{summer inspiration: a perfect picnic}

. . . if you have been reading for a while, you will know about a certain and undying love for summer afternoon picnics, as well as for the fun accessories that go along with such romantic afternoons, and this picnic hamper from spanish fashion label loewe could not be lovelier -- gold-rimmed china and gilded flatware, all held together with perfect pink accents -- add a little champagne and a dashing companion, and the world falls away . . .


{picnic basket, made to order from loewe.com}

{thursday musings & slants of sunlight}

. . . perhaps one of the best things ever is a late lunch on the terrace, and especially an enchantingly sundrenched terrace that holds the secrets of long-forgotten conversations, of laughter and champagne and stolen afternoon kisses . . .

{p.s.} this week's favourite five soon! xo


{french by design via patterson maker}

{style inspiration: going on a picnic}

. . . while it may be a few months yet before blissful picnic weather, this special edition hermès kelly bag in summer wicker may brighten up blustery skies just a little . . .

{image: hermès via rdujour}

{décor inspiration: warm & woodsy}

. . . every year at this time, always and irresistibly drawn to dusky neutrals and rich textures -- exposed ceiling beams and washed floorboards, luxe velvet and stacks upon stacks of firewood, always perfectly paired, of course, with glittering chandeliers; and while always quite adored wicker in the summertime, had not imagined how lovely wicker ottomans and armchairs could be in the colder months, next to fireplaces and perfect for apéritifs on chilly & cozy november nights . . .

{p.s.} more wicker:
* summer to autumn
* paint-dipped baskets
* afternoons in the park & here & here
* breakfast in paris

{images: all linen & lavender: 1&3; 2; 4}

{summer to autumn: wicker}

. . . nearly time again for transitions, and while the closets are still filled with white and light-as-air summer dresses and strappy sandals, and the heavy blankets are still tucked away, soon there will be soft sweaters and boyfriend blazers -- but for now, still in in love with summer wicker, carefully woven market bags beneath mirrored tables and shell chandeliers in the entryway, warm and rustic dining chairs for sunday brunch, or perfectly stylish baskets and cases with leather fasteners alongside a single ruffled and pooling panel -- and when it's time, pair wicker with stacks of freshly cut wood or vintage wool and mohair blankets to welcome the blustery days of autumn . . .

{p.s.} more autumn inspiration:
* fallen leaves
* countryside picnic
* mustard & gold -- one | two

{also:} more wicker:
* summertime
* paint-dipped baskets
* afternoons in the park & here & here
* breakfast in paris

{images: country home via décor de provence; credits to follow; photography by francois halard for house & garden, june 2004 via the adventures of tartanscot; photography ditte isager for day birger mikkelsen AW 2010 via the style files}

{at the shops: cinq design}

. . . much like cranberry milk, tokyo-based cinq design not only has beautiful photography & styling, but also happens to be positively filled with charmingly rustic things fit for long summer days in provence: lace tablecloths and straw hats, cheese boards, enamel teapots, cookie cutters and wooden spoons, and wicker baskets perfect for those sunlit afternoons among fields of lavender . . .

{p.s.} more at the shops:
* the society inc.
* crucial trading

{also:} more wicker:
* summertime
* paint-dipped baskets
* afternoons in the park & here & here
* breakfast in paris

{images: cinq design via the style files}

{beautiful details: paint-dipped baskets}

. . . and while we're on the topic of wicker, a chance to flip through the latest issue of martha stewart living on the weekend over coffee, and absolutely fell in love with these summer-perfect paint-dipped wicker baskets -- whether dipped or brushed on, such a simple and simply wonderful way to give market and beach baskets a stylish update . . .

{photography by dana gallagher for martha stewart living, august 2010 via katiedid}

{two lovely things: souvenirs of summer}

{two lovely things:} . . . few things bring back floods of summer more than wicker and saltwater-laden memories of the sea, and while there are still many golden days to dream away, always lovely to have exquisite remembrances of these, the gauzy and ethereal days of summer . . .

{p.s.} more {two lovely things:}
* bits of green
* cool august nights
* warm & woodsy

{images: amanda mahoney interiors; 2 - vogue living australia via the city sage}

{croissants on a friday morning}

. . . has only been a little while since our last breakfast in paris, but any time away from paris is far too long and while we may not be having our croissants and café au lait in the jardin du luxembourg this beautiful summer morning, we will be packing our weekend carryalls for a little time away . . .

{p.s.} don' you just adore the rhinestone detail against the wicker?

{one last thing:} weekend wishes & links to follow xo

{images:1 - taverne agency via living art interiors; 2 - heather bullard via everything fabulous; 3 - oliveaux}

{two lovely things: summer wicker}

{two lovely things:} there is something about wicker that brings back memories of luxuriously beautiful summer afternoons -- perhaps a reminder of picnic baskets and sunrooms overflowing with roses and sunlight . . . and lovely, lovely to see wicker move beyond and into bedrooms, draped in seductive and always romantic mosquito netting, and dining rooms, be-ribboned and rustically elegantly alongside white tufted chairs with an air of perfect countryside charm . . .

{p.s.} recent two lovely things:
* light & lavender
* mirror, mirror

{images: both rivièra maison via linen + lavender: one & two}

{colour inspiration: august sunrise + bits of gold}

. . . hello! monday, monday and things are off to beautiful start -- early morning at the gym, plans & projects and a brand new week, and couldn't dream of a lovelier way to begin than with shades of pink -- tea rose and cherry blossom, bermuda and august sunrise -- all intermingled with summer wicker and lace, and always elegant with bits of gold . . .

******

{a few things from late last week:}
* give-away: until wednesday
* guest post: at home in arkansas magazine
* scandinavian style: photographer per gunnarsson

{& new today:}
* two lovely things: champagne & lace

{images: 1 - sköna hem; 2 - photography by jory cordy for southern weddings, tumblr via felicity -- thank you!; 3 - martha stewart via the city sage; 4 - photography by jolijn snijders via studded hearts}

{colour inspiration: buttercream}

. . . good morning! hope you had a lovely, lovely weekend; had the wonderful privilege of spending a perfect few days soaking up sunny rays on a terrace in the country, taking breaks only for ice cream at old stone cottages and glasses of chardonnay on wrought iron chairs at quaint cafés by the river . . . and today is so stunningly beautiful and summer-like, abandoning the indoors for a while for a few moments in the sun {such a lovely time of year!}, leaving you with soft and elegant, and always classic, shades of buttercream . . .

à bientôt & hope your week is off to a beautiful start,
xo

{p.s.} two new posts from late last week you may have missed:
* inspiration: summer, summer, summer
* two lovely things: entryways

* & one more day for the diamond give-away . . .


{images: 1&2 - gabrielle kai; 3 - country home may 2005 via greige}

{fashion inspiration: basket handbags}

. . . now that it is nearly summer, have become quite enamoured with the thought of carrying a vintage basket handbag around town, in the style of jane birken -- and much like this one, found in a tiny shop in saint-tropez -- would imagine it would make every day feel like a picnic, or a trip to the markets . . .

{p.s.} fun images of jane & her basket handbag {via a cup of jo}

{image: garance doré}

{storage inspiration: shoes}

. . . a certain fondness for shoes means always searching for creative places to keep an ever-growing collection and this rustically elegant and perfectly organized linen and shelf arrangement would make every morning feel like a visit to the shops . . .

{p.s.} a perfect afternoon

{images: 1 - scan, photography by jason loucas for elle decoration uk april 2005; 2 - greige}

{colour inspiration: hazy shade of winter}

. . . still very much in holiday mode, with a luxuriously late start this morning, filled with daydreams, freshly ground coffee and buttery croissants, and so: taking a few moments to languish in the last few days of the year, welcoming the grey winter days and cozy fire-lit nights filled with excitement for the new adventures that lie ahead . . .






{images: 1 & 2 - belgian pearls; 3 - the society inc.; 4 - apartment therapy; 5 - apartment therapy; 6 - apartment therapy + rough linen; 7 - fashion gone rogue}