Tag: Beautiful things

Dessert to Dress: Sweet, Sweet Summer

Leave a comment

I don’t know what it is but I am currently feeling the love for sweets. I want chocolate, I want “real” cokes, I want cookies and cakes and petit fours and whatever I can get my hands on. I thought I would try to transition my craving for calories into outfit inspirations. Some of my favorite blogs do ‘Rooms to Outfit’, so I’m going to do ‘Dessert to Dress’

Broidery Cup Sundress

Orange Macaroon from Sucre/Broidery Cup Sundress from TopShop

Fresh Watermelon via Cupcakes and Cashmere/Silk One Shoulder Dress from Forever21

Lanvin Tiered silk-gazar dress

Coconut Cupcakes via C&C/ Lanvin Tiered Silk-Gazar Dress

Fendi Wool-blend strapless dress

Ripe Strawberries/ Fendi Strapless Dress

Chocolate covered Ice Cream Cone via C&C/ T-back Smudge Dress from Forever21

Halston Heritage Asymmetric stretch-jersey kaftan

Grapefruit/ Halston Heritage Asymmetric Kaftan

T-Bags Ruffle-neck jersey dress

Prosecco/T-Bags Ruffle Dress

Paul & Joe Sister Oceane tiered jersey dress

Cotton Candy/ Paul & Joe Sister Tiered Jersey Dress

Clash of the “Titans”

Leave a comment

A couple of nights ago, boyfriend took (dragged) me to see Clash of the Titans. It was exactly what I thought it would be…cheesy, interesting, slightly cool. Honestly, the coolest thing about it was Medusa.

Not the best photo but I totally recognized that face! It was none other than the lovely Natalia Vodianova. Oh how I love her and her fairytale story and her gorgeous family.

She is a 27-year-old who left her native Nizhniy Novgorod when she was in her teens to model after working the family fruit stand, married Englishman Justin Portman, became a star by the age of nineteen, had three children, and quite recently had an epiphany about what she does. “Now that I am older, and a mother,” she says, “I understand that modeling is my job. I don’t do it because it is superfun or because I get to travel or because it brings fame. It is what I do for a living. And that puts everything in the right place.” Vodianova herself has no idea how she attained the status that has been awarded to the women she role-played for Steven Meisel—”There were a lot of beautiful Russian girls,” she says, shrugging, “and I just seemed to stick around.” – VogueNatalia_goff_monte_061107_52cbbjpg

What to wear to a wedding?

4 Comments

I am continually inspired by other blogs and The City Sage is one of my favorites. Yesterday, Anne posted Wedding Season Approacheth and gave some lovely recommendations.

Lo and behold, last night it was decided that my beau and I would be going to a wedding in “The Delta” this weekend.

picture of lake chicot

It is already 90 degrees there, outside wedding, on the lake, afternoon, open bar….What to wear?

Definitely a hat, right?

Product Image Merona® Straw Crown Floppy Hat - Natural

1. Forever21 2. Target 3. Banana Republic 4. Dillards 5. Dillards

What about the dress? It’s going to be hot as Hades but it’s also with my BF’s family and I always want to stay classy and ladylike at a wedding!

NY&C Red Label Tank Dress - Lily PrintCROSSOVER PLEATED CHIFFON DRESS

1. Forever21 Ballerina dress, too much? 2. Dillards safe green dress 3. Dillards Halter, me likey – too much cleavage? 4. NY&co breezy short dress 5. Dillards little floral dress 6. Dillards really dig the color and style but might not be right for the occasion 7. Dillards I love this but I’m afraid it would look xxx on me…I got curves, yo! 8. Dillards I kinda love this canary color 9. Express Love the “blush” color

I think I’m going to go to Dillard’s right now and try on #3. Did I mention we’re bringing both the dogs on this lovely little outing? I’m sure I’ll have stories and pictures come Monday!

Love this look

Leave a comment

Sienna Miller is one of my fashion icons. While I’m not sure why she’s back with Jude, (he cheated on you with the nanny, Sienna!!!) they do look good together. Everything about her look works, from the smokey eye to the sky-high heels.

89

See more fashion “home-runs” @ Elements of Style blog.

8 Jewelry Must-Haves

Leave a comment

“Put even the plainest woman in a fabulous piece of jewelry and unconsciously she will try to live up to it.” from Charm & Chain Blog

I loved this quote when I saw it! I immediately thought about making a list of jewelry essentials. Most women use jewelry to get dressed every morning, but I’m always surprised to hear someone say “I don’t think I could pull that off”. Yes you can! While I aspire to own some authentic baubles one day, I am currently enjoying costume jewelry. There are so many cool things…from vintage to forever21. Here are my must-haves.

1. Dangle Earrings

Lucite and Rhinestone Drop EarringsBird Cage Earrings

L to R Lucite Drops, Lively Tear Drop, Birdcage, Vintage Tulip

2. Bangle Bracelets

Crocodile and Stingray Bangle Set, Mixed Metals

L to R Edgy Bangle, Croc & Stingray, Jeweled Bangle, Smooth Interlocked

3. Statement Ring

Explosion RingRhinestone and Turquoise Stackable RingsRaw Crystal Ring

L to R Explosion, Cross, Stackable, Raw crystal

4. Layered Chains

Shimmery Faceted Stone LariatWood and Silver Bead Necklace

L to R Dynasty, Lariat, Snake Chain, Bead

5. Collar

UO Lace CollarBlue/Purple Beaded Bib NecklaceUO Beaded Collar

L to R Lace, Bib , Beaded, Gold

6. Go-to Studs

Hexagon Stud Earrings, Assorted ColorsPave Knot PostFiligree Stone PostsStarfish Posts

L to R Hexagon, Knot, Filigree, Starfish

7. Everyday Watch

Grandma's Multichain WatchMetal Link Menswear WatchLa Mer Black/Gold Face Watch

L to R Grandmas, Menswear, La Mer

8. Everyday Necklace

Fortune Cookie NecklaceUO Bow NecklaceAsymmetrical Free Bird Necklace

L to R Fortune, Bow, Free bird, Bars

Also check out Lilah Nicolaidis’ picks as well as a Spring refresher from Refinery29

Bridal Porn – Fall 10 shows

2 Comments

OMG. The Fall 10 bridal shows have taken place and thanks to NYmag, they are very accessible. The great thing is, I have a girlfriend (McCall) who just got engaged, so I don’t have to feel quite as silly pouring over the details of wedding dress after dress…I cannot wait to see Monique Lhuillier but alas she has not shown yet. Here are my faves so far…

I loved the use of floral hair accessories in the  Douglas Hannant show. The white makeup…not so much.

I always enjoy seeing the looks from Badgely Mischka, I especially love that they’re showing back!

Thoroughly loved Reem Acra.

Definitely my favorite…Oscar De La Renta tinged on the Spanish-Virgin-Mary-ish but a few of the dresses were SO FREAKING GORGEOUS! Loved a bunch of them – didn’t love the white hose though.

Junko Yoshioka was feminine and lovely

Always a favorite,  Vera Wang was elegant but slightly safe.

Carolina Herrera didn’t blow my socks off. This was the only one I liked below.

So sweet and different from Jenny Packham

Loving from Elizabeth Fillmore but so wish I could see the backs!

Alright but didn’t quite captivate me (Click designer to see for yourself): Anne Bowen, Nicole Miller, St. Pucchi

Bliss

2 Comments

The other day I was looking at the lovely blog Apartment34. While Erin, the owner of the blog, is off getting hitched she asked some of her favorite bloggers to share the things that bring them joy. Sometimes it’s really good to look at your life and recognize the things that truly bliss you out.

Here mine goes! (In no particular order)

Warm Weather

costarica 001sunshine

Sun-drenched afternoons, midnight swims, baseball games, picnics, sundresses. This girl loves summer.

Girlfriends

My girlfriends mean everything to me.

Food

blackbean3.jpg

Food and the dining experience. Long conversations over dessert and wine. Meals that make you appreciate being alive. Trying a new recipe and knocking it out of the park. Fresh fruit. I believe in eating for sustenance of the soul.

Being a girl

hb mwm

Makeup. Tulle. Smoky Eyes. Sky-high heels. Baubles and bangles and berets and belts. Hair -curly or teased or straight or up. I love being a girl because of all the wonderful things a girl can be.

Reading/Learning

Becoming more aware of the world through the words of those capable of expressing amazing, insightful things.

Everyday Luxuries

ldv-gp-dresser[1]

Fresh flowers, laughs, puppies…

Winding down

ldv-gp-love[1]

Crawling into a clean bed, lounging on a rainy afternoon, sleeping in, the few moments before you drift off to sleep…

Adventure

I’m talking travel, music festivals, float trips, a new thrift shop or restaurant. I try to go on adventures often and whenever possible. It keeps life fresh, exciting and provides great photo opps!

Music

On Deck: The Dead Weather, Department of Eagles, Andrew Bird, My Morning Jacket listen

Music feeds my soul. Discovering a new band or song can make my whole day turn around. Concerts, instruments, singing…I couldn’t live without it.

Merriment

Whether it’s a holiday, a birthday party, a  job well-done or just the weekend. I love to celebrate, drink champagne and enjoy life’s happy moments.

Love



The love of my sweet-as-pie beau, my family, my puppies…love is the thing, you know?

Just like home

Leave a comment

Don’t you love having friends that are like family? When you go to their house, you feel like you’re home? My friend’s parents’ house is like that for me. We had dinner over there last night and I couldn’t help daydreaming about the sunny afternoons and warm nights of the upcoming summer.

Beautiful weather +

Lots of friends and sunshine +

Champagne +

Pretty clothes +

Gorgeous surroundings +

Laughs +

More laughs & big hair +

Yummy food & crystal +

= Bliss

Images from Apartment34, Plush Palate and {this is glamorous}

Vintage Baubles & A Vehement Book Reco

Leave a comment

Hello! I’ve been away at the beach as I mentioned here. It was lovely and I got a bit of a tan. But, it’s Monday and that means…back to work!

I discovered two noteworthy things while away.

1. I started and finished the most lovely novel: Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky. We are reading it for my book club and once I realized the context in which it was written, I was blown away and couldn’t get enough. Nemirovsky writes of the mass exodus from Paris when the Nazis invaded with clarity and poise which is particularly intoxicating because she was writing it as it happened. She was murdered at Auschwitz in 1942 and the novel remained unknown until 2006, when it was published. Go here for the NYT review.

2. Some gorgeous vintage jewelry via Charleston Magazine.

I’m dying over this ring with the yellow topaz but can’t find it anywhere on the website of the jeweler, Joint Venture Jewelry. I did, however, find all of these gorgeous (and affordable) rings!

The magazine also featured Kwait Vintage Collection and I’m not sure what to do with myself!

I also found Croghan’s Jewel Box, Buckar and Skatell’s.

Hope you had a lovely weekend!

Improving my space

Leave a comment

I’m fixing to move. My gal-pal Lo, our combined three dogs and I are surfing craig’s list and stalking downtown Fayetteville for a new pad. Fenced backyard = must-have. I’ve got a lot of stuff in storage and so does she, my current living situation was basically furnished (all but bedroom) when I moved in. So, I’m DYING to make a space my own and make it stylish. Pooring over Lonny and Elle Decor and my favorite blogs has got me even more excited.

Do you know about West Elm? Do you wonder why I don’t know about West Elm? Thanks to Lonny, I’ve noticed they have some really awesome things and amaze prices. I’ve also been perusing Z Gallerie, IKEA, crate&barrel and would love to share some of the things I’d like to include in our new place.

I’m going to aim for a courtyard like this…

I’ll need a room to house all my books, quite like this one.

Picture 37

Our living room will need to look something like this

Picture 11

Def going to copy the dark blue walls idea for the dining room.

Picture 5

The kitchen will look something like this.

193692-5-02 copy

The backyard and sunroom will probably be like this

great barringtonPicture 18

And my bathroom will have to look like this.

BH4

From West Elm I definitely need this bar cart, diagonal rug, mirrored coffee table and leather tufted headboard.

Barrow Bar CartZigzag Rug

Mirror Block Coffee TableLeather Grid-Tufted Headboard

From Z Gallerie I need this dresser, this chandelier, this floor mirror, the elephant painting and some new champagne flutes with which to toast!

Click here to view larger image

A round French oven from Le Creuset

Round French Oven, 9 qt.

We’ll probably need this Spartan Daybed from Restoration Hardware for our relaxation out of doors, and I’ll need the soaking tub because – just because.

Spartan Daybed

Palais Pedestal Soaking Tub and tubfill with handheld Shower