{late summer nights}

. . . crazy, crazy for this stunningly beautiful valentino dress, belted and worn over a vintage christian dior haute couture brassiere and utterly perfect for this summer's endless dinner reservations and sultry nights in the city . . .

{p.s.} nearly always drawn to softer colours & focus in photography, and yet quite adore the drama and high contrast of this shot

{image: jacqueline jablonski photographed by willy vanderperre for v magazine, styling by olivier rizzo via a glamorous little side project , belt by prada}

{runway inspiration: john galliano, shanghai}

*** more of this collection here ***

. . . always look forward to the dior shows, but with all this talk about diamonds, nearly forgot the resort collection {thanks, felicity!} and, as always, it was one not to be missed -- part imagination, part fantasy, and always a work of art, the resort part of the collection was le savoir faire français, with bardot-inspired hair, red lipstick and floaty fabrics, but by far the favourites were the couture pieces -- pure romance in the form of corseted lace dresses and grand ball gowns showered in embroidery, and dégradé silk organza that made everything feel as if it were a fairytale . . .

. . . and of course, wouldn't dream of leaving without a few . . .








{p.s.} a few things:
* more of this collection: at the side project
* more dior: here & here
* more backstage photos: here

{images: style.com & the love magazine}

{christmas time in the city}

. . . a few quiet moments before it all begins . . .

. . . and a few lovely links for the weekend & holidays:

* for holiday parties: silk rope & rhinestones
* cute, cute!: a swedish dog
* holiday DIY: a place for all those lovely christmas cards
* j.crew: weddings or the holidays
* for festive soirées: multi-jeweled rings
* before + after: matthew's dining room
* holiday inspiration: tartan table
* for the new year: 2010 calender round-up
* snowflake curtain {via design crush}

{images: 1 - martha stewart;2 - runway to editorial: christian dior; 3 - patrycja. on flickr}

{holiday inspiration: pink after dark}

. . . have been wearing quite a bit of black since the early mornings have become a little chilly and the early evenings have turned dark, but after coming across this perfect party dress once again, now considering pink after dark and for all those upcoming glamorous holiday parties . . .

{p.s.} more holiday inspiration

{image: viviane orth by steven gomillion & dennis leupold for l'officiel brazil october 2009 via tfs}