Nathalie Seaver-Taste and Style

25 ways to tie a scarf

I'm a scarf aficionado and never leave the house without one tied around my neck or around my shoulders... and always find new ones to play with

As a result, my shop is known for a great selection of shawls and scarves...

People always ask me for a quick lesson in how to tie a scarf for just the right twirl  of fabric around the neck...and now there's this adorable video  to demonstrate all the  possibilities:

http://jezebel.com/5859327/25-ways-to-tie-a-scarf

Send us a picture with your favorite way to wear a scarf and we'll post it on the website!

Los Angeles - Harvest Moon Festival/Garden School Benefit:Tonight!

A fragrant thicket of mint greets you as you walk into a lush garden filled with raised beds of colorful chard, cornstalks and bursting clumps of lettuces and other herbs and vegetables. Where are you?

The 24th Street School kitchen garden, hidden away in the Adams district near downtown Los Angeles.  A haven of growing goodness wedged at the far end of the asphalt schoolyard, this 3/4  acre plot is the prototype for a school garden envisioned by the Garden School Foundation.

Some people may be familiar with this garden because chef Nancy Silverton has long associated herself with the the program, as well as noted landscape designer and artist, Nancy Goslee Powers, who developed the garden plan.

  

Here, students learn about the benefits of gardening, fresh  produce and growing and preparing their own fresh and healthy food...

Julia Cotts, Director, the Garden School Foundation

and the creepy crawling benefits of worms and compost bins.

For the elementary students at the 24th Street School, the garden is also a bit of a sanctuary.  They'll choose to sit in the soothing shaded areas with crayons and coloring books for their lunch hour or dance happily together in the greenery at recess.

It is an impressive place and the positive  effects are in evidence  not just in the bounty of the carefully tended sections --like the Salsa Garden or the orchard fruit trees  --but in the smiling faces of the students eagerly asking questions. They're having so much fun, they forget they're learning.

Tonight, Saturday, October 22nd in Santa Monica is a benefit for the program, with cocktails, food and music.

The host of tempting live and silent auction items include private  dinners prepared at your home by chefsTravis Lett, from Gjelina in Venice, Corina Weibel chef/owner of Canele restaurant in Atwater and Amelia Saltsman, author of The Santa Monica Farmer's Market Cookbook

5:00 - 8:00pm
Tickets: $40
Sponsor Ticket: $100

The Barn Studio
1660 Stanford Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404 (Map)

Monthly hands-on volunteer opportunities are scheduled all year at the garden itself.

For more information:

 http://gardenschoolfoundation.org/home/

 

 

 

Los Angeles-Figaro Bistro: Am I in Paris?

One of the dreamiest and romantic happy hours ever -- in a set decorator's imagining of a cozy Paris hideaway featuring low, mismatched vintage couches, flickering candleight from silver candleabras, frites, a generous cheeseplate, sparkling wine carafs (and much more on a lovely special menu). Sweet.

And be prepared to wait -- locals stand waiting to enjoy this delightful end of day respite on Vermont Avenue.

figarobistrot.com

1802 North Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 662-1587 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (323) 662-1587

Instant Heirlooms: Damask napkins

 

I 'm partial to cloth napkins and one of my favorites is classic white cotton damask.  My grandmother  placed starched stacks of them in her huge linen closet.  As a child, I remember feeling very grown up and elegant when I smoothed mine across my lap at her formal Thanksgiving dinner table.  I have some of hers now and happily set them out for special dinners and something about their substantial heft is very pleasing and reassuring and makes even the simplest meal that much more meaningful.

I recently scooped up a cache of lovely vintage damask napkins (circa 1925) that are similar and very soft and drapey.  I was told they were stored for years and forgotten in a dowry chest.  Hard to know for sure but these nicely preserved 16" x 16" squares can be an "instant heirloom" for your own special occasions.  We have a few sets of 6 at the shop or on line:

http://www.nathalieseaver.biz/vilidana.html

 

Until I go to Paris...

...I can have a daily smile with this lovely Metro ticket glass tray 

At 6" x 12", it's a perfect size for desktop paper clips or for bedroom dispensing of loose change or jewelry. 

Animal Magnetism

 

Amazing how these people are instantly recognizable!

Deft and clever artistry via  http://fashimals.tumblr.com/

Top Row: Anna Wintour, Alber Elbaz, Carine Roitfeld   

Bottom Row: Karl Lagerfeld, Grace Coddington,Valentino                                                             

One Maxi Skirt worn a dozen ways

 

I just brought in this completely chic, long skirt that's as comfy as wearing sweats. It would be so easy to put it together with a little black tee and be done with it. And that would be a perfectly fine daytime look.

But by adding a cute cardigan or dressier top normally paired with jeans or a pencil skirt, it takes on a slouchy and stylish, Parisian flair.

Then it occurred to me it wouldn't take much to turn this striped piece into a dazzling nighttime outfit: dressing it up with a gentle ruffle, or maybe sequins or lace. It was so much fun to play with what ordinarily would be a casual staple and with a little tweak, see the glamorous transformations -- from sleek and sophisticated to simple or romantic. These ideas are just a starting point -- and I haven't even addressed shoes or accessories yet!

Meanwhile, the skirt is available here: http://www.nathalieseaver.biz/fllestsk.html

A bientôt!

 

Nighttime Magic at Rita Flora Studio

You never think about how to enjoy flowers in darkness but Rita's artful assemblages highlight flowers in an entirely new way.

First: A dazzling welcome of lights and roses with her signature, over-sized peace sign:

 
 

 

Then, cozy nooks in the garden anchored by dramatic candle and flower installations:

 

 

Beautiful.

Tip to Toe Polish

The latest "scribble" print version of my silk "Deb" dress for Fall, a versatile --and very Parisian  -- variation on the little black dress...

Using Chanel nail polish color as inspiration, here's my wish-list of fabulous footwear to wear with this flattering silhouette.  Interesting to see how each choice completely changes the look:

A sleek oxford or ballet flat, gives this dress a fresh, modern flair and stays casual.

A slim, simple black pump or strappy sandal turns it classically elegant and more dressy. 

Combining bold color with a sculptural, elaborate heel makes the outfit very on-trend and chic.

Now the question is...how to choose?

 YSL pumps
 

Butter peacock feather shoes
 

Nicholas Kirkwood patent leather shoes
 

Costume National wedge shoes
 

Chie mihara shoes
 

Giuseppe Zanotti embellished sandals
 

Bloch London ballet flat shoes
 

Manolo blahnik shoes
 

Christian louboutin shoes
 

Jimmy choo shoes
 

Rupert Sanderson black heels

Manolo blahnik shoes
 

Cesare Paciotti leather shoes
 

Christian Louboutin peep toe pumps
 

Manolo blahnik sandals
 

Bow shoes
 

ASOS lace up shoes
 

Goth shoes
 

Metis Chair
 

Re-use, Recycle and Fond of the Bottle

Drove by this eye-catching installation in Silverlake on the way to a barbecue. 

I had to stop and admire this clever and delightful design, repurposing wine and water bottles:

 
 
Really like the harmonious choice of blue and green glass and the graceful curves of the bottles when they're stacked together.