The Friday Edit: daily amenities, ✨ Chanel & more

Daily amenities: little luxuries to enjoy at home. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

Little luxuries to enjoy at home…

When le Monsieur and I are researching future travel, we spend considerable time online comparing several hotels and accommodations in each destination. I always check out the “amenities” section to be sure there’s wi-fi, and in-room coffee ☕️ (especially an espresso machine) is always a plus. And if they offer nice toiletries, so much the better.

But amenities aren’t just for travel. Here are some of the little luxuries I’ve incorporated into our life at home, and appreciate daily.

Chanel’s “Fashion Manifesto”

Coco Chanel helped popularize the marinière as a fashion item. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

My sister sent me this interesting BBC article about Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel and her impact on fashion. (There’s a new exhibit about her and her work at the Palais Galleria in Paris. The venue is closed at the moment, but you can watch a preview HERE.)

Chanel has sometimes been credited with “revolutionizing” women’s fashion early in the 20th Century. But the truth is a little more complex and nuanced. What she did do well was tap into the zeitgeist of the 1920’s, and translate it into clothing that was simpler and allowed more freedom of movement.

Following the lead of designer Paul Poiret – the great couturier of the time who eliminated the corset in his designs – Chanel did the same, and created clothes for the “active and independent woman”. She chose jersey, a low-cost material traditionally used for men’s undergarments, to create dresses with loose, flowing silhouettes. Instead of accentuating the female form with cinched waistlines and bustiers, she erased them altogether in sleeveless, free-flowing dresses with higher hemlines that allowed women to move comfortably – and dance freely.

LINK

The article also discusses how comfort and practicality informed her iconic designs like the tweed suit and two-tone slingback pump. I found it an enjoyable and informative read.

The week’s best sales…

J.Crew30% off purchase with code SPRING

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Eileen Fisherextra 40% off sale items

Madewell – Insiders Event, 20% off everything for Madewell Insiders

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10 Comments

  1. I look forward to your posts always. There is always an idea I cull from the options you give us. Today, however, what strikes me most significantly about the post is the photograph of Chanel! She could walk into a room right now with that amazing outfit and style of hers and look like she is part of 2021. I just love this. Thank you for always sharing your helpful hints, ideas, styles. Many items I’ve purchased over the years, that I might never have considered, if it wasn’t for your guidance. Thank you.

  2. I have only recently joined this group, and although I live in the tropics where we don’t have a change of season (other than wet/dry!) I enjoy your recommendations.. I hope to be able to utilize them when we get to travel again.

  3. I purchased some very cute cloth napkins in Provençal traditional fabrics at a market in Aix a couple years ago. They’re a fun and useful souvenir and also make great gifts! Nice post, thank you for sharing!

  4. Good morning and thank you, Susan. I love Creme Abricot, someone on this site confirmed last year that it had been discontinued so I had stopped looking (plus the one I found on ebay was rancid), so I ordered it at once, a favorite little luxury from 40+ years ago.

  5. Now that you know your color palette you may be happier with napkins in that range. Although if your husband is a “summer” the blue might make him happy.

  6. I think you’ll be amused to know that of all the recommendations you’ve made over the years, my very favorite has nothing to do with clothes, shoes, cosmetics, or travel. It’s the Dyson vacuum cleaner! Definitely a game changer in my hairy, multiple dog household. So thank you very much!

  7. Susan……Is Makeover Workshop out of business? I love their products but can’t access the website anymore……

    1. Thanks for checking. No, they’re not out of business. Brian has rebranded and relaunched the website here: https://brianandmw.com/

      BTW, if you’re interested, I’ll be doing a live Zoom at-home facial with Brian this Saturday. If you’re interested, you can email him at [email protected] to request a meeting invite.