GLAMOUR PHOTOGRAFY

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}

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}

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

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}

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}

. . . 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}

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 . . .

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}

So much sadness today -- first Farrah Fawcett, then The King of Pop. Had posted this fantastic link to the complete video library on twitter, but for those who may have missed it:

* farewell MJ

{p.s.} some things:
* nate's apartment with the iconic farah poster
* a perfectly compiled tribute

{image: lover}

. . . a fun little bicycle necklace

* also a tennis necklace, perfect for Wimbledon

{via refinery29}

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

{via mer mag}

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}

A 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.