{inspiration: tim walker + polka dots}

. . . fun, fun, fun with polka dots and appointments, photo shoots, to-do lists, dinner reservations, and answering thought-provoking questions about design -- and later, a stunningly pretty give-away . . .

{image: tim walker for vogue italia via starbucks & jane austen + julia}

{work, work, work}

. . . being away means catching up on a few things upon returning, and so, a flurry of things early this morning and well into the afternoon, but after, there will be many new and exciting things here, and even after that, so many more beautiful things to share later on in the day . . . do stop in again if you like . . .

hope you're well,
xo

{p.s.} if you're just arriving:
* this week's give-away: a stunning crystal & 24 karat gold tray

{images: the startorialist}

{gold lamé & black velvet}

. . . no longer pinks and corals for fingernails and toes, but now, gold lamé & black velvet . . .

{chanel le vernis via a glamorous little side project}

{stripes, sequins & tartan}

. . . falling leaves and chilly nights, stripes and sequins -- and always -- a little tartan, and it's beginning to feel like autumn . . .

{images: 1 & 2 - peta rudd via absolutely beautiful things & felicity - thank you!; 3 - inspiration board; 4 - brintons carpets via vt interiors}

{DIY: black + white}

. . . fun DIY: a black and white zig zag rug made of painted sea grass

{p.s.} another zig zag DIY

{image: bella sugar via pink wallpaper}

{photographer: karen collins}

. . . as with art galleries, have always preferred setting things off with crisp white -- and yet -- photographer Karen Collins' wonderfully modern editorial for Elle UK, When Darkness Falls, brings back the elegance and drama of black . . .






{images: editorial - When Darkness Falls - Sophie Vlaming photographed by Karen Collins and styled by Sasa Thomann for ELLE UK – September 2009}

{inspiration: black + white}

When there's a moment to spend sorting through the abyss that is the closet, often find myself wandering away to do other things -- sometimes difficult to pare down and part with things, infinitely easier to sort through the hundreds of photographs in inspiration folders -- and happened upon these lovely shots of black + white -- the best of both worlds: bright airiness contrasted with bold elegance . . .









{images:1 - otis & frank; 2 - brigitte bardot via moodboard; 3 - elle decor; 4 - the french bedroom; 5 - desire to inspire; 6 - tiny k; 7 - desire to inspire; 8 - unknown; 9 - australian home beautiful june 2008; 9 - kate moss by bruce weber for vogue november 2006 via moodboard; 10 - skona hem}

{colour inspiration: brown & black and bits of gold}

. . . august has always been a bittersweet month with thoughts of summer's fading days lingering in the air, a light and breezy linen dress one afternoon, a cozy camel-coloured cardigan the next, and with each night that falls, the knowledge that soon the days will become shorter and the nights . . . they will be brushed in shades of sable and onyx and scattered with candlelight and bits of gold . . .

{p.s.} more leopard print

{images: 1 - patterson maker; 2 - fashion toast via startdust memories; 3 & 10 - photography by candida höfer via lisa golightly; 4 - absolutely beautiful things; 5 - livingetc via fashionedit; 6 - coralie bickford-smith; 7 - a glamorous little side project; 8 - anna casa via the diversion project}

{inspiration: black or white}

If you're still a little uncertain about shades of charcoal sweeping across the walls . . . a comparison: two similar rooms, one crisp + nautical, and the other, dramatic + modern . . .

{images: 1 - from a previous post; 2 - domino magazine}

{have a fantastically fun weekend}

. . . this weekend is late mornings, tea & toast and sexy tousled hair, and even later evenings, upswept and party dresses . . .

wishing you a wonderful weekend & hope it's beautiful where you are,
xo

{a few lovely links:}
* pretty, pretty paper: flowers & showers
* summertime inspiration: swimming pools
* garden inspiration: terrariums {via design*sponge}
* nautical inspiration: silk rope {via destined to design}
* diy: crepe paper flowers {via creature comforts}
* celebrate: petals & feathers, champagne & macarons
* like a fairytale: white gowns & crown moulding

{as always, a few things you may have missed:}
* home inspiration: sofia's paris apartment
* photographer: patrick demarchelier
* monday, monday: & the winnner is . . .
* home inspiration: old world glamour
* eco chic: decanterlights
* wedding inspiration: always marchesa
* hello: & happy, happy june

{for the weekend:}
* photographer: per gunnarsson
* guest post: series finale, at home in arkansas magazine

. . . and of course, the antique lace bangle set give-away continues . . .

{image: leighton meester via cocamia}

{inspiration: holly golightly}

. . . little black dresses and dark sunglasses, be-ribboned necklaces and heady fragrances, upswept hair and elegant heels -- have always adored all the things of ladylike refinement . . .




{p.s.}
* shoes, shoes, shoes + tiffany blue
* more of this collection

{images: victoria beckham a/w 2010 collection & lonny magazine}