{halloween inspiration: orange}

a little more halloween inspiration in shades of saffron and paprika for an afternoon of carving beautiful hand-stenciled monograms into bright, late-autumn pumpkins . . .




{p.s.} also:
* a perfect combination: grey + coral
* at this moment: hermès orange

{images: 1 - editorial - saffron days, lakshmi menon by jean-francois campos for vogue india may 2009 via tumblr; 2 - styling by kevin hertzog; 3 - vignette - top + bottom left - martha stewart; vignette - bottom right + below - editorial - dressed in innocence, lily cole by carter smith for vogue nippon march 2006 via porcelain beauty + lace & tea; autumn in paris via flickr}

{ysl + the winner is . . .}

Running a little late and on the way out for a lunch date, but wanted to stop in to extend a warm congratulations to Vicki A. from Saint Remy de Provence, France, winner of the purple agate bangle give-away!

* Congratultions, Vicki!

{p.s.}
* still working through e-mails . . .
* still crazy about the YSL sweater

{image: editorial - neoclassiques photographed by mert alas & marcus piggott, styled by carine roitfeld; model - lara stone via teamsugar & tfs}

{happy june + links}

There's a feeling of promise in the air, intermingling -- between the hydrangeas, wisteria and lilacs -- with the softest, faintest scent of blossoming perfume . . .

Happy June!
xo

{p.s.} a few Tuesday links:
* bliss lau's new collection is rock & refined
* a wonderful paris guide {via lobster & swan and twitter}
* an interview
* more links here

{image: editorial - coast road; photographer - Pascal Chevallier; model - May Andersen; magazine - Vogue Australia March 2003}

{summer whites + links}

{a few fun links:}
♥ anna wintour on 60 minutes
♥ favourite hello
♥ tie sequins in your hair
♥ fun picnic blanket {via decor8}
♥ lovely summer whites

{posts from the side project you may have missed:}
♥ photography + illustration
♥ pretty + girly at jenny packham
♥ early morning
♥ summer's sexy little one-pieces

{beautiful editorial from Vogue Korea via Luphia loves}

{inspiration: vogue paris}

Vogue Paris is inspiring me to spend the summer with smokey eyes and windswept hair. . .

{image: editoria: Florilège; Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier; Styled by Véronique Didry; Model: Isabeli Fontana; Vogue Paris June/July 2009}

{karl lagerfeld photography + the winner is:}

Immediately fell for Karl Lagerfeld's photography after discovering the lovely {Harper's Bazaar editorial} at Versailles and of course, the stunning {ad campaigns} for Chanel.

These beautiful photographs of billowy, gauzy white dresses against wonderfully ornate backdrops are perfect for today's sunny mood . . .

{p.s.}
* warm congratulations to Camila P, the winner of the lovely cluster necklace give-away!
* nantaka joy stationery give-away continues below

{editorial: 24 hour couture; magazine: Harper's Bazaar June 2007; model: Gisele Bundchen; photographer: Karl Lagerfeld}

{dreamy springtime}

Lately have been seeing more outdoor shoots with a less produced and more natural, relaxed feel . . . last season there was church & state, and this season, kate towers, sessùn, and these dreamy springtime shots . . .

{images: 1 - Elizabeth Fillmore; 2 - Manuel Mota from Cosmopolitan Bride via Lace & Tea}

{happy easter weekend!}

Leaving the city for the weekend and looking forward to good food & conversation, spending time together, and a few stolen moments in the Spring sunshine . . .

{wishing you the same}
Have a beautiful, beautiful weekend!
xo

{images: 1 - rees roberts via desire to inspire; 2 - editorial - and god created woman; model: abbey lee kershaw; photographer: max doyle; stylist: naomi smith; magazine: vogue australia may 2009 via starbucks and jane austen; more of this editorial here}

{fashionably late + the winner is}

Fashionably late and while some may have thought this moment might never arrive as the sudden influx of e-mail would indicate, completely delighted to announce the winner of the Catbird alphabet earrings is . . . Julia! ** Congratulations, Julia! **

{p.s.}
* NYC interior design services give-away continues
* lauren moffat spring dress give-away drawing to a close . . .
* upcoming: fun new give-away!

{image: editorial: sonata; models: Alana Zimmer, Alyona Osmanova and Vika Kuropnyatkova; photographer: Phil Poynter; magazine: Numéro 101, March 2009}

{yellow: feels like early morning sunshine}

. . . moments of happiness in the early morning sunshine . . .

{images: 1 - automatism; 2 - patricia gray interior design; 3 - Harper's Bazzar February 2009, Siri Tollerod & Karmen Pedaru by Alexi Lubomirski via Miss at la Playa; more of this editorial here}

{what are you reading?}

Would love to add some new reading to my google reader -- does anyone have any suggestions of lovely new blogs you've discovered recently?

{p.s.}
Can hardly wait for sexy summer clothes and breezy summer nights

And while we're on the topic of reading, a fond, fond farewell to domino magazine . . .

{editorial: Mad About The Girl!; magazine: Vogue Australia December 2005; model: Gemma Ward; photographer: Patrick Demarchelier}

{inspiration: gracefulness}

A beautiful collision of fashion and culture in this lovely past editorial from Vogue Italia . . .


{images: editorial: Think Pink; Vogue Italia April 2005; photographer: Steven Miesel; model: Gemma Ward; fashion editor: Edward Enninful}

{festive style + the winner is . . .}

The season's trends are a whirlwind of embellishments, including stacks of rings and layers of necklaces, extravagant fabrics and glittering piles of shimmering sequins, and, in keeping with the holiday spirit, will most likely being wearing something spectacular in my hair for New Year's for certain, and perhaps even Christmas eve, or both . . .

{p.s.}
Incidentally, a tiara would also be fitting for Chelsea, who, in the middle of all the excitement and some serious competition, has been chosen, {with a little help from a random number generator}, winner and will be the most stylish girl around town with her brand new Hayden-Harnett handbag . . .

{Congratulations, Chelsea!}

Special thanks again to Hayden-Harnett and to everyone who entered -- it's been such fun, and a wonderful way to begin the holiday season.



{1- Lily Cole by Carter Smith; 2 - Natalia Vodianova from an earlier post; 3 + 7 - editorial: The New New Look, Vogue UK June 2007; Daria Werbowy by Paolo Roversi; 4 - editorial: The House on the Hill, Vogue UK November 2004; Lily Cole by Arthur Elgor; 5 - editorial: bollywood dreams, Vogue India October 2007, Gemma Ward by Patrick Demarchelier; 6 -Natalia Vodianova by Paolo Roversi}

{diaphanous}

What is it about yards and yards of gauzy, billowy, diaphanous fabric that so captures the imagination?

{uploaded by el espartano for foto decadent; "Sanctuary" - South China Morning Post; Photographer: Baldovino Barani; Model: Brooke Bonelli}