a most excellent adventure...

"The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected."

- Robert Frost

Everything was set: the house was spotless, the flowers arranged in vases and in pots, had my outfit all picked out. I was all ready for my magazine shoot. Then a change of plans... my good friend and stylista guru - Jane - graciously offered to not only style my shoot but the use of her gorgeous boutique. Of course I said yes and the photographer - Michael - kindly agreed to change the date and location literally at the spur of the moment. My daughter (Sage) asked if she could go with me so she could photograph the shoot. So, this morning, I loaded Sage and Coco into the car and headed to Geneva, Illinois...

When we arrived, Jane had four fantabulous looks ready - we chose two. Damn but Jane is talented! After spending only a little bit of time with a woman, she is able to pick pieces and/or a head-to-toe look that is perfectly suited to a woman's body and personality. 

Thirty minutes prep, Michael arrived - go time...

Violet Gown: BCBG

Quick peek, then we moved inside

Jane weaving her magic

Green gown with black edging: Jay Godfrey

I did my own make up. Since I'm so darkly tanned (from mommy-chauffering in my convertible and my recent family-sojourn to the beach) all of my makeup is too light. So just mascara, blush and lipgloss. Of course I also wrangled my Nappity Nap.

Fun shot: Coco (in the foreground), 

Jane's pooch - Valentino (on the rug).

Today was extremely surreal - me, wearing gorgeous clothes, having pictures taken by a professional photographer, for a magazine spread! And I'm woman enough to admit that I was very nervous about doing this - it's so much easier and way less stressful to be behind the camera than in front of it. As I was looking through Sage's photos I kept thinking: I would never have been brave enough to do this ten, even twenty, years ago. But here's the thing...

I felt beautiful, and strong, and sensual. And it wasn't because of the gorgeous clothes or the ridiculously talented photographer (okay, not just because ;-} It's because I really and truly accept, embrace and love 46 year old me and all the gifts this age bestows (see the opening quote). Oh don't get me wrong, I still struggle with aging gracefully (facial lines, gray hair, failing eye-sight, four-baby-belly, a stubbornly big booty). But an integral, hard earned and won part of aging gracefully is maturity, wisdom, and the freedom that comes with choosing to live, love and enjoy life on one's own terms. That's what today was and it was, indeed, a  most excellent adventure.

Vivre! Rire! Aimer!

Temple

Lunch w/ Sage- 

the shoes. Honey, the shoes!

Photo: Le Secret d'Audrey

"Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world."

- Marilyn Monroe

Giving my Diva full and free reign has been a revelatory adventure. Under Jane's patient tutelage (and embracing the maturité that only living can bestow) I have learned to love and showcase my unique assets and camouflage my...problem points ;-} Integral parts of my Diva-tude are being a mother and a professor - I'm always on the run - so my everyday footwear are Chucky T's, ballet flats and funky flat sandals. Stylista-me has clear and definite requirements: fantabuluosity, fierce elegance (with just a touch of trendy) - oui, absolument! fussy/complicated makeup, hair and wardrobe - absolument non! 

But there's one aspect of the Diva that I absolutely love (always have). It's something I refuse to live without - sky high heels!

Stilettos & Rose Petals

"You put high heels on and you change." - Manolo Blanik

Yes, sky-high heels are impractical - but when did the Diva give a hoot about practicality? Sky-high heels elongate the leg (to truly epic proportions), tantilizingly lift the bust and beautifully push the booty up and out - generating a saucy/sensual sway to said booty in the process.  And yes, sky-high heels were painful...until the glorious invention of 'the platform' and the 'cork wedge. 4+ inches magically transformed into a comfortable 3'! Have your Diva cake and eat it too!

"Lady Peep - Nude" Christian Louboutin

Yes, platform sky-highs are extremely comfortable

"Patent Banded Wedge" - Boston Proper

Granted even though, in my humble opinion, platform sky-highs are superior to any other form of high heel, there is an art of survival to/for wearing them an entire night in comfort: 1. Only wear them to a place where you know you'll be able to sit at will (and, yes, I have no problem in making sure of that when I arrive - remember, diva). 2. Once your feet are under the table (out of sight), take your shoes off and rest your feet for the strut (survival points 1 & 2 don't apply for wedges - they're that comfortable ;-} Summer is just around the corner and I can't wait. 

Wear those heels honey!

Vivre! Rire! Aimer!

Temple

All Diva, all the time ~ A French Girl's Wardrobe

Working my Diva down the runway

"It takes a long time to get to be a diva.

I mean, you gotta work at it."

- Diana Ross

Happy 2015 my darlings!

I'm not one to make New Year's resolutions. Every day presents the opportunity to begin something new, something wonderful. I've actually been working on a new and wonderful project for quite awhile, but I figure the new year is as good a time as any to blog about it. The project? All Diva, All the Time...   

I am always impressed by how beautifully French women dress. It doesn't matter what age, body, type or income, when I'm in Paris, nearly every woman I see is elegantly dressed, head to toe. And the time of day or location matters not one whit - at the cafe, grocery shopping, picking the kiddies up from school, walking the dog - these ladies work it every inch! But how do they do it? Consignment Boutiques.

"Vain trifles as they seem, clothes have, they say more important offices than to merely keep us warm. They change our view of the world and the world's view of us." - Virginia Wolf

Consignment Boutiques are shops that sell barely worn, pre-owned designer prêt à porter (ready to wear) and couture (handmade, high quality, ridiculously expensive one-of-a-kind pieces) clothes, bags, shoes and accessories - sometimes vintage - at extremely reduced prices. Although the sentiment is slowly changing, in America there's a reluctance to wear 'used' clothing. But those in the know know how 'styltastic' it is to "...resurrect something from oblivion and incorporate it into your wardrobe..." (Gustafson, 2007). And that 'something' is often a piece from Chanel, Armani, Yves Saint Laurent, Calvin Klein, Eileen Fisher, Vuitton, Roberto Cavalli, Dolce/Gabbana, etc.     

I call these shops Shangri-La, because they are a Stylista's earthly paradise. There are several in Paris I intend to spend a lot of time in when I return. But, in the meantime, there's this fabulous consignment shop a few miles from my home - Jane Pabon. 

Photo shoot with Jane & Christina for Belle Inspiration

Jane and her partner Christina were the subjects of one of my Postcards to Paris. Of course Jane and I became fast friends. Still, I was quite surprised when Jane asked me to join her small troop of fashion show models. I said yes, and that's when the adventure really began.  

The fashion on Jane's racks, in her display cases and storeroom are packed to the brim with some truly serious fashion. And Jane has been a wonderful patient teacher to this fledgling Stylista. Best yet,  we models are invited to buy what we model and she invites us to peruse before the shop opens (first pick - yay!). 

I use the term Stylista (a particular, distinctive elegance) 

in deliberate opposition to Fashionista 

(an obsessive follower of the latest fashion trend). 

The difference is real and profound.

In the last 6 months especially, I have slowly, steadily added beautiful pieces to my closet (my rule of thumb: add a new piece, remove an old piece). And, although it may sound cliché, it's true, finding and nurturing my 'Stylista-me' has changed my life. I had no idea that a pair of designer jeans, paired with a hand sewn blouse, could up the style quotient of the ubiquitous 'mommy jeans & top' combo 1,000%!  Moreover, once I had the minimal amount of consignment staples in my toilettes répertoire, it became amazingly easy to throw an elegant outfit together - no matter the occasion.

I'm really digging exploring my 'Stylista-me.' Ms. Wolf is correct: clothes do change your view of the world. But they also change how you view yourself. I've still got a ways to go, but I'm really loving how having my look together. It makes me feel: powerful, elegant, individual, unique, sexy and prepared for anything. And it all began when I started working the runway for Jane. 

All Diva, All the Time. I like it. 

Note: the most valuable lesson I've learned, thus far, is to have a local tailor or seamstress on speed-dial. Many a time I've found a beautiful piece (designer or 'mundane') that is a size or three too large but so gorgeous and so 'me' it deserved a place in my closet. My fantabulous tailor/seamstress - Theresa - makes sure that every piece I own fits me like a glove. Trust me, it's a good thing.

Below are a few of Mr. Gorgeous' shots of my time as one of Jane's Ladies. We range from 20-something to 60-something and the best part of this journey is that I get to spend time with these amazing ladies and they've become my friend. I can't wait to see what Jane has in store for us. 

Stay tuned... 

"Fashion fades, style is eternal." - Yves Saint Laurent

Geneva Concurs d'Elegance, DuPage Airport (July 2014)

Jane Pabon Annual Winter Fashion Show (2014)

Vivre! Rire! Aimer!

Temple

Styled, head to toe (inc. jewelry and purse)
by JANE PABON.
She makes me look how I feel!

les femmes d'un certain âge

Jane Pabon Boutique's Winter Fashion Show 2013

"We are all of us stars, and we deserve to twinkle." 

- Marilyn Monroe

Fun with Jane...

"Look, Sally," said Jane.

Here is something pretty. Something pretty for you and me.

Oh, Jane, said Sally. I want something." 

- Gray & Sharp (1927)

Even as I was writing my first Postcard TO Paris, I had already discovered my Second. Sage and I were having a mommy/daughter day in 'our place' - Geneva (a picturesque little town on the banks of the Fox River). Quite by joyful accident we stumbled upon the Jane Pabon Consignment Boutique. A whole 30 seconds after we walked through the front door, I knew that I had found a state's side Parisian oasis and my second Postcard TO Paris. This Parisienne inspired boutique oozes Paris from every floorboard, surface, chandelier, display case, piece of clothing, stiletto, necklace and handbag. Yeah, I was in HEAVEN! 

Tra-La!

I spent most of yesterday shooting the boutique and interviewing her fantabulous owner Jane. I'm returning this week to take a few more shots and interview Jane's partner - the equally fantabulous Christina. But the vibe was so amazing, I couldn't wait to share - just a taste bien sur ;-} I can't wait to introduce this boutique to you on the cyber-pages of Belle Inspiration. You're going to love it. 

Stay tuned...

Vivre! Rire! Aimer!

Temple