Sandy Vohr's Leather Zoo

Please check out images from one of my favorite artists, Sandy Vohr. Need a unique idea for a baby gift? She creates these totally cute leather book ends in addition to some other charming little creatures which you can see at www.sandyvohr.com

Nash Angeles

image from Hatch Show Print, Nashville

I am convinced that everyone in Nashville is famous or about to be (mostly because of the music industry), therefore leading me to believe that its' nickname should be changed from Nash Vegas to Nash Angeles. Not to mention I had forgotten how unique everyone's names are in the South. Girls have boy names like Clark and Casey. And boys have city names like Memphis and Lincoln.

And thankfully, the women love jewelry.

The trunk show was really amazing and I met so many nice people! I returned to Chicago late last night and spent all day today working my fingers to the bone trying to finish up the current Fall orders so we can start filling the NEW orders from the show. Fortunately for me, my amazing production assistant, Jee, was kind enough to join me in the studio on a Saturday. Thank you, Jee!

City House, Nashville

The flight to Nashville from Chicago is so painless. I literally had just enough time to read one fairly average article in Vanity Fair on Paul Newman before we touched down. 54 minutes later. I met Caroline at the wonderfully chic "cottage" she and Nick call home, located in Germantown, Nashville's oldest neighborhood. I enjoyed a tasty locally brewed beer left over from her birthday celebration last week, and then we strolled over to City House for some dinner and a drink menu that made me homesick for the South. Dark and Stormies. Old Fashioneds. And many other Summery cocktails requiring Pimms, cucumber, and/or any one of their fruit infused vodkas. YUM.

After dinner we returned to the cottage where I had the special treat of seeing some of Caroline's new work which is not even posted on her website yet. Maybe with some coaxing I'll convince her to let me post some of them tomorrow! I'm meeting Whitney and Casey (the two owners of The Perfect Pair) at the store bright and early to set up the show so I'd best get myself to (aero)bed.

Rinne Allen

My super talented friend Caroline Allison, who is so graciously hosting me during my visit to Nashville this week, suggested I check out the work of another young photographer based in Athens, GA. named Rinne Allen. Rinne has some taken some wonderful photos and many of them have been collaborations with some really talented folks. Check out her work with Hable Construction!

Loeffler Randall

Another long time favorite of mine is Loeffler Randall. I spotted my first LR design on a visit to NYC a few Summer's ago. Benjamin had just started filming his documentary and was living there for a bit while conducting some interviews. A few of us were swilling beers in an East Village dive when our friend Katie walked in, or should I say "floated" in, wearing the most lovely shoes I'd ever seen! And so the love affair began. . . Since then the husband and wife team have expanded their collection from shoes to bags to ready-to-wear clothing. Everything they do is just spot on! Their new images for Fall are up on their site at www.loefflerrandall.com

Heidi Merrick

Lately I've been adoring just about everything put out by California based clothing designer Heidi Merrick. Her designs are so lovely and feminine. Here are some images from her latest Fall Collection, but please be sure to visit her site to see past Summer and Spring designs - headscarves and tunics! My favorites!

Vionnet, Los Angeles

3 years ago I took a scouting trip to Los Angeles with my very first assistant, the amazing Sarah Blue! We came across a magical store in West Hollywood on Robertson called Vionnet. It is a very girly, very french, very stylish boutique that carries an interesting mix of designers. Her selection is well edited: meaning, if you see it, like it and it's in your size, GRAB IT! It won't be around for long and once it's gone, you most likely won't see it again. I remember the feeling when I first walked in to the store was that I had just come across a hidden treasure box - a gallery of beautiful objects that you could actually wear! All that being said, I'm super proud to announce that Winifred Grace will now be available at Vionnet alongside Iosselliani and Vera Wang's avante-garde jewelry collection. Unfortunately, Vionnet does not have a website but she does have a blog www.vionnetla.blogspot.com so you can check out some of the items available in the store. And if you're in Los Angeles, check it out in person!