Fall Favorites

Hyacinth House Gold Medallion Zeus Dress

 

These are some great picks I am eyeing for fall. I love this black dress above with gold medallion buttons. This versatile dress goes from day to evening. See more of my favorites -

In The Pink

Scalamandre x Mae

I adore pink and wear it all the time. My favorite combination is pink and black - very Chanel and reminds me of my ballet days. This latest collaboration between Scalamandre and MAE follows the very popular collaboration that featured Scalamandre Zebras. This collection features Leaping Cheetah in ultra chic pink pieces.

Football Season Chic

Jack Rogers Football Embroidered Loafer

 

I love football and the NFL season kicks off this week. My Tampa Bay Buccaneers kick off their season this Sunday against my previous hometown team the Washington Commanders. I am going to a party to watch the game and I would personally not be caught dead wearing a team jersey. But there are actually chic choices out there.

Chic Sunglasses High/Low

LOEWE x Paula's Ibiza Flower Sunglasses

 

Sunglasses are a must for summer. Here in Florida, I wear sunglasses 100% of the time when outdoors. They are vey important in preserving your eyesight. Their UV protection helps to prevent cataracts, macular degeneration, and other diseases of the eyes. 

Eyelet

Collection Eyelet Midi Dress

Few fabrics conjure up warm weather dressing like white eyelet. It is the quintessential summer fabric. Examples of eyelet date to the 16th century in Eastern Europe. Broderie anglaise is tied with England because of its popularity there during the 19th century for women's underclothing and children's garments. Eyelet was originally cut and embroidered by hand and was originally seen only in white.

I am a huge fan of eyelet for spring and summer dressing. I personally love it in fun pastels and great colors and have found some wonderful choices. Many of these would make great special occasion outfits for garden parties, weddings, vacations, Kentucky Derby parties, and such.

Classic Caftans

Frances Valentine

 

If I had to choose my favorite go-to pieces in my wardrobe it would be my Frances Valentine caftans. They are so fun and easy to wear yet make such a statement. They are incredibly comfortable. They are so quick - one piece and you are done getting dressed. They are flattering on everyone. These caftans are not that big tent like style and give a nice long line. Unlike some caftans, these are quite opaque and don't require slips and such in under. 

Scallops

Suzanne Kasler - 2020 Palm Beach Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse

 

I love all things scallops - in interior design, in fashion, and they are one of my favorite foods. I made scallops seviche last night for dinner. (Actually, I could pass on scalloped potatoes - LOL). This scalloped wicker daybed above is fabulous. I have found some wonderful scalloped pieces - many would make great Mother's Day gifts too.

Adulting for Halloween

CCC

Some Halloween decorating in my kitchen with my white pumpkin cocottes.

And here we have the perfect Halloween in Florida.

Animal Print in Decor & Dress

CCC

 I love animal print and especially leopard in my home and in my wardrobe, but there are few things that can go south faster if not used with a sophisticated and light hand. Less is definitely more. Mixing and matching animal print is a no-no as is wearing it head to toe. Done right, it is an elegant and timeless choice.

 Leopard and chinoiserie are an absolutely wonderful pairing. I have several leopard pieces sprinkled throughout by home and many in my closet. Animal print looks especially good in the fall.

CCC

Fall Faves

Frances Valentine

I love the styling of this outfit - the colorblock maxi dress, the gold handbag and shoes, the pearl necklace, red lipstick, and topknot bun. This was taken at the Greenbrier. 

Favorite Shoes

Rothy's

 

I had been a high heel girl my entire adult life. I have a closet full of gorgeous stilettos and slingbacks and used to wear them literally daily. Many, especially my Manolo Blahniks, are works of art. But to say they are not the look here in South Florida would be the understatement of the century. Here I wear sandals - Jack Rogers of course, and I absolutely live in my Rothy's.

Dressing Up

Peacock Caftan

 

I have been seeing everywhere news stories about shortages on everything this upcoming holiday season from zippers to toys to cars to appliances and much more. Many people are already doing their holiday shopping.

There are two pieces at Frances Valentine that I am not taking any chances on selling out. This red and white Peacock Caftan is so Chinoiserie Chic. It will be perfect for me for any holiday parties I attend or for entertaining at home over the holidays. I am crazy about the pink and coral one I recently got. I have contacted their team about doing navy and white and cobalt blue and white versions - fingers crossed.

Lounging in Style

Peach Garden Dress

 

My daughter Kate introduced me to LAKE and it has become one of my favorite clothing lines.

"LAKE was founded on the belief that the most comfortable part of your day should be celebrated. For us, these comfortable moments are nights at home with our families, weekend escapes with friends, a dose of me-time after a long day, and holidays that gather everyone together. We hope to be a small part of what helps you find comfort in the everyday and that you share that comfort with those you love.

Autumn Style

Frances Valentine @ The Greenbrier

 

The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia is one of my favorite places anywhere. My husband, my daughter, and I would go there for a yearly family vacation and we celebrated our twentieth anniversary there. Dating back to 1778, it has hosted twenty six Presidents, the Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson, Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco, and countless others. 

Color & Pattern

Printfresh

If you are like me (and I'm guessing since you follow CC you are), and love color, pattern, and chinoiserie and tropical prints, you need to know about Printfresh, a favorite of mine. Their clothing line is the perfect sleepwear and loungewear, and I am hoping they expand into ready to wear - I wear one of their nightgowns as a sundress. Choose from robes, nightgowns, nightshirts, short sleep sets, long sleep sets, separates - whatever you style is. It is all incredibly comfortable. I especially love their nightshirts, robes, and short sleep sets.

CCC Caftan Wish List

Blair Eadie of Atlantic - Pacific

Blair Eadie of Atlantic - Pacific is one of my style icons. And guess where she was brought up and lives now - Sarasota, Florida. This is my style to a T - a caftan, earrings, flats, sunglasses, and a straw bag. If you don't follow her, you should. Her style is impeccable.

Dressing in Blue and White

Farm Rio Blue and White Dress

For those of us who can't get enough of blue and white chinoiserie, dressing in blue and white is a wonderful choice. Here are some of my favorites.

Chinoiserie Sleepwear

Pajama Set in Budding Floral

l am always on the lookout for sleepwear in chinoiserie patterns. I have found some beautiful choices, perfect for you in your Chinoiserie Chic bedroom. These would all be wonderful for lounging and sleeping in my gold leaf pagoda bed. 

Changing Up the Chinese Lamp

Robert Kime and Piers von Westenholz

 

A patterned fabric lampshade is a wonderful way to change/refresh the look of your Chinese lamp. This is a very high end designer look that is really having a moment. Whether it's for a blue and white Chinese lamp or a solid color Chinese gourd lamp, it will really add a wow factor to a room. You will be surprised the impact it can have. Red looks wonderful with a blue and white lamp as shown here.

Jackie & Jack

Jackie Kennedy

If you are like me, life would not be complete without Jack, more specifically Jack Rogers sandals, my go to shoe here in Florida. They are chic, comfortable, and colorful, and look great with caftans. 

 Jack Rogers shoes had an inspired beginning on the isle of Capri in the early 60s. It was the heyday of the international jet set, a swirl of famous faces and names, lounging poolside in colorful caftans, wearing sherbet shades against the Mediterranean backdrop. Chic as it was, one person stood out as the most vibrant of all: Jackie Kennedy. The First Lady, known for her impeccable style, never looked better than when she was off-duty—with her innate charisma, she had a way of making simple pieces look absolutely sublime.