GLAMOUR PHOTOGRAFY

"Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain."

. . . happily, there have been more sunny days than rain so far this spring, but there are no illusions that the rain will not fall, {for it is april, after all}, only the eternal optimism of may flowers . . . and when the rain does come, we shall greet it with red lipstick and our best umbrellas, and dance if we must . . .


{image: editorial, perdue dans manhattan; elise crombez by mikael jansson for vogue paris september 2003; fashion editor, anastasia barbieri via pretty stuff}

The cover of the September issue of Vogue Paris presents Marion Cotillard in what we believe is the most exquisite photograph we have seen of the actress in a long time.  Who knew going without eyebrows could look so good?  Not only is the cover shot gorgeous (as shot by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggot), but the editorial is filled with edgy black lingerie by Dior Haute Couture and even latex lingerie by House of Harlot.  We can thank Carine Roitfeld for styling this provocative shoot.
We're hopeful that because the September issue of Vogue Paris is so prominently featuring lingerie for its cover story that it will remain a strong trend for 2011.  If you haven't already noticed, lingerie has been a pretty hot item this past year (but then really, when is it not hot!).  Perhaps the most notable lingerie trend of 2009/2010 has been the high-waist panty...and maybe next year it will be the bullet bra or latex undies if this editorial is any indication.  We shall see!

. . . the midst of a lovely weekend filled with long dinners and late nights and a few world cup festivities as well, and holding my own in dresses and heels, a glass of champagne amidst a sea of pints . . . also hoping to find time for the important things -- for handwritten letters on elegant stationery, e-mails to old friends and long distance telephone calls, for bouquets of roses and morning cups of coffee and most of all, a little time together . . .

thanks so much for always taking a few moments to visit and say hello, for all the fun tweets, warm thoughts and wonderful comments -- wishing you a positively enchanting weekend . . .

hope it's beautiful where you are,
xo

{a few lovely links:}
* travel: hotel delos, france
* at the office: light & lucite
* wedding inspiration: french deco
* seaside: summertime scallops
* storage inspiration: on display
* art in the everyday: a beautiful sign
* like a fairytale: matthew williamson
* architecture: room with a view
* editorial: on gilded wing

{as always, a few things you may have missed:}
* two lovely things: champagne & lace
* currently reading: lonny issue five
* runway: erin fetherston one & two
* interior design: pink stripes & yellow pom poms
* hello & valentino peeptoes
* colour inspiration: august sunrise & bits of gold
* blog inspiration: paris in shades of blue

{and new for the weekend:}
* street style: captivating capes
* perfectly ornate: carved mirror & console
* colour inspiration: olive & dusky taupe

{images: 1 - a glamorous little side project; 2 - ~elena}

. . . spending a little time away in the countryside, but a quick hello to wish you a perfectly wonderful weekend -- thanks for being so lovely and hope it's beautiful where you are,
xo

{a few lovely links from around & about:}
* home accessories: vintage brass
* inspiration board: lily of the valley {via lovely}
* at the office: a stylish wood mouse
* for the love of: books, books, books
* cute, cute: a mini pony
* obsessed with: this wallpaper {design*sponge via twitter}
* lovely, lovely: more wallpaper {layers & layers via twitter}
* summertime: wicker
* pretty packaging: tea time
* photography: hazy days of summer & here
* & most of all: stars

{as always, a few things you may have missed:}
* like a fairytale: flounces of organza & flutters of silk
* colour inspiration: petal pink & french grey
* summertime: basket handbags
* perfect elegance: smokey violet & herringbone floors
* styling inspiration: fantastically french
* runway & backstage: christian dior
* beautifully ornate: grand ceilings

{for the weekend, two new:}
* inspiration: summer, summer, summer
* two lovely things: entryways

. . . and of course, until tuesday to enter the diamond give-away . . .

{image: photography by terry richardson, vogue paris august 2006, styled by emmanuelle alt}

"Summer afternoon -- Summer afternoon . . . the two most beautiful words in the English language."

. . . can hardly contain the floods of happiness on brightly beautiful days and now that it's headstrong into summer, have been more hopelessly drawn than usual to beachside things: bare shoulders and tousled, sun-kissed strands, shimmery golden skin and strappy high-heeled sandals -- and whether beachside or poolside -- pure languidness and sunlight all around . . .

{images: a glamorous little side project}

. . . 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}

. . . have always adored white with gold, never fully considering white and silver -- that is -- until happening upon these perfect pairings of a beautifully ornate mirror & a tiny metallic lampshade and crisp bed linens & a shimmering sequined pillow . . .

{p.s.}
* more: two lovely things
* ornate mirrors: here & here
* pretty, pretty: headboards

{images: 1 - editorial: yves forever, photography by alasdair mclellan for vogue paris, stylist: jane how via tfs; 2 - tony hutchinson}

We can't think of an editorial in which the same item is shown in every single image, and yet here it is! In the January 2010 issue of Vogue Paris, Laetitia Casta wears the striking (and Madonna-esque) John Paul Gaultier green bullet bra in every picture. We love the color...but this style is so exagerrated compared to the typical vintage styles that we've enjoyed (or at least it appears to be). In any event, we love the different looks that are created around this one striking piece. This is truly a lingerie-as-outwear look! Now, who's going to wear it?

. . . adore this scrapbook layout of photographs intermingled with garance doré's wonderful sketches and beautiful handwriting for vogue paris . . .

{p.s.} the full layout here + here

. . . while summer is weekend carry-alls and light-weight luggage, fall comes with deeply-hued and heavier pieces such as the always classic LV and stylishly cool Globe-Trotter in maroon, perfect for autumn adventures . . .

{via vogue paris}

A little uninspired one morning last week and the only thing to do was spend the rest of the afternoon on the water . . .

Swept up in late-afternoon breezes and sun-reflected waters shimmering like a million diamonds, was reminded of this layout for Vogue Paris:

. . . always obsessed with and inspired by the layouts in Vogue Paris for as long as can remember, and lately with this one is particular, with its varying shades of blue, ultra-thin gold belts, patent leather ankle boots, nautical stripes, and -- best of all -- the always classic crested blazer-- things are looking up for Fall

{images: 1 - Megan Young via Mary Ruffle; 2 - Vogue Paris}

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!

Vogue Paris is inspiring me to spend the summer with smokey eyes and windswept hair. . .

{image: editoria: Florilège; Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier; Styled by Véronique Didry; Model: Isabeli Fontana; Vogue Paris June/July 2009}

The latest issue of Vogue Paris features Scarlett Johansson, who happens to do a wonderful job representing the lingerie world! In the pictures above, she is seen wearing Dolce & Gabbana as she is now their beauty line spokesperson. Scarlett has an amazing figure that just begs to be dressed in a gorgeous bustier, and she knows how to flaunt her assets! We just love the bra in the top photo!!

Had mentioned in passing that it's a week of celebrations and today is the first -- getting ready for tonight's plans, for today is my birthday . . . Will be back tomorrow with more lovely things to share.

Have a beautiful Wednesday, everyone!
xo