Prettier is Better

The sun has returned to SoCal, which always makes me happy! Blue skies, blue pool and the most colorful backyard of roses. Inspiring.

I've been working on a new bag design. I tried to make it a bit more casual and I really really wanted to do something without brooches.... But I couldn't! Everything just looks better with a vintage brooch. I mean really, look at the turquoise brooch on that red. LOVE! I think prettier is better, and I'm pretty sure you already knew that about me. This bag can also be converted to a messenger style hipster length bag-- all you have to do is order an additional longer strap. Versatile and beautiful.

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend...one of these bags will make it even better-- so hop on over to the shop and pick one up!

Happy stylish Friday!

luvluv.
Simone

Soul Mates.

I am so fortunate to have amazing girlfriends. When we moved to SoCal 5 years ago we left behind my side of the family-- My parents and brother and dear family friends I have known since I was in second grade. You know the type, lie the Sex and the City fab four-- more than friends, soul mates. I honestly didn't think I would be able to find that same bond with another group of ladies, but I thankfully have. We were out to dinner earlier this week and a woman who was about 10 years older than us actually came over to our table at the end of the night and said she had been having the best time watching us for the last few hours. We laugh.A.LOT. when we are all together. And if she could have heard what was spurring all the laughter...... These are my gals who slap on the heels for a PTA meeting then head straight out for margaritas when it's done. I can count on them for anything-- anything. I love them all dearly. And so, I share with them, and with all of you my newest find--
6pm.com. It's basically a Zappos outlet. Deals like you would not believe!

To all my Fabulous Friends by simonehowell

A girlfriends new best friend! We love our kids, we love guys and we love our shoes and accessories. Cheers to all my effing fabulous girls! I am lucky to have you in my life.
Happy long weekend.

luvluv.
Simone

Her Masterpiece

As I worked with nose the grind one day last week, Miss A was popping in and out of the studio. She was playing with Penelope the pin lady.

Penny is my dressform and the girls usually attack her with fabric scraps and pins making all sorts of fabulos patchwork outfits for her. I was so engrossed in sewing that I didn't notice what she was making until I hear her say "I think I'm going to be famous for this art someday." I turned around and found that she had been pulling rose petals from the garden and was re-making the roses by pinning them onto Penny. Stuuuuning!

I wish I could have kept her looking like this-- and she smelled so delish too!
I think Miss A will be famous for this art too. Today. She is a superstar in my eyes!
Oh and if you are wondering what I was working on--

They are in the shop.

Be more Wilbur

Recently I have been blown away by some of the writing the girls have brought home. Their true personalities are really starting to show. I'm proud of them and touched that they are growing to be such wonderful little girls. Miss O's class has been reading Charlotte's Web. She wrote "How to be Wilbur."

Be terrific, radiant, humble and definitely Some Pig.
Always eat slops and roll around in a manure pile.
Be a runt pig and a good friend.
Never try to spin a web.
Always be carefree and friendly.
Be excited about life and win 1st place at the fair.

I will hang on to this forever! A daily reminder that we should all be a little more like Wilbur.

I am going to head to the farm, to find my Wilbur; terrific, radiant, carefree and friendly Wilbur.

{Friday Style File. Wilbur-style. }

Your world by simonehowell

I hope you all have a Wilbur-esque weekend.

luvluv.
Simone

Good for a photo.

It's been an interesting week here. First, the end of the school year is quickly approaching- which means mass chaos for me! Teacher appreciation week is next week- more chaos (but I must say well worth it. We love our amazing teachers.) Next weekend I'll be rocking a booth full of Gardenhouse at the high-heel-a-thon here in town. Sewing madness. So I am running back and forth from school to studio and back again. I have so many discombobulated thoughts in my head that I honestly don't know where to start. Can you tell by my Tuesday post? Light on words. But I am at least good for a photo-- so, I think I shall just post one very stylish photo of one very stylish clutch and a pair of shoes from Europe and then I'll be on my way to the studio and then back to school and then back to the studio. I will take the weekend to gather my thought and will have more to say early next week.

One thing I should say -- pair this wristlet with a navy and white sailor stripe top and you just might find the clarity I'm looking for!

luvluv.

Simone

Dreamy

Hope you're having a dreamy Tuesday. Cherish life, little ones, and gorgeous fabric.

{feeling a little reflective today}

luvluv.
Simone

Tunic love.

You've heard it before, yes you have, and it's finally here! Tunics for you! Well, one at least. So gorgeous! A little Tory Burch-esque, a lot Gardenhouse.


I made this one for a friend whom I will be traveling with this fall (more about that at another time) But I had to throw it on and take a few photos- because I just LOVE it! Or as I say to the girls-- lurrrve it, I mean reeeeealy lurrrrve it! Of course it's an Amy fabric, with a dash of Joel. His new line is delish! Super fantastic! Vibrant blues and vibrant pink. It will be in the shop later today.

And the hat-- Eugenia Kim's line for Target. I was there with my mother in law when they first came out and I think she thought I had gone mad! Self control often goes out the window when I see amazing accessories.

And what would Friday be without a little Polyvore to mix in with the tunic- just in case, you know, you need a little accessories help. Personally, I think the tunic only needs one chunky bracelet and a cute pair of sandals-- but we all have to have options, you know. Might be a little overkill-- again, accessories- pretty- self control.....

Relax- It's Mothers Day (weekend) by simonehowell featuring Free People bags

I'm loving these straw bags-- they need something don't you think? Yes, flower brooches! Check the shop on Monday and you just might see a few to add on there!

Happy weekend!

Lovestruck.

I have to say I am smitten by Amy this week. It's not hard! Her newest line called Love is beyond. The line gives such a well traveled vibe. It is both ethnic and elegant- sort of like going to India with a stop in London. It's bohenmian AND polished. I love! Such a fitting name. (I know I've blogged about it before, but I keep coming back to it in my work-- so the blog follows.)

This dress was done in her sandalwood print. Take a look, if you can, at the complexity of the print. It is seriously amazing. A few times when I was cutting it, I stopped and just stared at the fabric. Even with just a few colors the print is exceptional.- soulful. The layers are unbelievable. Ahhhh- moved by fabric. It's sort of like a good song.

And speaking of good song-- you have to listen to this song. It is moving too! A song about love at first sight.

There is a version on youtube that has better sound quality but no visuals- you can listen to it here. Personally, I think compromising the sound for the visuals make perfect sense. You might want to get a wipe for that keypad ;)

And the dress, can be found here, if you are so moved.

Luvluv. luvstruck.

Simone

Cupcakes, Roses & Warm Breezes.

It's not all cupcakes and roses over here! I know I so often post about all the lovelies in my life--because who wants to hear about the uglies and craziness, right? But I thought I would share with you one corner of my world that really made me laugh this week....and it's not such a pretty shot coming from the Gardenhouse!

I'll start by saying I always luuurrrve getting those Amy Butler emails --announcing the latest and greatest Amy gear. And it always is FABULOUS. Always. Full stop. Well, this time It was beach towels, lush organic beach towels in signature Amy colors and patterns. Oh Amy, you have out done yourself. Fabulous colors, amazing choice of prints and the photo, sigh. Warm breezes, soft towels, clean, crisp, delish! (you're just missing a mimosa on the corner of that chaise)

And then I turn to look out the window to our pool wah-wah-wahhhhhhh. No the water should not be green, you should be able to see the pebbles on the bottom of the pool. And all that pollen on top-- we have the most GIANT tree you have ever seen and it spews those things every spring...it's sort of like the snow we never get in the winter- how charming!

I think we need to get the pool guy back...or we could just call it a lush English Country pond. I don't think the kids would swim in it then--but the dogs would.

luvluv.

Simone