{an introduction}

Meet Sugarbear.

                                                                                                                                                                     caramiaphotography.com

Sugey is the true inspiration to everything Butter. He is cool, easy on the eyes and in a word: 'fresh'. In fact when he emerges from the groomer: fur lined-up, whiskers trimmed and tail coiffed, regular folks on the street have been known to comment..."Sugey got his butter whipped!"

At only 3 years old, he has charisma and charm equal to some of the greats: Jay-Z, Muhammad Ali or JFK can only compare. 

Being a fixture in the community and my life, naturally he is certain to appear here interspersed between postings and serving as the official Butter mascot. He is delighted to meet you. 

But please...just don't mention Boo.

{april showers}

 

A new season! For those of us here in the Bay Area who already live in perennial spring, this official change on the calendar is not much of a shock to the system. What does make this time of year different for us are the huge, fat, juicy raindrops which  end in May, then surrender to our long dry summer (minus the pesky marine layer which shrouds the city of San Francisco in a cold fog). 

Wellingtons are nothing new. The history of the Wellington boot is said to originate in the 18th century and is associated with Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington who ordered his shoemaker to produce a taller boot in calfskin. Variations throughout the years have included the addition of traction soles, waterproofing materials and whimsical prints and patterns along the shaft. 

Enter the newly acquired Hunter Boot Company.

Once a slew of starlets began sporting the Original Tall Gloss version at various puddle filled and muddy music festivals e.g., Cameron Diaz (Coachella), and Kate Moss (Isle of Wight) did the 'Wellie' craze really take off. Nowadays Jimmy Choo even offers a version worn by most famously (queen of the flying cell phone) Naomi Campbell.

What I love about my cranberry Hunter 'Kellen' boots (purchased at Nordstrom in November '11) is the advent of a brand new shape in traditional Wellies: the wedge heel. This little boost provides just the right amount of style and altogether eliminates that frumpy feeling of the Original Tall Gloss version. I also love the subtle 'H' seemingly carved into the shaft and the addition of a sculpted strap along the upper. The 'Kellen' is sold in a cool graphite, slick jet-black and brilliant marine.  I am partial to all things pink so the cranberry works best for me especially when paired with jeans or all black.

An essential item also sold at Nordstrom is the Hunter Boot Buffer. Anyone who owns a pair of Hunters is probably already familiar with that cloudy finish that appears on the outsole after a few wearings. By throwing down another 12 bucks (more or less) on this little bottle, then quickly giving your cool boots a light mist and a rigorous rubdown, you will restore the super high-gloss shine in no time (all with minimal elbow grease).  shop.nordstrom.com

{la rouge (or bleu) balloon}

Did you ever read that story when you were young...The Red Balloon? 

I had the version by Albert Lamorisse which was a slick and shiny colorful picture book. 

The narrative here was of little Pascal and his enchanting best friend, The Red Balloon as they ramble through the streets of late 1960's Paris. All is grand and bright until...well (spoiler alert!) let's just say a gang of street thugs jacks the Red Balloon and an untimely death ensues. 

What I loved most about the picture book given to us by my mother was the absolute pure scarlet color and perfectly giant round shape of the balloon itself. 

This red balloon, (along with the glorious balloon bouquet at the end of the story which transports Pascal to a land where children & balloons can presumably live together undisturbed by delinquents), was just so enormous, so round and just so.....French!  

Where on earth could any ordinary person ever find the equivalent to LRB? Especially when drowning in a sea of Dora the Explorer or SpongeBob mylar?  

The answer?  

Geronimo Balloon Troopers

This Los Angeles based company produces gorgeous balloon bouquets complete with what they term: fancy fringe (colorful ribbons and adornment) for any occasion--weddings, birthdays or no reason at all. Or as an alternative, order just one (each single 36 inch balloon holds the equivalent helium of around 30 regular balloons), and have your own special La Rouge Balloon moment. www.geronimoballoons.com 

{'ol Blue Eyes}

Angelina Jolie, Michael Jackson, Steve McQueen, Warren Beatty, Robert Redford and...the Maverick, Tom Cruise. What do all of these celebrities have in common?

The Ray-Ban Aviator.

Is there any sunglass silhouette as iconic as the Aviator? Sure the Jackie O. is stiff competition and the Wayfarer is a close second but all in all, the Aviator just says..."cool". Hollywood lore dictates that the shape actually helps aid in the appearance of a more firm jaw line and higher cheekbones. It's no wonder they look good on everyone from classic film legends of the Gilded Age to the young badgirl-Lindsey Lohan's of today.

My new obsession: Ray Ban Aviators in gold frame with vintage inspired crystal sky-blue lenses.


Such a fresh and yummy combo!

www.ray-ban.com/usa

{a buttery pink hairbrush}

The luxury of a Mason Pearson brush is well documented: the natural boar bristles which coax the most brilliant shine to the hair, the handmade ergonomic handle which keeps that space between your thumb and forefinger from feeling fatigued, and that recognizable salmon-colored rubber pad which provides the most lovely scalp message. 

The only drawback to the whole set-up is the dreary color of the full size brushes. That's why when I need to tame the frizzies, I love rooting through my bag and whipping out my lovely pink pocket size 'Child' CB4 model. This slab of buttery pink plastic is just the right size for everyday handbags and the color...well it just makes me happy and also happens to be the exact same shade as the similarly shaped bottle of Agent Provacateur resting on my vanity. www.masonpearson.com

{welcome}

but·ter   1.  A soft yellow or white blend of butterfat, water, air and salt, churned from milk and used for a rich and creamy flavor or texture 2. The food of kings  The best soft substance known to mankind 3. Any various substances similar to butter slang (adj) describing something as cool, fresh, enjoyable To be cool, amazing, smooth, sweet, hot Cool or pleasing to the eye tasty (adj) describing a material object or service conducive to sumptuous living A delicacy, elegance or refinement of living rather than a necessity Free indulgence in or enjoyment of comforts and pleasures in addition to those necessary for a reasonable standard of well-being A pleasure out of the ordinary allowed to oneself Affordable luxury {perfection} Welcome to Butter! The postings here are an online catalog of everything that inspires me. They are a delightful mix of all things fresh as Butter...