{style inspiration: pretty polka dots}

. . . the boldest colour ever worn was perhaps an iridescent turquoise raw silk blouse with pretty sleeves; and with that exception, nearly always classic black, crisp white and every shade of pale & pretty neutral imaginable, from fluttery nude to blush and champagne -- that is, before happening upon navy and polka dots, with a dash of perfect red for that elegant and effortless parisian je ne sais quoi . . .


{images: sandro spring/summer 2011 lookbook, discovered via eclecchic, images from sunrainey}

{style inspiration: pale & pretty neutrals}

. . . not quite december yet, and already things are beginning to move along at an even more dizzying pace than usual, with upcoming soirées, dinner parties and gift exchanges, boxes tied with ribbon and a feeling of magic in the air, and in the midst of all the running around, have been practically living in luxuriously soft cashmere cardigans, belted, and perfectly paired with cozy scarves and festive gold fingernails . . .

{images: photography by janis nicolay for country living; patterson maker}

{style inspiration: knotted belt}

. . . have an inordinate amount of cardigans, from lightweight and summery to cozy and cashmere, hand-embroidered and trimmed in velvet ribbon to embellished with crystal fasteners or mother-of-pearl buttons; perfect for any season and any weather, and nearly always layered over bow blouses, silky camisoles, or the softest brushed cotton . . . but suddenly quite smitten with the idea of wearing them on their own, buttoned and belted in a simple and easy sophistication . . .

{p.s.} the belt is from asos

{image: photography by ben weller for british vogue, november 2010}

{style inspiration: luxe layers}

. . . and while we're on the topic of dusky neutrals and rich textures, one of the best things about autumn's inevitable fade into winter is the luxe layering -- cashmere camel cardigans over lightweight floor-length dresses, cozy italian wool sweaters belted over navy pullovers, and deep tartans intermingling with sheer and pretty pleats . . .

{images: a glamorous little side project}

{fashion inspiration: massimo dutti}

. . . camel capelets and duffle coats, chic leather trenches and belted cashmere cardigans, tweed blazers and pretty bow blouses -- absolutely adore the subtle and sophisticated seventies styling of massimo dutti's near perfect fall collection . . .











{p.s.} more seventies inspiration:
* inspiration board
* wide-legged jeans & denim trenches
* blouses & blazers
* scarves & pencil skirts
* fedoras & leopard print
* stripes & secretary blouses
* turlenecks & tweed

{images: massimo dutti via a glamorous little side project}

{lookbook: secret squirrel}

. . . light cardigans over silk tanks and soft t-shirts with pale pleated skirts, secretary's blouses with city shorts and perfectly pretty little black dresses -- a time of transitions and layers and romantically tousled hair on the out the door on an early september morning . . .

{p.s.} a previous collection & nautical at the side project

{images: secret squirrel deep blue sea 2010 summer via all the mountains}

{two lovely things: cool august nights}

. . . summer is flying pass at a stunning pace and soon, the hot, sultry days will slip away into cool august nights, and quite adore the idea of mixing soft cashmere sweaters with the shortest skirts, or cozy cardigans with perfectly tailored city shorts . . .

{images: kendra spears by ben wellers for vogue uk august 2010}

{have an extraordinary weekend}

. . . a perfectly wonderful week and so many things still to look forward to, but for now, dreaming of enchanting weekend things, of saturday morning crêpes and sunday afternoon light . . .

hope it's beautiful where you are,
xo






{a few lovely links:}
* lovely, lovely: jackie in spain
* everywhere: but just so charming
* collection: bedside tables
* fashion photography: natalia by poalo roversi & more natalia
* wit + delight: mis-matched china & flowers for a spring wedding
* spring things: spool vases
* summer inspiration: the cherry blossom girl
* interior inspiration: fancy foyers
* thanks so much for: this & this & this & this & this

{lucky magazine guest posts:}
* monday: pretty pastels
* tuesday: the classic trench
* wednesday: little white dresses
* thursday: weekend carryalls
* friday: nautical inspiration

{as always, a few things you may have missed:}
* spring things: bicycles
* two lovely things: mirror, mirror
* utterly charming: the colour of cherry blossoms
* perfectly ornate: shoes, shoes, shoes
* colour inspiration: glamorous gold
* & of course, a million thank yous

xo

{images: scans, glamour uk august 2008}