What Would Char Do? Late Summer/Early Fall

Summer has a fading quality – we hold on to every warm day and evening; cherish the family dinners out on the patio and wear white for as long as we can!
 
Well where is the rule that we can’t wear white all the time everyday all year long? I do it and so can you! Let's think about the beauty of wearing white fashionable pieces now, into late summer and fall with grace and style. Fall is the ultimate fashion season…the transition into Fall needs to be thoughtful and seamless. What better than a white shirt paired with wheat colored pants and skirts, lilac, cinnamon and sage hues in light sweaters, wraps and scarves to accessorize, to make the white “pop” keeping the brightness of summer alive.

I also believe that suede is a timeless texture and organic look that can be worn in Summer (suede tees big this Summer) and into Fall making the fashion transition easy. I suggest our best selling Lorena Vest to go with any top, button down or light sweater – it is a flattering shape and comes in every color one can imagine!
 
To order a custom made Lorena vest please call 505-988-5969 or email Char at char@saintestate.com. 3 weeks for delivery. 

A wonderful accessory to all these early Fall style ideas are the Charlotte earrings by D&A Designs, in Labradorite - the smokey semi precious stones are soft and complementary to any outfit.

As I head to Spain later this Fall I am reminded that all women in Europe wear a white clean cut button down shirt everyday – always with a stunning jacket, sweater or wrap so let us take a cue from those that are in the “fashion know,” keep it classic, simple and elegant and you will always look fantastic day or night!
 
We loved having so many friends, family and wonderful customers stop by Char Designs at The White Studio during Indian Market week. Please keep coming especially as the Fall weather in Santa Fe is so lovely and we have new designs coming  in all the time!

Enjoy your late summer time, with love,

See you soon!

Char De Vazquez
Owner & Founder
Char Designs - Saint Estate

What Would Char Do? Summer Edition

As we launch into our summer season here in Santa Fe we are definitely not lazy! We are so excited for the friends, family and visitors to come to Char Designs at the White Studio. We just received our Char Chalet Wraps in beautiful summer colors. Our collection of white blouses and lace are cool and crisp, waiting for summer shoppers.

We have the best essentials for the season from casual to elegant in cottons, leathers and lace. Our new soft and supple suede tees are the perfect look with a jean skirt or pair of capris.

Our summertime pursuits require something different of our wardrobes – we want to help you achieve the delicate balance of looking cool and beautiful during the warmer months of the year! Vintage lace dresses, tops and skirts will suit for any wedding event and Char’s Best Travel pant – in navy or white for travel, or an evening barbeque, paired with a lightweight tank or cotton shirt is just what you want!

We have just finished new custom necklaces and bracelets to accessorize any outfit.  A single pearl on a chain with charms and a locket for summer treasures is the perfect and simple jewelry look.

Celebrate the fourth of July with sparkle and charm from Char and D&A Designs!  

We welcome and anticipate the annual market celebrations in July. The International Folk Art Market and the Spanish Market are highlights for our city different. Char Designs will have Open House weeks at the White Studio which are always a fun and festive time with food, drink and one-of-a-kind shopping. We look forward to featuring local artists and offering jewelry workshops during these fun celebration weeks.

Look for online sales and specials as well as more event fun at the White Studio coming soon. Don’t forget to call or email us if there is anything you need for your summer festivities.

Wishing you all a summer filled with long days and warm evenings.

See you soon!

Char De Vazquez

What Would Char Do? May 2015

May: mothers, women who inspire and summer just around the corner. It is time to dwell on the new season’s possibilities! Time to refresh your classic looks for the summer. Family gatherings, wedding parties and graduation festivities abound. You’ll be swimming in compliments with a few new things to brighten up your look.

This month is all about layers; put it on, take it off – weather permitting. White layers add an air of understated romance. But you always need to add colors to the mix. We are designing a new chambray and other warm pastels to compliment our white shirt collection. And lace, of course, stunning new lace designs on pin tuck and trim!    

For me designing fashion is my art. Every day I go to work as a makeover artist and retail therapist. I love helping my beloved customers look and feel wonderful on a regular basis. We all gain purpose and fulfillment together! Now you can go to that graduation reception or mother’s day brunch and laugh and cry looking beautiful the entire time in a timeless classic outfit from Char Designs.

No doubt you will have to travel a bit this month to be with loved ones. Our exclusive styles are well traveled – you will arrive in style with pretty pieces that pack easily and are resort worthy and family approved. 

All of us at Char Designs wish the many women who inspire us love and the blessings of family and a happy mother’s day. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you this summer in Santa Fe if you are passing through.

What Would Char Do? April 2015

Showers, flowers, springtime in Paris….had to stop briefly en route to Spain, then Portugal to finalize our new artisan weaving design project.

Paris... You can just feel the fashion.  On the street, in the café, at the museum ~ flowing spring skirts, classic ribbon belts and well made, tailored, crisp pressed shirts. Paris is a treasure trove of design ideas. The perfect infusion of creativity to add to my newest Char Chalet Wrap collection as well as our new shirt and one of a kind designs we have in the works! 

Spring…reminding us that cool lavenders, smoky blues and neutral beige are still the blends we use as we travel through this month of Spring transition. We have beautiful new lace and pin tuck style tunics and shirts in a natural beige ramie cotton, this neutral soft color paired with a great black pant or skirt offers just the right amount of sophistication, while at the same time harkens to the casual, handsome chic look of Coco Chanel. 

This April, Char Designs is blooming with new styles. We have a brand new collection for 2015 of fabulous shirts from our artisans in Bali, laces that are one of a kind finds, D&A jewelry to accessorize , and our travel styles that every woman needs in her closet. If you haven’t grabbed a pair of Char’s Best travel Pant, Char’s Best Cami or Long Sleeve Tee you are missing something ~ affordable, easy care, sustainable, wearable styles to make your Char Crochet Tunic or Shirt look even better! 

Our newest styles will be up on our site later this spring but in the meantime give us a call and we can find the perfect new look for you today! Also look for a great Spring Sale online – we need to make room at our studio for all the wonderful new merchandise arriving soon!

Shop Spring, think Summer, Warmly,

Char

What Would Char Do? March 2015

Bon Voyage, Winter ~ Wishful thinking! 

March is the month that flirts with fashion…what to wear in snow, wind, mud, and heat! My solution—bright white and fun—colors, and we have you covered with our fabulous new wraps from a family of weavers in Portugal that I discovered on my last trip. These soft, elegantly simple, cozy lambs wool wraps in an array of colors are the perfect addition to your travel look.

Thinking of travel? This month is a perfect time to Review (your closet that is) Renew (spa perhaps) and Resort!  We love Travaasa Resorts with stunning locations in Austin, TX and Hana, HI. And in case you forget something, their gorgeous retail shops carry Char Designs and D&A jewelry!  

I would like to suggest a great resort outfit idea. Our best selling Spanish tunic available in white or black is the perfect item to pack! This hand cut lace 100% cotton shift tunic, that can be a cover up or darling dress, is the go-to look for poolside, casual brunch or dinner by the sea.

Let's not forget the mystery this month implies. The Ides of March and all that! Consider a romantic Sofia, Chloe or Raphael locket from D&A Designs. Lockets keep your secrets close to your heart and are so fashionable now! Locket necklaces are showing up on every celebrity we know!
 
I encourage you to boldly brave it this month and prepare for the warming trend. Our artisans are creating fabulous new designs that delight, because spring is just around the corner!
 
Love,
Char

What Would Char Do? February 2015

It is the month for romance…I love it! 

I certainly did not have to travel far to find our cozy spot in Austin. This is the perfect location for me to write about my love for fashion as I sit in the D&A Design studio surrounded by gorgeous gold, silver and gemstones…The perfect Valentine looks to brighten up anyone’s February.

My incredibly talented jewelry designer sons, Demian and Alex Vazquez of D&A Designs have created such stunning pieces for the perfect V-day gift for someone you care about or yourself! In fact lets dwell on that for a moment…Statistics indicate that over 60% of women send themselves flowers on Valentines Day!

I think that a beautiful pair of earrings or charm chain necklace is much better ~ classic gold tone with semiprecious stones to sparkle up your winter look that will last forever or at least until Spring when you might want something new!

Try Rose Shimmer Lavender Amethyst earrings paired with a Spanish Heart pendant on a 22” chain – wearable day or night. Add a clean white Margie Ruffle shirt (by Char Designs of course!) and a vintage neckerchief and you are ready for a champagne brunch with friends or an evening with a special someone.

I cannot forget to mention lace at this time of year. Just so lovely and romantic whether it is hand cut lace trim on a blouse or an antique lace ensemble that is so fabulously one-of-a-kind that everyone will want your outfit or at least flirt with you! 

Please visit our website for all these styles or feel free to call us at Char Designs - Saint Estate at The White Studio in Santa Fe and we can assist in creating your perfect Valentine or forever look!

Sending fashionista hugs and kisses,

Char

What Would Char Do?January 2015

Cheers to all this New Year… I am so excited to launch my monthly letter to you, which is long overdue and I have so much to share!

Each month  “What Would Char Do” will offer fun ideas and my personal thoughts on fashion looks and trends. Often I will be writing from fabulous distant places that I travel to, discovering unique designs hand crafted by independent artisans to bring back to our studio. We are constantly designing and dreaming up new collections at the White Studio in Santa Fe, New Mexico and we love to share our creativity and beautifully curated selections.

Our brands have reached new horizons and it is clear to me that classic, timeless style and quality will remain a primary go-to look for the authentic women we love.

On that note…Is it time to pick up a clean, crisp, winter white shirt? Or if you only wear basic black we have that too! Fresh is the name of the game starting a new year and I love white for winter in every shade!

Pair a white top or sweater with basic black pants and boots and you can go anywhere!  Accessories are key and right now I am in love with D & A's Rock Crystal – an “ice” look for winter that goes with everything.

Keep visiting our ever evolving website, saintestate.com, for incredible styles that fit our busy lives. We offer everything from casual and travel/resort wear to fabulous looks for evening. Find leather, lace, vintage one-of-a-kinds and of course beautiful cotton shirts, tunics, blouses and jewelry to accent any outfit you are creating.

Always be true to your own style and feel free to call or email me or my wonderful associates anytime!

We are always available to assist with style and fit questions to meet all your special shopping needs.

Love, 
Char

Char De Vazquez
Owner & Founder
Char Designs ~ Saint Estate
Saintestate.com
505-988-5969