{always elegant: classic camellias}

. . . have always thought that cake and champagne are perfect anytime, especially for unexpected occasions -- the near arrival of spring, saint patrick's day, or a sunny thursday in mid-march -- and especially if the champagne is vintage and the cake is tiers of pink fondant trimmed with royal icing, beautifully topped, of course, with wonderfully vibrant and beathtakingly lovely camellias . . .

{image: wedding cake with gum-paste camellias via martha stewart weddings}

{holiday hair how-to: the side chignon}

. . . for late lunch dates and last-minute meetings, it's been mostly chic & messy topknots, and sometimes, even, a classic chignon -- but as the holiday invitations begin to pile up, something a little more sophisticated is in order for those elegant dinner parties filled with sparkling crystal champagne flutes and conversations that last long after the crème brulée has been served -- and of course, the perfect solution is the always lovely side chignon . . .



{one}
using a round brush, blow-dry hair smooth and straight, focusing on the top sections

{two}
once dry, use a large-barrel curling iron to create waves from the ears down

{three}
build height and volume at the crown by teasing hair gently with a fine-tooth comb

{four}
gather hair into a low ponytail; twist it along the nape of your neck, pinning as you go

{five}
once you reach your ear, shape the remaining hair into curls, and pin them back over

{six}
red, red lips and platform peeptoes and you're set!

{p.s.} previous how-to's:
* a classic english hand-tied bouquet
* a driftwood table lamp
* a fun weekend project
* a glamorous guide to champagne

{images: martha stewart weddings via hip hip gin gin; instructions via martha stewart weddings, with the exception of step number 6; numbered image sequence composed by this is glamorous}

{two lovely things: champagne & lace}

{two lovely things:} whether a dreamily cozy reading corner or a wonderfully elegant dinner party, always drawn to that perfect shade of champagne, more lovely with utterly romantic bits of lace . . .

{p.s.} isn't it a brilliant idea to combine glass dinner plates and beautifully handwritten doilies as place cards?

{also:} until wednesday to enter the lace bangle set give-away . . .

wishing you the happiest of mondays,
xo

{images: living art & interiors; 2 - martha stewart weddings via the sweetest occasion}

{the colour of cherry blossoms}

. . . the magnolias are set to bloom, and everywhere, the colour of cherry blossoms and shall always and forever adore pinkish hues, on a summer dress, in bouquets, and especially, strewn in beautiful romance across the places where we dream . . .

{p.s.} a few things on this sunny tuesday:
* special thanks to bright, bold & beautiful for this beautiful post
* the first lucky magazine guest post can be viewed here
* enter the lovely cable & heart bracelet give-away here
* also, at the side project: a perfect afternoon

{1 - photography by con poulos for martha stewart weddings spring 2010; 2 - tumblr}

{a piece of the past: cake + heirloom lace}

. . . perfectly enchanted by this delicately beautiful cake inspired by embroidered lace strewn with floral appliqués -- cake designer ron ben-israel created 25 different silicone molds, including roses, dahlias, and periwinkles, pressing sugar paste into each before applying them to the fondant to create a masterpiece of sugar and lace . . .

{image: photography by johnny miller for martha stewart weddings spring 2010}

{first day of spring}

. . . blossoms and butterflies and open-toed shoes, champagne picnics and blowing kisses, sunshine on bare shoulders and new beginnings . . .

wishing you a happy first day of spring!
xo

{images: martha stewart}

{styling inspiration: brie & baguettes}

. . . utterly captivated by the beautiful arrangement of cheeses, baguettes, pears and honey by sunday suppers for martha stewart weddings' the bride's guide and its perfect mix of city sophistication and country charm . . .

{images: photography by karen mordechai for sunday suppers; via snippet & ink}