DYNAMIC SANTA FE SISTERS - CHAR & SHERRY

                         Photos by C. Whitney-Ward  

Char (top photo) and sister Sherry grew up in a small northern Colorado town and

began their careers in fashion at an early age - stitching doll clothes on their mom's Singer sewing machine. Over the years they've successfully collaborated on design projects and now they are at it again, sharing Char's beautiful white adobe studio space in downtown Santa Fe.

For the past 30 years, Char occupied a store front on Old Santa Fe Trail across from La Fonda Hotel. Her signature clothing designs quite literally defined Santa Fe style. When she closed her store a few months ago, I wondered where all the beautiful clothing had gone.

When I received an invitation to Char's White Studio/Pop Up Store opening on March 25th, I didn't have to wonder any more. "I went down the rabbit hole and came up on McKenzie Street," laughs Char.

 The two-story space is beautiful, filled with architectural detail, sunlight and Char's wonderful clothing and Sherry's handsome "work" bags.

And something new - wonderful  vintage sofas and chairs upholstered in vibrant patchwork fabrics.

     CHAR AT THE WHITE STUDIO

206 McKenzie Street

 in the large white villa at the corner of Griffin (off Grant Street)

505.988.5969

By appointment

IF YOU ONLY HAD AN HOUR IN SANTA FE

                                     Photos by C. Whitney-Ward

I'd shop...it's amazing what you can do in an hour. I met a friend and we zipped through the FLEA at the Railyard - my favorite haunt come Saturday morning.

  And, yes, I've blogged about it before, but it's ever-changing and so much fun to photograph.  Here 's what I found.

Yes, you can fill this lovely silver vessel with coffee, but I'd keep it in my kitchen filled with bouquets of daffodils.

Handsome felted wool bags by Leland Guthrie of Felt Nomadic

Not for sale, but beautiful to look at.

Beautiful to look at and for sale.

What a great face...

What swell gloves.

And do run to the FLEA to buy a jar of this stuff - Chocolate Habanero

 Fudge Sauce. Pour it over the best vanilla ice cream you can find, or simply open the jar and spoon it into your mouth.

And at the same booth you can find one of these dandy chile roasters. Just  plop on your grill, close the lid and wallah - perfect roasted chiles. It also works in your oven.

Stuff the chiles with peanut butter before roasting,  says Prairie Thyme owner, Gary Hall, and serve with a chocolate martini.  Then - this is my suggestion - have a picnic on one of the rugs below.

Yes, I did buy something at the FLEA. I'd been looking at it for weeks. It's faux and fabulous and it makes me happy!

Beauty & The Bliss

And I did stop next door at the Farmer's Market and saw these sensational succulents.

THE SUCCULENT GARDEN

505.438.1057