Create a Look

 The thing about gathering inspiration on Pinterest is this: you'll end up compiling lots of different styles that you might want to replicate, but actually doing so is a different issue.  Rarely does anything look so charming in real life as it might on Pinterest in front of a swan fountain.

Well one can only try.  I found this linen dress on Lands' End for real cheapie.

Women's Pleated Linen V Neck Dress

 My original idea for this post was to discuss pairing something cheapie with higher end accessories.  Then I thought I'd better come clean and just confess that I was trying to copy a Pinterest image.
The belt is the Linen Stretch Belt from Brooks Brothers.  I like it with the white.

My linen dress is not quite as fetching as the swan fountain version.
This one comes to just below the knee.

The cognac leather sandals are the best bit.
So comfy, they are La Canadienne mid heel sandals.

I don't know about you but I adore Pinterest.  So many people with such a good eye for images, it's a treasure trove!
I hope you are well this week.
xoxDani

Mop Philosophy Book Club

The Portrait of a Lady
Henry James

 I am really excited about this first book club selection and I hope that you will read this novel, one of my all-time favourites, along with me so that we can have a good chat about it.  We'll meet here on Saturday, June 29th to begin our book club discussion.  Of course the post will remain open so if you can't check in on that first meeting day please feel free to drop in at any time.

 Henry James was born in New York City in 1843 to a privileged and well-educated family and spent his youth traveling in Europe.  He attended Harvard Law School briefly but realized he wanted to focus on his writing, by all accounts he was a hard worker and enjoyed early success as a novelist.
His older brother, William James, was an important American philosopher.

 I first read The Portrait of a Lady nearly twenty years ago but it is one of those novels that has really stayed with me.  I'm certainly curious to read it again and observe the effect the novel will have on my thinking at this stage of my life.

 Henry James excelled at observing Americans living in Europe and his style of psychological realism really explores the idea of the individual American personality set in the "old-world" customs of European society.

 The Portrait of a Lady was written in the 1880's but went on to undergo revisions in 1908.  It is considered by many to be Henry James' greatest work.

 It has been published many times and it was fun for me to find these different book covers.  I hope that you will be able to find a copy in your local library or in a used book store.

 I decided to buy my own copy of the book to celebrate the occasion, it's one I'd like my daughters to read as well so hopefully I'll be sharing it around my household.
If you'd like to buy a copy you can check out this option on amazon.com.
Here is an option on amazon.ca.
Last but not least, here is the amazon.uk option.

 I hope that you'll join me on the 29th of June for our first book club, and if you don't care for the selection this time around check back in July, maybe you'll enjoy the next classic pick.

Happy reading my friends and enjoy your weekend!
xoxDani

Denim and Delft

 I just had to add a couple of things from Brora to my summer wardrobe.  It started with my frying neck.  Do you experience this phenomena?  It doesn't seem to matter how much sunscreen I slather all over my neck and upper chest, the sun still burns my skin.  I don't know how that happens but I have the answer to The Neck Fry: a linen scarf from Brora.

Linen Stripe Scarf in Delft Blue

 The scarf is a beautiful loose linen weave in the most tremendous shade of delft blue with a slight gray stripe running through it.  It looks great with white, with navy, black and denim.

 Speaking of denim I ordered this Cotton Textured Cardigan from Brora as well, in the colour Denim.

It has five stars in the ratings because it is indeed a five star sweater.  I'm wearing mine over a plain navy tee shirt, Goldsign jeans and the delft blue linen scarf.  The cardigan has a chunky knit yet it is light and fresh on the body, it blocks the sun (and I love the long sleeves) but it doesn't overheat.

Happy Day, Dollfaces!
xoxDani

Mop Philosophy Monday

 I've been thinking about this concept we've talked about : Mop Philosophy Book Club.  I have an idea: I think we should read classic books.  I have a couple of reasons for this, one being that the classics are easier to find at libraries etc, the other being that contemporary novels already have nine million reviews and discussion groups online.  I discovered this when I googled Life After Life, Kate Atkinson's new book (which I recommend by the way).
I think we'd want to run the Book Club every six to eight weeks, which would give us plenty of time to read the novel, compile some theory behind the book, and think on what we've taken from the novel as Mop Philosophers like to do.
What do you think?  You can yea or nay in the comments and if there are enough "yea's" for the classic book idea I'll put the first Mop Philosophy Book Club book out later this week.  Of course if you are a "yea" and you have suggestions please leave those in the comments too.

Beet salad with fresh thyme.

Well it's a Monday and you know what that means: cleaning.  Specifically today I'm giving the kitchen a real clean, then I'll be making a beet salad to go along with some roasted chicken we're having for dinner.
I hope your own Monday goes well and that all of your chores get crossed off your list!
xoxDani

Happy Mother's Day

Orazio Gentileschi
Le Repos de la Sainte Famille
1628

*All pictures of statuary taken at the Louvre October 2012.
*Detail of painting also from the Louvre, October 2012.


Have a wonderful day whatever you're doing!
xoxDani

Back To Black

I blame Antonia.

 Years ago I owned a very small wardrobe consisting of black things with some black shoes and a bit of denim.  I had a black coat and a shabby black bag, and there was a boiled wool sweater coat in my closet too, in black of course, with a round collar and big pockets.
Those days are long gone but sometimes I fantasize about going back to those simple closet times.  I think this is why I like packing up for holidays, I get to create a capsule wardrobe of very few pieces with a co-ordinating bag and coat.
MrBP bought me the Smythson Antonia Small Top Handle Bag as a special gift and it is the black handbag of my dreams.  It is perfection.  Sometimes I just like to look at it for a little while before I wrap it back up in the soft blue dust bag. 
I've used the bag quite a bit, every time we go out it in the evening or to the theatre it makes an appearance, my little friend Antonia.  I've also been wearing my Brora Tweed Coat constantly, basically with the same Brora print silk dress under it and Antonia loves that coat.

But lately Antonia is trying to tell me something and it has to do with black frocks.  I think she wants to take over my wardrobe and live out her days as the shining star she is.  So I've been looking at black silk dresses with her in mind.  I found some nice ones at Brooks Brothers.

Look, Brooks Brothers is also making too-short dresses.

One of the things I like about the Brooks Brothers site is that you can Ask A Question.  How fun is this, and necessary, especially considering most online shopping sites do a poor job of describing materials and product origin.

If you click on to this Silk Drawstring Bow Dress you might notice that a certain MrsDBP has in fact Asked A Question.  Guys, it was me!  What do you think I asked?  I think you can guess.

 That's right I asked about the lining of the silk  dress, above, and it is in fact silk.

I might have asked the same question about the Silk Thin Strap Dress shown below.  Yes this one is lined in silk as well.

It's nice to know that Brooks Brothers is making these silk-lined dresses.  Of course they do cost a pretty penny but there are occasional promotions (like the Friends and Family 25% discount on offer today).

Don't worry, Antonia might think she is the boss of me but she really isn't.  I'm sticking to my wardrobe plan and avoiding the call to go Back to Black.

Enjoy your weekend!  I don't know about you but I'm going to see Gatsby, I can't wait.
xoxDani

Mop Philosophy Monday

 I've decided to plant a flower garden this year and the excitement is palpable.  Really there was an air of general delirium this past weekend with our first taste of spring sunshine and heat.

I've given up my idea of growing vegetables on my own, not much of a farmer really.  I think I'd rather go buy vegetables from real farmers at the market.   This leaves a big sunny space in my garden to grow flowers for cutting.

I'll be growing some flowers from seeds and crossing my fingers that the full sun will do most of the work.

 I bought some plants at the nursery.  I don't know about you but I go crazy buying plants at the nursery, I managed to control myself by bringing this small basket.  I made myself leave after I filled it.

We went for a hike in the woods.  

 I think moss in the sunshine is one of the most beautiful sights on this fair Earth.

Our provincial flower, the Trillium, is out.  This is a special event as it only lasts two weeks or so in the spring.

It means the cold winter is over and the gardens are back!
I hope you had a lovely weekend and that your own Monday is extra fine.
xoxDani