happy to report

that Matta's fabulous and much coveted dupatta stoles are back! Colors include bark, mauve, raspberry, bay, and new ombres: fog (shown above) and stone (shown below). Soft and semi-sheer, the 50/50 cotton silk blend is smooth, warm and durable. Simple and irresistably beautiful.

smelling good

Is feeling good, or at least it is in my book. My latest obsession is Monoi Oil. The Polynesian secret to silky skin and shining hair, it's been around for hundreds of years. Made out of pure, refined coconut oil infused with the essences of flowers, most commonly Tahitian Gardenia. Sweet and silky, it imparts a subtle, warm, and sensual scent, soaks in immediately, and moisturizes perfectly. With fall upon us, I'm trying to hold on to what summer glow I got, and this is precisely the way to do it.

sustainability manifesto

In the store today I watched people falling in love with a variety of things, Stewart + Brown's Clairibel draped dress, a pair of "Stop" shoes from Cydwoq, Prairie Underground's Frock Coat. What struck me was that each item was appreciated entirely for it's aesthetic appeal...and then, we could tell the women about the sustainable qualities of the designs. Stewart + Brown's dress is a proprietary 95% hemp blend, made in LA, Cydwoq's hand-made shoes are all vegetable dyed leather, non-toxic glues and made in Southern California, and Prairie's coat is organic cotton, also made in the good ol' USA. All of this epitomizes my desire to provide excellent design, while still honoring conscience. I am so pleased to be able to offer items that we can feel good about on so many levels. There really is no reason to sacrifice style in the name of sustainable design. Every time we purchase anything we are making a statement with our dollars, why not love our purchases for their appeal to us, AND to support a healthier planet, and keep the innovative work of small designers alive and thriving? Makes me feel good.

new goodies...

The girls often tease me at the beginning of a new season as I ooh and ahh over all the beautiful new pieces as they arrive. They tease me because I bought them, so obviously I like them. But truly, I forget, in the months that elapse from the moment of discovery to the actual arrival in their appropriate season, what I've ordered. So it really is like Christmas morning, opening boxes of cashmere and cotton, scarves and belts and hats... and rediscovering these splendid new friends.


Latest deliveries include unbelievable basics and better from Majestic. Majestic is one of those cult-like sleeper companies... They are vertically integrated, producing their sumptuous knits in a geothermally powered factory in France. And therefore can offer variety of fiber combinations unique to them: blends of cotton and cashmere, winter weight linen knits, and organic cottons. The textures are amazing. It's a brand which inspires a loyal following, and feels luxurious, even in a basic tee. This season's crop includes hand dyed long sleeve tees graduating in color from deep navy to black, charcoal grey leggings, plum and charcoal stripes, and a ton of simple straight ahead basics.
This week also brought a big box from local wonder Steven Alan. Lots of plaids, both bright and subtle, bold and simple. And a striped cashmere sweater that I will be dreaming about. And and and...


Dreamy leather bags from local new wunderkind Aki Kano, whose designs merit a post all their own. New Ember candles and more from our sensual fave: Jimmy Jane, and the pure luxury and pure color of Armand Diradourian's cashmere scarves.

BackBlog...

With school starting up again next week, and the days suddenly getting shorter (dark by 8, say it isn't so!), not to mention the warm and lovely things that are flooding the store, I thought it might be time for a little summer flash back. Explain my blogging absence in photos.. (excuse the gratuitous kid shots... sometimes it can't be helped, and summer really is one of those times)





So, back after a lovely summer. And yes, I have weaknesses for bbq'ed oysters, heirloom tomatoes, the ferry from San Francisco, messy spaghetti dinners, and Tomales Bay, not necessarily in that order.