{runway inspiration: j. mendel, new york}

. . . one of the very few designers that could rival affections for monique lhuillier, {with the exception of chloé and stella mccartney}, would be j. mendel, whose purely romantic sensibilities are impossible to to resist, and whose spring collection was an ethereal dream of mousseline and tulle, exquisite hand-pleating and ruching, and stunningly elegant draped silk chiffon . . .

{style.com, more of this collection at the side project}

{runway inspiration: monique lhuillier, new york}

. . . a longstanding love affair with monique lhuillier for as long as can remember, and couldn't possibly choose between such a stunning array of beautiful things from the spring 2011 collection, and so, not one, but two glimpses, the first, strewn in magnolias on silk and chiffon and belted in gold . . .

{style.com}

{runway inspiration: alberta ferretti}

. . . sensuous satin and fluttery chiffon, glittering necklines and pure romance at alberta ferretti . . .

{via a glamorous little side project}

{happy ♥ weekend}

. . . vintage champagne & chocolate truffles, stolen kisses or a weekend away, however you celebrate or if you don't, wishing you a weekend filled with the things you love . . .

happy valentine's day & have a beautiful, beautiful weekend!
xo

{a few lovely ♥ links:}
* pretty pretty: all aflutter
* inspiration: brushed with gold
* graphic art: just the two of us
* download: sweet straws {here}
* fashion forward: grey trenches
* DIY: lacy mirror {via design*sponge}
* dinner party: heart-shaped doilies {via style me pretty on twitter}
* download: lovely gift tags {via creature comforts}

{as always, some things you may have missed:}
* pattern inspiration: bold stripes
* fais de beaux rêves: canopy beds
* valentine's day: breakfast at tiffany's
* outdoor inspiration: seaside dreams
* two lovely things: pink & purple
* tout ce qui brille: sequins in sunlight

{images: 1 - photography by laura letinksy for martha stewart living; 2 - designers guild via beautiful things to share; 3 - photography by josé picayo for martha stewart living;4 - a glamorous little side project; 5 - twitpic via twitter; 6 - a glamorous little side project}

{white silk-chiffon + the winner is . . .}

. . . has been quite a while and with party dresses, dinner parties and a brand new year, hadn't a chance to announce the winner of the fun & exciting c+k design session give-away: a warm congratulations to ariel from santa monica, who needs help planning her upcoming wedding -- congratulations, ariel!

{image: a glamorous little side project}