{style inspiration: perfect florals}

. . . isn't this the loveliest swimsuit? . . . luxurious summery shades and a pretty tie, and all in a the most enchanting florals perfect for hazy sunday afternoons poolside, lost in love and daydreams . . .


{photography by giovanni rufino; leighton meester, gossip girl, via simplyedits}

{diy: wallpapered cabinets}

. . . have been a little obsessed with wallpapered cabinets for as long as can remember {recently here & here}, and even came across an extensive china cabinet that was papered and cleverly reconfigured as a display case for shoes, and ever since, have fallen more in love, and so, utterly delighted to come across interior designer amy, from the blog maison decor's, beautiful makeover of a french provincial china cabinet . . .



{p.s.} didn't it turn out beautifully? and also: a secretary repainted in paris grey


{images: all photography by amy at maison decor}

{at this moment: musings & romantic florals}

. . . has been one of those slightly chaotic, always busy, work-filled weeks, with many cups of coffee and never enough time to finish everything -- lists and emails and plans -- and in the whirl of things, beautiful moments for dinner dates and pretty floral blouses and mango margaritas and it's nearly the weekend . . .

hope you're having a wonderful week so far,
xo

{p.s.} also new today:
* décor: french chic
* inspiration: pinkish lavender, pleats & tulle
* travel: springtime in munich


{image: malgosia bela by karim sadli - i-D, spring 2011, via oh fashion models & also at a glamorous little side project}

{at the shops: florence & florence, uk}

. . . happened across florence & florence, an utterly charming vintage shop run by mother and daughter, christine and annie florence, who have a love for beautiful things and "specialise in finding exciting second-hand pieces", filling their little shop with delicate glass compotes and filigreed pepper pots befitting the most elegantly extravagant dinner party on a mid-spring evening, scalloped cake stands and silver sugar tongs perfect for high-tea on a sunday afternoon, and tea & cake sets that will have you dreaming of the most romantic early april picnics . . .


{images: photography by rebecca cornell for florence & florence, via elle}

{favourite five: rachel ashwell}

Rachel Ashwell is the designer who turned shabby into chic, and comfortable into classy, and she did it all with the help of perfectly ruffled pillows, floral printed fabrics, romantic chandeliers, and pastel tufted cushions.

In 1989, Rachel, a former movie set designer and stylist, generated a worldwide phenomenon when she created the Shabby Chic brand, showing that there is an elegance in time-worn objects and that interior spaces can be simple and relaxed, while still beautifully sophisticated and refined.

Since then, Rachel has created a successful brand that has grown into three distinct lines: Shabby Chic, Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture and Simply Shabby Chic, with flagship stores located in three glamorous cities: Santa Monica, New York City and London; Ashwell has also written a series of design books and most recently, launched a new stationery line.





The daughter of a restorer of antique dolls and a rare book dealer, Rachel’s love for flea markets and antique stores began as a young girl. She spent her days learning how to appreciate and recognize the beauty of vintage items. Because of this we could not possibly imagine anyone better to tell us her:

......................................................................................................

{five favourite flea markets around the world}

1. Round Top in Texas
I love everything about this flea market, so much so that I even bought a ranch/bed & breakfast there. I love the people, love the way the aisles and parking/pickup is organized, and the finishes on the furniture -- lots of authentic crackled paint in their palettes, lovely tables and cabinets.

2. Brimfield in Massachusetts
I am always guaranteed to come away with an eclectic mix of large furniture pieces from Brimfield and love the great accessories such as lamps, mirrors and dinnerware; there is also lots of lovely art -- many portraits and landscapes.

3. Remnants of the Past in Santa Barbara
Have only been there once, but for sure it will be a annual stop for me -- a wonderfully curated collection of fab dealers, and while there isn't "junk" to wade through, there are still well-priced items displayed in an eye candy way.

4. Kempton Park in London
Often shopping in the rain, so my focus is on wonderful English "tat". Bits and bobs of textiles, art, dinnerware, glassware, enabling me to embrace the "its all in the details" part of my aesthetic.

5. Alameda in San Francisco
Close enough for a pleasant drive, but far away enough from LA that it attracts vendors from further afield; lots of diversity of products and styles, but a professional group of vendors.

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{p.s.} previous favourite fives:
* fashion muse, chloë sevigny
* nyc florist, denise porcaro

~ laily

{décor inspiration: wallpapered cabinets}

. . . isn't this the loveliest idea? . . . glass-front cupboards strewn with cole & son's classic and utterly delightful hummingbirds, and instantly, everyday items such as smokey quartz glassware and jadeite cake stands become little works of art . . .

{p.s.} also: a little romance


{image: photography by jon day for house to home}

{spring collection: alexander berardi}

. . . sleek and sexy side ponytails, stripes and sequins and belted trenches, shades of blush and champagne intermingling with nautical navy, polka dots and floaty florals -- if ever there was a moment for spring fever, it's now . . .

{alexander berardi spring rtw via elle}

{coming up roses}

. . . once the glitter of the holidays and the sparkle of new year's has faded {just a little}, sometimes january's overcast skies can be a little gloomy, calling for extra bouquets of coral-coloured blooms scattered about, or better yet, flirty & foral sweaters strewn with roses . . .

{p.s.} poppies in the french countryside

{give-away: crystal & 24 karat gold tray}

. . . has been a while since the last glamorous give-away, but most definitely well worth the wait . . .




. . . designer anna rabinowicz launched her first home collection for new york-based rab | labs in 2002, creating objects inspired by nature, fusing ancient, precious materials in a luxurious palette with modern design, layering semi-precious gems, including crystal and agate, with the finishing touches of pure gold and sterling silver . . .



. . . resulting in beautiful pieces such these pure brazilian agate bookends, left, and a personal favourite, the rose quartz tray with 24 karat gold trim, right

. . . rab | labs' pieces are so lovely, they have been featured in the new york times, elle décor, architectural digest, harper’s bazaar, o magazine, and new york magazine and carried by the museum of modern art stores, moss, and barneys new york . . .

. . . and best of all, today, one charmed reader will win a crystal and 24 karat gold or sterling silver tray {retail $325.00 - $375.00}, perfect for brie & table water crackers on a romantically overcast autumn afternoon, or champagne & macarons in a pair of sequined heels after dinner, or even as an ultra-stylish place to display an exquisite perfume collection on the dressing table . . .

to enter, {click here} to visit rab | labs or {here} to browse the beautiful selection of crystal trays, then leave a comment below

{bonne chance!/good luck!}

* one winner will be randomly selected and contacted by e-mail after thursday, september 30, 2010; if you do not have a blog or contact e-mail on your blog, please include it with your comment for notification; this give-away is open to u.s. & canadian readers only - apologies!; images: haute design - one & four; 2 - the cherry blossom girl; 3 - barbara palvin by max von gumppenberg & patrick bienert for vogue germany, october 2010 via oh}

{runway inspiration: monique lhuillier, new york}

. . . and as promised, another glimpse of monique lhuillier's perfect collection, resplendent with paillettes and drapes and flows, a dusting of sequins and magnolias hand-painted on organza and woven into jacquard and most of all, the promise of magical evenings, the ballet or dinner for two, or just hanging out looking gorgeous . . .

{p.s.} and to p, reminds me of you:
"If you are not too long, I will wait here for you all my life."

~ Oscar Wilde

{also:} more of this collection

{style.com}