{décor inspiraton: beautiful details}

. . . while spring may be a time for paring down, autumn is for layering -- for sweaters and long scarves and at home, wool blankets and velvet drapes, and a need to revel in beautiful details, and perfectly ornate bits of gold -- along the edges exotic woods and around the graceful curves of spiral staircases . . .



{images: photography by melanie acevedo}

{fashion inspiration: gold flower cluster necklace}

. . . the sometimes chilly evenings are inspiring rather festive thoughts -- sequins and stardust and this wonderfully exquisite cluster of golden blossoms, as perfect for a 12:30pm working lunch {clam chowder, floral notebooks & fountain pens}, as for 7:30pm reservations with oysters to start and a dashing dinner companion . . .

{p.s.} also reminds me of: dancing until dawn

{rosa necklace by citrine by the stones}

{two lovely things: bits of gold}

. . . two lovely things : the autumn weight of classic herringbone, beautifully set off by the seeming weightlessness of always glamorous gold, and perfectly polished in taupe, paired with delicate and elegant bands of gold . . .

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r e c e n t t w o l o v e l y t h i n g s
* ponytails & polka dots
* lace & leopard print
* denim & tulle
* ruggedly refined
* green & white
* open shelves & elegant black
* a paris apartment & hermès
* perfectly mismatched
* a place for everything

{images: martha stewart living october 2011 via bright bazaar // 14 k gf hexagon ring by gabriela artigas, in yellow or rose gold, available here, originally seen at fieldguided}

{at the shops: neology by mina, brooklyn, ny}

. . . have fallen in love with these ultra-stylish and ever-so-thin gold & silver handmade rings and the beautiful way they stack and twist . . .

{p.s.} previous at the shops:
* mrs. press, australia
* rothschild & bickers, uk
* billy bride, australia
* satomi kawakita, new york

images: neology by mina on etsy via hip hip gin gin}

{favourite five: designer kelly wearstler}

I ask a lot of clients what their favorite colors are and they say, 'I don't know what I want to live in.' I say, 'Go in your closet and look at the majority of what color is in there; that's the color you're going to like living in.

~ Kelly Wearstler

Whether she is dressing interiors or dressing models, interior and fashion designer Kelly Wearstler is taking the world of high-style by storm -- a very chic storm.





Since she started her own interior design firm in 1995, Kelly has taken lessons from celebrated decorators such as Dorothy Draper and William Haines, applying the modern sensible style of a strict color palette and clean, graphic lines to the chic, plush and swanky glamour of old Hollywood . . .

[click below to read more]




from the fall 2011 ready-to-wear collection

{p.s.} as always, so much more after the jump x
click to continue >>>

{style inspiration: glitter ankle boots + how to}

. . . nearly always prefer tall leather boots or a pair of heels to ankle boots, that is, of course, unless the ankle boots in question were suede and sprinkled in shimmery, glittery gold dust, which changes everything . . .

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{p.s.} the pair [above] is from barneys, but if you're in a creative mood with a extra little time on your hands, you could create your own:




[instructions after the jump] x

click to continue >>>

{brand new at this is glamorous}

. . . and in between the unpacked suitcases and last-minute trips, overflowing inboxes and busy days at the office, the starry autumn nights in silvery shoes and champagne, there was time to dream up brand new and wonderful things . . . one of which, is below . . .

[exciting news after the jump] x


click to continue >>>

{at the shops: always glamorous gold}

. . . overcast autumn days call for a little extra sparkle, and a delicately lovely bangle, in rose gold vermeil and stunning gold leaf tray may be just the thing to brighten cloudy days . . .

{p.s.} a second guest post at once wed today: click here to have a look x

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{p.s.} previous at the shops:
* gemma redux, new york
* morning calm, south korea
* loom, australia
* florence & florence, uk
* lady grey, new york
* ralph lauren, paris
* neology by mina, brooklyn


{1 - Our Family Jewels LA; 2 - up in the air somewhere via kathryn's pinterest}

{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}

{décor inspiration: concrete & gold}

. . . can never resist a perfect juxtaposition -- old & new, high & low, vintage & modern, rock & refined -- the last of which, applies literally to this utterly stunning bathroom, with its modern concrete walls and rustic pebble-tiled floor, perfectly set against glamorous golden fixtures and palest pink . . .



{image: côté maison via french by design & my paradissi}

{at the shops: gemma redux, new york}

. . . palest pink mother-of-pearl and little bits of gold, glittering crystal and gilded lace -- a study of contrast & excess -- the mixed metal pieces in the spring\11 collection by gemma redux are as perfect with the last light summer dresses of the weekend, as with belted camel coats and socks & heels on a mid-september day . . .











{images & necklaces by rachel dooley of gemma redux, discovered via seesaw design}

{how-to: gilded party animal cupcake toppers}

. . . quite possibly the most simply chic & ingeniously fun idea ever: a menagerie of plastic animals and candle holders, a drill and a little gold spray paint, and before you know it, it's party time . . .















{you will need:}



plastic animals

plastic candle holders

drill with 1/8″ drill bit

pliers

gold spray paint

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{steps:}



1. use any type of plastic animal you can find, keeping in mind the size of the cake or cupcake you are planning to top; ones with a flat back work best



2. with the pliers, hold the animal steady, and drill a hole straight down, being careful not to come out the other side; the hole only has to be deep enough for the candle holder to fit



3. spray paint the animals in a few light coats, rotating them to cover all sides; note: gold/metallic spray paint will work fine without primer, but if you are using regular spray paint for colour variations, be certain to use a plastic spray paint or a primer for plastic, and always test one first



4. spray the candle holders to match



5. put on your dancing shoes & pop open the champagne

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previous how-to's:



h a i r

* a side chignon

* a classic chignon

* a double-knot



e v e r y t h i n g e l s e

* a braided brass hex nut bracelet

* a sweet nothings garland

* a classic english hand-tied bouquet

* summery ombré napkins

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{additional credits: all instructions [with edits] & images by jenny from hank & hunt for the sweetest occasion}