A Traveler's Delight

In truth, the Grand Mademoiselle is not the most adventurous lady. Why spend hours packing, planning, waiting in long airport lines, and paying out the ears just to arrive in a foreign land where the food tastes slightly old, the streets are impossible to navigate, and the weather is always either too hot or too cold? No, no, the Grand M much prefers to look the part of the globe-trotting sophisticate while remaining comfortably secure in a familiar neighborhood. Call me quaint, perhaps even cowardly, but the pleasure of purchasing ethnic and colorful fashions is singularly satisfying. This season brings plenty of options for the Grand M as designers hop on board the cultured-eclectic-bohemian bandwagon with vibrant colors, unusual patterns, and tribal designs.


The Grand M is absolutely wild about the spring collection of sandals from designer J.P. & Mattie, whose romantic take on Thai culture infuse each creation with spirit and delightful liveliness. Slip on a pair of Dai sandals and feel yourself transported into another world, full of exotic aromas and unknown treasures. Each sandal is hand made in Thailand with an embroidered insole patched together from the deconstructed clothing of the native H'Mong hill tribe. The dyed hemp upper and rubber outsole make these thongs exceedingly comfortable, as if you could walk the dirt-packed trails of Thailand for hours. The most romantic part? Not only is each sandal unique so that no two pairs are alike, but every Dai is stamped with the phrase "J.P. loves the feet of Mattie" in Thai. Find these lovable sandals online at Barefoot Tess.


Pack all of your precious cargo in a playfully colored straw tote, like the Ombre bag from Anthropologie. The unique blend of purples, pinks, and yellows blended artfully into chevron-woven raffia is reminiscent of a sunset, the colors bouncing in the light reflected off the ocean's gentle waves. The Grand M is not normally a straw tote kind of gal, but this bag is simply gorgeous and worth breaking the rules for. Imagine the joy of stuffing your Ombre to the brim with fading maps of foreign locales or bargains hunted down in crowded bazaars.

Nothing speaks more loudly to the essence of an exotic destination than its jewelry, so pick a piece to compliment the color palette you've selected and don't be afraid to let your gypsy spirit run wild. The Corded Neckpiece by designer Johanne Mills is the perfect accessory for this look with its hand woven silk cord, aluminum chain, brass tubing, and shell bead detailing in a rainbow of bright, bold colors. The elegant draping and sweetly simple design add to the bohemian appeal of this unusual piece. While the Grand M wouldn't recommend wearing everything at once, each item can add a bit of whimsical, eclectic flair to any ensemble and the look conveys the worldly wisdom of an experienced traveler, even if you're just going out to buy milk...

An Amorous Animus

Sometimes the story behind the shoe is just as thrilling as the shoe itself. The Grand Mademoiselle has found new inspiration in designer Amy Smilovic's whimsical line Tibi, which captures a spirit of jubilation interwoven with the dark courage to conquer the uniquely human anxiety about our own potential. A Tibi creation is intrinsically informed by a sense of enraptured divinity, such that each design imparts the loveliness of an awakening to ourselves and authentic commitment to our own truths. Designer Smilovic stepped out of a burgeoning, lucrative career in marketing and left the bustling streets of Manhattan for the exotic unknown of Asia, where she created Tibi. The boldness of this move, coupled with the unabashed sense of self it takes to uproot one's life for the sake of bringing a true passion to fruition speaks warmly to the Grand M's heart, and instills a deep affection for both the designer and the shoes.

The Francoise flat encourages the Grand M for its truthfulness, that is, one feels rhapsodic inspiration in the euphoric cobalt blue color, gently rounded toe, and curious heel cutouts. Certainly, the Grand M has seen flats like these before, but never accompanied by the spirit of a genuine desire to create something beautiful, simply for its own sake.The Erika sandal exudes the same buoyant exaltation, as if they could not have been created any other way. The simple T-strap, adorned with reflective rings of shimmery mother of pearl buttons is absolutely breathtaking, and the same easy elegance informs the Erika's cutouts and gentle dove gray hue. The softness of these sandals is intoxicating and it is impossible to ignore their vision of whimsy and heavenly satisfaction.The Tibi collection and Smilovic's tale have put the Grand M in a curiously mystical mood. The desire to create something that is ours alone while informed by something higher is cause for celebration and requires a strong sense of purpose and conviction that things will turn out favorably, which does not necessarily mean success, but rather satisfaction and wholeness. The inspiration that Tibi impresses upon the Grand M recalls verses from the late Sufi poet Hafiz, who wrote: How did the rose ever open its heart and give to this world all its Beauty? It felt the encouragement of Light against its Being, otherwise, we all remain too frightened.

Shop It To Me

Wading through the tremendous wealth of online retailers in search of a fabulous find at a great price can be infuriatingly overwhelming. With so many different department stores and boutiques offering sales and discounts, finding the perfect piece is all about luck and timing. Well, my dear Grand M's, not anymore. The Grand Mademoiselle has been elected a Trendsetter by the best online personal shopping service on the internet, Shop It To Me. This glorious free service sends out daily and weekly "sale mails" alerting you to all the great discounts that are available online. The best part is that you can select your favorite brands, size preferences, and products so that you only receive updates about the items you're interested in. The Grand M is simply wild about this service, although it is potentially dangerous...

Just a few email updates alerted the Grand M to great sales on shoes (yes, even some larger sizes!) and amazing discounts on brands such as Marc Jacobs, Fendi, BCBG, DKNY, Louis Vuitton and so many more. Shop It To Me is like walking slowly through a stylish boutique, personal shopper at your side, glass of champagne in hand, while glorious fashions specifically tailored to your own tastes are trotted in front of you, all at great prices. This is simply too good to be true! I would encourage all Grand M's to sign up for this service and I will do my best to live up to the illustrious Trendsetter title bestowed upon me by the generous team behind Shop It To Me.