{bits of gold & chic chignons}

. . . a graceful archway and inlaid floors, a grand piano and classic chignons -- a few beautiful thoughts floating about on this perfectly clear and ever-so-slightly crisp sunny autumn afternoon . . .

{images: 1 & 3 - david hicks via desire to inspire; 2 - chloé via style.com; 4 - lilac and grey}

{runway inspiration: rachel zoe rtw spring 2012}

. . . and while we're on the topic of easing into the colder months, should like, very much, to wear white a little longer, at least until the leaves have fallen, and especially if it would mean arriving at the office in a stunning and rather elegant pantsuit, and spending the evening out in a ruffle-sleeved and billowy gown flecked in gold . . .


{rachel zoe rtw spring 2012, photography by todd matarazzo via wwd.com via ruby press, more at a glamorous little side project}

{lookbook: frida gustavsson for h&m winter 2011}

. . . while at the shops last week, must confess, was a little distressed to already find fall shades of olive and rust, and so, was delighted to happen upon h&m's winter lookbook, filled with deliriously lovely autumn brights in beautiful hues of flax and cerise, white and dusky violet, deep turquoise and gold . . .















{images: lookbook, frida gustavsson by andreas sjödin for h&m winter 2011 collection via fgr, also seen at lace & tea}

{bright mornings & busy days . . .}

. . . the day began as a whirlwind and happily slowed down {just a little} with an early morning stop at the farmers' market for apples, honey comb, pecan butter tarts & two of the most enormous, and romantically fragrant bouquets of pink peonies {if you're on twitter, you may have already heard} and somehow we have arrived at wednesday already and there is still much to catch up on, and so many wonderful things to do . . . and of course, a little behind on a million blog posts, and hopefully can complete a few today, including this week's favourite five, and there are so many other beautiful things to tell you . . .


{image: pretty shiny sparkly via la dolce vita}

{style inspiration: bright whites & bits of colour}

. . . while in theory, may love the thought of stepping out in vibrant spring hues, in actuality, much more likely to dash out the door in pale & pretty neutrals . . . and so, was delighted to happen upon a perfect compromise: a crisply tailored white coat accented with an elegantly thin fuchsia belt and pale yellow clutch, or long layers of lace and cool colour-block sandals, or perhaps, floor-length in warm whites, cinched with a perfectly preppy band of kelly green . . .


{images: anna selezneva by mariano vivanco for vogue russia, june 2011 via fgr}

{style inspiration: plexiglas clutch}

. . . if you have been reading for a while, you will know about a certain fondness for lucite, whether in heels {here & here}, chairs, or anything else, and so, it is no surprise that have fallen head over heels for charlotte olympia's pandora plexiglas clutch with its beautiful gold flower clasp. . .



. . . and imagine it at the office, for pretty correspondence cards or vintage fountain & gold engraved pens; in the powder room, to hold lipstick, glosses and shimmery blushes; and of course, as an impossibly chic and ultra-modern clutch, perfect for afternoons at le musée d'orsay, and evenings in heels and tulle . . .

{charlotte olympia pandora plexiglas clutch, net-a-porter}

{style inspiration: beautiful details}

. . . can never get enough of detail shots {an all-time favourite being this one}, and whether soft leather gloves and geometric bangles, french structured handbags and gold vintage watches, there is something about the intermingling of these beautiful little details that seems to say so much . . .

{p.s.} & while we're on the topic of clutches, day & night


{photography by garance doré via a glamorous little side project}

{style inspiration: portfolio clutch}

. . . often prefer totes and structured handbags with shoulder straps to keep hands free for checking emails and picking up bright spring bouquets, but now that it is officially spring, can not help but be drawn to this undeniably elegant and impossibly chic leather portfolio clutch, with lovely details like an envelope flap and gold clasp, and especially in this stunning shade of orange . . .

{p.s.} also comes in black

{image: from park & cube, clutch from asos}

{a new week & at the office with elie saab}

. . . saturday afternoon was coffee & coral lipstick, shrimp dumplings & snow pea leaves, and a trip to the flower markets; sunday was a luxuriously late start, a frothy misto & a languid brunch, and, most of all, a hopelessly lovely entire day, alone together . . . and now, monday, monday and back to work with new and beautiful things to to see and plan and do, and many more moments of happy inspiration . . .

hope you had a wonderful weekend, and that your week is off to a perfect start,
xo

{p.s.} & of course, elie saab after work: here & here



{images: elie saab fall 2011 rtw collection via style.com}

{style inspiration: perfectly polished}

. . . beautiful styling inspiration from the new zara lookbook, perfect for business lunches and 5:00pm holiday cocktails . . .

{images: via fashionising}

{hello + a few site updates . . .}

. . . to follow, but for now . . .


R E C E N T L Y : A R O U N D & A B O U T

* new this week, a few picks on elle decor's design insiders' weekly finds for a second time -- the first being, coincidentally, also following a trip to paris . . .

* for those who may have missed or just arriving : fall essentials


{images : 1 & 3, the coveteur, 2, classy in the city; all via sarah's pinterest}

{fashion inspiration: dark sequins & gunmetal}

. . . when it comes to sequins, absolutely adore them all, and at any time of day, but always and especially drawn to the glittery gold ones best, and especially with champagne on a saturday night . . . that is, until recently, and now lately quite taken with dark sequins -- perhaps it is the festiveness of halloween or late-october's blustery, overcast skies, but whatever the reason, glimmering shades of slate and cobalt, black and navy, are suddenly altogether too bewitching to resist . . .





mask: monsoon | marano glitter clutch: anya hindmarch | sequined skirt: urban outfitters {via here} | glitter peeptoes: miu miu | nail laquer: dior vernis in black sequins & pure diamonds | vintage mercedes via a previous post | 22-karat gold-plated swarovski crystal earrings: kenneth jay lane | freja via a previous post





gunmetal cocktail dress & satin blazer: vila {via haute design}




ring: billy bride | lustro bracelet: j.crew | braided crystal chain necklace: j.crew | crystal cluster cuff: j.crew




{top image: bill blass via a previous post, final image: the vamoose}