{happy weekend!}

. . . this weekend is riverside views and italian shoes, late morning walks and coffee shops . . .

have a beautiful, beautiful weekend, everyone!
xo




{as always, a few things you may have missed:}
* runway: valentino
* at this moment: bar carts {drinks trays, or tea trolleys for the Brits}
* crucial trading: beautifully photographed

{and two new things:}
* inspiration: smokey walls + florals
* glamorous detail: flowers at the waist

{images: a glamorous little side project}

{give-away: crystal & 24 karat gold tray}

. . . has been a while since the last glamorous give-away, but most definitely well worth the wait . . .




. . . designer anna rabinowicz launched her first home collection for new york-based rab | labs in 2002, creating objects inspired by nature, fusing ancient, precious materials in a luxurious palette with modern design, layering semi-precious gems, including crystal and agate, with the finishing touches of pure gold and sterling silver . . .



. . . resulting in beautiful pieces such these pure brazilian agate bookends, left, and a personal favourite, the rose quartz tray with 24 karat gold trim, right

. . . rab | labs' pieces are so lovely, they have been featured in the new york times, elle décor, architectural digest, harper’s bazaar, o magazine, and new york magazine and carried by the museum of modern art stores, moss, and barneys new york . . .

. . . and best of all, today, one charmed reader will win a crystal and 24 karat gold or sterling silver tray {retail $325.00 - $375.00}, perfect for brie & table water crackers on a romantically overcast autumn afternoon, or champagne & macarons in a pair of sequined heels after dinner, or even as an ultra-stylish place to display an exquisite perfume collection on the dressing table . . .

to enter, {click here} to visit rab | labs or {here} to browse the beautiful selection of crystal trays, then leave a comment below

{bonne chance!/good luck!}

* one winner will be randomly selected and contacted by e-mail after thursday, september 30, 2010; if you do not have a blog or contact e-mail on your blog, please include it with your comment for notification; this give-away is open to u.s. & canadian readers only - apologies!; images: haute design - one & four; 2 - the cherry blossom girl; 3 - barbara palvin by max von gumppenberg & patrick bienert for vogue germany, october 2010 via oh}

{at home with: designer jennifer nicholson}

. . . palest pink and floods of light, fashion designer jennifer nicholson's santa monica home is an enchanting mix of beautiful things -- jewel-laden mirrors and crystal chandeliers, gilt tables and intricately laid marble floors, glamorous mirrored consoles and luxe floral wallpaper, vintage leopard print velvet and best of all, an impossibly romantic seashell-encrusted fireplace . . .

{previously, at home with:}
* rachel ashwell
* carter smith
* malene birger
* alexander wang

{images: moodboard via absolutely beautiful things}

{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}

{photographer: craig mcdean}

. . . have long admired the work of british photographer craig mcdean, and with september's arrival, have been especially taken with this recent editorial for w magazine, featuring georgia may jagger and a beautiful mix of sequined gowns and leopard print, luxe hair and smokey eyes, opulent ornamentation and an elegantly blasé and decadent moodiness . . .

{p.s.} this shot of jessica stam is another favourite

{images: editorial: georgia on our mind, georgia may jagger by craig mcdean for w september 2010, styled by alex white via smile}

{inspiration: cotton candy}

. . . adore vogue espana's softer shades for Fall, with a dash of leopard for contrast . . .





{Tanya Dziahileva by Nicolas Moore for Vogue Espana September 2009 via a glamorous little side project + Lace & Tea}

{colour inspiration: autumn leaves}

. . . would never dream of being over summer until it has undeniably passed, but early this late-august morning, there was a nearly brisk and intoxicating freshness in the air, whirling and tousling strands of hair sexily about, and for just a moment, was falling for fall . . .

{images: domino magazine, apartment therapy via the city sage; anna dello russo's milan apartment photographed by tommy ton for jak&jil via the neo-traditionalist; anouck lepere by pablo delfos for elle belgium, september 2010 via oh & kate arends}

{interior designer: miles redd}

. . . most often drawn to bright and airy, spaces, crisp whites and pale and pretty neutrals {here & here}, but every once in a while, something comes along that changes everything and suddently it's deep hues and jewel tones, an intoxicating mix of colours, patterns and textures, and pure and unbridled maximalism -- hervé pierre's paris apartment, david kaihoi's new york flat, hamish bowles' paris apartment -- and now boxwood, an enchanting and wonderfully romantic old 1920's home in altanta filled with fish ponds and gardens, grand columns and archways, french doors and luxurious velvet sofas, elegant monogrammed linens and de gournay . . .

{p.s.} the living room walls are upholstered entirely in turquoise satin

{images: photography by francesco lagnese for town & country via the love list}