Hard to believe, when I opened my first store on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in 2007 as a pop-up, that I would be here nearly two decades later, celebrating ten years on Main Street. Still in Venice, but a half-mile north, and what feels like a million years away...here we are. I moved here ten years ago, opening in January of 2015 with my talented friend and neighbor, Pamela Barish. We had a wonderful time, sharing an entranceway and our beautiful communities, and it was heaven while it lasted. Now, I'm the sole remaining store in what was once a trio of Abbot Kinney defectors. My neighbors have changed, but my vision and my space have remained steadfastly intact. I love being here, welcoming our faithful clients, who have become dear friends as well as our daily inspiration, and creating more and more beautiful things with which to adorn ourselves. 

To celebrate this milestone, we have created a set of five, one-of-a-kind, Liberty of London silk crepe de chine Asteria robes, and five, one-of-a-kind colored stone rings in a variety of colors and shapes. 

I chose colored stones, all tourmaline, in different shapes and sizes to celebrate the last ten years in our space on Main Street.  They complement each other beautifully, and I think represent the vibrancy and diversity of our time here.  I selected them as a set, and envision them either stacked together as a collection, or collected individually by those who would treasure a singular piece from this grouping.  I love the way the shapes nestle together on the finger, and the symphony of color that they represent together, and even the singular note each color strikes on its own. 

There is a shocking pink in a sharp and narrow marquise cut, as well as a softer, sunset hue-inspired peach in a rounded pear shape.  I love the acidic nature of the green oval tourmaline stone, and how it plays off of the deeper pear-shaped teal tourmaline stone. They feel like they belong together.  Finally, there is a smaller oval in a clear-toned red that to me feels like an everyday neutral.  I am always enchanted by these colors from nature, and in the gorgeous form that gemstones take. 

As for the special edition one-of-a-kind Liberty of London silk robes that we created to celebrate, I find it extremely difficult to pick a favorite.  I love mixing the prints, and had such a good time selecting the pairings for this project.  The prints really lend themselves to our Asteria robe, a classic kimono shape with a modern feeling. 

The Asteria is one of the first shapes we worked on when I created the wardrobe collection.  It was inspired by a vintage piece that I had long since destroyed through overuse, and that never had a proper belt, or felt quite substantial enough in the first place.

I envisioned something a bit more durable, with a self belt that couldn't be lost or misplaced, and something that felt chic enough to wear out and about.  I think the Asteria delivers on all fronts, and more.  The Liberty fabric makes them truly special, and these one-of-a-kind combinations of prints are so much fun, as no two are exactly alike.  I think they look amazing layered over other prints. While I realize that it might be a bit maximalist for many, I still encourage everyone to try it.  I am personally most happy when I wear at least three prints at a time, and as chaotic as that sounds, it feels completely harmonic to my nervous system.

As we inch closer to the holiday season ahead I start to focus one eye towards the more special pieces, the ones that make the perfect gift, the objects that are easily treasured, and so much fun to give.  So many pieces here feel like they fit that bill perfectly. We are also releasing a new 100% beeswax scented candle to add to our collection. This is one I've been working on for quite some time, as I've long wanted to create the scent version of a delicious cup of hot Earl Grey tea in the afternoon.  Think Bergamot, but warmer. I think we finally got there, and I hope you'll love it as much as we do. We call it Main Street, and as the name suggests, it really is a classic. 

Whether its time to treat yourself, or time for diving deep into your spirit of generosity, I hope you'll find a moment to swing by and celebrate the milestone of this particular part of our journey, the past ten years on Main Street in Venice.  As ever, we would be delighted to see you soon.

All Love, Love, Love,

The Ribbon Collection came to life through the design process of a custom engagement ring several years ago. The ring was for someone in the art world, who is modern, strong, and very feminine at the same time, as well as being quite a unique character. I wanted to create something that captured the feeling of tradition, but organically, as it intersects with the more lyrical nature of life and this very important symbol of commitment.  

It very quickly became an integral part of my design vocabulary, as there is a lightness to the ribbon motif that I love; a feeling that often softens a more structured piece in a modern and playful way. The bracelet in this collection is one of my favorite pieces. It looks great on its own, but also has a nice interplay with whatever bangles or link bracelets are in your collection.

From the most simple plain ribbon band, to the more elaborate combinations featuring diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and more, there is a piece from this collection that everyone can add to their stack. The ribbon bands have a lovely little dip, where a solitaire can nestle gracefully, and also look especially good when stacked together. There is an overall openness to them, all the while feeling distinctly solid too, which is amplified by wearing more than one.

The earrings in this collection feel very clean and modern, and have a sinuous quality that really speaks to the spirit of the design. The hoops come in different sizes, small and medium, and look great stacked alongside each other. 

Of course, custom inquiries are always welcome. While I particularly like an oval shaped stone for this design, we can also explore other options. All pieces come in our signature hand finished 18K yellow gold, as well as in 18K white gold, 18K rose gold, or platinum by request. Swing by so we can have a chat about it. As always, we would love to see you.

Consider the lovely lotus flower.  The divine and uplifting, universal symbol of purity and resurrection, it has long played a role in spiritual practice across several different cultures. 

I've been drawn to this motif as long as I can remember, and it appears quite often in my design vocabulary.  In particular, I respect the basic habits of the flower to rise and bloom, pristine and perfect, out of the muck and mud of murky waters. 

I admire the superpower of this blossom, and the resiliency it represents. Over the years we have stocked rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces that employ the lotus leaf as a basic structure in our signature, hand finished 18K gold.

We have also used the lotus leaf as inspiration for several very special engagement rings, which is something we love to do.  The lotus leaves add a particularly meaningful aspect to this very literal representation of commitment.

One of my most favorite lotus themed pieces is actually in stock at the moment, you can have a closer look here.

May you feel uplifted, and inspired to rise above the everyday muck and mud, and spread your beautiful pristine blossoms for the world to see.  It's definitely what the moment calls for.

What a delight to see the blossoms on the trees, to hear the birdsong in the mornings, and to catch a glimpse of the new season at hand. These pink blossoms near the front of our house are very popular with the neighborhood bees. There is always a cluster of buzzy activity when I leave the house in the mornings. I love seeing them thriving and doing their thing.

Likewise, we have been busy doing OUR thing here at LFrank. There are lots of pretty things to see all around us, and several fun events on the horizon too. It feels good to know that we will soon be gathering our community together, and to spend time with our favorite designers and friends. I feel quite fortunate to be able to make beautiful things, and to share them with like-minded people, and to see what everyone else is up to in their creative lives. Color and texture are as ever a touchstone. In that vein, our new green tourmaline drop earrings have arrived just in time to personify the bright spirit of this new spring season.  

 

 

Consider the tulip.  A humble blossom to be sure, but this was not always so.  Once just a wildflower from central Asia, tulips have been in cultivation since the 13th century.  It was in the 1600s when Turkish traders introduced it to the Dutch that the mania that later became the tulip craze of the 1700s in the Netherlands began.  A very dear friend brought this bunch over one recent evening, and they really dazzled me with their craning necks and bright green slender leaves, extending to all points with a delicate optimism, forever seeking the sunlight.  Same with the softness of their color, registering as barely a blush. 

Still Life with Tulips, Johannes Bosschaert - 17th Century 

I decided to fashion a little blossom earring, inspired by the request of a lovely client, and a tulip is where my instincts landed.  I'm so happy with these.  We have made a version in sterling silver, with an 18k gold hand formed ear wire, which is bright and shines almost like a pearl.  We also have a pair entirely in 18k yellow gold as well.  They have a charm and and ease that I hope you'll love.  Everyone needs a pair of everyday earrings like these, as well as a simple little pick me up, as the chaos of the last month has really been a LOT to manage.  How are you managing, in fact?  I hope you are safe and sound out there.  Our hearts are heavy with the knowledge that so many have lost so much, and that our city is forever altered by the violence of the fires.  Come by for a cup of tea, or a warm hug... or just to gaze at the pretty things we have on offer.  We are here, and as ever, happy to see our lovely community always.

We are happy to have a new selection of our print blocked kimono style Asteria robes, in 100% silk crepe de chine.  We have long been making limited edition versions of these beautiful and collectible dressing gowns, and they have quite a following.  We use deadstock Liberty of London silks, making only small production runs to avoid any excess inventory, and using every last inch of fabric to make our scarves and sleep masks.  This is slow fashion at its very slowest, and very finest.  Everything is made here in our Los Angeles studio with the most keen attention to detail, making these pieces a perfectly thoughtful gift or an indulgent treat for yourself. 

And speaking of treats, I think this new addition to our bracelet collection is a perfect item to put on your wishlist.  It feels really lovely on the wrist and looks quite graceful, both holding its own alone or in harmony alongside a stack of bangles.  

The fluid lines of the ribbon motif is also quite nice on the ear, in the form of these lovely hoop earrings.  We have them in two sizes, which look rather chic stacked next to each other with multiple piercings.  Come try them on, if you're local.  We have a pair of each size in stock now.

If you happen to be around this weekend, please swing by on Saturday, February 8th between noon and 5pm for a sweet little celebration of Saint Valentine.  We will have a selection of romance inspired pieces, both jewelry and wardrobe, as well as delicious chocolate treats on offer.  I may even bake the delicious chocolate cake recipe below.

Flourless Chocolate Cake

8 tablespoons (one stick) salted butter, cut into 16 pieces, plus more for the pan

16 ounces bittersweet chocolate (I would use anywhere from 62-72%)

1 large organic navel orange

3/4 cup granulated sugar (plus 1/4 cup for the candied orange peel) 

1/2 cup bourbon

3 tablespoons black peppercorns

2 tablespoons Angostura bitters

6 large organic eggs, beaten

Directions:

Heat the oven to 275 degrees F with a rack in the middle position.  Coat the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan with butter.  Line the bottom of the pan with kitchen parchment paper, then butter the parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine the chocolate and the butter, and set a fine mesh strainer across the bowl, then set aside.

Using a vegetable peeler, remove just the outer zest of the orange in long strips, and set them aside.  Juice the orange into a liquid measuring cup.  Measure 3 tablespoons of the juice into a medium saucepan.  Add the bourbon to the remaining juice in the measuring cup, then add enough water to equal 1 cup total liquid; set aside.

Add the 3/4 cup sugar to the juice in the saucepan, then add the zest strips and peppercorns.  Set over medium-high and cook, without stirring but occasionally swirling the pan, until the sugar dissolves.  Continue to cook, swirling the pan often, until the sugar caramelizes to a deep mahogany brown and the peppercorns begin to pop, 5 or more minutes.  Remove the pan from the heat and carefully pour in the orange juice-bourbon mixture; the caramel will bubble up and harden.  Set the pan over medium heat, and bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, until the caramel has dissolved and the peppercorns no longer stick together, about 1-2 minutes.  Remove from the heat and stir in the bitters.

Immediately pour the hot sugar syrup through the strainer into the chocolate/butter mixture; reserve the strained solids.  Jostle the bowl to ensure the chocolate and butter are fully covered with syrup, then let stand for 2-3 minutes.  Using a spatula, gently stir until the mixture is well combined and completely smooth.

Add the beaten eggs to the chocolate mixture and stir with the spatula until homogenous and glossy, 2-3 minutes.  Pour into the prepared springform pan.  Bake until the cake barely jiggles when the pan is gently shaken, about 45 minutes.

Remove from the oven and immediately run a thin, sharp knife around the edges to loosen the sides of the cake from the pan.  Cool to room temperature in the pan, then refrigerate uncovered for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours. 

While the cake cools, transfer the zest strips from the strainer to a small, shallow bowl, removing and discarding any peppercorns.  Sprinkle the strips with the 1/4 cup sugar, then toss until the strips are completely coated.

About 2 hours before serving, remove the cake from the refrigerator.  Remove the zest strips from the bowl, shaking off any excess sugar.  Cut the strips lengthwise into thin strips.  Remove the sides of the springform pan.  Arrange the zest in slivers on top of the cake making a circle around the edge.  Serve with a generous dollop of creme fraiche, and make the slices thin.  This is a very dense cake, and a little goes a long way...

Enjoy,

What a whirlwind this summer turned out to be, and that is without any travel further than the beaches of Malibu.  How are you doing out there?  Nervous system feeling a bit shot?  I think we can all relate.  To me, it feels that the furious pace of everything since summer began is something to push back against.  We have been doing a bit of that over here, being closed here and there for a little much needed time to rest, but mostly here with great enthusiasm and true joy at seeing our lovely clients.  As a little treat, we have put together a rack of archival wardrobe pieces priced at a 25-75% discount to help us make room for the new pieces that we are working on.  I hope you'll swing by to have a look and find something special to take home with you.  The sale applies only to stock on hand, on the sale rack, and not to any custom or special orders. 

On the topic of special orders, I hope you can join us on Wednesday, October 16th for a shopping event with Pamela Barish.  Pamela is a dear friend and our former neighbor here on Main Street.  We miss her every day, so it's always wonderful to spend a day with her and her beautiful collection here in our space.  She still designs and creates her glamorous pieces here in Los Angeles, which is more and more rare, and is one reason for her ardently loyal fan base.  If you know her, you love her.  If you don't, you're in for a treat!

We have beautiful new treasures in the store at the moment.  I am especially fond of our new molded bezel set tourmaline rings, and this moonstone cabochon ring, which happened to find its forever home the same day it arrived.  That tends to happen over here quite regularly.  We have another one in the works, as well as some beautiful and delicate stacking rings with sapphires, tourmalines, and diamonds.  These make lovely and truly special gifts, not that we are there yet... but with the beginning of fall my thoughts turn towards the upcoming season, and what I think might make perfect gifts for special occasions or for a personal treat.

I think this very beautiful, handmade chain link necklace would make anyone incredibly happy, which ultimately is the goal of a significant piece of jewelry.  The effect of the little flower beads on each loop makes the overall feeling very lacy and substantial, straddling that perfect balance of delicate and strong that I personally love.  This piece can be worn as a traditional necklace of course, but also as a lariat with an adjustable length.  The handmade, diamond accented clasp can be fastened onto any one of the links. 

We also have a new pair of earrings with the most vibrant, robin's egg blue vintage turquoise cabochons and gorgeous, silvery keshi pearls.  Keshi pearls are the natural by-product of pearl farming in Japan, and therefore have a completely organic shape and extremely fine lustre.  They are comprised of pure nacre, which makes them incredibly luminous and gives them a satisfying weight and feeling in the hand.  They are my favorite pearls, always have been, and are becoming increasingly hard to find.  This one-of-a-kind pair is especially beautiful.  They remind me of little gemstone birds.

Hello, Hellooooooooo!  It's been a long while, and I hope all is well as it can be in your world. I am so happy to be back in the swing of things over here... enjoying my good health, my usual daily routines, and seeing the sun again after such a rainy winter, and relatively gloomy May.  Despite the grey days, my roses have been the happiest they've ever been, and we have a second hummingbird's nest just outside our kitchen windows, so we have been privy to the very best that springtime nature in LA has to offer. We are very lucky on all fronts.  I hope you will enjoy the gorgeous long weekend ahead.  As per usual, we will be closed on Saturday, May 25th in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.  We will look forward to seeing you next week, when we re-open with our regular hours on Wednesday, May 29th.

There are lots of things I am looking forward to as summer approaches, and one is the trunk show we are hosting next month for the extremely special and completely bespoke handbag collection Lūra, from Yvonne Roe and Sandra Planeta.  I hope you'll join us on June 12th + 13th at the boutique so that I can share this discovery with you.

While the new year began with a little forced rest and introspection, I evaluated some of my ingrained habits and came to the conclusion that my canvas tote bag carrying was a bit sophomoric, and something I needed to move away from. My goal is to elevate my own personal experience, the actual toting of my things around into something that feels elegant and organized. A very wise astrologer told me that I am nearing the close of a major transit, and so I think a new way of organizing myself is in order. I feel like it can only have a positive effect on my day, which in turn will affect my mood and even my productivity. To that end, I have happily upgraded to the practical and gorgeous Lūra Enni Brief in Ruby Red.

This is where Yvonne and Sandra come in, and it's kismet that I was introduced to them though my lovely friend Caroline.  These two wonderful women are dear friends and business partners, on a mission to create an entirely bespoke and magical experience in the world of handbags.  Since the entire line is 100% custom made to order by skilled artisans in Italy, I patiently awaited my Enni's arrival, and when it arrived, it was SO exciting. I am planning to host Yvonne and the collection for a pop-up in our Venice boutique on Wednesday and Thursday, the 12th + 13th of June. I hope you'll swing by to have a look and see why I instantly knew that these bags would be a perfect complement to my life. Not just aesthetically and functionally, but philosophically as well. Yvonne and Sandra are committed to a sustainable and ethical business model, making only what is ordered, and using the highest level of craftsmanship available. This is something that resonates deeply with me, as it is the type of atelier style production that we also subscribe to exclusively.  

On the topic of sustainable and ethical production, I want to point out that making everything in our Los Angeles studio is a privilege that feels impossibly rare and special, and now more so than ever before.  The myriad of products we are bombarded with on a daily basis that are produced en masse in factories overseas, only accentuates how deeply I appreciate finding kindred spirits in this world, people who truly appreciate and subscribe to a gentler way of manufacturing and consuming in this current climate.  I'm lucky enough to keep growing this community of like-minded humans, and to be able to create beautiful things in such a thoughtful and conscientious way.

Recently we have been working on a new summer skirt, which has already proven to be a client favorite.  We have lovely Liberty of London prints, as well as Italian men's shirting cottons, and would be delighted to make a bespoke version for you.  Swing by to try it on and discuss options, if you have a moment.  It has pockets, and all the ease that a wrap skirt has to offer. It is modeled after a skirt that I remember my mother wearing in the 1970s, though in a longer length, which feels very elegant. I promise it's all you need for summer. 

It will also look great with one of Sasha Iglehart's A Shirt Story shirts.  Sasha just sent us a new shipment, so we are re-stocked for summer.  These one-of-a-kind shirts continue to be quite popular and sell out box after box, so come soon for the pick of the litter.  They fall perfectly into the sustainable and special category of pieces that feel good to invest in, and even better to wear and enjoy.

More and more (with a few exceptions, of course) I feel like dressing exclusively in my own collection. I basically live in our cotton pieces all summer long for daytime dressing, and at night I switch to silk, either a simple Juno slip or an Ava, which is one of our best selling favorites. That and the addition of one of our Elena jackets will get you through whatever evenings are ahead, be they mellow and quiet at home, or out and about...even dancing the night away.  I am looking forward to hosting summertime dinners with friends soon, and for that I will don this to feel both festive and cozy for entertaining at home.

As of late, the studio has been busy with the making of several custom pieces, some using family heirloom stones, others just commemorating special occasions or personal accomplishments. I love making these sentimental pieces, and will have more images of them to share with you soon. This one is a custom ring created with sapphires from a trip to Sri Lanka for a lovely client who wanted to create a stack of rings to remember this journey with.  I can't think of a better daily reminder of happy and expansive times.  If you have something you'd like to make, please reach out with your special request.  I love these kinds of projects, and am happy to discuss options anytime.

Attending the Farmer's Market in Mar Vista has been such a wonderful Sunday morning tradition for our family, and recently the bunches of freshly picked tarragon has been such an inspiration.  I usually throw together something for lunch after assessing our morning's haul, and a simple frittata has been my go-to for the last few weeks.  Anything with eggs, cheese, fresh herbs and vegetables is going to be delicious, and this is no exception.  

Farmer's Market Frittata

2-3 leeks, trimmed and sliced thinly, lengthwise

A bunch of broccolini

A handful of leftover, roasted potatoes sliced into thin rounds

10 organic large eggs, whisked with a handful of parmigiano reggiano

A log of goat's cheese

A handful of fresh tarragon leaves (chives, parsley, dill, and basil also work well)

Salt + freshly ground black pepper

First, I sauté the leeks in a bit of butter until soft, sprinkling with salt and a few grinds of black pepper, while taking care not to let them brown. 

Add in the broccolini, and the sliced potatoes, and cook until everything is soft before stirring in the egg/parmigiano mixture to combine everything. Turn the heat down to low, and scatter the goat's cheese and fresh herbs onto the eggs, and sprinkle with a dusting of sea salt and black pepper. 

Once the bottom is set after a few minutes on top of the flame, transfer the frittata to the oven to continue to cook for another 15 minutes or so.  The frittata is ready once the edges and top seem firmly set.   Serve with a big green salad and slices of sourdough toast.  Jyan Isaac is finally at the Mar Vista Farmer's Market on Sundays now, which is such a treat. I especially love the marbled rye, but all of their offerings are completely delicious.  

Doesn't the first week of December always feel like it arrives with the start of a rapidly ticking timer? It does for me. I feel like I'm nearing a finish line that is frighteningly close, but entirely uphill. I am hoping to capture as much joy and sweetness from the goodness around me, and to make sure that the sprint to the holidays is peppered with lots of time with people I love, doing the things I love to do the most. One thing I love is the giving of a really good gift, whether significant or just a small, kind, and beautiful gesture. We have plenty of options that fit both of these requirements; from our custom blended beeswax candle selection to this piece which would make anyone's holiday dreams come true. There are also lots of points in between. Contact us for personalized suggestions and the creation of a wishlist. The season is officially and unequivocally underway, and we are particularly skilled at dropping hints! Also, I will be away December 19th-21st doing a trunk show at the Four Seasons Hualalai in Hawaii, so keep that in mind when planning your holiday shopping visit.

I mentioned in the last journal entry that I had a new favorite piece, and it's true. I am completely besotted with our new Garden Party Floral Cluster Ring, and it seems that I'm not alone. We have received numerous requests for this ring to appear at the top of Holiday wishlists. This ring is the perfect antidote to the blues, winter or otherwise. The photos don't really do it justice. If you're local, I encourage you to swing by and try it on. The architecture of this ring makes it incredibly comfortable on the hand. You have to feel it to really understand the beauty of this piece in both form and function. I also love the sleek signet rings in this photo.  You can take a look at those here, here, and here. 

The one-of-a-kind pieces in our inventory always feel inherently quite special. We have several necklaces at the moment that would make an excellent holiday gift. I especially love the banded agate beads, knotted on a vibrant, coral colored silk cording. The contrast with the neutral, natural, and vintage beads is so strong with the colored knots and the luminous Tahitian pearls. The gold beads are a textural counterpoint to the smoothness of the beads, taking it to the highest elevation of chic. You can have a closer look here.

For a more festive expression of holiday cheer, I find these Keshi Pearl + Diamond Bead Tassel Earrings to be a perfect choice. Again, these are in the one-of-a-kind category, making them even more special. It is getting more and more difficult to find this quality and hue of keshi pearl. I am always drawn to the irregular, organic shapes, and the very lustrous and luminous texture of these natural pearls. Because they are composed entirely of nacre, keshi pearls have a particularly unique texture and shape. They are my favorite type of pearl, and the composition of these earrings uses some of the best examples of this unique gift from nature. 

Exciting news on the shirt front! Lovely Sasha from A Shirt Story has sent us a fresh batch of her fabulous shirts, which tend to go really quickly, so come visit soon for the pick of the bunch. I think these are excellent gifts, again of the one-of-a-kind type. There is one in particular that I think I might need to keep for myself, and then another two that are going to be wrapped and sent off as holiday gifts. It's fun to see everyone try them on and find their favorite, so we look forward to seeing you soon for a little shirt shopping.

There are a couple of robes that I wanted to point out, which would be incredibly well-received gifts, and which also double as super chic outerwear pieces. This one is a covet-worthy piece, in a cozy fabric composed of cashmere, wool, and tiny bit of mink for warmth. My husband Peter is lucky enough to have one, and I have to say that I borrow it far more than I should probably admit. The other is one that I do wear almost every day during the cooler months. I reach for it first thing in the morning, and often wear it out into the world as a coat. I wore it out in London and received lots of compliments, which was almost as nice as feeling so completely cozy. I also throw it on in a sleepy haze, when I have to rush our new puppy Frances outside into the garden for her morning business. Frances doesn't seem to notice, but it's nice to keep the chill at bay in something so lovely while I keep her company.

Is she not completely adorable? We are all completely in love with her, having just adopted her from the East Valley Animal Shelter in Van Nuys the day before Thanksgiving. Tess is the one responsible for introducing us, and for being just the best advocate for shelter animals that you can imagine. It made our holiday especially memorable, and continues to bring an enormous amount of love and light to our lives. We are lucky, lucky, lucky...which is what I keep repeating to myself when this charming creature wakes me up when it's still dark out, or she relentlessly chases our sweet geriatric Flora (15!) around trying to wrestle. We went from empty nesting with a gracious ease to our lives, to having a giant and wild toddler/tornado to contend with. Thankfully, the trainer is coming tomorrow.  

In keeping with the realities at hand, I decided to look up a recipe for dog biscuits. I have no idea if these are truly delicious, as Frances has yet to meet something edible that she hasn't loved. They are extremely easy to make, and I think she appreciates the effort. It's the least I can do in exchange for the ridiculous amount of love that she's showing us. I tend to cook for everyone I love, and that extends to the four-legged amongst us. 

Homemade Dog Biscuits

1.25 cups whole wheat, rice, or oat flour

1/3 cup chicken or beef stock

3 tbs. grapeseed or other neutral oil

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Mix all ingredients in a bowl. You may have to add a bit more stock to get the dough to hold together enough to roll out.
• Turn out on lightly floured surface and roll to about 1/8-inch thickness.
• Cut into desired shapes and place on prepared sheet.
• Bake 15-20 minutes. Check after 10, if you're using smaller shapes as they'll be finished a bit sooner.
• Recipe yields approximately one dozen cookies, depending on the size and shape of your cookies.

 Enjoy,

Hellooooooo! I am writing from a desk in London, on a particularly sunny and gorgeous afternoon, fresh from visits with people whom I love, but see too rarely. With everything that is going on in the world, I am feeling profoundly grateful to have my work as a balm: the ability to create beauty and share it with those who appreciate it, time spent in nature, and the soothing comfort of my family and friends.

How restorative it feels to be here, to just have a spot of London sun, a walk across Hyde Park in the afternoon, and hugs from the loveliest of lovelies. Highlights so far have been the Liotard pastels at the National Gallery, the truly inspirational Chanel exhibition at the V+A, and a delicious dinner surrounded by the gorgeous art at Mount Street on, you guessed it... Mount Street.

As I love color so much, it was really inspiring to discover that you can actually buy the color chart, dating from 1938 from La Maison du Pastel, which was also part of the exhibition at The National Gallery. I've become a bit obsessed with this set, and this one too, even though I'm really much more of a watercolor person. It was quite a challenge to not scroll through every single one of the nearly 1800 colors on offer. 

I've always taken great inspiration from the mesmerizing world of color, and of the evocative names. I find it all quite romantic, honestly. It's why I will put four colors of silk on a single scarf, or four or more different shades of green in a tourmaline ring, or combine sets of beads in a necklace. I love the subtle distinctions, the wild contrasts, and most importantly the way the different vibrations of a particular color make me feel. 

This exuberant set of color blocked tourmaline rings was inspired by the work of Serge Poliakoff, and his show in Paris, titled Le Rêve des Formes in 2013. We still have one or two of them, and they are truly two of my favorite pieces for just the color combinations alone.  

In addition to color, I'm also a glutton for print and the layering thereof as you can well see here. We have several pieces in the Liberty of London print called Stately Bouquet in three different colorways; blue, green, and black. Again, as with the pigments from Roché pastels, I do love the names. Several of the pieces haven't yet made it onto the website, so if this print speaks to you, please let us know and we can send you images of the other pieces. There is a particularly striking version of the Ava slipdress in a rather vivid green Stately Bouquet (the black one is pictured above) that I think could be perfect for the holidays. I'm thinking to wear one with a cardigan for Thanksgiving dinner.    

In addition to color, print, contrast, and the poetry of names, I love flavor. I've really gotten into the ritual of making matcha lattes, either cold or hot, for the people I love. I have a little issue with caffeine, so I rarely indulge myself. When I do, I find it to be absolutely delicious. For me it is really much more about the making of, rather than the consuming. I love the bowls, the bamboo chasen whisk, the frothing of the milk, and the process of making something for someone else to truly enjoy and appreciate. That lovely little exchange that happens when I present the bowl of matcha is something that truly enriches my day. I think that very simply sums up the reason for why I do what I do across all platforms of my life. I hope in this wildly unsettling time that you find the time to enjoy the same.  

Matcha Latte

a lovely ceramic bowl 

a bamboo chasen whisk

a high quality cermonial grade matcha powder

organic almond, oat, or cow's milk of your choice (or a combination of)

date syrup

For the matcha, I bring a kettle of water to about 165 degrees F, then warm the chasen in whatever bowl I'm using for a few minutes while I gather the matcha powder, date syrup, and milk.  

I then pour out the hot water into a beautiful little jug that was a very special birthday gift from a friend. I use a frother and whip up whatever milk I'm using (currently this one), and after whisking the matcha powder (this one is by far the BEST I've had, and one I trust for purity) I add a little date syrup and then pour in the frothed milk, adding ice cubes if I'm making something more refreshing. I have yet to attempt any kind of barista art, but maybe that will be come at some point too. I probably won't be able to resist sorting out another way to embellish a quotidian habit.

Enjoy,

PS I do know that the holidays are in fact rapidly approaching, and I promise you that we are well stocked for all of your gifting endeavors. I haven't even discussed one of my most favorite new pieces! More on that to come...I just have yet to feel particularly festive, as I suspect you are feeling too.

Thanksgiving is next week, and I will thoroughly bask in the glow of the people I love. And yes, I will be making Persimmon Pudding. It wouldn't be Thanksgiving in our family without it!

PPS I've been making matcha in the afternoons at the shop for Tess and whoever else happens to drop in, so swing by if you're in the mood, and get a jump on your holiday wishlist. As always, we would love to see you.