GLAMOUR PHOTOGRAFY

. . . one of those mornings where a million things are happening at once and the week has gotten away a little . . . a few lovely things planned for the day as well as weekend wishes & links later on, and before we know it, another summer weekend . . .

{anja rubik by carter smith via studded hearts, also here}

. . . shall always and forever adore velvet {this sofa is stunning}, and even more so after happening upon it in mesmerizingly beautiful and wonderfully luxurious shades of gold . . .

{p.s.} hello! thursday again, and dashing out the door for a late lunch on a sunny terrace across town, and today it's a chignon and diamond earrings, a delicate white dress with thin straps and gold embroidery, perfectly paired with gold strappy summer sandals

hope you're having spectacular week and more lovely things soon,
xo

{image: elle decoration uk via the diversion project}

. . . 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}

. . . a complete and longstanding love-affair with floral wallpaper, especially hand-painted or vintage {or both}, and the more elaborate, the better -- and so, was absolutely filled with delight upon discovering this bedroom {thanks, felicity!} in a tiny {tiny} apartment in the east village, with walls enveloped in an incredibly stunning hand-painted 18th-century wallpaper . . .

{an excerpt:}

I want to know more about that wallpaper. It gives the room an ancient, exalted feeling.
It's 18th-century Chinese. I stumbled across it at an auction, this pile of dilapidated pieces that nobody else wanted. I had to have it. I found three large scenes, placed them around the room, and pieced in the gaps and torn bits. The idea was to create a jewel-box effect in the bedroom, with pattern to distract your senses from the tight quarters. I papered the wall in the spirit of a collage, trying to make the most of a beautiful old thing. . .

{p.s.} the little trundle bed cleverly tucks away in the morning

{also lovely:} hand-painted wall murals

{images: photography by ngoc minh ngo for a small one-bedroom apartment made big by barbara king for house beautiful}

It won't be much longer before the Fall/Winter 2010 lingerie collections hit the sales floor, so in preparation for the up-coming season we're going to whet your appetite with a sneak peek of the latest from U.K. brand Mint Siren. This sleek new collection will make its official debut in September 2010, in which designer Josefine Wing features a beautiful combination of black and gold intimates. We love how the pieces were styled with a definite ready-to-wear vibe...we wish we could walk around work like this (ahem, we would like the model's body too if that were to happen). Overall there's a lot of gold lace embellishment and metal detailing on Mint Siren's pieces, and swimwear has been added to the mix with a black denim bikini.
Which piece will be going on your wish list? You can shop the Mint Siren Summer collection here.

. . . would most likely pair with elegantly tailored trousers or a light-as-air and gauzy skirt, but quite adore this pretty silk top with delicate lacy shoulder details and loosely knotted tie closure . . . or perhaps perfect as is, for an afternoon lounging poolside . . .

{p.s.} fun new updates to:
* features & favourites
* inspiration board

{image: patrisha petrová and isabella strandell by cihan alpgiray for marie claire turkey july 2010, styled by duygu hamdioğlu, hair & make-up by elif girgin via studded hearts}

. . . 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}

A little over a year ago, the Florrie Mitton label was born (on Etsy) and now it's the must-have label for bridal garters. And these aren't just any garters, Florrie Mitton hand-makes exquisite little treasures from the most beautiful silk satins, lace, tulle and chiffon. Furthermore, most pieces are adorned with a special little detail, whether it be a vintage rhinestone garland or a sweet sparkling charm. Most of the garters are reminiscent of the grandeur of yesteryear from the Gilded Age to the early 20th-Century influences of Art Deco. This makes sense considering the brand was named after and influenced by the designer's great grandmother.
Each Florrie Mitton garter is handmade in the UK and come presented in a keepsake gift box. With a garter as beautiful as these, you may not want to toss it!
You can now purchase Florrie Mitton at Faire Frou Frou! Click here to purchase.

. . . hello again! . . . a little {fashionably} late today, it's true, but another beautiful summer weekend, and so much so, decided to stay for another night, returning only moments ago . . . and after the starlit nights and warm evening breezes, the late-morning coffees and walks along the river, and most of all, the first countryside picnic of the summer, it's back to business with lingering memories and a few lovely photographs of the weekend . . .

happy, happy monday! and hope your week is off to a perfect start,
xo

{p.s.} ever since this collection by chloé, have been a little obsessed with sexy 70's styling, also seen here & here

{images: a glamorous little side project}

{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}

. . . farewell a little early today, as the carryalls are packed and it's away, away for another late-summer weekend, long lunches and laid-back afternoons, upswept hair and red lipstick by night under the cover of a million stars and candlelight, and by morning, gold and coral sunrises and if we're lucky, perhaps a countryside picnic . . .

wishing you an astonishingly wonderful weekend, and hope it's beautiful where you are,
xo

{a few lovely links:}
* travel: altis belem hotel, portugal
* summertime: perfectly lovely umbrellas
* diy: elegantly rustic coat hangers
* the houseguest: summer vacation
* design: suspended cabinets
* décor inspiration: on the ceiling
* recipe: bacon-wrapped dates
* video: test shots {via oh joy! & twitter}
* pretty, pretty: box of matches
* mind games: fun ways to challenge yourself
* travel: castello di vicarello
* fashion inspiration: always anna
* diy: sweetpeas in a floating vase
* design: a stunning chandelier {via oh joy! & twitter}

{as always, some things you may have missed:}
* hello & perfectly pretty pink
* afternoon in the park & the winner . . .
* summertime: a dreamy & languid light
* looking good while doing good: the market bag
* laid back glamour: the art of dressing down
* table for two: katie quinn davies
* in daydreams: feather beds & rhinestone pins
* two lovely things: bits of green

{& new for the weekend:}
* summertime: breakfast in paris

{images: j.crew via the neo-traditionalist}