. . . one of those mornings where a million things are happening at once and the week has gotten away a little . . . a few lovely things planned for the day as well as weekend wishes & links later on, and before we know it, another summer weekend . . .
{anja rubik by carter smith via studded hearts, also here}
. . . shall always and forever adore velvet {this sofa is stunning}, and even more so after happening upon it in mesmerizingly beautiful and wonderfully luxurious shades of gold . . .
{p.s.} hello! thursday again, and dashing out the door for a late lunch on a sunny terrace across town, and today it's a chignon and diamond earrings, a delicate white dress with thin straps and gold embroidery, perfectly paired with gold strappy summer sandals
hope you're having spectacular week and more lovely things soon,
xo
{image: elle decoration uk via the diversion project}
. . . a complete and longstanding love-affair with floral wallpaper, especially hand-painted or vintage {or both}, and the more elaborate, the better -- and so, was absolutely filled with delight upon discovering this bedroom {thanks, felicity!} in a tiny {tiny} apartment in the east village, with walls enveloped in an incredibly stunning hand-painted 18th-century wallpaper . . .
{an excerpt:}
I want to know more about that wallpaper. It gives the room an ancient, exalted feeling.
It's 18th-century Chinese. I stumbled across it at an auction, this pile of dilapidated pieces that nobody else wanted. I had to have it. I found three large scenes, placed them around the room, and pieced in the gaps and torn bits. The idea was to create a jewel-box effect in the bedroom, with pattern to distract your senses from the tight quarters. I papered the wall in the spirit of a collage, trying to make the most of a beautiful old thing. . .
************
{p.s.} the little trundle bed cleverly tucks away in the morning
{also lovely:} hand-painted wall murals
{images: photography by ngoc minh ngo for a small one-bedroom apartment made big by barbara king for house beautiful}
. . . would most likely pair with elegantly tailored trousers or a light-as-air and gauzy skirt, but quite adore this pretty silk top with delicate lacy shoulder details and loosely knotted tie closure . . . or perhaps perfect as is, for an afternoon lounging poolside . . .
{p.s.} fun new updates to:
* features & favourites
* inspiration board
{image: patrisha petrová and isabella strandell by cihan alpgiray for marie claire turkey july 2010, styled by duygu hamdioğlu, hair & make-up by elif girgin via studded hearts}
. . . and while we're on the topic of wicker, a chance to flip through the latest issue of martha stewart living on the weekend over coffee, and absolutely fell in love with these summer-perfect paint-dipped wicker baskets -- whether dipped or brushed on, such a simple and simply wonderful way to give market and beach baskets a stylish update . . .
{photography by dana gallagher for martha stewart living, august 2010 via katiedid}
. . . hello again! . . . a little {fashionably} late today, it's true, but another beautiful summer weekend, and so much so, decided to stay for another night, returning only moments ago . . . and after the starlit nights and warm evening breezes, the late-morning coffees and walks along the river, and most of all, the first countryside picnic of the summer, it's back to business with lingering memories and a few lovely photographs of the weekend . . .
happy, happy monday! and hope your week is off to a perfect start,
xo
{p.s.} ever since this collection by chloé, have been a little obsessed with sexy 70's styling, also seen here & here
{images: a glamorous little side project}
. . . farewell a little early today, as the carryalls are packed and it's away, away for another late-summer weekend, long lunches and laid-back afternoons, upswept hair and red lipstick by night under the cover of a million stars and candlelight, and by morning, gold and coral sunrises and if we're lucky, perhaps a countryside picnic . . .
wishing you an astonishingly wonderful weekend, and hope it's beautiful where you are,
xo
{a few lovely links:}
* travel: altis belem hotel, portugal
* summertime: perfectly lovely umbrellas* diy: elegantly rustic coat hangers
* the houseguest: summer vacation
* design: suspended cabinets
* décor inspiration: on the ceiling* recipe: bacon-wrapped dates* video: test shots {via oh joy! & twitter}
* pretty, pretty: box of matches
* mind games: fun ways to challenge yourself
* travel: castello di vicarello
* fashion inspiration: always anna
* diy: sweetpeas in a floating vase* design: a stunning chandelier {via oh joy! & twitter}{as always, some things you may have missed:}
* hello & perfectly pretty pink
* afternoon in the park & the winner . . .
* summertime: a dreamy & languid light* looking good while doing good: the market bag
* laid back glamour: the art of dressing down
* table for two: katie quinn davies
* in daydreams: feather beds & rhinestone pins
* two lovely things: bits of green
{& new for the weekend:}
* summertime: breakfast in paris
{images: j.crew via the neo-traditionalist}
. . . caught up in the romance of the lace and ruffles, the layers and layers of tulle and delicately elegant polka dots -- and most of all, the hazy and languorous light . . .
{p.s.} more summer whites here & here
{image: photography by pia ulin via busy being fabulous}
. . . would never, in a million years, wish away the hazily romantic and dreamy days of summer, but the new chloé fall 2011 rtw collection is so charmingly laid-back, couldn't resist a tiny peek and it's now back to lounging poolside . . .
{two lovely things:} . . . few things bring back floods of summer more than wicker and saltwater-laden memories of the sea, and while there are still many golden days to dream away, always lovely to have exquisite remembrances of these, the gauzy and ethereal days of summer . . .
. . . has only been a little while since our last breakfast in paris, but any time away from paris is far too long and while we may not be having our croissants and café au lait in the jardin du luxembourg this beautiful summer morning, we will be packing our weekend carryalls for a little time away . . .
. . . dashing out the door -- sexy tousled hair, a light linen summer dress, suede heels and coral lips -- but first, a quick hello and two new & lovely things:
{two lovely things:} . . . whether lacy white linen and beautifully etched glasses, or intricately arranged along the top of a luxurious and stately bath, such astonishing elegance in bits of green, dashes of huntington and buckingham gardens, and especially when combined with crisp summer whites . . .
. . . few things are lovelier than the chance to give back, and so, quite adore the market bag from california-based apolis activism: produced by saidpur enterprise, a non-profit in bangladesh, the market bag is handcrafted by from locally grown golden jute and vegetable tanned leather reinforced with antique nickel rivets, and finished with a waterproof lining and an interior pocket, perfect for summer saturday mornings picking up bouquets and baguettes . . .
. . . wednesday already and how this week {and the summer!} are slipping by . . . and finally, amazingly excited to announce the winner of last week's glamorous give-away: after two unfortunate draws of entries with missing contact information, third time's a charm, as they say, and warmest congratulations to amy, winner of the beautifully designed and stylishly iconic eames chair!
. . . must confess am rather quite a disaster in the kitchen, but could happily recommend the best tarte niçoise or crème brulée in town, share the most delicious-tasting recipes and beautiful cookbooks and could most definitely gaze at stunning food photography forever, and so, was utterly delighted to happen upon what katie ate, a blog by australian food photographer katie quinn davies, who cooks, styles, and photographs every delectable recipe and may even inspire an afternoon venture back into the kitchen . . .
