{colour inspiration: golden coral & morning sky}

. . . a softer, subtler, more romantic version of the classic combination of red and turquoise -- golden coral and morning sky -- and whether a bouquet of peonies at an afternoon dinner party or a delicate silk blouse against luxurious bed linens -- the intermingling of the two feels like a rush of spring air, billowing past curtains and fluttery skirts and bright petals in carved vases, ushering in long-awaited days of summer . . .


{images: style me pretty; katie fogarty by nicolas moore for flair, june 2011 via fgr}

{style inspiration: bright whites & bits of colour}

. . . while in theory, may love the thought of stepping out in vibrant spring hues, in actuality, much more likely to dash out the door in pale & pretty neutrals . . . and so, was delighted to happen upon a perfect compromise: a crisply tailored white coat accented with an elegantly thin fuchsia belt and pale yellow clutch, or long layers of lace and cool colour-block sandals, or perhaps, floor-length in warm whites, cinched with a perfectly preppy band of kelly green . . .


{images: anna selezneva by mariano vivanco for vogue russia, june 2011 via fgr}

{every great dream begins with a dreamer}

. . . while it may feel like the weeks are whirling by lately, each day brings us a little closer to the loveliest time of all, and new weeks are such wonderful things, {this one being filled with photo shoots and plans, letters, emails, and late-lunch dates} . . . and so, for today, the prettiest pencil skirt and a romantic ruffled blouse, a perfect trench with the sleeves pushed back and it's monday, monday . . .



{images: stw via that kind of woman; sveta via patterson maker}

{style inspiration: carefree colour}

. . . perhaps it is the thought of april showers, but lately have been adoring bold stripes and bright florals, rich greens and royal blues, saffron-hued lips and perfect bands of colour . . .

{p.s.} fuchsia lips & sexy brights

{images: zara april 2011 lookbook via fgr}

{fashion inspiration: classic neutrals}

. . . with plans to spend the summer in nothing but fluttery summer dresses and billowy pleated skirts the colour of champagne, instantly fell head over heels for the washed silk charmeuse dresses and pretty pencil skirts of this recent collection by edelweiss by sarah, infused with pure 1940's hollywood glamour and a wonderfully modern approach to vintage style, every piece is perfect for a day at the office and a date afterward . . .


{images: edelweiss by sarah fall 2011 via greedy girl}

{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}

{a new week & at the office with elie saab}

. . . saturday afternoon was coffee & coral lipstick, shrimp dumplings & snow pea leaves, and a trip to the flower markets; sunday was a luxuriously late start, a frothy misto & a languid brunch, and, most of all, a hopelessly lovely entire day, alone together . . . and now, monday, monday and back to work with new and beautiful things to to see and plan and do, and many more moments of happy inspiration . . .

hope you had a wonderful weekend, and that your week is off to a perfect start,
xo

{p.s.} & of course, elie saab after work: here & here



{images: elie saab fall 2011 rtw collection via style.com}

{runway inspiration: valentino, paris}

. . . fluttery pleated skirts with a hint of soft coral, elegant leather trenches and sheer blush-hued dresses, beautiful cashmere skirtsuits -- and suddenly, the workday has just gotten a little more chic . . .


{p.s.} isn't that trench an amazing shade of green?

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{also:} more looks here

{images: style.com}

{runway inspiration: gianfranco ferré, milan}

. . . with sheer organdy blouses and elegant pencil skirts, structural jackets, and an intriguing mix of textures such as satin, flannel and cashmere, embellished with beading and bands of silver crystals, tommaso aquilano and roberto rimondi's most recent collection for gianfranco ferré made the runways of milan a beautiful study in "decorated minimalism", which, as far as minimalism goes, is the very best kind . . .

{images: gianfranco ferré fall 2011 rtw collection via style.com}

{avis de beau temps}

. . . one of the many new year's resolutions for this year is to work less & play more, and for the office, a perfect mix of tweed blazers and silk scarves, pretty cardigans and structured handbags, secretary blouses and strappy peeptoes -- and for the weekend -- nautical stripes and sexy shades for an afternoon at the beach . . .

{p.s.} another resolution

{images: patricia van der vliet by test for elle france january 2011, styling by tamara taichman via fgr}

{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

{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}