Loveland

The end of my first season in Colorado is finally here. After an exciting bonus weekend at Vail Mountain, winter is officially over (now if the weather would only cooperate!). Marc and I drove through Loveland Pass on our way to Boulder from Vail the other day. Do you agree that it's just gorgeous? Yet the beauty of the Rocky Mountains is a cold and unforgiving one...

What was on my mind as we rode along the spine of the Continental Divide, at an elevation of nearly 12,000 feet, with no guard rails? This is a land of breathtaking panoramas, yes, but also of hairpin turns, steep grades, and avalanche territory.

On Saturday, five snowboarders* were killed in an avalanche while skiing the Loveland backcountry. The avalanche was massive: 600 feet wide and 1200 feet long, advancing at 50-60mph. According to the ABC News Blog, "The five deceased snowboarders, all in their 30s, were trapped under about eight feet of snow in what is being called Colorado’s deadliest avalanche in 50 years." The Colorado Avalanche Information Center reports 19 deaths this season. My heart goes out to the lost ones and their families. Once again it is made apparent, as it so frequently is in Colorado, that if you want the greatest thrills, you have to take the greatest risks, and ultimately be prepared to make the greatest sacrifice.

*Later reports identified four snowboarders and one skier.

Clare Vivier

Clare Vivier foldover clutches, tote bags, card holders - they're so soft and beautiful! If 'sports luxe' is a big thing right now, which it is, then these are ideal summer accessories. But let's be honest - they'll last forever and only become more beautiful with age so I recommend a choice that will make you happy for years to come. When I first saw her designs this morning, I thought to myself: "All-American." Yet Clare spends a considerable amount of time in France avec son mari francais (a woman after my own heart). 

The only thing stopping me from investing in one of these beautiful American-made leather handbags? I want mine engraved. Could be initials, or something quirky, but if I'm going to give in and spend the cash it might as well be special. 

Shop Clare Vivier

Yoga Mantra: Happiness

"May all beings everywhere be happy and free. May the thoughts and actions of our lives contribute to that happiness and to that freedom for all."

"Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu"

Sweet Escape

Last weekend it was in the seventies in Boulder. I was so excited to escape the chill, the wind, and the wet April snow in Vail during a visit this week. And then WHAM! a blizzard hits and suddenly Boulder County is blanketed in a foot of snow and even colder than my little Rocky Mountain town. So much for that sweet escape to the warmth.

I'll still be thrilled to call this place home come August.

Photo from iStock

Inspo: Alexandra Spencer

So I'm sitting here, relaxing after work, alternating mouthfuls of velvety red wine and morsels of baking chocolate (why do I have no ice cream in the house?). I want to open my laptop and find something that will refresh and re-energize my brain, like hitting the reset button after working two jobs. 

Enter Alexandra Spencer of 4th and Bleeker. Her blog posts are unselfconscious and tightly edited, her style one of lavish minimalism. Buy less but by the best: and if you can only afford the YSL pants, go topless. When a new post appears on my blog feed it feels like a rare treat. Do yourself a favor and check it out. In fact, thanks to the unique brand of fashion bloggers who act as ambassadors for the entire Australian fashion scene (in my eyes), chief among them miss Spencer and the inimitable Margaret Zhang, Australia has jumped in recent months from a bucket list to-do to an immediate desire.

Cocotay Vintage

We recently picked up a new jewelry line at Perch called Cocotay. 

Coco re-imagines vintage pieces and designs her own imitation vintage, or reproductions. Her line is carried by Bergdorf Goodman and Harvey Nichols, and in the past two days I have seen firsthand why she experiences such success, creating new friends and Cocotay devotees wherever she goes. She is openly sweet and genuine, leaving me with the happy feeling that she is like her jewelry line - broadly appealing, girly, fun, and above all: unique. Coco is exactly the kind of woman I'd like to take out for a cocktail (if she weren't pregnant, that is. Congrats, Coco!). In what I'm coming to know as a characteristic display of enthusiasm and generosity, Coco brought this Sex and the City 2 book to the boutique, where two of her vintage cuff bracelets adorn the arm of Carrie Bradshaw herself as she sips a drink in the desert beyond Abu Dhabi (page 99).

In Full Bloom

At Perch we have three kinds of events: casual champagne, premeditated appetizers, and full-on cupcakes. 

It doesn't require much prodding to break out a bottle of bubbly. Casual champagne can really be a "just because" sort of event. As in, it's Friday night and my favorite song just came on, let's have champagne! "Can't Hold Us" by Mackelmore will do. And of course we love to share. A crudité or a cheese and cracker platter requires some planning. Birthday celebrations, charity fundraisers.. these kinds of events get nibbles and champagne. So, you may well ask, what kind of event deserves both of these... and cupcakes?! Ladies and gentlemen (am I flattering myself to think I have any male readers?), meet Lindsay Bloom.

Trunk shows are special events where we welcome designers to our little boutique in Vail. The invitation to attend is open to everyone in town. The men and women who wander into Perch, on purpose or by happy chance, are encouraged to ask questions about materials and inspiration, create custom jewelry one-on-one with the designer, and shop the full spring line. Lindsay is always gracious about answering questions and in person she's a real sweetheart. Find Jewelry by Bloom here. [My favorite pieces are the signature black ties, leather bracelets, and hoop earrings.]