{hello from paris}

"Paris is always a good idea."

~ audrey hepburn

. . . hello! . . . things have been rather sporadic around here this week, with valentine's day on monday, finishing projects, last-minute preparations, and an ever-overflowing stream of emails, but most excitingly, cases to pack and a flight to catch, and now, a few beautiful days in paris . . .

uncertain when there next will be a moment to say hello, and so, for now, a fond farewell and à la prochaine,
xo

{images: one | two}

{happy monday + a give-away}

. . . hello! monday, monday and beautifully exhausted after a summer weekend away, lavender-laden thoughts still lingering . . . and while wonderful to get away, always lovely to return home again to a new week filled with a million brilliant things: to do, to see, to plan, to accomplish, to dream . . .

hope you had a spectacular weekend & wishing you a perfect start to the week,
xo

{p.s.} new & lovely things you may have missed:
* colour inspiration: shades of citron
* in the bedroom: crisp summer whites

{images: 1 - shabby chic via decorology; 2 - scan by this is glamorous, photography by jeff macnamara for victoria october 2001; 3 - style me pretty}

{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}

{hello + happy, happy june}

. . . may still be wondering how we got here so quickly, but must confess that the month of june is an absolute and longtime favourite -- from here until summer's end, it's luxurious long weekends and afternoons on the water, butterflies and fireflies and midnight swims, moonlit kisses and bright mornings, sexy bare shoulders and everything sun-kissed . . .

happy june! hope it's off to a beautiful start,
xo

{images: from a previous post -- isn't it funny how some things we always love?}

{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}

{colour inspiration: bits of gold + palest pink}

. . . after falling for the rustic charm of sunday supper's beautiful baguette & brie arrangements, have fallen head over heels for the sophisticated and fairytale-like combination of glittery gold and pale, pale pink . . .

{images: sunday suppers; a glamorous little side project}

{pattern inspiration: stripes}

. . . always thought to have preferred crisp whites and soft, neutral and subdued tones -- this is -- before these strikingly bold black & white stripes came along and changed everything . . .


{images: photography by jonny valiant for elegant bride via perfectly put together & style me pretty; dress by alice + olivia via kate arends}

{happy weekend + links}

. . . a wonderful first week of twenty10 here at {this is glamorous} . . . and while last weekend was a flurry of friends & family and long airport good-byes, this weekend is reservations to make & things to celebrate . . .

have a beautiful, beautiful weekend, everyone!
xo

{a few lovely links:}
* pretty {rainy} winter wear
* round-up: hardware & bottle openers {especially the vintage hermès}
* short wedding dress + blue valentinos {via seesaw}
* petal perfect

{as always, some things you may have missed:}
* winter blossoms
* white silk-chiffon + the winner
* dreaming of a january thaw
* white + a brand new year
* shoes, shoes, shoes
* paper flower wreaths

{images: 1 - apartment therapy; 2 - michael paul photography via brabourne farm}

{holiday inspiration: wine bottle centerpieces}

. . . eco-chic & perfect for holiday parties: beautiful clusters of clear glass wine bottles in a festive grouping, candles a-glow with pure romance and perfect flickers of light . . .

{scan by tig: photography by tom mannion for elle decoration december 2009}

{christmas time in the city}

. . . late, late november and soon it will be time for pretty bed linens in cozy guest bedrooms, warm slants of sunlight and extra blankets, and best of all, tables set with gold-rimmed glasses for elegantly festive dinner parties . . .{this is glamorous}

{p.s.} holiday decorating ideas:
* freshly chopped wood
* artful arrangements
* mahogany & gold

{images:1 - victoria magazine via papillon linens; living at home via neu4bauer; anson smart; flickr}