{style inspiration: perfect platforms}

. . . a new pair of white strappy summer wedges earlier last week, for traipsing about town and blossom-laden walks with the dog, the third pair of wedges already this spring, and summer has yet to begin, and yet, after happening across these utterly charming prada platforms {above}, perfectly paired with pressed trousers turned in an ultra-chic french cuff in the most enchanting shade of august sunrise, am becoming quite smitten with platforms and their teetering heights and already imagine them with romantically flirty & lacy summer dresses for quiet lunch dates on cobbled terraces surrounded by spring flower boxes of pussy willows and daffodils . . .




1. chloë sevigny for opening ceremony platform mary janes | 2. lanvin patent wedge| 3. prada t-strap cork platform sandals | 4. prada suede sandals | 5. { & last} giuseppe zanotti high platform clog heels | 6. krugh t-strap crochet platform pumps | 7. chloë sevigny for o.c. mary jane platform | 8. charlotte olympia carmen raffia wedge

{p.s.} favourite is number four x


{top: cynthia smith by marko macpherson for vogue via this is glamorous on tumblr}

{lookbook: raoul spring summer 2011}

. . . sexy secretary blouses and cuffed trousers, billowy tops and sophisticated city shorts, pretty pleated skirts and perfect trenches . . . and all with a casual elegance that will whisk you from the work-week, straight into the weekend . . .

{p.s.} also: a new capsule collection & the cropped trench in the last is slightly similar to mine, for those who have been asking x


{arizona muse for raoul spring/summer lookbook 2011 via fashionising}

{inspiration for spring: fall collections}

. . . the wonderful thing about previewing fall collections in early spring is that they are always overflowing with inspiration for spring -- striped sweaters and pencils skirts, layers of cropped knits over crisp blouses and wide-legged trousers, bright saffron-coloured dresses, and most of all, classic trenches, belted and perfectly paired with cuffed skinny jeans and heels . . .


{j.crew fall 2011 collection via style.com}

{lookbook: mango spring 2011 nude collection}

. . . falling, falling for the impossibly chic train cases and elegant mary janes of mango's new spring collection -- the sheer & pretty pleats and daytime sequins, and most of all, the entirely irresistible shades of cognac, dusky apricot, whispery nudes and shimmery champagne . . .

{look book, alejandra alonso for the mango spring 2011 nude collection via fgr}

{runway inspiration: chloé, new york}

. . . pleated skirts and tall leather boots, cozy sweaters and structured handbags, trench coats and velvet, so long as it's chilly outside, might as well wrap ourselves in lovely layers and beautiful textures . . .

* CLICK TO VIEW THE REST OF THIS POST >>>

{runway inspiration: chloé, new york}

. . . and the more these wintry days linger, the more drawn to bright and vibrant colours, and so much, that have all but abandoned all the shades of black hidden in the dark recesses of the wardrobe, and had nearly forgotten how pretty and easy shades of midnight and january skies can be . . .

{p.s.} more runway inspiration:
* bcbg max azria
* gucci -- one & two

{images: chloé pre-fall 2011 collection, style.com}

{fashion inspiration: alexander berardi}

. . . all too aware that it is barely mid-january and there is a long way to go, yet can not help from being positively drawn to 23 year old new york based alexander berardi's most recent collection, inspired by the summer shores of martha's vineyard and exuding that perfect mix of lady-like elegance and sexiness with its sheer tops strewn with silk roses and flouncy little white dresses in perfect polka dots . . .

{images: alexander berardi, discovered via design*sponge on twitter}

{hello + brand new things}

. . . last night, while caught up in a sea of sequins, kraft paper and white grosgrain ribbon, fell in love all over again with the twinkling lights and softly falling snow, and later, after much laughter and fond conversation over the most delicious and casually elegant shrimp & crab dish and strawberry früli at a late dinner, was reminded of the reasons why it really is the most wonderful time . . .

{p.s.} how are things? has been forever since the last bit of site news and a flurry of wondrous activity for the past few weeks now, which means missed weekend wishes late last week as well as links, and so:

{a few lovely links:}
* at home: a beautiful lake retreat
* recipe: hot chocolate
* art in fashion: silk scarves like the sky {via twitter}
* design: fruit topped yogurt
* moody & atmospheric: winter wonderland
* holiday hair: first there was this, now this
* pretty pretty: tea & all aglitter & glittering snow & fairy lights
* tabletop inspiration: fun & festive mirror balls
* just in time for the holidays: afternoon tea & opera
* in the kitchen: gold stars {via sarah on facebook}

{as always, a few things you may have missed:}
* a new week & happy december
* gift guide: warm winter white
* at home: perfect scandinavian style
* travel: an australian christmas
* style: pale & pretty neutrals
* fashion: topknots & dusky coral
* holiday décor: silver & gold

{new & exciting:}
* a brand new feature: a glimpse inside my closet

{recently:}
* delighted to be included in the current issue of utterly engaged



{& one last thing:} if you've only just arrived, still time to enter this week's holiday give-away: a glittering crystal necklace

{style inspiration: topknots & dusky coral}

. . . falling, falling headfirst into holiday inspiration, but first, could not resist a tiny glimpse at the wonderful things to come after the last of the gifts has been unwrapped, and could not help but be inspired by the ultra-chic asymmetrical topknots and stunningly beautiful and enchantingly vibrant shades of nutmeg, dusky coral and cerise for holiday soirées . . .

{h&m spring 2011 lookbook via miss at la playa}

{style inspiration: perfectly polished}

. . . beautiful styling inspiration from the new zara lookbook, perfect for business lunches and 5:00pm holiday cocktails . . .

{images: via fashionising}

{fashion inspiration: the pantsuit}

. . . while most often in skinny jeans and tall leather boots by day and dresses sprinkled with sequins by night, always secretly loved the formal days of dressing up in trouser suits or pantsuits for meetings & appointments, especially if they are influenced in part by the sophisticated seventies, or a modern interpretation of the sexiest pantsuit of all, yves saint laurent's le smoking . . .

{p.s.} more work wear & a three-piece

{images: jacquelyn jablonski by victor demarchelier for harper's Bazaar US, november 2010 via oh fashion models}

{fashion inspiration: always chloé}

. . . would never, in a million years, wish away the hazily romantic and dreamy days of summer, but the new chloé fall 2011 rtw collection is so charmingly laid-back, couldn't resist a tiny peek and it's now back to lounging poolside . . .

{images: a glamorous little side project}

{runway inspiration: chloé}

. . . shimmery silk blouses and high-waisted trousers, clean lines and soft shapes, and a warm and pretty palette at chloé . . .

{chloé fall 2010 via style.com; more & details of this collection at the side project}