{the scent of lilacs}

Can think of fewer things more relaxing at the moment than a cozy weekend in a French country cottage by the ocean, the mist of saltwater intermingled with the scent of deep purple lilacs . . .

{some things:}
* lovely, lovely to be on Pia's list of blog favourites
* rose gold earrings give-away continues below

{images: both better homes and gardens, 2 also via apartment therapy chicago}

{runway: luisa beccaria fall 2009 rtw}

Pure romance at Luisa Beccaria.


{p.s}
* adore this beautiful post by Joanna

{images: style.com}

{give-away: 14k rose gold earrings}

You may already know of Brooklyn-based Jezebel's whimsical line of stationery, and along with letterpress, totes and tee's, there is also a lovely line of jewelry . . .

Completely thrilled to announce this week's give-away -- a pair of rose gold ant stud earrings! Part of Jezebel's new collection of fine jewelry, these charming earrings are made of 14k rose gold with 10k yellow gold posts and measure approximately 1/2 inch.

To enter, simply {click here} to visit the jezebel website, then leave a comment below.

{bonne chance!/good luck!}

Recent press for Vagabond Picnic by Jezebel:
* New York Magazine & also here * Refinery29 * design*sponge

* One lovely reader will be randomly selected on Wednesday, March 4, 2009. If you do not have a blog or a contact e-mail on your blog, please leave it in the comments section.

{inspiration: pink & orange}

Suddenly feel a compelling need to stash away all of the heavy winter things and throw open all of the windows . . .

{images: issa fall 2009 rtw via nymag.com & the pipeline}

{perhaps Italy}

Stumbled across a brief and beautiful post on Venice, and have fallen quite in love . . . still planning this summer's travels and trying to resist a natural inclination to return to Paris again and again . . . perhaps Italy?

{p.s.}
* a perfect place to stay

{images: [creative] status: sponging_}

{endless possibilities}

Despite my maximalist tendencies to fill up every bit of space with things -- artwork, photographs, and memories -- am inexplicably drawn to these perfectly plain walls that feel like a fresh start, a blank slate of endless possibilities . . .

{images: 1 - ye rin mok; 2 - flickr; 3 - domino; 4 - flickr}

{marchesa fall 2009 rtw - new york}

The scaled-back fashion week events didn't stop Marchesa from creating a fairyland of "dream-woven dresses" at the Chelsea Art Museum with ribbons, silver roses, sequins, and swaths of tulle -- perhaps now more than ever, is the perfect time for dreams . . .

{image: style.com}

{seaglass}

A breezy band of gauzy green against a romantic balcony, or a lovely desk filled with seaglass and overlooking the ocean . . . Easily drawn to the calming sounds of crashing waves this morning after a busy, lovely weekend . . .

{images: 1 - polanoid; 2 - flickr; 3 - rachel whiting via the city sage}

{a crown of blossoms}

Just as Sofia Coppola's commercials and print ads for Dior have begun a love affair with balloons, Alix's Cherry Blossom life has city girls everywhere fluttering around like lovely wood nymphs wearing crowns of blossoms . . .

{more lovely headdresses:}
* the cherry blossom girl
* paper flower tiaras
* tiraras & headdresses
* blossoms on the side

{images: 1 - miss at la playa; 2 - lover}

{beautifully framed}

Always lovely to discover new ways of looking at things, and have taken many photos of many beautiful galleries, so was thrilled to discover this take on gallery photography: viewing the paintings not as whole works, but as a collection of beautifully framed objects . . .

{image: flickr}

{a new week + spring blossoms}

Glossy magazines everywhere are spilling over with the blossoms of Spring ad campaigns and this one was a lovely surprise, with its wonderful formal rose gardens and sunlit warmth . . .

{p.s.} everything in roses:
* editorial by camilla akrans
* editorial by jimmy backius

* unrelated but lovely: vanessa's new portfolio

{images: bebe Spring 2009 ad campaign}

{happy valentine's day}

Happy Valentine's Day!
Wishing you a beautiful {hopelessly romantic} weekend . . .
xo

{p.s.} and to P, definitely sparks

{image: House Beautiful via Absolutely Beautiful Things}

{hearts a flutter}

Whether fluttering about on the thin straps of a pair of McQueen heels or on a wall of mirrors, shall always be drawn to the magic of butterflies . . .

{p.s.} more fluttering:
* on natalia
* on linda
* on a chandelier

{images: 1 - alexander mcqueen via shoeblog; 2 - california home + design awards}

{perfectly lovely}

{a perfectly lovely way to spend an afternoon}

Nearly Valentine's Day and feeling a little romantic, despite the crazy busy week resulting in terribly sporadic posts -- hopefully things will be more calm soon, and there's always lovely, languid weekends to look forward to . . .

{p.s.}
* thanks to those of you who left comments about blog awards -- still catching up . . .
* thank you to Kelsey at above the fray for such a lovely mention of the side project
* and of course, thanks so much for the birthday wishes!

{images: Marion Cotillard via tumblr; nectar and light }

{heart-shaped}

A pretty, pretty chiffon camisole in the softest hue and heart-shaped cookies . . . While not everyone may be fussed about Valentine's Day, I quite adore it . . .

{a new week}

Birthday celebrations ran into the weekend, and with salon appointments and dinner engagements, am running a little behind this morning . . . Also especially behind on comments and e-mails and may need to take a few moments to catch up today . . .

Happy Monday! Hope you had a lovely weekend.

{images: 1 - perry ogden; 2 - neil mersh; 3 - william waldron}

{yellow: feels like early morning sunshine}

. . . moments of happiness in the early morning sunshine . . .

{images: 1 - automatism; 2 - patricia gray interior design; 3 - Harper's Bazzar February 2009, Siri Tollerod & Karmen Pedaru by Alexi Lubomirski via Miss at la Playa; more of this editorial here}

{cake & candles}

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

{images: 1 - domino; 2 - from the Sofia Coppola feature in Paris Vogue February 2009 via Miss at la Playa; 3 - unknown}

{work of art: paper-flower tiaras}

Have been completely caught up in the brilliantly creative and exquisite bleached flower cut-outs and sculpted paper blossoms strewn about the walls, tables, and floors of the all-white space of the Chanel Spring 2008 Couture show.

Wondrously enormous and intricate paper roses, magnolias and camellias were transformed into beautiful paper-flower tiaras. According to Karl Lagerfeld, to prepare for the collection, he cleared everything away and "started with a clean sheet of paper." The result was a flutter of Spring, a stunning celebration of magic and romance . . .

{p.s.}
more information about the artist:

* the 65 different headdresses were created out of two stacks of plain white copy paper by Japanese designer Katsuyo Kamo, a master hairdresser, and his small team {hudson's jeans blog}
* kamo's work first appeared in t magazine
* more paper works of art featured here

{images: Chanel Spring 2009 Couture via style.com}

{a new week + happy february}

Happy February, everyone!

Hope you had a lovely weekend and are looking forward to a brand new week.

{image: Sofia Coppola feature in Paris Vogue February 2009 via Miss at la Playa}