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,

Hello, Helloooooooo!  I hope this finds you settling into 2022 in a wonderful way.  It was a whirlwind holiday season, and we had an unexpected delay in our post-winter break reopening due to some flooding and repair work in our space.  We are finally back, grateful for the support of our beautiful community, and it feels so very good to be getting back into the swing of things.  Are you doing well?  It has been a wild time out there to say the least!  In here it feels the polar opposite of wild...it's positively lovely.  We are delighted to be here, making beautiful treasures, and enjoying the process and our wonderful clients more than ever.  Come visit us if you're close.

One new piece we are especially excited about is our gorgeous Faye hostess gown.  We made the first run in an exquisite black cotton lace, which sold out immediately.  Everyone who tried it on ordered one, so now we are doing a few different lace versions, which will arrive in the coming weeks.  We do have one left in Liberty Crinkle Chiffon: a limited edition in Violet Daydream.  It has a sophisticated translucency and can be worn in so many different ways.  It's the perfect wear-at-home or out-and-about piece.

If you are near, please come by so we can show you all the possibilities.  If you're far, we are happy to send images or even a video.  

Another perfect piece for the season is the Long Bast Sleep Shirt in 100% silk charmeuse.  It has a particularly graceful drape to it, and can be worn loose or belted with one of our silk scarves. You can throw it on for dinner with a pair of lace tights and boots, and then slip into bed afterwards and add one of our Hypnos silk sleep masks for an especially delicious sleep.

On the sleep mask front, we have a fully luxurious and seasonal selection of cashmere on the outside, silk on the inside masks.  They are super chic, and make what might be the perfect Valentine's Day gift for your love.  I suspect that giving the gift of a better night's sleep is one of the most sincere expressions of love ever.  

We also have another pearl and sweet little angel necklace in stock, in addition to the version on a delicate 18k gold chain.  I get so many compliments on mine, which is the pearl version, and one that I wear always.  I recently heard 98 year-old Lily Ebert tell her story of surviving the Holocaust while managing to conceal the angel pendant that she still wears to this day.  Listening to her is incredibly moving and inspirational.  Jewelry is really so much more than the value of the raw elements that go into the creation of something beautiful.  The sentiment associated with a certain piece is what we truly carry with us.

I love making special order, one-of-a-kind or few-of-a-kind pieces that become deeply personal talismans.  Recently we made a couple of pendants that are exactly that.  We have another cross in the works, made up of gorgeous emeralds that I look forward to sharing with you, and are working on a few very special pieces to honor the matriarch of a beautiful family.  If you have a meaningful project on your mind that you think needs our touch, please reach out.  We love nothing more.

My daughter and her dear friend were baking together over the holidays and made this fantastic banana bread with tahini and sesame, which then inspired me to try a version with pumpkin (I'm not too keen on bananas, I must admit) which has been perfect for sharing with friends over tea in the afternoon.  Let me know if you make it, and what you think.  It doesn't last very long in our house, which I take as a good sign, and coating the pan in tahini is kind of a revelation.

Pumpkin Tahini Tea Loaves 

One can of organic Pumpkin purée

1/3 cup melted coconut oil

1/3 cup organic roasted tahini + extra for coating the pan

2 eggs

2/3 cup organic brown sugar

2/3 cup organic granulated sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup organic all purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

8 organic medjool dates, chopped

100 grams 72% dark chocolate, chopped

approximately 4 tbs. organic roasted sesame seeds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, and brush the inside of the pan with tahini to coat evenly along the sides and bottom.  I used mini loaf pans, but a regular loaf pan is also great.

Whisk together the pumpkin purée, melted coconut oil, and tahini with both sugars.  Add the two eggs and vanilla extract and whisk to combine.  Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt to the wet ingredients and mix gently.  Fold in the chopped medjool dates and chocolate.  

Add the batter to the prepared pan, and sprinkle the top with sesame seeds to cover.  If using a regular loaf pan, bake for approximately 55-65 minutes.  If using small loaf pans, check after about 20 minutes.  Check for doneness by inserting a cake tester or a knife (like I do).  

Enjoy,

Hello, hello!  Are you ready for Thanksgiving?  Hard to believe that we are headlong into holiday season, with hopefully much to celebrate, and lots of plans to be together with family and friends again.  Last year was certainly not what we all are used to, but the pause and the pared down celebrations felt exactly right in the moment.  This year however, feels vastly different and for that I am truly grateful.  The last month or so has been filled with exploration, reconnection, and celebration, with milestone birthdays (mine...50!), anniversaries (ours...25th!) and travels (!!!) to Mexico City, New York, and London.  I'm feeling deeply fortunate and grateful this year, and am wildly enthusiastic about celebrating with my nearest and dearest ones.  I hope that you and your family have a wonderful gathering this week.  I am truly filled with gratitude for all of the support and love from all of you.  I love what I do, and having it so well received and appreciated is the very best feeling in the world.  

If you find yourself with a minute to think about holiday gifting, the season is well underway!  I thought I would remind you that we are well stocked with incredibly beautiful, and in many cases, one-of-a-kind treasures of the silky, cozy, and sparkly sort.  

On the cozy front, we have a very limited edition run of fur and silk stoles.  These are a festive way to stay warm and add a chic and sensual pop of color to whatever you happen to have on.  I have the brightest pink color, which came with me to London, and is now patiently waiting for this wildly warm weather to pass.

If you prefer an all-silk version, we have a gorgeous selection of silk charmeuse Liberty of London print scarves and plain silk charmeuse color-blocked versions that are perfect for gifting, or for treating yourself.  They make beautiful belts to cinch in a waist, something fun to tie around a hat, or your hair...or even to use as a purse strap.  I love them, and they have been consistently selling out since we started making them.  A new batch is headed to the shop any day now.  Call or come by if you'd like some guidance with finding the perfect one. 

I am coveting one of our cashmere, wool, and mink blend robes.  I actually gave one to Peter last Christmas, and it is one of the most incredibly lovely gifts that one can receive.  We also have a few other men's cashmere and cashmere blend robes that a few lucky individuals will hopefully receive for a holiday gift.  Swing by to see them in person.  I promise you that the photos can't possibly do them justice.

On the jewelry front, we are delighted to have such a lovely inventory heading into the holidays, with beautiful new earrings, rings, and necklaces arriving weekly up until Christmas.  I'm particularly fond of these earrings, and this ring...because you know I love a flower, and wearing these is like a having a precious little garden to enjoy.  

Lastly, In light of the coming feast I wanted to again share our family's most favorite Thanksgiving treat.  Yes I wrote about it last year too, but have been asked for it several times over the last few weeks as everyone makes holiday preparations.  Here it is again.  It just never disappoints. 

Persimmon Pudding 

from Stars Desserts by Emily Luchetti

Serves 8

3 ripe Hachiya persimmons (tip: freeze to ripen instantly)

3 large eggs

1 cup granulated sugar

4 ounces (8 tbs.) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

1.5 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 half + half (or 1 cup whole milk + 1 cup heavy cream)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees 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 or seed.  You should have approximately 2 cups of persimmon 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 in the center comes out clean, 40-45 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.  The pudding can be reheated in an 325 degree F oven for about 15 minutes if you make this ahead of serving time.  

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours...sending love all around,