Style, style, style ...

 It has happened.  Mon amie, Aidan, at Conjugating Irregular Verbs, has awarded to me-- the infamous 'Stylish Blogger Award', aka- 'SBA'...in other words she has passed on the proverbial 'hot-potato'.... that requires me to make 7 statements about something you may not know about 'moi' and in this case; something stylish in my life (with the theme being Fall/Autumn style.....) and then when I am done, pass on the honor to bloggers that I admire in a style-y kind of way....

So here goes -- for better or for worse!

1. I am crazy for grey! I wear it, paint it, photograph it....I put grey in every corner, crack and wall--and paint everything that I can get my hands on grey---I am a force to be reckoned with when given a brush and a can of grey paint...and by the way, according to Wikipedia--there are 254 'true-greys'....I intend to use every single one of them.  I even have the most perfect grey nail-color by Yves Saint Laurent ...  definitely a fall 'must have'!

It's called 'Stormy No. 39' .....  I bought it on my third trip to France--have worn it for years since and is the only time I ever justified spending $30 on a tiny bottle of polish!

 Okay...moving on...

2. I throw a fierce party --- I love to entertain, but it is both a blessing and a curse that I cannot do it half way.....take last weekend for example--the collage of pics appears above; a simple, no big deal idea to cook paella outside on an open fire-pit....we invited a few friends with the idea that it would be casual....c-a-s-u-a-l......Maybe I always feel that Martha Stewart might just coincidentally be in the neighborhood and pop in for an aperitif--I should be ready---just in case, yes?

3.  Oh dear---three...not even half way there....I am thinking...I am thinking......style, style, style.... I spent most of last year pregnant and just as I was starting to 'blossom' we moved to France---talk about a total style-identity crisis--- I was able to manage with a few favorite items from H&M (here in France too!  Hooray!)  So now NOT pregnant (I can say that for sure) and unpacking my NOT-pregnant fall wardrobe this afternoon--sent me into a little style-identity-personal-crisis----"Do I still want to wear that?"  I have no idea what my body is doing--or my weight for that matter...so I am still trying to figure it all out.  There will be no style awards in this category for me I'm afraid.

4....I'm gonna to have to condense this--who knew I could write so much about style?!  (Shhh! I heard that French Guy!)  Hair--so last year I got my hair cut (bob-style) in March--we moved in June--and I went without a hair-cut (or style for that matter) for ONE YEAR!  I was so scared to try a new stylist, but when I finally reconciled with the fact that I would not be catching the Concord to have an appointment with my tried and true favorite stylist on the planet in Seattle--ever....I finally went in for a trim in Trouville about 10 minutes from home---and now my hair is long--after not having it cut for a year--and I kinda like it.  Not sure if it is 'age-appropriate'---can a 40-something wear a pony-tail?  Not sure. But I like it.

5.  Fall style....ah!  Scarves!  (Les escharpe!)  I adore scarves---another thing I have worn religiously for about 20 years---French women wear them like no other culture can!  I think there is a school somewhere for 'scarf-styling'......

6. Phew! Almost there---boots--I also have a thing for boots!  In my 'collection' I have two pairs of classic 'Frye' boots one grey (bien sur!) and one black--they are amazing!  I intend to bequeath them to 'Petite Fille'...she will adore them too I am sure!  Oh and here is the next pair of boots that I am hinting for, for my birthday....hint, hint.....kinda equestrian meets 'town and country' don't you think?

7.  At last--lucky number 7.  It's my birthday on Sunday and getting one year older always causes me to to re-think my style--not because I am eager to re-invent myself with each passing year, but rather--my lifelong style-goal has been to finally, finally be comfortable in my own skin---be it older, heavier, thinner, short hair, long hair.....my ultimate style goal is that--just to be content, strong, and comfortable in my skin---I am still working on that--maybe by this birthday....I think I am getting closer....I'll let you know.

Thanks again dear Aidan---I do appreciate the award and hope I have done the topic justice!  Now to pass it on to more deserving style godesses than I........

• Kim at Mimi Charmante/Kimberly Taylor Images (for rockin' that new hairstyle--and that is only a tiny example of your gorgeousness!)

• Ange at Signed by Ange (word styling fabulousness!)

• Rachel at French Farmhouse 425 (who has the most beautifully styled haven and the grace to share it...)

• Samantha at Seven Letters--(I know you must have gotten this before so dust of the mantle and make room for another!)

Tag girls!  You are it!