano...

"Will you buy me a Dior dress?"

As soon as I swear I'll never love again, the Funky Little Fashion Troll comes along and seduces me one more time. Ah, romance! Go see the slideshow here.
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Une femme recommends...

Laura Mercier Lip Shine in Crystal Pink, $22.

I loved the coppery pink color of this in the jar. The product itself looks very glossy both in the jar and on the fingertip, and I worried that it would make my lips gleam like a disco ball. But in small amounts, it produces a very lovely and subtle glow, not goopy shine. It looks great over a pale nude or pink lipstick, and also is quite pretty worn alone.
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What the....?

This is a picture of Christina Hendricks from last night's SAG Awards. (She plays the bodacious Joan on Mad Men.) I know, I didn't recognize her either. What has she done to her face?!?!?

Is it the lack of bangs/fringe? The makeup? Something else? She looks wan and washed out.


For reference, from a previous award ceremony:~

This...

Is a perfect example of why Fashion just isn't speaking to une femme anymore.
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Help needed

A fellow blogger, Janet/iheartfashion of Je ne sais quoi has recently experienced a terrible family tragedy and could use our help. Wendy has the details and a couple of ways to help here.
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Dear Talbot's...

You know I love you most of the time, but did someone on your team design this jacket while in the throes of a fever dream? Not only is the superfluous set of upper pockets placed exactly where we *don't* want extra bulk, but of what use are they? Can you imagine how awkward one would look fishing around in there for keys or a ringing cell phone?

Yours truly,
Une femme
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Il pleut encore aujourd'hui

Dreaming of Spring - Paris by deja pseu featuring Burberry Prorsum coats

It's that time of year, when those of us in colder climes start getting VERY tired of winter. And this one has really been a doozy for so many of you. So here's a little printemps en Paris fantasy to remind us that winter won't last forever!
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Degustation des champagnes!

Due to the current phalanx of rainstorms marching through our neck of the woods, our internet connection at home is dodgy. So please forgive if posts are sparse and I'm a bit sporadic in responding to comments this week.

I did want to alert Los Angeles readers to an upcoming champagne tasting at Le Saint Amour this Thursday 1/21 from 530-7pm. The $28 price includes tastings of five incredible champagnes plus appetizers. For more information or to reserve, call 310-842-8155. Le Saint Amour has become our favorite restaurant, not only for the fabulous brasserie food but also for the great atmosphere. It's our little bit of Paris right here at home.
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Une femme recommends...

I've tried pricier lip balms, but for keeping lips soft and preventing chapping, I've not found anything better than Rosebud Salve. You can also use on your cuticles in a pinch. $6 at Sephora.

For elbows, heels, seriously dry or chapped skin, try Aquaphor. It's like a superconcentrated Vaseline but without the smell. I never travel to arid or wintery locations without this. $5.09 at Drugstore.com. (Also good for diaper rash, chafing.)

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Sunday Music Corner

During the summer of 1975, I wandered into Tower Music and heard this tune playing "full blast," as we used to say, over the store's sound system. I bought the album on the spot, and discovered the band Camel, which became one of my favorites for several years. The album The Snow Goose is based on the book of the same name, a sad but beautiful story written by Paul Gallico and originally published in 1941.

Camel recorded several really great albums from the early 70's to early 80's, then mostly disappeared (though some incarnation of the band has been periodically reforming and touring since). Original members of the band were Andrew Latimer, Andy Ward, Doug Ferguson and Peter Bardens.

Live performance of some of the other great tunes from this album here.
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Aid for Haiti

Unless you've been outside the reach of the news lately, you've seen the pictures and heard the stories, and are probably well aware of the horrendous situation in Haiti. There are several great organizations providing aid right now, and who need your help. One of those is UNICEF. Click here to donate, and be sure to find out if your employer is matching donations.

Body Heritage

Great Grandmother Porter (my mother's father's mother).

I used to joke that I came from Hardy European Peasant™ stock, (Irish-German-Polish on my mother's side, and Welsh-Scottish on my father's) and going through some old family photos, realize that joke isn't so far off the mark. I'm built like most of the women on my mother's side of the family: short thick waist, broad shoulders and hips, short neck. My foremothers may have been sturdy and stout but they were "strong like ox," and up to the demands of hard physical labor on farms and running their homes, while bearing and raising (numerous) children.

Below are pictures of my Grandma Porter (my mother's mother) as a young woman and in her 60's.

Looking at these pictures is a good reminder of what's realistic and not for my body type. Much as I have often aspired to a more willowy, aristocratic silhouette, it's just not in the cards (or genes) for me. I spent so many years thinking my body was "wrong" rather than understanding that my build was mostly a result of my genetic heritage, and not recognizing the positive parts of that heritage: physical strength, endurance, skin that does not burn easily, green eyes.

Sometimes it seems that we only think of family resemblances above the neck. We talk about how "she has her Grandfather's eyes" or "she has her Aunt's chin" but we don't often hear "you have your Grandmother's hips."

Have you recognized your own body heritage in old family photos? Whom do you most resemble?
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Re-entry

We flew back home yesterday, a short but periodically bumpy trip over mountains and through patches of unsettled weather. Fortunately for le monsieur, who does not like to fly, the pilot warned us that we'd have some turbulence so he was prepared. When ma soeur and I were little, and flying meant dressing up in our Sunday best dresses with the stiff petticoats, white gloves and patent leather Mary Janes, we loved turbulence and were especially thrilled when the plane would hit an air pocket and suddenly drop. We'd giggle and clap our hands. Our mother was not amused and would light up another cigarette to calm her nerves.

Today it's back to the workaday world. While I'm catching up, go check out this unbelievably gorgeous pair of earrings that Wendy B has designed. (No, these aren't the superfabulous thing I'm saving up for, though when I win the lottery I'll add these to my shopping list. )
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Blame it on (the) Manhattan

Our first night in Las Vegas, we stopped into the Sinatra bar for a cocktail. I decided to try their special Manhattan, which includes among other ingredients, a black tea liqueur. It was fantastic. It was also about three times as much alcohol as I normally drink in one sitting.

Afterward we went wandering through the shops (which howdy-do are open LATE) and bien sur I wanted to stop at the Chanel boutique. I was idly perusing the shoes, when le monsieur pointed to one pair I'd been eyeing and said, "those are nice." (He'd had a Manhattan too, and has even less alcohol tolerance than I do.) I tried them on, and was surprised and delighted to find them quite comfortable.


Without further ado...

May I present the utterly classic ballet flats. I am so loving these shoes.

And at least I walked out without the jacket. Yes, jacket. It was blue and white classic tweed, cut like a blazer (narrow lapels, nipped in at the waist) and the sales associate insisted I try one on. It fit like it was Made. For. Me. Not boxy in the least. I almost swooned, it was that gorgeous and looked that good on. I still had enough brain cells functioning to remind myself that it was completely out of the question.

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The Odd and the Beautiful

From the sublime...

Vegas is sort of like the Bizzarro Disneyland. This is where subtlety comes to die. Still, there's some absolutely grand, overripe beauty everywhere you look (and I'm not talking about the women with melon boobs and trout pout). Everything, whether good or bad is overdone, fantastical.

One of my favorite places to visit is the conservatory at the Bellagio. They totally redecorate it every season, and right now it's set up to celebrate the Chinese New Year (February 14, Year of the Tiger). The display is jaw-droppingly gorgeous.

Topiary pandas.

At the new Crystals/City Center complex, very few shops are open and some bits are still under construction. From the outside, it's a very futuristic scape.
The Henry Moore sculpture fits right in.

Diver hand feeding a manta ray in the giant aquarium at Caesar's.

to the surreal...
Our first night, we were enjoying a late dinner at the Daniel Boulud Brasserie, which overlooks the waterfall area at the Wynn. Periodically there are various light shows that feature very Vegas-y imagery against the waterfall wall and on the water. I looked up at one point, and a giant animatronic frog had appeared at the top of the wall. The music switched over to "Low Rider" by War, and the frog commenced to sing to the music, roll his eyes and rock back and forth with the beat. Very fun and whimsical, and I'm sorry I didn't check my snap at the time or I would've noticed his big rolly eyes were closed, apparently caught mid-blink.

Below, from the Crysals mall, this is some sort of lounge area. I'm not sure if they intentionally designed it to look like a giant blowdryer.

Most of the slot machines have some sort of theme. Above was one of the odder ones.

I almost got a shot of Mr. Silver Man smoking a cigarette and drinking a 7-Up, but as soon as he saw me fumbling for my camera, he got back in character. Yes, I gave him a tip.

Best. Signage. Ever.

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Vegas Vacation Proceeds Apace

In keeping with my marinière theme, a gondolier on the canals at the Venetian. Note that this little scene takes places a couple of stories above the casino.

We're up fairly early an on our way out the door for breakfast at Mon Ami Gabi but I'll be back later with more pictures and reports, including a singing frog and an impulse purchase of epic proportions.
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Maquillage extraordinaire!

Brian is offering additional sessions of his Makeover Workshop! This is a fabulous three-hour workshop that provides hands on instruction and personalized tips for creating day to evening looks. It's a great way to spend a fun afternoon with friends, or would make a great gift. This is so much better than a department store makeover because you learn how to it yourself. He's offering these sessions at a special price of $50 for a three-hour workshop, and $25 of the fee can be applied toward any products purchased.

If you're interested, give Brian a call at 310-9MAKEUP (310-962-5387) or you can e-mail him at book@makeoverworkshop.com.
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Room With A View

Las Vegas Strip from the 55th floor. I think this is the highest floor I've ever stayed on.
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Sunday Music Corner

From one of my very favorite movies, "Allegro non Troppo." This combo animated/live action film was released in 1977and was partly a spoof on Disney's "Fantasia" but stands on its own. Definitely one to add to your Netflix queue.

Parts deux et trois of this fabulous sequence:

A note on Ravel's "Bolero:" I first heard this piece when I was eleven or twelve years old, somewhere around 1969, on the once-legendary KSAN (one of the first FM rock stations, but a bit free-form at the time...the DJ's seemed to have pretty much free rein to play whatever caught their fancy). I was totally blown away by this gorgeous, lush piece, and it was a favorite for many years until the movie "10" ruined it for me. After about a decade, the bad taste finally faded away and "Bolero" was redeemed and remains a favorite.
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Vegas, baby!

Le monsieur and I are off to Vegas for a few days of R&R. He received an incredible offer in the mail a few weeks ago from one of the newer hotels which was just too good to resist, and makes the trip actually affordable. We leave tomorrow and come home on Wednesday.

Une femme isn't much of a gambler. Sure, I'll play the quarter poker machines and see how long I can make a roll of quarters last (my record is three days), but I'm far more interested in eating, shopping (window only this trip, as I'm saving up for something fabulous) and perhaps a spa visit. We're planning to check out the new Crystals mall, enjoy a nice meal or two, and maybe take in a show. Probably a hand or twelve of blackjack will be played at some point.

If I cave on paying for internet--which is not free...they want you on the casino floor forking over your money, not surfing the net in your room--I'll post some highlights from Sin City.
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Nautical and Nice

Can une femme call 'em or what? According to this article in The Wall Street Journal, "sailor shirts" are poised to be one of 2010's hottest trends. (h/t to Frugal Scholar from comments here, thanks Frugal!)

Fashion lines from Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci to Esprit and Comptoir des Cotonniers are bringing out the nautically inspired stripes for spring women's wear, and menswear designers including Michael Bastian and Burberry Brit are also going with the look. It's based on the boat-necked French marine pullover, which is traditionally worn by low-ranking sailors as they swabbed the decks and hence known in France as a marinière, or sailor-style, shirt.
....
This cyclical interest has long been a boon to Saint James, the French company that has made marinière shirts and sweaters since roughly 1850*. It makes a variety of styles for men, women and kids today, but the traditional men's sweaters come in two versions: The trim one known as the "matelot" is priced at $170. The "binic" is more generously cut "for if you enjoy life—if you are a little fat," explains the French Manhattan store manager, Brian Lebretton. It's priced at $215.

The slideshow that accompanies the article also illustrates that women with curves can wear these tops and look good (see esp. Elizabeth Taylor pic).


I ordered two different marinière tops, one from LL Bean, featured in last week's post, and one of the Saint James tops (this one, the "Huitriere") from BrittanyBoutique.com. I chose this style over the "traditional" one for the 3/4 sleeves and shorter length, and I'm happy with this choice. The fit is good, not too snug or baggy, and it seems to be a very well made piece. The fabric is sturdy, 95% cotton/5% elastane. This top is a good length for me at 5'1", so might appear more cropped on someone taller. Though pricewise it's not cheap, it's not anywhere near as expensive as some of the "designer" versions, and feels hefty enough to last. Here's the Saint James "Huitriere" top, styled for lunch with La Belette Rouge.

I'll post a review and pics of the LL Bean top next week.

*Had the article's author taken a moment to look at the label or tag on the sleeve, she would've seen "depuis 1859."
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More reasons...

...to love Ines de la Fressange.

Although she sometimes wears heels, she prefers the fuss-free practicality of flat shoes, and is scornful of the way that "some people think that shoes are ladders. No man is going to say, 'I would love you so much more if you were 10cm taller'. Women are suffering, you know. Elegance is about feeling nice, how can you feel nice when you have shoes that are like a prosthesis?"

She's also frustrated by the fact that it's "impossible to find a woman who is more than 30 years old in magazines. It's like being older is hidden, there's no one for women to identify with."
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Marinières, encore

I'm starting to see these *everywhere* now....

High end:

Tory Burch, $125.
Elizabeth & James, $195.

Cashmere:
Talbots, $129.

Talbots again, $129.

Wendy has asked me to find her "a tight one." My guess is this one would fit snugly, AND it has a bow!

Sonia Rykiel, $120. (Click on picture for linkydink.)
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