Ever wonder who creates some of your favorite windows and mannequins at R. Derwin Ladies boutique?  Meet Chloe Calabrese, one of our resident stylists, who began dressing mannequins (or, as we call them, Chloe-quins) when she was only 15.  We decided to follow Chloe on a recent prop-shopping trip, in preparation for her latest window.  Our first stop was Lon Albano Antiques in Goshen, CT.  Chloe made us promise not to divulge the exact location, but keep an eye out for the sign in the photo above when heading south on Rt. 63, toward the Litchfield Town Green.

Chloe  is pictured above draped in a Johnstons of Elgin cashmere circle cardigan sweater, over a Velvet Cotton Tee.  She is also wearing Current Elliot’s Beatnick Jeans with a Pat Aries sterling western belt buckle on a calf-hair strap.  Chloe’s handbag is handmade in Florence, Italy by Il Bisonte.

Chloe had a blast playing with this vintage tin pinwheel…inspiration for a new window?

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It appears as if the last chills of winter are behind us and it is time again to get back in our gardens.  Last week, we followed local Floral Designer and Master Gardener Sarah Worden through the inspirational gardens of White Flower Farm in Morris, CT.  Sarah’s “natural design” philosophy promotes the use of native, sustainable and locally sources flowers and plants.  What better place to find native plants than at White Flower Farm, which has been growing all of its plants on-site for more than 80 years.

Sarah is featured in these photos wearing Citizens of Humanity floral print denim, tucked into a pair of Ilse Jacobsen lace-up insulated rubber boots.  The thin striped boatneck tee shirt is an R. Derwin exclusive, made in Italy.  Her Columbo cashmere blazer with pink leather undercollar is also made in Italy and is available in a variety of colors.

R. Derwin Clothiers Ladies Store has a variety of floral and print denim available from Adriano Goldschmied (AG), Current Elliot and J Brand.

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The arrival of Spring in Litchfield is marked by our family trip to Laurel Ridge Narcissi Planting, aka “Daffodil Hill”.  Our boys love walking through the tens of thousands of daffodils planted here by Remy and Virginia Morosani more the 50 years ago.  As the story goes, during the slow times on the farm in 50′s and 60′s, they would have the bulbs planted,  separated and replanted.  Daffodil Hill is situated on the Morosani estate, across from Laurel Ridge Farm (who raise the best grass-fed cattle around). During the months of April and May, they generously open up their property to visitors to view the daffodils in full bloom.

The weather in Litchfield in early spring in generally mild with occasional rain showers.  This is a perfect time to dust-off our Barbour waxed cotton jackets, Made in Great Britain.  As one of the first independent retailers in the United States to carry Barbour, R. Derwin Clothiers stocks one of the most complete collections in the country.  Our youngest son (2-1/2) is very excited this year, as he is finally big enough to get his very own Barbour motorcycle jacket, immortalized by the late Steve McQueen.

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