Tecnica Skandia: Apres Ski Boots

Today I was happy to don my Tecnica Skandia boots and clomp around.

There’s no snow, which is just fine, because these boots are really designed for après ski, for sitting around a large lodge fireplace, drinking hot somethings, warming rosy cheeks, and comparing slopes.

But if you’re me, you would stick to the cross-country trails. I love to race, having been a member of my boarding school’s cross-country ski team, and the gentle slopes that give one’s quads a quick rest are just fine.

I’m also wearing a palomino-colored fitted puffer, in a rare nod to---oh I can’t even write it! You know: the MM phrase. So please just imagine it.

But the retro image far above and below? That's a bit how I feel today, sans snow, of course. I hope we get, in the immortal words of a New York Post headline from years gone by, a S’Noel.*

*The NYP didn’t apostrophize, but I edited here for contextual clarity.

Lofty Thoughts? Loeffler Randall Shoes

Last night I went to bed at 1:00 a.m. and got up at 6:00 to start my (children’s) day.

Tonight/tomorrow will be more of the same.

But to keep my mind lively and alert on the drive to school of les petites tomorrow, I’ll be scheming and plotting: I wish that these shoes by Loeffler Randall would find their way to my home.

They’re identical in style to a smooth grey pair that I have, and I love the updated colors and suede.

Back in full force soon; am busy with end-of-semester busy-ness!

Ultra Violet; Ultra Freudian?

Do you know just how a hint of color can summon up some of the most deep-seated memories?

As I was glancing through Bazaar yesterday, I happened upon a tiny shot of this trouser suit by Proenza Schouler, and my eye immediately fixed upon the ultra violet stripe.

Actually, it was more like my four-year-old self than my adult eye, because this slash of color transported me to my childhood home on Prince Edward Island, where I would watch my mother color her own hair. (Going to a salon for color was unheard of when I was a wee lass.)

My mum would buy little capsules of color, which, when poured out into a decanter, were the most brilliant shade of deep ultra violet. (And they turned her hair a pretty blonde.)

I’ll be looking for this color in the next few months—but just a hint of it. After all, though we carry our childhood everywhere we go, we don’t want it to be our defining feature, right?

Are there any colors that transport you, Gentle Readers?

Showtime!

See you on Monday!!

I'm Breton' on Mr. and Mrs. Antoni & Alison

I’ve written here before that I’m not a real wearer of novelty clothing, but every so often something so tantalizing enters my vision that I revise my stance.

The toujours savvy Wendy Brandes posted the other day about an intarsia sweater collection from Mr. and Mrs. Antoni & Alison, and I haven’t been able to shake the memory.

The colors in all of the sweaters are just right—to me they have the feel of a Tim Walker photograph,

with perfect, slightly faded blues and bright-but-subtle reds. Here is part of the A & A sweater collection; click here to see more.

I’ve posted my favorite (far) above.

But this terrific duo based in London makes more than sweaters! A quick tour of their website turned up tiny purses, which are equally witty and chic:

As well as scarves, whose classic beauty is added to by the graffiti scribble:

And even their gift certificates (vouchers) are objects of desire—in more ways than one!

Finally, I love this logo:

Like the colors in the sweaters, the font is just right, evoking a bygone age, when clothing labels were taken seriously. (Do you know how much I adore labels? Must do a post on some.)

Another must: when I’m in London next, I will surely pay a call to this delightful shop.

Selv Indulgent; or: Miss C in Selvedge Magazine encore une fois

Today I received my hard copy of Selvedge magazine, in the mail, from London.

I do hope you’ll indulge my punning and posturing, as it was a true thrill to see my article (and name!) in print in one of my very favorite magazines.

Equally exciting was to discover a reference to my piece in the Editor’s note, called “Bias,” and, as you’ll see above, a blurb from my blog on a page devoted to bloggers who love Selvedge.

Here’s a larger version, in case the collage doesn’t transmit well:

I’ve written about Selvedge in these virtual pages numerous times, long before having any writerly association with the magazine, so you can be assured that the sentiment was—and continues to be—genuine.

But don’t take my word for it! Selvedge is an independently owned magazine, treasured by those who love textiles for its keen eye and luxurious presentation. By the way, Selvedge is, in terms of height, about half the size of other magazines, so, if you’re looking through the racks, look down!

Copies should be going on display on December 14.

Phoebe Philo: Pastry to Go

After looking at my gaily decorated Christmas tree for a week now, I’m ready for some palate cleansing.

Plus yesterday for brunch I enjoyed some delicious pancakes made with pastry flour (oh, what a difference it makes!!), and would like an amuse bouche in that department as well.

So, playing a genial game of word association, I connected pastry flour with philo pastry, which, in turn, led me to Phoebe Philo, whose RTW collection for Celine proves to be anything but flaky.

Although I usually eschew black for being too harsh, these two pieces above and below are terrific examples of power dressing that ask for only a great pair of shoes (not the ones shown, please). (OK: I know that the jewelry aficionadi and thoughtful designers who are gentle readers would insist on at least one piece of statement jewelry. Done!)

In this season when trees and houses and boxes and people are beribboned and swagged and lit up and tinseled, it’s a pleasure to slip into a little minimalism, if only in one’s mind.