{hello + brand new things}

. . . last night, while caught up in a sea of sequins, kraft paper and white grosgrain ribbon, fell in love all over again with the twinkling lights and softly falling snow, and later, after much laughter and fond conversation over the most delicious and casually elegant shrimp & crab dish and strawberry früli at a late dinner, was reminded of the reasons why it really is the most wonderful time . . .

{p.s.} how are things? has been forever since the last bit of site news and a flurry of wondrous activity for the past few weeks now, which means missed weekend wishes late last week as well as links, and so:

{a few lovely links:}
* at home: a beautiful lake retreat
* recipe: hot chocolate
* art in fashion: silk scarves like the sky {via twitter}
* design: fruit topped yogurt
* moody & atmospheric: winter wonderland
* holiday hair: first there was this, now this
* pretty pretty: tea & all aglitter & glittering snow & fairy lights
* tabletop inspiration: fun & festive mirror balls
* just in time for the holidays: afternoon tea & opera
* in the kitchen: gold stars {via sarah on facebook}

{as always, a few things you may have missed:}
* a new week & happy december
* gift guide: warm winter white
* at home: perfect scandinavian style
* travel: an australian christmas
* style: pale & pretty neutrals
* fashion: topknots & dusky coral
* holiday décor: silver & gold

{new & exciting:}
* a brand new feature: a glimpse inside my closet

{recently:}
* delighted to be included in the current issue of utterly engaged



{& one last thing:} if you've only just arrived, still time to enter this week's holiday give-away: a glittering crystal necklace

{style inspiration: perfectly polished}

. . . beautiful styling inspiration from the new zara lookbook, perfect for business lunches and 5:00pm holiday cocktails . . .

{images: via fashionising}

{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}

{fashion inspiration: always chloé}

. . . would never, in a million years, wish away the hazily romantic and dreamy days of summer, but the new chloé fall 2011 rtw collection is so charmingly laid-back, couldn't resist a tiny peek and it's now back to lounging poolside . . .

{images: a glamorous little side project}

{fashion inspiration: hair + sunglasses}

. . . adore everything about this editorial -- the high-waisted trousers and skirts, the shorts paired with boots, the secretary's blouses, and most of all, the wonderfully fun & stylish 70's vibe . . .

{p.s.} very much like this collection

{images: editorial - the untold crime, freja beha erichsen by terry richardson for vogue nippon august 2010, styling by george cortina; via smile}