may 2017

a poppy frock | "just because" french shortbread cookies | and my love affair with breton shirts!


bonjour, dearies!

i've just completed a beautiful new super mash-up frock for myself which includes a stunning poppy floral print. if you missed my daily production updates on instagram, you can follow the journey in my recent website post: "a dress story: creating a one-of-a-kind darling dearie frock from start-to-finish!"

do you have a sweet tooth or know someone who does? then check out my recipe for "just because" cookies! they are deliciously easy french icebox shortbread cookies made with butter (lots), sugar, egg yolks, sea salt, lavender flowers, citrus zest, and finished with a lavender and lemon (or orange) glaze. these were a big hit with the family, and the lucky dearies we surprised, "just because"! one appreciative recipient emailed, "wow, these cookies are outstanding!"

confession time: i used to be addicted to shoes! while i still love them and continue to maintain a respectable collection, my current obsession is decidedly clothing-based: bretons. yep, those striped, french nautical knit fisherman shirts, introduced as the naval uniform for french seaman from brittany starting in 1858.

my preference is long-sleeved over short, even for the few hot summer days we get in portland. i regularly stay indoors during the summer months and the long sleeves protect me from the sun if i venture outdoors. besides, i can always push up the sleeves if i want to stay cooler!

when taking photographs for my website, i regularly dress my models in my own striped shirts to pair with my dresses. not only does it demonstrate how versatile these frocks are, it also shows how winningly stripes mix with my dresses - even when multiple prints are involved. wouldn't you agree?

i think bretons are especially fabulous when contrasted with floral and geometric prints. they also pair very nicely with polka-dots and novelty prints!

dearies, consider this mantra: "stripes are not frightening, stripes are fabulous!" a well-made breton can last you forever and they transcend trends. these shirts are not just for adding a parisan air to your springtime look with jeans or shorts. don't be afraid to mix it up! contrast catches the eye. look at how great my winter/holiday mash-up dress looks paired with a mint green & ivory breton.

so, don't fear stripes. it's all about proportion! do you think a breton shirt will make you appear larger than you really are? then go with a narrower stripe pattern instead of wider. many believe that horizontal stripes are not "slimming", but trust me, they are! besides, when you pair a breton with one of my dresses, the only bits that show are the arms and a splash of stripes at the neckline.

many companies offer various versions of these classic shirts. myself, i always seem to steer a course for boden when procuring my own. because i have rather broad shoulders, long arms, and an ample bosom, i typically size up and go with a 12 over a 10 for comfort, fit, and to allow for the usual shrinkage that occurs with cotton knits. this is not a paid endorsement. i'm just crazy-in-love with these shirts. why not broaden your wardrobe options? once you discover the magic of bretons, you'll be clamoring for more!

so dearies, why not give it a go? just don't forget to send a snap of you looking fabulous in your breton striped shirts with my dresses or flag pants. join the breton brigade!

until my next missive...

xoxo

darling