In Real Life: “Stuff I Like” is “Stuff I wear”.

So here’s the deal: Sometimes I do like the “stuff I like” and actually run out and make it mine. (Sadly, Hal will inform you this happens more often than not.).

Which is why when I wrote about my recent love of tan suits, I was actually researching them. See how that works…

Which is how I ended up dressed like this recently in New Orleans:

For the record, the winning suit is from Bonobos, and the clever bag is my most recent addition from Apolis Global. Also for the record, they were both purchased on-line. Oddly, shopping in my new world of Connecticut has become a tad… not so simple. That, however, is an entirely different posting!

Stuff I Like: Tan Suits in Spring.

So, here’s the deal: I have been wearing my lovely tweed this and thats for a bit now. Pretty much since I spent a day swapping all the Spring and Summer garb out for the “season”, as we say. Let’s call it, September, shall we? Which brings it to about 6 months ago.

The thing is, between you and I, I’m feeling a bit drab now. Lovely as they are, my clothing palette has been mainly in those darker, textured tones so favored for Fall and Winter in the Northeast. As a result, lately I have been feeling a tad too Victorian Widow.

So, as everyone here sits and waits (quite on the edge of our seats, I might add) for Spring 2013 to arrive, I have turned to dreaming of wearing lighter fabrics in lighter tones. Let’s call it my own personal escape, shall we?

Which, of course, means I am currently obsessed with tan suits. Not “Wedding in Honolulu” tan suits. Not even “Hey, wow, look at my broad shoulders” line backer tan suits. No, I am currently infatuated with tan suits that can be paired with bright colors (bow ties anyone?),  and worn for bright sunny day meetings. These meetings will, naturally, be be followed by al fresco lunches and a walk in the park.

In other words; fun tan suits. Something rather like these, methinks…

| Original Images via HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE |

Oh, yes, I did!

Never one to play “why didn’t I… ” I went and sought out this festive lil’ number from General Knot. Now, to make it make sense, you need to read THIS.

Stuff I Like: Ties from General Knot.

It not uncommon knowledge that I have been a tad obsessed with bow ties as of late.

It’s a sad, true statement. However, I say it with a complete “No shame in my game” swagger; for the best way to brighten up an ensemble under winter garb – in my humble estimation – is a blink of color under-sweaters-under-coats-under-scarves.

Which is how I came to be enthralled with the offerings – bow and otherwise – from the people at General Knot. Sourced from vintage textiles, each tie is made from hand and part of a limited run. After all, when the fabric runs out, so surely, does the tie. If that isn’t a sure fire way to ensure that you don’t show up in a unique accent piece, well then what does?

Unless, of course, you run with a crowd of sartorially inclined hipsters.

Oh, wait, come to think about it….

Paris Flashback: Marche aux Puces.

It’s really no huge secret that Hal and I are quite the fervent vintage market trollers. It’s a long standing shared activity in our relationship. Many a weekend has been spent searching for a perfect anything to sit in a someplace.

Which is why we were (both) quite looking forward to visiting the Marche aux Puces when we were in Paris recently. Billed as the largest flea market in world, it didn’t fail to live up to it’s title. Calling it a  flea market, however, might be a stretch of the term. What the Marche aux Puces really amounts to is 17 acres of smaller flea markets, stall centers and ad hoc vendors grouped into the same area.

There is seriously no limit to what one can encounter out in Puces: everything from large scale, high quality antiques down the ladder to vintage records (the vinyl kind!). It was a bit of a head spin, to be sure. I fell in love with (and then out of logic with) any number of items. First it was the 200 year old scale fishing boat used for religious festivals. Then it was  a search for antique candle holders. How about a vintage theater poster from Le Belle Epoque? The list goes on and on… and on.

I ended up leaving with a 300 year old French Linen table cloth. Yes, I know. Simple. One of my 2013 goals is to be more practical. I’ll have to let you how that goes.

But my, how the mind wanders….

I just HAD To!

you know, it’s not every day you get to watch a mini-film with Bill Cunningham.

So, for your pleasure…

ps: Thanks for letting me indulge, as you know i am a huge fan of Bill.

| Original content via the New York Times |