Vivienne Westwood Plaid

I just love the cut of a Vivienne Westwood dress.  And this plaid is so pretty.  With this cute wallet instead of a big heavy purse to weigh you down and these adorable ballet flats instead of heels, I'm sure I could be comfy (in a stylish way) running around all day.

Untitled #51 by debralynn5 featuring a navy cocktail dress

The Portrait Of Dido Elizabeth Belle And Lady Elizabeth Murray That The Movie "Belle" Is Based On

The portrait of Dido Elizabeth Belle and Lady Elizabeth Murray by Johann Zoffany

I can plainly see why Misan Sagay (screen writer for the movie Belle) was intrigued by this painting while visiting Scone Palace in Scotland.  The painting's label read: "Portrait of Lady Elizabeth Murray, circa 1778." Of course, any one of us would be curious to know who the woman on the left was, and so was Ms. Sagay.

Dido Elizabeth Belle (1761-1804) was an illegitimate daughter of Admiral Sir John Lindsay and an African slave named Maria Belle.  Dido's father sent her to live with his uncle, William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield.  Incredibly for this time and age, she was brought up as a free young gentlewoman at Kenwood House with her cousin Elizabeth.  It is said that William Murray might have been influenced by Belle in his capacity as Lord Chief Justice when he ruled on cases affecting the legitimacy of the slave trade.

I highly recommend seeing "Belle".  It reminded me a little of Jane Austen's Mansfield Park.  Belle, like Fanny lives in luxury, yet is not completely accepted or a part of it.  They both are aware that they are different.  They both are opposed to slavery.  And they both escape bad fiances to marry cute good guys in the end!  Besides a wonderful story, "Belle" offers lush and beautiful costumes and scenery.

The actors Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who plays Dido, and Sam Reid, who plays her love interest, John Davinier, are exceptionally good at tearing up to tug at our heartstrings.  I expect to see much more of them in future films.

Barabara Barry Bubble Gum Pink Desk For A Little Girl's Room

I am looking for ideas to make a little desk/vanity area for my daughter's room and I found this great photo on houzz.com.  This is a Barbara Barry desk that has been spray painted a bubble gum pink.  I can't afford a Barbara Barry desk and if I could I don't think I would have the nerve to spray paint it!  But I do love this look, and the way it has been paired with a lucite chair.  I am still looking for ideas, but I'll keep this in mind :)

Contemporary Kids by Toronto Interior Designers & Decorators Shirley Meisels

Special Occasion Outfit

I think this might be the first Outfit Post I've ever done.  Probably because all the clothes I buy are for my daughter these days.  In fact, I didn't even buy this outfit I'm wearing.  It was pure serendipity.  I was visiting my friend Mansi, and she was cleaning out her closet.  So, she gave me a couple of pretty tunics that don't fit her anymore.  I lucked out!  Just in time too.  My daughter's First Communion was coming up and I needed something to wear.

My friend Alex, and I.

Me and my sister, Jackie.

My sister, my daughter and I all dressed up really early in the morning for my daughter's First Communion.

My daughter, Sandra, in the secret garden!  I found her dress in The Garment district of Los Angeles.  Great deal!

Happy Mother's Day!

I think this is my mom's senior year photo from high school.  I've always liked this photo because it is hand tinted, plus my mom looks so glamourous in it!

This is a photo of my mom, me, and my older sister.  It's taken in front of our record player.  I wish I still had that retro hi-fi set.  

I definitely owe my sense of style to my mom.  She always looked put together even if she was just going to the grocery store.  Jewelry, hair, makeup, high heels, the works!  But the most important lesson I learned from my mom was the unconditional love she gave us kids.  Now that I have a daughter, I understand it better.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

And Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there!!

The New Summer 2014 Collection of Warby Parker Eyeglass Frames are here!

The marketing department at Warby Parker asked me to help announce their new 2014 Summer Collection.  At first I was hesitant because I had never heard of them before.  After a little research, I was very intrigued by their company.

Starting with their name.  I think it is so cool that they combined the names of two of author Jack Kerouac's characters to come up with Warby Parker.

They are also a company with a heart.  For every pair of glasses purchased, they will donate a pair to someone in need.

Amazingly their glasses start at $95!  I like their little motto - "We hope your new glasses will provide all the style you need to travel your road with class, and their price will leave you with some extra cash to use on your journey."

But let's get down to my favorite part, the Warby Parker aesthetic, vintage-inspired with a contemporary twist.

Here are a couple of samples from their Summer 2014 Collection:

I like all the peachy-orange going on here.  Bright colors that pop for summer!

I like these retro cool sunglasses.  Plus they are named sun striped sassafras.  I just like saying sassafras.

Nice clean design.

I like the little traces of blue throughout these frames.

These shades are not part of the new collection but I do like the plum color and their shape.

Get some new sunglasses for the summer.  Check out Warby Parker.  And you don't have to go anywhere.  You can shop online and have the glasses come to you!

Etiquette Series - Things You Can Eat With Your Fingers

For today's post on etiquette, I turn to "The Little Book Of Etiquette" by Dorothea Johnson.  Dorothea is the Founder of The Protocol School of Washington.

I was surprised to find that in Chapter 5, Eating Various Foods,  there is a section of foods that you are allowed to eat with your hands.  I always think of dining with proper etiquette involving an unusually large amount of silverware.

Artichokes:  Eat with your fingers.  Remove each leaf seperately, dip the soft end in sauce, and then pull it through your teeth to remove the edible portion.  Discard the remainder of the leaf on the side of your plate.  Secure the heart with a fork and scrape the thistle away with a knife.  Then cut the heart into pieces and eat it with a fork.

Asparagus:  Cut into bite-size portions and eat wit a fork.  In Europe it is eaten with the fingers.  Individual asparagus tongs may also be used.

Bacon:  eat with a fork and knife.  Only very crisp bacon may be eaten with your fingers.

Strawberries:  Eat with a spoon.  Large strawberries are often served with the stem.  Hold the strawberry by the stem, dip it in sugar, and eat it in one or two bites.  Discard the stem on the side of your plate.

Bread and Butter:  Do not pull the roll in half.  Break off only one bite of your bread or roll at a time, then butter it with your butter spreader and eat.  Do the buttering on your plate, not in your hand.  When butter is passed, take a portion onto your butter plate with the butter server.  If pats are used, pick them up with a fork and pace on our plate.

Celery, Olives, Pickles, and Radishes:  Remove from the serving tray with your fingers and place on the side of your dinner plate or bread and butter plate.  All are eaten with the fingers.  Eat large olives with a pit in several bites, discarding the pit on the side of your plate.  Small stuffed olives are eaten whole.

Cherries, Kumquats, and Plums (raw):  Eat with your fingers in one or two bites.  The stones are dropped into the cupped hand and put on the side of the plate.

Chicken, Duck, and Turkey:  Eat with a fork and knife.  Fried chicken is only eaten with the fingers at a picnic or a casual family gathering.
                        - taken from The Little Book Of Etiquette

Untitled #50 by debralynn5 featuring Nearly Natural