{for love or art}

Feels wonderfully like a summer cottage -- the rustic ceiling, the fresh and breezy palette, the laid-back summery vibe, and most of all, the hopelessly romantic artwork . . .

{images: 1 - purple area; 2 - apartment therapy; artwork available here}

Posted in , , , , , at Tuesday 30 June 2009. No Comments

{seashell chandeliers}

Forever drawn to the intoxicating lure of the ocean -- the salty air, the rise and fall of crashing waves, seaglass, scallop shells and starfish, and these intricately beautiful grotto shell chandeliers that have such a magical, underwater allure . . .

{images: 1 - Costal Living via follow studio; 2 - Metropolitan Home; 3 - shelter}

The Pin-Up






Juan Gatti for Vogue Spain

Vogue España and photographer Juan Gatti teamed up to do this adorable Pin-Up photo shoot...so cute! The digital editing makes the photos appear as though they are paintings, which is a nice touch. Unfortunately, we did not find any credits for the lingerie (we can't read the blurry credits shown on the first page)...and we don't really recognize any of the pieces. Our favorite is the white ruffle bikini set, as shown with the white poodle. Pin-up photography is so adorable, no wonder it's such a classic!

{happy monday + a give-away!}

Good morning! After a weekend of dinner dates, sunlit walks along the waterfront and a little champagne, ready for a fun and busy week -- hope your weekend was lovely!

Crazy excited about today's give-away: an ultra-chic and summer-perfect jet black charmeuse jumpsuit from chickdowntown!

Wile away balmy summer nights in this sexy strapless jumpsuit of the softest shimmer of silk by ABS by Allen B. Schwartz, whose collections are worn by New York and L.A. fashionistas like Jennifer Hudson, Natalie Portman and Mischa Barton . . .

To enter, {click here} to visit the chickdowntown website, then leave a comment below.

{bonne chance!/good luck!}

{p.s.} facebook + twitter {+ tig twitter}

* a winner will be randomly selected after Monday, July 6, 2009; if you do not have a blog or contact e-mail on your blog, please include it with your comment for notification -- contest open to readers including international

{happy weekend + long summer days}

An eventful week for certain -- happy to have a little time to slow things down -- there are no cases to pack or flights to catch this weekend, just endless time in summer's long and hazy days . . .

Have a beautiful, beautiful weekend, everyone!
xo

{p.s.} a few links:
* if you're an aspiring model, here's your chance
* a fun cabin-chic look
* shall always love pretty blue toile
* a perfect time to stock up on summer dresses
* wood + resin legs and a disco ball lamp!
* lovely emma watson

{p.s.} exciting new give-away on Monday!

{images: 1 - flickr; 2 - melanie acevedo via
delight by design}

Have a Dreamy Weekend!

image by Ellen von Unwerth

We are looking forward to a sunny weekend here in LA - perfect for a bit of relaxation and fun! We hope you enjoy your weekend too! xox

p.s. the Summer SALE continues at Faire Frou Frou...don't forget to check it out!

Bones and Roses - 2 Outfits in 1

Audrey Romper - reversible as shown above & below
Audrey Romper
Marilyn Wrap
Audrey Romper (below) - reversible
Rita Robe (below) - reversible as shown
detail of open sleeve on the Marilyn Wrap
Marilyn Wrap (below) - reversible
images courtesy of Bones and Roses

We are so excited to share our latest new arrival at Faire Frou Frou, a gorgeous line called Bones and Roses. This new line features a colorful array of robes, wraps and rompers made in a lusciously soft silk charmeuse. The moment we first saw these pieces in person, we knew we had to have it! As cute as it may seem in the pictures, it's that much better in person!

The concept of the line is how opposites attract; bones and roses, edgy and feminine, daywear to nightwear, light against dark. Each piece by Bones and Roses is an example of that dichotomy, particularly since each robe/wrap is reversible. You get two outfits in one! We love that!

Probably our favorite piece is the Audrey Romper, but it's really hard to choose one favorite after trying on each style. We love that these pieces are reversible...you can wear the more dramatic color side at night, and the other side during the day. We have seen the Audrey Romper and the Marilyn Wrap worn as ready-to-wear, and they are amazing.

Bones and Roses is the brainchild of designer Emy Hovanseyan, who was mentored while producing her line by the famous shoe designer Taryn Rose.

The new collection is available here.

{inspiration: handmade}

Lately have been a little obsessed with notebook and scrapbook layouts, such as on the ever-inspiring French blog, Boubou Teatime, and these lovely water-stained, handwritten photographs . . .

{p.s.} this spring collection elevates eco-chic to a whole new level




{
images: mr. larkin via a very lovely reader}

Posted in , , , at Thursday 25 June 2009. No Comments

{flight of fancy}

. . . quite taken with the idea of a glass staircase -- as with lucite, glass is light and airy, with a little dash of fairytale glamour . . .

{image:
october 2007 issue of Livingetc; via dress design decor; similar staircases available at bisca}

Who Needs Pants...When Panties are More Fun?

take the dog for a walk...without pants.


Vogue Paris
Anastasia Barbierie photographed by Walter Pfiefer

Really, what better way to elongate your legs than to just skip wearing pants. Some of the panties we are seeing are too cute, and this is the ultimate way to show them off.
If only we could really think this way, or if only we were Lady Gaga (she is really spearheading this trend). Again, we are seeing a lot of editorial where the model is fully dressed, but simply wearing underwear as a bottom. It's a fun look that we get a kick out of!

{bella italia}

Garance Doré's shots from Italy are incredibly beautiful as always, and have me dreaming of wearing only nautical stripes and perfect little summer dresses forever . . .

{a parisian countryside wedding}

Swept away by this romantic wedding in the French countryside just outside of Paris, that included, among a myriad of magical things, accents of green & gold and a stunning bouquet of butterflies and feathers intermingled with ferns and orchids . . .


{p.s.} an oceanside wedding

{images: photography by Mallory Samson for Veranda via The Paris Hotel Boutique Journal}

Posted in , , , , , , at Wednesday 24 June 2009. No Comments

Kiki by Kirsty Doyle

a look from the Kirsty Doyle ready-to-wear line...we want this piece!!

Kiki by Kirsty Doyle loungewear






This is a cute new lingerie line from the UK called Kiki by Kirsty Doyle. It has all the frou-frou one could possibly want; satin, bows, ruffles and brilliant colors! The designer, Kirsty, established her ready-to-wear line in 2006 (after winning Project Catwalk), and is now introducing lingerie into her repertoire. Her style is a modern look with a touch of 70s flair. Currently the Kiki line has 3 groups, one of which is a Bridal collection.
We have been meaning to share this brand with you for a few months, so it's a pleasure to finally show it!

{inspiration: cloak & dagger}

The Cloak & Dagger Spring Collection is a fun mix of sleek silouhettes + full skirts, sexy little black dresses + pretty patterned tops . . .

{via mer mag}

Posted in , , at Monday 22 June 2009. No Comments

{chevrons + chandeliers}

Attended the opening of a friend's new British gastropub on Monday evening and fell into a beautiful space with two floors, the first of which, along with an undeniably glamorous chandelier that glittered in the candlelight, also had a stunning original herringbone floor . . .


While the ones pictured are chevron, the effect is quite similar. Things that Inspire has a lovely post on the difference between the two . . .

{images: 1 - styling by Lili Diallo for domino magaine via apartment therapy; 2 - desire to inspire}

{new: kevin o'brien studio}

this is glamorous, kevin o'brien, new york cityA chance e-mail lead to the discovery of Kevin O'Brien Studio + a lovely line of devore velvet, which begins with plain white velvet and is transformed into a colorful pattern of silk chiffon and glowing velvet . . .

The original patterns are still designed by Kevin, whose career began in fashion creating textiles for designers including
Isaac Mizrahi, Donna Karan and Ralph Lauren.

He would later venture into home furnishings, creating beautiful hand-made, hand-painted fabrics including
devore velvet and printed linen, and expanding his use of color and texture to create a home accessories line.

Sexy at its Best!

According to our lovely reader NutriGirl, we were informed that this shoot was by Vincent Peters, and that all of the lingerie is Dolce & Gabbana
above images via here

via here
Eva Herzigova for GQ Italy - August 2008

We are just loving these images of Eva Herzigova from the August 2008 issue of GQ Italy. Shot in Ibiza, this shoot seems reminiscent of that iconic scene from From Here to Eternity. The swimwear and lingerie are perfect, as well as the choice for who to model. We're so happy we discovered these, and wanted to share!
Now if only we knew who designed those adorable white panties with the satin bow!

(update: Thank you to NutriGirl for the additional details for this post!!)