{colour inspiration: golden coral & morning sky}

. . . a softer, subtler, more romantic version of the classic combination of red and turquoise -- golden coral and morning sky -- and whether a bouquet of peonies at an afternoon dinner party or a delicate silk blouse against luxurious bed linens -- the intermingling of the two feels like a rush of spring air, billowing past curtains and fluttery skirts and bright petals in carved vases, ushering in long-awaited days of summer . . .

{p.s.} just happened upon another variation of this colour combination, here {via destined to design}

{images: style me pretty; katie fogarty by nicolas moore for flair, june 2011 via fgr}

{style inspiration: carefree colour}

. . . perhaps it is the thought of april showers, but lately have been adoring bold stripes and bright florals, rich greens and royal blues, saffron-hued lips and perfect bands of colour . . .

{p.s.} fuchsia lips & sexy brights

{images: zara april 2011 lookbook via fgr}

{ce matin la}

. . . one of the best things about winter is that things seem to slow down a little, the overcast skies and shorter days inspiring less time traipsing about, and more cozy and candlelit nights at home, and rather than spend the rest of january and february whiling away the days until spring, shall spend more time in moments of repose and pretty lacy things, to plot and plan and dream . . .

{images: tati cotliar by benny horne for exit, fall/winter 2010 via oh fashion models}

{avis de beau temps}

. . . one of the many new year's resolutions for this year is to work less & play more, and for the office, a perfect mix of tweed blazers and silk scarves, pretty cardigans and structured handbags, secretary blouses and strappy peeptoes -- and for the weekend -- nautical stripes and sexy shades for an afternoon at the beach . . .

{p.s.} another resolution

{images: patricia van der vliet by test for elle france january 2011, styling by tamara taichman via fgr}

{fashion stylist: fer decartaya}

. . . crazy for the perfect styling, by london-based fashion stylist fer decartaya, in these hopelessly lovely shots by photographer xavi gordo -- high-waisted and romantic lace shorts paired with structured handbags, stylishly messy side-braids and thick-rimmed glasses, delicate seafoam silk chiffon blouses cinched with ultra-thin teal-coloured belts, and the beautiful layering of tartan and ruffles, . . .






{alexandra vittekova by xavi gordo, styled by fer decartaya via miss at la playa}

{runway inspiration: derek lam, new york}

"I wish I had invented blue jeans. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity - all I hope for in my clothes."

~ Yves Saint Laurent

. . . a little sad to gracefully decline so many new york fashion week invitations as we've only just returned, but still and always wonderfully exciting to pore over the spring 2011 ready-to-wear collections for new work by favourite designers such as derek lam . . . there were clean lines and floaty dresses, linen twill blazers and silk crepe blouses, but most of all, there was that wonderful seventies sophistication that am so adoring these days . . .

{p.s.} more sexy seventies style:
* blouses & blazers
* scarves & pencil skirts
* fedoras & leopard print
* stripes & secretary blouses
* turlenecks & tweed

{images: vogue}

{have an enchanting last summer weekend + links}

. . . the midst of the weekend and so far it has been topknots and trenchcoats, billowy clouds and late-summer skies, and in the evenings, country houses and cozy fireplaces and bittersweet farewells to these, the last of the summer days . . .

wishing you an enchanting last summer weekend overflowing with beautiful things,
xo

{p.s.} a million thank you's to those of you who took a moment to send along birthday wishes to p this week -- so thoughtful! had a wonderful time and the celebrations should continue well into the weekend . . .

{a few lovely links:}
* décor inspiration: open storage
* design: ketchup
* architecture: weathered wood & white
* fashion inspiration: belted sweaters & black on black
* at home: weekend organising
* in the kitchen: strawberry cake
* architecture: a courtyard pool
* fashion inspiration: floral & tulle
* architecture: morning light & marble
* last look at summer: icecream

{as always, a few things you may have missed:}
* décor inspiration: corner fireplace
* photographer: craig mcdean
* summer to autumn: wicker
* style inspiration: woven straw & hermès
* table for two: what katie ate
* colour inspiration: late-summer pink
* fashion inspiration: goldenrod
* perfectly ornate: late summer, early fall
* storage inspiration: shoes, shoes, shoes

{& new for the weekend:}
* colour inspiration: shades of hèrmes
* two lovely things: black & white
* happy september: live it up in a delicate dress
* at the shops: satomi kawakita, new york

{images: sophie holmes by koray birand for koton fall 2010 ad campaign, styling by defne kocabiyikoglu, hair by ibrahim zengin, makeup by erkan uluc via fashionising}

{lookbook: secret squirrel}

. . . light cardigans over silk tanks and soft t-shirts with pale pleated skirts, secretary's blouses with city shorts and perfectly pretty little black dresses -- a time of transitions and layers and romantically tousled hair on the out the door on an early september morning . . .

{p.s.} a previous collection & nautical at the side project

{images: secret squirrel deep blue sea 2010 summer via all the mountains}

Ruffle Shirt Tutorial and Layering Cardigans

Sachiko, the talent of Tea Rose Home has a beautiful ruffle shirt tutorial here.  In fact, she has several different ruffle shirt tutorials, and many other tutorials on making wonderful things as well. They are much more sophisticated than my layered lace shirt tutorial. All are beautiful but this one with the horizontal ruffles, and the demure fabric roses is my favorite.

Maybe it's my favorite because how soft it looks, or the calm, grain color, or even how it is paired with this cardigan in the perfect shade of robin's egg blue. Do visit here to see the step by step instructions (with clear photos) on making this shirt. Then, find a nice, light, cardigan you can layer over it. How about one of these?

 vintage 1960's cornflower blue ~ revive vintage

 vintage 60's embroidered sunny yellow cardigan ~ annetheia vintage

 vintage 60's fuzzy baby pink angora cardigan ~ the greedy seagull

 

 vintage 1950's pale yellow cardigan ~ bonjour dolly