In The Trenches

Posted on 02/27/2013 by Slim Paley

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Carolyn Murphy

So, I’m in London and it’s lovely to be back

but it’s cold. I mean rhilly, rhilly cold.

Like there’s no chance in hell of me trotting out my new “Joseph” trench coat COLD

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or asking my husband to take a photo of me for a blog post I’m writing about “cute trenches”

However…

with Spring around the corner, it was now or never for this baby.

234468724319519004_40Q19iQY_c photo by Signe Vilstrup

Besides, what city in the entire world is more famous for trench coats than London?!

And I just love a good T.C., don’t you?

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So does Lady Mary.

sniffle. I miss Downton already.

breakfast-at-tiffanys

Breakfast at Tiffany’s” double sniffle

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Burberry Prorsum

Oh oh. lost credit.

Karlie Kloss in the trench I was really coveting this year.

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Oh lovely leather & khaki trench, spectral sylph of my rain-lashed dreams, where art thou?!

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I kind of really want these shoes too, but we won’t get off topic will we.

Super Styling the trench

Do you think her husband/boyfriend took the photo? Me too.

Do you think she has those leopard flats in the pic above? Me too.

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Constance Jablonski

Studdy Trench

Kate. Trench. Done.

Model of the moment Cara Delevigne in Burberry

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Two Classics of Fashion & Film in one photo

The Not Trying But Really Trying Trench

Jean-Paul Gaultier Spring/Summer 2013

Rosie Huntington-Whatever, I mean Whiteley in the gorgeous Burberry lace trench

Fierce Trench

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Frothy Trench

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Chicest Trench

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Bureaucratic Trench Warfare

(Prada)

Pop Goes the Trench

Cheeky Trench

(Both Burberry)

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and the darling teeny weeny trench I bought for my adorable God-daughter at Phillip Lim.

(A little worried Suri ??)

Tinier still, there’s even one for your iPhone by Moschino

I know. Shut The Door!

I think we’re all kind of hoping for just a little rain now, aren’t we??

( Vancouverites don’t all answer at once )

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Just not in…

Humphrey Bogart

CASABLANCA

My next stop!

Alright, Marrakech, but so close. Who knows, we could end up in Casablanca-

“What in Heaven’s name brought you to Casablanca?”

“My health. I came to Casablanca for the waters.”

“The waters?? What waters? We’re in the desert!”

Ciao for now

xoxo

PS. Don’t forget to follow @Slimpaley on Instagram where I’ll hopefully be gramming daily from all the gin joints in Morocco

and a few gardens too

(uncredited photos via Pinterest or Tumblr)

Casual Sparkle

Posted on 12/22/2012 by Slim Paley

Firstly, apologies to my legion of male readers- but this post is pretty much exclusively for the Laaydies It’s a real quickie though. I’ll be back tomorrow with a little Christmas wrapping and decor. Because, God knows, I like to leave … Continue reading →

Red & White Stripes (Part IV?)

Posted on 12/03/2012 by Slim Paley

It could even be part V

In any case, it’s that time again!

When I drag you all along on my capricious love affair with Red & White Stripes.

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Remember these from yesteryear?

Marc JacobsShe could be a little happier about carrying that bag, couldn’t she?

013fullscreen Perhaps the models weren’t too thrilled about their hair. Seriously. I could have done the hair for this show.

And don’t worry… your computer hasn’t developed dandruff. It’s snowing!!

I always forget about this cute WordPress feature and I’m charmed when it returns every December.

A happy little vignette

L1140587 and even happier strawberry cakes at Fauchon in Paris this summer

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View from a cafe in Fecamp (1904) by T.F. Simon via Bloomsbury Life

Someone got their bold on

L1140351 A beautiful example of turn of the century red & white wicker at the Marches aux Puces in Paris

Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2013

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L1140581 I even found red & white striped macaroons in Paris.

Damn. You can find anything and everything in Paris.

You know what I love? The grandness of the pillars with the down-homeness of the red & white stripes & bamboo-a bold combo in its own way.

_VIE0235.450x675 Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2013

02-paper-straw-wreath-mdn-65136761 DIY Straw wreath instructions HERE via Woman’s Day Magazine

and lastly, take just a minute to watch this beautiful video

PS. Would it be overly precocious to add a red & white striped hot air balloon to my Christmas Wish List?

Up, up and away…

Red & White Stripes (part III)

Posted on 07/01/2012 by Slim Paley

HAPPY JULY EVERYONE!!

I hope your weekend was grand.

It has been stunning here in Santa Barbara but my heart goes out to those in many other States right now suffering from storms, early heat-waves and dreadful fires. Having lived in Santa Barbara for so many years, we know all too well the devastation of fire in our foothills and flames licking at our little town’s doorstep, so I’m especially thinking of those in Colorado right now.

Bless all the firefighters who work so bravely to keep us safe.

.and, uh…no rush, but any chance of a new calendar soon?!

On a lighter note,

we’ve kicked “June Gloom” to the side like a tired old boyfriend and we’re starting off this month starry eyed and hell bent on enjoying warm-weather pleasures.

I’m dusting off the popsicle maker

and, as always,

deriving plenty of elevated Summertime Serotonin levels from delving into my “Red & White Stripes” file.

Other than black & white stripes, it has to be my most favouritist combination, especially from May through September.

Love it in the bedroom

(I won’t bore you with the photo of my son’s room again!)

on the beach

In my Picassos

In my dreams of the Riviera

and beautiful vintage photographs

While beach attire and attitude has most definitely changed over the decades…

The appeal of red & white stripes has not.

From my garden today, taken with Instagram.

tents + stripes= 2 things that make my heart happy

The perfect beach tote available at The Loaded Trunk ( $64)

Peppermint twist cake (sorry to have lost the credit for this talented person)

A bold statement to be sure.

More my speed

On the porch filled with magazines, or pool side filled with towels,

or wine. Whatev’s

I had a red & white striped tablecloth but I seem to have lost it.

No doubt it will turn up in November.

Red Velvet cheesecake.

Red Velvet flavoured VODKA. You heard me.

Red & white stripes work pretty much everywhere

The Exotic

Romantic

Cozy

Playful

Certifiable.

Just trying to imagine the ‘dialogue’ with the neighbours…

Perhaps a lawn would soften the blow??

On the sea

At the lake.

Me. Here. Now.

It just works.

Not sure if I’ll have time to post again this week or not..

so just in case I don’t,

Wishing all the Yanks a terrific 4th of July.

Be safe. Be Joyful

and let’s keep the red stripes on fabrics and not on your skin.

Sunscreen People!

PS. Still “pulling” my coconut oil

A Little Palette Cleanser

Posted on 03/23/2012 by Slim Paley

Happy Weekend Everyone! Isn’t it wonderful that Spring has arrived?! (Although Winter barely made an appearance in many places this year)

I’m finally getting back into the swing of things, though my holiday lingers in my thoughts like a beautiful dream that promises to last for a very long time.

Still, it seemed it might be time to give you a break from travel posts and offer up a little colour palette cleanser as it were.

As you can see in my photo above, I arrived home to a lovely big spray of purple and orange tulips- how pretty are they?!

Hermes scarf, Chanel bracelet

I don’t know if you’ve noticed it or not, but I’m a little gobsmacked at the amount of orange and purple I’m seeing everywhere- a frisky combination to be sure, despite their relative proximity on the colour wheel.

Of course what works in art & nature doesn’t always translate to fashion, but many designers this season are certainly giving it the old college try.

What do you make of it?

Personally, I don’t have the complexion to sport this bold duo anywhere near my face but I’d be happy to entertain them in accessories and I love their pop of colour in a room, especially for Spring and Summer.

Prada Fall 2012

Vogue

Prada Fall 2012

It works for Jennifer Anniston apparently.

Prada

Difficult lipstick shade to carry off, but imagine these three colours in a a floral arrangement. I have small Calla lilies in the garden almost the same colour as this nail polish so I’m definitely filing this away for future inspiration.