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.

Hello, helloooooooooo. We've officially reached the end of summer. I'm not exactly sure how I'm feeling about it. How about you? Without children heading back to school, I've been treating September like a bonus summer month, but now that it has come to its inevitable end, it's time to turn my focus towards my favorite season of the year. The light is changing and the days are becoming shorter already, so I'm inspired to think about making the seasonal shifts that feel right.  

I'm thrilled that the evenings are now cool enough to wear one of our newest pieces, the Isobel blouse. In a stunning combination of two Liberty of London floral prints in 100% silk charmeuse, this decidedly feminine blouse feels perfect for the season. The attached scarf can be tied in a myriad of ways, from a big bow to hanging completely loose, or even wrapped behind the body and tied at the waist for a different silhouette entirely. As much as I love that aspect, the sleeve itself might be my most favorite part. It is generously long with the perfect drape, and a bit of drama at the cuff with a double ruffle. The last bit is heaven peeking out from underneath a jacket. This particular blouse is a combination of two of my favorite Liberty silks, Stately Bouquet and Floral Edit. We don't have it up on the website yet, but you can find it here in our boutique. Come visit for a closer look.

I find myself dreaming about fall jackets lately, and in particular the one that I have coming as part of a suit from Husbands in Paris. If you saw me more than once over the last several months, you most definitely caught me in my beautiful corduroy suit. I wore it so much and so often, that when we were in Paris at the end of June I had to order another. Instead of corduroy, this time I chose a sublime wool, linen, and silk blend from Loro Piana that kind of looks like denim. Ironically it was my husband who introduced me to Husbands and its founder Nicolas Gabard at their chic boutique on Rue de Richelieu, and I quickly became obsessed. I'm not alone in this, of course. I think it's rather easy to see why. The way that Nicolas combines his obvious love of a 1970's silhouette with a modern French sensibility feels exactly right, and yes... it looks great with the silk Isobel blouse from our Wardrobe collection, or with one of our silk camisoles. I love the contrast of the men's tailoring with the softness of the silk and the femininity of the ruffle.  

On the topic of femininity and ruffles, our Golden Violet earrings are perfect for the season. I worked on these earlier in the summer, took home a prototype to wear during our summer travels, and have basically worn it everyday since. Violets are full of symbolic meaning, one being love and the other being good fortune. In the Victorian era, it was thought that one could keep the evil spirits away by carrying a bouquet of violets. They appear in ancient and religious art, both as a symbol of spiritual wisdom and mystical awareness. The undulating, striated petals and life sized scale make these both dramatic and very fun. They are also very light on the ear, but make quite an impact for either day or nighttime wear. There is even an article extolling the virtues of this style of earring in this month's Town and Country, which you can read here. The luxury button earring appears to be having a moment.

For those of you who collect our vintage and recycled glass bead necklaces, you'll be pleased to hear that I went on a bit of a bender last week, and made quite a few new pieces to set the tone for the new season using some of the beads that I've been collecting for decades. They are patiently awaiting our gold bead inventory refresh, so will be completed and ready for you sometime next week. In the meantime, here is a sneak peek... I'm especially fond of the green beads in my collection, and have pulled out some very special pieces to share. Many of these are one-of, or a few-of-a-kind, so if you see something you like you shouldn't hesitate. These also make such wonderful gifts, and before you know it, that season will be here too.

When we came home from late summer travels a week ago, I felt like keeping dinnertime really simple. Do you know of Julia Turshen? She's a wonderful chef, cookbook author, activist, and podcast host who comes up with truly simple, healthy, and delicious recipes. One of my favorites is her take on Kimchi Fried Rice.  She always offers ideas for tweaking her recipes, so I feel really comfortable riffing on what she does. This time I used black rice, and added spinach for more green.  We had the best spring onions and cucumbers from the Sunday farmer's market, so the result was even better than I had remembered.

Kimchi Fried Rice, adapted from Small Victories by Julia Turshen 

one 16 oz jar of kimchi (I love Dave's, which I buy at the farmer's market on Sundays) chopped and all juices preserved

2-3 handfuls of baby spinach

4 cups day old, cooked rice (I used Forbidden Rice from Lundberg Farms)

1 small onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

salt or soy sauce, whichever you prefer

4 scallion stalks, sliced thinly into 4 inch vertical strips

1 Japanese cucumber, sliced thinly into strips

1 tsp toasted sesame oil

1 tsp rice wine vinegar

1 tsp furikake

optional, one or two poached eggs per person

First make the scallion and cucumber salad, combining the scallions, cucumber, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar and furikake. Set aside to marinate, adjusting amounts of oil and vinegar to taste.

Heat oil in a large pan, saute the diced onion and garlic until translucent and soft.  Turn up the heat and add the chopped kimchi and cook until the kimchi becomes a bit sticky, then add the cooked rice and any juice from the kimchi, along with a few handfuls of baby spinach. Combine thoroughly and cook for about five more minutes before turning off the heat and adding a splash or two of soy sauce, or a sprinkle of sea salt, whichever you prefer.  

I then plate the fried rice and top with a poached egg or two, then top with the scallion and cucumber salad, and maybe a few extra shakes of the furikake.  

Enjoy,

Here we are with June underway, the official month of early summer. It feels more spring-like than anything, with the temperature hovering in the 60s and not too much sun in sight quite yet. We do a get a little bit in the late afternoon after the marine layer burns through, but certainly nothing to make one feel like summer or vacation or anything like that is nigh. Cooler than normal weather aside, I've decided to finally break out the sandals, even if I am wearing them with corduroy suits or having to layer up my cotton pieces to brace against the chill in the air. I recently found the brightest pair of Birkenstocks imaginable to punch up my summer wardrobe. They're brilliant red, and of course extremely comfortable. They most definitely do the trick.

In terms of layering, and warding off the June gloom, we have just received our box of shirts from Sasha Iglehart and her fantastic collection A Shirt Story. For the first time in LFrank history, we are going to be stocking another person's collection. I feel so strongly about Sasha's mission to upcycle and extend the life of these wonderful shirts, I hope you'll come try one (or two or three!) on. We have a fresh stack of twenty (scratch that, down to seventeen already!) one-of-a-kind shirts to choose from, and they are all excellent. I've been wearing mine non-stop since we hosted Sasha last month for a two-day pop up in the boutique. If you've seen me at all recently, you know it's true.

The feedback I've been getting has confirmed that these pieces have become indispensable items in all of our wardrobes, and that everyone needs at least a couple of them to have in rotation. In my case the rotation has been rather heavy, so I was thrilled to receive an email from Sasha yesterday morning with layering inspiration that arrived right before I got dressed for the day. I immediately put A Shirt Story shirt on top of one of our cotton Juno slip dresses, and topped it with our cotton Maia duster. Today I put one underneath our beloved Lilia sundress which I have in the crispest Liberty of London cotton. Tomorrow, I might wear a shirt with one of our Brigitte cotton skirts, which has quickly become one of our best sellers.

As you can see, I'm also layering a pair of the necklaces from my collaboration with Carey Lowell and her beautiful porcelain flowers. They've become a daily staple and I know I'll enjoy them all summer long. We do have a few more pieces available, so don't hesitate if you've got your eye on one or two. It feels so wonderful to be able to collaborate and share the work I'm doing with the work of my talented and lovely, like-minded friends. It truly does elevate the experience of simply dressing for the day, and honestly brings such a lift to my spirits.  

On the topic of lifting spirits, these new earrings are definitely rising to that level. I decided to make a larger pair of one of our favorite everyday earrings, and I absolutely love them. They are incredibly lightweight for their significant scale, and easy to wear both day and evening. The way the hand finished 18K gold catches the light is heaven. The geometric floral motif was inspired by an antique Moorish column fragment that caught my eye in the Museo Lázaro Galdiano in Madrid, which if you've never visited is a treat. I always appreciate seeing such a personal collection and a singular vision left intact.

Of course I have long been collecting stones, and one of my most beloved parcels is one of vintage rose cut diamonds.  When I turned thirty many years ago, I designed a ring to keep the parcel all together, and to treat myself to a special piece to mark the milestone. Alas, it was a bit delicate and I wanted to have something I could wear more robustly. Now I have two rings to enjoy in a sort of reincarnation of the original idea, and I'm thrilled. Needless to say, it does bring me enormous joy to look down at my hands and see these special mementos. If you have stones or family heirlooms that need a bit of reimagining, swing by for a consultation. I truly enjoy the process and it makes me happy to give new life to pieces that need a bit of inspired rehabilitation.

In case it isn't already on your radar, we are rapidly approaching the Father's Day holiday on June 18th. With this in mind, we have restocked some of our most favorite men's Italian cotton robes, which would certainly elevate the morning routine of any gentleman. They're not online, so if you're in the market for a special Father's Day gift, please give us a ring or swing by for a visit. We also have a lovely selection of silk sleep masks which honestly do make an extremely thoughtful and chic gift.  

If your plans for Father's Day include making lunch, this is a nice salad to try. I recently looked through a copy of My Dinner Party Book by Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, and a salad dressing recipe caught my eye. I forgot to write it down but sort of remember the part that piqued my interest, which was the addition of horseradish and dijon mustard together with soy sauce. I am not sure about the rest, so I've improvised. It's lovely with a crisp summer salad of fennel, radish, snap peas, red onion, parsley, and shaved parmigiano reggiano.

Bright Vinaigrette (inspired by Margaret, Duchess of Argyll's recipe)

A spoonful each of dijon mustard and grated horseradish

Lemon Juice, squeezed from half of a lemon

Champagne Vinegar

Splash of Soy Sauce

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

One clove of garlic, smashed 

Freshly ground black pepper 

Method:

Combine dijon, horseradish, lemon juice, vinegar, soy sauce, black pepper, and the smashed garlic clove. Let macerate for ten minutes while you pull your salad together. Remove the garlic clove and slowly whisk in enough olive oil to balance the acids and emulsify the dressing. Taste for any adjustments by dipping in a bit of your salad and adding a bit more of whatever you think is missing. Trust your intuition, you'll know exactly what makes it perfect. 

Enjoy,

Mother's Day is rapidly approaching, so if you are a mother, I hope that you find yourself making a little list, or a plan, or dropping a hint for something special to honor the work you've done to create and nurture other beings. I have a lot of thoughts on the topic, but first and foremost is my feeling that Mother's Day is not just another greeting card kind of holiday. The fact that Mother's Day coincides with spring in all its glory is a lucky break. I was just in NYC, and honestly nothing feels more optimistic to me than New York City in the springtime. The simple glory of Mother Nature showing off after the winter season is in itself something to celebrate, and the showy blossoms in Central Park are most definitely something to feel grateful for. There are many ways to celebrate the maternal figures in your life with love and maybe a treat or two. We have a wonderful selection of options for gifting that are quite special, and we would be delighted to help you find something unique.  

For something truly special, next week we have the distinct pleasure of hosting our friend Sasha Iglehart and her elegant and sustainable collection A Shirt Story. Sasha is a lifelong fashion editor who has turned her love of men's shirts into an environmentally conscious answer to the overproduction plaguing the fashion industry. Her mission is to upcycle and reinvigorate a simple classic, something everyone can wear and feel good about. I especially love the one-of-a-kind nature of her project, and the care that goes into making each one so special. To this end, Sasha employs a bevy of sparkly buttons, a gently yet artfully frayed collar, and creative solutions to concealing an imperfection, such as a contrasting patch designed to rescue a treasure that may have seen better days.   

I have long loved a men's cotton shirt, having started wearing Brooks Brother's shirts from the boy's department when I was a teenager. I still have some of them, in fact. I transitioned from those to the hand me down Turnbull & Asser and Charvet shirts from my father-in-law in my mid-twenties, which I loved for their worn-in softness and elegant french cuffs. I wore those until they essentially fell apart, so the offerings from A Shirt Story feel quite nostalgic and special to me. They look great with our new cotton Liberty Print skirts, or knotted over our Lilia sundresses. I hope you'll swing by on May 10th and 11th to meet Sasha and have a look!

Another wonderful Mother's Day gift idea might be a piece from the collaboration I've done with the ceramicist Carey Lowell, which are exclusively available on our website and in our boutique. I met Carey many years ago, but reconnected with her in Southhampton a couple of summers ago when we both participated in a pop-up that our chic and lovely friend Amanda Ross of ARossGirl had put together. In addition to the exquisite vases and bowls that she creates, I noticed a bowl of ceramic flowers that Carey had made, and it immediately inspired me to ask if we could collaborate on a special, limited edition of jewels featuring her work.  

I wanted to use Carey's handmade creations as I do the pieces from my extensive bead collection. The mix of the porcelain with our 18K gold accent beads feels fresh and infinitely wearable. I love the idea of permanent flowers, something I often create using gemstones and gold. Carey is a kindred spirit as a mother, an artist, and an avid gardener. In her words, she articulated an ethos to which I wholeheartedly subscribe:

"My garden in full of flowers which I have planted over the years and lovingly cared for. They give me great pleasure and lift my spirits when I see their happy faces. They appear often in my ceramics, especially when I'm working in porcelain, which shares their attributes of translucency, refinement and delicacy. The small petals I make remind me of spring blossoms snowing down on an April walk through the park. I am trying to capture the ephemeral nature of their beauty and make it permanent." - Carey Lowell

In addition to the creation of beauty, 10% of proceeds from the sale of the LFrank + Carey Lowell pieces will benefit Moms Demand Action, a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures to protect people from gun violence. You can learn more, and take action by clicking here.

My roses have been a tremendous source of joy for me over the last few weeks. I know I've mentioned it before, but truly... it is such a gift to wake up each morning and see a new bloom or two (or three or four!) in all their morning sunshine glory. Anyone who knows me knows how incredibly proud I am of our human children, so this in no way compares of course. Alas, I do have to admit to a deep sense of pride and wonder at my flower children. Does that seem a bit nuts? Probably, but I still feel a boggling sense of wonder every time I see one of my roses bloom. I suspect if you have a garden or simply love flowers, you just might understand.

However you choose to spend this Mother's Day, I hope it is filled with tons of love love love, and if you are a Mother yourself... I hope someone spoils you rotten!

Yours,

Helloooooooo! I hope you are well out there. After such a seemingly long and unseasonably wet winter in LA, I'm thrilled to feel the shift in the seasons. I usually love winter, if for no other reason than to enjoy the privilege of having the fireplace burning in the evenings. I hope you and yours have been staying dry and cozy. While this atmospheric river landscape is slated to continue for the rest of the month, it still feels decidedly Spring-like today, and for that I am grateful. There is the sweetest morning birdsong along with wisteria vines and rosebuds about to bloom in our garden, even with the pummeling of rain from the latest storm. We also discovered a hawk's nest in our neighborhood, and what looks like a Cooper's hawk flying around, battling the neighborhood crows.

I've been spending a lot of time gazing up into the trees lately, gauging the effects of the recent downpour, and noticing all of the nests, blossoms, and burgeoning leaves. With this new season I sense the call for a little newness on all fronts.  One place to start is with a new addition to the wardrobe collection. I love a floral for any time of year, but especially in the Spring. My personal favorite of the moment is this one. It has the loveliest drape to it, and the silk is sheer heaven on the skin.

Another spring item perfect for representing the season might be one of these five stone tourmaline rings in either pink or green. I love the way the different shapes and hues create a feeling of depth, which also comes from the way that the stones are set. From certain angles it sort of looks like an undulating fan, and it tapers to a very smooth, rounded band which is incredibly comfortable to wear. We have an aquamarine and even a diamond version in the works to add to the stack, so check in with us if those pique your interest. They should be here soon. 

A new pair of earrings also feels fresh for the new season. I have always loved lapis lazuli, not just for its vibrancy, but also for its history as one of the first gemstones to have been worn as adornment in ancient civilizations, and as a highly prized element in Baroque and Renaissance painting. We have a few pieces that feature this beautiful stone, which is said to represent wisdom and truth, helping the wearer connect more deeply to their authentic self. That certainly seems like a worthwhile cause for any individual. You can find them here.

Since we miss our dear friend and former neighbor Pamela Barish so much, we are thrilled to host her for a day in our boutique on Tuesday, April 4th from noon until 6pm for a special Spring season trunk show. I hope you can swing by to say hello to Pamela and see her beautiful collection. We are so looking forward to spending the day with her. We always have the best time.

Spring is upon us, but it hasn't truly warmed up as of yet. This last storm had me in the mood for a hearty stew, so that is what I made. It's adapted from a recipe I found for a slow cooker version, but since I don't have a slow cooker, I just made a few adjustments. It's perfect for a chilly evening, and tastes even better the day after cooking.  

Lentil, Sausage and Italian Kale Stew, adapted from Sarah DiGregorio

1 pound spicy Italian pork sausage, removed from its casing

1 large onion, diced

Kosher salt

6-7 garlic cloves, chopped

1 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. garlic granules

3 sprigs of fresh Thyme (or about a teaspoon of dried)

Leaves from 5 sprigs of fresh Oregano

Pinch or two of red-pepper flakes

Freshly ground black pepper

3/4 cup of dry white wine

1 bay leaf

2 cups dried lentils, green or black

1 14 oz can of chopped tomatoes

8 cups of chicken stock

One medium - large bunch of Italian black kale, chopped

One tablespoon red wine vinegar

Chopped fresh basil and parsley for serving

Grated Pecorino-Romano, for serving 

In a large dutch oven pot, break up the sausage and cook over a medium-high heat until browned and sizzling. Remove the cooked sausage, leaving a layer of the rendered fat.

Add the chopped onions to the pot, along with a generous pinch of kosher salt, and cook until softened. Add the chopped garlic and continue to sauté until translucent. Add the onion powder and garlic granules, along with the herbs, red pepper flakes, and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper and stir to combine.  

Increase heat to high, and add in the wine, stirring well and scraping the bottom of the pot. Let the wine cook off until the pan is nearly dry.

Add the tomatoes, bay leaf, lentils, stock and sausage. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. It will seem like too much stock, but it will be absorbed by the lentils as they cook. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the lentils are nearly done cooking. Remove the bay leaf, and any sprigs of herbs, then stir in the chopped kale and cook until desired doneness. When finished cooking, stir in one tablespoon of red wine vinegar.

Ladle into a bowl, top with chopped basil, chives, parsley or any other fresh, soft herbs. Add a handful of grated or shaved pecorino, a pinch of flaky sea salt, a grind of pepper, and a drizzle of your finest quality olive oil.  

Enjoy,

The season is in full swing over here, and there is no shortage of lovely, lovely pieces from which to make a selection. Are you looking for something to fit in a stocking? Something to make a statement with? Or just a little treat for yourself?  Let us make some suggestions for you here, and then check back in with us as the holidays grow even closer. We will be receiving new pieces as the countdown marches on, and have maybe just enough time to make a special order happen too. 

We have an absolutely beautiful selection of stacking rings with all sorts of stones, or simply in gold as well to choose from. They are so much fun to play around with, and look completely different worn alone, or in bespoke combinations. Just a little diamond or sapphire ring can brighten up a stack of family heirlooms, or be the beginning of a personal collection. These are easy to size to fit, and universally adored. We can help you choose, as there are no wrong decisions to make here!

Something lovely has arrived in the form of the second Saint in our Archangel series. At long last, our St. Raphael pendant joins the Saint Michael version that we can't seem to keep in stock, though another one is coming soon. Since St. Raphael is regarded as the Prince of the Healing Arts he feels particularly suited to what we all need to collectively tap into at the present moment. You can have a closer look here and even order one for yourself or someone in your life who could benefit from a little protective healing energy.

Color is such an important element for me with regards to design. This pair of tourmaline earrings is one of the most lovely colors I have ever seen. The clarity, hue, and cut of these stones is absolutely gorgeous. They are of such a soft, honey laden blush as to be flattering on simply everyone. The tone reminds me of that soft pink that decorators say that all of our bedrooms should be. Have you heard of that? This is a far easier commitment to make to get that soft glow near your face.  

If you have yet to have a look at our Wardrobe collection, here is a little peek at one of my favorite looks. The rich plum colored lace is incredibly special, and perfect for the festive season. We also have a gorgeous foil printed black lace, which you can see here. It might be perfect for your holiday parties, worn over the matching skirt to make a chic suit, or over a camisole with trousers, or over our silky and flattering Laetitia slip.  

Are you perhaps heading to a warmer, more relaxed climate for the holidays? If so, you might want to take along one of our Alba caftans in 100% Silk crinkle chiffon. These particular Liberty of London fabrics are limited edition, and no longer in production so we are lucky to have a bit of stock on hand.

There are quite a few new pieces arriving this weekend, so come over and have a look in person! We would be delighted to see you. 

Much Love,

PS In between shopping and holiday engagements, you should try to make time to swing by the stunning and inspirational Picasso Cut Papers exhibition at the Hammer Museum, curated by our dear friend Allegra Pesenti. That and the adjacent wonderful Bob Thompson show, plus of course Joan Didion:What She Means exhibition curated by Hilton Als are all such a fabulous visual treat that I hope you have the pleasure to enjoy. In spite of all the holiday frenzy, these December days are actually part of my favorite time of year in Los Angeles. 

Hellooooooo! It's been awhile, and now the Thanksgiving holiday is truly upon us! Are you ready? For the first time in a very very long time, we won't be hosting the holiday feast at our house, but spending it with dear friends. Of course I will still make persimmon pudding, and don't worry, I'll add the recipe again below, so you won't have to hunt for it. It always feels like the star of the holiday, so I will encourage you to try it if you've somehow resisted. The star of the season for me is always the pinker than pink sunsets that assist in minimizing the impact of these shorter days. I always try to catch a glimpse of the spectacular show in the sky. This is one from the other evening in our neighborhood. I hope that whatever the weekend holds, you have a truly wonderful time.

As for weekend plans, if you find yourself in the mood to shop either online or in person, we are here. Online we have a new section, as our Lingerie collection has evolved over time to become LFrank Wardrobe. The lingerie pieces have long been worn as pieces to be out and about in by our growing community of devotees. This has led to the creation of new silhouettes that over time have become the foundation of a modern feminine wardrobe. Have a look here, and then swing by if you're close to try the pieces on in person. We are celebrating the holiday weekend with a 20% discount on any online or in-store purchases from the Wardrobe collection, limited to stock on hand beginning today, November 23rd through Wednesday November 30th 2022. Discount will apply automatically in cart for any online purchases. With the holiday season in full swing, it might be the perfect time to treat yourself to something lovely. 

I think a little flirtatious energy has long been missing from our daily lives. On this front, we've added a punchy color blocked silk crepe de chine vest to the Wardrobe collection, which is what the Lingerie collection has evolved to become. We've also made the Carlotta vest in a cotton black lace, which is an easy layering piece. The double ruffle is one of the reasons I love it so much, but not the only one. These vests are such an easy way to energize whatever you have on, and they look lovely belted or loose, as a top in their own right, or layered over just about anything. 

Those skirt suits we've been working on? Well, they're here...at long last, in Liberty print cotton, silk, and even in a few varieties of lace. Come in and give one a try. They are lovely apart, and perfect together. The skirts look great with a sweater, and the jackets look great with really anything. I'm really into suits these days, so I love them together, but they certainly don't have to be worn that way.  

I hope you have a gorgeous holiday ahead of you with plenty of time to rest and restore, whether you are hosting, cooking, or simply showing up with epic good cheer. We all have so much to be grateful for. I am filled with so much gratitude for my family, the fact that I create beauty for a living with like-minded and enormously talented individuals, and for the wonderful community I find myself within. It's not just the big things, but the small things as well.

One small thing is that the persimmons this season have been especially good, but the Hachiya variety seem to be in short supply this year. Our daughter is actually making Hoshigaki with a few of them, which is quite a meditative process. They're quite labor intensive, (daily massage!) but completely worth the effort involved. You can sometimes buy them at the farmer's market, and it is kind of incredible to realize that so much care has been taken to bring such a delicious treat to market.  

P.S. A little trick: If you have trouble finding perfectly ripe persimmons, you can pop the unripened fruit into the freezer, then defrost in a bowl of warm water before you make the recipe.

Persimmon Pudding 

Serves 8

Ingredients:

3 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, cloves and salt onto a piece of parchment paper or into a bowl. Stir the dry ingredients into the egg mixture. Slowly pour in the half + half or milk and cream, stirring until combined. Stir in the persimmon purée last. The batter will be quite thick. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and 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 slightly sweetened whipped cream. I use maple syrup in the cream for a more complex flavor. It can be reheated it in a 325°F oven for about 15 minutes if you make this ahead.  

Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving with lots of love from all of us,

Here we are just past the high point of summer - that moment where I seem to always pause, exhale, and contemplate how exactly I'd like to spend the rest of it. To be honest, I just want it all to slow down. This year my aspiration for the rest of summer is to lay low and try to rest and restore. The early part of the summer was quite busy on all fronts, and frankly, I'm shocked that we find ourselves this far into August already. This particular summer seems to have just flown by at what feels like warp speed. Whatever you're doing and wherever you're doing it, I truly hope that it is utterly lovely.  

We had the distinct pleasure of traveling to London at the end of June for both work and a bit (actually a LOT) of fun. I fell in love with all of the trees and had a fabulous time with friends who are more family than not, which are the best kind of all. I then dashed off to the big Island of Hawaii for a personal appearance in the Seaside Luxe boutique at the Four Seasons Hualalai, where the rocky volcanic shores are quite stunning as are the sunsets every evening, which alone are a powerful reason to visit. 

Alas, home is not simply just where the heart is. Here we are, back and enjoying the lovely summer evenings and the steadfast company of our dear dear friends. Isn't that exactly what summer should be full to overflowing with? That, and the creation of beautiful pieces are what have been such a source of joy for me this summer. We had the honor of working on a lovely custom piece to celebrate a significant birthday, using family stones to create a future heirloom ring. 

I also was inspired to create a powerful tribute to big cat energy with a double puma ring. I recently made a bracelet version of this for a surprise anniversary gift, and couldn't get it out of my head. The ring is incredibly powerful and feels like wearable sculpture more than anything else. The protective nature of the puma, and its immeasurably keen powers of observation and stillness are quite something to behold. These amazing creatures are incredibly seductive with their essence of grace and power, relying on their instincts and the sharpness of their senses for survival. It certainly isn't a ring to wear lightly, but one that I think emanates the spirit and energy of the puma in such an interesting way. They are solitary creatures, but I chose to nestle two together in an embrace.  

Another new piece I find incredibly special is our St. Michael pendant.  We've been working on a trio of Archangel pendants, and started with this one. I'm particularly drawn to them, as they are recognized in so many religions, and have a such a strong connection to feelings of protection.

Here is peek at a fitting we did for a new little skirt suit idea I wanted to explore.  I couldn't be happier with the results. The pieces are crafted from the most gorgeous Italian men's shirting cotton, with the beautiful details we are known for.  I wanted to have something crisp and cool to wear in the summer that felt a bit more pulled together than a sundress. The skirt couldn't be easier...it has a drawstring waist and comes in one size. It's perfect for pulling on over a swimsuit or for wearing with a little camisole or perfect white t-shirt, or ultimately to wear with the little jackets we are making to coordinate for a more tailored look. We sold out of the first batch immediately, and are expecting the second batch in a mix of colors and prints next week, so come visit or call if you'd like us to set one aside for you.  

Our Lilia sundress is my tried-and-true summer wardrobe mainstay. Whether in a Liberty of London floral or in an Italian men's cotton shirting fabric, it packs like a dream, looking just as lovely on the streets of London as it does on the Hawaiian shores. I hear from our clients that it has become their summer favorite as well.  One just packed three for her trip to Europe, and I know she will wear them endlessly not just while traveling, but then again for the rest of our LA summer, which now seems to extend well into October.

Since it's summer and the fruit from the farmer's market has been so delicious, I've been serving platters of stone fruit, watermelon with lime, or bowls of cherries and berries for dessert lately. It's nice to also have a little chocolate something to accompany it, so my daughter and I started making these rustic and delicious chocolate treats. It's also great to not turn on the oven in the heat of the summer!

Basically we just melt whatever high quality 72% chocolate bars we have in the pantry in the top of a double boiler, pour onto a parchment lined baking tray, and sprinkle whatever combinations of things that strike us as an ingredient that can only be improved upon by adding chocolate.  Place the tray in the refrigerator for at least an hour or so.  When you're ready to serve, break the chocolate into shards and pass them around. 

Some combinations to try:

Freeze-dried raspberries

Dried Turkish figs with chopped Marcona almonds

Pistachios with chopped dried papaya

Candied ginger

Sesame seed and matcha powder

Shredded coconut with curry powder

Really, the possibilities are endless to be creative and come up with something utterly delicious. Let me know if you make an especially winning combination. I'd love to hear about it.

Enjoy,

Summer is suddenly here, with a proper heatwave to introduce itself in a strident way. Truth be told, we are sheltered from it quite a bit here in Venice, with the marine layer otherwise known as "June Gloom" hanging overhead like a protective shield.  I hope that wherever you are on the planet, you are staying comfortably well and enjoying the shift to what should hopefully be a more carefree time of year.  There is certainly a maelstrom of issues that feel anything but carefree at the moment, yet there are always more festive topics to associate with this early part of summer; the graduation festivities, wedding celebrations, and of course Father's Day, which is only days away.  Our Janus Robe is a perfect gift for that, and we have several to choose from, including this windowpane plaid.

We have beautiful options for summer celebrations, and I can tell you from personal experience that our Ava slip dress is perfect for wearing to either a graduation or a wedding.  Our daughter wore one in a lovely Liberty of London floral print last month to her college graduation and looked absolutely gorgeous.  We also dressed a client in another Ava for their graduation last weekend, and they were thrilled.  It's one of those indispensable dresses, the kind you can roll up in your weekend bag and wear to really anything, no matter the occasion or the dress code.  It is the kind of dress that not only looks great, but feels really special to wear.  As with everything we make, the details are what really stand out.  The adjustable straps ensure a perfect fit, while the bias cut silk charmeuse drapes beautifully over your body and feels incredible on your skin.  I will be packing one for my upcoming trip to London, the only difficult decision being which print to take. 

With all of the milestone celebrations of the season, we've had the opportunity to make several incredibly meaningful custom pieces.  A few favorites include a double puma head bracelet for a thirtieth wedding anniversary, an emerald and platinum brooch to celebrate a twentieth, and an engagement ring using a family heirloom stone for someone very dear to me.  I find it quite inspirational to work on these substantive and sentimental pieces, and consider it quite an honor whenever I am asked.  Luckily for me, we are always working on something bespoke, which adds considerable joy to my working life.

We have recently designed a few bespoke cross pendants, which inspired the emerald one we recently added to our inventory.  You can have a closer look here.  It is available on leather, but of course we can add a gold chain if you prefer.  We also have similarly cut rubies, sapphires, and diamonds...all of which would make an equally beautiful composition.

If you have upcoming travel plans, we have easy cotton slips and sundresses that roll up like a dream in a carry-on, and go from beach to sightseeing to dinner, etc.  We also have little cotton jackets that fold up into nothingness, and make everything look pulled together.  We think of them as little tailored cardigans and wear them over dresses, or with camisoles and trousers.  They aren't up on the website yet, but we have a selection of them in the boutique if you are close.  We are happy to send images if you are not.  One of my favorites is in crisp Italian cotton plaid men's shirting fabric.  It is shown here over one of our cotton Lilia sundresses, which I feel is the perfect summer frock for almost any occasion.

One perfect salad that I've been rather obsessed with lately is Joan Didion's recipe for Parsley Salad.  I fully realize that it sounds ridiculous if you weren't already aware of Joan's reputation as an intrepid home cook and hostess.  Parsley on its own doesn't exactly sound like a recipe for anything, I suppose.  I take a couple of liberties with the original, as I cannot ever help myself from doing, but I'm giving you both my version and her original recipe.  I've never followed hers exactly, as lugging out the vitamix is reserved only for occasions when nothing else will do, although I do remain curious about the blending of parsley and vinaigrette.  I may have to give it try one of these days when I am feeling slightly less lazy and pinched for time in the kitchen.  Let me know if you give it a go. 

My version, which serves 4-6:

two bunches flat leaf Italian parsley, chopped semi-finely

two-three handfuls of the best imported parmigiano reggiano you can find (if you're in Los Angeles it's worth a drive over to Guidi Marcello for their imported and delicious offerings)

two spring onions, sliced thinly

juice of half of a lemon

the most aged organic balsamic vinegar you can find + the best extra virgin olive oil

flaky sea salt and pepper to taste

Just before serving, place parsley, spring onions, and parmigiano into a generously sized salad bowl.  Drizzle over the balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, and olive oil.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste, and gently toss.  Taste, and add more acid or oil if the salad seems too dry, or more seasoning via another sprinkle of parmigiano or salt, if need be. 

and Joan's:

PARSLEY SALAD (serves 35-40)
8 bunches Italian parsley
Blend 16 T olive oil with one head parsley until smooth
Blend in 4 T balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper
When ready to serve place parsley in 1 1/3 C grated parmesan in bowl, toss with dressing

 Enjoy,

Spring has most decidedly and wondrously sprung, and not a moment too soon for the more fragile hearts among us. What a delight it has been to see the blossoms on the trees, the roses in all their glory, and the frequent birdsong and buzzing bees in the garden. The world has been a bit much these days, so I find myself more and more tuning in to nature and tuning out the incessant noise of modern life. I am particularly obsessed with my two rose bushes, which are providing tremendous joy every single morning. I wish you could smell them. They are spectacularly beautiful to me and unlike anything I've ever encountered.

On the topic of encountering beauty, we have a gorgeous assortment of pieces that feel very much like the essence of spring across the board. I hope you can swing by for a look. As ever, a visit to the boutique is the perfect escape from the outside world, which we all surely can use from time to time, and especially right now. 

Have you started thinking about Mother's Day yet? We still have enough time to make something custom and truly special if you have a particular idea in mind to mark the occasion with. Of course, this could mean a gift for yourself too. I'm a big believer in treating oneself to something wonderful when the mood strikes. 

While it may be the birthstone for August, peridot feels particularly suited to springtime. I have a funny relationship with peridot, meaning for a long time I suppose that it wasn't my favorite hue and I didn't often gravitate towards it. When I was doing the colored stone course at GIA, for my final exam we had to blindly select a stone to analyze. You can imagine my disappointment in the moment when I discovered that I had chosen a peridot -- or rather, a peridot had chosen me! Recently, I was surprisingly and happily drawn to this special parcel of stones, which I used in a custom piece for an equally special person. Not only do I actually love the color, but really everything about them.  

Thinking of color, these felt so perfect for Easter Sunday, don't you agree? I can't say that I typically gravitate toward pastel palettes, but these rings feel fresh and radiant in the softest and loveliest of ways. Despite the gentle hues, each of these rings makes a rather strong statement, and almost feels like a celebration in the form of adornment. While they are stunning at any time of year, they feel especially right for the current season. You can have a closer look here and here.

It also feels like the season for our Lilia slip dress. We make this silhouette in so many different fabrics, and each one has a completely different personality, I feel. The dresses in the Italian men's shirting cotton fabrics are crisp and fresh, as are the Liberty of London cotton floral prints. I love the contrast of the lace with the stripes and plaids especially. We even have a new one in a red and white micro check that I can't wait to wear this summer. The silk and cotton voile version comes in solids with black lace, with the double layer of fabric giving it a floaty kind of drape that feels super dreamy.

For Easter last Sunday I made a delicious lemon + almond cake, inspired by a recipe from the NY Times. I have a hard time leaving well enough alone, so naturally I had to make a few changes. Few things feel as optimistic and sunny as a jar of fresh lemon curd, so I highly recommend making this just for its mood-boosting properties. It really is lovely and might also be a nice to have for Mother's Day, which is nearly upon us!

Lemon + Almond Butter Cake

For the Lemon Curd:

Grated zest and juice of two lemons

2/3 cup sugar

4 large eggs

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes

For the Cake:

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

1 tbs baking powder

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3 large eggs, beaten

3/4 cup ground almonds

1/4 cup sliced almonds, lightly toasted

For the curd, combine lemon zest, juice, and sugar in a heatproof bowl, and place over a saucepan with a couple of inches of simmering water inside. Whisk in the eggs, and cook while stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or a spatula, adding the cubes of butter one at a time, until the mixture thickens into curd. This should take between 5-10 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl, and refrigerate until cool, approximately one hour.

For the cake, preheat the over to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-inch springform pan, and line with parchment paper.

Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt, and stir in the ground almonds. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs together until they start to foam. With an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla, and then add the eggs a little at a time, sprinkling in a few spoonfuls of the flour mixture once you've added about half the eggs, then fold in the remainder of the dry ingredients, mixing gently until evenly combined.

Scrape batter into the prepared pan. Drop the lemon curd in large spoonfuls around the center of the surface of the cake batter, leaving at least a 1-inch border. Sprinkle the top with the toasted almond slivers.

Bake until the cake is toasty brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean, which should be around 40 minutes or so. It's going to look like the lemon curd has disappeared, as it sinks into the cake, but that is part of its rustic charm. Let cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes, then remove sides of the pan and let cool completely.  

Serve with a dollop of whipped cream sweetened with maple syrup or sugar if you prefer. 

Enjoy,