from the archives...

Happy Monday friends!  If you didn't notice the mission of this here space has changed a bit.  Parapluies et Soleil is now your place for art, inspiration, style, and making your creative dreams a reality. Exciting, yes?! So while I was musing about where we are going, I started thinking about where I've been.  One of my very first pieces as a freelancer was a project I worked on for Wrangler Jeans. This is a piece I created for the Wrangler 20x brand.  The project was a collaboration between me and the oh so fab Mary Beth Freet. I'm not sure if it ever went into production... We also collaborated on one of the pieces I have in the print and pattern book (the one with the landscape and owl).  Anywho, I hope you get a kick out of one from the archives as I have!  :)  Here's to a happy week!

anthropologie chelsea market, nyc...

I only had one all too short day to really get out in the city for some fresh inspiration.  Now I know we all can get to an anthropologie, but the new one at chelsea market was really a treat!  Here's a few pics of their current mossy installation.
how can you not be in an empire state of mind?!

green day - nimli...

recycled paper and biodegradable journal from house and wear kantele

mad imports handwoven raffia purse - swoon!

wool felt and natural fiber pillows from balance design

Nimli is a wonderful website marketplace offering a great range of natural, organic, and sustainable lifestyle products. They support designers and all efforts to make their business and products carbon neutral.

fashion - opening ceremony...

Opening Ceremony, the fab store out of New York that seeks to foster young innovative design talent, has opened its first concept store outside of the US in Tokyo. This eight story space is designed to feel like a "mini mall". Opening Ceremony collaborated with the designers to capture the feeling of the different lines in each area. Shopping each brand is truly a boutique experience within the Opening Ceremony space. Designers include Alexander Wang, The Row, and Boy Band of Outsiders. To shop on line click here.

fashion - mod cloth...

Husband and wife team Susan Gregg-Koger and Eric Koger are the dynamic duo behind Mod Cloth. Launched in 2002, Mod Cloth is a known for its vintage finds and great eye for spotting new design talent. Susan travels the world to find great vintage wears and new indie artists. They carry an interesting mix of clothing, shoes, and home accessories.

courtesy parapluies et soleil contributor Lordes Rauvae

favorite places - colette marais, france

On every trip to Paris you have alluded me. Dear Colette, next time you are going to the top of the list!!