The 'Enchanted April' Robe

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I discovered the robe above on Pinterest...

it is long gone from the Etsy shop but it is a beauty.

The 'Enchanted April' robe..just wonderful.

It was sold from The Garden of Simples...one to watch.

I wouldn't mind starting with this one by Matthew Williamson.

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If you like the look...there is a whole lot more here

and for those of you who remember 

the movie 'Enchanted April'..

The simplicity of Paule Ka

Enjoying the simplicity of this wardrobe..

working in two colours.

It can't get any easier than that. 

A winter's day on Sloane Street in London, 

viewing a window at Paule Ka.

Women in red...mango red

My most recent post at Collage of Life is entitled 'Life at the Chateau'.

We call our home Mango Chateau for it's colour...

it is similar to a very ripe mango.

Thinking of mangoes... kkkkaty from Down The Eyrie Road 

wrote from Washington, USA to say that she wondered 

what it would be like to wear a mango red dress.

I then started to wonder too.

I went off in search of mango red and came up with the following..

A long flowing silk skirt 

with a loose white silk top works for me.

How about you?

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I have several mango red scarves,

this one is beautiful...

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Would I wear Red Van's...absolutely!

How about you?

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Mango red boyfriend shirt with jeans..

no question, it is a yes!

How about you?

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 I then started to think about lipstick. 

Interestingly, when you google red lipstick 

and see a page of women staring back of you..

it is not as attractive as you would think.

Although..this one caught my eye.

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 With black..red lipstick works a charm.

In Paris...even better.

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The gorgeous Liv Tyler in red.

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and Iris Apfel at 92..she's got what it takes.

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I had to check in with Meryl for if she wears it, 

then I know it is a good thing.

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Then of course, there is my style guru, Diane Keaton. 

We share similar colouring and I like that she wears 

what she wants.

Whether it is full on red or just hints of it.

Diane pulls off  red with ease and perfection.

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That is my take on red.

I wear it as an accent.

Now I am thinking...

maybe I will be even more adventuresome.

Mango red is my choice.

How about you, what is your take on red?

Issa in the Pink..London..Spring..2013

All I can say... is bring on Spring 2013.

If Issa is anything to by,

it will be stunning.

I think I just fell in love with the

colour pink all over again.

All images via stylebistro

(Spring 2013- Source: Imax Tree)

Sweater girl at heart...

I am a sweater girl at heart..it is the New Englander in me.

My love is on hold whilst living in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

I have developed another love...linen, cotton and silk.

But..you can't take the New Englander out of the woman.

I sighed when I saw this illustration by Rene Bouche.

Vogue artwork © by Conde Naste Publications, Ltd. All rights reserved.

source

Carole Lombard...taking to the woods

Appreciating that not everyone is considering

 a wardrobe around the summer tropics at the moment...

here is a little something to inspire those of you 

who are living the winter life.

Carole Lombard...taking to the woods c. 1930

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PS..Pamela..this one is for you. 

I think you and Edward are made for this look!

:)

What to wear in the tropics...

Grabbed a quick pic of this outfit in a shop window 

today in Ho Chi Minh City.

I liked the long lines and the fact that it looks 

reasonably cool to wear.

It is SO important to get the fabric and fit right 

in a tropical climate.

I think I am getting the hang of it. 

I recently had a few casual, loose, silk dresses made up in 

different colours and lengths. 

I like the look and feel of the outfit above and have had it 

made in silk with 3/4 length sleeves that have a button if I choose to roll 

the sleeves. I keep the slits, left and right, high for ease of comfort 

and wear slim lined pants to suit. I fashion it after the Indian Kurta.

I came across this look in India...and loved it.

Admiring an outfit with a zoom lens.

Throw on a hat, sunglasses 

and you are good to go!

When next in Paris...vintage Manolo

Since moving to Vietnam...
my world consists of sandals in every shape and form.
Five months on and I long for structure. 

I have never been one for what I call 'glamour shoes'.
This practical New England girl has
been a bit boring on the glamour shoe front. 
Boots are another matter.
I love boots...

I made a decision the other day...
When next in Paris...I am going for it. 
In my mind, shoes like this have to purchased 
in a special place...Paris it is.
I will then learn how to walk in them.

A trip to Paris to buy vintage Manolo Blahnik shoes
and a little black dress to go with them?
Sounds like a pretty good reason to go to Paris to me.
How about you?

Images via people who love shoes.

Image 1 , Image 2, Image 3, Image 4

Image 5, Image 6, Image 7, Image 8

Antique ethnic caftan style...Mariano Fortuny

I was going to hang up my hat on this blog...

but then something happened,

we moved from England to Vietnam.

I have since been in and out of silk shops 

and started to think of the possibilities. 

So here I am again and I am happy to be back.

Thinking fashion for women of a certain age, like me,

who like to do their own thing, like me.

If that rings true for you...stay awhile.

We can look for inspiration together.

If you are mad for the unusual,

with perhaps a little mystery and drama,

or just something to skim over areas

you would rather not draw attention to...

How about this vintage wrap?

It is a Mariano Fortuny silk gauze wrap, c. 1920.

Persian stenciled pattern with birds and trees. 

Trimmed in coral colored Venetian glass beads.

Stenciled with real gold metallic pigments.

A beauty.

Information on Mariano Fortuny 

and this wrap can be found at

Vintage Textile along with the photos.

Signing Off...to Collage of Life

First post, here.

I started this blog as a test. I was working on a presentation 

to show a group of women how to start a blog. 

I called it the first thing that came into my head. 

I was looking at the photo above and thought..perfect..

..everything I love... cashmere and jeans. 

Once the presentation was over, I thought on it and decided to add a few 

more things and before I knew it I was compiling another blog. 

Over time, Cashmerejeans became CJ Style Notes and

16 months later, here I am. 

On that note, I have decided to consolidate. I am in downsizing mode. 

 I will continue to write over at Collage of Life, my HQ so to speak.

Style will always be on my mind...the kind that suits women of my age, 

the very best kind of age. :)

I want to thank each and every one of you who followed this blog.

Sincerely!

If you enjoy the same sort of style, you can still find me 

pinning away on CJ Travel and Style Notes @ Pinterest.

I will also write about my kind of style @ Collage of Life.

Before I go, I will end with the most popular posts

during the past 16 months. Is there any better way

to end than with women of enduring style and elegance?

Vanessa Redgrave here

Candice Bergen, here

Lauren Bacall, here

Diane Keaton, here

Meryl Streep and others in Praise of Older Women, here.

Jackie Kennedy Onassis, here.

Grace Kelly, here.

 and..

Diane von Furstenburg

Meryl Street and Out of Africa

Nina Garcia and the White Shirt

Sharon Stone and the White Shirt

Channeling Wide Trousers and  Katharine Hepburn Style

Katharine Hepburn, here

In the end, it really is about just being yourself.

Don't you think?

Jeanne xx

Collage of Life

CJ Travel and Style Notes 

The End.