Verdantly In Vogue

The Grand Mademoiselle harbors a shameful style bias that has always dismissed eco-friendly fashions as dowdy and too burdened by political overtones to be convincing. However, part of appreciating design is in understanding the fluidity that accompanies the definition of style. As an homage to Earth Day, the Grand Mademoiselle has divested herself of all preconceptions and in doing so, uncovered gloriously green garments that will make anyone a believer.

Having been a longtime fan of shoe designer Manimal, the Grand M was overjoyed to discover a new line of vegan moccasins for the globally conscious consumer. Handmade in Massachusetts, Manimal's "Ribcage" vegan moccasin is not only inconceivably comfortable, but undeniably chic to boot. The vegan upper is adorned with a riveting ribcage applique detail that is ever so faintly rock and roll while maintaining a distinctly organic flair. Certainly, what makes these shoes a perfect fit for Earth Day is their environmentally friendly construction, but the style lesson to walk away with is that the best way to celebrate "going green" is by seeking out organic motifs, lifted from the glories of nature that inspire them.Stella McCartney's Brass Leaf Necklace is a great example of the glory of green, which is so much more than synthetic reconstructions of typically eco-unfriendly textiles. The delicate leaf motif filigree dripping from McCartney's necklace is the perfect place to begin when adjusting to the earthy look. What could be more fitting for the message that Earth Day exudes than a celebration of nature's finest and most mysterious creations?For more fabulous earth-friendly fashions and tips, the Grand M recommends paying a visit to Equa's blog, devoted to raising awareness about the relationship between the environment and stylish clothing, proving that it is indeed possible to blend both. Ethical fashion has never been more appealing, and earth-friendly labels are taming the Grand M's style bias by demonstrating that the essence of style is the now of any movement, and one with such heart is difficult to deny.

Cheap Frills

The Grand Mademoiselle adores a good shoe sale, and the ladies at Barefoot Tess never disappoint. While they always offer a Trunk Sale stocked with vastly reduced goodies, now the contents of the Trunk are guaranteed to disappear with an additional 35% off sale using online checkout code 35OFF. It doesn't stop there! Much to the Grand M's delight, her favorite brand, that inimitable Loeffler Randall, is marked down to 30% off every shoe with code LRN30.

While perusing the Barefoot Tess website in search of ways to wisely invest in these opportunities, the Grand M happened upon a happy marriage of two themes that are perfect for spring; ruffles and soft golds. Granted, the Grand M has always been a fan of gold, but the new gold is softer, less brassy, and infused with rose undertones that impart a gentle blush to an otherwise garish hue. This is the gold of springtime, in step with the lush mood of the budding blooms. It is impossibly feminine, subtle, and radiantly quiet, like the soft light of early morning. This is April's gold.

The only thing that could make this new hue any better is frilly accents, ruffles galore, and unabashed ruching elements. The combination of color and playful adornment makes this a match made in heaven, and the Grand M has selected her two favorite examples of this style. The Dorrit flat sandal by Loeffler Randall, with its enticing metallic rose gold tone and delicious t-strap style is worth coveting for these reasons alone, but the additional ruched ruffle detail makes this sandal irresistible. The softly folded leather frills impart a silly femininity to the Dorrit, and it is surprisingly refreshing for its lavishness and extravagance.The Cassia ballet flat by Sam Edelman is another success story in the tale of this lovely pairing of golds and ruffles. The soft foiled suede upper, gentle round toe, and front embellishment composed of grosgrain ribbons, leather rosettes, and gold metallic hoops all make the Cassia a dream to slip on and to show off. Although it's a bit more restrained than the Dorrit, the Cassia is just as perfect an example of this happy union that successfully blends hedonistic tendencies with subtlety and grace. The Grand Mademoiselle is really wild about this theme, and the best way to carry it through your entire look is by pairing your shoes with subdued skinny black jeans and a statement blouse that brings continuity to the ruffled gold embellishments while offsetting the vanity. Opt for J. Brand's ankle skinny stretch jean, with a short 29" inseam that will nicely display your fancy footwear. Then, add the extra oomph and tie the look together with Vivienne Westwood's Anglomania Fichu striped blouse. The fitted, short puff sleeves, crown shaped waist, and uniquely draped shawl collar blends seamlessly with the ruffly, frilly concept of the Dorrit or Cassia. What's more, the red and white striped pattern lends an air of sophisticated casualness to this otherwise lavish motif, while the dramatic, flowery, face-framing halo collar is in keeping with the slightly showy, flamboyant flair of this look. The Grand M adores the clash between ornate and ordinary, and the composition of colors, textures, patterns, and shapes is essential in making what is discordant unexpectedly harmonious...

Pucker Up

With the arrival of pleasantly mild mid-April breezes, the Grand Mademoiselle cannot help but linger over the lovely sight and smell of blooming blossoms in an assortment of citrus shades. Tangy daffodils, punchy azaleas, impertinent dandelions, and wild forsythias adorn windowsills and line sun-dappled sidewalks. The bright yellows, pinks, and oranges remind the Grand M of childhood lemonade stands, her first pair of jelly sandals, the "buttercup trick" so popular in grade school, and the first time she discovered that squeezing an orange peel on one's wrist doubles as perfume in a pinch. As an ode to these vibrant memories and the colorful flora of spring, the Grand M has selected a few of her favorite fashionably fruity items, with spherical patterns, citrus shades, and zesty accessories. The Delman Mona has been a must-have leather flat for the Grand M for quite some time now. Lo and behold the girls at Barefoot Tess have managed to reel in oodles more Mona's, now in every shade of the rainbow. The Grand M simply cannot resist the orange appeal of the citrine shade, with its scrumptiously soft crinkle leather upper and puckered elastic heel detailing. Having gotten so used to trotting out a faithful pair of black Mona's all winter, the color is undeniably refreshing and whimsical.

Be a bit daring and pair your citrine Mona's with a floaty print slip dress, full enough in the skirt to sail in the spring air and subdued enough to pull off wearing with bright orange patent leather flats. The Circle Pattern Dress by Fendi is just the ticket for this look, and the multi-colored layers of chiffon, coupled with the unexpectedly chic circular design detail across the front are faintly reminiscent of grapefruit slices. The empire waist and clean spaghetti straps serve to make this dress unbelievably flattering, and the colors are just right to stand up to the boldness of a bright shoe.

Kick the flavor up a notch with Marni's bright yellow resin disc necklace, with its chunky, oddly shaped drops and irreverently low-key leather corded strap. The best part is that the eye-popping yellow shade contrasts perfectly with the orange patent tone of the Mona, completing the spring citrus motif without being too matchy-matchy. Marni's necklace looks good enough to eat, and all these deliciously citrous colors are making the Grand M's lips pucker...

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.