{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}

{photographer: camilla akrans}

. . . swedish photographer camilla akrans never fails to amaze with intoxicatingly beautiful combinations of dreamy lighting and stunning backgrounds, spilling out in mixes of fashion and flowers and fleeting moments, all captured perfectly and unforgettably . . .









{more camilla akrans:}
* upswept hair
* hermès
* countryside
* sequins
* sheer vibrancy
* lounging

{images: edita vilkeviciute by camilla akrans via a glamorous little side project}

{pear martinis + summer's end}

. . . every thursday, a late lunch with my sister, and yesterday was not unlike any other, with the exception of the discovery of a magical and secret garden terrace for drinks and laughter, and while catching up over pear martinis to the sultry sound of late-august leaves rustling in the golden afternoon light, had wished that summer could last forever . . . on the way home, however, a reminder in all the shop windows that the crispness and energy of autumn has its own romance and must confess that the fall lookbooks in late summer are nearly as exciting as the spring books in the last of the winter days, which can only mean one thing: le changement est bon / change is good . . .

{images: warehouse via katie armour}

{fashion inspiration: always chloé}

. . . would never, in a million years, wish away the hazily romantic and dreamy days of summer, but the new chloé fall 2011 rtw collection is so charmingly laid-back, couldn't resist a tiny peek and it's now back to lounging poolside . . .

{images: a glamorous little side project}

{runway inspiration: preen, new york}

. . . could hardly tear myself away from the preen resort 2011 collection -- it is just so, so good - perhaps it's that designers justin thornton and thea bregazzi took inspiration from brigitte bardot, or they easily and perfectly combined prim and sexy, with buttoned-up dresses and sheer, shimmery tops, pretty pleats and bits of lace -- or perhaps it is the slight nod to the wild wild west that is just too impossibly cool . . .

{images: style.com}

{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}

{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}

{inspiration: holly golightly}

. . . little black dresses and dark sunglasses, be-ribboned necklaces and heady fragrances, upswept hair and elegant heels -- have always adored all the things of ladylike refinement . . .




{p.s.}
* shoes, shoes, shoes + tiffany blue
* more of this collection

{images: victoria beckham a/w 2010 collection & lonny magazine}

{new year's inspiration: little white dress}

. . . this new year's, wearing a little white dress, inspired by romantic swirls of delicate snowflakes and warm winter whites . . .

{p.s.} other fun ideas -- the always classic little black dress, and of course, bows, ruffles and sequins:


{more new year's inspiration:}
* mrs lilien: show-stopping chanel
* le blog de betty: snow queen tiara
* the cherry blossom girl: paris in the snow
* lace & tea: covered in rhinestones
* more white for new year's: marchesa

{images: a glamorous little side project}