In a Field of Lavender High Above Monte Carlo

"La Pausa, in a field of lavender high above Monte Carlo."  This was my introduction to Coco Chanel's villa, La Pausa, in Roquebrune as remembered in the wonderful book In My Fashion by former Vogue editor, Bettina Ballard.  Ballard remembers the house as being beige, beige, beige - even with a beige piano.  She remembers a quiet leisurely house in the morning with thermos filled with coffee and hot milk.  Mornings were spent in bed or having a driver take you into town for shopping or to the beach for a swim.  Lunch was a raucous affair filled with gossip and in the evenings Misia Sert played piano and everyone sat in front of the fire.

I have often tried to imagine these visits Bettina Ballard took to La Pausa and I was happily surprised to see a post on Little Augury with lots and lots of photographs of La Pausa.  Little Augury never fails to delight and surprise and inspire me and I think you will be as equally delighted, surprised and inspired with her blog - if you are not already!

Read Little Augury's La Pausa here and enjoy!  

This is my favorite photo of La Pausa's garden.  A perfect place to while away an afternoon with Chanel don't you think?!

Photo courtesy of Little Augury.  Thank you!

Weekend Reading 2: Harper's Bazaar 100 Years of the American Female

Today's weekend reading is Mademoiselle Chanel by Jean Cocteau from Harper's Bazaar 100 Years of the American Woman, 1967.  

In October 1963 Edith Piaf died and Cocteau, who was great friends with Piaf said, "the boat is going down".  Seven hours later Cocteau died.

Cocteau and Coco Chanel were friends and creative collaborators.  She supported "the secret splendor" of Cocteau (and others) and he drew illustrations of her fashion designs for magazines.  Here he writes about, "the head of a little black swan".

Weekend reading for you from RARE vintage.  Read on...

Harper Bazaar's 100 Years of the American Woman 1967

Harper Bazaar's 100 Years of the American Woman 1967.  Drawing by Cocteau.

Coco Chanel in the arms of Boy Capel.  The artist SEM portrayed Boy as a centaur.  Coco has one of her hat boxes swinging from her arm. 

Chanel and her friend, Vera Bate, in the Duke of Westminster's clothing.  Right down to his shoes.  Which he had his valet iron the shoelaces of.  I ask you, what else would one need a valet for but to iron one's shoelaces?  

The Countess Etienne de Beaumont, Chanel and Misia Sert on the Lido wearing her beach pajamas in 1923.  The women in shorts are Countess Moretti and Mme. Chiesa, the leading hostesses of Venice's beaux soirs. 

Chanel's "white lady" - a drawing of a white satin gown from Vogue in 1931.

A Jean Cocteau drawing of Chanel.  1932

Last images are from Chanel and Her World by Edmonde Charles-Roux