Pilates Style

In an attempt to develop some sort of core strength (seriously, I've never been able to do a sit-up), I've recently started taking (remedial) Pilates. And I guess I need a whole new wardrobe. These pretty things are from Abi and Joseph; I first saw them in a Daily Candy email.

Denyse Schmidt + Gee's Bend

I have always loved the quilts of Denyse Schmidt. She creates quilts that don't make me feel itchy and sneezy. Can't help but think that she gets quite a bit of inspiration from the very talented ladies of Gee's Bend, as featured on these 2006 stamps.

{images: top, denyse schmidt; middle, barnes and noble; bottom, usps}

Wish You Were Here

Or rather, wish I was there. In honor of Paris Fashion Week, a few favorite pictures from that great little town, including one of my all-time favorites by the Sartorialist (and I have spent half the day looking for it in his archives).

{last image: the sartorialist}

Emilio Pucci

In my aforementioned next life, I may need a little Pucci for jaunts to the Amalfi Coast.

{images: Marcio Madeira for style}

Malin + Goetz

Not really sure how these two guys got into the development of skin and haircare formulations (although one did work for Kiehl's, and one throws great dinner parties?), but their products sound great. Two steps for everything: face, hair, body. And I've always been a sucker for utilitarian packaging.
{image: malin + goetz}

Three More Wishes

So I read about this "blister elixir" here, and I might just have to give it a try. Supposed to create "a smooth, dry, slippery surface that prevents the rubbings and irritations that cause blisters." I swear, if I had three wishes, this would be one of them. Guess I better start thinking of something else to wish for. Made by Peaches and Boo Boo (what the heck kinda name is that?), you can buy it at Smallflower.

Marni

In my next life (the one with the larger fashion budget), I will wear Marni twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. From Spring 2008 RTW.
{images: Marcio Madeira for style}

Pretty Rings

I found these rings last night, by Jane Diaz, at Garnet Hill. I just thought they were really pretty. And with the holidays coming up, who knows?

{image: Garnet Hill}

Kitchen Renovation

While I'm in complete denial that there is a kitchen renovation in my near future (that reminds me, I need to get that Xanax refilled), I know it will be worth it when it's finished. Maybe it will look like this one by Carla Lane that I saw all over the blogosphere last week. I did just buy a bag of Granny Smith apples.
{image: Carla Lane via design*sponge}

The Secret of Life

A good book, bubbles, and a fabulous bathroom--that's all you really need. I think this bathroom belongs to one of the Herrera girls, and was in the first issue of Domino.

Must Have

I...must...have...this...shawl. I think it would basically solve all of the problems in my (fashion) life.

Good Things

While cleaning out some old emails, I found these ideas that I'd saved from Martha. While her projects are usually a little too involved for my tastes, I figured I could handle these two. Stamping books seems like a nice way to personalize your library, and this photo album sounds as easy as pie.

Pink Coral

That SF Girl by Bay is one crafty chick. Disappointed with her chosen shade of pink, she added some of her acrylics and ended up with this gorgeous (I think) shade of coral. These pictures are of her hallway.

The Lee Brothers

These guys are great. Grew up in Charleston, then went to school up north (Amherst? Harvard? somewhere like that). Started a boiled peanuts mail-order business in their NYC apartment, and the rest is history. The cookbook recently won the James Beard award. Their recipes un-Paula Deen southern cooking, using only necessary amounts of butter. And they sound dee-vine.

Inspirational Paper

I saw these notepads, from Charlotte Moss, on my daily visit to Style Court. Perhaps overpriced at $170 for the set, but nice quotes to think on.

Daily French Fix

After travelling to France last spring, I turned into a bit of a Francophile--which I write as my dad chokes on his freedom fries. I get my daily fix from these sites:

At Paris Breakfasts, Carol Gillot paints lovely watercolors of details from the City of Light.


The blog of the interiors website Bodie and Fou is where Elodie and Karine share "all the chic and inspiring French addresses" they know. This post shows more pictures of their house in Southwest France, photographed by Alun Callender.

Claudia Strasser, author of the The Paris Apartment, has a website of the same name, where she posts great photos of Paris.

Chateau de Massillan

Note to self: Next trip to Provence, I want to stay here, at the Chateau de Massillan. Located in the Vaucluse region, it was formerly the hunting lodge of Henry II and his life-long companion(i.e. mistress), Diane de Poitier. Now it just looks like a pretty amazing place to stay. Owned and designed by Peter Wylly and Birgit Israel.

Cute Top

Joanna Weinberg, author of the cookbook How to Feed Your Friends with Relish, is wearing the cutest red and white top in this picture. Don't know anything about it, except that I found the pic while reading this post at All the Best. She sure looks like she's having more fun cooking than I ever do. And better dressed, too.

Tonight's Low in the 50s

Break out those blankets, kids, cold weather is here. Some nice candles, decor, and gourds for Fall from Pottery Barn.

La Compagnie de Provence

Village of Gordes

in Gordes

Saturday market in Arles

{image: lucky scent}

While in Provence last spring, I found a store in Gordes, its shelves filled with these wonderful bottles of lotion and soap. Made in Marseille with lots of olive oil. The thought of hauling them around the south of France kept me from buying them. Good thing, because now they seem to be everywhere.