January 10, 2012 by Simone
I can’t stop thinking about a gift I put together for a client not so long ago. For a gentleman’s birthday, I created a shoe wardrobe; a selection of amazing shoes that covered the bases for this sartorialist’s particular lifestyle needs. Not only that, the gift included the option of having custom shoes created as well. Something every girl wants for themselves, right?! Through my man-shoe travels, I kept noticing how many of pairs I would have loved to have for myself. There’s something to be appreciated within the parameters of men’s style. Menswear design pushes the boundaries from a pretty tight frame work – the framework of function, fabrication, tradition, and simplicity. Let’s call if mindful efficiency. What about you? Do you dabble in the gear for the boys? I’m feeling the love for all of these below….
And how great is this ‘College Shoe Care Kit’ by TURMS? Clever little play on the penny loafer, wouldn’t you say? There’s something nostalgic about shoe shining – taking the time to care for the pairs you love. A self contained kit is a great gift for the guy who takes pleasure in taking care of his goods.
And I couldn’t resist posting about this luxurious accessory from long ago. Yes, it’s true – it’s a solid gold Tiffany & Co. shoe horn from the 1920′s. Can you imagine needing something as fine as this today?
here, here, here
Tags: grooming, luxury gifts, men's gifts, men's shoes
Categories: beauty+groom, fashion+style, gift ideas, just because, our projects •
December 12, 2011 by Simone
Hi sweet readers, I hope you enjoyed a great weekend. I had quite a full one – my house was photographed on Sat (more on that soon!), the bazaar was quite a lovely success (pics on their way!). I took a few pics of my own around my house to share with you. I had a rare, downtime moment (it is December after all…) and there’s nothing like a bit of peace and quiet to appreciate the little things you have placed about your home. My favorite part of decorating is creating moments here & there – small, intimate spots that tells stories about a life. well lived. What about you? Do you have little inspired vignettes in your place?
These poufs were given to by Joanna, after her trip to Morocco. I found the rug in Palm Springs at an estate sale. I love the faded colors.
A few of my favorite things,below. The shoe I’ve posted about before (my sweetheart found it for me). It’s sitting on a jewelry tin that my Great Aunt brought back from France. The little silhouette picture in the back tells a love story…quite romantic wouldn’t you say?
The two photos below are favorites of mine. I adore old photographs. I found the photo of the woman on the left at the Clignacourt, the Paris Flea Market. The woman on the right was brought to me by a friend from Argentina. I would love a conversation with the both of them! Some sage (which I use often), and my favorite Mad et Len candles.
The books below are my Mom’s story books from when she was a child. The illustrations are fantastic. The book ends are antique shoe lasts.
I would love to see pics from your home too..send some my way!
Tags: diy, home, home+decor, interiors
Categories: home+decor, inspiration, just because, my life •
December 9, 2011 by Simone
Happy Friday readers! What are your plans for the weekend? If you’re in LA, do stop by and come visit us this Sunday at SML headquarters! Gifts, champagne and music, all the necessities to keep you in tip-top shape for your Holiday. I have been fitting in some craft-time and will be selling some sweet handmade chai tea, soap and journal sets……
The chai was an aromatic delight to blend….
These gorgeous handmade papers are even more beautiful in real life…..
et voila, a set of simple indulgences, right?
Come on by and bring your friends!
Tags: chai tea, gift guides, handmade, studio 156
Categories: just because, my life, our projects •
November 24, 2011 by Simone
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you enjoy a day filled with family, friends, food…and gratitude.
here
Tags: thanksgiving
Categories: just because •
November 8, 2011 by Simone
A must have for the foodie in your life is Penguin Book’s Great Food series, and great it is, my friends. The series is comprised of a fantastic collection of the finest food writing from the last 400 years or so. The books’ authors range from contemporary Alice Waters to truly vintage classics like Isabella Beeton’s The Campaign for Domestic Happiness. The collection is designed by the fabulously talented Coralie Bickford-Smith and each book is inspired from ceramic patterns found on pieces of the same time as the books’ original manuscripts. Inspired, indeed.
Throughout the history of civilization, food has been more than simple necessity. In countless cultures, it has been livelihood, status symbol, entertainment – and passion.
The titles themselves are timely and intriguing….
Then you have these oh so gorgeous painted patterns…
Yup, Love in a Dish. That MFK Fisher title says it all.
Being from a family of the ‘Southern Type’, I think this title may be my favorite of all.
Quite a little set, wouldn’t you say?
here & here
Tags: foodie gifts, penguin books, the great food series
Categories: gift ideas, just because •
November 7, 2011 by Simone
Happy Monday sweet readers. I woke up inspired by the rain filled weekend we had out here in LA. Although the majority of my weekend was filled with Holiday work with clients, I was able to slip in some inspiration sourcing that I wanted to share with you. Please, tell me if any of these inspire!
Margiela’s shearling boot: fold it up, fold it down and you’re cozy every which way. I love that the heel matches the suede color.
Monique Pean’s jewelry. Not the budget for everyone, but you must just spend some time looking at her pieces. Her mix of fine materials with the truly rugged and natural (read:wooly mammoth tusk & rose gold) are the tops.
The Hermes Cape Cod watch with this smokey tan band. This is on my wish-list (And probably will be for a while…)
How special is this little guy? Abigail Brown’s textile birds are incredible. She uses scrap materials, and each creation has it’s own unique personality. Do you love these? I’m truly in love.
The fancy graffiti from Thunderwing Press. I want to travel East and spend some time learning these calligraphy techniques. Beautiful, right?
Loving this shot from our Joanna & Simone posts….quite romantic, wouldn’t you say?
Tags: abigail brown, joanna and simone, margiela, thunderwing press
Categories: inspiration, just because •
November 2, 2011 by Simone
The last few weeks have had me knee deep in Holiday preparation. T’is the season of custom projects and production level gifting; I’m spending my days working on everything from designing beautiful little pieces of black diamond jewelry to creating 3 tiered leather boxes that also serve as a traveling bar set. Needless to say, that makes the brain feel a little bit like a game of Tetris sometimes. Remember Tetris? When it all gets to be a little bit too much, I turn to some late night fantasy shopping for moi. You know the drill , right? Load up a shopping cart of beautiful items that are just right for that certain…something. Last night led me to one of my favorite Parisian boutiques, L’Eclaireur. I decided to give myself a dress for every occasion that this Holiday season might bring….and guess what? You can totally borrow these for your fantasy shopping list if you’d like.
Matthew Williamson’s silk, sequin & feather dress caught my eye first.Glammy Holiday cocktail party at the Chateau you say?
L’Eclaireur has a great selection from Paris based designer Sharon Wauchob. Her fabrics are always so unique. This is my pick for an early evening rooftop garden-party. Let’s make that happen, shall we?
Ohh, Dries. I would wear this stunner with some tights and boots for a day at work. How gorgeous is the mix of prints?
I have to say, this little silk frock from Azzaro might actually be my favorite. Even though this is fantasy shopping…I can’t help but appreciate that this piece could be worn in so many ways, on so many different occasions. Dress it down for day or chic it up for night. It’s classic, with a bit of a tongue-in-cheek little boudoir twist….
What do you think ladies? Do any of these strike your fantasy-fancy?
here
Tags: azzaro, cocktail dresses, dries van noten, Matthew Williamson, sharon wauchob
Categories: fashion+style, just because •
October 31, 2011 by Simone
Happy Halloween, sweet readers, what is on your plate for tonight? Did you dress up over the weekend, or is tonight your night? Check out this glittering decoupage pumpkin – I think I’ve fallen in DIY love..
here
Tags: aunt peaches, halloween, liberace pumpkin
Categories: just because •
October 26, 2011 by Simone
With Halloween just around the bend I thought there’s no better time to share these Exquisite Corpse skulls. Exquisite Corpse works with the Huichol people of Mexico to create these insanely beautiful limited edition beaded pieces. The Huichol people live in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Western Mexico and are age old master craftsmen of beaded art.
Can you imagine the hours that goes into each one of these?
The intricate pattern work keeps these from being too macabre…..
How about receiving this stunning box as gift for Halloween?
here
Tags: beaded, damien hirst, Exquisite Corpse, Huichol people of Mexico
Categories: just because •
October 21, 2011 by Simone
Today’s Friday treasures post comes to you from the wonderful ceramicist Hilda Jesser. Jesser studied under Josef Hoffmann back in 1915, and initially worked primarily with fabric, lace and embroidery. In 1916 she began to produce her first works for the Wiener Werkstätte. She designed only a handful of ceramic pieces, all of which are characterized by what she noted as a ‘deliberate reduction in color and frills with a special emphasis on the usability of ceramics’. To my eye, there are no frills – but there are certainly a pleasing amount of feminine details.What do you think – are you a fan?
Tags: ceramics, Hilda Jesser, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Categories: just because, treasures •
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