{balloons + beautiful surprises}

Balloons, balloons are everywhere, and happily so, as there are things to celebrate. Always delightful to receive parcels in the post, and one of the fun things about blogging is the beautiful surprises that arrive in the mail. There have been fancy invitations to alluring events, works of art, many books and other lovely things, but the new favourite is the gemma field tote that recently arrived . . . {Thanks so much, Jessica!}

Hope you're having a lovely weekend filled with beautiful surprises!
xo

{p.s.}
> more balloons here & here & here & here & here
> & at the side project: here & here
> great new blogs to read here

{images: 1 - photography by Laurie Frankel; 2 -Givenchy Spring/Summer 206 advertising campaign, model: Maria Carla Boscono, photography by Inez & Vinoodh; 3 - flickr; 4 - martha stewart weddings}

{spent daydreaming}

Chalky, chalky dove grays, pinks, and lavenders, as calm and serene as a rare afternoon spent daydreaming . . .

{images: 1 - hugh stewart; 2 - domino; 3 - photography by pascal chevallier for vogue australia; 4 -absolutely beautiful things}

{what are you reading?}

Would love to add some new reading to my google reader -- does anyone have any suggestions of lovely new blogs you've discovered recently?

{p.s.}
Can hardly wait for sexy summer clothes and breezy summer nights

And while we're on the topic of reading, a fond, fond farewell to domino magazine . . .

{editorial: Mad About The Girl!; magazine: Vogue Australia December 2005; model: Gemma Ward; photographer: Patrick Demarchelier}

{blue-blooded}

Despite being much more likely to paint a room a soft and pretty shade, feel inexplicably drawn to wonderfully bright and saturated shades of blue, and would love to visit just one home as daring and adventurous . . .

{images: 1 - editorial: pillow talk, british vogue january 2003, model: natalia vodianova, photographer, karen collins; 2 & 4 domino; 3 - oscar de la renta via distractions via nibs}

{a charming mix of things}

Felt as if I were forever running a little late last week , and if you were to glimpse inside my thoughts, a charming mix of things would tumble out, including . . .

this crimson {entryway}

this vogue paris {cover} - still

this nap

this {fan} & this fixture

this {photograph} & this {dress}

this {valentine}

{p.s.}
The Mango Spring/Summer 2009 ad campaigns are pretty, pretty.

{images: 1 - martin rusch via tatielle; 2 - First published in Ideal Home, March 2005; 4 - desire to inspire; 5 - fixture via flickr; 7 - kate towers via {frolic!}}

{la garçonne: laid-back cool}

Browsing La Garçonne and came across this effortlessly stylish asymmetrical ruffle blouse {above} by Vanessa Bruno and this ultra-chic classic trench {below}. . .

{images: La Garçonne; top - Zero Maria Cornejo Slim Best Pants; bottom - Current/Elliott The Loved Elephant Bell}

{2 lovely things}

A single word scrawled across a windowpane . . . a new pair of ribbon-tied shoes wrapped in rose dust . . .

{images: 1 - Paris by Pia Jane Bijerk via Simply Seductive; 2 - sea shanties on flickr via Creature Comforts}

{of new & far-off places}

Have always been fond of suitcases for all the memories of adventures of new and far-off places . . . here, a vintage suitcase at the foot of the bed adds a worldly feeling of well-travelled nostalgia . . .

. . . while a stack of plywood cases, {similar to the handmade birch ones featured earlier}, make perfect places for storing foreign currencies, city guides, and memories.

{images: 1 - photography by rachel whiting; 2 - flickr}

{a new week + little luxuries}

Beautiful bed linens, a silk-covered chaise, handpainted wall murals . . . or simply time, the best luxury of all . . . this was supposed to be last week's weekend send-off, but before long, another week had come and gone . . . hope you had a beautiful time and found a few moments to enjoy little luxuries . . .

{hand-painted wall murals by Maria Trimbell}

{Marion Cotillard in Madame Figaro February 2009, shoes by Dior}

{clutch by Sofia Coppola for Louis Vuitton}

{images: 1 - photography by emma lee; 2 maria trimbell murals, via sfgirlbybay; 3 - madame figaro february 2009, marion cotillard photographed by bruno dayan - via tfs; 4 -collaboration between sofia coppola & louis vuitton, via miss at the playa }

{inspiration: pinkish lavender, still}

Clearly am not the only one who has fallen for such a lovely whisper of colour, as pinkish tones are everywhere lately. . . and if it were not for living with a charming Brit who prefers more neutral tones and perhaps grays, would happily surround myself in this calming and beautiful hue . . .

{p.s. another lovely rosebud pillow}

{images: 1 - livingetc march 2008 via apartment therapy; 2 - first published in Ideal Home October 2006 via apartment therapy; 3 - photography by mari eriksson at an angel at my table; 4 - 1st option; 5 - photography by tony amos, vogue living australia}

{pinkish lavender}

Currently and completely drawn to the lovely intermingling of pink and lavender . . .

{p.s.}
* guest post: color week at coco+kelley
* glamour on the side: daydreamer

{images: 1 - Vogue UK November 2006, photography by Nick Knight, model: Gisele Bundchen via flickr; 2 - photography by neil mersh}

{something new}

A new year is a perfect time to try new things, and while routine has its advantages, thought it might be fun to shake things up a bit: instead of a single post per day, will be taking a more random, inspirational approach and post things as as they come . . .

{scroll down for new posts, or click on the links below:}
> gracefulness
> in search of inspiration

{images: 1 - martha stewart weddings magazine; 2 - s.r. gambrel}

{inspiration: gracefulness}

A beautiful collision of fashion and culture in this lovely past editorial from Vogue Italia . . .


{images: editorial: Think Pink; Vogue Italia April 2005; photographer: Steven Miesel; model: Gemma Ward; fashion editor: Edward Enninful}

{inspiration: winter whites}

Elegantly crisp white walls have always been the perfect background for beautiful gallery arrangements, but in mid-January, their starkness feels like a fresh start, a promise that gleaming, sundrenched summer days lay ahead . . .

{see also:}
> verte & blanche

{images: 1 - rachel whiting; 2 - martha stewart weddings; 3 - stylist eva lindh}