Hello Lovely

Hi.

I have been b.u.s.y and feel it's time for a

good long exhale...and ruffles.

So for you, images I shot of

my lovely summer muse

in the backyard.



Ilse Jacobsen boots

 Kate Towers handmade gown

She doesn't wear makeup. Can't take a bad photo.

Hers is the kindest heart.

As my in-house nurse after

the mastectomy and reconstruction,

she washed my hair and helped

with the unspeakable.



I found the can at Urban Farmgirl just down the road

Can you feel the gentle spirit of my muse

and this day?



So much gratitude for the beauty

penetrating my soul which becomes clearer

when I am vulnerable, weak, and even weary.





So many of you keep close tabs on me,

and I am happy to report I feel like

myself again.

My sister is recovering from her last

surgery, and my mom's battle

continues with breast cancer.

What an inspiration and warrior she is

through the suffering and harsh updates.

Thank you for the encouragement,

prayers, and cheer in these tough times
as I journey with BRCA genetic mutation.

Peace to you right where you are.



How are we feelin on this 3rd day of fall, peeps?

Me?

Sassy. yaaaaaa, what's new?

And enjoying both the weather and snuggling up

to delicious reads like my favorite magazine

which arrived after much anticipation...

M I L I E U!



Have you subscribed to
this quarterly bundle
of editorial lovely yet?

Click here to join the Milieu tribe!

Lordy lordy, it's a thing of beauty,
this glossy-paged gem of an issue
filled with homes, gardens, travel,
lifestyle, new to you designers,
and even familiar names
like Joni and Greet!



I am a huge admirer of Pam Pierce and

that daring spirit of hers which led her

to create something uniquely

beautiful in publishing.

If you have chatted with Pam, then you

have had your pants charmed off by

the most gorgeous Texan accent

(pronounced ayucksayuhnt).



What commentary worth reading
could I possibly offer here other than
gracious sakes alive,
I'd like to live inside this magazine.




Grab a copy at the newstand
or subscribe to have immediate online
access to the whole issue and the glory
of those to come.

How exciting is it to have something new and so gorgeous in print!?!

It was my pleasure the other day
to speak with creative genius
Rachel Ashwell
of Shabby Chic Couture®.

(image above: lobsterandswan)



Autographed copies of the new book
are now available for
Rachel Ashwell Couture Prairie: And Flea Market Treasures
(Cico, 2013)!



Don't miss these either!
Tracing my fondness and deep admiration for Rachel's empire requires time travel to the early 90's
when life centered around babies, nesting, and a relentless love of vintage.




Yaaaaa, I know what you're thinking...get to it, mama!
What is she like anyway?
A wee crumb pour vous: for starters, she is
intelligent, deeply sensitive, eloquent, unhurried, and introspective.


Wanna peel back the onion a bit with
glimpses of Rachel Ashwell's
philosophies, inspirations, and humility?
Even more glimpses from a previous interview with her here.


We first discussed her endorsement of
"looking in the other direction" whether it be
shopping at the fleamarket, stretching
as an artist, or on a journey of
personal growth.

I find it fascinating Rachel is such a keen editor
of lovely yet continues to stumble upon unlikely,
 yet consistent additions by gazing in the other direction.


If you are a part of the Shabby Chic®
brethren, you know Rachel's mantra:
beauty
comfort
and function.

Other meaningful terms for her?
heirloom
quality
("Keep away from mediocrity," she reminds)
faith
art
freedom
whimsy
substance
mindfulness
purpose.



I asked about the brand's timelessness
and whether she finds relief in
not having to re-invent each season.
She reminded me that in 2014,
the brand celebrates
its 25th birthday!



Wow. How can that be?
She spoke with passion about
"continuation, rather than reinvention"
and how she joyfully anticipates a whole new generation of Shabby Chic® admirers who will embrace and interpret
for themselves the non-fussy style of Shabby Chic®

In terms of the hallmarks of the brand,
she says "25 years ago or tomorrow, they all fit seamlessly...in my heart, I walk my talk."



Rachel's Shabby Chic Couture® stores
have the same playlist of music pumping,
and I was curious why country music appeals.

She explained she loves the poetry and storytelling
of the genre, just as she appreciates opera.

She favors nostalgic country artists such as
Johnny Cash, George Straight, and Patsy Kline,
and recently in NY was fortunate enough to
attend a private concert by Willy Nelson.



small hotel in Round Top, Texas,
and TEXAS is very dear to her heart.



She is inspired by "The tapestry of Texas living."
and contrasts it with other places she calls home...
for example, the "wide open, easy living" of California
living where "the climate plays a key role" or
"the academic culture in the UK
which was a bit tragic; a bit dark."

Texas has stolen her heart with its colorful community,
spirit of gratitude, and its southern hospitality.



You can't miss the spirit of humility
in her creative endeavors and personal life,
and I wanted to know more about its roots.
As I suspected, Rachel's love of the ocean
and nature is in part linked to her faith.

She spoke about
"the methodical rhythm of the ocean"
and her belief "I am not alone."

In Cali, she can be found trekking 6 miles a day
along the beach, offering prayers of gratitude
"for music, for the land,...".

Since I love Shabby Chic Couture's line of aprons,
I asked what they mean to her.
"I have this thing about washing dishes."
Ha! Me too. Again, a humble chore.
We chatted about how aprons are a nod to
the past and speak of an unhurried life,
a love of home, and unplugging.

 my photo...me in my SCC apron and Tom's

Highlights of creating Rachel Ashwell Couture Prairie: And Flea Market Treasures?
"The prairie came at a time when I lost my mother and was experiencing hard times. Where was I going to end up? I felt this need to put a stake in the ground."

In essence, it was the prairie, a series of 7 or 8 structures
at first presenting as "kind of dark" which would save her.
At her new very un-Hollywood property,
"Emotionally, physically, and philosophically, the light was on me again...it was a soulful feeling."


 Clearly, The Prairie has nurtured Rachel well,
and the book in turn, pays it forward.



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 Ahhhhhhh.

I doooooo have a deeper understanding

for endurance with the year I have experienced.

 

Ready to get your copy of Rachel Ashwell Couture Prairie: And Flea Market Treasures?
Me too!!!
I will share more about its brilliance
when my copy arrives!

Thank you so much, Rachel, for sharing

thoughtfulness with Hello Lovely once more

(if we spoke Texan, we'd call you

a Darlin-Lovey-Lambchop, and I bet
you'd like it).

Talk to me in the comment section, peeps!

Peace to you right where you are.


*photos: Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture®

*interview from 2011 here

Beautiful books by Rachel:

Rachel Ashwell Couture Prairie: And Flea Market Treasures

Are you a dog lover like moi?

Then you may have seen this
irresistible book floating around town:
The French Dog
by Rachael Hale
(Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 2012).

One glimpse of it at Anthropologie,
and it had to be mine!



Photographer Rachael Hale captured all sorts
of sweetlovely dogs from Dachshunds to Labs.
You'll see them cheezing for the camera in
charming settings ranging from stately chateaux
to the streets of Paris.


Who can resist a double wienie?

my photo

Here is my baby Bella Luna,
who is fond of being toted around
in an
ERGObaby Original Baby Carrier...



(perhaps the French would roll their eyes...as this is not so chic?).



I want to be there, don't you?

If you have ever tried to snap a good photo of your
pet, you know how ridiculously difficult it is...
so you will appreciate the skill and artful eye
Hale possesses and the beauty she uncovers
in The French Dog.

p.s.
You can never have too many photos of your pets.
Agree?

Peace to you right where you are.