The Alchemy of Glamour and Grit

After customers ask, "where is Paris Montana?" (see previous post) they often ask, "what is Paris Montana style?" It's not trendy and it's not exactly boho chic...or straight up couture...It's more....

"Glamour and Grit?" I say...

"Yes! That's it!" They gleefully reply while layering Coco Chanel style pearls with tarnished vintage metal crosses and fringe leather earrings. Or while discovering the sheer fabulousness of combining 3" gold wrist cuffs (one for each wrist) with an oversized flower cocktail ring to wear with their favorite tank and jeans.

The alchemy of combining Glamour and Grit is finding your own unique style and reclaiming a bit of your joie de vivre. As Claudia Strasser says in her wonderful book, The Paris Apartment, "If you let yourself wear beautiful things you will feel like the goddess or movie star within."

Amen sistas! See you down the road!

Ode to a Rock Star

Sometimes you just have to stop and thank your lucky stars. I have wonderful family and friends. I love my business and my customers. I had dinner last night with my gorgeous amazing and hilarious stepdaughters....And, not only is my boyfriend gorgeous, smart, funny, sweet and kindhearted but he's, well, a rock star. He just got these promo pics done and I had to share because I am so proud of him for pursuing his passion...and let's face it, for making me feel cool.

But, most important, behind the cool shades and James Dean looks, he's the kind of guy who keeps his word and makes things happen. He's the one who said "go for it" when I was deciding whether to jump corporate ship to pursue my dream. He was the one who moved my sofa into his already full loft when it became painfully obvious that my decision to "go for it" was going to put a bit of a cramp in my lifestyle. And he's the one I come home to to share this wonderful crazy gypsy life he knows I have chosen. Like I said, "he's a rock star."

Secret to a better life

Want to know the secret to a better life? It's not losing five pounds, a bigger house, or a hunky UPS man...It's great jewelry.

No matter your age, height, weight, mood or station in life, adorn yourself with baubles and bling....and something magic happens! Suddenly you are amazing, powerful and beautiful! The world is your oyster. The sky is the limit. Nothing's gonna stop you now.

Tackling a huge project doesn't seem so hard when you are wearing pearls. The glorious vintage flower pin on your power suit? Changes everything.

Today, when the neighbor looks over and sees me gardening in jammies and jewels...I am going to smile back like Holly Golightly just back from Breakfast at Tiffany's and, I suspect, we will both be a bit delighted.

Grace Was With Us

There was a bright eyed sweetie named Gracie Girl, who traveled the highways and byways with Paris Montana this summer stamping bags, ringing up sales, hanging with her wingdog Cooper and sleeping pbj style between her mom and Auntie.

She might be my #1 niece...but she also is just a great kid who brightened our days and made our trip a lot more fun.

Thanks Gracie! Aunt Heidi LOVES YOU!!!!