The Luck of the Irish
March 16, 2016







Sweets for the Sweet
February 06, 2016
For Valentine’s Day this year, I’m hoping for this romantic and chic ensemble from our Lingerie Collection. The long version of the Maia dressing gown is new for the season in Rose Gold, which literally seems to glow in the gorgeous way that only 100% silk charmeuse can. Underneath it, I plan to wear the Juno long slip in Garnet, a rich color that is somehow delightfully happy under the pale, blush of pink. They are both so lovely individually, and together are truly sublime.
We also have many Valentine-worthy options for your sweetheart, from the palest platinum color, to the vibrant shocking pink of our Rubellite color. Perhaps this set…the Olwen Camisole and Sita Knicker, would be a perfect treat for your Love? Or the Gaia Bralette paired with the Hera Brief, both available online here, in our Main Street shop, or at Barneys New York in Beverly Hills, Madison Avenue, or barneys.com We have new colors available, such as emerald green, white gold, deep amethyst, platinum, and rubellite. Stop by for a look!
If jewels are more to the point for your Valentine this year, then may I suggest a few options for you? We just created a few pair of these delightful earrings, some featuring heart shaped Rubies, or Tourmaline, while others sparkle with either grey or white diamonds. All would make a perfectly sweet Valentine’s Day gift.
While flowers and chocolates are always a pleasure to receive, I don’t think that there could be a better idea for Valentine’s Day than a ring. Stacking rings are always on a jewelry-lover’s wish list, and we have so many wonderful options in this category. I personally would love to receive a little heart shaped Ruby, or a charming little diamond butterfly ring to add to my collection. Please stop by, or give us a call this week to see what other delightful options we have for Valentine's day gift giving. Celebrating Valentine’s Day I have to admit, that I’m a sucker for Valentine’s Day. I always have been. I can remember spending it with Peter either out to dinner, in the early 1990’s at the West Beach Cafe in Venice, at Il Cantinori in NYC, or in for dinner a deux. We would enjoy a decadent assortment of french cheeses, wine, and my version of David Waltuck’s flourless chocolate cake for dessert. Years ago, we decided to include our own little sweethearts in the celebration, making it a group celebration, with friends and families joining us for a dinner in honor of love. I am normally not considered a trite or overly sentimental person, but when it comes to celebrating Valentine’s Day, I go all in. Somewhere along the road, the theme for the dinner became RED. The menu is beef tenderloin, radicchio salad, roasted beets, red potatoes, and of course, a decadent chocolate cake with raspberries and strawberries. With slight deviations over the years, like the time my friend Patrik Milani showed me how to make the most amazing chocolate peanut butter truffles you could possible imagine, I’ve moved on to a version of Ottolenghi’s chocolate fudge cake. If you haven’t tried it, you must. As I mentioned last month, I’m still working on perfecting a brownie recipe, which I’ll share with you here. Let me know if you try it, and what you think. I'm planning to wrap them up to send home with our dinner guests...
Happy Valentine’s Day to All!
New-Year-Journal
January 19, 2016
2016! I am definitely looking forward to the brand new year. It has me thinking about resolutions, big and small, and one in particular that I actually made back in early December. It isn’t about reconnecting with my meditation practice (though I do need to do that immediately!). No, the one I am thinking about mostly is this one: I have decided to embrace big earrings for day. Big, and fancy. Why not!? I feel like the things that we reserve for special occasions are actually meant to be enjoyed in the most quotidian of ways. There isn’t any good reason not to. Honestly, I cannot think of one reason to “save” one’s beautiful treasures for only certain occasions. Enjoy them! Wear them to lunch with a friend, or to anyplace at all. I promise it will elevate the experience of every single thing.Madrid Earrings; Emerald, Pearl + Diamonds
Double Pear Pear Earrings, Seven Seas Pearl + Diamond Ring

Spanish Armada Earrings; Black Diamonds + Pink SapphiresJosephine Earrings; Rose Cut Blue Sapphire + Grey DiamondsAnother thing I am contemplating for the new year is which of these delicious new limited edition Liberty of London Art Silk prints I would like for a new Asteria dressing gown. Hmmmm….

They are all so beautiful that I have struggled with making a decision. I think I’ll go with Poppyseed Dream, which I love as much for the exotic print as I do for the name.Of course, there are more pressing things to contemplate for the new year ahead. To face the future with my best foot forward, I am resolving to embrace a few principles:Be more spontaneous, for one.Take more advantage of the galleries and museums of our fair city.Spend more time with friends and family.And finally, to perfect the perfect brownie recipe that I’ve been tinkering with for a few months. I’ll share it when it’s ready…stay tuned!
Happy New Year!
Liseanne's Holiday Gift Guide
December 04, 2015









Holiday Gift Guide
November 18, 2015







Hot Summer Nights
September 01, 2015
This weather! Thankfully our new space on Main Street is deliciously air-conditioned. The nights however, call for cool, crisp, cotton lingerie (if one can bear to wear anything at all!) featuring exceptionally soft Swiss Cotton. The LFrank collection combines the classic shapes and flattering lines of the silk pieces with the highest quality cotton available in the world. My favorites for this heat wave have been the Swiss Cotton Voile Freya slip and the Aurora short kimono style dressing gown in Plumetis. Both are as light as a feather, and the soft creamy pearl color is flattering on every skin tone.
I also love the Maia knee-length dressing gown for it’s crisp pique that is both lightweight and a bit more structured. It has the most beautiful French lace applique as well as 18k double-plated gold plated buttons that I designed at the waist and the cuff. It is perfect for mornings outside in the garden before the heat of the day sets in.

Custom Engagement Rings
The summer is always a popular time for weddings and engagements, and this year was no different. Here are a few of the custom rings we created for our very special clients. The experience is one that I truly adore, and the process of creating an expression of commitment and love for a couple is something that I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be able to participate in.
Elderflower Cocktail
To cool down, we’ve been drinking pitchers of this refreshing combination of black iced tea, lemonade, and elderflower cordial. It is the perfect pick-me-up when feeling wilted by the hot weather. We’ve offered it to everyone who has come in during the last few weeks, and it has definitely been a hit.
I combine 1 quart cold black tea with 1 1/2 cups organic lemonade and a 1/4 cup of elderflower cordial to sweeten and refresh. Fresh mint and lime are amazing here, if you would like to garnish.
Enjoy the last stretch of summer!
LOVE + HONOR + RESPECT
August 13, 2015
LOVE + HONOR + RESPECT
We love LOVE. We also love taking part in in the selection of the perfect expression of that love. Most often that love-token is a ring. Many people are choosing a more non-traditional keepsake to express the love, honor and respect that is the foundation of a successful union. New rings are online + in-store now.
Lovely to Be Here
July 14, 2015

We are happily ensconced in our new space on Main Street in Venice. Half a mile is not much, but we feel a world of difference in our new location. More light, soaring ceiling height, and an incredibly warm welcome have made our transition a great one. I hope you will come and visit us.
One of my favorite things in the new space has got to be the antique games table that I had been long coveting. Backgammon, anyone? Simon, one of our new neighbors, stops by weekly to see if anyone has time for a match.
I am excited about the incredible Dracaena Arborea tree in the front window. It has long been one of my favorite trees, as it has a certain exotic and almost Dr. Seuss-like feeling. It is so happy in its sunny spot, that it sprouted a new frond within the first few weeks of living here!
We have a cheeky monkey, if you can spot him!
We are so happy that we bought these beautiful 19th century antique French carriage house sconces from our friend Ray before he moved into his amazing new building in Culver City. We could not have hoped for a better provenance, as the spirit of Obsolete is here with us every day.
In addition, we have had so much fun collaborating with our friends ZenBunni and our neighbors, Pamela Barish and Mona Moore, on delicious private label chocolates. Our flavor is the exotic Kathmandu, a heavenly Nepali Chai treat. Zen and Bunni take so much care with their confections. They are organic and biodynamic, and simply amazing. Come have a taste! Boxes of the three flavors are available for sale in store.
As an accompaniment to the beautiful silk and French lace lingerie collection, we are proud to introduce the Swiss cotton and LFrank bridal collection of lingerie, Love Honor + Respect. This collection is perfect for everyone who prefers the lighter weight of cotton for these hot summer months. Trimmed with French lace, these pieces are every bit as luxurious and gorgeous as their silk counterparts.
Come have a look and enjoy!
We are moving!
January 20, 2015
a rendering of our new front window
Finding True North is essential for accurate navigation…
So with that in mind, we are delighted to announce that we will be moving less than a mile due North at the end of this month.
Our new address will be:
LFrank 226 Main Street Venice CA 90291 (between Rose Avenue and Navy Street) 310.452.0771We will be occupying the former home of Ray Azoulay’s Obsolete, along with our friends and current Abbot Kinney neighbors Pamela Barish (224 Main Street) and Mona Moore (222 Main Street).
Our beautiful new space boasts soaring arched ceilings and incredible natural light. All of the signature LFrank elements will be coming along: the steel circle gate, the perforated metal wall, and the ancestor portrait. We will also be incorporating a few exciting new features, such as a lovely lingerie dressing area, custom concrete planters from Buddy Rhodes Studio, and an inherited work of art by renowned artist Ethan Murrow.
There will be plenty of parking in the neighborhood, and of course Kendra will be there to welcome you as always. We are very excited about this new chapter for LFrank, and hope to see you in our new space very soon!
xxLiseanne
our vitrines will look amazing through our new custom storefront window!
our new space in process… and last but not least, a sneak peek at the LFrank Lingerie collection that will be available in our new location.
LFrank Lingerie, photo by Dan Monick
LFrank Lingerie, photo by Dan Monick
Goodbye Abbot Kinney, our home for over 7 years!
LFrank Holiday Gift Guide
December 17, 2014








A Favorite Holiday Recipe
December 17, 2014
Baking as a holiday tradition is something that my family really looks forward to. Years ago, I was introduced to this Persimmon Pudding recipe from Emily Luchetti, and it very quickly became a holiday staple. I don’t think we’ve ever since had a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner without it. In fact, a dear friend hosts a persimmon party every year in her garden, beneath her extraordinary persimmon tree. She makes it a competition, and the first year I won with this recipe. The prize was a kumquat tree, which to this day grows in my garden and bears the most delicious kumquats. Persimmon Pudding Serves 8 Ingredients: About 5 ripe Hachiya persimmons 3 large eggs 1 cup granulated sugar 4 ounces (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted and cooled to warm 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 2 cups of half and half (or 1 cup of milk and 1 cup of heavy cream) Instructions: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 9-inch square baking pan. Remove the stems from the persimmons and cut the flesh into pieces. Purée the persimmon flesh in a food processor until smooth. Strain the purée through a medium-mesh sieve to eliminate any bits of skin and seed. You should have 2 cups purée. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until blended. Whisk in the melted butter. Sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves onto a piece of parchment paper or into a bowl. Add the salt. Stir the dry ingredients into the egg mixture. Slowly pour in the milk and cream, stirring until combined. Stir in the persimmon purée. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving. The pudding will sink as it cools. Serve the pudding warm, scooped into bowls with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. It can be reheated it in a 325°F oven for about 15 minutes.
LFrank Glass Bead Necklaces
November 19, 2014





Welcome to LFrank
October 21, 2014




LFrank Loves
October 20, 2014





Venice: Home of LFrank
October 19, 2014

“I went to New York City in the fall of 2007 to show my collection to buyers and editors during fashion week. The biggest revelation to me over the course of those long days, was that I needed to open a store. I wanted a space where my pieces could be presented in full – in an environment that I designed – as opposed to being seen in the selections made by buyers in retail stores. My collection is so personal, so my goal in finding the right space was to be able to create an extension of my house.
I chose the location of the shop as it was my favorite spot on my favorite street. It’s my neighborhood, so I’m particularly attached to Abbot Kinney. I remember when it was known as West Washington Blvd, and the only places to eat were Hal’s, A Votre Sante, and a little Mexican place called Saboroso.
I love the artistic and eclectic nature of Venice. John McCracken once used the space I am in as his studio. The sculptor Fred Eversley still works out of his studio two doors down, and I still see my artist friends wandering around the neighborhood. As Abbot Kinney continues to evolve, my space still feels as good to me as it did when I first moved in.”