{décor inspiration: let the leaves fall}

"It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life."

~P.D. James

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. . . this morning, the sun shone brightly, an utterly perfect start to the weekend, and a perfect way to end the month and we're ready for whatever november brings, so long as there are cosy heather grey sweaters and burnt crimson, logs by the fire and gilded frames, a sprinkle of chocolate on our morning coffee -- and so -- from this moment on, let the leaves fall where they may . . .


{images: one // two // three // four // five}

{take me away № 02 | luggage to last a lifetime}

As with many things, it is wise to purchase the best quality of luggage and travel accessories that one can afford. Luggage is an investment, and quality pieces will often last for a lifetime.



Well-made and designed luggage is aimed to make the process of your journey easier, and will take you through many years of adventures.



Whether you are beginning to put together your own luggage collection, are a well-seasoned traveler looking to replace the pieces you have, or searching for the perfect gift for someone you love, this guide will assist you in building a quality luggage collection.






No matter if you prefer a sleek, streamlined look with neutral colors, or a colorful, fun look with personalized details . . .



It is imperative to learn some of the basics of what to look for when selecting pieces . . .



[as always, more after the jump] x
click to continue >>>

{how to: matte moon manicure}

. . . despite recently picking up summery shades of crisp white & palest sunset pink, and exclusively wearing gold on fingers & toes for the past few weeks, have been falling for the CND ruffian matte moon manicure for its decidedly nautical pairing of gold & navy, created by painting pre-made gold tips with a coat of navy polish and a mattifier, perfect for summer afternoons and oceanside dreams . . .

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{p.s.} a similar look can also be achieved without chrome tips, using a gold base {try gold chrome #548}, then coats of navy {try inkwell #539}, finished with super matte top coat

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{also:} previous how-to's:

h a i r
* sexy & tousled
* 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 ombé napkins

{images: creative nail design / CND & all lacquered up, which also has detailed instructions & alternate methods for achieving this look; ruffian manicure designed by brian wolk and claude morais; top image via sweet nothings}

{afternoon breezes & the first day of summer}

"And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer."

F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

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. . . and somehow, amidst everything -- days at the office and starlit weekends in the country, after the rains and the windswept petals, softly, beautifully, and at long last, it has arrived . . .

happy first day of summer! & hope it's beautiful where you are,
xo



{images: one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine | ten | eleven | twelve | thirteen | fourteen | fifteen | sixteen | seventeen | eighteen | nineteen | f. scott fitzgerald quote via that kind of woman}

{how to: rose satin & gold glitter manicure}

. . . on thursday night, took a little time to play around with the wonderful collection of nail varnishes scattered about, on powder room shelves and mirrored vanities, for a change, rather than stopping by the salon, and came up with the absolute prettiest combination -- palest pink & flecks of gold, perfect for this weekend's dinners and gallivants around & about . . .

{p.s.} how to : essie first base base coat // 2-3 coats of chanel le vernis nail colour in 463 rose satin [any pale pink or blush should work] // several coats of sephora by o.p.i. gold glitter top coat x

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{images: manicure, mine, iphone & instagram photograph, all others by camille from the wild fleur, a new blog only just discovered, through a comment left}

{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}