{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}

{photographer: jamie beck, new york}

I would love to live
Like a rivers flows.
Carried by the surprise
Of its own unfolding.

~ John O'Donohue

. . . late in may, what seems like an eternity ago, received the most charming letter from new york-based blogger/photographer jamie beck, who had the most beautiful idea to collaborate on a fashion photo shoot; unfortunately, was not to be in new york for another three months . . . and so jamie had the wonderful thought for a shoot exclusively for {this is glamorous}, and what resulted was the utterly captivating romance of upswept hair and fluttery gowns, bare shoulders and opera gloves, and the always enchanting central park in the fleeting moments before nightfall, capturing the quiet spells of what could be a moment of repose before the night's festivities, {perhaps an elegant dinner party and dancing until the early morning light}, at the very instant when daydreams & fairytales have been known to float along in the dusky and magical evening air . . .

***************

{p.s.} these images were shot on black & white film with an hasselblad, then hand processed and edited, the entire project taking four months to complete; this shoot also features the lovely styling work of anne of the city sage; more of jamie's wonderful work can be viewed on her blog, from me to you

{images: photography by jamie beck; styling by anne sage; makeup by alex almeida; accessories by bando; dresses by ashley cheeks & jenny yoo; model theresa berenato; quote via julia}

{a hazy tuesday in september}

"With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts."

~Eleanor Roosevelt

. . . hello! a new week and the unofficial end to all things summer, sun-kissed faces and bare shoulders, lunches on terraces and leisurely midnight swims . . . but with every end there is always a beginning, and always beautiful things to look forward to -- skinny jeans and tall leather boots, camel coats and nights by the fire . . .

hope your week is off to a perfect start,
xo

{p.s.} first evening of the season by the fire at the country house this past weekend -- so romantic!

{also:} how wonderful: {sexy & updated} beehives are back {via}

{and:} if you've only just arrived, new & wonderful things:
* colour inspiration: shades of hèrmes
* two lovely things: black & white
* happy september: live it up in a delicate dress
* at the shops: satomi kawakita, new york
* a fond farewell to summer

{images: editorial - diva; laetitia casta by marcin tyszka for harper's bazaar russia, september 2010 via fashionising}

{have a fantastically fun weekend}

. . . this weekend is late mornings, tea & toast and sexy tousled hair, and even later evenings, upswept and party dresses . . .

wishing you a wonderful weekend & hope it's beautiful where you are,
xo

{a few lovely links:}
* pretty, pretty paper: flowers & showers
* summertime inspiration: swimming pools
* garden inspiration: terrariums {via design*sponge}
* nautical inspiration: silk rope {via destined to design}
* diy: crepe paper flowers {via creature comforts}
* celebrate: petals & feathers, champagne & macarons
* like a fairytale: white gowns & crown moulding

{as always, a few things you may have missed:}
* home inspiration: sofia's paris apartment
* photographer: patrick demarchelier
* monday, monday: & the winnner is . . .
* home inspiration: old world glamour
* eco chic: decanterlights
* wedding inspiration: always marchesa
* hello: & happy, happy june

{for the weekend:}
* photographer: per gunnarsson
* guest post: series finale, at home in arkansas magazine

. . . and of course, the antique lace bangle set give-away continues . . .

{image: leighton meester via cocamia}

{have a glamorous weekend}

. . . this weekend is frothy lattes and early morning markets, elegant dinners and waterford crystal, floral bed linens in charming guest rooms and away, away for just a few days . . .

wishing you a perfectly beautiful weekend,
xo

{a few lovely links:}
* inspiration: origami tablescapes
* fashion forward: flag necklaces
* sneak peek: warm & woodsy
* wonderfully whimsical: angel wings
* summer inspiration: may day & hot and hazy
* collections: retro table fans
* design inspiration: like it was yesterday

{as always, a few things you may have missed:}
* a weekend away: billykirk carryalls
* shoes, shoes, shoes: tailored elegance
* runway inspiration: modern marilyn
* colour inspiration: moody & atmospheric
* storage inspiration: shoes
* happy may & late spring blossoms
* hello: monday & inspiration boards
* colour inspiration: driftwood

{images: editorial: archistile un mix di design minimal curve fiori e plissé, photography by tiziano magni for marie claire italia april 2010 via [design] relevant}

{sheer romance: white lace + soft light}

. . . a late spring morning of coffee and croissants and an early monday afternoon of soft whites and upswept hair . . .

{p.s.} a little inspiration from the end of last week:
* first day of spring: balloons + flowers
* weekend: romance + links
* powder room inspiration: picture rails + bits of light
* styling: time-worn nostalgia
* fashion forward: roland mouret
* an enchanted forest: leaves + chandeliers

{linda vojtova for the andres sardá spring / summer 2010 lingerie look book, more of this collection at a glamorous little side project}

{coffee + thoughts on twitter}

No time for a pretty updo or lovely chignon this morning . . . definitely a top-knot and trench on the way out the door kind of day -- and coffee -- many, many cups of coffee . . .

{hope you had a beautiful weekend!}

{p.s.} what do you think about twitter?
still trying to figure out what to use it for . . .

{images: stylesightings via ruby press}

{runway: luisa beccaria fall 2009 rtw}

Pure romance at Luisa Beccaria.


{p.s}
* adore this beautiful post by Joanna

{images: style.com}