Viva Fiesta, Viva Cloche

I’m a Texas-transplant, so Fiesta is not something I grew up with. Which means I got to learn of the traditional springtime San Antonio tradition in the very best way – full throttle, in your face immersion at the ripe age of 21.

If you’re someone who is a sensual (not simply a visual) learner, Fiesta will leave you in a sensational overdose. Start with the sights: the brightest colors, the most festive parades, the jubilant, Mexican-themed outfits, and the never-ending trail of papel picado that leaves you pondering why we regularly don’t sprinkle confetti on every surface on which we eat and walk. Your ears are bombarded with the sounds of happy laughter and Mariachis, who only pause for an interruption of some “Viva!’s” or Mexican gritos, and leave your ears humming with traditional folk music well into the night. Your tastebuds are also in for a wild ride – because you may very well have thought you knew what a good margarita and Tex-Mex plate taste like, but it’s your first visit to La Fonda, and the bar is now set impossibly high. And don’t be fooled into thinking the only thing you’ll be smelling is some jalapeno nachos – because that oh-so-beautiful aroma has to share the stage with delicious street churros, the scent-there-is-no-name-for of a spring night under the twinkling Texas stars, and the bountiful flower arrangements that spill over at the Garden Party and the German. And, oh the feels. You feel the warmth of hugs from old and new friends, the contrast of the warmth of the San Antonio sun and the cool cocktail in your hand, the contagious excitement of a city that finds the most enjoyment in community celebrations, and the all-too-rare sense of contentment in knowing the party – at least this week - does not have to end. 

There’s nothing like Fiesta. And there’s no collage that can properly communicate all these Fiesta feels – it’s just something you just have to experience for yourself.  But there’s certainly no harm in trying to capture the magic of Fiesta in your wardrobe or your home. 

Which is why Cloche’s Fiesta-inspired tablescape is so perfect – both as inspiration for your own bring-Fiesta-to-your-casa DIY project and as the happy, festive creation that only a San Antonio-based company could envision and bring to life. Each detail evokes the same sensational experience of the main event itself, and each element is what your fajita night, Cinco de Mayo-on-the-horizon dreams are made of. Viva Cloche!

Embroidered Clutch - Moyna Bags// Embroidered Minaudiere - Zara

Danielle Rollins is Rollin' on down to San Antone

The Instagram algorithm powers that be are how I first learned of Atlanta-based tastemaker Danielle Rollins. With the excitement of moving into our first home came going down a few interior decorating Insta-account rabbit holes – and through one of these adventures I found myself at the gates of an entertaining palace, home to the Queen D herself. I wouldn’t describe this figurative e-meeting so much as #goals as #aspirations. Think pristine tablescapes, perfectly curated interiors, some native-Texan sassy underpinnings, and enough Brunschwig & Fils to wallpaper your dog house, should you so choose

I’m drawn to any creative mind who likes to party (surprise, surprise), but throw fashion into the equation and you have what every boss I’ve ever had has always wanted and never quite achieved – my 100% attention. So when Cloche reached out with an invitation to style some pieces from Danielle’s new clothing line, I was on the midnight train to Georgia (excuse my cheese). The collection includes floor-length patterned skirts, boxy silk tops, and a revolutionary concept that will earn Rollins a place in my personal history book: hostess pajamas. In the Veranda feature on her stunning home, Rollins references the old adage that also happens to be (surprise, surprise) one of my personal mantras: “if you buy clothing for a life you want to live, you’re going to live it.” Well if wearing some Danielle Rollins gets me closer to living like Danielle Rollins, I’ll take one of everything, porfavor.

There is no time or place where entertaining with style is done more enthusiastically and flamboyantly than San Antonio during Fiesta time. So Danielle paying a visit to SA for a trunk show scheduled on April 5th & 6th at The Argyle (with 10% of sales donated to Texas Biomedical Research Institute) means the stars have certainly aligned. And who better to usher in this debut than local entertaining/decorating mavens Cloche Designs and M Interiors? If you can’t make the trunk show, order online with code SANANTONIO before April 6th to take advantage of the give back. Her couture collection is exactly what a Fiesta-wardrobe should be: fancy-yet-festive, a nod to tradition, and all about the party. ¡Viva!, indeed.

Linen Drawstring Top - Danielle Rollins// Le Zebre Zip Clutch - Danielle Rollins// White Raw Silk Top - Danielle Rollins// White Flower Earrings - Nicola Bathie

Shop all Danielle Rollins Liberty Print skirts here and don't forget to use code "SANANTONIO" to donate 10% of your purchase to Texas Biomedical Research Institute!

Getting Cozy with Cloche

As a pseudo-adult, I approach taking down Christmas decorations the first week of January in much the same way I approached getting shots at the doctor’s office as a child: make it quick, don’t think about it, and know that no matter what you do, you will hate every second of it. Also, don’t be ashamed to cry a little bit.

So when I read Cloche team member Laura Nell Burton’s blog post on the roller coaster of emotion that was decorating and un-decorating her personal Christmas tree when she was a child, I said a whole bunch of mental “amen, gurl”-s. But more to the point, her words consoled me in much the same way a fancy Lisa Frank band-aid would post-shot as a young tot/preteen, because they introduced me to the possibility of believing in January-love-after-Christmas-love.

By repurposing Christmas trees as a January “Dinner in the Woods” party décor, the genius that is Laura Nell gave some beloved Douglas Firs one last hurrah – a victory lap, if you will. Read about her one-man’s-old-tree-is-a-fab-party-planner’s-treasure experience here, and how the winter wonderland can continue even after Santa calls it a night. The event had no shortage of signature Cloche touches: beautiful centerpieces made by hand, on-theme bites & cocktails, sentimental surprises, and an overall fabulous aesthetic. The “fur, flats, and flannel” dress code of the party inspired this collage, which in turn has also inspired me to embrace every opportunity for cozy-celebrations this month has to offer.

Pink Geometric Earrings - Oscar De La Renta// Faux Fur Bag - STAUD Clothing// Tweed Flats - Zara// 

How to (Enjoy the) Hunt: Cloche Designs

There's no party like a Cloche Designs party. So when they created a "Home from the Hunt" themed dinner party (peep the details below), I brought back this hunting-themed post and wrote a lil' somethin' to celebrate my new excuse to partake in Texas' favorite pastime. Check it out here

Tan Hat - Biltmore// Shooting Shirt - King Ranch Saddle Shop// Monogram Camo Jacket - Mariella Vilar// Orange Vest - King Ranch Saddle Shop//  Sand Hat - Biltmore// Mexican Shirt - Mi Golondrina// Belts - Zilker// Lipstick - Tom Ford (Wild Ginger)

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When Cloche Hosts: Mr. McGregor's Garden Party

Let me set the scene that inspired this collage: a beautiful grassy lawn in front of the Argyle, a private dining club in San Antonio built in 1854; children squealing as they run around, baskets in hand, in search of the hidden gold key to unlock the most fabulous life-size playhouse I have ever seen; me, a few yards away, glass of champagne with a cotton candy topper in hand, wondering how long I could get away with moving into said playhouse and claiming it as my permanent residence; bunnies (yes, real bunnies) hopping alongside your feet, leaving you wondering whether you are hallucinating this entire Sunday afternoon dreamworld; and Laura Nell Burton and Christin Gish of Cloche Designs across the way, impeccably dressed and completely composed (proof below), reminding you that perfection is achievable with some teamwork and a lot of heart. 

Check out the guest post I wrote about Cloche Design's legacy project here and peep the details on this next-level garden party here

Bunny Heels - Gianvito Rossi// The Tale of Peter Rabbit Book Clutch - MrsChaplinShop

Party planners extraordinaire, Laura Nell Burton and Christin Gish of Cloche Designs. Follow their never ending fiesta here. 

Party planners extraordinaire, Laura Nell Burton and Christin Gish of Cloche Designs. Follow their never ending fiesta here