In Case You Missed It - Josef Frank at London's Fashion and Textile Museum

This show continues until May 7, 2017 at London's Fashion and Textile Museum.

If you're close and you love color - and the voluptuousness of nature - don't miss it!

Some of you may know that I have lived in Hawaii part of my life.

In fact, I started my life there and this exuberant version of color and nature is actually a

necessity of life for me.  Like food and love and sunshine.

How though, I had to wonder, did a man whose life was spent in mostly cold and colorless places

develop such a happy affinity with vivid and vigorous forms and tones

and chromatic harmonies that have stood the test of time?   And who stands out - from arguably

thousands of other artists engaged in the textile and homewares industries - because of the liveliness of his designs.

The museum also showcases a series of watercolors - mostly still lifes - that Frank did during his

travels - summer holidays off from his work at Svenkst Tenn and gorgeous renderings in watercolor

of his fabric patterns.  In which you are able to see just that little bit more of the artist's hand.

It's a delightful show.  If you haven't, catch it if you can.  If you can't there's more about Frank and his work here, and here, here, here.  

The Green and Pleasant Land That Loves Its Flowers

Leaving L.A. in Spring is hard as you might imagine - missing our epic wildflower bloom......

as well as developments in my own garden.

But missing Spring in England is hard, too.

Let's face it, there only so many numbers of Springs in any person's life......

And when the English do it so well in truly c-u-l-t-iv-a-t-e-d

ways.  It's such a gift.  That asks nothing back.

Only that you stop and linger for a moment, or several.

Inhale.  And celebrate.

Honor Mother Earth and your own time on the planet.

And make a promise to yourself

to buy some bulbs next fall.  

It's Spring! It's Spring! Isn't It? Oh YES. It is.

Just came back from two weeks of sunshine and mild temps in London.  Of all places.

Came back to a garden full of artichokes

and orchids.

Our California drought is OVER officially.  (Yay!)

How is Spring going where you are?  All pics above, Jo Chambers of Studio Legohead via Print and Pattern.   More L.A. and London pics soon!

Gertrude Street - Melbourne, Australia; It's All Happening Here

It may be the buzziest breakfast destination place

in all of Melbourne.

With its mix of glam and global vibes.

Wafty with it's whiffs of Olde Melbourne - 

from her Goldrush days, when she was the richest city in the world......

Gertrude St. has an arty bent.

and a fashion-ey flair.....

If you are looking for Australian fashion design

with a bloomingly nostalgic profile

or a blowsily romantic one....

a blocky-n-boyish allure.....or

full-on fantasy

FANTASTIC-ness....you will find your heart's desire here.  It's very likely.

Bounded by Brunswick St. roughly to the West, and Smith St. to the East-ish

Gertrude Street's vibe is happy, adventurous, communitarian

and colorful.  Poised between sophistication and sincerity.

It has a particularly bright and approachable

flavor - a characteristic that Aussies are known for the world over, it seems.

(Spacecraft's uber-glammy, dressing alcove)

But it wants to remind you that Australians are also hip and able to leave home and soak in all

the very best the globe has to offer.  Then come home and fashion those influences into

ATTITUDE and PERSONALITY and WELCOME with GREAT STYLE.

This you will find on Gertrude Street.  

Within the Victorian shopfronts.

And along the shady sidewalks.

You'll be spoilt for choice for snug winebars 

and vest-pocket restaurants.

If noon is a little early to start with the vino....and you're feeling slightly

monstrous from too many Xmas parties already - like the Paradis family were....

If the lines are too long in the mid-summer heat for that breakfast......can we suggest that you tame the savage beast and simply treat yourself to a nice cup of COFFEE?

  Because the coffee in MELBOURNE IS THE VERY BEST.   And you'll want an excuse,

on Gertrude Street, to have a little sit and watch the world go by.  I promise you that!