Are you ready to create a fabulous next chapter?
This magazine, along with the Extraordinary Women podcast, is dedicated to supporting women like you to not only design but live a fabulous next chapter intentionally!
That means topics such as:
RELATIONSHIPS
TRAVEL
STYLE HEALTH
ENTERTAINING
AND MAYBE CREATE A SIDE BUSINESS!
You want fulfillment and purpose, good friends, adventures, and lots of laughter.
In this issue of Extraordinary Women, the Contributors and I provide you with topics, inspiration, and practical strategies to support you in making YOUR next
chapter, possibly your best chapter!
As the editor-in-chief, I hand-select experts and interviews that I know will significantly impact your next chapter plans and dreams.
In this issue, we focus on…
BUSINESS An interview with a Parisian businesswoman who pivoted her couture clothing design business to create practical but beautiful clothing for real women.
RELATIONSHIPS A discussion by physician and now relationship coach on dating in your 40’s and beyond.
STYLE Our regular style expert gives ideas for starting with a clean slate for your closet and your signature wardrobe.
IMAGE An image consultant shares her knowledge of color and why knowing your colors can make you shine, whether
choosing an outfit or deciding what lipstick to wear.
TRAVEL Travel to Avignon, in the Provence region of France, and experience the incredible La Mirande Hotel.
ENTERTAINING A hostess extraordinaire shares her yummy drink recipe to spice up your winter gatherings.
Thank you to all our contributors who so perfectly captured the topics and questions every woman creating a fabulous next chapter wants to know. It is an honor to publish your work.
If there is a topic that is important to you and you’d like to see in a future issue, please contact me directly at sharri@ extraordinarywomenmagazine.com
À bientôt!
Sharri
Color is Powerful by Ginger Burr
A Clean Slate
By Sara Griot
By: Allison Anderson, MD
Cocktail: Carrot Fix & Connections By Wendy Harrop Luxury Travel: La Mirande in Avignon, France by Sharri Harmel
By Sharri Harmel
Béatrice Ferrant has been fascinated by clothing design her entire life. She told the story of how at age 8, she decided she had to have a pair of white pants that were all the rage at that time. Her mother said no, but instead of acquiescing, she took the train and subway from her family home in Versailles to Paris to purchase what she needed to make her white pants. Beatrice made those white pants and said even though she was a timid girl, when she put on her white pants, she felt proud and comfortable being seen, even admired. She had worked on doll clothes up to that point and was sure it couldn’t be all that difficult.
Béatrice imagined making a clothing design her profession, but it was not to be. In her family, working with your hands wasn’t as valued as using your brilliant mind, so off she went to law school. But even in law school, the law was not her focus. Each night, Béatrice would work on the various designs she would wear during the day, intentionally late to classes so all could see her as she walked to a seat in the front of the room. Béatrice said, “It was like being a model in a fashion show with a very appreciative audience. I felt seen when I was wearing my designer clothing. It was only then that I felt like somebody.”
After three years, Beatrice quit law school and studied fashion. At Le Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne (which has since merged with IFM), she really learned the intricacies of clothing design. After working for ten years in the haute
couture fashion industry for names such as Balenciaga and Louis Feraaud, she and a fellow student founded their own house of LeFranc-Ferrant. Her partner managed the workshop, and Beatrice created the designs and managed every aspect of running the business, including sales, suppliers, press, and marketing. “We were new and fresh. We didn’t know much. We thought if we created good designs, they would sell. Our clothes were wonderful, but we had
so much to learn. It was hard. We didn’t sleep much for ten years.”
When her partner wanted to leave the company, she bought him out. Then in 2011, she was invited to go to China to consult with several Chinese companies on the business of fashion. “I wasn’t making clothes in China. I was teaching them how to build a collection that sells, and how to upgrade a collection. It was not only teaching couture sewing skills but how to market and sell couture clothing.” It was an incredible travel schedule to keep up, but it allowed Beatrice to continue growing her own company. “In China, we computerized everything, and I brought that knowledge back to France, which made a huge difference in our profitability.” “Then, in 2015, I was approached to become the Artistic Director of a couture brand. I was thrilled. Unbeknownst to me, I was assigned menswear which was totally new for me!”
“We thought if we had created good designs, they would sell. Our clothes were wonderful, but we so much to learn. It was hard. We didn't sleep much for ten years.”
- Béatrice Ferrant
“The travel was crazy, and suddenly, after 20 years of packing multiple suitcases required for events, I had to travel with a small carry-on bag. That is when I began to get design ideas for my Uncouture clothing company. My clothes had to look couture but be clothes I could roll up in a suitcase, wash out in my hotel room and not have to iron and adjust to different time zones and climates. It was fun. The company I worked for was bought out three years later, and I took many of the details of men’s clothing, combined them with my travel experiences, and got down to business to create a capsule wardrobe for the woman of today. I wanted beautiful,
practical pieces that are as easy to pack and maintain as my yoga outfits.”
But as Béatrice discovered, no one knew how to make her designs. The factories that made yoga clothing couldn’t make dresses. The factories that made dresses and coats had never used the fabrics Beatrice chose.
In Portugal, Béatrice found a great guy who said, “let’s try it.” Together they retooled the machines to make Béatrice’s designs out of the new fabrics. In addition, the designs are unique. Because women are often not the same size on the top as the bottom, many of her pieces will look like one
piece but are actually two pieces, which allows for the variations of women’s Bodies.
“When you come into my shop, I will advise you on what might look best on your body and what colors accentuate your shape and coloring. We have halfsizes, just like the men, and another thing I took from menswear is pockets. We have pockets in every piece, even the long dresses! The pieces are interchangeable so that you can change up skirts, pants, and dresses…add a coat if you are in a colder climate. My customers become my friends. My clothing is made for the women of today- women who work in various
roles, travel, and want to look their best but with minimal fuss. This is the direction of clothing customized to the woman.”
Béatrice is truly unstoppable. She is a brilliant businesswoman who is constantly pushing herself to learn more, as evidenced by her current 3D designs. Yet, there is a practicality about Beatrice that she brings to her designs. For example, she shared her love of military clothing. “I want to make functional clothing. The military is the perfect example. Pocket sizes changed as the lunch boxes grew because the men needed more food. Pilots needed to be able to
access pockets while flying airplanes. Everything has a purpose, a design reason. I love that, plus a dress must look as good on a woman at 9 pm as it did at 9 am.” Beautiful design coupled with functionality.
Beatrice’s Uncouture Paris is in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, tucked in a little street not too far from Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore. Make an appointment. Once you and Beatrice work together, you’ll make a friend, and all future orders can be done online.
www.Uncouture.fr
Béatrice Ferrant Uncouture.fr 33-6-74-86-11-69—22 rue de lÉchaudé 75006 Paris beatrice@uncouture.fr
by Sharri Harmel
The French luxury fashion house, Hermès, was founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermès and remains an independent family company today, with their workshops still located in Lyon, France. Their desire to remain independent and committed to utilizing the exquisite workmanship used since their founding is the primary reason they have retained both the quality and desirability of their products.
Known worldwide for their signature handbags such as the Kelly and Birkin (both named after famous women) and the Hermès scarves, which over time have remained the quintessential accessory for both men and women who value elegance and classic style such as Queen Elizabeth II, Grace Kelly, and Jackie Kennedy. The company, though, didn’t start by making scarves. It began by making leather goods for horses. Saddles, bridles, and harnesses were the company’s primary focus for the first 100 years. As our mode of travel changed, they began making luxurious travel bags and trunks that evolved into the iconic Hermès bags of today. Their wristwatches also preceded scarves, with the double-strapped wristwatch still a best-seller today. In recent decades, Hermès brought their equestrian theme into home furnishings, ready-to-wear clothing, and accessories.
It wasn’t until 1937 that the first Hermès scarf appeared, knowns as carrès in French because they were square. The scarves were a great success, and soon Hermès began a
tradition that remains today of hiring artists to design the limited-edition scarves released each year. Hermès brought their equestrian focus to scarf designs and incorporated current art, literature, and colors.
Because of the quality of the silk, hand-rolled edges, and amazing screen printing, Hermès scarves retain their value, and many of the first editions become highly collectible. The silk fabric for the scarves was originally imported from China, which was more
substantial than any other silk fabric then. Now, Hermès owns their own eco-friendly silk farms in Brazil, with the scarves all still woven in Lyon, France. The silk screening, which puts the image on the silk, is painstakingly slow. Most silk screen printers will use less than ten layers. At Hermès, there are usually 20-30 layers at a minimum, which is why their scarves will hold their beautiful colors through the years. It is estimated that each scarf can take as long as 18 months to produce!
If you have visited a Hermès shop, you will see their incredible and sometimes almost dystopian window displays. For years, these window displays were designed by Leïla Menchari; initially, a theatre set designer. When interviewed by Vogue Arabia in 2017, she said, “when designing a scene, there must always be some mystery because the mystery is a springboard to dreams.”
These imaginative window displays have now evolved into small shops within the larger Hermès shops that showcase artists and unique product designs.
“When designing aa scene, there must always be a sense of mystery because the mystery is a springboard to dreams.”
- Leila Menchari, Hermés window display designer
Scarves are still an essential accessory in the European wardrobe, though less common in America. Yet, we all know the Hermès scarf. It is the accessory that instantly elevates our style.
If you collect Hermès scarves, you’ll find you are collecting memories and cherished accessories. I purchased my first Hermes scarf in 1985 with the tiny bit of money I received when my grandmother passed. I chose a predominately green scarf because that was her favorite color, and whenever I wear that scarf, I am reminded of my dear Granny.
Hermès scarves can be worn in multiple ways. Besides the traditional neck scarf, you’ll see them worn as a purse, a head scarf, or a belt, and Grace Kelly made history when she wore one as an arm sling. Recently,
I couldn’t find the right piece of art for my Paris apartment, so I chose to frame one of my Hermès scarves. If you look closely, you can see the equestrian theme, yet it adds a quiet elegance to the room, just as it would to my clothing style.
How did Hermès decide on the orange box? Quite by accident, actually. Up until 1942, Hermès used cream-colored boxes. When the cream color became unavailable during the second world war, Monsieur Dumas-Hermès had to accept all that was available, and it was orange. The iconic logo of the carriage, horse, and groom, which honors the company’s origins, was created in the 1950s and now appears on every orange box and brown ribbon.
What is the key to Hermès’ continued appeal and desirability? Véronique Nichanian, head menswear designer, said it best in an interview with GQ, “When you buy something expensive, it’s important that these are longlasting things. And that’s the quality of Hermès. It becomes a part of your life. It’s not classical or traditional, it’s modern and relevant to the way you are living.”
Want to read more about the Hermès company?
Little Book of Hermès by Karen Homer Hermès Pop-Up
The Hermès Scarf, History & Mystique by Nadine Coleno
READ
by Allison Anderson, MD
What
up when
think about dating?
carefree feeling of your teens and twenties? What are the highs or lows of a prior relationship? Excitement? Anxiety about stepping back onto that scene at this age and stage of life? If you’re like most of my single colleagues, friends, and clients, it’s probably the latter.
The idea of dating in your forties and beyond can be daunting. And it comes with its own set of unique challenges. You likely have some combination of a career, assets, children, grandchildren, habits, and well-ingrained beliefs that make finding a partner now very different than it was a few decades ago. Maybe you’ve put your love life and self-care on the back burner while pursuing your profession. Maybe you’ve been married and now that’s come to an end, so you’re getting back out there when you never expected to do that again.
I love talking about dating and relationships in general. I truly believe that our romantic partnerships can be our mirrors. They show us so much about ourselves if we are open to seeing it. Far too many women in midlife and beyond view dating as a burden, a chore, or something to fear. For that reason, I’ve identified four keys to dating at this stage of life to help make it into the magical experience it can be.
Before I share those, let me briefly tell you my midlife dating story. I married my first husband right after I
turned 24. We were together for more than a decade and had three beautiful daughters. I realize now (after a lot of coaching on the subject) that my decision to be with him was rooted in my lack of self-awareness, not actual compatibility.
It’s no surprise that we eventually divorced. And there I was at age 36, with three little girls and a busy medical career. I wanted to find my person. I had spent years in a disconnected marriage, and I knew
so much more was available to me. Dating again after being married for so long was a little strange, sometimes uncomfortable, and eye-opening. I learned how flaky some people are and how clingy others can be. I realized that just because someone is interested in me, I don’t have to be interested in him (hello, people pleaser tendency!). I discovered I could trust myself to know what I wanted and not settle. And through a lot of inner work, I figured out how to navigate dating and enjoy it. It all worked in my favor, too, as I believed it would - I recently got married to an incredible man.
So here are my four keys to dating later in life. These can serve as your guide to maximize your dating experience and use it as the teacher it is.
Date yourself first - literally! Spend time with yourself, get to know yourself, and fall in love with yourself. Get comfortable with who you are. Accept all of you. You can’t effectively move to the steps below without an unshakeable relationship with you. This is often this missing piece to dating in high school or our early twenties - we don’t know or accept ourselves fully. This can carry into dating in our forties, fifties, and
1
“I discovered I could trust myself to know what I wanted and not settle.”
- Allison Anderson, MD
comes
you
The
beyond. It’s common among women embarking on new relationships at this stage. Even though you’ve probably learned a thing or two over the last few decades and gotten more comfortable with yourself, it’s still easy to want to outsource validation and happiness to a partner. Dating yourself first is the antidote to that. When you enjoy your own company and love who you are, you’re much less likely to choose partners that do little more than temporarily pay attention to you. That opens up space to find the kind of partner you truly desire.
2Get clear on your intentions
- What do you want from your dating experience? What are you looking for? We sometimes get caught up in superficial details that we find attractive and overlook the essential qualities we genuinely align with. I’m not talking about a list of desired qualities, like specific physical characteristics or job titles. But if you don’t have an intentional vision of what’s important to you in a partner, you might settle for something you don’t want. I’ve designed a short meditation to help you with this one.
Please find it in the link at the end of this article.
3Channel the playful scientistThis one sounds odd at first, but stay with me. We often seem to view the things that don’t work out as we had hoped as failures. I want you to reframe that. It’s not a failure if you’ve learned something. You’re either winning or learning. So instead of viewing relationships that don’t last as failures, use them as lessons. Any weird dates, rejections, or disconnects are opportunities to learn about you and what you want. Be fascinated about your dating experience. Look at it like an experiment that’s designed to give you data. And keep the spirit of playfulness front and center. This isn’t meant to be so serious! Start to think of this dating season of your life as one big adventure. You never know exactly what will happen along the path, and that can be the most exciting part.
This leads me to number 4: HAVE FUN! If you’re not having fun, what is the point!? Dating isn’t meant to be heavy, cumbersome, a drag, or another thing on your to-do list. You’ll meet
some friendly people. You’ll have some funny stories about any awkward dates you go on. You’ll learn so much. And no matter what happens, you’ll still have you. (Does that seems out of reach? Go back to number 1.)
If your goal is to find a long-term partner, dating will probably be a short intermission in the grand scheme of your life. Let’s make it one you can look back on fondly.
Allison Anderson, MD, is a board-certified cardiothoracic anesthesiologist and certified life coach. She’s on a mission to help other high-achieving women create personal lives as extraordinary as their careers by upleveling their relationships, confidence, and self-image.
Find her and the meditation mentioned in this article at www.allisonandersoncoaching.com/ meditation
by Ginger Burr
After receiving her personalized color palette, Jan cleaned her closet, removing clothes in colors that didn’t flatter her. A few days later, she was in a hurry as she got dressed for work. She grabbed a beige dress she had kept because she liked the style and it was easy to throw on, but it wasn’t in her palette. She realized something felt off, but she needed to get to work. This feeling was reinforced as co-workers mentioned she looked pale and gently inquired if she felt okay. When she looked in the mirror, she realized that the dull color of the dress made her look exhausted even though she wasn’t. Since that was not the look she was going for, it was the last time she ever wore that dress or that color!
Have you noticed, like Jan, that the colors you wear can instantly transform your look from lackluster or even harsh to harmonious and radiant (or the other way around)? Color is powerful and never more important than as you get older.
Over time, your hair and skin (and, to a lesser degree, your eyes) gradually lose pigment. The most apparent changes are with your hair as it transitions to gray or white—becoming lighter and cooler. Of course, there is always the option to color your hair,
but even that will be different (usually warmer) from your original color. And, your skin might become uneven or more translucent due to time spent in the sun, conditions such as rosacea, hyperpigmentation, or the passage of the years.
When you combine these changes in your features, even when understated, they still influence the clothing colors that make you shine. As a result, softening, brightening, or even muting the colors you wear will make a difference in helping you feel vibrant and confident in your wardrobe.
What colors do you have in your closet? Is it a sea of black? A rainbow of vibrant tones? Mostly neutrals? A carefully curated selection of colors you love? Or a mishmash of everything as you determine what colors look best on you.
Two colors in nearly every woman’s wardrobe are black and gray. They are easy to find, go with almost everything, and we’ve been conditioned to believe that wearing black, in particular, is the ultimate way to create a slimming silhouette. Do black and gray deserve such prominence in your wardrobe?
Recently, a woman in one of my classes showed me a photo of herself in a gray top and asked for my guidance. I shared that while the style was lovely, gray was not a color I would choose for her because it made her look washed out. She responded that the top only came in black or gray, so she had to pick one. I gently suggested that there was another option: keep looking for a top in a color that looked amazing on her. She laughed and agreed that she hadn’t considered that, but it made sense.
Gray, exceptionally light gray, is so pale and calm that it can easily make someone look pallid. That’s exactly what happens with Pam.
“Color is powerful and never more important than when you get older.
- Ginger Burr
Are you embracing your natural color shifts as you age? Use it to transform looking lackluster to feeling radiant.
Her natural coloring is warm, which conflicts with the coolness of gray. Wearing a deep magenta top complements her natural color and makes her sparkle!
A similar thing happens with Cheryl. She needs vibrant colors. Pastels, like light gray, are too cool, pale, and muted for her rich, warm coloring.
When choosing clothing colors, you must consider your personality (I refer to this as your inner beauty). Cheryl is playful and bodacious, and her colors need to reflect that. She has to work too hard to make pastels feel fun and remarkably bold!
Suppose the slimming effect is what you’re after; there are many other aspects of an outfit (such as fit, proportion, lines, how you put items together, and even different colors) that can achieve that result for you and bring balance to your outfit. If your coloring is light or muted, black can cast shadows under your eyes, accentuate lines or make you look tired. On the other hand, black is intense and if it has been a go-to color for you but now looks overpowering, it can feel hard to transition away from it.
When I first met Diane, she had warm deep brown hair, and her color palette reflected that. She recently let her hair go to its beautiful, sparkling gray and discovered that the colors in her original palette overwhelmed her—black being one of them.
“When choosing clothing colors, you must consider your personality.”
- Ginger Burr
Yes, she can intensify her makeup, then the black would look better, but it will still feel severe. Compounded by the fact that her inner beauty has a soft sparkle, black does nothing to support that.
Instead, Diane shines in shades of gray (among other lovely colors), so we see her rather than fighting through a sea of black to find her.
You might have heard that you need to brighten the colors you wear as you age. That’s not always true. The specific color and degree of brightness are what’s important.
For instance, Sue’s natural coloring is not as strong as Cheryl’s or as warm as Pam’s. Nor is it as light as Diane’s. Her coloring falls in the middle. As a result, colors that are too starkly bright overpower her rather than harmonize with her natural hue.
What about you? Has your hair color changed, or does your skin have more or less color than it used to? Do some colors look harsh or overpowering? Do you feel dull and blah in some that used to work?
The next time you get dressed, explore the subtleties of color and see which colors need to be tweaked and which make you feel the most vibrantly authentic!
Over the past 30+ years, Ginger Burr, President of Total Image Consultants, believes that your image is about representing the best of you, has built a remarkable career as an expert personal image consultant working with women from all over the world and from all walks of life. She is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College and is a notable speaker and leader in the field of fashion and style.
www.totalimageconsultants.com
Photo credits www.JohnsonPhotography.com
By Wendy Harrop
Ilike to create one unique garden-inspired craft cocktail for the evening and set up a DIY gin and tonic station with instructions, glassware, and lime slices for guests to serve themselves. Add some homemade Rosemary Cashews (recipe below) and an easy-to-assemble appetizer like sliced cucumber and salami stacks, and you’ll find yourself enjoying this gathering as much as your guests do.
As an avid home entertainer and owner of The Phineas Wright House, a historic farm and bed & breakfast in rural Massachusetts, I desire to have every guest feel welcomed, anticipated, and celebrated, and that typically starts with a signature cocktail. Bringing my experience from a 30-year career as a wedding planner into everyday entertaining is truly a delight for both guests and me. I also curate unique opportunities for women to say YES to themselves through luxury trips in the US and France, workshops and retreats in my 200-year-old barn, and weeklong Farm Stays. I am the host of the Say YES to yourself! Podcast, where I have conversations with fabulous women incorporating this selfcare practice in big and small ways. Follow Phineas Wright House on Instagram @phineaswrighthouse with me.
If one of your intentions for 2023 is to foster meaningful connections with friends, might I suggest a cocktail party? It’s a great way to easily add entertainment to your calendar without the pressure and time commitment of an entire dinner party.
“I desire to have every guest feel welcomed, anticipated, and celebrated, and that typically starts with a signature cocktail.
- Wendy Harrop
We can enjoy this healthier spin on our weekend cocktail with the decadence of the holidays behind us. I like to serve this with a simple appetizer of cucumber and cured salami slices.
● 40 ml (1 ¼ fl oz) Bourbon
● 10 ml (¼ fl oz) Campari
● 30 ml (1fl oz) Lemon Juice
● 45 ml (1 ½ fl oz) Carrot Juice
● 15 ml (½ fl oz) *Simple Syrup
● A small sprig of dill to garnish
● Shake all the ingredients, except the dill, hard with ice.
● Strain into a chilled martini or coupe glass
● Garnish with a dill sprig
(makes approx. 1 ½ cups)
● 1 cup sugar
● 1 cup water
Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Decant into a glass jar and refrigerate for up to 6 weeks.
● 1 lb. unsalted cashews
● 2 Tbsp. Coarsely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
● ½ tsp. Cayenne
● 2 tsp. Brown sugar
● 2 tsp. Kosher salt
● 1 Tbsp. Unsalted butter, melted
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
Place nuts on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes until warm through. Meanwhile combining the remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Toss the warm nuts with the rosemary mixture until completely coated. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Wendy Harrop is a west coast wedding planner turned east coast barn lover living her lifelong New England dream as the owner of the Phineas Wright House where she curates unforgettable experiences women love allowing them to return refreshed. She is the host of the “Say YES to yourself!” podcast and a devoted mother to Amelia Jade, the “most amazing human” she has ever met. Follow her #dreamybarnlife on IG @phineaswrighthouse
by Sharri Harmel
In less than three hours on the train from Paris to Avignon, you will find yourself in an entirely different environment of luxury.
La Mirande, a luxurious 5-star hotel with a history spanning many centuries, is your destination. You’ll feel a multitude of emotions when you arrive. Have you walked into a private home, a historical monument, or a hotel? Maybe a bit of all three.
Let’s begin with history. In the 14th century, French-born Pope Clement V moved the papal center to Avignon, France, due to rising political issues in Rome. The papal center remained in Avignon for almost 70 years, eventually resulting in two popes simultaneously. This brief papal center created a grandness to this medieval stone-walled town and this area of Provence that contrasts with the rural lifestyles of the farmers in the surrounding vineyards and olive groves.
La Mirande is adjacent to Palais de Papes (Popes Palace) on land that may have initially housed the actual home for the popes, which was long ago destroyed. Though the original
“As a solo traveler, it made for a wonderful evening.”
- Sharri Harmel
A historic property becomes an enchanting hotel.
structure is gone, you’ll still feel a sense of grandness at La Mirande, a calmness along with the mystery of what came before, only adding to the allure of the present-day hotel.
La Mirande has created a lovely hotel experience. Though the buildings went through many versions, from private homes of the aristocracy and other prominent citizens post-revolution, they had fallen into significant disrepair. From the moment you walk into the hotel, you’ll feel welcomed into someone’s home.
In 1987, the Stein family purchased what was to be La Mirande, and after three years of intense research and work, they restored the building in a way that honors the past while
meeting the expectations of discerning hotel guests. La Mirande honestly does give the impression of being a private home where you live with centuries of decoration and décor. I enjoyed a gorgeous view of the Pope's Palace in my room, shrouded in a fog each morning. Everything about the room, like the hotel, was comfortable yet elegant.
Le Marmiton Avignon is the cooking school at La Mirande, offering classes incorporating local ingredients and taught in their lovely kitchen, housed in the former servants’ quarters. If cooking classes aren’t your thing, book a reservation at their Le Table Haute or the Chef’s Table, which takes place in the same kitchen. As a solo traveler, it made for a fabulous evening. I
enjoyed sharing a fantastic meal, superb wines, and conversations with new friends. It began with a tour and wine tasting in the original wine cellars and then moved up to the kitchen, where a large wooden table sits in the middle of the room. The chef stands at the head of the table, his back to the old French woodburning stove as he explains what he is making for each course, and the wine expert explains details about each perfectly paired wine as he fills your glass. It is truly a lovely way to experience dinner. Avignon also has many excellent restaurants. You will thoroughly enjoy the Provençal cuisine, which differs significantly from the Parisian cuisine and other regions of France. A breakfast buffet is available each
morning in a gorgeous reception room, where you’ll imagine dining in a former time. If weather permits, there are also tables around the multi-level garden, once the walled garden of the home. It is the perfect setting for breakfast, afternoon tea, or a sit with a good read.
Evening gatherings can be held anywhere in the hotel, but I liked the room next to the quaint bar tucked into a small space. Settle into a comfy chair or sofa and order a beforedinner apero or choose appetizers and make it your dinâtoire.
Avignon as a city is quite interesting. High-end shops are nestled between boulangeries, cafes, and museums. Parts of the town may feel very
touristy, especially as several large river cruises now stop in Avignon. Make sure you hire a private tour guide who can take you to visit some of the beautiful villages in the area that are typically located in the mountains above the valleys. Of course, include a wine tour to one of the many vineyards in the worldfamous Chateauneuf du Pape.
By Sara J Griot
The start of a new year is always the perfect time to make a few resolutions or, as I call them, intentions. Way less daunting. As we reassess our overall goals, health, fitness, business, travel, etc., reassessing your style is one part of your life that might be worth re-evaluating. Since you must deal with your wardrobe every day, it makes sense to ensure that it’s working for you in the best way possible to guarantee that you not only do you look and feel great every day but also avoid having to contend with regular style meltdowns to get there.
We all have the right and power to look and feel amazing. Research shows that you have only 7 seconds to make that first impression, so people need to make it count and manage their professional or personal imprint. That imprint is made up of how you look, how you behave, how you communicate, and your digital footprint. It should be used as a tool in your well-being kit.
Everyone is different and has unique skills, and will aim to capitalize on those skills. It is the same for the human body, which comes in all shapes and sizes. It’s all about accepting who you are and making the most of who you are. If we look good, we feel good. If we feel good, we are unstoppable.
“If we look good, we feel good. If we feel good, we are unstoppable.”
- Sara J. Griot
Closet overwhelm is a real thing. I’m sure you’ve felt it before, wishing you had less to choose from or daydreaming of being able to start from scratch because you don’t even know what’s in your closet anymore. Without question, you’ve heard that dreaded old saying, “closet full of clothes, nothing to wear.” Here are five questions I ask my client as we are editing her closet:
1 Do you reach for it often? Be honest with yourself. When was the last time you wore it?
2 Do you love it? Or, as Marie Kondo says, “Does it spark joy?”
3 How many ways can you wear it? Now, can you think of at least three ways to style it?
4 Can you pair it with other things that you have in your closet? Is this an easy go-to piece if you had 10 minutes to get dressed?
5 Does it still fit? Would you be comfortable wearing it for a full 8-hour day?
This brings me to the importance of creating a core wardrobe. Just what is it? Pieces that are more of an investment but beautifully made- also timeless in cut, color, and pattern. A core wardrobe is even more critical when transitioning from one season to another. Why? Because the core pieces from the previous season can still be worn to create your bottom layer or “canvas.”
Here are the questions you need to ask yourself when purchasing an investment piece:
Will the design stand the test of time?
Take note of the cut. Is it classic or trendy? Can you see yourself wearing it for years to come?
Is it well-constructed?
Take note of the stitching, the quality of the fabric, and the finishing details.
Is it versatile?
Can you easily style it to create more than one look?
Is it functional?
Does it do more than just look good?
Does it have unique features that you won’t find anywhere else?
Think of beautiful buttons, washability, or any other element that another version of the same silhouette may not have.
There are few things better than finding an outfit that flatters your body and makes you feel like you. It can be hard to find new pieces if you don’t understand why certain things look great on you. And really, it’s simple—it all boils down to body shape. Once you learn how to dress for your body type, it’s incredible how easy it is to build a wardrobe you love to wear
Although there are many different body shapes out there, most women align with one of five:
● Apple
● Pear (also called a triangle)
● Hourglass
● Inverted triangle
● Rectangle
Knowing this will help you learn how to dress best for your body type.
The surest way to figure this out is by taking four body measurements: shoulders, bust, waist, and hips. The relationship among these numbers will reveal the shape of your frame.
If you’re curvy with a less defined waist, you’re likely an apple shape (also known as a circle or round body type).
If your hips are broader than your shoulders, you’re likely a pear shape (also known as a triangle body type).
If your shoulders and hips are balanced and you have a defined waist, you’re likely an hourglass shape.
You’re likely an inverted triangle if your shoulders are broader than your hips.
You’re likely a rectangle if your four measurements are uniform and you have a straighter build.
A few last tips no matter what your body shape is!
Body shape is almost entirely based on your bone structure, not weight. Use your outfit to balance your shoulders, bust, waist, and hips.
Use lines to focus the eye where you want it to go. They can help you create curves, lengthen, or emphasize your favorite parts of your body.
Your eye is drawn to patterns and light, bright colors more so than solid black or navy. Keep this in mind when choosing separates.
And a final thought about shopping for your body type. We all get caught up with sizing. Try to let that go. My background is in clothing design, and I know first-hand that there is a lot of variation in sizes from brand to brand. A size six might be your size in most brands, but if you must go up a size in a pair of pants that you love, do it! It’s more important that it fits you well and you’re comfortable.
As I say to all my clients, don’t put feeling fabulous off - dress for the style you want and do it now!
Sara is an exceptional fashion and style consultant who helps her clients find the unique style that allows them to move forward with self-confidence. Sara has an impressive background as a clothing designer and has a vast knowledge of what looks good on women of all sizes. She believes every woman has a unique style that she can help you find. Her goal is to empower women through fashion no matter where they are on their style journey. www.sarajgriot.com
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