{décor inspiration: tufted velvet}

. . . keep coming back again & again to this stunning chaise -- the watery hue and luxurious sheen . . . what is it about tufted velvet that captivates so?


{image: vt interiors, the cherry blossom girl via seaside dreams}

{colour inspiration: shades of blush & champagne}

. . . last night, it was cozy by candlelight, but {a snow-covered eiffel tower aside}, there are still many days left of winter, and already, thoughts are drifting to sand between toes, sunlit daydreams and saltwater kisses . . .

{p.s.} more ways to weather winter: bright bouquets & floral jumpers

{images: lace & tea; scan by bluepoolroad, photography by amy neunsinger for blueprint may 2006; patterson maker}

{travel inspiration: tahitian dreams}

. . . once there was the grandest cruise ship and sunny, exotic islands far away -- barbados & st.lucia and other such magical places of white sand and swaying palm trees, champagne and oysters at midnight and the moon reflected in the night waters . . . but since, a city-adoring and wanderlust heart has only traipsed narrow cobblestone streets and gilded opera houses, preferring museums and galleries and sidewalk cafés . . . but every once in a while, when the whether begins to change, the enchantment of the islands beckon . . .

{images: pia miller by darren mcdonald on location in bora bora pearl beach resort & spa, styling by karissa fanning; via studded hearts, originally from the lane}

{have a magical weekend + links}

. . . with these blustery days and tousled hair, it is very possible that dreams may fall out . . . early sunday morning and the golden september sun has filled the air with a million possibilities and it is in these quiet moments, between sleep and awake, that dreams and thoughts intermingle and a new adventure is about to begin . . .

hope you're having a wonderfully magical weekend and that it's beautiful where you are,
xo

{a few lovely links:}
* tabletop: pretty, pretty plates
* design: custom for your bicycle
* at home: gilt mirrors & chandeliers
* fashion inspiration: trench coats & polka dots
* perfectly lovely: striped awnings
* more to come after brunch . . .

{as always, a few things you may have missed:}
* décor inspiration: seashells & leopard print
* fashion inspiration: a little romance
* two lovely things: luxurious textures
* hello: queen anne's lace & marigold capelets
* runway: sophisticated seventies
* colour inspiration: gold & lilac
* fashion inspiration: let's go out tonight
* interior designer: tom scheerer
* for autumn: gold lamé & black velvet
* travel: paris, london, italy, new york

{& new for the weekend:}
* artist: carly waito, oil on masonite
* runway inspiration: j. mendel
* at home with: fashion designer jennifer nicholson
* two lovely things: mirrors & chandeliers

{image: a glamorous little side project & a previous post}

{travel inspiration: italy}

. . . a very favourite thing is to look back at old photographs of past trips -- so many memories and beautiful moments captured forever, and for the same reason, also love glimpses of others' vacation photographs -- and so, ecstatic to happen upon these shots of rome and cinque terre and other stunning places in italy, and was immediately lost in an enchanting world of dusky cathedrals, charming coastlines, prosciutto-wrapped figs and sandy beaches . . .

{p.s.} also lovely: venice

{images: all photography by bawkbawkbawk}

{have an enchanting summer weekend + links}

. . . the weekend is off to a perfect start, with friday night's late dinner reservations on a candle-lit terrace -- oysters to start, and wild pacific halibut with sugar snap pea, fava bean, succhini, potato & housemade country ham hash with citrus braised endive & chanterelle mushroom relish & lobster broth -- and for dessert, a bittersweet chocolate tart with peanut butter mousse and summer peaches . . . and still so many wonderfully exciting things to look forward to -- perhaps a last-minute flight to nyc for a rooftop cocktail party, late-august travel plans and don't summer weekends always feel so full of endless possibilities?

hope you're having an impossibly beautiful weekend,
xo

{p.s.} photographs of our countryside picnic next week . . .

{a few lovely links:}
* summer inspiration: screened porches
* recipe: tarte aux figues
* fashion inspiration: giovanna
* how to: stripping furniture
* silver screen: sweet sunday mornings
* recipe: nectarine & fennel salad
* travel: barcelona
* download: summer floral gift tags
* photography: in the kitchen

{as always, a few things you may have missed:}
* hello & glamorous gold velvet
* fashion inspiration: always chloé
* inspiration: greek islands
* monday, monday & a new week
* beautiful details: paint-dipped baskets
* room inspiration: vintage wallpaper

{& new for the weekend:}
* hello & late summer sunshine
* interior designer: miles redd

{nika lauraitis by max abadian for flare may 2010 via oh & the side project}

{have a sundrenched weekend + links}

. . . hello! hope you are well, and had meant send along a few lovely links on friday, but sometimes even the best-made plans can fall by the wayside, and now, away, away for a perfectly wonderful few days, but a quick hello to send along fondest weekend wishes . . .

hope it's beautiful where you are,
xo

{a few lovely links:}
* travel: to sleep in the open air
* recipe: nutella doughnuts
* fascinating: historic russian homes
* diy: photo wall {via creature comforts}
* summertime inspiration: going on a picnic & sunday in the park
* perfectly pretty: french nurseries
* design: maps that fit your style
* home inspiration: mirror, mirror
* celebrate: a summertime party
* just in time for wimbledon: love all
* fond farewell: last of the peonies {via prettygood}

{as always, some things this week you may have missed:}
* hello: out the door & thursday thoughts
* hazy summer days: play of light & shadow
* lace bangle set give-away: and the winner is . . .
* blog inspiration: linen & lavender
* a new week: happy monday!
* first day of summer: italian silk & manicured gardens
* at home with: freunde von freunden
* hello: & a few things

{& new for the weekend:}
* pure romance: a tiny victorian cottage

{images: laura ponte, laura hayden & oriol elcacho by manuel outumuro for marie claire spain, june 2010}

{patterns & layers and the winner is . . .}

. . . suddenly rethinking the entire summer wardrobe after happily happening upon this insanely fun and flirty mix of layers, accessories, prints & patterns, perfect for dancing on the beach on a bright, blue-sky day . . .

{p.s.} and also, the very warmest congratulations to . . . mackenzie, winner of the impossibly romantic lace bangle set give-away:

*** congratulations, mackenzie! ***

thanks to everyone who entered & hope you're having a perfectly lovely tuesday,
xo


{a note from liz at 24karas:}

I would just like to say thank you to everyone who participated in the 24karas Lace Bangle Set giveaway. We were so happy to see the positive response and all the lovely comments. Creating an Italian lace inspired line has been a collection we have been passionately working to perfect for the last 2 years. We are so delighted to finally be able to launch the line for our customers, new and old! A lot of love has been put into these delicate pieces which have all been created right here in NYC. I am happy they have found a lovely home that appreciates the fine art of craftsmanship and handmade goods.

Wishing everyone an inspiring summer!
xo,
Liz

{images: a glamorous little side project}

{have a romantic weekend + late sunday links}

. . . hopelessly and happily spent after a week of dashing about, but utterly ecstatic to be in the midst of a perfect weekend, for no matter what wonderfully extravagant plans we may have, everything always seems to take on a little slower pace . . .

hope you're having a beautiful weekend,
xo

{a few lovely links:}
* summer inspiration: sunday picnic with biscuits & honey
* sarah loves beige & i, gardénia, but both adore: les exclusifs de chanel
* perfect for daydreaming: a summer attic {jessica helgerson}
* have been wearing this forever, and so: was happy to read this
* equestrian style: perfectly preppy coat hooks

{as always, a few things this week you may have missed:}
* happy monday: & nate berkus
* two lovely things: summer wicker
* fashion inspiration: ewan mcgregor & natalia vodianova
* lookbook: by malene birger
* two lovely things: light & lavender
* hello: & brand new things

{& new for the weekend:}
* design inspiration: gracefully gilded
* runway inspiration: nina ricci, new york

{p.s.} thanks so much for all the wonderful thoughts, fun tweets, lovely comments & e-mails about the new changes around here!

. . . and for those that missed, new & wonderful things:
* photography | fashion | travel
* features & favourites

{images: editorial - storia d´amore, photography by kalle gustafsson for shufti}