Winter Dressing

~~~~~~Time for a fashion article perhaps~~~~~~

I've always loved Winter clothes. Moving South many years ago I really missed dressing for the chilly months. Coming from damp old England, then New England where the Winter months could be brutal, I found I no longer required heavy wool overcoats and slacks, itchy turtleneck sweaters and snow boots. But I've missed these. I feel they can be so much more elegant than the basic warm weather uniform that many of us can wear almost year round in the South.

I was always a bit of a 'clothes horse' who grew up with a mother who sewed the latest fashions for me and then taught me dressmaking skills. As years have passed my lifestyle has changed. I now wear more casual clothes as opposed to the dressy outfits I wore when I was a working gal!

Although I didn't visit Paris in October, I did spend a couple of days in Aix-en-Provence. This is one very fashionable city. The shops were wonderful and their Winter offerings were tempting. Only a French woman can wear a scarf and make it look so fabulous. Aix is full of students from all around the world, they certainly knew how to pull neat looking outfits together on a budget, sometimes just adding that fabulous scarf or a knitted hat.

I love texture........knitted scarves, sweaters, cardigans.

I'm really for neutrals when it comes to color - give me black, brown, oatmeal and grey and my wardrobe is happy!

Window shopping in Aix-en-Provence ~ October 2008

I've been kicking myself for not buying a pair of fabulous French boots while in Aix ~ not snow boots, elegant soft leather dress boots in a gorgeous, perhaps unusual, color.

Beautiful boots!

Well I did decide to buy tall leather boots in December. After all there's no rule that says Southern ladies can't wear boots in the sunshine, is there? I'm so happy because with the temperatures down in the single digits at night these past few days, it's not only boots with warm pants tucked in, it's a turtleneck, a cardigan, a soft wool muffler, a pull on hat and a pair of wool gloves that go up to the elbows! Add the LL.Bean faux sheepskin coat and what do you have, a vision from Winter up North of course!

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Do you like the latest fashions? Do you even care what's in style? Do you think current styles are mediocre/boring? Where do you prefer to shop for clothes ~ large department stores crammed with racks of clothes and designer brands; small national chains such as JJill and Chico's; locally owned boutiques; Target, K-Mart/Sears and similar stores; thrift/vintage shops?

Bed and Breakfast

Are you planning a visit to Southwest France? Spring would be the perfect time.

If you decide to go, while driving from picturesque village to village you will often see long straight country roads lined with beautiful Plane trees like this. It is said that Napoleon planted them to shade his marching soldiers from the hot sun. Passing under the colorful Autumn canopy of leaves, with vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see, the peacefulness of a gentle countryside envelopes you...........and you realize that the journey IS the reward.

The road to Lagrasse - October 2008

And if you do go there's another reason for showing you my family's lovely home in the village of Caunes-Minervois near Carcassonne.
You've left the nicest comments about the beautiful garden with inviting pool. You know the food is scrumptious. Sleeping soundly behind the heavy blue wood shutters, in a comfy bed, is the perfect night's rest after a busy day of sightseeing, market browsing, vineyard hiking, wine tasting.........and treasure hunting at the many brocantes and vide-grenier sales.

So, why don't you take a trip to the South of France and stay in this lovely place?

John and Alison will open their home to you for Bed & Breakfast and, if you want a wonderful dinner, they will prepare an evening meal you will never forget!

The above images were taken during my stay in October 2008.

In the kitchen with John and Alison.

October color in the vineyards of the Languedoc, Southwest France.

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Contact Alison or John at caunesminervois@gmail.com for more details if you are interested in staying here.
I guarantee your visit will be memorable.

If you require a spacious rental house in Caunes-Minervois I know of just the place and can share details.

Aix-en-Provence........and Corey

On the Cours Mirabeau, Aix-en-Provence - October 2008

We planned to meet late morning under a statue on the Cours Mirabeau, Aix-en-Provence's main street known for it's fountains and ancient allée of plane trees. The previous night's heavy rain, and showers that morning, still had me up bright and early, anxious to meet both Corey, and her cousin Judy with husband Chris, visiting from California. As you can imagine, my dh and Chris chatted about sports and guy stuff, while we three gals had more important things to do, like antiques hunting at the morning market!

Many of you are familiar with Corey Amaro's beautiful blog Tongue In Cheek where she shares details of her life with French husband and their children in Provence, and her visits home to California. Corey is funny and has a great sense of style, both of which are captured by her camera. Meeting her made me realize, yet again, that the blogging world is amazing in the way it brings people together who share similar interests.

Corey writes/photographs fabulous articles for well known magazines such as Victoria, Romantic Homes and Somerset Life, and images of her own French village home have been an inspiration to me. She also directed me to her friend Nathalie's beautiful house La Madone in Apt where I stayed last month (see recent posts).

Corey, camera always at the ready, and Judy at the Aix market.

Plenty of small antiques available - always have an extra suitcase!

We snapped each other across one of the many historic fountains.

Great photo opportunities around every bend in the old cobbled streets and alleys of Aix-en-Provence.

Following market browsing and purchasing some small antiques - great bargains because Corey knows all the dealers who were kind enough to discount purchases Judy and I made - the five of us enjoyed a relaxed and delicious lunch. Corey then offered to show us more of Aix - historical buildings with amazing architecture, delightful shops, and even took us to a large brocante for more bargain shopping. Judy and I knew we had to stop before we needed to arrange for a container to ship our treasures home!

Small treasures discovered at La Rotonde ~ Vente Depot.

We said goodbye in the late afternoon. The sun did come out when the rain stopped, the day was lovely, and I was thrilled to have spent time with a special friend and members of her California family.

Be sure to get a copy of December's Romantic Homes where Corey's article 'Christmas Surprises' celebrates the season at Judy and Chris' beautiful home in California. Toile, red transferware, and many of Judy's antique treasures are showcased.

Cherry Blossoms ~ Washington, D.C.

Hello from Washington, D.C. A few pictures taken yesterday.

When I emigrated from England to the United States, my first home was Washington, D.C. Arriving late on an October night in the nation's Capital, my first glimpse of the Washington Monument was the next morning. Looking from my window, there it stood just a few blocks away, a sight I grew to enjoy and never tired of. Later I would climb to the top and take in that gorgeous view of the Capitol, Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, the Reflecting Pool, Smithsonian Museum etc., amazed that I, young English woman had 'crossed the pond' from my little seaside home and was living in such a beautiful city.

Washington Monument ~ April 2, 2008

Arlington National Cemetery ~ visiting here was both sad (we attended a burial) and amazingly peaceful and beautiful in Spring.

Looking toward the Lincoln Memorial From Arlington.
The Cherry Blossom Festival is in full swing ~ and the sights have been beautiful.

Remembrance - September 11, 2001

Today, many people will do something special to remind themselves and their neighbors of the September 11 tragedy. We will burn candles this evening, placing them on our front porch and steps, lighting up the darkness a little as today's beautiful skies turn into night, thankful that we and our loved ones are safe. All those who are no longer with us because of that tragic day six years ago, their families, friends, co-workers and acquaintances, will remain in our memories always. September 11, 2001................we will not forget.