Grunge Glam

Loving the mix of ultra glam with grunged out pieces.  Lots of textures, oversized jackets and a great pair of biker or army boots ~ perfect way to transition into the colder months.

 

 

 

Kate's Autumn/Winter line for Topshop is a gorgeous combination of all things sexy, glam and grungy rock and roll.  Ripped nylons, cashmere thigh-highs or leather and studs can all bring the look to an ultra luxe level.

{Photo sources: Vogue Nippon, Anja via RagPony, Max & Co. Fall '09, Dree Hemingway via Vogueroine, Kate Moss for Topshop}   

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love

The greatest love affairs begin with
champagne and end with tisane.

~ Honoré de Balzac

fin

{photo sources: 1. Georgina Chapman via The Paris Apartment  2. Suzy Parker and Robin Tattersall at Moulin Rouge, Paris, August 1957 by Richard Avedon  3.  Martha Stewart Weddings  4.  Gone With the Wind  5. unknown  6. tea by Makumaro  7.  aleania via deviantART  8. !Kapricka84 via deviantART}

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deliciously sweet

I'm not trying to spark your sweet tooth or anything (insert coy smile here) but I had to share these charming cookies by SweetAmbs.  Amber is a graduate of The Culinary Art Institute of America who blogs about her cookie art and inspires the pastry chef within all of us.

"Creating the flavors of the cookie is the fun part. I use orange zest, vanilla beans and cardamom, which are reminiscent of my childhood," she says.  Mmmm... so yummy!

{thank you to Paris Hotel Boutique for the find.}

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lovely findings

~ Garance's journey of jewels ~ 

~ BOOK ~

~ Art&Ghosts (via Decor8) ~

~ beautiful photos at All Things Lovely ~

~ amazing 16 year old photographer: Lenaah ~

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Avedon's Muse

Dovima

"She was the last of the great elegant, aristocratic beauties...the most remarkable and unconventional beauty of her time." ~Avedon

 

In their most famous piece together "Dovima with Elephants." (Paris, 1955)  Here, Dovima is wearing the first Christian Dior gown designed by his then, new assistant Yves Saint-Laurent.  Timeless.

Dovima has said of her relationship with Avedon that they were so connected on an artistic level that she would know exactly what look/pose he wanted before he'd even ask.

Ms. Dovima in Balenciaga.

Richard Avedon truly changed fashion photography and portraiture forever.  He encouraged models to be expressive and create emotions, rather than maintain traditional static poses, bringing the clothes to life. He knew how to capture the true essence of his subjects.

Dovima had a supporting role as Marion in Funny Face with Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn (another Avedon muse) which was loosely based on Avedon's early career.

Classic Elegance.

{photo sources:   The Richard Avedon Foundation, My Vintage Vogue}

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New York Fashion Week

Monarchy Collection S/S 2010

Trying to narrow down the many wonderful favourites from the Spring/Summer RTW 2010 collections.  With the warm sun still shining I refuse to accept that fall is coming and I am dreaming of flowing fabrics and balmy nights.  Love Monarchy Collection's mix of luxe fabrics, perfect pleats and great accessories.  The soft suede shorts are gorgeous paired with that delicate silver t-shirt! 

The pairing of linen, crisp cotton and splashes of satin & silver were classic and fun.  I love the play on the classic, cuffed trousers and the sexiest LBD I've seen in quite some time.
 

Monarchy Collection also showed off an impressive men's line that brings images of old Hitchcock films to mind.  Effortless style.  Very European.

Marc Jacobs S/S 2010

Saving the best for last  :::  two words  :::  Marc Jacobs.  It's like dessert!  Frills, fringe and fabulous everything!  The sheer gown with black trim (above right) looks like a pencil sketch came to life ~ breathtaking!

The show was an absolute spectacle ~ as Jacobs put it "this was a trip to the theater, the ballet, the opera."

Like a beautiful painting the elements just swirled together to make each piece dance together on the canvas (...I mean the runway).  With Japanese hair and make-up, underwear as outerwear, military jackets on top of sweet ruffles Marc has left us all nothing short of being COMPLETELY inspired!

Other lovely shows:  Canada's Rad Hourani

        Willow

                  Alice + Olivia 

{photo sources:  Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, FashionIndie.com, Style.com}

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love Ladurée

Known for inventing the double-decker macaroon, Ladurée is a truly elegant pastry and tea company from, where else, but Paris. While packing and moving last week I happened upon a Ladurée gift box that I've saved since I was a little girl.  It was a gift from Paris and I knew it was very special. 

The romance of tea has always been intriguing and Ladurée has a wonderful history of creating one of the first tea salons (salon de thé) in Paris.  Woman did not have the freedom to socialize in cafés in the early 1900's until the tea salon came about.

The company has now expanded throughout the world with tea salons, pastry shops, restaurants, chocolatiers and ice cream parlors in some of the largest cities in the world.  Escape for awhile on their quaint little site.

 

This Friday Ladurée launches their new limited edition Louboutin gift boxes and a specially made macaroon made for the occasion.  Christian Louboutin paired with the company to create the ultimate combination of indulgence ~ sweets and shoes!

{photo sources: 1. unknown  2. Such Pretty Things  3. Collage credits: Ladurée, Sophia Coppola's Marie Antoinette, Pure Pastries, The Girl Who Ate Everything,  Belle Chambre  4. unknown  5. Ladurée  6. Tongue in Cheek  7. Luxuo  8.Luxuo  9. Antoinette-Inspired Louboutin via Luxist}

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Its All About Perspective

 

Looking at these marvelous perspective shots are a great reminder that life is what we make of it.  

 

 

Here's to thinking outside of the box, seeing the beauty in all things and finding sweet moments in each day!

Have a beautiful day! 

xoxo love,

jolie

{photos found on Alkemie}

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Bunny Ears Done Right!

For the Louis Vuitton Fall '09 show, Marc Jacobs was inspired by "all the great, elegant Parisian women, like Loulou de la Falaise," and it showed!  The fabric, ruching and paper garland-like necklaces looked like the models were playing dress-up in the most magnificent closets.

The bunny ears that appeared on the girls were simply delightful!  The show's stylist Katie Grand was inspired by "a black doe rabbit in the pet shop."  I think they add a classic, high-glam look to the already graceful Parisian feel.  The hair and make up were the icing on the cake!  Wispy updos and doe-eyed liner ~ tres chic!

Love Daria's September cover of FLARE ~ showing that these bunnies can be a little badass too with leather pants and smokey eyes or in Marc's world just simply sweet and seductive.

xoxo love, jolie

{Photo Sources: 1. Vogue US  2. style.com  3. Another Glamorous Side Project  4. FLARE  5. FLARE}

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