Here we are, already heading into the last few delicious weeks of summer.  I hope you are enjoying yours, and finding time to relax and recharge.  I'm finding it ever more important to try to disconnect these days.  I am actually taking the rest of the month of August to do just that on the beaches of Spain and Portugal.  I am so looking forward to spending long, lazy days with friends.  I always love traveling abroad, but this year I also got to explore a bit of the United States as well.  Earlier in the summer we had the delightful pleasure to travel to Maine at the end of June, for the spectacularly gorgeous and perfect wedding of Nathalie Love and Daniel Pappas.  

I had the even greater honor of designing Nathalie's engagement and wedding rings.   As I've always felt that designing these incredibly meaningful pieces is the highlight of what I do, I usually have not had the pleasure of knowing the couple well.  This particular commission was different however, as I first met Nathalie when she was a little girl, and Dan and Nathalie had been together for a little over a decade before they married. Designing a ring for them was great fun.  Dan is a total gentleman, and ideal client, with clear ideas of what he did not want, and of what would be perfect for Nathalie.  He also had the diamonds from his Mother's engagement ring, along with the diamonds from a ring that Nathalie's father Nick gave to her mother Lisa when Nathalie was born.  

I was able to take those stones, along with additional diamonds for the band, and create something unique and lovely, that perfectly captured Nathalie's magical spirit.  There is great sentiment in any engagement ring, and with this one I feel even more so.  There is a tremendous amount of love surrounding Nathalie and Dan as a couple, and that was abundantly evident on the small island where their wedding took place.  Islesboro, Maine is one of the most lovely places in the country, and being there was a dream.  You can read more about the wedding, and see the beautiful photos (taken by the bride's godmother, Pamela Hanson) here.

Summer weddings also are perfect for our bridal lingerie collection.  If there is ever a time to invest in lingerie, it is definitely for your wedding and honeymoon.  Feeling beautiful when you are spending the day preparing to walk down the aisle is so important, as is waking up feeling beautiful as a newlywed.  Every bride should swan around in something special.  We especially love the Maia silk dressing gown with the Laetitia slip underneath. The chantilly lace on the bodice of the slip makes it especially feminine.  

The farmer's market at the end of summer is always glorious here in Southern California. The heirloom tomatoes are just as delicious as they are beautiful, and there is an abundance of just about everything that I love.  The green beans have been really outstanding lately, so I've been making lots of them.  This side dish has proven to be quite popular with everyone in my family, and is very easy to make, which is perfect for summer cooking. 

one pound green beans, trimmed and washed

one pint cherry tomatoes

one half red onion, sliced thinly 

one half cup pitted kalamata olives

extra virgin olive oil

red wine vinegar

chopped parsley

salt + pepper

Toss the green beans, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and olives in enough olive oil to lightly coat.  Roast on a sheet pan at 375 degrees for approximately 25 minutes, until beans are tender, the onions have wilted, and the tomatoes are starting to burst open and release their juices.  Then add a spoonful or two of red wine vinegar to the pan, along with the chopped parsley, and toss.  Season with salt + pepper.

Enjoy,

It's well into June now, with Father's Day this Sunday, June 18th.  Have you sorted out how to celebrate the Fathers in your life?  Unfortunately, my father is no longer with us, so I can't quite celebrate him the way that I can with my mother, on Mother's Day.  I do think of him however, and about how grateful I am to have had him as my father.  I am also profoundly grateful that my children have Peter.  He is everything one would want in a father, and though they tease him mercilessly at times, everyone knows how completely devoted they are, and with good reason.  Parenting is never remotely easy, even in the best of circumstances, but he is patient, loving, and steadfast in a way that seems effortless.  He's also hilarious, and keeps them (and me!) laughing in the best way possible.  He is the inspiration for the pieces in our men's sleepwear collection, and tested the fit so we know they're comfortable.  

 We do have a nice selection of men's sleepwear in our GENTLEMAN'S section.  We have robes in several gorgeous fabrics, both solid and stripes, and all with contrast piping, and the exquisite attention to detail we pay to our women's lingerie collection.  We also are thrilled to introduce the pajama pants and shirts.  We sell them separately, to allow for a mixed set of fabrics, but feel free to order them to match.  I especially like the plaids with the stripes.  

Our beaded necklaces are not only just for women.  They also look great on men, and men of different styles.  It can go the way of sexy surfer style, or look far more polished while being a touch bohemian.  Our inventory is always shifting, depending on the bead collection of the moment, and what seems to suit the season.  Call or come by, and let us help you find something perfect.

To celebrate Father's Day this year, I'm planning to make a lobster salad.  It seems festive and perfect for lunch outdoors.  I'll get the lobster from Santa Monica Seafood, and then toss the meat with bibb lettuce, tons of fresh herbs, slices of pink grapefruit, fennel, and avocado.  I will make a chili-lime vinaigrette, with diced red chili pepper, freshly squeezed lime juice, extra-virgin olive oil and a pinch of pink salt and freshly ground black pepper.  I always season the salad with fresh ground black pepper and pink salt after tossing.  I can't remember who taught me to do this, but it really helps the flavors come together and makes everything taste a bit brighter.  

Enjoy,

May happens to be one of my favorite months.  Not just because of Mother's Day, and the fact that my first born arrived early, and in May, making me a brand new Mama just a few days beforehand.  No, I love May for many reasons.  I love the ecstatic purple of the blooming Jacaranda trees in my neighborhood.  I love that some of my very best friends in the world were born in May.  Stone fruit appears at the farmer's market in May, heralding the upcoming summer, and making us swoon with delight at the season's first crop of dark red cherries.  The weather in May can be nothing short of perfect, with the longer evening light making it perfect for an after-dinner stroll. 

Another reason to love May is that Emeralds are the birthstone of the month, and we have several gorgeous pieces that celebrate the stone.   I especially like the stacking ring with the emerald and the pavé amethyst band.  It's just like those beloved Jacaranda trees of mine.

The Spring/Summer season always has me pulling out my collection of beads.  I've been making these necklaces for so many years, yet I never ever tire of them.  They are pieces to collect, to gift, and to wear in multiple combinations, or simply and elegantly alone.  You can wear them as chokers, as they're adjustable, or hanging low, almost like a pendant.  We have a delightful variety of texture, shape, and color.  I'm sure you'll find one to adore.   There are so many to choose from, and you can click here to shop.

I'm also delighted to give you a preview of our men's sleepwear collection.  The robes have been in the store for awhile, and have garnered a fair share of attention from our female clients as well.  Now we have pajama tops and bottoms to complement the robes.  They are perfect for gifting on Father's Day, which is fast upon us next month.  We are using the finest Italian cotton men's shirting fabrics, with contrasting piping details, along with an excellent cut to ensure that the men in your life look sharp, even during slumber.  

I decided to make banana bread last weekend, inspired by the overripe bananas in our fruit bowl, and the need for something sweet and delicious for breakfast on Sunday.   I started with the basics, bananas, eggs, butter...and added greek yogurt, a couple of chopped dark chocolate bars, and swapped some of the flour with almond meal.  It really was delicious, and of course didn't last until Monday.  I hope you will love it too.

Enjoy,

I feel like I have literally raced through April.  I can't believe that we are nearing the end of the month, heading straight for May and the most important day of that month:  Mother's Day.  There are many ways to honor your mother, the mother of your children, or yourself for that matter.  Please don't forget yourself!  We have so many beautiful ways for you to treat you.  Earrings are always a popular gift, as are our 100% silk crepe de chine Liberty Print robes.  There are also quite a few prints in 100% cotton that are really special as well.  There is only one of this particular Liberty print, and I love it so much that I really want it to go to a good home.  It's a print with the energy and design of a William Morris/Art Nouveau textile.  The colors are just beautiful, as is the lovely French lace detail along the side seams.  

Another fabulous gift idea for Mothers of all kinds; meaning new, seasoned, in-law, or otherwise, would be one of our luxurious sleep masks.  Made by hand, with exquisite detailing, this is one gift that everyone would be thrilled to receive.  I basically cannot sleep without one, and we have several beautiful options in stock to choose from.  

I would also bet that this necklace would go over exceptionally well as a Mother's Day gift.  It's the right amount of elegance, charm, and grace, which is what most of us aspire to in our Mothering, isn't it?

I'm also a big fan of earrings for Mother's Day.  I just visited my mother, and she was wearing the earrings that I gave her last year.  Perhaps a fringed pair like these?

The warm weather this week is perfect for poolside lunches.  There is nothing better on a Sunday than a trip to the farmer's market, followed by a lazy lunch with friends and family.  Springtime at a California farmer's market is literally heaven to me, and I am lucky to be close to some of the best.  The last few weeks have been amazing, and the smell of the sweet pea blossoms alone is enough to swoon over.  

Usually, the menu consists of something eggy, a delicious assortment of saucisson from the butcher, vegetables with the delicious tzatziki from the Greek guys, and a salad of some sort. There has been amazing celery root at the market lately, from Weiser Farms.  I love a riff on a classic celeri remoulade.  This is mine...

Celeri Remoulade

One large celery root (or two small), sliced into matchsticks on the mandoline

One handful of chopped herbs (I like a combination of parsley, chives, tarragon, dill)

Toss with:

Juice of 2 lemons, 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt, 1 tbs. red wine vinegar,  2 tbs. dijon mustard, 1/2 cup of olive oil, salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.  Combine all ingredients in a glass jar, and shake to emulsify.  

I like to serve this chilled, with slices of radishes on top for a garnish.

Enjoy,

Perhaps it is because of all of the rain we've had, or even the persistent chill in the air at night, but for some reason, I've never before felt so excited for Spring.  There are so many beautiful little birds around, and the wisteria at our house is more vibrant and fragrant than I can ever remember.  I hope that you are out there enjoying a little taste of the season as well.  As I write this, I know that there is snow in New York City, and thunderstorms across the middle of the country, but here in Venice, it feels like winter is behind us.     

In the spirit of the season, I find it inspiring to wear brightly colored stones and shake off the grey foggy weather we have had near the beach.  We have beautiful new pieces in bright and bold colors to eliminate any lingering dreariness we may be feeling from being socked in on the coast.   The dramatic new earrings are beautiful in both the color and the composition, and feel like exactly what we all need right now....BEAUTY.

Another hint of brightness and certainly of beauty is our Athena slip in Rubellite pink with red lace.  I have always loved pink and red, or pink and orange together.  We have a few bright pieces in the store right now that feel especially right for Spring.  Dresses and skirts are now catching my eye, and I've got my eye on a few next door at Pamela Barish.  I wear my half-slips nearly every day under dresses and skirts.  They're perfect under sheer pieces, and also feel lovely on the skin.  We have them in two lengths, in silk and in cotton, and in several colors.  They can even be worn out, as a skirt on their own, as some of our clients are doing.  We can make custom color combinations for you, so please inquire if you have a special request.  

I've recently gotten into the habit of making chicken soup on Sundays.  It just seems like the perfect thing to do after a trip to the farmer's market, and the result is so delicious.   I also feel that collectively, it's what we most need at the moment.  A big pot of nourishing, healing, soothing soup can cure a multitude of things.  It won't exactly solve everything, but I promise it will improve your outlook.  I mostly improvise what I throw into the pot, but it usually looks like this....

Sunday Chicken Soup

One whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces

1.5 large onions, cut into quarters

one leek, cleaned and cut in half lengthwise

3-4 large carrots, cut into thirds

3-4 celery stalks, cut into thirds

one fennel bulb, cut in half

one head of garlic, cut in half

one-half bunch dill

one-half bunch parsley 

one handful of black peppercorns

one handful of cherry tomatoes

2 bay leaves

juice of one lemon

one rind from a piece of aged parmesan cheese

2 tsp. pink salt

I literally just throw everything into a large pot, cover with water and then bring to a boil.  After it boils, I skim the top and lower to a simmer for around 3-4 hours.  At this point, I remove the chicken, all of the vegetables and the parmesan rind (these get tossed), and then strain the liquid stock through a fine meshed sieve.  I keep it warm while I make the rest of the soup.  I shred the cooked chicken and put aside while I sauté chopped leeks, garlic, and onions in olive oil.  When they are soft and translucent, I add the warm stock.  Then I add thinly sliced carrots, and cook until these are soft as well.  When it's all ready, I add the shredded chicken.  I like to serve this with handfuls of torn herbs, and a dollop of pesto, which is another thing that I make every Sunday with the fresh basil from the farmer's market.  Depending on the season, and what is available, I will add other vegetables, such as zucchini, sugarsnap peas, or swiss chard to the broth when the carrots seem nearly done.  I improvise, and make it so many different ways that it feels like more of an art-based creative process, rather than a cooking one.   It isn't really ever exactly the same, but it is always delicious, and will soothe the soul.  

Enjoy,

If you know me, you know that I love to celebrate Valentine's Day.  Being a designer of both jewelry and lingerie, I suppose you could have made that assumption on your own.  Alas, both categories are full of wonderful options to gift your sweetheart.  

One of my favorite new pieces is a delightful tribute to romance.  This charming ring is heart-shaped, and composed of heart-shaped cut tourmaline stones, in varying shades of green.  It's a double hit of LOVE, and is certain to make someone extremely happy this Valentine's Day.  

This year we are thrilled to celebrate both LOVE, and our love of the arts.  On Saturday February 11th we are hosting a grantLOVE x Alisa Ratner event benefitting X-TRA Contemporary Art Journal, the longest running art journal in Los Angeles.  This feels especially meaningful this year, and the collaboration between Alexandra and Alisa has produced an incredibly beautiful body of work.  

I hope you can join us between 4-7pm to say hello, and purchase a print!  Each purchase is accompanied by an edition of X-TRA, and LFrank will gift a print with each jewelry purchase.  We have a limited edition of prints, as well as seventeen special edition one-of-a-kind pieces, and have already pre-sold quite a few, so come early!  

Another sure-fire hit this Valentine's Day would be one of our Juno silk charmeuse slips.  I love the version with a French lace hem, and am especially fond of it in rose gold.  It is the softest shade of blush, and is flattering on truly everyone.  

You or your love would also be quite thrilled to receive one of the Liberty print Asteria silk crepe de chine robes.  They are so well-loved, and one of our most popular lingerie pieces.  You really can't go wrong with one of these, and we have lots of prints to choose from in both silk and cotton.

Do swing by, as this year we are also lucky to have a few limited edition Pamela Hanson x Private Room books available.  I couldn't think of a better book to give your Valentine.  That, along with a selection of Milla Chocolates, plus one of our essential oil scented 100% beeswax candles, and you will be in perfect shape for celebrating Saint Valentine. Some may scoff, feeling like it is such a forced holiday, but I don't think it's ever a bad idea to treat the one that you love, or yourself for that matter!

This year, I've decided to make chocolate truffles for Valentine's Day.  I haven't made them in awhile, and there's something about the labor that goes into them, and their sheer decadence that makes them feel special.  I love the recipe for Black-on-Black Truffles from Pierre Hermé.  I promise you will be greatly adored by whomever you chose to make these for.  

9 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped (I use Valrhona)

1 cup heavy cream

3.5 tbs. unsalted butter at room temperature, cut into 4 pieces

Dutch-processed cocoa powder

Put the chocolate into a heatproof bowl.  Bring the cream to a full boil in a saucepan, and then pour the hot cream over the chocolate.  Stir gently to make a smooth ganache. Allow to cool a bit before adding the butter, 2 pieces at a time, and stir to blend.  When all the butter is incorporated, pour the ganache into a bowl and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.  With a bowl of cocoa powder ready, line a baking sheet with a sheet of parchment paper.  Form small balls (they do not have to be perfectly round, in fact I think they're more delicious if they are more organically shaped) and dip into the cocoa powder.  You can roll them around in a fine mesh sieve to remove the excess, then place them on the baking sheet.

Enjoy, and Happy Valentine's Day to all...

I always embrace the ushering in of a new year.  It just sometimes takes me a minute to catch up with the calendar.  This year feels as though it's moving in double time, and I am caught still thinking about all of the possibilities that 2017 may hold.  Most of all, I'm looking forward to really honing in on what I love, with whom I want to spend my time, and on what endeavors are most important to me.  I am determined to be open and optimistic with regards to this new year, and for what it may have in store.    

January gets its name from Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and transitions.  I named our first Men's robe collection after Janus, and to be honest, I think the style looks really great on women as well.  I am most excited about the new pieces coming in later this month.  I've become completely smitten with the Italian cotton fine wale corduroy, and the blue plaid flannel, which is the softest imaginable fabric.  They both have contrast piping and cozy deep pockets, which are perfect for warming chilly hands during the rainy, cold weather we're having.

Have you tried the Olwen camisole in 100% silk charmeuse?  It's nothing short of heaven, and I'm finding that it is impossible for me to get dressed without one.  The weight of the silk is like a whisper, and yet it feels like a sort of armor between your skin and the rest of the world.   I have been wearing the sapphire version, which is a chic, inky, dark blue with a hint of green.  We developed this rich color as our alternative to black.  It is the perfect dark neutral to wear all year long.  

One of my favorite family traditions is a beautiful and somewhat lazy Sunday lunch after our weekly visit to the local farmer's market.  There is something wonderful about all being together, without work or school drawing our attention, that feels better than any other day of the week.  Sometimes this calls for something special, so this month I plan to make scrambled eggs with sea urchin.  It's completely decadent, and perfect for Sundays.  We are lucky that some of the best sea urchin comes from the coast just North of us in Santa Barbara.  We try to get to the market early for the best selection.  It is a big hit in my house, and I hope it will be in yours as well.  It's a riff on a recipe for sea urchin pasta from Eric Ripert.  

In a small saucepan, I melt 2-3 tablespoons of butter over a low flame until completely liquid.  Then, I stir in the sea urchin roe from one of the little wooden boxes, a tiny pinch of cayenne and chili flakes, and whisk until emulsified.  There will be pieces of roe, but I like that for texture.   In a different pan, I melt a bit of butter for the eggs, which I lightly scramble with a handful of parmesan cheese.  When the eggs are nearly set, I combine the butter/sea urchin mixture with the eggs, and sprinkle with a handful of chopped chives and freshly ground black pepper.   I serve this with crispy thin potatoes that I sprinkle with a bit of parmesan cheese, and a handful of wild arugula.  

Enjoy,

With so much love + gratitude, we wish you all the happiest of holidays, and the very best for the brand new year ahead!

*Please note that we will be closed December 25th through January 4th, 2017

We are delighted to have so many wonderful options to offer for gifting this holiday season.  In addition to the jewelry, we have luxurious sleepwear for men as well as for women.  The men's pieces are exquisitely made, with contrast piping and elegant details throughout.  The cotton fabrics are the finest Italian men's shirting cottons, available in very handsome stripes and plaids.  We have robes and pajama bottoms, both of which are quite chic on women as well!    

For Women, we have a gorgeous assortment of Asteria robes in Liberty of London prints.  We have the 100% silk crepe de chine, as well as the 100% cotton with French lace trim.  Another great gift, or treat for yourself would be the Hera Briefs in 100% stretch silk charmeuse.  We have an assortment of gorgeous colors, and also have a sneak preview of the 100% stretch Italian cotton jersey version for Spring 2017.  We worked on the fit for ages, and it shows.  These briefs sit perfectly on the hips and do not move, or show through clothes.  Swing by to try on a pair, if you're in the neighborhood.  

Another piece that I would like to suggest is the Laetitia slip.  I have been living in mine.  I wear it under big sweaters with boots and tights in this chilly weather.  I also recommend it to sleep in as well, as it is incredibly comfortable.  Women have been buying it to wear out to parties, under a velvet jacket or a cashmere cardigan.  It is 100% stretch silk charmeuse, and cut for a form fitting, but not tight fit.  It suggests what is underneath, without flaunting it, so it's both flattering and also seductive in a rather subtle way.  It is also perfect to wear under a lace or sheer dress.  We have it in black, sapphire, aubergine, and a very festive red!

With velvet everything in the spotlight right now, our popular Charis bed jacket deserves a bit of attention.  It's been a longtime favorite shape of mine, and the silk velvet is truly special.   It would make a perfect holiday gift.

For both men and women on your list, a great gift idea would be the Hypnos Sleep Mask.  As featured on Vogue.com and in the Town & Country Gift Guide, we have this available in solid 100% silk charmeuse, and also in selection of  Liberty of London prints.  They are exquisitely sewn, completely luxurious, and feel like heaven on the skin.  It makes quite an elegant gift, or you can try one yourself for a more restful night's sleep!

All of the lingerie comes with a lovely sateen pouch, and wrapped in a signature LFrank gift box.   We would love to help with any gifting suggestions, so please give us a call or swing by the shop!   One shopping week left before Christmas and Hanukkah!

Lots of Love,