Magic in the Mountains

For the full feature, please visit Junior Style London here.

Where there are mountains, we will find magic. Tucked away upon one of Vermont’s highest peaks, lives a spot worthy of gnomes and unicorns. It is deliriously beautiful and ever-changing. Since our last visit, a mighty tree has collapsed into the mile-high pond. Flat sided stones interrupt its stillness as they’re gathered for skipping across the water. With every toss, a wish is made, requesting more magic from our perch in the sky. Ensconced in the scene playing out before me, I need not make a wish. Instead, I sit, enchanted by these forest fairies, as they float with effervescence in luxurious creations from Charlotte sy Dimby. A long-admired brand reigning from France with roots in Madagascar, the marriage of our worlds creates a landscape of beauty high in the mountains.

In the course of an afternoon, we’ve rediscovered a world of enchantment, cloaked in hand-smoked pretties from our favourite French dressmaker. Each piece carries with it a story that is waiting to be written. The girls play tribute to their fantasies, making for a magical afternoon in the mountains.

Magic in the Mountains Clothing Credits:

Elise and Mila’s dresses by Charlotte sy Dimby.  Shop the current collection HERE.

Elise and Mila’s hair accessories by Eva’s House.

Elise and Mila’s shoes by Sonatina.

Mother Nature's Palate: Colours of Spring from Charlotte sy Dimby

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Our current state of exploration is in sync with the heartbeat of spring as the girls jaunt along, ready for every adventure, enwreathed in pleasant colours that compliment a setting budding with new life. In favour of mother nature’s palate, we experience a deeper connection to her magic. Between the sands of time, I relish in these rather simple moments which I’ve come to understand, pass far too quickly.

My futile attempts to capture the exquisite handiwork of Charlotte sy Dimby has led us to adventure forth in a spirit inspired by a mutual aesthetic for classic silhouettes and angelic fabrics. We cherish this beloved Parisian childrenswear brand, with whom, we’ve shared countless memories and hope of creating more. Along rue Notre Dame des Champs in the 6th Arrondissement of Paris lives L’Île aux Fées, an un-rivalled boutique carrying the fanciful creations of Charlotte sy Dimby. The beautiful souls who bring these creations to life are among some of our favourite people. Regard for magical childhood moments filled with imagination and simple wanderings is a shared thread that binds our two worlds in harmony.

The hues of spring are bestowed upon me as I jaunt along with the girls, capturing personalities budding with their own brilliance and colour. In my mind’s eye, precious moments of our existence have been archived in perpetuity with pieces that paint our world and compliment our days.

Mother Nature’s Palate Clothing Credits:

Elise and Mila’s dresses by Charlotte sy Dimby.  View the collection here.

Elise and Mila’s bows: Eva’s House

Life in Pastoral New England: Featuring Charlotte sy Dimby

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For most of my years, I’ve settled in New England, cursing our bitter winters and unpredictable weather. But these distinct seasons, however unpleasant at times, display a magnificent Autumn and Spring. A temperate fall day was the perfect persuasion to visit Old Sturbridge Village, a living history museum depicting life in 19th century New England.

Stepping back in time, the girls try their hand at the Game of graces, an activity borrowed from early 19th century France, with two ribbon-clad hoops and dowels to send them air bound. While we didn’t quite master the game, the reinterpreted play was fun nonetheless. In the theme of French influence on our pastoral New England home, the girls travel effortlessly through the seasons in Charlotte sy Dimby, a timeless favourite.

Pettiskirts, hand-smocking and covered buttons are graced by Charlotte sy Dimby’s signature back tie, adding to the elegance of these fine garments. Mila’s Princess Charlotte dress is the reincarnation of a dress worn by Her Royal Highness on her debut trip to Canada. Elise shines in the brand’s Constance dress. A chic style in a subtle blue textured fabric, it moves beautifully through endless adventures in our bucolic New England home.

Life in Pastoral New England Clothing Credits:

Elise and Mila’s dresses by Charlotte sy Dimby

Elise’s shoes: Pom d’Api

Elise and Mila’s bows: Eva’s House

Jewels of the Garden

For the full feature, please visit Junior Style London.

We recently travelled back to London where the weather Gods bestowed us with sun-filled days giving way to adventures in freshly manicured gardens.  In this maze of hedges budding with new life, we planted ourselves for the day, filling our senses with Spring.  Elise and Mila floated like petals in their new season Charlotte sy Dimby dresses, a perfect accompaniment on this fortuitous day.

We’re no strangers to Charlotte sy Dimby, a brand hailing from France with roots in Madagascar.  The allure of their handcrafted dresses has us spellbound season after season and their Spring 2018 collection is no exception.   Hand-stitched smocking, petticoats, and elegant bows are enhanced by beautiful fabric selections in fanciful colours.

Springtimes past and present evoke a desire to adventure, rediscover nature and fill our senses with all that is new.  With any luck, we’ll be back again soon, perhaps dressed again in our perennial favourite, Charlotte sy Dimby.

Jewels of the Garden with Charlotte sy Dimby Clothing Credits:

Elise and Mila’s dresses: Charlotte sy Dimby

Elise’s shoes: Pepe from Kodomo Boston

Mila’s shoes: Gallucci

Elise and Mila’s hair accessories: Eva’s House

Home for the Holidays with Charlotte sy Dimby

Be sure to check out our latest post on Junior Style London featuring French brand Charlotte sy Dimby.  Link here.

As we approach another year-end and the festivities that await, we retrace familiar steps that lead us back to my childhood home. Much like the calm before a storm, everything here is serene and our minds at ease.  Once pampered and feeling refreshed, we're ready to tackle the holidays with a bit more glee.

The brilliant collection from Charlotte sy Dimby brings us even closer to that festive feeling with a gorgeous selection of holiday dressing that has us spellbound.   And truthfully, there is no time like the present to add a bit more fancy to your day.

As we stand watch at the shoreline, an early December breeze gives movement to hemlines and hair ties.  The girls engage in a Regency style dance, evoked in part by the classic styles of Charlotte sy Dimby.  The incredible detail on Mila's Smocked Poule Dress lends itself to the season.  Made with the most luxurious winter cotton, it feels wonderful to the touch and impossible to resist wearing daily.

Like Mila, Elise's Smocked Dress carries with it a signature handmade quality that folks have come to know as Charlotte sy Dimby.  A now international brand, these beautifully handcrafted garments have a rich history with smocking pioneer, Monique Ramahay.  Local to Paris's 6th arrondissement, Monique's flagship boutique, L' Île aux Fées, is an institution in its own right.  Covered buttons, handsewn hemlines, and handmade petticoats are just a few of the reasons we adore the elegant childrenswear label, Charlotte sy Dimby. 

Home for the Holidays Clothing Credits:

Elise and Mila's dresses: Charlotte sy Dimby

Elise’s shoes: Pom d'Api

Elise and Mila’s hair accessories: Eva’s House

The Allure of Charlotte sy Dimby

From the heart of Paris's 6th arrondissement, hails a childrenswear brand with an allure that can only be matched by Jardin du Luxembourg, (the Luxembourg Gardens) which flank its location.  Monique Ramahay has introduced the world to the traditional embroidery and smocking of Madagascar within the walls of her Parisian boutique, L'Île aux Fées, internationally known as Charlotte sy Dimby.  With recent growth overseas, these lovely garments are quickly finding their way into the closets and hearts of our American friends. 

With over three decades of dedication to the craft, Monique has redefined the aura of smocked garments, setting them free from the rigid formality of times past.  Her work with some of the most tasteful labels in the industry (Bonpoint, Baby Dior, and Jacadi to name a few) has dubbed her the well-deserved title, "Queen of the Smocks."  While we're on the topic of royalty, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge donned a dress by the brand's atelier during her overseas trip to Canada last fall.      

Together with her daughter, Korally Ramahay, Monique brings the magic of Malagasy handmade garments to the hands of her discerning clientele.  And much like them, we're captivated by the quality and sophistication of the line.  The details delight us from the inside out where you'll find a handmade petticoat that is just as meticulously crafted as the outer garment itself.    

I invite you to explore the wonderment and allure of Charlotte sy Dimby.