Simone Le Blanc = Valentine Gift Tips

 

Simone Le Blanc is one stylish rose mixing her vintage with new pieces in an effortless manner. She has taken her unique sense of style one step further towards curating interesting unique gifts. Picking the right gift is definitely a talent, and Simone has the golden touch.  She also inspires me to wrap gifts with more heart and imagination. See her eco-friendly and some sexy time gift tips for Valentine’s Day below in the mini interview.

 

1) What inspired you to start your company? My purpose is to inspire, touch, and move people through my creativity. I am a creative entrepreneur at heart; my company creates family heirlooms, high-end specialty gifts and mindful gifts + goods. There is no better company to feed my purpose than this! Previously, I was a personal stylist for private clients who began to rely on me for all things tastemaker and lifestyle oriented. I began creating very customized, in depth gifts for their significant birthdays and anniversaries – objects to mark the moment in a unique way that no one else would have. The gifting bug bit me, my clients were thrilled and here I am now! The very customized, volume work that I do for companies as well as my own collection of gifts + goods are a natural progression from my work with private clients.

2) What kind of gift would you love to receive? My most beloved gifts are the ones that carry the most personal sentiment and show that the giver really knows me and thought about my life. My fiancé gifted me a first edition of the children’s fairytale ‘The Elves and the Shoemaker’ along with a beautiful pair of shoes that had been on my wish list. The book had such significance to me – it was my first cognizant memory of being creatively inspired.

3) I love your style. where is your favorite place to shop? Thank you! I love to mix it up. I’ll sprinkle in a bit of Isabel Marant, Rag & Bone & Philip Lim from Barneys with some vintage. I do love Barneys because they have so much under one roof – it just simplifies the LA shopping geography when you’re on the hunt for that price point. For vintage treasures, I’ll do the Rose Bowl, Shareen,The Way We Wore , or Verunica  in SF.

I also tend to find great new items at Creatures of Comfort & Mohawk General, both here in LA. I also shop from my many friends who are amazing designers – Annie Costello Brown, Clare Vivier  , Beatrice Valenzuela to name a few.

4) Are you a forest fairy or mermaid? Forest Fairy! A Redwood Forest fairy… 

5) What is your beauty secret? My Mom, Jeanne, has gifted me with many wonderful beauty secrets. I use Egyptian Magic cream every night – I’m a complete convert. For blemishes, I use Dr Eckstein’s Azulen Paste – it is completely healing and dries up any spot in an instant. I try to drink a ton of water, especially because I love hot yoga. I also love fresh juices and eat an abundance of greens, Korean Spa and hike often in the outdoors at Runyon Canyon (with sun protection!)

6) What song did you last listen to? “It’s a Lovely Day’ by the Youngbloods. I listen to it on my record player often….one of my favorites.

7) What are your top 3 favorite Valentie’s Day gift items that are good to our planet?

• Go Vintage. Recently I created a gift for a client’s 20^th Anniversary where we purchased a beautiful, mid century free standing record player and had it completely restored. I set it up, along with a charming, modern cabinet in the couple’s living room when they were out at dinner so it would be a surprise for his wife. Inside the cabinet was a fabulous collection of records that had significance; top records from their childhoods, college years, and into their lives at present. Instead of consuming new products – get creative and work with the many gifts that have already been created. 
• Go Organic & Sexy…for couples. A favorite Vday gift idea is his + her organic robes, lotions and everything you need for a romantic night together. Coyuchi has some great organic robes for men and Eberjey’s Butterfly Valley Robe is lovely for the ladies. Weleda makes fabulous organic warming skin massage oil and if you’re feeling a bit naughty…take a peek at  Babeland  I’ll leave the rest to your imagination!   
• Go Slow Food…together. Every home should have a copy of The Art of Simple Food:
  by Alice Waters. There is nothing better than learning to cook with local, seasonal ingredients in your own kitchen, from the master herself. Gift this lovely book with a handwritten menu, a home cooked meal, and a set of locally made table linens or dishware.

8) Where or what is your favorite meal? When I’m in the mood for a complete indulgence, I’ll head to Angelini Osteria for the shaved truffle pasta. It is an experience like no other.