{eternally chic: the classic trench coat}

One of my favourite things about Spring is running out the door in a light trench -- whether paired with a favourite pair of jeans or a cocktail dress, it is one item that always makes me feel hopelessly stylish and effortlessly put together . . .

{top: françoise hardy; above: kate moss}

In 1879, a young former draper's assistant, Thomas Burberry, invented gabardine, a comfortable yet durable tightly-woven, water-resistant fabric. This fabric was a stunning success, with orders flooding in, and the first major client being the British Army.

Using his own designs for officers' coats made 13 years earlier for the War Office, Burberry added shoulder straps and metal rings to his gabardine coat, and the trench coat was created. Today the Burberry trench coat remains one of fashion's most coveted pieces.

{above: jackie, audrey, kate}

Lightweight, weather resistant and eternally chic, the classic trench is as stylish today as it was when Audrey Hepburn wore one in Breakfast At Tiffany's.

{united bamboo trench with current / elliott 70's style bell-bottoms in distressed denim at la garçonne}

{cotton A.P.C. trench paired with paul smith striped shirt and just cavalli wide-legged jeans from harrods for an elegantly cool british look}

{a gryphon trench paired with acne skinnies and a proenza schouler striped tee for a perfect parisian vibe}

{images: 1 - françoise hardy via ms. muse; 2 - kate moss by ellen von unwerth; 3 - magnolias by alicia bock; 4 - via popartpistol; 6 - glamour uk august 2008; 7 - closet couture in vogue us may 2009}

{a perfect place}

"Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light . . ."

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

* * *

A perfect place for daydreaming on a midsummer's afternoon . . .

{image: daisy pink cupcake}

{finishing touch}

Whether stylishly sleek on a wall of doors or beautifully ornate in Pierre Hermé's Parisian apartment, the right hardware is always the perfect finishing touch . . .

{images: 1 - desire to inspire; 2 - the selby}

{covered in petals}

Flipping through British Vogue and came across this pretty, pretty handbag covered in little leather petals from Reiss, perfect for this bright and sunny morning . . .

{english country charm + a little reminder}

. . . a built-in dog bed and a place for wellies

. . . a fun and modern equestrian-inspired room divider

{p.s.} a little reminder to those of you who have not yet entered the interior design services give-away -- please e-mail all submissions to {lavenderplum@gmail.com} by Tuesday, April 28, 2009

* click here for more information

* images: 1 - country homes & interiors; 2 - concrete & honey}

{reiss spring 2009 collection}

The new Reiss Spring Collection is all pretty ruffles and soft, flowing fabrics . . .

{DIY: fun weekend project}

Fun weekend project: a pair of nightstands freshened with a coat of high-gloss paint + modern chevron pattern, set side-by-side as a hall console

{before & after: chevron pattern how-to with downloadable pattern from Sunset magazine}

{norma kamali swimwear}

Received a link to Norma Kamali's fantastic swimsuit collection a while ago from my lovely friend Felicity -- and while there are always thoughts about walking along the ocean, only recently, with these pretty selections, and the sun's warm and wonderful rays, have there been thoughts of frolicking in the crashing waves . . .


. . . adore the vintage styling and lovely, lovely details of gathers, rusches and ruffles

{the beauty of dreams}

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
-- Eleanor Roosevelt

{a few lovely links to start off the week:}
* 10 things to love
* summer's bright whites
* beautiful railings
* a stunning horse-shaped chandeliler

{images: 1 - the selby; 2, 3 - catherine gratwicke via desire to inspire}

{dreamy springtime}

Lately have been seeing more outdoor shoots with a less produced and more natural, relaxed feel . . . last season there was church & state, and this season, kate towers, sessùn, and these dreamy springtime shots . . .

{images: 1 - Elizabeth Fillmore; 2 - Manuel Mota from Cosmopolitan Bride via Lace & Tea}

{unravelling}

Very nearly unravelling with all the busy-ness of the past few weeks . . . a deep breath and out for dinner for a languid and leisurely break, and of course, the magical stillness and quiet beauty of these photographs. There is just something about the ocean that has such a calming affect . . .



{images: unravelling via mrs. french at sfgirlbybay}

{books & blossoms}

Inspired by this simple arrangement of neatly stacked piles of books alongside an enormous bouquet of fresh pinkish blossoms in this Parisian living room and wonder if have been overthinking things all along . . .

{p.s.} also adore the stunning gilt mirror

{image: Caroline Lee Bouvier Canfield Radziwill Ross' Paris apartment as seen in Elle Decor via Cote de Texas}

{softly seafoam + the winners are . . .}

Busy, busy few weeks, and running a little behind, but here, at long last . . . the randomly selected winners of the most recent give-aways . . .

* congratulations to {joy}, the winner of the lauren moffat dress!
* congratulations to {diana}, the winner of the silkscreened journal!

Thanks to everyone who joined in the fun.

{p.s.}
* still adore the idea of framing one panel of wallpaper {top}
* see also: one perfect panel
* more beautiful juliet balconies here & here & here

{images: 1 - the domino book of decorating; 2 - captivate me}

{chalkboard eggs}

A little late for Easter, but a fun idea any time of year, these wonderfully creative chalkboard eggs are the perfect place to leave sweet nothings . . .

{image: blown ostrich egg shells with chalkboard paint by Australian artist Lisa Tilse via the unbearable lightness . . .}

{happy easter weekend!}

Leaving the city for the weekend and looking forward to good food & conversation, spending time together, and a few stolen moments in the Spring sunshine . . .

{wishing you the same}
Have a beautiful, beautiful weekend!
xo

{images: 1 - rees roberts via desire to inspire; 2 - editorial - and god created woman; model: abbey lee kershaw; photographer: max doyle; stylist: naomi smith; magazine: vogue australia may 2009 via starbucks and jane austen; more of this editorial here}

{lovely gold leaf}

Developing quite an obsession for these hand gold leafed papier-mâché bowls by up in the air somewhere . . .

{p.s.}
* more stunning gold leaf
* silk-screened journal give-away continues below

{via design*sponge}

{new: sessùn printemps - été 2009}

The new sessùn spring - summer 2009 collection is filled with fun and pretty things . . .

{p.s.} the vintage-inspired photography is lovely as well
* more looks here

{sessùn spring summer 2009 collection via creative archive}

{feels like spring}

Fallen for the amazingly lovely soft lavender silk curtains and streaming sunlight in this Parisian bedroom . . .

. . . and these quietly beautiful rooms that feel like Spring . . .

{p.s.} silkscreen journal give-away continues below

{images: 1 - the paris apartment; 2 - Perfect English by Ros Byam Shaw, photography by Chris Tubbs via the city sage; 2 - romo fabrics via apartment therapy}

{give-away: silkcreened journal}

Extremely excited to announce this week's give-away: a beautiful silkscreened journal!

This lovely oversized journal is made with 120 lb cover paper and contains acid-free quality recycled kraft paper, hand-stitched with natural beeswaxed and linen bookbinding thread.
{50 pages . 14x16 . opens flat}

To enter, {click here} to visit Gillian's brand new etsy shop, then leave a comment below.

{bonne chance!/good luck!}

{p.s.}
* see also: website & blog
* reminder: interior design services give-away continues

* a winner will be randomly selected after Friday, April 10, 2009, if you do not have a blog or contact e-mail on your blog, please include it in the comments for notification

{spring blossoms + lovely links}

A few lovely links & happy discoveries:

* blowing bubbles
* rooms + macarons
* the best business cards ever
* five happy things

{images: 1 - unknown; 2 - amy's vintage modern nest via apartment therapy; 3 - concrete and honey}

{lovely lucite}

Absentmindedly flipping through past issues of domino awhile ago and came across a favourite vignette {above} in the first ever issue, and was reminded of how beautiful lucite can look when paired with the perfect pieces and accessories . . .

{a lucite console is the perfect complement to a large antique French mirror and weathered floorboards}

{lucite office furniture in a february 2005 versace ad campaign featuring madonna and shot by mario testino; aside: also included, the eames soft pad aluminum group chair}

{lucite bases make these large mirrored coffee and end tables appear as if they are floating . . .}

{see also:}
* further reading
* caring instructions for lucite
* custom lucite trays {via here}
* lucite letters

{p.s.} Lauren Moffat Spring dress give-way continues until Thursday

{images: 1 - domino spring/summer 2005 - photography by squire fox; 2 - from boudoir by hilary robertson via concrete and honey; 4 - livingetc.}