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,

Hello there! It's been ages, I know. Please forgive the extended pause. The last few months have been a bit of a blur, with so much going on in all directions. I hope that you are doing well, and that you were able to enjoy the summer, and perhaps even travel around a bit, reconnecting with the people and places that bring you joy. It's hard to believe that the Fall season is upon us already. Looking back, I can see the sweet spot of the summer, when I was so happy to be out and about in the world after so long at home. It was heaven to have a change of scenery, and to reconnect with friends old and new. I think we are all craving the human side of things after so much time apart. 

I think that's part of the reason that I had a such a wonderful time creating a new setting for a longtime client's wedding rings, to commemorate her 30th wedding anniversary. To be trusted with something so incredibly sentimental and precious felt like a gift, and the end result has sparked so much joy all around. I am forever grateful to be given carte blanche in the design department, and I think the combination of personalities and the strength of love in every direction created the space for a particularly lovely outcome. Inspired by her love of flowers, and her desire for something fun and new, I designed this suite of rings to wear as a veritable garden party.  

We have a few similar rings in the works, and in the meantime this pretty little one is still available.

Flowers of all variety have long been a source of inspiration for me, and these sweet little plumeria earrings are kind of perfect for wearing in clusters, or alone, and certainly make a beautiful and thoughtful gift. We do sell singles, which can sometimes be all you need to refresh whatever earring combination you've been wearing.

We are also a little bit in love with these antique carved bead rings, with little flower finials, each set with a tiny precious stone. I love the little emerald center in the flower that adorns the faceted amethyst.

My garden obsession continues with the new robes that have just arrived in-store in the most delightful Liberty of London prints. They're so new we don't have them up on the website yet, so either swing by or call us and we can send images of our current stock. As per our tradition, we make but a few in unique print combinations, and once they're gone, they're gone. This batch feels fresh and different, so even if you already own one of our Asteria kimono style dressing gowns, you may want to add one of these to your collection.

There is something kind of lovely about wearing a floral print robe and spending time in the garden. Lately my focus has been on the potted geraniums that I got after being inspired by the courtyard at the gorgeous Hacienda de San Antonio, where we spent a weekend for a dear friend's birthday back at the beginning of the summer. I love their exuberant splash of color, the steadfast reliability of their blooms, and how incredibly easy they are to care for.  

We've been making lots of slips, since they're ultimately the most comfortable pieces to wear. I basically wear a slip or camisole underneath whatever I'm wearing everyday, and always wear one to sleep as well. Something silky and expertly tailored feels especially good at the moment. Our Ava slip has just the right amount of glamorous slinky chic to wear out, or get married in, or just to swan about the house. I have been wearing all of the prototypes for a year now, and am very proud of the shape and fit of this timeless slip. We spend so much time on pattern development, and the testing of every pattern, which really does show in the finished product. This slip has the most graceful drape to the back, and features straps that can be knotted or tied in a bow at the shoulder as you prefer. The little bit of elastic at the back of the waistline ensures that everything sits exactly where it should for a flattering and comfortable fit.

Another piece that we've perfected is our Hypnos sleep mask.  We consistently sell out of them, and our selection is always evolving. A fresh batch has just arrived, in case you might need one or two to have on hand. I personally love this one, though Flora looks lovely in this one, and you can browse our entire selection here. Someone recently told me that wearing our sleep mask has resulted in an extra hour or two of sleep each night, which sounds incredibly restorative.

A few other things that I've found to be restorative recently are this podcast and book, and also this. If you decide to investigate, please let me know what you think. We certainly all need as much grounding influence as we can possibly find, especially with the shift in seasons.

Our daughter recently had to have her tonsils taken out, which was NOT fun. Anyone who has experienced this surgery as an adult will understand what I mean. So in addition to all of the mashed this and that, I made a batch of soufflé so that there was something savory and soft for her to enjoy. Of course you don't have to be on a restricted diet to enjoy these, and they are so satisfying at any time of day, with any kind of cheese you happen to have on hand, and for no particular reason.  

Cheese Soufflé

2 ounces all purpose flour

2 ounces butter

1 cup milk 

3 egg whites

2 egg yolks

1 cup grated gruyere or whatever cheese you prefer

salt, pepper, pinch of cayenne

grated Parmigiano for dusting the ramekins

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter and dust the ramekins with the grated parmesan.

Melt the butter and flour together to make a roux, when it's bubbly and smelling a bit nutty, slowly whisk in the milk to make a béchamel sauce. Mix in the egg yolks, one at a time. Then stir in the cheese, and season with salt and pepper, and the pinch of cayenne (or nutmeg, if you prefer).  

In a clean, separate bowl whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt until fluffy and medium peaks form, then fold into the cheese mixture.  

Run your thumb around the edge of each ramekin to leave a clean edge of about 1/4 inch. Fill each ramekin to the bottom of that edge, and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or whenever they are puffed and the tops are a bit browned, and they no longer seem wet on the inside, and serve immediately with a bowl of crème fraiche. The tops will sink as they cool, but not to worry...they are still completely delicious.

Enjoy,

It's that time of year again! There are less than two weeks until Mother's Day on May 9th. And this year, more than any other on record, the mothers in your life deserve something extra special.  

To honor those indefatigable goddesses, we offer a special, limited time only, Mother's Day sale on all in-stock lingerie. Through Wednesday May 5th, please enjoy a discount of 30% using code MOTHERSDAYLOVE. It's limited to our current inventory, so not applicable to special orders. Consider this my gift to you, from one mother to another, in appreciation and celebration for making it though this year of all years.  We will also have a special sale rack with even steeper discounts in the boutique, if you feel like coming over for a visit and leaving with something silky.

We have lots of beautiful pieces to choose from at the moment. We even have one of these Liberty of London print Claudette robes in the shop, and I think it might be my absolute favorite robe ever. It manages to feel both glamorous and cozy, and boasts the most flattering fit. I would wear it at home, over one of my longer slips, or with a camisole and trousers for heading out, which is exactly what we are hopefully all getting ready to do in the new phase of re-entry that we find ourselves in.  

If something silky isn't what you're dreaming of for a Mother's Day treat, I would suggest a pair of simple earrings to make you feel ready to reenter society in a more festive way. We all absolutely adore the new stud earrings, which are little flowers in an assortment of sizes, with or without tiny stones for a bit of color and sparkle. They look equally lovely alone as they do in clusters, and we can customize them for you if you like.

I'll remind you that we also have smaller items, for a little token of sweet appreciation. Our masks, both face and sleep, are much appreciated gifts always, as are the candles, and now too are the beautiful silk scarves that we have recently introduced.

I love them for a dramatic hair tie, but they also look really chic peeking out from beneath the front of a blazer as a little feminine touch.

We will most likely be wearing face masks for awhile longer, so a beautiful option would definitely be welcome. It makes such a difference when it is the "face" you are presenting to the world. If they can't see you smiling, then at least let there be a well-fitting, beautiful fabric in place that keeps you both safe as well as lovely. In addition, we donate a percentage of our face mask sales to No Kid Hungry, an amazing organization that is doing the important work of putting an end to childhood hunger in America.

I don't know if it's the season, but the color green feels quite restorative and optimistic to me right now. Any of these green tourmaline rings would make a spectacularly impressive Mother's Day gift. If you haven't listened to this episode of the New York Times podcast The Daily, then do yourself a favor. I was laughing out loud, which was medicine in and of itself, and it definitely drove home the point that this year, Mother's Day gifts should be particularly generous in spirit and if at all possible, BIG.

Speaking of big, I really do feel that sometimes we just need a bigger earring. Not just for evenings out, which seem to be on the horizon, but for the day. Wear them for just making an emphatically gorgeous statement, for bringing a dose of beauty to your day, and really, just because.  For whether your day is spent on endless zoom meetings, or actually going out and about in person, sometimes a dramatic earring is the boost we all need.   

I actually made an appointment at the newly reopened LACMA to walk through the Yoshitomo Nara show. Visiting museums and galleries is an activity that I have sorely missed over the last year. It was overwhelmingly nice to be back in the galleries, looking at art, nodding hello to the guards, losing a bit of the afternoon to the joy of having an inspirational wander. I highly recommend it, if you haven't been already. It was such a good experience in every way, from making the appointment, to anticipating the day, and then finally to actually being inside a museum in person. I selfishly went alone, and enjoyed every single second.  

This is salad I've been making again and again, as the fennel and citrus have been incredible at the farmer's market, and we had a couple of friends drop off avocados from their trees (lucky us!) recently. It's so easy to compose, and completely crunchy and delicious. It might be perfect for Mother's Day brunch with a buoyant soufflé.  

Fennel Salad

1-2 bulbs of fennel, thinly sliced, plus a bit of the fronds for sprinkling on top

1 orange, or any other sweet citrus à la suprême

1 ripe avocado, thinly sliced

1/4 of a red onion, sliced paper thin

1 tablespoon or so of gently toasted pine nuts (or walnuts, pistachios, etc...)

a handful or two of chopped herbs, or arugula

juice of a lime

extra virgin olive oil (make sure to use a really good one. I really like this one!)

flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Place the fennel, citrus segments, red onion and avocado slices in a bowl. Add the toasted nuts, if using, and the herbs and fennel fronds. Dress with the lime juice and the olive oil, with a pinch of sea salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Toss and Enjoy!

The first bloom of the season!  I wanted to share it with you, because I'm just so delighted and proud. I am very new to looking after roses, so indulge me.

"It’s the time that you spent on your rose that makes your rose so important... People have forgotten this truth, but you mustn’t forget it. You become responsible forever for what you’ve tamed. You’re responsible for your rose.”

– Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

So to all the Mamas out there, I wish you the most heartfelt and grateful Happy Mother's Day! We got through one of the most challenging years in recent history, and as we know... WE are the ones who held it all together, who cooked more meals and did more dishes, folded more laundry, and suffered more worry than anyone else. I just feel beyond grateful for my own Mother this year, and even more profoundly so, as she made it through her own bout with Covid-19 in January. At 91, she is still amazing to me every single day, as she effortlessly shows us all how it's done, with optimism, joy, and true love of the most simple and important things in life. Thank you Mama... you're the best of the best of the best. 

With so much love,

Well, helloooooo SPRING! I've never appreciated the transition of seasons more than I have this year. The spring equinox ushers us into a new reality, thankfully... which signifies so much, not least of which the all important fact that we have made it through the bleakest winter in recent history. The little hummingbird babies above our front door are a testament to the changing season, and to the tenacity of the maternal spirit. I love watching the mama bird feed her growing offspring. What a gift to have the literal embodiment of optimism greet us at the front door!  

I sincerely hope you are all doing well, as understandably it has been challenging work to do just that. Creativity has been the greatest solace for me in this rather trying time, as has nature, and I hope that everyone has found more to appreciate, and more to enjoy in this wild point in time. I have found every bit of birdsong, all of the new green leaves in the garden, and the longer days to be incredibly restorative. Taking a walk at the end of the day and seeing everything in bloom always fortifies me, and makes me feel genuinely optimistic for the days ahead.

It is such a sincere pleasure and privilege to create beautiful pieces, both jewels and elegant robes, along with other intimate pieces to swan around in. The fact that we have managed to continue to do so during this year of years has brought us much to be grateful for. We hope that you will find inspiration, joy, and maybe something new to welcome in the season.

I have always loved color, something which has been a source of comfort to me this year. It has really seen me through, as I have noticed how it affects me and brightens my mood. Working with color sort of feels like a bit like manipulating light itself. Even something as subtle as pairing black with a deep sapphire blue can have a remarkable effect, I find.  

Have a close look at these multi-colored sapphire and diamond rings for a bit of color therapy, or alternately take a moment to appreciate the subtlety of the softest blush color of these heavenly silk charmeuse pieces.

The vibrant green of these Colombian emeralds set in oxidized sterling silver is the perfect embodiment of Spring itself. Green symbolizes growth, renewal, and good fortune, and actually brings about a sense of hope and harmony. This particular shade of green really resonates with me as optimism, which is feeling really, really good right about now.

On the color front, I've been rather obsessed with these Japanese pigments from London shop Choosing Keeping, and was lucky enough to receive a set of them for Christmas.  

Mixing the colors is quite meditative and relaxing. I so look forward to visiting the shop in person on my next trip to London, and then to visiting the Kyoto shop where the pigments are made. I really respect what they do, and have been supporting them via their online shop, where I found these beautiful cards, which I gave as a gift to my daughter. Her birthday was this month, and it was an important one. She still makes a list for us every year, and while cotton pajamas were on the list, the delicate pearl bracelet was a delightful surprise.

The best compliment we can ever receive is when our clients return to us again and again for a special gift or for something to treat themselves to... another ring to stack, another pair of earrings to wear for zoom meetings, or another silk robe to wrap up in. We recently had a client say that our work "exceeded expectations" which is always nice to hear, and something we always strive to do. In the spirit of treating oneself, there are a few things I would suggest, if you are in the mood to celebrate the Spring season with something new to enjoy.

These new poppy flower stud earrings are super chic. We are making them in three sizes, and all are completely charming. We have a pair with a grey diamond center, or a ruby center, and can customize with another stone, should you want a dash of a different color. Have a closer look here and here. The smallest size is coming soon! They pair especially well with our mini oak leaf stud earrings, which are perennial favorites.

Another treat might be a new silk sleep mask. We have new prints available for the season, and my personal favorite is this one. I cannot emphasize enough what a difference they make in the quality of a good night's sleep. They also make a most thoughtful gift, as do our new silk scarves, which I am a big fan of.

They have a multitude of uses, and have a certain joyful elegance any way you choose to wear them. I love them for a bit of color peeking out from under a blazer, or as a belt with a dress, or to manage unruly hair... but my favorite use has been as a shoulder strap for my vintage Hermès Kelly bag. It's quite an old one, and I never had a strap for it until now. The length of the silk makes it so useful, and I imagine it will become one of the pieces I never travel without... once we begin to travel again. That for me, is what I have missed the most, and is what I am so eagerly awaiting. 

Since we are still staying put for the moment, we travel a bit with our meals. It makes the endless amount of cooking feel more festive, and when our food looks like a flower, what could be more inspirational? La cicoria from the lovely Weiser Farms at the Farmer's Market last Sunday was the biggest treat. It makes the best (if not the prettiest!) salad, paired with a creamy pecorino, shaved red onion, and toasted raw walnuts. We have also had a few birthdays to celebrate this month, so there has been a fair amount of Torta Caprese making going on as well. I was taught how to make this cake 10 years ago in Sicily, and when I bake it I am reminded of that very special trip.

We all need fond memories, and bright futures to look forward to. It's the balance of those two poles that has kept me sane throughout. That, and the silver lining of having both of my children at home for the past year, when under normal circumstances, they would have been far and wide. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and I look forward to seeing you all in the bright new season ahead.

Lots of Love,