Grocery Store Couture..............beside the lettuce and yogurt

By all accounts, Joe Fresh appeared to be an odd concept when it opened across Canada in 2006. Maybe clever, maybe not. A clothing store right beside the yogurt section in our grocery store? First I noticed the adorable kids clothing, then I started buying the sweetest ensembles for my little great-nieces, then I started noticing some seriously chic style...........for me. Now I am off and running with this Canadian concept of "grocery store couture", conveniently adding very affordable and stylish summer shifts (16.00-29.00) to our grocery bill and stalking the new inventory on a bi-weekly basis. Apparently I am not alone in stalking new finds at Joe Fresh, when the Canadian import opened their first US stores a few months back, 100's camped out for the New York flagship store opening (there are now 6 Joe Fresh stores in New York, New Jersey, and Long Island locations here). Heads up, Joe Fresh will be coming your way. It helped that Canadian mega-grocery retailer Loblaws hired the Canadian fashion whiz Joe Mimran, the original founder of Club Monaco to stylishly maneuver Joe Fresh to global notice. So much for keeping my chic little buying secret all to myself...............I was really hoping they weren't going to be so darn clever. I could have scooped that yellow maxi skirt for sure.








Photos via Joe Fresh

My Pink Ladies

I couldn't resist sharing my beautiful pink ladies this year. And a few white ones snuck in there too. They were over on my FB a few days ago and caused quite a stir, don't we love our peonies and roses? I know many readers have a holiday weekend ahead so enjoy the first summer weekend of gardening, sunshine, and barbecues. But mostly, enjoy the holiday with the people in your life. 






iphone photo by Sande Chase

Bespoke Post.............boxes of awesome just for Him

I have no problem when it comes to gifts..............for women, girls, and babies. For men, not so much. There I admitted it. Perhaps because the response and receipt doesn't include girly squeals, or maybe because I tend to underestimate how much men like gifts in general. Possibly both, which is exactly why I think Bespoke Post is such a stylish and unique way to impress the men in your life. Especially with Father's Day and Graduation season right around the corner. I know I am weak when it comes to selecting male gifts but as I scrolled through the past monthly selections of this bespoke gift service, I thought the gentlemanly nature might suit my son's maturing taste and so I asked him his opinion. His answer? "Cool, really cool, when do I get the first one?" Which is the equivalent of a subdued guy squeal if I ever heard one.

Bespoke Post based in NYC has a unique concept. They curate cool products from emerging brands and offer one Box of Awesome each month for whatever term you select. Subscribers receive a sneak email peek of the upcoming Limited edition box and have the option of saying yes or no to the current selection and can cancel at any time. Fair enough. SHAVE, shown above is the Box of Awesome for May. With a clever Cigar Box presentation, it includes a badger brush, considered to be the ultimate material for this popular and retro shaving technique, a chrome brush stand, and three shaving products from eshave, the award-winning shaving experts.

Bespoke Post offers a reasonably-priced concept at $45.00 per month and 100% NO shipping charges. More than fair wouldn't you say? My son really liked some of the past monthly selections here and especially the Box of Awesome sent out last March. The Canvas Mason's Bag included Aesop skin care products imported from Australia and a limited lounge pass for the American Airlines Admiral Lounge. Past selections are Sold Out but they give you an idea of the stylish variety to be expected in future shipments. We liked them all. 

Did you know that ice cube dilution is the enemy of whisky? Neither did I but if you click here you can see the clever solution which was included in Bespoke's November's Whisky themed Box of Awesome. It strikes me that each delivery comes with a bit of gentlemanly education into the fine art of living. What woman doesn't want to send a little style education along to the males in their life in such a subtle and giving manner. I'm just saying. 

Stylish guys may want to subscribe themselves but what about the presentation if this happens to be a gift? Bespoke Post says "Because each month is different, we don't always use the same method for wrapping and presenting, but we do take pride in it, and want each person to feel like they're opening up a gift each month, whether it was actually a gift from someone else, or just from and for themselves." Just one more thing.............I really do think guys like to receive cool gadgets and gifts. Especially the ones far from home. 

Photos from Bespoke Press/No conpensation received for this post.

A Showhouse..............and angled inspiration

At this age and at this point in my life, I have been having an internal dialogue when it comes to our personal decorating. On one hand, I look around and think I want to reduce, edit, move on to something smaller and simpler.....less things. Or so I tell myself. I think I might be mistaken after viewing the Junior Leaque of Detroit Showhouse today in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan. I need to get my designer head back in the game and shake things up a bit around here. As we toured the Oscar Webber mansion designed by architect Leonard B. Willeke in the early 1900's I am reminded that simple is overrated, at least for me. I love a room or house filled with interest in architecture and design. All those spots that engage you on multiple levels, that tell you a story about the homeowner. On an inspiration level, I always look forward to seeing the gracious, inviting rooms designed by Grosse Point designer Brian Clay Collins. Notice the wood column and urn that pushes the settee end out on a slight angle building in a unique furniture placement (the designer used another column and urn across the room to angle the headboard as well) and warm backdrop with one well-executed angle. See, I just love that. I want to sit here, open a book, nibble a cookie, and have stimulating conversation in this angled setting. 

Another intriguing angle was used in the gorgeous kitchen. Birmingham, Michigan designer Phyllis Whitehead used a slender vintage display table (from a department store) as a narrow island. But what made it so interesting was the angled position, sounds odd but looked brilliant. It actually gave more room to the cooking area where it was needed and added enormous interest to the area. Simple white island stools from Target were upgraded with a vibrant fabric skirt. 

You should never miss a show house, just for the accessory vignettes alone. I don't know about you but sometimes I get complacent when it comes to my personal decorating and I need visuals to bring me back up to speed and nothing does that better than physically walking through a beautiful show house and seeing a fresh perspective. 

One of the best features of an older home is the nooks and crannies. This reminded me that new homeowners should look to add these interesting features into their house plans and carefully look at unique, sometimes smaller window placements. Isn't this vignette charming? I always look to add electrical outlets in kitchen design so the homeowner can take advantage of adding lamps to the kitchen island and counters, it is so inviting at night once dinner is cleaned up and the kitchen settles down for the night.

This stunning and historic glazed blue Pewabic pottery tile was designed specifically for the original homeowner with Mary Chase Stratton when the house was built in 1925. I always think it would be difficult to commit to a colour tile but the iridescent effect was gorgeous and has beautifully stood the test of time. Note the use of smaller windows. Another designer tip? Vanity areas that allow women to sit while they primp and apply makeup in natural light. Much more relaxing............and natural. 

Hollywood glamour in warm white and soft gray. Labeled The Sophisticated Retreat by The Velvet Plum ~ designer Jennifer Duda-Imamura, this luminous room was bathed in glamour and light. 

The show house is only open until this Sunday but if you live in this region it is well worth the time. As for me I am off to Homesense to stalk the merchandise for some new accessories. 








iphone photos by Sande Chase

Mother's Day................and memories.

When I have been out walking Miss Daisy these past few weeks, I can smell the lilacs everywhere. Though my mother has been gone for many years whenever I smell lilacs I think of her. Purple lilacs were everywhere when I was growing up, the low branches would be heavy with the weights of the fragrant blooms, well with our reach which is why we would pick a few, sometimes many stems and bring them home to our mothers. We thought they were there for our own personal picking and in a way they were, no one ever stopped us nor did we ask permission. It was a simpler time. I don't seem to have luck growing lilacs in my own garden but my neighbors do and some days I am tempted to do as I did 50 years ago and help myself to an armful of beautiful purple lilacs. I have even considered knocking at their door and asking, framing the request as a pruning favour, perhaps it would be helpful? We will be away this Sunday, off to see our son graduate from medical school and I know that this will be my most wonderful Mother's Day of all. As mothers we live to see our children happy and accomplished in whatever they do, see them safely off to their path in life. I also know my mother, his grandmother would be immensely proud of her grandson. She would be beaming with joy as I am................. both our arms are full of lilacs this Mother's day. I hope your Mother's Day and your memories will be filled with love and joy. 










Photo from Pinterest here

I blame House Hunters International

It happens to be the timing and now I can't stop. The HGTV show House Hunters happens to be on TV when I am making dinner, adding some interesting back chatter while I prepped. Before long, I was making sure dinner was ready well before 5:00 so I could concentrate on the latest house hunting venture, now I tape the International episodes that run later in the evening as well. Not only am I vicariously traveling the world of real estate, I am fascinated by what homes people buy...........and no, I never guess correctly. My absolute favorite episode was a House Hunters International show A Women Starts Over In Paris (see future listings here) no subliminal message intended. While I amuse myself with dreaming about purchasing a Paris apartment, I remembered one from way back that I also fell in love with, you may have seen it before in Canadian House & Home back in 2009 but since when can we see too many Paris apartments?

When I think of Paris, I always think of the incredible golden light and the interior of this apartment owned by Patrick and Lorraine Frey, the owners of Pierre Frey, the legendary French textile and furnishings house, has perfectly captured that magical hue in this Haussman style apartment. I am beginning to think formal dining rooms should always be multi-functional, nothing more lonesome than a dining room that gets used once a month or less so why not add bookcases for library research and why not use two tables? The Freys also used a modern Ingo Maurer chandelier as a guestbook, asking friends to add notes and sketches to this conversational lighting. The toile fabric-covered walls are padded with swan's down to improve acoustics.

Door detailing can make a room. 

Aubergine and bottle green furnishings adds richness and depth to this neutral background. Downright perfect wouldn't you say? Notice the purple stripe detailing at the bottom of those gorgeous silk drapes scroll back up to the top photo.

French home office...............with suede walls and an exquisite inlaid desk. 
A girl can dream..........right?








Go here to see more of the Canadian House & Homes International Gallery.

Photos by Eugenia Kazarnovskaya via House & Home

Non Disturbare..........from everywhere

Yesterday when I picked a new theme for my purely indulgent Tumblr blog which I notice is mostly girly girl gowns I ran across this great travel idea and a most wonderful story to share in case you didn't see this. The grandfather of Michael Lebowitz, the founder and CEO of Big Spaceship, a very successful digital and marketing communications company in Brooklyn, collected hotel door hangers whenever he traveled abroad. When he passed away, Lebowitz brought his grandfather's travel keepsakes memorably together which you can see on his Tumblr here. It is fascinating to see how the hanger designs so perfectly capture the place and if you are thinking what I am thinking............hotels can expect a run on Do Not Disturb in any language as travel keepsakes. Wouldn't they be fabulous as a framed collection? Off to Rome to find the red tasseled one. 










link found on Tumblr here

Why I now love Mick Jagger

I cannot stop looking at this photo...............in fact it takes my breath away. Every perfectly-designed inch of it, the glass tiles, the chrome detailing, the mirrored vanity and tub surround, the wall treatment, the glass etched fish against the back wall..............and that soothing colour most of all. Located in the Left Bank, this Parisian oasis is owned by Mick Jagger and girlfriend L' Wren Scott. I just couldn't resist borrowing it from Dustjacket Attic and you can see the rest of this fabulous apartment on her blog here. Actually, I did resist for about a week and then caved in to my desire to tell you this is probably my all-time favorite room. I just can't help myself on this one. Exhale.














Photo by Francois Halard for Voque

Pink..............as in Peonies and Lattes

Rare Flower of Frosty Dew ~ Fragrant Chinese Herbaceous Peony

Indulge me.................I truly need to indulge in some bright and beautiful pink today. Isn't this peony the most beautiful? I have been off in more ways than one the last few days with a seasonal sinus problem and I am also a bit concerned, I notice my own pink peonies are almost ready for an early bloom. This means I won't have my masses of peonies in late May which means I will over conspensate with annual plantings which isn't the same to me as all. I like both going at the same time. Do you feel the same about this crazy spring?

Christian Dior ~ Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2011

Looking at that gorgeous peony reminded me of this dress which certainly looks like floral petals. Looking at this remarkable creation is making me feel a tad better today..........the colour and the movement. 

All this brilliant pink brings me to my latest and mostly insignificant pet peeve. My daily latte and it's take-out container. I have been looking at it every day for months now and can't help but think my Canadian brand Second Cup and Starbucks too are pouring coffee and lattes into the most boring of cups, what's with all the drab brown? There I said it. I was thinking this way before I saw the stylish Fauchon Paris coffee photo on the entertaining and artistic blog Paris Breakfast............there might be "a little love in every cup" as it says on my Second Cup latte but couldn't both these coffee companies be a bit more creative with cup colours and design? Why does Paris get all the fun? 

See what I mean?

There must be a better design than this. 

Need more pink today? Go to my Anything Pink Pinterest Board. 

Photo 2 by Pascal le Segretain/Getty Images

Ribbon.............with a vintage french style

Narrow to wide, grosgrain to jute, even ticking, the Etsy shop  Flea Market Chick has a fabulous selection of vintage french style ribbons. They may not be exactly vintage but she has captured the look in her large assortment. I was excited to run across this Etsy source because I love black and ivory grosgrain, especially the sweet narrow one (no. 5) and I like the stylish understatement of these neutral ribbon colours and patterns on a solid black gift wrap paper or Kraft paper, it is one of my favorite gift presentation styles. Simple and elegant, always. There is plenty to be said for using a variety of these ribbon choices if you have a gift of multiple gift packages. You just can't go wrong. 








Images via Flea Market Chick. 

A Gift wrap source................by request

More than a few of you emailed after the post on using wrapping paper to gussy up a bouquet of flowers for my son in this Black Cloverleaf is a striking graphic and as luck and timing would have it, Midori  the trade ribbon source now has a retail website. Their gift wrap is sold in packages of ten so pick your favorite and stock up on that pattern. 

Cloverleaf is handamde, more of a fiber paper so it does hold it's shape and can be ironed and reused. And you know how I feel about that..........bonus.

While I was there I noticed this new rose embellished gift wrap paper which might be a new stock item for me. Next week I will share a few of my favorite Midori ribbons............actually there is more than a few.

Happy Weekend and thank you to readers and 

new followers that left such lovely comments this week. 

Photos from Midori Ribbon

Amanda Lebel............working in fine circles

Easter Parade by Amanda Lebel

As soon as I saw this wedding topper on Martha Stewart, the style reminded me of someones unique design style. And I was right, it is the exquisite paper work of my old blogger friend Amanda Lebel of the blog Over The Top Studios. I thought of her recently because I was cleaning my desk where I keep the lovely little trinket gift she had sent me a few years back. I hadn't seen many posts recently and now I know why. It seems the her gorgeous wedding cake toppers and fanciful party hats caught the attention of Martha Stewart here which directs you right to the doors of Amanda's Etsy shop. 

Let Them Eat Cake, a party hat in Marie Antoinette style...........doesn't that just bring some fun to the birthday girls celebration? At any age. The fanciful party hat is available in several sizes as are many of her wedding cake toppers. 

Amanda uses German Glass Glitter, vintage music sheets, silk flowers and ribbon and unusual images to style her uniquely handcrafted and popular wedding toppers which are carefully wrapped and shipped to brides anywhere.

Amanda's pastel and glitter Easter Cones, I can't think of a prettier way to say Happy Easter!

~

Speaking of being noticed by Martha Stewart, if any of you missed the Martha Stewart show featuring fellow blogger and floral paper artist Noel Solomon of Fanciful Designs, you can click here to see the tutorial and video for making her large paper flowers. These fabulous creations are big enough to give "a hug" as you shall see on the video.








Photos 1 to 5 - Over the Top Studios/ Bottom photo by Robert Tannenbaum for Martha Stewart

A good egg................for gifting

My own Easter Egg hunt led me to Paloma's Nest on Etsy this morning and I thought these personalized wooden eggs would make for the sweetest little gift any time of year. A takeaway place card holder, an inspirational paperweight or collection, and since we all start as tiny little eggs...............wouldn't it be wonderful to personalize it with a brand new name and tuck it in with a baby gift? 






Photo from Paloma's Nest on Etsy

What you must do in Paris .......with Carla Coulson

Are you visiting Paris soon or in the distant future?

If so, this must be on your list. 

Carla Coulson knows I adore her new venture. When she mentioned this concept 2 years ago over a huge plate of frites in Paris, I immediately said "you have to do this". And then I annoyingly kept bringing it up.............because what I was really thinking was this is such a good idea, can I pose right now? I would love a once-in-a-lifetime portrait in Paris! There is something in the Paris air that women breathe in when they land in Paris, we feel more feminine, more something and Carla has figured out a way to photographically capture that delicious something with Paris Muse. Now close your eyes...................

and picture this....................

Pick the perfect city Paris. The most luxurious setting Hotel Lancaster. Bring just yourself, or your best friends, your sister, your mother, or your hubby it can be an individual or group shot. Meet the talented make up and hair team. Let them do their fashionable thing while you sip some French bubbly and relax............you are in the best hands in the business. Picture yourself at your most glamorous and natural, all relaxed with that Paris glow wearing a gorgeous frock, sounding good isn't it? Now picture the experienced and enormously talented lens of Carla Coulson pointed directly at you. 

Actually it might sound a tad intimidating. But this is the part I really want you to really understand if you are feeling a bit shy about this idea. Carla Coulson is as wonderful as you would imagine if you have read her books and admired her photographic talent. I had the enormous pleasure of spending a few evenings with Carla and her handsome Italian husband in Paris a few years ago and I have to tell you..........you will feel immediately comfortable with her and likely have more than a few laughs. She is warm, sincere, unpretentious, down-to-earth, and full of genuine smiles and laughter. You are in the most talented of hands for this most special Paris treat. 

Go take a peek at Carla's new website and blog and browse the before and after transformations here. The tone of the photo-shoot is yours to determine, something feminine think boudoir-like, a more professional pose for publicity, or as a special keepsake for that special couple an anniversary, a Paris honeymoon. After the four-hour booking, you will have the option of purchasing the final images as printed fine art photos or a luxe book. Either way, you are bringing home a most incredible keepsake. The package details and booking dates are available by emailing Carla here. 

Carla is having a fabulous Paris Muse giveaway to introduce her new service and website so click here to enter by Tuesday. I am headed there right now.........I am so going to do this on my next trip to Paris. And so should you. This is such a good idea.

All photos are the exclusive property of Carla Coulson.