Vintage Beaded Bags to Personalize Your Look
A recent article in British Vogue (‘Tis the Season to Invest in a Vintage Party Bag’ by Alice Cary) sparked a train of thought.
01/09/2025
Leigh's Posts
Mindful Activity for New Year’s Day (or any day) in the Texas Hill Country
After a round of holiday parties you might be tempted to spend New Year’s Day lolling around on the couch pretending to read between naps. We wanted to try something new this year, so we made reservations to hike in Lost Maples, a state of Texas natural area near Vanderpool, Texas, about 90 minutes from home for us.
01/05/2025
Style Notes 3 – Upcycling a Classic Blazer for the Holidays
When an occasion is on the horizon do you rush out to buy something new to wear? This was my customary process in the past. Now, with online articles and images featuring upcycled garments, you, like me, might be interested in the process of creative reuse of fabric, decorative trim and lace, or the garments themselves.
12/31/2024
Peter Copping: Fashion Designer, Interior Designer, Antiquarian
One morning while having coffee and reading with my husband I said, more to myself than anyone else, “Can’t remember which design house has just hired Peter Copping as its artistic director…” My brilliant husband who is constantly building his knowledge base replied, “Lanvin…”
12/09/2024
New Vision for the French Trousseau Embroidery Stamp
If you are most fortunate in life, simple things can give you inordinate pleasure. For me, one of these things is monograms; in particular, letters hand engraved on coin silver flatware or pewter or embroidered on antique linens.
12/07/2024
Crochet in Modern Fashion
While your first thought of crochet in the past might have been of doilies on chair backs there has been a resurgence of interest in crochet lace and innovators such as Roisin Pierce and Magda Butrym are reinventing the art and creating storied and breathtaking clothing.
11/18/2024
Unique Candelier Enhances Library
The convenience of online shopping sometimes makes it possible for one to purchase an item for which they have no immediate need. The thought of a candelier (a chandelier using candles rather than electric bulbs) has always appealed to me. When I found one online it was purchased with the thought that a use for it would develop over time. Until then, it remained in the box behind a door in the studio.
10/28/2024
Lace Skirt in a Bespoke Style
While waiting at the cutting table at a fabric store in downtown San Antonio my attention was drawn to this pale griege rose covered lace. A closer look revealed scalloped edges; it had to come with me. The man cutting the lace remarked on its beauty and said he could see it as a full skirt in the style of the fifties – think Dior bar suit skirt.
10/03/2024
Living With Books
Stopping by the local bookstore to pick up a book one afternoon recently I was struck by the crowds of people gathered in the stacks; young parents with babies in
09/26/2024
Roger Vivier and the Art of the Shoe (and the Hat)
Shoes are fascinating from both an historical and an artistic perspective. These made of silk toile are simply irresistible. They were designed by Roger Vivier in 1959 for Christian Dior. Roger Vivier who originally studied sculpture before entering the world of fashion design often described his fanciful and ornate shoes as sculptures.
08/27/2024