{summer fashion inspiration: white magic}

. . . and now that the magnolia trees have long flung their petals to the wind, there is such excitement for days of belted short-sleeved sweaters and sexy city shorts, for long, elegantly chic jersey dresses and bare shoulders, and most of all, chantilly lace and sunkissed skin . . .





{p.s.} the lace dress in the first is by brioni, the top, belt & shorts in the second is by max mara, and the stretched jersey dress in the last is by chanel

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{editorial: white magic; heather marks by max abadian for flare, june 2011; styled by elizabeth cabral via noir façade}

{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}

{notes from the weekend + late-sunday links}

. . . this weekend was french wine and oysters, window seats in quaint cafes and watching the world go by, porchetta in the park on sunday afternoon and snow pea leaves for dinner, an evening in the country and beautiful plans for the week ahead . . .

hope you had a lovely weekend
& that your week is off to a perfect start,
xo

{a few lovely links:}
* photography: stunning sea-scapes
* spring things: fantastic florals
* in the kitchen: breakfast
* spring things: tulips
* at home: bookcases
* packaging: crabtree & evelyn
* shopping: for the work week
* at home: decorated minimalism
* diy: dorothy draper
* style inspiration: middleburg
* spring things: lemonade & seaglass

{as always, a few things you may have missed:}
* like a fairytale: ribbons, ruffles & tulle, tulle, tulle
* colour inspiration: all the luck in the world
* in the bedroom: ruffles & lace
* look book: whispery nudes & shimmery champagne
* party inspiration: always classic camellias
* two lovely things: storage inspiration
* all in a day's work: elie saab
* spring things: coming up roses
* favourite five: denise pocaro

{new for the week:}
* storage inspiration: on display
* look book: lacy dresses & pretty neutrals
* a place for everything: shoes, shoes, shoes
* french chic: pretty polka dots

{elsewhere this week:}
* elle decor's design insiders' weekly finds

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{& most of all, as posted last week, ways to help:}
global giving | google person finder | british red cross | american red cross or text: redcross to 90999 to make a $10 donation | canadian red cross or text: redcross to 30333 to donate $5 & the canadian government will match the amount to $10 | australian red cross | or here to find a local chapter


{images: sandro spring/summer 2011 lookbook, discovered via the lovely eclecchic, images via zsadánka, eclecchic & sandro}

{style inspiration: pretty polka dots}

. . . the boldest colour ever worn was perhaps an iridescent turquoise raw silk blouse with pretty sleeves; and with that exception, nearly always classic black, crisp white and every shade of pale & pretty neutral imaginable, from fluttery nude to blush and champagne -- that is, before happening upon navy and polka dots, with a dash of perfect red for that elegant and effortless parisian je ne sais quoi . . .


{images: sandro spring/summer 2011 lookbook, discovered via eclecchic, images from sunrainey}

{spring collection: sessùn}

. . . lace with stripes, polka dots and pretty ruffles, the new spring collection for sessùn is pure sunny day perfection . . .









{sessùn spring/summer 2011 collection via mustard & sage}

{runway inspiration: philosophy, new york}

. . . elegantly tailored a-line princess coats perfectly paired with matching lace-trimmed satin, crocheted mohair, and appliquéd floral lace, and best of all, in irresistible shades of pale & pretty pastels . . .

{alberta di ferretti for philosophy fall ready-to-wear 2011 via style.com & fgr}

{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}

{fashion stylist: fer decartaya}

. . . crazy for the perfect styling, by london-based fashion stylist fer decartaya, in these hopelessly lovely shots by photographer xavi gordo -- high-waisted and romantic lace shorts paired with structured handbags, stylishly messy side-braids and thick-rimmed glasses, delicate seafoam silk chiffon blouses cinched with ultra-thin teal-coloured belts, and the beautiful layering of tartan and ruffles, . . .






{alexandra vittekova by xavi gordo, styled by fer decartaya via miss at la playa}

{runway inspiration: elie tahari, new york}

. . . at the moment a little time off, but when it's back to business, it will be belted blazers and high-waisted trousers, gold leather opera gloves and cozy capelets, elegant knee-length hemlines and always classic trenches . . .

{p.s.} more pre-fall picks:
* burberry prorsum
* fendi

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