Time Out With Maria Confer

Maria, better known as the mastermind from Michigan behind the adorable blog Lulu Letty, never turns down an opportunity to slap on a hair bow or pull out some vintage. Maybe her eye for decades past is why her blogging, twitter, Etsy and formspring empire boasts over 1,000 followers to date and is still getting more popular by the moment. Featured on everything from Modcloth to Queens of Vintage, Maria is slowly working her way around the blogosphere. Lookin' to learn more? Luckily, her most recent stop just happens to be chez La Societe de Mode.

Favorite designer? I don’t really have a favorite, but many big fashion houses like Chanel, Hermes, and Ralph Lauren, consistently inspire me year after year.

Maria's famous sketches found on her Etsy

Favorite fabric? Wool tartan

Favorite city? London

Tell us a bit about your life I’ve been married for seven years and have two crazy dogs, Wellie and Pip.

Favorite wardrobe essential? Hair bows
Favorite Food? Anything Mexican, especially fried ice cream!

What do you love the most about fashion? The freedom to step into your closet and resurface as whoever you want to be that day. I find myself mostly channeling movie characters.

What's your biggest inspiration? Definitely other bloggers. They drive my creativity and push me to try new looks that I would typically shy away from. Otherwise, old movies are a huge inspiration to me.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why? London for sure. I love that it’s so old and that the fashion there is very eclectic.

Favorite decade? Oh, I love both the late fifties to early sixties and the late seventies to early eighties.

How'd you get your start? I first started my blog as a place to post my finished sketches. Then after stumbling upon Liebemarlene, I decided that fashion blogging seemed like such fun. I posted my first photo shoot in June ’09.

Unfortunately, no famous last words today, but don't get wrong impression, Maria still has few things left to say. Ask her about her fabulous chicness at www.formspring.me/lululetty or
check out her great tutorial on just how she manages to have such perfectly red lips at the D.I.Y. section of her blog. Still not enough? Channeling your inner Maria by picking up
a sweet hairbow at her Etsy should help you get your fill.


Until next time,
Rebecca&Maddy

Street Style: Rue de Fougeres

Sunlight special in isle number 1! 3 for 1 deal on cute summer ensembles that'll keep you cool, chic and very French. Whether it be sporty white lace-ups with bloomeresque shorts and a button up for that classic menswear look, a flirty ruffled dress with little booties for a sweet girly look or a scarf, tights and cowboy boots for that country chic look, you can't go wrong in Rennes when the sun's-a-shinin'.Don't wait another second before these fabulous looks are all sold out.

Bisous,
Rebecca&Maddy

Time Out with Hannah Byun

We love tights. We experience long and cold winters here in Rennes, and when you're rotating between four or five coats all winter long, tights are key to keeping your outfits interesting. Loud and statement tights are the key to snazzing up any fall/winter ensemble. That is why we're obsessed with Hannah's line Hansel from Basel, which focuses on only tights and hoisery. We took some time out of our day to chat with her about her unique L.A.-based brand, which has been wildly successful - most recently, her tights were featured on the cover of Teen Vogue's March issue.

1.How did you get your start in the industry..what was the big "kick-off" point for you? and any advice for aspiring designers?
well, i had a fun little launch party hosted by my friend who owns creatures of comfort. that's all it took. a good friend, a good store, and good socks. :)

2. As a company that does only socks and tights, do you think this gives you an advantage in the industry?..and we've gotta know, do you wear your own socks?
i do wear my own socks and yes, this gives me a definite advantage. a lot of doors have opened up for me bc i have such a niche skill set. for example, i do an exclusive line of legwear for other retailers which is fun and great!

3. If you had 200,000 dollars to spend at saks, what would you buy from the SS 2010 collection ?
wow. can i save that and buy a house instead?

4. What was your childhood like? did you design already, or did that start later in life?
i always grew up drawing and painting. i was an art student for much of my life. i knew i wanted to do design but coming from a liberal arts background, i wasnt sure how i was going to make clothes. i had an in with socks and it was the perfect fit.

5. Whats the inspiration behind the name Hansel from Basel?
it's kind of an alter ego. it sums up a bunch of my interests: german things, switzerland, and cute little elves wearing lederhosen.

Street Style: Thabor Gardens

This week we've been hanging around the Thabor Gardens as the weather's been getting nicer, and it seems as though it's a popular hangout spot for university kids after school as well. That's where we found Morgane, 19. Morgane sports the classic Keds which are a staple in any French wardrobe, but we love how she ditched the overdone longchamp bag for something a little more exciting. Her oversized vintage tote was definitely what caught her attention. We love how she dressed down her formal school-uniform jacket with a casual checkered button down tucked into a black nylon skirt. Simply put, we can't get enough of her reinvention of the classic school girl ensemble.