{at the shops: nallik by jean balke, new york}

. . . always adore a perfect juxtaposition -- vintage & modern, old & new, simple & ornate -- and what could be better than rough-hewn, natural elements paired with delicate chains and glamorous gold?

nallik, a word borrowed from the inuit language, cannot be translated directly, but means protection and nurturing in a loving way; according to designer jean balke, the "Inuit people appreciate that we are all connected to each other and our surroundings. They respect the environment and know it contains everything we need to live."

balke, who grew up in germany, lived in helsinki, london and san diego, currently resides in nyc; before she began designing jewelry, she worked as a photographer and art director, and has travelled to over 45 countries, drawing inspiration from the people and landscapes she has experienced along the way; the result is this utterly perfect mix of rock & refined . . .





















{p.s.} previous at the shops:
* florence & florence, uk
* lady grey, new york
* ralph lauren, paris
* neology by mina, brooklyn
* mrs. press, australia


{all images from nallik}

{holiday give-away: crystal necklace}

. . . and while we're on the topic of holiday soirées, now that a winner of the last glamorous give-away has been announced, it's on to the next, and utterly delighted to announce this week's holiday give-away: from swoon, vintage inspired handmade jewelry filled with the romance of forgotten vintage and antique pieces such as brooches, bracelets, chains and buckles, intermingled with semi-precious beads and stones to create beautiful works of art . . .



. . . and for the impossibly exciting news: one glamorous reader will win the adeline necklace {retail $200.00}, made of glittering strands of crystal in shades of powdery blue and smokey grey and adorned with a stunning rhinestone brooch, as perfect with a soft, brushed cotton t-shirt under a belted cardigan while at the shops searching for the perfect gifts, as with a sequined party dress and sky-high peeptoes on a festive december night . . .

to enter, {click here} to visit the swoon bijoux website, or {here} for another glimpse of the adeline necklace, then leave a comment below

{bonne chance!/good luck!}

* one winner will be randomly selected and contacted by e-mail after wednesday, december 8, 2010; if you do not have a blog or contact e-mail on your blog, please include it with your comment for notification; images: martha stewart living; maria kashleva, backstage at christian dior cruise 2011, shanghai; }

{décor inspiration: tufted velvet & drops of crystal}

. . . have always held a special fondness for velvet, and especially tufted velvet, {and anything tufted, really}, and as the bright late-autumn days drift slowly into long winter nights, there is a longing for decadently warm and elegantly luxurious textures -- golden velvet against driftwood and snow-white faux fur beautifully intermingled with crystal droplets falling from silver candelabras and glittering as shooting stars on a crisp november night . . .

{hotze eisma via the ever-inspiring the diversion project}

{happy monday + thoughts for a new week}

. . . another summer weekend may have come and gone, but it was filled with french bread and escargots, nights in silk dresses and upswept hair, and a lingering of early morning breezes laden with a beautiful excitement . . . and over morning cups of coffee, reminded of a favourite winston churchill quote:

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."

. . . a wonderful thought for a brand new week, and hope yours is off to a perfect start,
xo

{p.s.} late august, which means a wildly sporadic posting schedule and never quite seem to get into the week until it's nearly over, and so -- many new & wonderful things you may have missed at week's end:
* weekend romance & lovely links
* in the bedroom: only sweet dreams
* photographer: camilla akrans & autumn blossoms
* in the bedroom: crisp linens & scalloped edges

{my wonderworld}

{a charming mix of things}

. . . lately have been receiving many lovely e-mails inquiring about the things that inspire and thought it might be fun to compile a beautiful list of current inspirations, of the things that enchant and captivate and the thoughts that turn into daydreams and the things that flutter, flutter through the imagination -- and so, a charming mix of things . . .


. . . poems on mirrors {via felicity}


. . . natural wonders {one & two}



. . . always, backstage photos {via definitely golden}

. . . topknots {via scout-holiday}


. . . amazing crystal caves {via all the mountains}

. . . a room with a view


. . . smokey eyes & upswept hair

. . . side by side {via pink wallpaper}

. . . origami hearts


. . . gold & glass {via apartment therapy}


. . . chloé {via haute design}

. . . velvet chairs & herringbone floors {via felicity}

. . . and still, socks & heels

{p.s.} wednesday already! how the week has flown -- hope it's wonderful where you are,
xo

{images: 1-3 - souvenirs via julia}

{bejewelled}

. . . lately have been spellbound by the idea of wearing layers upon layers of jewels -- bold necklaces and glittering bracelets, cocktail rings and cascading earrings -- and happened upon dannijo, a new york-based hand-made jewelry studio founded by sisters danielle and jodie, and fell in love with their perfect mix of rock and refined . . .

{p.s.} smitten with the waterfall earrings in the second, and this ring

{images: dannijo, photography by bjorn iooss via a thing for via felicity; more at a glamorous little side project}