From Sun Magazine: Spring fashion -- Designs for the Decades

We love Deborah of Izzy's Chocolates.  Congratulations of being featured in the Chicago Tribune!

Izzy's Chocolates

Chocolatier: Debora Varon

Contact: No bricks-and-mortar shop, but available online and at area Whole Foods and Fresh Market stores and Ma Petite Shoe in Hampden,http://www.izzyschocolate.com

House favorite: A tie between the apricot, coconut and cherry flavors

Born and raised in Peru, Debora Varon came to the United States in 1985 to get a master's degree in food science and horticulture, and stayed to get a doctorate in genetics. But after nearly a decade in breast cancer research, she knew her heart wasn't in it and left.

"I knew I spent all of this time [becoming a scientist&91;, but I had to ask myself — do I want to spend any more time here?" She was brave enough to admit to herself that the answer was no.

After experimenting with everything from computer graphics to being a collection agent, Varon, at 50, is now fairly certain her calling all this time was hiding beneath a candy shell.

"I was really searching for something," she says. "Every day I go home now, and I'm happy."

Varon has waded slowly into the chocolate business. She makes her candies by hand, renting kitchen time a few days a week from a church on Harford Roadthat's not far from her home in Arcadia.

Izzy's makes just one type of chocolate, Varon's spin on a traditional Peruvian delicacy called "tejas," which means roof tiles in Spanish.

Tejas are typically a mixture of fruit, nuts and dulce de leche, often covered in fondant. Varon covers hers in a bittersweet Belgian chocolate and has gotten creative with the fruit fillings.

People in Peru enjoy the candies filled with plums, raisins, apricots and coconut, and Varon makes some of those. But she also focuses on cranberries, mango, pineapple, cherries, figs and dates. And while Peruvians often try to cut the cost of the tejas by going heavy on dulce de leche, Varon loads hers with fruit — each one is filled with a heaping spoonful of it, resulting in a piece of chocolate double the size of what one would typically find.

She realized she might have a future in chocolate after her mother came for a visit a few years ago and the two of them decided to try to make the candies. She gave the results out to friends, word spread, and soon people were offering to buy them. She named the fledgling business after her daughter.

Very recently, Whole Foods told her they'd sell Izzy's in their specialty food department.

Someday soon she'd like to expand the business. For now, however, Varon makes the candy entirely by herself, in very small batches — only about 300 pieces a day. She wraps each piece by hand in her signature foil-and-tissue packaging.

jill.rosen@baltsun.com

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Ma petite shoe was featured on Baltimore Sun - Fashion 5

BOOTS

( John-John Williams IV, The Baltimore Sun / October 7, 2011 )

What is it about the British and great fashion?

Even in his death, Alexander McQueen's exhibit drew thousands upon thousands to New York City this year. Effects of the royal wedding are dominating a number of fashion trends for women this season. Lace, fancy hats are still huge. Tartan patterns, tweed, fur accents are a must. Peter-pan collars are regularly sported by MTV personality and British import Alexa Chung, And British songstresses such as Adele, Duffy, Leona Lewis and Estelle are red carpet regulars. And let us not forget style icon Victoria Beckham.

The British are here to stay. And so are browns, grays, and nudes, which will all be big colors this season. Pop colors such as red and blue will also be everywhere.

Kate Middleton might be bringing back stockings, but this other option might be a little more feasible for women not accustom to full coverage. Farrah in Nouvella socks at Ma Petite She ($10); and “Clue” mustard heel by Seychelles at Ma Petite Shoe ($125).

Many of these trends don't come cheap. Yes, you could head to Burberry and dress like one of their mannequins, but what is the fun in that? Be authentic and go vintage for some of those classic looks that top designers are recreating right now. Plus, doesn't it sounds so much better when you can say that a piece of clothing is vintage?

About the shoot

b teamed with CoverGirl and Towson Town Center to conduct a regional model search for this Fall fashion spread. The models: Christie Beran, Natalie Hessler, Farrah Palmer, Michael McVearry and Ramar Robinson, were chosen from more than 100 hopefuls. CoverGirl makeup products were used exclusively for the shoot.

Styling: John-John Williams IV

Assistant styling: Adee Lawal and Toria Turner

Hair and Makeup: Leah Sarah Bassett, T.H.E. Artist Agency

Romantic collars will be huge this season. Peter-pan collars are also big. Mix them up with polka dots, or tartan for a look that’s firing on all cylinders. Farrah in a brown polka dot dress from DeBois Textiles ($25); and "Kate" shoes Remix At Ma Petite Shoe ($211.99).

Vests, sweaters lined with fur, and full-on fur coats will be huge this season. Intimidated by the costs? Not a fan of faux fur? Go vintage. You'll be able to score some unique pieces to help you stand out among the other fashionistas. Farrah in a gray and black sweater with fur outline by John Design at Party Dress ($139); gray dress by Kerisma at In The Details ($55); “Kristy” pumps by C Label at Ma Petite Shoe ($45); and gray socks by Nouvella at Ma Petite Shoe ($10).

This trend will require some work. The iconic bags are pretty rare--but not impossible--to find. Check thrift stores, eBay and Etsy.com for authentic bags. Get your bags soon. Depending on the success of the new ABC show “Pan Am,” the popularity of these bags might really soar. Natalie in green houndstooth dress from DeBois Textiles ($25); blue trench coat ($30); “Orient Express” in forest shoes by Poetic Licence at Ma Petite Shoe ($99); earrings at Party Dress ($20); authentic Pan Am bag at DeBois Textiles ($25).

Kate Middleton's wedding dress was so popular because of that elegant lace detail. Incorporate some lace this season. And don't be afraid to branch out and incorporate some colored lace if you find white and creme to be too plain Jane. Farrah in a crème lace knit dress by Judith March at Party Dress ($89); Nouvella socks at Ma Petite She ($10); authentic Burberry scarf at DeBois Textiles ($35); “Clue” mustard heel by Seychelles at Ma Petite Shoe ($125); vanilla bag by Jennifer Lopez at Kohls ($119).

As co-owner of Hampden's In The Details shop, and part-time sales associate at Ma Petite Shoe -- where we found him -- Glenn Bennett, 41, is known for his "Renaissance" style. "I'm kind os all over the place. Some days, I'm in a sute and tie and dress shirt. And some days, I'm dressed like this.: "This" was a 1970s burnt red Gap T-shirt and "vintage" Gap jeans. "I've had them so long, [the wear and tear&91; is what's happened over the years." His reversible Scotch & Soda hoodie from Cloud 9 Clothing had an orange, brown, gray and white florl print on one side and plain white cotton on the other. He got his black suede Goa flat sandals by Jeffrey Campbell at Ma Petite Shoe. The Tibetan prayer beads he'd wrapped around his wrist were something he bought from a New York City street vendor. The Mount Vernon resident says summer fashion isn't his fave. "I love summer. But, I love my fall/winter wardrobe so much better. I love sweaters. I like layering. You can wear so many [things&91; at once."

Alayna Spratley, 26, embraces a "vintage bohemian" style both on and off the job as Ma Petite Shoe's manager and buyer. We "glimpsed" the Hampden resident at work in a vintage melon polyester chiffon dress she bought at Minas Gallery & Boutique. "I think it's from sometime around 1969 to 1971." She added a pair of leopard print calf's hair Matiko oxfords and some oxidized silver, crystal and cut glass earrings ("I call them my lantern earrings") from her store and a "vermillion red" turban she found at a flea market in Dundalk. She found her train whistle pendant at Doubledutch Boutique and her tiny harmonica pendant at Need Supply Co. in Richmond, VA. Her brass bangles from India came from Milagro. Spratley picked up her vintage coktail ring at a jewelry show at Flaunt on the Avenue. She says her shopping habits are "half vintage and thrift, half local boutiques." But, when it comes to buying something: "I want to feel an emotional connection to the things I put on my body. Things talk to you, even if they're not alive."
(Barbara Haddock Taylor, Baltimore Sun/ August 17, 2011)

To view this article on the Baltimore Sun click here. 

Fox 45 celebrates Bastille Day with Ma Petite Shoe; if you were not able to join us for the celebration check this out! Marie Antoinette look-alikes from the Mermaid Company, samples of traditional french chocolate and food, and of course fabulous shoes. Featuring tons of styles from Irregular Choice - a fashion forward, whimsical London designer. These are the perfect shoes to pop an outfit!

HALSTON HERITAGE DRESS

(Barbara Haddock Taylor, Baltimore Sun / July 12, 2011)

Halston Heritage might be losing Sarah Jessica Parker from the company, but that doesn't mean the line is losing its creative pizazz. This silk tier cocktail dress will certainly turn heads. The dress, which is sold at Cupcake, is a favorite of the boutique's owner Lisa Schatz. She can barely keep the dress on the rack. Pair the hot garment with these Dolce Vita turquoise nubuck strappy sandals.

Find the pink silk tier cocktail dress from Halston Heritage for $325 at Cupcake, 813 S. Broadway St.; the Dolce Vita "Jollen" shoes for $125 and the earrings for $20 at Ma Petite Shoe, 832 W. 36th St. in Hampden; and the House of Harlow pendant for $80 at South Moon Under, 815 Aliceanna St