Read it girls!

Who is reading what this spring?

Les Toiles Du Soleil

Oh friends, have I found something gorgeous for you. Well, actually Genevieve Gorder found something lovely for you, I have just been sitting around watching her TV show. Anyway, have you heard of Les Toiles Du Soleil? It is a 150 year old French company that weaves the most gorgeous, bright and fun outdoor fabrics. Stripes! So many stripes in amazing colors.

In 2008 the first retail outlet of Les Toiles Du Soleil opened in New York. Not only do they have bolts and bolts of fabric but they also have espadrilles, totes, pillows, accessories and even deck chairs (by the way, I LOVE stripey deck chairs). They can also do custom work, so if you are looking for the most amazing awning ever, you would go there. The store is on my list for the next trip to NY, but since who knows when that will be, I have been soothing myself with their online store. Not quite the same, but still full of goodies.

E's hunt for the perfect Sweater part 4

Hunt for the Perfect (Sailor) Sweater Part 4 - Breakwater
(See parts 1, 2, and 3)

   So while in the midst of the Middlefield I started sniffing around for the next pattern since it's never too early to start planning the next sweater, right? Right! The Breakwater pattern by Cecily Glowik MacDonald has been tempting me for some time. It's top down so I can try it on as I go and imagine in Ultra Pima Cotton Dark Navy with tiny Natural Stripes....perfect!

 But wait, I have flubbed the cotton before so I am already swatching to get it right. The pattern calls for Kitchen Sink Dyework Luxe Merino Fine on #7 needles and I am wavering between the Ultra Pima on #2 or #3 needles so there is going to be some adjusting right off the bat. I really like the cotton knit up on the smaller needles (I am ignoring the fact that I am choosing to knit a whole sweater on #2's...sigh) so the dream is still alive... 

Dior Gown

Now that is a dress.

Dior dress photographed for Harper's Bazaar by Louise Dahl-Wolfe

Spring florals from Marni

Here are some great Spring florals from Marni. So happy!

Slipcover finished!

Through a series of unusual and unforeseen circumstances last week I found myself with a 4 day weekend..a Spring Break of sorts.  Not only was it a 4 day weekend, but it was 4 glorious days of unseasonably warm and sunshiny weather. Tempting weather, the kind that throws your goals to the wind and you find yourself spending your days drinking Pimm's cups  and eating chips and salsa.

But No! I said. I will not give in to your sunny temptation! Instead, I opened some windows, turned on summery music and hunkered down. I spent 3 8 hour work days and on Saturday night, I had one new slipcover. Plus a couple of hours Sunday morning to cover some throw pillows.

I'm so pleased it's done. Perfection it isn't, but it's pretty darn good, I think. Here is the sofa before. Brown, comfy eh.

And here it is in it's new dress! I love the turquoise highlights. My goal was to make it fitted..I didn't want a loosey goosey slipcover. I think it's pretty good. Everything has zippers so it is as tight as can be. And of course there are quite a few upholstery tacks keeping it tight as well.

And here she is dressed up with her new throw pillows and ever present quilt. Now on to the next project!

(roman shades, if you were wondering)

St. Patricks Day

Hey everyone, as you know St. Patricks Day is tomorrow and since Westport will be a madhouse, we will be Closed. Enjoy the holiday!