GLAMOUR PHOTOGRAFY

. . . monday comes in shades of green & gold -- westminster and huntington, chardonnay and woodside moss -- and even while there are overcast skies, and soon, the last of the fallen leaves, there is the warmth of these elegant and regal hues, and along with them, a certain anticipation of things to come, or perhaps the anticipation could be attributed to the start of a new week and so many beautiful things to look forward to in the days and weeks ahead . . .

{images: keira knightley by mario testino for vogue september 2008 via ru glamour; pretty stuff; david wiseman via haute design; enterprise hotel, milano, italy; the glamorai; the cherry blossom girl; the diversion project; walker zanger via linen & lavender; from me to you; charles anastase via style.com; designer lucien rees-roberts via remodelista; billy bride; photographed by pascal chevallier for house & garden october 2005 via moodboard; candid, kate moss & rolls-royce}

Oscar de la Renta dress (above & below), LaCrasia gloves

Dolce & Gabbana bodysuit, LaCrasia gloves

Nina Ricci bustier & skirt, LaCrasia gloves

Admittedly it's a bit of a stretch using these images on our LINGERIE blog, but we spotted a bodysuit and a bit of fishnet in one of the pictures, so that made these images instant qualifiers!   And really, how can you not love these Mario Testino photographs?  The old-school glamour, depicting the hypothetical uptown "Bergdorf" shopper (that's us!) seems right at home in our world of luxury.  From the latest issue of V Magazine (#67) Freja Beha Erichsen and Sasha Pivovarova model opulent fashions (opera-length gloves, evening gowns and fishnet veils) and extravagant hairstyles...don't you wish you could pull off this look for just one day?
We thought we would note that all of the hosiery used in this shoot was by Falke...even though you don't see it!

. . . hello! it's the weekend and what are your plans? . . . currently out of town to breath in every last moment of one of the last of the summer weekends, an ivy-covered country house and floral bed linens, italian coffee and pale morning sun, vibrantly lush english gardens and azure august skies . . .

hope you're having a fantastically fun weekend and that it's beautiful where you are,
xo

{a few lovely links}
* summertime: a perfect afternoon
* sneak peek: a beach cottage
* first love: monet & giverny
* travel: the augstus hotel, forte di marmi , italy
* décor inspiration: stairways & headboards
* at home: stylist tricks
* let's picnic: french willow baskets
* photography: artist kotori kawashima's daughter {via scout-holiday}
* architecture: sand beneath your toes
* summertime: fireworks & forests
* décor inspiration: blue velvet
* colour inspiration: streets & reflections
* design: air lamp
* wedding inspiration: white lanterns
* architecture: beach wood

{as always, a few things you may have missed:}
* happy monday & thoughts for a new week
* lookbook: lover, spring/summer
* utterly romantic: feather clutch
* décor: unapologetically pretty
* lookbook: lover, autumn/winter
* shoes, shoes, shoes: pink suede & bejewelled
* colour inspiration: falling for fall
* travel: new york city

{& new for the weekend:}
* photographer: ellen silverman

{images: editorial - americans in paris, daria werbowy by mario testino for us vogue, may 2010; fashion editor, marie-amélie sauvé via absinthrill}

. . . always in love with all things gold, and after covering a cocktail table in gold-leaf in early spring, even more drawn to its elegant shimmer, especially as gilded accents on walls and along ceilings, and on luxuriously beautiful carved sofas . . .

{p.s.} the fourth guest post for lucky magazine can be viewed here

{images: 1 - fendi ad, elle decoration uk march 2010; kate moss by mario testino, vogue paris january 2006 via fashion gone rogue}

Lingerie as outerwear has never seemed more tasteful! A sexy slip for a dress, a lacy Dior bustier top and a sheer dress with a built-in bra; our version of heaven.
Actress Rachel McAdams was recently featured in Vogue as photographed by Mario Testino. These pictures are fresh, vibrant and wonderfully inspiring in their elegance. We also love how this is the most realistic interpretation of the lingerie as outerwear trend that we've seen in a while. This is a look we would proudly wear!

. . . early november and already dreaming of festive things, especially delicate lace and layers and layers of tulle at holiday parties . . .

{also:} a warm congratulations to emily from texas, winner of the lovely jess lc three-strand necklace give-away!

{congratulations, emily!}

{editorial - stone age; lara stone shot by mario testino for british vogue december 2009, styling by lucinda chambers; via fashion gone rogue; more of this editorial at a glamorous little side project}

What's so funny is that when I first looked at these gorgeous gowns, all I could see is what great lingerie each piece would make. At the root of each piece is a beautiful bra, don't you agree? Actually, the first gown is quite obviously topped with a guepiere, but the other dresses have a definite lingerie-inspired bodice. Or perhaps I just have lingerie on the brain!
Lingerie aside, what a gorgeous setting for this photo shoot. Of course we would expect nothing less from the great Mario Testino!

. . . this weekend is soft silk scarves and mid-october sunsets, long evening gowns and red lipstick, and along the way, a little time to reflect on the wonder of it all . . .

have a beautiful, beautiful weekend, everyone!
xo

{as always, some things you may have missed:}
* at the shops: cranberry milk
* two lovely things: iron console + on the water
* side project: camilla belle
* falling for fall: mustard + gold
* roberta furlanetto: dreamy dresses
* give-away: three-strand necklace

{a few lovely links:}
* nyc: the classic trench
* shopping: gold teapots!
* adore this calendar: paris: a love story {via decor8}
* pretty paper chandeliers: here + here
* DIY: antique wallpaper
* polka dots: in rooms + on tights
* joy's fun new blog: happy lady eats
* roberta furlanetto: dreamy dresses

{p.s.} still time to enter the give-away for a lovely, lovely three-strand necklace . . .

{images: editorial: secret passion; edita vilkeviciute by mario testino for vogue germany june 2008; chandelier, heart - previous post; holding hands - previous post}

We've been pretty busy lately, so this post is going to be short. Or perhaps it was just a good excuse to share this cool picture by Mario Testino!
We'd like to think a short post is better than no post!

One of the best things about entering a room is looking up, up to discover streams of reflected light from the crystals of a stunning chandelier -- instantly everything is transformed under a soft and elegant glow . . .

{p.s.}
* happy bastille day {fête nationale} to friends + family in paris xo





{1 - martha stewart weddings; 2 - irina via tfs; 3 - loulou de la falaise from a previous post; 4 - sfgirlbybay; 5- kate by mario testino; 6 - made by girl; 7 - coté sud from a previous post}