I was visiting Antibes, France today.  A bustling town located right on the Mediterranean.  Some say becoming as popular as St. Tropez!  Well….not so sure about that, but….. not as shi-shi-chic….but quite charming.  Definitely worth a visit.  Quaint cobblestone streets all head toward the water…each filled with intimate shops and cafes, my favorite gelato stands, and even pups wearing their summer sunglasses. What is trending in this Provence resort town?
Of course just what we carry in our stores, coton frais in Boca and Jupiter.  Our boutiques feature beautiful blanc cotton and linen same as these French shops do.  We are French inspired and have captured their look to a tee. Fresh and bright blanc lace, and a little sequin add a special touch which turns our designs from ordinary into extraordinary!  Oui Oui! A little style and grace goes a long way…

Avoir! 

It is early morning here in the south of France. I am in Provence on a buying trip for our boutique stores, coton frais.  Our two locations are in Jupiter and Boca Raton.  Although we are a private label manufacturer of blanc resort wear, we sell gifts and accessories so I am attending one of the markets today in Aix en Provence to find the perfect gift items for our Florida clientele.  
The markets In France move to different towns each day of the week, and today it is here.  Tomorrow I will venture out to Lourmarin and Bonnieux.  Each market varies so visiting several assures you a wide array of choices to select from.  Some markets only carry produce, food, herbs and flowers others carry antiques but the one today is a classic provencal market…carrying everything from clothing to paintings, delicacies, herbs and spices, fresh fish….lavender and soaps and even rotisserie poulet!
The weather the last few days has been rainy, but I am hoping for a sunny morning! Bonjour…wish me luck!

​-Clarice 

​Kate Spade…achieved world-wide success, but did she ever achieve real happiness and satisfaction?  With the news of her apparent suicide those of us in the retail world/boutique owners (cotonfraisfashion.com) and especially ones who were at one time affiliated with her company have to wonder “what the hell happened?” 

According to suicide experts the 6 main causes for one to take their life are:
1.  Depression
2.  Psychotic behavior
3.  Impulsive behavior
4.  Crying out for help
5.  Philosophical desire
6.  They’ve made a mistake

So…which one was it?  
She left a note.  We don’t know what it said. 
We don’t have answers, only questions. 
We can’t learn anything from this.  
We feel horrible, but she felt worse. 
Was her life all about the show?  The excitement, the money, the glam of it all?  Was it all superficial?  Was she truly just the “make believe icon” of her brand?  
Was she more? 
We want to know “why”?
What was missing?  
And, why was there no one to help.
A moment of silence, for yet another successful, bright, intelligent woman taken too soon.

Shop the trend in store and online! 

Credit: People Magazine

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