Framed In The Doorway: Fashion

It has been a while since I have posted in FITD.

But I have to share my latest FITD acquisition!

Let me introduce you to Houndstooth Boutique housed in both Savage and Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

I was lucky enough to tuck into this fabulous shop after running errands on a Saturday. What I discovered left me like I had found my mothership.

For those of you who know me, y'all know how I'm all about the denim. Pair a cute, inexpensive top with a pair of fab jeans...and you have an outfit.

Houndstooth was an absolute treasure to find. Not only was I personally styled, but the space lended itself to browsing without feeling overwhelmed all the while seeing the latest trends off the runway.

If More if Good, then More is Better: Houndstooth has a FAB sale rack with items priced at $40. Love those designer pieces on a budget? Check them out.

Want to party?: Houndstooth invites you (and your friends!) to come hang and shop with wine, food, and a discount. :)

Black Friday Bliss: Enjoy 40% off as you shop away that turkey and stuffing!

https://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=193671563402



FITD Love,

xoxo

Frog In The Doorway

(Literally!)

So, I have to admit: I'm not a fan of anything squeamy: bugs, snakes...okay, bugs and snakes. That may be it. :) Oh and fish...those, too. Ew.

Living in Minnesota, however, in the middle of somewhere, I have learned that nature abounds....whether I want it to or not.

And I have discovered that I really like frogs.

Last summer, I came downstairs, and Man (my beloved) directed me towards towards the staircase wall, so I could see the frog that had been there since the night before. (I call him Man as he changes my oil, knows what a Piston is, and can quote me my eighth-amendment rights in about three minutes.)

This poor little guy was plastered against the wall like the Titanic was going down--he did not move for two days--or at least that we saw him. Poor little guy.

Finally, we sent him back outside.

Today, we noticed a little face sticking out of a planter by the patio door. He had the same little look: "don't step on me-don't eat me-please love me" of our little frog from last summer.

Sorry for the badness of the image (via my Droid), but he is still super cute.

Collectibles: Depression-Era Glass

One of my favorite hobbies is antiquing. I could happily spend hours in an antique shop sorting through vintage clothing, books, china, and glassware.

What I really love, though, is depression-era glass. My mom started collecting it about ten years ago and passed on that love to me. Her philosophy was that you should always serve food to guests on pretty serving dishes.

My philosophy was that if I served my food on pretty dishes, no one would notice my cooking. :)

I'm a big fan of repurposing pieces, so I like to use my depression-era cookie jar as a vase, and I use a serving bowl to store my daily jewelery and hair pieces.

I'd like to start collecting the green-colored glass like the piece shown below.

Vineyards With a View...

There is something invigorating about the pop of a champagne/sparkling wine cork. That "pop" speaks of hope, love, romance, a future, a celebration of things to come, or a remembrance of things past. (Thank you, Proust.)

I had the good fortune to visit Gloria Ferrer in Sonoma and sample some wonderful sparkling wine.

What I experienced really surprised me. The vineyards are endless. The study of viticulture (is obviously) rampant, and I enjoyed learning different grapes and how they grow. (And the tasting part was a real challenge. :) )

A lovely delight at GF...the most wonderful spicy almonds that accompany the tasting menu. I was so enamored that I asked if I could buy them and take them home...the answer was no. They were not available to sell, but they would gladly send me home with some (for free) and tell me how they were made.

Loving Kate...

I am absolutely loving my new Kate Spade accessories. More to the point, I am appreciating the mottos come with them. My favorite thus far: Have Courage.



The insert...




The bangle...







The packaging...




The wearer. :)

FITD Florals

One of my favorite indulgences is fresh flowers. Whether I receive them for a birthday or anniversary or a "just because" bouquet at the grocery store, I love the smell and appearance of a lovely floral arrangement. I love to cut and arrange flowers in different places in our home.

Especially here in Minnesota, where the winters are long, flowers add a definite pick-me-up.

This blog post is dedicated to my most fabulous Aunt Maddie, who sent a lovely plant after my mom passed. (Sadly, Aunt Maddie, I have no idea what the plant is now--just that it looks good. :) )

This plant has flowered amazingly well, and I cut some blooms this evening to display.

They, much like my mom and her best friend (Aunt Maddie), are so FITD.

Elegance

In 2004, I devoured Kathleen Tessaro's debut novel, Elegance. Tessaro's novel is inspired by the fashion and style guide, A Guide to Elegance: For Every Woman Who Wants to Be Well and Properly Dressed on All Occasions, written by the wonderful and witty Genevieve Antoine Dariaux (the elegant figure displayed on the blog).

After reading Tessaro's novel, I was obsessed with finding this gem. Unfortunately, the Dariaux novel (published in 1964) had been out-of-print for many years.

I searched online and used bookstores to track down a copy. Sellers on Amazon were pricing the book at $150 and higher.

In the midst of my search, I was spending a Saturday antiquing and noticed an older-looking book on bookshelf in a room display. (Those who know me know that books are the first things I am drawn to in an antique shop...or any shop, for that matter.)

Could it be? Could it be that book? Sure enough, it was. I hastily snatched the book off the shelf and looked inside. The price read $10. I checked the date, and it was the first edition of the book.

That afternoon, I became enveloped in the world of Madame Dariaux (former directress of the Nina Ricci salon in Paris). Some of the advice is outdated simply given the time, but Dariaux's direct and wise observations hold true. Very FITD. :)

After the publication of Tessaro's novel, A Guide to Elegance has been republished.

Check it out (via Amazon):

http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Elegance-Properly-Dressed-Occasions/dp/0060757345/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

FITD: The Rules

What does it mean to be FITD? I have given some thought to what my mom would say, and what I believe as well. What are you thoughts?

• Have empathy.

• Be kind.

• "Yes and "No" are followed by "Sir" and "M'am."

• Use a good moisturizer. It doesn't have to be expensive. And you're never too young.

• There IS such a thing as too much make-up and too much jewelry. When it doubt, find a few key items that work for you. Or take some off.

• Pay yourself first.

• Education is priceless; it always belongs to you.

• Know the importance of packaging: the outside is just as important as the inside (my mother: per wrapping presents), but extends to other things as well.
  

• Just Say No (thank you, Nancy Reagan) to tattoos and piercings (unless that tattoo should happen to be in the shape of Texas on your foot. Then it's all good. :) ).

• A simple bouquet of flowers brightens up a room.

• Have a sense of your own history.
  And if you can't, make one up: channel Coco Chanel.
  

• Know when to splurge and to save.

Mirror, Mirror

I like to display and use items that have a sense of history and memory. On my dressing table, I use my great-grandmother's vanity mirror to display some of my favorite fragrances. This mirror always makes me smile as it was in my house growing up. The Hermes box reminds me of a most fabulous shopping trip with a girlfriend.

(Actually, the Hermes box reminds of several fabulous shopping trips. :) )

Frame Analysis: The Concept Behind Framed In The Doorway

The expression "framed in the doorway" was coined in 2002 as I dressed to have dinner at the Captain's table on one of the cruises my mother and I took together. My mother took one look at what I was wearing and screeched, "Oh my God...that outfit is so YOU. It is so Framed in the Doorway."

After that, Framed In the Doorway became synonymous with all things elegant, well-mannered, and fabulous.

I created Framed In the Doorway to share some of the ideas and creations that inspire me.

Bear with me as I conquer the nuances of Google Blogger. :)