{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}

{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}

{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}

{style inspiration: beribboned}

. . . have been stepping out, lately, with a long metallic gold leather sash in place of a belt, cinched around a camel wool & cashmere coat, and so, was delighted to happen across a similar look recently: a length of gold satin ribbon, tied in a bow, and cinched around a classic trench -- such a pretty alternative to a belt, don't you think?

{diane kruger by norman jean roy for glamour us march 2006 via haute design}

{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}

{mid-week musings & plans for paris}

. . . a classic trench with skinny jeans and open-toed sandals, or a belted blazer and café au lait on the terrace . . . there so many lovely things to look forward to . . .

{p.s.} travel plans to new york to attend a previous engagement tonight were thwarted by weather conditions, but all is not lost, as there are now new and beautiful plans for a return to paris before month's end . . .

{images: tumblr; dead fleurette; tba; matchbook}

{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: 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}

{fashion inspiration: massimo dutti}

. . . camel capelets and duffle coats, chic leather trenches and belted cashmere cardigans, tweed blazers and pretty bow blouses -- absolutely adore the subtle and sophisticated seventies styling of massimo dutti's near perfect fall collection . . .











{p.s.} more seventies inspiration:
* inspiration board
* wide-legged jeans & denim trenches
* blouses & blazers
* scarves & pencil skirts
* fedoras & leopard print
* stripes & secretary blouses
* turlenecks & tweed

{images: massimo dutti via a glamorous little side project}

{preview: lanvin by alber elbaz for h&m}

. . . and finally, a glimpse of the much-anticipated lanvin for h&m collaboration, and it's voluminous party dresses just in time for the holidays, belted zebra print jackets & bejewelled and be-ribbonned heels, draped and ruffled shoulders and layers & layers of tulle . . .





















{p.s.} more of this collection at the side project

{update:} for those that asked, believe the collection is available on november 20 in the us & november 23 in the uk; also, if you're wondering how the pink off-the-shoulder dress looks on & in black, here

{via vogue, fashionista, lalaforfashion & irina via fgr; view the entire collection at vogue}