Springtime in Paris

Atlanta has been experiencing some nice Spring-like days lately.  On one such day, I went to lunch at Cafe de Paris (in Marietta, GA) with my friend Natalie.

The interior evokes the feeling of a Parisian cafe.

The shrimp wrap with cilantro dressing was deliciously spicy. 

And look at Natalie's cute shoes -





Rest...and seek truth

It is wonderful for us to soak up the beauty of the world around us and to participate in creating beauty.  But beauty must be balanced by truth or it can easily become frivolous.  In order to find balance, you need a perspective from outside of yourself to inform your soul.  You need a strong fulcrum on which the balance of your life can rest.

Today, seek truth to instruct and strengthen your soul.

Finding Soul Style inspiration

This is what I wore yesterday -


Banana Republic jacket, Target shirt, Gap jeans, Aldo boots



The butterfly shirt makes me happy, but I had never worn it with this jacket before.

So, when you are picking out your clothes for tomorrow, choose something that makes you happy and wear it in a new combination.  Then send me a picture of it.  (See instructions here.)

Rest...and think

In case you are not aware, New York Fashion Week was last week.  To many people, fashion is a religion and Fashion Week can be a worshipful experience.  Because of my love for all things creative and beautiful, the "top 1/3" of my soul is tempted to follow after this ever-changing (and expensive) god.  I have to admit that the debut of the Fall/Winter collections in New York is one of my favorite weeks of the whole year (and in this coming week, I'm going to show you what I loved about it.)  But in the end, it doesn't satisfy the "bottom 1/3" of my soul - the deepest part. 

What satisfies the "bottom 1/3" of your soul?

Happy Valentine's Day!

I made you a Valentine ...

...and some whipped cream to go in your coffee -

Wish you were here to enjoy it with me.  Look at these cute heart earrings my mom sent me -

Check back later tonight to see what my husband gave me.  It was very thoughtful.







Beauty comes from within

In the midst of preparing my "look" for Saturday, I need to remind myself that beauty comes from within.  First impressions may capture a person's attention, but in order to retain it, you have to offer something else. 

Since I have started this blog, several friends have joked that I must cringe when I see them in sweatpants.  Honestly, I just want to inspire people to make their outside match their inside.  If sweatpants are in your soul, then wear sweatpants everyday!  Let your personality out into your clothes.

Signature piece

My friend Tammy has a style that I describe as "classic with an edge".  The "edge" often comes from her Liquid Metal bracelet, and I love it every time I see it.  This bracelet is a great example of having a signature piece that makes an outfit.  She let me try it on, and it feels great, too.



Liquid Metal by Sergio Gutierrez



Dora Rae Boutique in Sandy Springs (http://www.dorarae.com/) has bracelets from this line in stock.  You can also buy them on http://www.amazon.com/. 

Find your signature piece and wear it all the time.  It will not look the same as Tammy's signature piece, because as Coco Chanel said, "The best color in the whole world, is the one that looks good on you!" (That goes for accessories, too.)

Growing into our dreams




As I grow older, I am inspired by people who create something significant later in life.  I had no idea until recently that Laura Ingalls Wilder (author of the "Little House" book series) falls into that category.  Hours and hours of my childhood were spent pretending to be Laura from the "Little House on the Prairie" television show.

Laura Ingalls Wilder was born in 1867 and spent her early adulthood raising her daughter and helping her husband on their farm.  She published her first magazine article in the Missouri Ruralist at the age of 44.  Almost 20 years later, she submitted her first book to publishers.  It was rejected.  After making significant adjustments to the book, Little House in the Big Woods was published in 1932.  Mrs. Wilder was 65!

"Laura felt a warmth inside her.  It was very small, but it was strong.  It was steady, like a tiny light in the dark, and it burned very low but no winds would make it flicker because it would not give up."
         - Excerpt from The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The Selby

Last night, I went with my family and some friends to the opening night of Todd Selby's exhibit at Jackson Fine Art.





Toddy Selby



Mr. Selby's photo of a "friend of a friend" in her space.



Mr. Selby's photo of Karl Lagerfeld's space.





 Todd Selby photographs interesting people in their interesting places resulting in his project called "The Selby is in Your Place".



The Selby's new book

  My daughter was so upset that she didn't get to actually see the photographer last night (due to the crowds).  So, we went back this morning to listen to Mr. Selby speak about his work.



Mr. Selby speaking to the crowd

 He got started in 2000 by shooting pictures of his friends in their places.  Then he started taking pictures of friends of friends.  He did some work for various magazines.  Word got around.  Now he gets requests from all over and is invited into the homes of famous designers, models and artists.




Mr. Selby's photo of Simon Doonan and Jonathan Adler playing ping pong.

 He adds extra depth to his work by conducting a very entertaining hand written interview with each of his subjects.


Christian Louboutin

 Check out his book and his blog at www.theselby.com.

Simplicity

Nobody can balance too many things.  In our modern time, we have so many options that we can be easily overwhelmed.  We can only do what we are called to do.  The most successful people focus on one thing and do it well.

Einstein said, "It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer."*


*Quote obtained from In Search of Balance by Richard Swenson.

International Tapestries

Today, I met my friend Karen for lunch.



Her accessories carried an international flavor - especially the shoes.  They remind me of a tapestry.

 Our conversation turned to international matters as Karen told me about her family's involvement with the refugees in Clarkston (just outside of Atlanta).  They recently adopted a refugee family from Africa through World Relief.  Karen's family met their adopted family at the airport as they arrived for the first time in the U.S. after years of struggling to get to freedom.  Karen's family continues to meet with the refugee family to help them with many practical needs like finding a job, learning English, obtaining household appliances and just being their first friends in America. 

I was inspired by her story and hope that my family can get involved in something like this.

A shopping success

I was inspired by a girl in my last "Street Style" post to look for a hat.  Today, I found it!

Can you tell where I bought it?

Balanced Imbalance

Nothing can throw you off your game like a child.  My children are a constant source of imbalance in my life.  They are predictably unpredictable.  And they are loud.  You can try to train them, but ultimately you can't control them.

Richard Swenson says in his book In Search of Balance, "Even if perfect balance were attainable, it would be unwise to remain in that state continuously...A life that never experiences imbalance is one without growth and challenge."

So, a little imbalance can be good.  Out of sheer necessity, my children push me to become a better person.  Before having children I had many "profound" thoughts, but it is the reality of daily life in a family that helps deepen my soul. 

What deepens your soul?

More Street Style

I should probably call it "Mall Style", but that doesn't sound as hip.  Anyway, the malls are the streets of Atlanta - aren't they?

Tiffany's hat adds an extra touch of style to her already cute and comfortable outfit.  I think I need a hat.

 I noticed this girl because of her boots, which she purchased at fab'rik.  I liked them so much that I went to fab'rik to try them on.

They are only $46!  Unfortunately, each pair had some sort of quirk in the foot bed.  I don't know if the quirks will end up being painful over the long term.  What do you think?  Should I get them or not?

Emily works at Ann Taylor Loft, which is where she bought this cool necklace.  Her casual outfit is elevated by the necklace and heels.




Then, I found one stylish person walking outside!

I love the red boots.  Eye-catching and practical for walking.

So, I think the theme for today is to wear at least one statement piece.  It doesn't have to be a loud statement - just interesting.  And cute shoes seem to instantly make an outfit.

Opening up

After days of cleaning out all of our closets and making new clothes with old, I snuggled down on the couch with my sick girls to watch "The Fox and the Child".  Before it was even over, the movie had motivated my children to go outside to explore. 

But first, they had to eat a lot of snow and collect ice cycles.

"The Fox and the Child" is a good movie to watch if you are in a stuck place.  It opened up our natural sense of wonder and discovery.  Highly recommended.



And the shirt became ....

A shirt!

Ok, it's still a shirt, but now it fits me.  I took out a lot of fabric and put it back together again.  But the question is, which outfit do you like better?

The one with the skirt (made out of a shirt)?

Have I been snowed in for too long?



Or the outfit with the jeans?

So, maybe I didn't take the "shirt skirt" far enough.  I may be snowed in for one more day.  Let's see what I can come up with tomorrow.