A Favorite Book

Bunny Mellon Style

One of my passions is collecting books on interior design and on gardening. I get such inspiration from them. A favorite in my collection is Bunny Mellon Style. It is unfortunately gettting hard to find.  

Bunny Mellon Style, by Bryan Huffman, Linda Jane Holden, and Thomas Lloyd, is a 2021 book that offers an intimate look into the life and design aesthetic of American style icon Rachel "Bunny" Mellon, focusing on her homes, collections, and personal style beyond her famous gardens. The book, published by Gibbs Smith, features professional and archival photography, personal writings, and interviews with those who knew her, revealing her self-taught, unpretentious, yet disciplined approach to design in her homes, fashion, and art. It provides a unique perspective on her influence, collaborations with designers like Givenchy, and her relationships with figures like the Kennedys. 

Fuchsia & Apricot

Gary McBournie - Veranda

 

I love the color palette of this breakfast banquette space in a Victorian London townhouse. The fruit watercolors are 19th century Chinese. The banquette is covered in a fuchsia and orange ikat by Manuel Canovas called Boheme in colorway Rose and Orange. Ikat and chinoiserie is a wonderful combination as is pink and orange.

Manuel Canovas Boheme

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.

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. 

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.

Chinoiserie Chic Fashion

Frances Valentine Peacock Caftan

I was the hugest Kate Spade fan. Her personal style and brand really captured my own fashion sensibilities -  happy, preppy, colorful, feminine, retro, and fun.
My closet is filled with her handbags, shoes, clothes, and jewelry. I even have in my collection handbags from her very first collections.