{runway inspiration: sonia rykiel fall 2011 rtw}

. . . the sonia rykiel fall collection's perfect mix of tweed and satin, wraps and stoles, checks and tartan, along with elegantly lovely side chignons and red lipstick makes one long for the blustery green hills of the highlands and the deep, dark waters of inverness -- perhaps it's time for another beautiful trip to scotland . . .







{sonia rykiel fall 2011 ready-to-wear, style.com via hip hip gin gin}

{lookbook: liu wen for j.crew}

. . . such fun to see liu wen in j.crew's latest lookbook, and in stripes, no less, as well as velvet city shorts, fitted blazers and wide-legged jeans, silk blouses and soft cardigans in the prettiest shade of pink . . .









{p.s.} also fun: jessica stam for j.crew

{images: liu wen for j.crew's looks we love lookbook via fashion gone rogue}

{runway inspiration: dsquared2, new york}

. . . sometimes, a gold and white summer dress with sandals & pearls; and other times, a trench, cuffed jeans & heels -- but had never considered a denim shirt with pink wide-legged pants, or a cropped trenched with city shorts {so utterly chic!} -- the dsquared2 resort collection is filled with these perfect combinations, all intermingled with a sophisticated seventies feel, and a dash of rock and refined . . .









{dsquared2 resort 2012 collection via style.com}

{runway inspiration: fendi, resort 2012}

. . . sunglasses and ponytails and easy, breezy dresses with pockets, beribboned ballerinas and pretty v-neck sweaters, ruffly trenches and cropped trousers -- the fendi resort collection is perfect for traipsing around & about all summer long . . .













{fendi resort 2012 collection via style.com}

{diy: dip-dyed perfection}

. . . had a moment to flip through the new summer issue of sweet paul over coffee this morning, and while it was filled with lovely things, fell absolutely in love with the feature on natural color, with a romantic cardigan bathed in pomegranate juice, a pretty little tote dipped in red cabbage and turmeric, and the most beautiful pillow shams the colour of blackberries . . .





{images: sweet paul magazine, summer 2011, photography by ellen silverman, styling by paul lowe}

{style inspiration: pretty polka dots}

. . . the boldest colour ever worn was perhaps an iridescent turquoise raw silk blouse with pretty sleeves; and with that exception, nearly always classic black, crisp white and every shade of pale & pretty neutral imaginable, from fluttery nude to blush and champagne -- that is, before happening upon navy and polka dots, with a dash of perfect red for that elegant and effortless parisian je ne sais quoi . . .


{images: sandro spring/summer 2011 lookbook, discovered via eclecchic, images from sunrainey}

{style inspiration: pale & pretty neutrals}

. . . not quite december yet, and already things are beginning to move along at an even more dizzying pace than usual, with upcoming soirées, dinner parties and gift exchanges, boxes tied with ribbon and a feeling of magic in the air, and in the midst of all the running around, have been practically living in luxuriously soft cashmere cardigans, belted, and perfectly paired with cozy scarves and festive gold fingernails . . .

{images: photography by janis nicolay for country living; patterson maker}

{style inspiration: knotted belt}

. . . have an inordinate amount of cardigans, from lightweight and summery to cozy and cashmere, hand-embroidered and trimmed in velvet ribbon to embellished with crystal fasteners or mother-of-pearl buttons; perfect for any season and any weather, and nearly always layered over bow blouses, silky camisoles, or the softest brushed cotton . . . but suddenly quite smitten with the idea of wearing them on their own, buttoned and belted in a simple and easy sophistication . . .

{p.s.} the belt is from asos

{image: photography by ben weller for british vogue, november 2010}

{style inspiration: luxe layers}

. . . and while we're on the topic of dusky neutrals and rich textures, one of the best things about autumn's inevitable fade into winter is the luxe layering -- cashmere camel cardigans over lightweight floor-length dresses, cozy italian wool sweaters belted over navy pullovers, and deep tartans intermingling with sheer and pretty pleats . . .

{images: a glamorous little side project}

{fashion inspiration: massimo dutti}

. . . camel capelets and duffle coats, chic leather trenches and belted cashmere cardigans, tweed blazers and pretty bow blouses -- absolutely adore the subtle and sophisticated seventies styling of massimo dutti's near perfect fall collection . . .











{p.s.} more seventies inspiration:
* inspiration board
* wide-legged jeans & denim trenches
* blouses & blazers
* scarves & pencil skirts
* fedoras & leopard print
* stripes & secretary blouses
* turlenecks & tweed

{images: massimo dutti via a glamorous little side project}