Let It Rain

There is something reassuring about a rainy day, despite the inconvenience that comes with slopping through muddy puddles and protecting your face from fat, wet droplets. Think of that incomparable aroma that accompanies the accumulation of looming, heavy rain clouds, full to the brim and ready to unleash their burden upon the dirty streets. Once the rain falls, the world is cleansed anew, and the refreshing sense of newness and possibility that follows a good shower fills the Grand Mademoiselle with hope. The leaves glisten with happiness, flowers bloom with satisfaction, and the sidewalks gleam with the sheen of sweet relief.

However, there is nothing worse than being caught in a rain storm unawares and without the proper attire. To really enjoy the rain, you need to be prepared and there are ways to accomplish this without donning a garbage bag. A great place to begin is with a fabulous coat, subdued in shape and silhouette yet daring and bold in color to offset the overwhelming gray of the rainy day. The Canvas Rain Coat from MARC by Marc Jacobs is absolutely perfect. The easy cut, stylish back vent, chic shoulder epaulettes, brass buttons, and cheeky yellow hue make this coat the best option to carry you through an afternoon spent running errands while darting between the drops. The Grand M particularly adores this coat for its simple inventiveness and its heart, i.e., it's a far cry from your typical, dowdy slicker and it captures the mood of a rainy day with stylish panache.Pair your MARC Rain Coat with a rainy day classic: heavy-duty rubber Wellies from the name to know in rain gear, Hunter. In a properly quiet and dark shade of navy, bereft of bells and whistles, these boots will keep your feet dry while empowering you to look gorgeous as you bound headlong into the oncoming downpour. The Grand M is not exactly a fan of silly prints on rain boots, including Burberry's iconic plaid, preferring instead a plain and simple color. No need to fear deep puddles in these boots, and the reliable design, sturdy construction, and cushioned foot bed make a pair of Hunter's indispensable for the Grand M's wardrobe.Keep the look alive and unique by adding a touch of whimsy with a beautifully printed silk scarf. Choose a pattern and color collaboration that suits whatever mood you're in, even if it doesn't quite match the rest of your ensemble. The point of this accessory is to enhance the individual feeling imparted to your psyche by the rain and to express your own fashion point of view. The Grand Mademoiselle intends to wrap her hair carelessly in this gorgeous confection from Longchamp. The spring shades and flower details imbue a slightly haunting effect to this lovely scarf, enhanced by the dark swirls that mingle delicately with soft splashes of watery hues. Longchamp is certainly a great label, and this scarf proves that the house is at the peak of its creativity and appeal. However you choose to interpret the rainy day, stop and take the time to breathe in the soggy air, remembering that the promises it holds far outweigh any momentary annoyances.

Bernson Bares All

As noted in the previous post, the Grand Mademoiselle is so excited about the impending spring season she can hardly contain herself. The best part? Displaying ten impeccably manicured toes in a gorgeous new pair of sandals in a rainbow of colors and styles. Designer Matt Bernson hit the nail on the head with his latest collection of toe-baring sandals, all bound by the same dark, oiled foot bed and sumptuous leather straps. This new batch of shoes is sophisticated and decidedly edgy, replete with gold grommet details, daring and unexpected hues, and subtly Grecian undertones. The Grand Mademoiselle is simply wild about them and expects to buy a pair of each design in every color, thanks to the large supply offered by the girls at Barefoot Tess, the Grand M's go-to online shoe store. Barefoot Tess's newly launched website makes shopping even more of a dream and their large collection of Bernson's latest is a great boon for Grand M's everywhere looking for the perfect spring sandal. Back to the shoes...

The Love is a great everyday thong sandal, enhanced by layers of straps that nicely crisscross atop the foot, and the Grand M adores the black patent version, although it also comes in silver and lemon. The wrinkly, crinkly patent leather upper is chic and ever so slightly fancy, imparting an air of sophistication to an otherwise simple shape. Without a doubt, the Grand M is in Love. In keeping with the patent theme, welcome the Nouer II, a truly innovative sandal that mixes Gladiator fury with uptown drama in tantalizing red patent with rose-bud style details adorning the straps. The simple thong toe is given new life by the ingenious strap connecting toe to ankle, finished off with a simple gold buckle and heel support. The Grand M is fascinated by these sandals and simply cannot wait to show off her tootsies in them with a great pair of lightweight, low-slung trousers or a gently pleated mini. Bernson is really on top of his game this season...The Edin is a funky twist on the same Grecian theme pervading the collection, especially the Nouer II, but with a more rebellious, downtown appeal. The wild snarl of straps, ties, and gold buttons makes the Edin a great choice for a more casual affair, and the lovely blue color (dubbed Plum) is surprising in a sea of black and brown, i.e., boring shades. The open toe and heel support makes the Edin uniquely comfortable, especially for those Grand M's who hate having a strap between their toes.Last but certainly not least of the Grand M's favorite Matt Bernson sandals of the season is the punky Swain. In truth, the Grand M has not seen a sandal like the Swain before, and the single toe strap and crisscrossing ankle tie imparts a simple shape that is made dazzling by a deep pink vegetable dyed hue and offbeat zipper details. What's more, the Swain has velcro ankle straps (love it!) so there's no need to fuss with actual zippers or complicated ties. These sandals make the Grand M feel so subversive while strolling into a swanky club...All in all, Matt Bernson has really outdone himself with this gorgeous collection of wearable, stylish sandals and the Grand M tips her hat to him in a gesture of gratitude. Thank you Matt, and hello spring!

Coming Up Roses

Even though winter still holds us in its icy grip, the Grand Mademoiselle is endlessly daydreaming about spring. Some day soon, the frosts will fail to cover the ground, buds will begin to sprout anew from bare tree limbs, and the air will carry that gloriously fresh scent of moss and soil. It is the newness of the spring season that the Grand M finds so refreshing, and she is growing increasingly tired of her dreary winter wardrobe.

To celebrate the impending spring, look for crisp colors, simple lines, pastel accessories, and the alluring shape of a blooming rose. Always a girly-girl, the Grand M is simply thrilled to find pieces in pastel pink, retaining an edge while conveying an undeniably feminine message through soft fabrics, luxurious leathers, gentle colors, and flowery accents. To kick off the spring season, start with a pair of sandals from Chie Mihara’s new collection. The 'Henna' is simply irresistible with a chic over-sized flower adorning the ankle and an easy, breezy thong toe. Made of sumptuous white leather with an adorable heel buckle, these sandals epitomize the optimism and youthful carelessness of spring, when days are spent lounging beneath flowering trees, idly picking the petals from daffodils. Choose a neutral color palette to pull the look together by mixing white, yellow, pink, green, and lavender in surprising ways. You don't want to look like you're hunting for Easter eggs, but you do want the world to know that spring has definitely sprung.
To offset the bold flower detail of the 'Henna' sandal, opt for a simple sheath made punchy by slightly irreverent appliques and embroidery. The Floret bustier dress by Chloe is perfect for this new spring fever, and the simple shape, boned bust, and unexpected pockets really make this piece sing. The colors are rather bold, but the 1970's vibe of the flower detailing couldn't be a more perfect way to capture the spritely spirit of spring.Of course, the ensemble wouldn't be complete without a spring statement bag, and the Grand M's personal favorite is the Blossom Satchel by Valentino. The gold snake skin handles add just a touch of hard whimsy to the dreamy pleated leather bloom bursting forth from the center of the bag, and the demure pink hue is just right. There's nothing silly about this bag and it proves that one can leave the house dripping in flowers without looking like a dress-up doll or a Hello Kitty castoff. Valentino means business with this bag and it is the perfect accessory to tote along as you merrily skip your way into the warm breezes of the impending spring season.