Pistoletto and Fun at the Louvre

That wacky weather otherwise known as Europe in August certainly required a lot of planning, and a lot of layers. Between the chilly mornings and evenings mixed with scorching afternoons, my husband and I traveled with layer-able outfits.

This one was easy. Light tee under a leather crop jacket with riding boots. Seems a bit heavy, but it was just right when morning walks began coolly, and when miles on foot required durable shoes.

And we really did walk countless miles, including the time we spent inside the Louvre. Within those walls I was more taken with the temporary additions and colorful pieces designed by contemporary artist Pistoletto than the permanent wings.

I.M. Pei's massive pyramid was fairly new on the scene when I last set foot here in 1990. A lot has changed but this structure is my favorite thing set inside this otherwise Gothic enormity of a building.

Seen below are the Pistolettos, which were cleverly displayed in between the permanent exhibits. You wandered from area to area and every now and then, they just appeared. The majority were playful interpretations of individuals walking through space and somehow photo-laid onto large, mirrored surfaces. It was so startling to see them that initially, you felt you were walking into another person.

 My personal fave: right here, towards the end of the sculpture hallway.

When, (and if) I ached to see something that brought back years of art history lectures, there were always Odalisques and a few gems to boot...

All in all, there are much more intimate and enchanting museums to visit in Paris than the Louvre with its enormity of vast, medieval collections. But whether it's a first visit or a re-acclimation, it's worth seeing once! After all, you might just bump into a stranger in a mirror!

Jacket: ASOS, Wax Coated Jeans: LF, Tee-Old Navy, Boots: Boutique

With Love,

Noa B

White Silk in the Haut Marais

There are moments in any city when getting lost among the cobblestone streets is the best thing you can do. Although we were never technically "lost" in Paris, our wanderings took us through a wide variety of neighborhoods in which losing oneself was almost required.

In the Marait and in the Pletz there were moments and vistas that felt perfectly paired despite their extraordinary differences. High fashion mixing with historic landmarks and museums, paired with the best, ethnic street food around.

In the Marait I swooned over the Karl Lagerfeld window displays which featured a limited edition, TokiDoki collaboration with a Karl and Kitty that, (were I a wealthy woman) I would have bought then and there. (One of my design school archetype/genius/idols was always Karl).

In the Pletz we discovered hands down, the BEST falafel I've had outside of Tel Aviv. And I'm talking mouth watering, veggie filled, perfectly seasoned, moist chickpea patties heaped with amazing tahini, the best crunchy salads and most delicious hummus this side of the western  hemisphere. I seriously could've eaten three more sandwiches that day. There's a subtle art to the perfect, falafel sandwich which L'As Du Falafel captured flawlessly. Even if you're an aficionado of French cuisine, this Middle Eastern treat was more than worth the 20 person long line!

Another novelty of the Pletz was discovering the thriving, old Jewish Quarter which is still in existence and retains it's old world charm. We ventured into this area after a visit to the Shoah Memorial and it provided the emotional up-swing we needed after a sobering few hours spent in the permanent exhibit and research facilities. Here's my handsome Hubs taking it all in.

Another thing that rocks in this old neighborhood; the doors. For there are doors, and then there are doors...

Tragically, the Picasso Museum was still undergoing extended renovation that should have concluded by the time of my August visit. Also shut was the Victor Hugo House, but just being able to walk into their stomping grounds proved enough of a pilgrimage for me.

And so I concluded my lengthy walk on the day in which I stopped at the door of a favorite author, walked the streets of a revered painter, saw the memorials dedicated to families like my own, and ate street food like a local in a neighborhood time had largely left alone.

Dress: Winter Kate, Sandals: Zara, Belt: Thrifted.

 

With Love,

Noa B

Halloween Fun

Since I'll be working through Halloween this year I was expecially pleased to be able to attend my friend Jen's annual, pre-Halloween bash last Friday. However, coming in from out of town I found myself arriving back to LA with less than an hour to create a costume for said gathering.

Thank goodness for my vintage collection. I rummaged through my closet and at the last minute, decided to commit to a little Barbara, (Streisand that is).

 

Of course, it wouldn't be "vintage" Babs if I didn't channel a little Funny Girl style.

 

The hat came in especially handy...

Dress, Bag and Duster: Vintage, Heels: Sigerson Morrisson, Pearls: Vintage

I didn't have time to sew or paste or construct. But I had one hour of makeup, hair, and a closet ready to roll. Occasionally that's all that is required.

With Love,

Noa B

Reformation Closet Style: Part 1

I've been going through some really, really big changes over the past several months. One of these changes has involved moving into a second home, not for the first, or even second, but third time in two years with my darling husband.

Our moves have now precipitated living both in our apartment in Los Angeles, as well as a new house in Santa Barbara, CA. Along those lines, life has become so very complicated that I had the urge to make things as simple as possible. Hence, my latest project, the closet reformation. (Otherwise known as "The Great Clean-Out of Fall, 2012").

There were several things I was anxious to accomplish with this latest clothing cleanse. First, I wanted to simplify my life, especially with all that's been taking place recently. Second, I wanted to maintain some frugality while furnishing my new home. And third, I wanted to share the possibilities of re-sale at its most intimate with my readers. Enter Tiana, and one of my favorite, re-sale stores, The Closet.

 

With locations in Santa Monica, Westlake, and Santa Barbara, the closet is one of the best places in So/Central Cal to go for designer duds at fractional prices! You can also follow the store on FB and see their daily, best new acquisitions and pics right here!

Here's the thing Ladies. Did you know that a good re-saler or consigner will make house calls? Yup! If you have a lot of items to sell and can't bring it all into a store, you can sometimes reach out to a buyer to come and have a look through your closet in person! And that's just what I did!

So Tiana got to work, and in about 30 minutes she had piled my clothing sky-high, leaving only a few, scant items in my new closet.

And the stacks just kept on building...

From fall jackets and blazers, to sequin minis, pencil skirts, vests, dresses and more, I cleaned house. My rule of thumb? If I hadn't worn it once in 6 months, it was out!

 Soon 1 pile became 2, and then 3...

 And then we hit purses, shoes, and accessories.

 And when it was all done, my personal shopper/consigner bagged up all my goodies, tabulated my earnings, and left with three, 30 gallon bags full of clothes to re-sell, while I awaited a fat check!

Because as my good friend Tanya likes to remind me, "One woman's trash is another woman's treasure". And while I certainly wasn't parting with trash but rather, great, high ticket items, they weren't going to make me happy languishing in my closet for another 6 months either.

When it was all loaded into Tiana's car,  I looked at my freshly cleaned closet with new eyes, and a new appreciation for what I have.  Most of all, I looked at my newly mortgaged home with it's array of beautifully empty and un-appointed closets and thought, what a joy it will be to slowly refill these all over again!

Skirt: Re-sale, Tank: Zara, Belt: Calvin Klein 70's Vintage

But until then, I'll stay fierce, frugal, and enjoy what I have! Thank you Tiana, and thank you to The Closet, for creating a space where women can shop without guilt!

With Love,

Noa B