{style inspiration: the french riviera}

. . . isn't this the loveliest swimsuit? . . . inspired by vintage french swimwear and beautifully draped in a ruched tulle overlay, it can be worn strapless and would also look lovely with a fluttery skirt for dancing the night away, but mostly, would be perfect with a bellini on an enchanted afternoon in the french riviera . . .

{p.s.} the tulle is a special blend that holds its shape & dries quickly


{tulle underwire tank from j.crew}

{photographer: patric shaw}

. . . positivity enchanted with these photographs by fashion photographer, patric shaw . . . the softness of light with its dreamy cast on every billowy pleat and ruche of delicate tulle, turning bare shoulders and cheekbones into gold, the insanely lovely pinkish lavender walls and the utterly perfect play of light and shadow . . .

{p.s.} the first dress is j.mendel & the second is chloé


{roza gough by patric shaw for vogue russia brides, S/S 2011 via oh fashion models}

{ribbons, ruffles and . . .}

. . . yesterday was one of those days were it seemed as if inspiration was always just nearly out of grasp, and while coffee & a moment of repose, a late lunch date and a little fresh air seemed to help, when all else fails, {with the exception of a flight to paris}, there are always ribbons, ruffles, and tulle, tulle, tulle . . .

{p.s.} what do you do when you're in search of inspiration?


{images: marchesa via the wedding chics}

{runway inspiration: elie saab, paris}

. . . elie saab never fails to be utterly breathtaking, and when you finally catch your breath, you will scarcely be prepared for the utter beauty of the latest spring couture collection, a flourish of mousseline and sheer décolleté, of tulle and organza, and flowers piled at the shoulder and tied with grosgrain at the waist, and all in glittery, fairytale shades of silver and champagne . . .









{p.s.} more of this collection

{images: elie saab spring couture 2011 collection via tsf}

{holiday inspiration: sugarplums}

. . . nearly time to say farewell for a few days, and while there were a million more inspirational holiday ideas planned here, there were and are {happily} not enough hours in a day, for there are still gifts to be wrapped and fastened with white velvet ribbon, billowy chiffon dresses to be worn and chignons to be tied, pretty glasses of champagne to be raised and toasts to be made . . .



{as always, a few things you may have missed:}
* lost in daydreams: a few moments of repose
* fashion stylist: fer decartaya
* two lovely things: tufted & pearls
* gift guide: ruggedly refined
* holiday inspiration: a blue chrismtas
* a beautiful idea: gold placeholders
* runway: elie tahari, new york
* seaside dreams: starfish & evergreen
* gift guide: day & night

* holiday inspiration: the spirit of giving
* hello & exciting news

{& new for the holidays:}
* shoes, shoes, shoes: always chloé
* holiday inspiration: tinseltown

{images: homes & antiques via plum siena}

{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}

{a glimpse: beautiful balmain}

. . . impossibly elegant gilt-panelled walls and mirrored halls, velvet chairs and intoxicating bouquets of roses, softly pooling drapery and sexy tulle-enveloped dresses: a glimpse into the enchanted world of balmain . . .

{images: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 - joseph dirand architecture for balmain via the diversion project; 3 - magdalena frackowiak, paris fashion week - balmain spring/summer 2009 fashion show via fashionising; jacket via maison des rêveries; ;tulle skirt via a glamorous little side project; daria via a glamorous little side project}

{travel inspiration: tahitian dreams}

. . . once there was the grandest cruise ship and sunny, exotic islands far away -- barbados & st.lucia and other such magical places of white sand and swaying palm trees, champagne and oysters at midnight and the moon reflected in the night waters . . . but since, a city-adoring and wanderlust heart has only traipsed narrow cobblestone streets and gilded opera houses, preferring museums and galleries and sidewalk cafés . . . but every once in a while, when the whether begins to change, the enchantment of the islands beckon . . .

{images: pia miller by darren mcdonald on location in bora bora pearl beach resort & spa, styling by karissa fanning; via studded hearts, originally from the lane}