— Style —

NEW GLASSES AND OLD CLOTHES

BRENDA COFFEE AT THE DIENGER TRADING COMPANY, BOERNE, TEXAS. PHOTOGRAPHS BY JENNIFER DENTON, ©1010ParkPlace, 2018.
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While much of the country is enduring another Nor’easter, the rest of us are hoping for a couple of spring-like days. Today was one of those days for me and my oh, so talented friend and photographer, Jennifer Denton. When we left San Antonio, it was sunny and 49 degrees. By the end of our day in Boerne—45 minutes north of San Antonio—it was 65 and beautiful but still cool enough for a jacket.

In addition to a few oldies, but goodies from my closet, I wore my new glasses.

This may be the first time you’ve seen me with glasses! I’m blind as a bat. When contacts failed to correct my astigmatism, I started wearing glasses full-time. Choosing new glasses and sunglasses—sunshades as the folks in West Texas call them—is more difficult for me than finding a new pair of jeans!

FYI, Oliver Peoples IS NOT sponsoring this post. In fact, they have no idea I’m writing it, but… I LOVE Oliver Peoples frames! I always have.

Earlier this year I stopped by an Oliver Peoples store in New York City, where I met the “glasses whisperer,” Paul Chen. In reality he’s the Retail District Manager for Oliver Peoples, who just happened to be in the store, but in a nearsighted minute, he found some frames that looked great on me. If you wear glasses every day then you know how important it is to find the right pair that’re perfect for your face shape and coloring. These are fashionable with gold metal temple pieces and a darker frame, and I love them! Thank you, Oliver Peoples and Paul Chen!

Now to my old pieces… I cherish my espadrilles especially since they fit my skinny feet. I’ve had them for years, and they’re from Tory Burch. Blue and white stripes never go out of style.

My jacket is the only piece of tweed clothing I’ve ever owned. I bought it at Inès de La Fressange’s unpretentious little boutique in Paris. Perhaps it was the wine colored lining or the rust colored, suede belt, but the moment I tried it on… It was mine.

Inès de La Fressange is the epitome of effortless French style. Often cited as the cool, French woman, Inès has been a model, author of Parisian Chic, a Style Guide and former muse to fashion designer, Karl Lagerfeld, who in 1983, signed her as the first model to have an exclusive contract with Chanel.

While I can’t say her tweed jacket has infused me with chic Parisian style, it has been a welcomed addition to my wardrobe.

BTW, I borrowed the hat I’m wearing from the men’s department in the Dienger Trading Company where we were shooting. I may have to go back and buy it!

Since Jennifer and I were going to the laidback Texas Hill Country, I paired my jacket with the only pair of blue jeans I’ve owned for the last 10 years. They’re from Adriano Goldschmied, now know as AG. Why only one pair? My blue jeans are my scales. When I have trouble zipping them up… It’s time to reassess my diet and workout schedule. The blue jeans I bought in my early 20’s were my scales until I was in my 50’s, and now these are my “second pair of scales.”

My rule is: “Don’t buy new jeans to fit a bigger body. Make the bigger body fit the old jeans.”

Peeking out from the turned back sleeves (a great style trick) of my jacket is an Elie Tahari blouse I bought after chemotherapy, 13 years ago. The elastic around the dropped shoulder is a little loose to wear on its own, but it works great under my jacket.

In addition to writing BRENDA’S BLOG here on 1010ParkPlace, its been fun to be recognized as a fashion blogger. Did you read the wonderful interview designer, Cindy Hattersley, did about me? Thank you, Cindy! My late fashionista mother would be so pleased, even though I’m still wearing blue jeans!!

There’s one thing that bothers me about being a fashion blogger: Even if you had a relationship with a brand, what would you do with a new outfit each week? That adds up to a lot of new clothes in a hurry!


21 Comments

  • Maude Ciardi March 16, 2018 at 10:22 am

    Just found your blog and an so excited. Love it I really love the new Oliver Peoples glasses you are wearing. You look amazing in them. What is the style? and color of yours.? There are so many on the website. Please let me know. Thank you. Am considering getting a pair
    Maude Ciardi

    • 1010ParkPlace March 17, 2018 at 12:32 pm

      Hi Maude, I’m excited you found my blog and 1010ParkPlace as well. I love Oliver Peoples’s frames. Over the years, they’ve been my go to brand. I will touch base with the store where I bought these and let you know. Thanks so much for reading and letting me know you’re here! Your comment inspires me! Brenda

    • 1010ParkPlace March 22, 2018 at 7:38 pm

      Hi Maude, The style of my Oliver Peoples’ glasses is Keery, a combination style featuring a filigreed temple and bridge with a slightly upswept eye shape on the edge that lifts the face. Take a look at the link here because they come in four different color “combinations.” I remember Paul called mine almost a “translucent taupe,” but I don’t see that color, however the others are just as amazing! Really, really pretty. https://oliverpeoples.com/shop/keery#keery-cocobolo-antique-gold xoxox, Brenda

  • Cindy Hattersley March 16, 2018 at 12:07 pm

    Brenda I am in search of the perfect pair of glasses as well. I love your frames! I forgot about Oliver Peoples. I must check them out!!

    • 1010ParkPlace March 17, 2018 at 12:33 pm

      Cindy! You forgot about Oliver Peoples? We need to fix that, especially since you’re a designer and appreciate great design. I’m going to check with the store where I bought these and get back to you with the details about these frames. Aren’t they gorgeous? Thanks so much, Brenda

    • 1010ParkPlace March 22, 2018 at 7:39 pm

      Hi Cindy, Here’s a link to my Oliver People’s frames. It’s gorgeous! The edges turn up ever so slightly… ever so… which is what my face needs as opposed to anything that drags it down. xoxox, Brenda

  • Diane March 17, 2018 at 7:46 am

    Great post! Great pictures!
    Love your ‘scales’. Must use that one!

    • 1010ParkPlace March 17, 2018 at 12:34 pm

      Hi Diane, LOL! Oh, my blue jean scales… Yep! They’re the only scales I’ve ever worn. Funny how well they work, too! Thanks for stopping by, Brenda

  • Beckye March 17, 2018 at 10:01 am

    Great glasses, Brenda! You look smart and beautiful in them. (And without them!) Thanks for the great fashion tips! I was in San Antonio last weekend at a cute shop for lunch with my mom and had to look around to check if you might be there. Would have been fun!

    • 1010ParkPlace March 17, 2018 at 11:40 am

      Beckye!! You should have emailed me. I might have been able to pop over and say hello! Next time, okay? xoxox, Brenda

      • Beckye March 17, 2018 at 2:23 pm

        Will do! Would be fun!

  • Sue Burpee March 17, 2018 at 10:37 am

    Love the new glasses. And the old jeans. Wish I could still fit into the jeans I wore in my twenties.

    • 1010ParkPlace March 17, 2018 at 11:41 am

      Sue, you must have been rail thin in your 20’s, because you’re svelt now!

  • Kris March 17, 2018 at 8:08 pm

    Dear Brenda:
    I have been reading your blog for awhile and love it. The way your express yourself with your writing has me smiling laughing or crying. I love how you can “”feel your words””

    Thank you for sharing your insights – always enjoy the blog with coffee!!!

    hugs

    Kris

  • 1010ParkPlace March 17, 2018 at 8:10 pm

    Dear Kris,
    You’ve made my year with your sweet note! Thank you! You’ve filled me with joy and inspiration, knowing you like what I write. Even more, you feel my words! That’s the greatest compliment a writer can receive. Please know how touched and grateful I am that you’ve let me know.

    Coffee with Brenda Coffee!! Sounds like a great match! I can’t drink coffee. Kind of ironic, isn’t it? Chemotherapy damaged my heart so caffeine isn’t on my approved list. When my friend and photographer and I were shooting this week’s blog, she ordered a giant cup of Earl Grey tea with lots of cream and some sugar. After about 10 minutes of staring at it, I had a couple of sips… Heavenly!

    Please stay in touch. I’ll look for you, again. XOXOX, Brenda

  • Debbie March 17, 2018 at 8:46 pm

    I think you’re getting prettier every year. Love your glasses!

  • 1010ParkPlace March 17, 2018 at 8:48 pm

    That’s called Photoshop, but thank you! xoxox, Brenda

  • Susan Williams March 18, 2018 at 9:52 am

    Those glasses really are ADORABLE on you!!! And now, I will be looking for Oliver Peoples! AND an adorable pair of espadrilles!

    • Brenda Coffee March 19, 2018 at 5:36 pm

      Hi Susan!! I’m glad you like my glasses! I love them! Oliver Peoples has some great styles to choose from. I remember my first pair of espadrilles. I was in college. They survived and were in good condition until my husband’s company caught fire and I wore them while the fire department was putting out the fire. They got wet and smelled like electrical smoke. Thanks for stopping by and leaving me a comment, Brenda

  • Esther Zimmer March 20, 2018 at 4:15 am

    Brenda, your new glasses look fabulous on you! Such gorgeous photographs, love you! Essie xx

    • 1010ParkPlace March 26, 2018 at 4:45 pm

      Thank you! Essie!!! Where are you? ESP!! I’ve been thinking about you and David. Please email me and bring me up to date. xoxox, Brenda

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