The Nine Lives of Laura Ashley

This cardigan (unfortunately I forgot to take Before and After pictures, but work with me), made of kid mohair and merino wool, was very large and voluminous once, when my mother bought it in a boot sale. Even then it was a little scruffy, but extremely soft and great for lounging round the house. After it got moth-eaten, she put it away on a shelf, intending to turn it into a stuffed animal of some sort.

Then, in one of those midnight moments of lucidness, I picked it off the scrap shelf in our sewing room and thought it would be nice the shrink it slightly and cut it down to a bolero shape. the next morning I put it in the wash at 40, and waited.

When it emerged damp from the washing machine it had shrunk a lot, and fluted at the bottom. Its enormous moth hole was now easier to darn, and it was quite a successful accident. I think I will swap the buttons for diamante ones, even if I can't do it up. It reminds me of the kind of thing one of my mum's very glamourous friends would wear with a large matching crystal ring. Will keep you posted on its rehabilitation!

Review of a boot

On Friday, me and the girls headed into Avignon to catch some of the summer drama festival. however, as we were accosted by various performers of the Off, the informal performances of the festival, we found that all the shows that we wished to attend weren't on on Friday. Thus we decided to stay in town and mooch, my favourite activity, until we needed to pick someone up from the train station in the evening. You can imagine my joy when we reached a shoe shop we had passed on the way into town which had been closed, through whose window I had glimpsed a beautiful pair of ankle boots. I made a beeline for them as soon as we came round the corner to it.

Unfortunately they had too big a price tag.

However, I risked being accused of being an industrial spy and went into a secluded corner selling orange mens' loafers and snapped a couple of shots.

At first I was in love. It was only when my mother pointed out that their black velvet was already scuffed that my coveting of them began to fade. Still, their shape is so flattering to the foot, such a comfortable, femmy heel size, genius hooks for the fine laces. Sigh. Aren't they vaguely reminiscent of a previous century?

Feeling Accomplished

I have just finished my very first sewing project! Well, technically it wasn't my first sewing project, it was my first attempt at making my own clothes. It is a Liberty's blouse with a 60's neckline, slightly cut down and based on the bodice of a dress pattern. I LOVE Liberty's and am extremely proud of myself. Worn with a Topshop skirt, thrifted necklace and André boots. Thanks to Mummy and Sophie for the make-up.

Grasse, Fragonard and the French Riviera

We set off early on Monday morning for Grasse, picturesque hilltop town whose main trade is that of perfume-making, based on all-natural ingredients and meticulous traditional processes, following principles invented by the Egyptians.

There are three principle 'parfumeries' in Grasse: Molinard (1849), Galimard (1747) and Fragonard (1926). We were already familiar with Fragonard, it being one of our top destinations when we are shopping in the Carrousel du Louvre. It makes beautiful perfume, top quality and at friendly prices. Great, right?

After two hours spent in the Musee International du Parfum, we headed across the street to the Fragonard-owned museum of Provencal Costume and Jewellery, a very small collection but perfect for a whizz-in, whizz-out visit, as there is an irresistible Fragonard boutique on the way out. Beware!

lovely bag...

When you're done with gorgeous perfume and luxurious bath products, hop across the street to Fragonard confidentiel, selling jewellery and clothes. I tried on a to-die-for black one-size-fits-all coat made in Kashmir, India, which I shall have to try and re-create in a shorter version at home...

When you've had enough of bright blue slippers, coral necklaces and printed blouses, trip further down the street to Fragonard Maison and admire handmade boutis quilts, printed bedlinen and hand-embroidered napkins. On the way you might just notice the small Longchamp boutique...
For dinner, head down to Cannes for an Italian meal by the harbour, looking out at the vast collection of yachts, then take a midnight stroll along La Croisette, snapping shots of the windows of Chanel, Miu Miu, Prada and the like. Oh, and be sure to pose on the red carpet of the Grand Auditorium (where the glamourous Cannes Film Festival takes place)!
On day 2, we left Grasse behind and headed off to the picturesque world-famous coastal village St Tropez along a congested, windy but extremely picturesque coastal route. The shopping facilities are very diverse: you have the choice between Lancel, Hermes and Emporio Armani or your average thrift shop... the shoe-shopping is also great. What you should buy? A pair of Tropezienne sandals (take a look a these tiny ones in a shop that has been making these traditional sandals since 1927).

Another must is to pop into the Brigitte Bardot exhibition, with trailers, pictures, clothes... this tribute to the French equivalent of Marilyn Monroe will top off a sun-soaked day. She is the only person I know who can get away with under-eye mascara without looking as if she has adorned her optical organs with dead arachnids, unless everyone who so does up their face desires to aquire that effect. However, I thought the gift shop a bit thin on the ground. Wouldn't that be a fun job, deciding what museum gift shops would sell?

View out of the car window on the coastal route

Look at these mini sandals! Made for a child nowhere near walking....

on a merry-go-round on the way out of town

Beautiful bag in the window of Hermes

Dress and jacket in Manoush

Dolce Gabbana dress

Lanvin mannequins

Celine wedges in a boutique called 'Joanna' on the Place des Lices

Boutis dress in 'Joanna'

Brigitte bardot's wedding dress for her second marriage to Jacques Charrier

Classic Bardot style: naval top and big cattail eyes: instant holiday chic

Colourful houses of St Tropez

La Ballerine Cendrillon

Did you know that Rose Repetto, head of the Paris-based brand for ballerina flats, originally manufacturer of ballet point shoes; upon request from French icon Brigitte Bardot, created a 'Cendrillon' shoe (plain ballerina pump) and dedicated it to her? I thought that was worth mentioning due to the Cendrillon reference.
Cendrillon is French for Cinderella, my favourite fairy tale. In one of the older versions, a morale is included, dictating that if one is nothing other than good and not in the least spiteful, even in the worst of circumstances, happiness will come to you in great abundance. Did you also know that the original Cinderella slipper was not made of glass but of squirrel fur? There are several theories afloat about this switch, some say it was Perrault's intention to change the slipper to glass, others claim it was a mistranslation from the old french vair, meaning a rare and very luxurious type of squirrel fur, a homonym of verre, meaning glass.

Dear All,

My family and I are currently where we always go on holiday, in our village house in the South of France. It is very picturesque, complete with cacophonous cicadas, busily multiplying pigeons and a swallows' nest in the roof of the arched passageway serving as our back door. We are now going off to the river for a yet more picturesque swim (I will wear my Princesse Tam Tam bikini sourced in an outlet shop). Maybe I will wear my Audrey Hepburn hat...

Tomorrow we will be heading east to Grasse, traditional perfume-making town (partial setting of Le Parfum - Perfume, an excellent but creepy film based on the book by Patrick Suskind), where I imagine we will spend more time in the gift shop of a famous perfume museum than the actual museum itself...

Hope you are all enjoying your summer!

xo Stephanie & Juliana

The Poor Man's Shoe

My favourite choice of footwear this season? The espadrille! Traditionally the peasant's shoe, we just can't get enough of the country chic these little straw and canvas creations bring to any summer outfit. Black ones make our feet look smaller whilst pink ones add a splash of colour. However, I don't recommend spending too much on them, as however expensive they may be they will undoubtedly only last a season as they are ruined quickly. I got mine for only a couple of euros in the market in Uzes, without even having to break a ten euro bill!