It was a gorgeous day today.....

 I dared the weather gods and put these on......

French sailor boatneck top, Barneys New York Outlet  $109.00

boyfriend jeans, True Religion (last season's) 

ETRO scarf

Anyone out there who hasn't owned a pair of Keds? Keds and Loomstate worked together in creating a green footprint, made of 100% certified organic cotton uppers & lining, nickel-free eyelets and 100% recycled insole board. Transition into these from your Uggs! Barneys New York Outlet  $35.00

Loomstate by Keds

and Girlfriend is right, boyfriend jeans need heels, or for my part, these Tod's platform wedges. 

and this would have completed the ensemble.....Christian Louboutin  black patent tote bag, saw it at Neiman Marcus yesterday.  I believe it is still there enclosed in the glass case....

If you look.... you will find.....

 Findings, in Saint Helena is a shop true to its name.  Run by a lovely lady named Maura Wilson, it is a place where you will find even when not really looking!  Recently, I left the shop with a find - a phenomenal piece of jewelry from a company called Unode50 (pronounced "uno de cinquenta," meaning one of 50.)  Ingeniously, the company produces only 50 of each style, hence, your piece is one of only 50 around the world!  Based in Madrid, Unode50 was founded by Concha Diaz del Rio, who, along with her fellow designers, creates eye-catching accessories using mixed metals, resin and leather. I follow all kinds of accessories and trinkets ardently, especially antique or "antiqued" and anything truly original (have you ever been to Le marche aux puces de Saint-Ouen in Paris?)  I beg for a story of every piece that catches my fancy.

The story: Charm bracelets date back to ancient times when they were worn for superstitious rather than fashion purposes.  They were talismans to please the gods, ward off evil spirits and help in gaining entry into the afterlife. Further on, charms signified status and family origin.  Legend has it that Queen Victoria was responsible for turning charm bracelets into fashionable and stylish items, setting a new trend that has lingered on almost two centuries later and shall stay on for a while more......

This voluptuous bracelet is made of mixed metals and has seven symetrically attached charms: key, turtle, elephant, mammoth tusk, clove, heart, gold bar.  The clasp is a stroke of genius: a miniature corkscrew tranformed into a secure lock!  Could you possibly want anything more?  

www.Unode50.com

www.findingsnapavalley.com

Bikram Yoga + Bouchon Bakery + True Religion Jeans

One of the things (among very many) that I knew I was going to miss when I left Vienna was my morning run three times a week along the Prater in the second district.  Those 45-minute runs provided me with many a therapeutic moments plus a rich perspective into the diverse flora and fauna of Bohemia (and I am counting in the colourful Viennese from the 3rd, 5th, 12th, 20th and 22nd districts in here!)  And then my chum Martina introduced me to Bikram yoga - which I resisted for about 2 months.  I am not the meditating kind, nor can I keep still for more than 12 seconds.  But Austrian weather tends towards cold and rain, if not snow (which I love, regardless of....) and I needed to find some form of indoor sport and having had enough of gyms, I decided to see for myself what all the rage about Bikram Yoga was about.  I attended my first class in April 2008 and have not looked back since.

So how does one stay fit and trim in gourmet wine country when this rainy season does not allow for any outdoor activities?

It has been gratifying to have met the feisty and vivacious Sylvana Carrarra who runs a serious but always lively Bikram Yoga studio in Napa. 

http://www.bikramyoganapa.com

And because I am lucky to be living in Thomas Keller's, Michael Chiarello's and Cindy Pawlcyn's territory,  how can I resist real and honest food especially when they are presented impeccably?  One of my favourite places in Napa Valley is Thomas Keller's  Bouchon Bakery in Yountville.  So far, it has been the only place where I can get real and honest schwarzbrot and warm pain au chocolat -  which always brings me back to Provence 1998!

http://bouchonbakery.com

Is there anyone out there who might not agree with the following equation:

90-minutes Bikram Yoga  plus  Bouchon Bakery is still equals to sliding-in with ease into your True Religion jeans!

WHAT I AM WEARING TODAY.....

It's been pouring and it doesn't look like this rain is going to let up anytime soon (yes, even in sunny California!)  As much as I'd like to think spring and post some interesting finds and looks that I wish to follow in the coming season, I need to stay warm and dry.  Here is my outfit today and it's keeping me just that.  And considering how wet, grey and cold it is outside, I am going to splash colour by stranding bracelets on my wrist and draping my favourite scarves and shawls (one at a time of course!)

stretch trousers, Marithé et François Girbaud

Scarves, ETRO 

fleece cardigan, Calvin Klein

from the CK outlet store $29.90

down vest, Moncler 

Patent leather boots,  Hogan

Shawl, Hugo Boss                               

My dear friend Alexandra thoughtfully sent over an addition to my crazy collection of Zoé Bonbon bracelets (can't get enough of them!) and this one is the theme of my sorely missed home, Vienna!  I am doing a mélange of this bracelet with another favourite designer, LyievanRycke.  What I love about these "schnick schnacks" is that they have adjustable laces and can be worn fitted to your wrists! 

www.zoebonbon.com   €25.00

www.lyievanrycke.fr

"You have a closet full of greys and blacks!"

say I.......

and about a dozen white cotton button-down shirts for "brightening up" because the manager of the Individualist Department at Nodstrom's, when I worked there for one season in 1989, once said "do not underestimate the power of white!"  Except for the occasional print, preferably from Etro, I find that earth tones and solids work best.  Textures have been very relevant in the recent seasons and it has been a lot of fun putting together extreme combinations!

My recent travel has brought me to my favoured "retail therapy"outlet, Lolo's Consignment in Saint Helena.  I am giddy about two great finds!

 Brunello Cuccinelli cashmere tunic, a steal at $45.00!

I ALREADY HAVE

 a white button-down shirt and a pair of black leggings

   

dark grey motorcycle boots and my precious birthday present, a black Tod's Pashmy

Accesorize....

Ready to lunch at Cindy's!

The second find is a hot leather biker jacket from Ugg 
(they do not only make shearling boots!) also a steal at $125.00!

The jacket has a distressed, shimmery look and the collar and cuffs are lined with beige shearling.  The body is lined with silk jersey, very slimming and gives it a good fall.

I ALREADY HAVE

a beige cashmere turtleneck and a pair of black J Brand skinny jeans

an Etro scarf, a bead necklace and my favourite black Hogan patent leather calf boots
They work!

My Staples

These are my staples for fall and winter. 

 I do not leave home without having on at least one or more of these favourites! 
They work everytime.

FAVORITE THINGS: dark grey Faliero Sarti cashmere scarf, purple & grey Danielapi Beanie, green Fay down coat, olive Henry Beguelin leather bag, black Roger Vivier suede and patent leather boots!
www.falierosarti.com
www.fay.it
www.henrybeguelin.it
www.rogervivier.com/

My current accessories: Zoe Bonbon bracelets, silver and rose gold Blue Tree necklace. 
www.zoebonbon.com/
www.bluetreenyc.com/