.... boogie nights........

Those of you who have been followers of Les Soeurs Anglaises for some time and have either been receiving our newsletters or following our blog, might be a little intrigued to learn that we are adding a string to our bow this year -  a musical fête!.  In the past we have held the occasional concert in our wonderful studio barn with its superb acoustics, but as we recently became sponsors of Women for Women International UK, a charity which supports women facing violence, marginalisation, and poverty as a result of war and conflict, it is with great pleasure that we have decided to host a Fête de Boogie Woogie in July of this year, to raise funds for them.

The highlight of the weekend will be an exclusive Gala Evening featuring renowned American and European pianist/saxophonist, Deanna Bogart, and sensational 20 year old German pianist, Luca Sestek, (both recording artists) at a gourmet dinner created and cooked by Sven-Hanson Britt, 2014 MasterChef: the Professionals finalist.  To quote Jonathan McAloon of The Telegraph newspaper, "When London chef Sven-Hanson Britt filled a glass teapot with consommé, you knew he deserved the Masterchef title. He has been by far the best throughout the competition, but in this moment he became the chef he was always destined to be."  

Accommodation, meals including the Gourmet Dinner and Buffet Sunday Lunch prepared by Sven-Britt, accompanied by great wines, vintage Champagne and Dessert Wine tastings, continental breakfasts and other meals, plus local transport is included in the price (fares to and from France not included); as well, of course, as all the wonderful, live Boogie Woogie music both at the Gourmet Dinner and at the public concert by the musicians the following evening at the nearby town of Riberac..  

Meanwhile, we are currently sponsoring a year-long WfWI training course in South Sudan, where two of the Les Soeurs team were born. As a business run by women, we are delighted to be supporting such a worthwhile charity as Women for Women International, which offers women survivors of war the training and skills to ensure a sustainable future, and our aim with the Fête de Boogie Woogie is to raise £20,000 for them to continue their work helping  women survivors of war to rebuild their lives.  We would particularly welcome any of our past participants, newsletter and blog readers who might enjoy an exceptional combination of great music, food and vintage wines, and it could be the perfect opportunity to introduce a partner or friend to our celebrated venue and hospitality whilst supporting such a worthy cause.  But be warned:  We can only accommodate a limited number of residential guests so don't leave it too late to book if you want to be sure of being a part of this special weekend.

There is more information about the Fête de Boogie Woogie, the artists, and incredible food and vintage wines that we will be serving, on our website but do contact us directly if you have any questions.  (Tickets for the Saturday night concert only will soon be available on Eventbrite.)

Katie

.. the boys can join in.....

January is nearly at an end and the days are definitely getting longer, but it's still falling below freezing most days here in the south of France, though that's practically tropical when compared with the weather conditions on the east coast of the US.  Whilst reading all about the storms hitting New York, I came across this terrific photograph by ANDREAS FEININGER of the Great Blizzard of 1947.  Andreas was the son of one of my favourite artists, Lyonel Feininger, whose own father emigrated from Germany to the US in 1848.

Don't it make you want to just stay indoors and knit?    But if that's not your style you might be interested in a couple of Fair Isle sweaters that I picked up at a local brocante recently;  one is definitely hand-knitted and both 100% wool and in pretty much near perfect condition, size S/M and for sale at our Etsy shop.

And if you're in need of cheering up during these dark days and the men in your life keep telling you that knitting is for the girls (whilst they got on with rocket science and fixing the car), then here is something to prove beyond a doubt they couldn't be more wrong.  Let's face it, if Mr Spock can make himself a scarf, and our very first heart throb, the gorgeous Cary Cooper, can knit a...a... whatever, then choosing colours, patterns and yarns is also something the boys can enjoy ion the knowledge that together with learning a language and chess, knitting complicated patterns has been proven to exercise the brain and keep minds young and sharp.  

 

We don't often write about events in the US but here is one that might appeal to anyone living in the Los Angeles area who loves 40s and 50s styles.  Wear It Again Sam Vintage Clothing will be running a stall at the Inspiration fair on the 6th and 7th February.  Looks like lots of fun, but if you can't get there then you can visit their on-line Etsy shop to see the best of what they have to offer in retro style.

Beautiful 1940's New Look Gabardine Suit w/ Long Peplum in the Back by "American Woolen Company" 

KEEP WARM!
Katie

.... aprons galore.....

You may, like us, enjoy the occasional arts and crafts fair, and this year we have ear-marked AEF Pro Paris, the International Needlecraft and Hobby Trade Fair, not least as a show of solidarity against what has been happening in this great city the past week.  If you plan a visit to La Belle France before then, there is another, very charming fair L'Aguille en Fete in the capital between the 12th and 15th February. Sadly we won't be able to be there this year as we'll be in the UK, but we have been in the past and it's well worth a visit (I know Selvedge Magazine generally have a stand).  However, if you're stuck in the Big Smoke don't forget the Spring Knitting and Stitching Show at Olympia, 5th-8th March.  Crazily huge but you can always find lots of interesting young and creative companies like By Hand London; and there's still time to enter their Knitted Farm Competition.  
 

 
 

Some of you may have joined us at our Reception last spring  at the beautiful haberdashery, Ray Stitch, on the Essex Road, London.  We announced at that time our intention of running a joint dressmaking event, Sewing Retreat, which is to be held down here at Les Soeurs Anglaises this September.  Rachel and her colleague, Gen (who now runs her own shop in Crouch End) will be popping over to lead the first 5 day/6 night residential dressmaking workshop that we've organised and it promises to live up to all our expectations.  Whether you are an absolute beginner who wants to be able to make basic, stylish items of clothing for yourself or family members - or someone with a lot more experience looking to build on your existing skills and keen to master new advanced sewing techniques - these five days could be just up your street.  If you would like to talk in person to Rachel about how the five days will pan out just send her an email.

  

 

As all our workshops are filling up quickly, we suggest you don't leave it too late to book (on-line or email Susie).

 

On the subject of sewing, three of our signature aprons were posted out last week to the winners of our Christmas competition and here is a picture of one of them:  Helen Ott who apparently ran straight out of her (patently very clean) cowshed to have her photo taken.

 

We absolutely love how delighted Helen looks in her new milking garb.  Makes our competitions all the more enjoyable for us.  Happy days in the milk shed, Helen!