Untouched. Photo by Trasi. © Midwest Couture 2012.

Cafe Still Life ~

First snow via these brickroads, silent perfection rests outside cafe windows. Patrons walk in + out, cold January air follows. Attention shifting to the dark espresso line formed around a now tepid cappuccino, a red lipstick stain bleeding into porcelain. Glossy high-fashion pages lay untouched just beneath. A cafe still life.

Patio Still Life. Photo by Trasi. © Midwest Couture, 2012.

Patio Still Life. Photo by Trasi. © Midwest Couture, 2012.

Patio Still Life ~

French press + hazelnut infused air…watching little waves of steam drift up, then descend. A balance of rustic charm and delicate gold accent. Pops of red via champagne celebrations past. Taking advantage of a mild midwestern winter a.m. A patio still life.

*note: all photos are under copyright of  © Midwest Couture. In no way are they to be duplicated or used in any capacity, thank you.

The City: layers of greys, wrapped in Faliero Sarti. Dusk’s arrival, wet air + wind rising. City lights via extremely fast cabs, rustle of fallen leaves hurrying to clear the way. Fall in b+w.

Petite coffee + high Fashion. Photo by Trasi. © Midwest Couture, 2011.

Hendrickx. Photo by Trasi. © Midwest Couture, 2011.

Stealing morning coffee + high fashion moments. Visits to Hendrickx for chocolate croissants. A girl waits in line nearby wearing Paul Smith blue suede shoes {all smiles}…how I have fallen for a little Belgian bakery.

Hermès. Photo by Trasi. © Midwest Couture, 2011.

Downtown strolls, inspiration lies on every corner. It is {Air-Mezz} no, no {Her-Mezz} please.

Wacker. Photo by Trasi. © Midwest Couture, 2011.

In-route. Photo by Trasi. © Midwest Couture, 2011.

A storyteller in monocrome, yet {red} always stops me in mid-stride. Fleeting, simple moments in life that often go unnoticed. Look.

Midwest Fall. Photo by Trasi. © Midwest Couture, 2011.

The Lake: return to the quiet, the gale winds and picturesque skies. Impromptu adventures via the backcountry.

Latte Love. Photo by Trasi. © Midwest Couture, 2011.

Quaint coffee haus stop, laughter + indecisive where to park. Gentleman nearby asks, “why photographing signs”…why not? Espresso love.

Eternally Overdressed. Photo by Trasi. © Midwest Couture, 2011.

Vidal Blanc tasting via middle of nowhere winery. Hawks screech over patio jazz. Rolling hills, golden autumn tones against bold green. Walking vineyard…as leaves {fall} in Damir Doma + Chloé. Eternally overdressed.

~T

Note: All photos are under copyright of  ©Midwest Couture. In no way are they to be duplicated or used in any capacity, thank you.

Endless sultry summer days + nights, relief arrives via a proper Midwestern thunderstorm. Poised despite impending rainfall in a coveted Damir Doma dress, capturing the charm of a rusty classic. The things I do… Lucky 63.

She has been through much, yet the elements do not daunt her. Resiliency. A photograph representing life. A photograph representing the beauty found within it. Lucky 63.

~T

Note: All photos are under copyright of  ©Midwest Couture. In no way are they to be duplicated or used in any capacity, thank you.

Long walks via the shoreline, Sinatra + cappucino. A photograph of the haus my parents contemplating purchasing several years ago. Always such quiet uninhabitence, yet this time a petite collection of beach stones decorate the patio table. Childhood fun perhaps? Thinking to self, smiling…”exactly what I would have done.”

The lake, June. Photo by Trasi.

Perched atop jagged cliffs, looking out at a sea of beauty. It is in these moments life slows down…sometimes it is ok to stop + breathe. Never tire of this view…

The lake, June. Photo by Trasi.

Zinc Brasserie, late May. Photo by Trasi.

The first days of endless sunshine, prelude to summer. A quick mid-afternoon stop via Zinc Brasserie, hidden gem of the Midwest. A little rosé, a little baguette…

Chicago, Oak Beach. June. Photo by Trasi.

Waves crashing along the beach intermingled with sounds of the city behind me. Sailboats + skyscrapers, best of both worlds. Subtle beauty all around. Home.

Chicago, Drake Hotel. June. Photo by Trasi.

Chicago, Rush St. June. Photo by Trasi.

Texture + movement catching the eye. Symbolic, fleeting and unusual…big city love. Gazing down this alley, remembering earlier morning hours…randomly waking to an ombre skyline of vivid pink + orange from nineteen stories. Gone in an instant, lightning replaces. Sleep resumes.

Chicago, June. Photo by Trasi.

Chicago, Sarahs via Oak. June. Photo via Trasi.

A pain au chocolat mission + Oak Street adventures. Discovering a tiny pastry shop, two croissants remain. Laughing, “just across from Jimmy Choo…how fitting.” Sweet decadence via one side of the block while luxury beckons from the other.

Hermes Winery, June. Photo by Trasi.

Distant thunder bellows, winery barn texture compliments. Wind carrying garden scents of lilac, strawberries + chocolate mint basil. Frosted sauvignon blanc bottles casting moody shadows against deep charcoal skies. Bring the rain, bring the storm.

Hermes Winery, June. Photo by Trasi.

Many afternoons spent between rainfall and patio sunshine via Cafe Vera…moments of nature’s uncertainty. Writing, people watching + sipping lattes.

Writing via bed. June. Photo via Trasi.

Heavy + humid air, could slice through with a knife. Fan hums softly, relief as the artificial breeze sweeps over my skin. Putting words to these photographs, welcome summer.

~T

Note: All photos are under copyright of Midwest Couture. In no way are they to be duplicated or used in any capacity, thank you.

The lake, my love. Spring’s long awaited debut. Fond memories via this little beach cove… Childhood adventures “cliff climbing”, collecting quartz + colored glass. Suntanned, windblown. The sun sinking into the water, watching in admiration. As a child, my heart would race…wondering what the next day would bring. It still does. A spring fling ~

Spring portrait. Photo by Trasi, edited by Rick O.

Spring portrait. Photo by Trasi, edited by Rick O.

~ T

Photography: Trasi Kromer

Editing: Rick O

Wearing: Rick Owens back drape jersey skirt + tank, Faliero Sarti scarf, Ippolita 18k bangle and rings.

Note: All photos are under copyright of Midwest Couture. In no way are they to be duplicated or used in any capacity, thank you.

Escape. A moment of quiet reflection. “Craving this all morning.” In hiding…a cool spring breeze as it drifts between the sea of buildings cannot even touch her, ruffle her silk dress. Separated by nothing more than stone + concrete from a city that never stops. Sounds of cab horns, construction, merciless tour buses, cell phones + street vendors…fading out. Gone. Replaced only with each breath. Inhale + exhale…

~T

Photo courtesy of my friend and New Yorker, Giuseppe. Follow him via @fashionclassjet and fashion + class & jet lag , grazie ~

Rainy evening via hidden gem pizzeria Bono. Gorgonzola, mozzarella, fresh spinach + basil and teeny tomatoes…with a dash of laughter. Adore our waitress, bluntly stating, “sorry, we have to redo your Funghi…a log fell on it.”

Bono pizza. Photo by Trasi.

Bono pizza. Photo by Trasi

Delightful staff, a motion-sensitve ceramic singing duck + eccentric art. Love it all…especially the pizza. Fabulous end to an otherwise dreary p.m.

~T

Note: All photos are under copyright of Midwest Couture. In no way are they to be duplicated or used in any capacity, thank you.

Cafe' Angelique, SoHo. Photo by Trasi.

An afternoon in SoHo…catching that unmistakable + comforting scent of fresh espresso, stumbling upon Cafe’ Angelique. Perched on the bench outside, sipping cappuccino + devouring petite desserts. People watching. Thinking about how this was my last full day as a New Yorker…

Wish I had taken more photographs. So much to see, moments passing all too quickly. The beginning of summer. Cafe’ noises + smells. Pleasant “good afternoons” exchanged with patrons. Smiles. A symphony of cabs mixed with the often click + click of stilettos on concrete.

Cafe' Angelique, SoHo. Photo by Trasi.

Memories sparked by a conversation over the proper spelling of ‘SoHo’…south of (so) Houston St (Ho). A story worth telling, inspired by New Yorkers + told by a former New Yorker, if only for a season. Time still feeling as if it were a New York minute ago, along with the words of a friend…”the great thing about NYC is that you can always fill in your day with something new.”

~T

Note: All photos are under copyright of Midwest Couture. In no way are they to be duplicated or used in any capacity, thank you.

Salon scene. Photo by Trasi.

Studio Fovero. Photo by Trasi.

Lounging in p.m. sunlight. Gazing up + what would a salon visit be without chandelier musing… Cool breeze blows in, cool breeze blows out. Spring evenings…

~T

Note: All photos are under copyright of Midwest Couture. In no way are they to be duplicated or used in any capacity, thank you.

Hidden, Catawba Island. Photo by Trasi.

Thinking about the lake, a drive long overdue. Scent of spring + slight chill in the evening air. Quietly listening to waves brush the shore. Tangle of cliffs, stone steps impossible to reach. Hidden. A little sanctuary, “in a kingdom by the sea”…

Annabel Lee ~

It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of Annabel Lee;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me.

I was a child and she was a child,
In this kingdom by the sea:
But we loved with a love that was more than love –
I and my Annabel Lee;
With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven
Coveted her and me.

And this was the reason that, long ago,
In this kingdom by the sea,
A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling
My beautiful Annabel Lee;
So that her high-born kinsmen came
And bore her away from me,
To shut her up in a sepulchre
In this kingdom by the sea.

The angels, not half so happy in heaven,
Went envying her and me –
Yes! that was the reason (as all men know,
In this kingdom by the sea)
That the wind came out of the cloud one night,
Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.

But our love it was stronger by far than the love
Of those who were older than we –
Of many far wiser than we –
And neither the angels in heaven above,
Nor the demons down under the sea,
Can ever dissever my soul from the soul
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;

For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side
Of my darling -my darling -my life and my bride,
In the sepulchre there by the sea –
In her tomb by the sounding sea. ~ Edgar Allan Poe

~T

*Note: All photos are under copyright of Midwest Couture. In no way are they to be duplicated or used in any capacity, thank you.