Friday, May 11, 2007

Inspiration Friday - Jessica McClintock


I thought for this week's inspiration pictures I would show you some of my favorites from Jessica McClintock's Simply Romantic Decorating Book.

This is her home in San Francisco. She lives less than an hour away from me.

Here is Jessica. Look at her beautiful lace cuffs. I first heard about Jessica McClintock when I was in Jr. High in the 70s. Her company Gunne Sax made beautiful dresses and they were THE thing to have when I was in Jr. High. Now, I love her cologne more than her dresses! I've also heard that she has a furniture line.

Her home is very formal, elegant and extravagant. I can appreciate it's beauty but I can't imagine living in such a huge house. I do love looking at the beautiful architecture and decor though. I've just started reading the book but as I was browsing through it I saw that Francis Ford Coppola had edited the God Father in this house. It has it's own cutting room for movies!
I thought I would share with you my very 1st Jessica McClintock Gunne Sax Dress. I remember vividly how excited I was to get this dress for my 8th grade graduation in 1974. Remember...Gunne Sax was THE THING to have when I was in Jr. High. This was my awkward stage and I can't believe I'm actually putting this picture on my blog. (I'm on the right) I also wore a Gunne Sax dress to my Senior Ball in High School but the only picture I have of it is a wallet size picture with 5 couples so you can't really see the dress.


If you would like to see more of Jessica McClintock, she has a website: http://www.jessicamcclintock.com

27 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 11, 2007 12:58 PM

    Oh, YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL!!!

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  2. RosemaryMay 11, 2007 1:28 PM

    I remember those dresses. I loved them. You looked very cute. You are right, they were the thing back then.
    I think since you live so close, Jessica should invite you over for tea. I love San Francisco. My brother lives in San Ramon. We love to go up there and visit.
    Have a wonderful weekend!
    Rosemary

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  3. Southern HeartMay 11, 2007 2:05 PM

    What a lovely book! That house is gorgeous, and the bed and pillows look so much like something you would do. Very pretty!

    I loved seeing your photo. You and I are about the same age, and that looks like so many photos I have, also. You are quite pretty! You actually look much like a childhood friend of mine (then, and today :)

    I enjoyed your post today...enjoy your beautiful book!

    Andrea

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  4. ~Becca~Bluebird RoseMay 11, 2007 2:16 PM

    I remember when Gunne Sax were all the rage in high school. I never did have one ~ but I remember that style so well. My youngest just went to the prom, and the girls' dresses were beautiful, but quite different from the ruffled/lacey ones we wore!
    You don't look awkward at all ~ you look beautiful, then and now!
    :)

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  5. Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooksMay 11, 2007 2:37 PM

    Ahhhh...does that take me back a "few" years!

    I didn't associate her with the dresses when I purchased her perfume at one time. I kept thinking that name sounded so familiar...then I found out she was the designer behind those great dresses. :)

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  6. AnonymousMay 11, 2007 3:20 PM

    Oh how I love Gunne Sax! I've got to get my hands on that book! Thanks for the sneak peak.

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  7. AnonymousMay 11, 2007 6:12 PM

    You sure are pretty! I love the dress. Did you save it?

    Debbie

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  8. AnonymousMay 11, 2007 6:13 PM

    Cindy, I love that picture of you! What a beauty you were then and what a beauty you are now! Fun post to read about Jessica too - you live in the most gorgeous part of our country! Happy Mother's Day to you!
    xo,
    Kim

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  9. LoriMay 11, 2007 8:33 PM

    Thanks Cindy for picking up on my suggestion! I too had her dress for eight grade graduation, mine was pink dotted swiss with wide collar and cuffs with lots of lace. Gosh wish I still had it! You look so cute and a cool 70's chick!! Great home, I'd love to see it, lucky you to live so close.

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  10. ElaineMay 11, 2007 9:37 PM

    I loved Jessica McClintock dresses and remember the Gunne Sax line.

    Her bed is beautiful. At one time, her home was featured on one of the home decorating programs.

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  11. Susie QMay 11, 2007 10:12 PM

    I just ordered this book from Amazon today! : )

    You are gorgeous..then and now. I well remember those dresses. In 1974, I was graduating from HS. I had several dresses like that...back when I was thin and leggy and had long hair. That seems a lifetime ago!

    I love the SF area and those great houses. I agree with Andrea's comment...that bed looks like one you would do. Heck, you are just as grand a design diva as Jessica in MY book! Okay, when can I buy YOUR book!?

    Have a sweet weekend!

    Hugs,
    Sue

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  12. KLKinFLAMay 12, 2007 5:59 AM

    Great pictures! I leafed through that book at B & N last week...especially loved her kitchen. Happy Mother's Day!

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  13. GaylaMay 12, 2007 6:34 AM

    Oh, my goodnes. You are so pretty! Still, though, so no wonder you were a cutie as a teen. I had no idea Jessica McClintock was the Gunne Sax woman. I loved those formals, and then as a young teacher I discovered her perfume and it became a signature scent for a while... I didn't think they still made it???? Do they? I'll have to do some web sleuthing. How is your mom? Thanks for your little posts on my blog.

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  14. AnonymousMay 12, 2007 6:50 AM

    That's a cute picture of you! I remember she did inexpensive wedding gowns that they used to have a Macy Herald Square.

    You only live an hour from her! Her house looks huge! I wonder if she has tours?

    Have a great weekend!
    Manuela

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  15. Suburban prepMay 12, 2007 7:31 AM

    I remember those dresses.
    I love that area of San Francisco. My grandfather lived near there before moving to Aptos.

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  16. LizzieMay 12, 2007 8:43 AM

    You can find those dresses for good prices at Ebay if you are ever interested in having one for fun/keepsakes.

    I, too, love the perfume. Its all white notes, and those are my favorite!

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  17. Rhoda @ Southern HospitalityMay 12, 2007 11:34 AM

    Cindy, what a fun post! Of course, we remember Jessica McClintock's Gunne Sax. Your old pic is so cute & you grew up to be beautiful too. Happy Mother's Day!

    Rhoda
    Southern Hospitality

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  18. FrenchGardenHouseMay 12, 2007 9:30 PM

    oh my gosh, I wore a dress (maybe the exact one!)just like that, to one of the dances in high school. How fun is that.

    I have always loved Jessica McClintock. Gunne Sax was such a pretty line, later she designed the most gorgeous formal wear and wedding gowns (We used to have an outlet store here at the beach)

    Have a great weekend!
    Lidy

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  19. TraceyMay 12, 2007 10:55 PM

    I wore a Jessica McClintock dress to my junior prom in 1986! Pale pink with white lace trim...

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  20. Gypsy PurpleMay 13, 2007 7:59 AM

    Lovely, lovely, lovely.....

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  21. savvycityfarmerMay 13, 2007 8:11 AM

    Always have love this woman....such a romatic...her stores in the mall are beautiful...she was ahead of her time.

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  22. AnonymousMay 13, 2007 11:12 AM

    Happy Mothers day,
    best
    Robin

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  23. AnonymousMay 17, 2007 7:01 PM

    You are GORGEOUS!! So cute!

    allie
    www.mycozyhome.typepad.com

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  24. Merci-NotesMay 18, 2007 7:35 AM

    Hi Cindy,
    I love Jessica M. I did not know that she designed the Gunne Sax Line! I was just thinking about it last weekend and I thought it might have been Bettsy Johnson, but mmm not quite right. You solved the mystery for me. I had one of her dresses. I guess it was the patterns of Bettsy J that I had sewn.
    With KIndness,
    Mary

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  25. sabalsmomSeptember 14, 2007 12:07 PM

    I'll have to look and see if I have a better picture of that dress than the group pic we took...

    I think that's Celeste with you, but I can't for the life of me remember the name of the gal in the center...

    XOXO

    DY

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  26. Jennifer@Pieces of MeJanuary 30, 2009 2:40 PM

    You are gorgeous!!! I love red hair, and always wished I was a red head! Your daught is just as beautifuL!

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  27. Jennifer@Pieces of MeJanuary 30, 2009 2:41 PM

    You are so beautiful! I love red hair and have always wished for my hair to turn red overnight!LOL...
    Your daughter is just as beautiful!

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Thank you so much for taking the time to leave me a comment! ~Cindy