{a glimpse: beautiful balmain}

. . . impossibly elegant gilt-panelled walls and mirrored halls, velvet chairs and intoxicating bouquets of roses, softly pooling drapery and sexy tulle-enveloped dresses: a glimpse into the enchanted world of balmain . . .

{images: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 - joseph dirand architecture for balmain via the diversion project; 3 - magdalena frackowiak, paris fashion week - balmain spring/summer 2009 fashion show via fashionising; jacket via maison des rêveries; ;tulle skirt via a glamorous little side project; daria via a glamorous little side project}

{runway inspiration: monique lhuillier, new york}

. . . and as promised, another glimpse of monique lhuillier's perfect collection, resplendent with paillettes and drapes and flows, a dusting of sequins and magnolias hand-painted on organza and woven into jacquard and most of all, the promise of magical evenings, the ballet or dinner for two, or just hanging out looking gorgeous . . .

{p.s.} and to p, reminds me of you:
"If you are not too long, I will wait here for you all my life."

~ Oscar Wilde

{also:} more of this collection

{style.com}

{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}

{live it up in a delicate dress}

. . . have had this editorial, oh so pretty: live it up in a delicate dress by georges antoni for aussie magazine grazia on the inspiration board for a while now, most especially for the little white lace dress by alex perry, but also because absolutely adore delicate dresses and dressing up, and every once in a while and especially on dusky and daydreamy afternoons at home . . .

{p.s.} happy, happy september! while shall always love summer best, september is a rather beautiful month, with the last magical afternoons of the summer, and the first brisk mornings of autumn, moments after the sun has risen and there's a feeling of change and adventure in the air . . .

{images: editorial - oh so pretty, nika lauraitis by georges antoni for grazia AU august 2010; styled by mark vassallo via dustjacket attic}

{runway inspiration: marc jacobs, new york}

. . . had mentioned earlier that have been positively living in light and floaty dresses all summer long and have absolutely fallen for the polka dots, pretty pastels, iridescent paillettes, shiny lamé, and embroidered lace flowers of marc jacobs' resort 2011 collection, undeniably stylish and perfectly pretty, and as perfect for a trip to the shops as for stargazing on a midsummer's night . . .

{p.s.} a few things:
* more fashion inspiration: how to wear sequins
* three more days: for the eames chair give-away

{images: style.com}

{thursday thoughts}

. . . a dashing out the door day and on the way to a long lunch on a terrace overlooking the park, oversized sunglasses and a classic chignon, always a coffee in hand -- but first, a quick hello and the promise to return later in the day with more beautiful inspiration . . .

hope you're having an extraordinarily lovely week so far,
xo

{image: dress, rodarte spring 2008 collection, tumblr via felicity}

{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}

{have a glamorous weekend}

. . . this weekend is frothy lattes and early morning markets, elegant dinners and waterford crystal, floral bed linens in charming guest rooms and away, away for just a few days . . .

wishing you a perfectly beautiful weekend,
xo

{a few lovely links:}
* inspiration: origami tablescapes
* fashion forward: flag necklaces
* sneak peek: warm & woodsy
* wonderfully whimsical: angel wings
* summer inspiration: may day & hot and hazy
* collections: retro table fans
* design inspiration: like it was yesterday

{as always, a few things you may have missed:}
* a weekend away: billykirk carryalls
* shoes, shoes, shoes: tailored elegance
* runway inspiration: modern marilyn
* colour inspiration: moody & atmospheric
* storage inspiration: shoes
* happy may & late spring blossoms
* hello: monday & inspiration boards
* colour inspiration: driftwood

{images: editorial: archistile un mix di design minimal curve fiori e plissé, photography by tiziano magni for marie claire italia april 2010 via [design] relevant}

{a new month + late-spring blossoms}

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.”

– Helen Keller

. . . hello! quickly becoming one of those weeks with a million things happening at once, and while the magnolia blossoms have become petals on warm breezes, everywhere, trees are flowering and it's a new month with fluttery dresses to be worn, and many beautiful things waiting, waiting to be discovered . . .

wishing you the happiest may,
xo

{p.s.} more blossoms here & more of this editorial here

{images: madisyn ritland by alessandro dal buoni for amica italy march 2009, stylist claudia carretti via [design] relevant}