Collectif France Tricot

All images via c-f-t.net

Calling all knitting fans. Check out this lot of creative knitting japesters. Collectif France Tricot are an amusing and talented bunch. I have tried and failed to be any good at knitting, but I do have a couple of friends who are total geniuses (genii) at the click, click, clickety, click. Ladies, you know who you are and this should appeal to you, but also to all those who admire craft, street art and stuff they just cannot do themselves... As well as a wonderful portfolio of their work, CFT also have an online shop, as well as some great links to a variety of things, including folk they like and work with. Get ready to be inspired in a big way and to seriously consider having a go yourself.

black fleece

Please be forewarned, this little piece is a bit of a cheat. I am getting a bit carried away with all the glorious weather we are having this week. When we were in New York a few weeks back, I spotted the lovely little candystriped summer dress, above, in the window of a shop in the East Village. My friend and I wandered in, only to be met with disappointment as the dress was part of the new season collection, which was due to arrive a couple of days later. We were leaving later that day... And so to the wonder that is the WWW and I found it! Here it is along with some other bits from the Brooks Brothers Black Fleece summer 2012 collection. This is where the cheating comes in. I am shoehorning the post in as there is a bit of red, white and blue on the page. Apologies.

Images via brooksbrothers.com

it's only March

The weather man/woman/person was a tad pessimistic a couple of days ago. No grey skies to be seen over Edinburgh, not even a single white one. Just glorious, hot, sunshine. This is the life. Pas mal. I could not let this week go by without a trace left of this weather and something to remind me of 'that amazing week in March'. The K Jacques St. Tropez are getting their first airing of 2012. I certainly did not think it would be this soon. It is still only March.

goodbye grey sky, hello blue

At least for today (though, shh, the BBC are announcing grey skys over Edinburgh for tomorrow and beyond...) Today, spring was welcomed to 2012 with some appropriate weather. Sun and warmth all round. With the clocks changing this weekend, that must surely be a cue for spending some of our hard-earned pennies? Agnès b., Parisian, chic fashion staple, has just launched her SS12 collection. Brilliant at producing classics that never seem to age, in every sense of the word, you can never go wrong with one of her shirts, jumpers or cardigans. This season, I am particularly feeling her dots and florals. But there really is something for everyone in all of her collections.

Images via agnesb.fr

quick: sample sale!

Image via plumo.com

Here they are again - clouds. The ones above are very likely to be around for today only, so best get in quick if they take your fancy. These lovely little hair slides are a French design and are made in France. Sample sale on today, courtesy of Plumo. All items are unique pieces (only one of each available).

bonne fête des mères

Have a lovely day.

little fluffy clouds

Images via zushop.bigcartel.com

I do like a good tip (and while we are on the subject, my thanks go to our New York, NY, tipsters - you know who you are). A friend tipped me off recently about this really nice online French children's boutique selling chic and stylish clothing, accessories, interior design and toys. All the products advertised are made in France and the cracking and bilingual, French Blossom website, is soon to launch a French language blog, too. A lot of the wares on offer are, though sometimes pretty pricey, absolutely spot-on. I homed in on the adorable weather-related cushions by Zu, above. A nimbus cloud light is currently on offer, too.

le savon de Marcel

Coucou les amis, here is my latest find. Nice packaging for a start and it is sure to look good in our bathroom. For the soap connaisseurs out there, you will already have realised that the name is, of course, a play on words of the most excellent, Savon de Marseille. An attractive organic soap, in eco-friendly packaging, Le Savon de Marcel, is actually made in Marseille!

Images via savondemarcel.com

games we played

Remember these from when you were little? Once you had made the origami-like contraption, it might keep you amused for ages, telling fortunes and the like. This one is lying on the diningroom table today, with colours written in French. Nice wee thing, which is either on its way to, or from a French lesson.

prints a go go

All images via souleiadoamerica.com

Prints are a key look for SS2012, I take it; and it appears the brighter and more colourful, the better. Now, having spent many of my childhood holidays in the Languedoc-Roussillon, I have seen a fair bit of  tissu Provençal in my time and if you are keen on being bang on-trend, I would suggest you try hunting some down. My grandparents had a fair bit of their interior design based around the fabric, with curtains, tablecloths, napkins and the like dotted around the house. Overkill perhaps and paisley and fleur de lys-type motifs are certainly not everyone's tasse de thé, but the fabric has for me, you might say, a touch of the Madeleine de Proust about it. For the real, good quality deal, you must consider Souleiado. There is even a museum dedicated to the brand and its history, to be found in Tarascon, Provence. While you are searching for your fabric, make sure to get a pot of lavender while you're at it.

streets of new york #2

No shoehorning here, just indulging in some good-time memories. Salut New York, et j’espère à bientôt…