{decor inspiration: endless summer}

. . . can never resist the elegance of french doors, especially when they are flung open to the intoxicating sounds of the ocean and the last fading days of summer -- and every year around this time, striped rugs and ceiling beams and the charm of a quaint beachside cottage is overwhelmingly alluring . . .

{carolyn espley-miller's beach house in carpinteria, california, photography by david tsay for house beautiful, aged and gilded via the simply luxurious life}

{the colour of cherry blossoms}

. . . the magnolias are set to bloom, and everywhere, the colour of cherry blossoms and shall always and forever adore pinkish hues, on a summer dress, in bouquets, and especially, strewn in beautiful romance across the places where we dream . . .

{p.s.} a few things on this sunny tuesday:
* special thanks to bright, bold & beautiful for this beautiful post
* the first lucky magazine guest post can be viewed here
* enter the lovely cable & heart bracelet give-away here
* also, at the side project: a perfect afternoon

{1 - photography by con poulos for martha stewart weddings spring 2010; 2 - tumblr}

{thoughts on a rainy afternoon}

. . . a drizzly, foggy afternoon on one of those weeks where a million things are happening at once, and today is e-mails, projects, deadlines and out the door for a late lunch, but wanted to say a quick hello -- and shall return later today with some perfectly exciting news . . .

hope you're having a lovely thursday,
xo

{p.s.} have been obsessed with florals lately

{image: scan, photography by polly wreford for easy elegance by atlanta bartlett}

{inspiration: smokey walls + florals}

Insane for the soft grey walls and white floorboards of this cozy Georgian cottage in Sussex, especially when mixed with charming florals . . .

{p.s.} more florals:
* a sunny morning
* in bloom
* the scent of lilacs
* impossibly romantic

{images: from livingetc september 2009, photography by chris everard, styling by mary weaver}

{inspiration: a walk on the wild side}

Lately have been considering adventurous animal prints such as leopard and cheetah as accents, such as throw cushions and especially when mixed with crisp whites and feminine florals . . .

. . . or on the floor, perfectly paired with white trim and seagrass walls

. . . perhaps even a few fun Fall fashion accessories:
1 - fendi marshmallow leopard-print shoulder bag; 2 - topshop leopard tie belt; 3 - very privé peep-toe platforms; 4 - christian louboutin leopard loubiday clutch; 5 - miss clichy 140 boots; 6 - helena rubinstein lash queen feline blacks mascara; 7 - toss designs leopard flask by art effect

{images: 1 - photography by james waddell for domino magazine november 2008; 2 - kate moss via tfs}

{impossibly romantic}

Quite adore these pretty floral patterns that remind me of spring blossoms on the English countryside . . . florals seem to exude a relaxed charm, as if staying in a quaint little cottage somewhere impossibly romantic . . .

{see also:}
* the scent of lilacs
* a sunny morning

{images: 1 - shannon fricke; 2 -Perfect English by Ros Byam Shaw, photography by Chris Tubbs via the city sage}

{inspiration: in bloom}

Adore Tinsley Mortimer's Scalamandré floral chairs and have been, lately, embracing the pretty and cheerful, Spring-ness of florals . . .

{detail of Scalamandré fabric chairs}

{pretty patterns brighten an all-white room; Your Home as a Sanctuary by Josephine Collins}

{chintz canopy at Oscar Annette de la Renta's Punta Cana home; Vogue Living, Houses Garden People}

{fresh and floral by chic shack}

{Madonna as photographed for Vogue--from a tearsheet}

{Scalamandré ad campaign}

{a bedroom by Lynn von Kersting; Rooms to Inspire by Annie Kelly}

{Tinsley photographed by Douglas Friedman for Harper's Bazaar; Madonna via Vogue}