{runway inspiration: derek lam, new york}

"I wish I had invented blue jeans. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity - all I hope for in my clothes."

~ Yves Saint Laurent

. . . a little sad to gracefully decline so many new york fashion week invitations as we've only just returned, but still and always wonderfully exciting to pore over the spring 2011 ready-to-wear collections for new work by favourite designers such as derek lam . . . there were clean lines and floaty dresses, linen twill blazers and silk crepe blouses, but most of all, there was that wonderful seventies sophistication that am so adoring these days . . .

{p.s.} more sexy seventies style:
* blouses & blazers
* scarves & pencil skirts
* fedoras & leopard print
* stripes & secretary blouses
* turlenecks & tweed

{images: vogue}

{have an enchanting last summer weekend + links}

. . . the midst of the weekend and so far it has been topknots and trenchcoats, billowy clouds and late-summer skies, and in the evenings, country houses and cozy fireplaces and bittersweet farewells to these, the last of the summer days . . .

wishing you an enchanting last summer weekend overflowing with beautiful things,
xo

{p.s.} a million thank you's to those of you who took a moment to send along birthday wishes to p this week -- so thoughtful! had a wonderful time and the celebrations should continue well into the weekend . . .

{a few lovely links:}
* décor inspiration: open storage
* design: ketchup
* architecture: weathered wood & white
* fashion inspiration: belted sweaters & black on black
* at home: weekend organising
* in the kitchen: strawberry cake
* architecture: a courtyard pool
* fashion inspiration: floral & tulle
* architecture: morning light & marble
* last look at summer: icecream

{as always, a few things you may have missed:}
* décor inspiration: corner fireplace
* photographer: craig mcdean
* summer to autumn: wicker
* style inspiration: woven straw & hermès
* table for two: what katie ate
* colour inspiration: late-summer pink
* fashion inspiration: goldenrod
* perfectly ornate: late summer, early fall
* storage inspiration: shoes, shoes, shoes

{& new for the weekend:}
* colour inspiration: shades of hèrmes
* two lovely things: black & white
* happy september: live it up in a delicate dress
* at the shops: satomi kawakita, new york

{images: sophie holmes by koray birand for koton fall 2010 ad campaign, styling by defne kocabiyikoglu, hair by ibrahim zengin, makeup by erkan uluc via fashionising}

{lookbook: secret squirrel}

. . . light cardigans over silk tanks and soft t-shirts with pale pleated skirts, secretary's blouses with city shorts and perfectly pretty little black dresses -- a time of transitions and layers and romantically tousled hair on the out the door on an early september morning . . .

{p.s.} a previous collection & nautical at the side project

{images: secret squirrel deep blue sea 2010 summer via all the mountains}

{lookbook: lover the label}

. . . one of the loveliest thoughts is that somewhere in the world, soon it will be spring, just as our days will soon fall into dramatically overcast and blustery skies, slightly chilly and romantically melancholic mornings, somewhere, blossoms are set to bloom and wrap themselves beautifully around branches and there will be pretty shorts and the sheerest blouses, elegant blazers and lacy, champagne-coloured dresses, and since shall always hold on to the very last golden and fading rays of summer sun, lover's spring.summer 2010.11 collection may be just the thing for these last, languorous late-august days . . .

{images: lover the label via studded hearts}

{lookbook: lover the label, part two}

. . . and of course, in the even that you are ready for autumn, elegantly cut blazers with pleated & puffed sleeves, insanely stylish belted dresses, perfect trenches and the softest champagne-coloured cowl-neck sweaters . . .

{p.s.} if you've just arrived, see below xo

{images: lover the label; more of this collection at the side project}

{inspiration: greek islands}

. . . would most likely pair with elegantly tailored trousers or a light-as-air and gauzy skirt, but quite adore this pretty silk top with delicate lacy shoulder details and loosely knotted tie closure . . . or perhaps perfect as is, for an afternoon lounging poolside . . .

{p.s.} fun new updates to:
* features & favourites
* inspiration board

{image: patrisha petrová and isabella strandell by cihan alpgiray for marie claire turkey july 2010, styled by duygu hamdioğlu, hair & make-up by elif girgin via studded hearts}