Wrapped Beautifully

Be Ready In A Snap With A Shoulder Wrap

It's hard to believe fall hits in a couple days!  Time to pull out the flannel sheets and the sweaters.  There is a great alternative to sweaters.  Do you know what it is?  A wrap!  


They are really pretty and in many cases are a better choice than a sweater for keeping you warm.  Here's an article I just wrote on the subject:

Be Ready In A Snap With A Shoulder Wrap       

Swim Cover Up: Did You Know About This?

The beginning of February marks the halfway point of winter.  Can you make plans to go to a Caribbean island or perhaps take a cruise?  I hope so!  Just one week away this time of year really helps you make it to spring.

When you are lucky enough to be lounging around in the sun whether it's this time of year someplace down south or in the summer, one thing women should be aware of is a swim suit cover up that is amazingly flattering and fun to wear.  Some of you may know about this already.  Based on what I see on the beaches and pool side, most don't yet!

Instead of shorts and a shirt to cover up your swim suit, there are sarongs and pareos you should be wearing!  They are slowing making their way to the United States.  I first saw them twenty years ago in French Polynesia.

If you get a traditional sarong, you can fashion it as a sexy sun dress. Nothing beats a beautiful color and print combination.

For those of you who want to keep it simple, there are now sarongs and pareos with no-fuss built-in ties.  A chiffon white or black sarong in half or full length is extremely attractive and easily matches your swim suits.

Silk Scarves - What Makes Them Special?

 

It's not your imagination.  There is something very special about silk scarves.  A picture is worth a thousand words. Take a look.   What do you see?

I  think it's  luminousity  and softness.  In this artice, I explain  the five aspects that control quality and need to be considered when making a purchase.

I've been buying silk scarves for 30 years. During this time, I've noticed there is an incredible range of quality that exists for what you can buy. "You get what you pay for.", is something you need to keep in mind.

Here are the five aspects that I recommend you evaluate when you are contemplating a purchase:

Weight Dimensions Design Color Finish

Weight- The heavier the weight, the more it costs to make. Silk is weighed in mommes. Retail labeling does not generally state what this is for a given scarf. But you can tell what it is to some degree just by holding it. If it has a very sheer gossamer look and feel, it's going to be very light, potentially 4 or 6 mommes. If it is fairly substantial with strong coloring that holds up to light, it is probably 10 to 12 mommes. Much heavier than that, you are getting into weights that are better suited for drapery and upholstery. My favorite weight for silk scarves is 12 mommes. It's a perfect weight, not too light or heavy.

Dimensions- Each of the possible shapes of scarves out there comes in different dimensions. The larger the dimension, the more it costs to make. In general, the larger the better. My favorite dimensions in a square are 35" x 35". And for an oblong scarf, 16" x 60". These sizes work the best with the standard ties you can make.

Design- We are getting into more subjective ground to a certain extent. But, if you begin to spend any time studying patterns, you can tell when they are thrown together or not. Yes, it's true, fads can include thrown together looks. A poor design, though, looks tacky, plain and simple.

Beautiful silk scarves have beautiful, well thought out designs. They are attractive to look at. You enjoy gazing at them. They always enhance what they are being worn with.

Color- This is fairly subjective too. I will say though, understanding good colors and how to work with colors seems to come naturally to some and not to others. And you tend to know, with time, which kind of person you are. If you aren't very good at it, get help! It is something you can get better at with a little training and understanding.

Beautiful scarves have beautiful colors, whether they are trendy or classic, timeless colors.

Finish- The main thing to be concerned with when it comes to finish is the stitching used for the edges. There are folks out there that like hand rolled hems. Hand rolled hems can still be done improperly. I have found this to be the case even with extremely expensive scarves (costing hundreds of dollars). When done improperly, the fabric may not be flat enough as it approaches the edge and/or the stitching (thread) can come undone fairly easily. I actually prefer a well executed top stitch, as it can give you a flatter, cleaner result.

There you go. I wish I had this information when I started buying scarves. Practice makes perfect! I'm also glad you can benefit from what I've learned!

 

Greens - Will You Be Wearing Them For St Patrick's Day?

I grew up where there were lots of descendants from Ireland.  So, everyone in the neighborhood and at school would  celebrate St. Patrick's Day. 

Years later I  learned more about the origins of the holiday,  the Irish, and Ireland, as well as my own Irish ancestry. 

You can bet I'll be wearing green on March 17th!  This is a picture of the actual ring referred to by this article I wrote: Greens - Wearing Any For St Patrick's Day?

There is no question, green has become one of my favorite colors!   You have to be careful with the shades though.  I remember mint green walls in elementary school.  Those were not enjoyable at all. And, it wasn't because they were classroom walls!   The shades of green in the forest including the evergreens, pines and ferns are wonderful.   In fact, its those very shades that inspired the colors in this green silk scarf I designed.

British racing green is very similar to the forest and evergreen shades.  And I used British racing green when I was restoring my Jaguar E-Type.   It's a very handsome,  classic color that you never tire of.

And over the last several years I've added some green sweaters to my waredrobe.  One is an Austrian boiled wool coach length sweater  with beautiful silver ball buttons. Another is a stylelish thick yet short cable knit turtleneck sweater.  I love to wear them!  And, I get a lot of compliments when I do!  Note that it would be a mistake if you assume you have to be an Irish Lass in order for it to be OK for you to wear green on a regular basis!

I wonder if  green articles of clothing calm you as if you were taking a walk in the woods or a forest.   Over the years, I have begun to do this quite a bit.  And you always feel rejuvinated when you do.   And when I wear green, I don't experience exactly the same result.  But,  I certainly feel less stressed!

Try it yourself and see if you experience a similar effect!

 

 

 

Make Your Spring POP!

Here's a scarf tie that I made which looks like a flower.  Great for Easter Sunday and the warmer weather!

Here's a video which shows how to do the tie and what it looks like inside and outside  

Helpful hint:  The tighter you make the twist, the more open the scarf flower will appear.

Scarfsense's First Retail Location!

Scarfsense now has a Boston area retail location for Scarfsense silk scarves!  They're at Stonegate on Rt 117 in Lincoln, MA.  This holiday season there will be special introductory pricing  and free gift boxing!

A One In A Million Clothing Retailer

How many clothing stores do you know of would repair a sweater you bought from them after years of it being worn, and do it free of charge?  None?  That is what I'd expect.  But, if you buy a sweater from Peruvian Connection,  you are in for a pleasant and shocking surprise.

I have two beautiful baby alpaca cardigan sweaters that were given to me for Christmas gifts probably over 5 years ago now.  I am embarassed to say that moths got to both of them at different points.  I was devastated each time.  Alpaca, in case you are not aware, may end up being the next cashmere.  It is incredibly soft and also extremely warm. Some say, its warmer than wool!   Here's more details on alpaca fiber.

Each time, with my tail between my legs, I contacted Peruvian Connection about the damage to see what, if any options there were to address it.  They asked me to send the sweater to them. They evaluated the damage  and proceeded to repair the sweater!  Because they were moth holes, the sweaters required darning.  This is complicated and tricky especially when the weave is delicate.  They did a wonderful job.  And, what is even more amazing, they did not charge me a penny.    The letter that accompanies a repaired sweater says, " Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to be of assistance.  We value your business, and we are delighted to provide this service... The enclosed garment has been repaired so it can be returned to your collection.  We hope it will bring you many years of enjoyment..."

How remarkable is this?  I love this place!  Their clothing, by the way, is really unique and handsome. Take a look!  Peruvian Connection  Everything is made really beautifully too. Look at, for example, the way this cardigan is finished beyond the buttons.  It may look like a sewn seam.  It isn't.  A different knit stitch is used to naturally cause the material to roll exactly as it has here. 

Peruvian Connection is  a little pricey.  But, keep in mind, the premium quality of what you are buying. The material is very high end and so is the workmanship.  If the prices scare you, wait for sale.  But what you want may be gone!

Scarfsense Signature 100% Silk Scarf Is "A Hit" In Paris!

Some of you know how much I adore France and Paris, in particular.  And, yes, someday, I'd like to introduce a line of square silk scarves that are the caliber of the famous Hermes scarf. Needless to say, when a customer wrote me this week to say, (I) "Gave my wife  your silk scarf for  her birthday - She loved it!!  She wore it to Paris ...... but it blew into the Seine River!!", I couldn't resist saying that my scarf was "a hit" in Paris, even though "hit"  here means it fell into the Seine River  :   ). 

1.  Scarfsense silk scarves are uniquely qualified to be a great alternative to sending flowers or fruit. And, while comparable (and often somewhat lower in price) to those choices, there are some big advantages: They won’t wilt (as with flowers) or go bad (as with fruit). And every time a recipient wears hers, she’ll be reminded of your thoughtfulness!
   
   
2.  Scarfsense features premium quality 100% silk scarves that are timeless and classic and in only vibrant, smart colors so that it's easy to select the perfect gift for "her", whether she's a mom, sister, aunt or friend. 
   
   
3.  Scarfsense silk scarves have an ideal weight, 12 mommes. This is not too heavy or light. This weight is significant for a silk scarf today. They cost more to make. Silk scarves in this weight are luxurious, drape well & are not widely available, but can occasionally be found at higher end retail establishments. 
   
   
4.  Scarfsense silk scarves have optimal dimensions too, 16” x 60”.  This allows them to be used to make the most attractive ties. It is important to keep in mind that aspects of clothing can enhance or ruin a look. For example, under certain conditions slightly over-sized scarves can work. Today, though, some designers are working with the notion that just about any over-sized scarves are fine. This is simply not the case. There are times when they really detract from a potentially good look.

Send a Scarfsense silk scarf to her* this holiday season!

*mom, sister, aunt, friend

Available at Amazon and at http://www.thescarfboutique.com/

 

How To Make A Silk Scarf Look Drop Dead Gorgeous On

You know every once in a while, when you see a woman wearing a scarf and she looks phenomenal? There are many things that come into play in this kind of situation.  In no particular order, these include what she's wearing, her personal appearance, how she's carrying herself.  And we can't forget the scarf itself-  the colors, design, dimensions and texture.  These aspects significantly affect the overall look. 

But there are two things that are very commonly neglected, particularly with 100% silk and other very delicate scarves: It's: (1) finish and (2) draping. Everything else could be perfect.  But if one or both of these things are off, the whole look is ruined.

(1) This quick article and video shows you how to fix the finish: How To Safely Iron Your Silk Scarf

(2) And this one shows you how to drape it: How To Drape Your Silk Scarf

Even if you begin with doing just these two things, and you may have a very inexpensive/average, light acrylic scarf, this can mark the beginning of transforming your look!