self love & smelling the roses

February can be a difficult month, especially if you are in the middle of a blistering winter.  With all the talk of Valentine's Day, it would be appropriate to indulge the idea of treating yourself to a little love and kindness. 

It is important to not only be compassionate to others, but also be compassionate to yourself.  What do you need to add a little brightness into your days?  Imagine what you would do for your very best friend or partner when they need a little pick me up.  Give yourself some quality time.  Journaling is a fantastic way to get in touch with yourself in the present moment.

Add some brilliance into your life and home with splashes of vibrant colours.  Buy fresh flowers and arrange them in your finest crystal glasses and dishes for a delightful display that will make you smile each time you pass them.  Fill your fridge and counter tops with delicious seasonal fruit and enjoy a Sunday morning mimosa with brunch.

Wishing you a pleasant February filled with radiance!  Here are a few lovely links:

The wonderful world of Lilly Pulitzer in Lonny magazine.
Delightfully Bright: Vogue Australia March 2011
A Brooklyn Brownstone 



{photo sources: photo 1: Lisa Golightly, collage 1: 100 Layer Cake, Lonny magazine & Rebecca Wood, collage 2: Rebecca Wood photography}

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tea and toast

Yet another blistering snow day here, where the giant flakes look so enchanting as they fall from the sky.  But that also means there is no shortage of cold air and frost.  It always looks lovely from indoors.  Curled up with some toast and tea.  Today I am finding happiness in the little things that ease the winter chill like my favourite wool socks and a perfectly frothed tea latte.

{photo sources: twig hutchinson, collage 1: linen and lavender, collage 2: what katie ate, hygge nook, apartment therapy}

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more beautiful than the stars

Watching the solstice lunar eclipse slowly encompass the full, bright moon was an incredible sight to see.  Making the shortest day and darkest night of the year much more delightful than expected.  As the moon darkened to a deep, rich red the magic of the night was powerful.  An eclipse, much like the beginning of a new year, is a perfect time to reflect and find ways to clear all limitations from the mind.  Stay present.  Embrace the freshness of the new year and celebrate with gratitude this weekend.  Wishing you all a happy new year!

"The garden of the world has no limits

except in your mind.

Its presence is more beautiful than the stars,

with more clarity

than the polished mirror of your heart."  ~Rumi


Some holiday treats for you:

Kindness Inspiration ~ pay it forward
Summer Elegance ~ Louis Vuitton Cruise 2011
Love Dree Hemingway (Ernest's great-granddaughter) ~ great video
Water for Elephants ~ trailer

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{sweet moment}

Marilyn Moment-------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome to the beginning of an editorial section, of sorts.  A sweet moment to honour women of past and present who walk through life with depth, honesty and the strength to be passionate
regardless of interference.  Embracing those that inspire us while remembering to indulge in the riches
that life has to offer for ourselves.
Take time.
Take it in your hands and claim a moment for yourself each and every day.
Play your favourite record (yes, I said record), savour a silent evening with a cup of hot tea
and a good read, wear your loveliest perfume for no reason at all or luxuriate in the
extravagance of pearls and champagne.

 As my first edition of  sweet moment, it had to be a tribute to the one and only...Ms. Marilyn.  I've been reading Fragments and it has inspired me to write more, to read more and to indulge in the little moments of sweetness in each day. To find the time, make the effort and be present.

Whether its relaxing in my favourite velvet chair, writing a letter the good old-fashioned way, buying fresh flowers or spending an entire Sunday in bed with my cashmere throw I take some time throughout each day to be still and steep fully in 'a moment.' 

Marilyn most definitely gave herself time to revel in life's divine, simple pleasures.  Bathing in Chanel No. 5, curling up with a good book or writing poetry and heartfelt letters.  But she was also so much more than that.  Filled with wisdom and insight, beauty and a yearning heart ~ searching for love and yet loved by the whole world.  She was true to herself...always seeking to be her best, continuously learning and paving the way for future generations of women and actors alike.

In honour of the passion and perseverance of Ms. Marilyn, let's enjoy some delectable moments ourselves. Begin making time without question and dedicating yourself to what is true, what you believe in and what brings nothing but sheer delight!

{Clockwise from top left:  1. Lanvin choker, 2.Tiffany's Keys crown pendant, 3. vintage silver tea pot, 4. Lip Tease cup, 5. Paris Flea Market Champagne Chandelier, 6.cashmere dress, 7. Dom Perignon Rose, 8. Decadent Dusting Powder, 9. Louis Vuitton gold ballpoint pen, 10. Italian wrap journal, 11. Chanel No. 5, 12. Heine.de Chair }  

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{images: 1. all photos other than Marilyn images via This is Glamorous, 2. Top Right: Living etc., Bottom Right: curiousleigh via Flickr, 3. Savio Firmino bathroom, other images This is Glamorous, 4. vanity via 100 Layer Cake,  Love Letters by Heather Waraksa, Chanel shoes via This is Glamorous, 5. Key by Anthropologie, 7. images via This is Glamorous} 

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an ode to the moleskine

A timeless tradition of artists and writers, the Moleskine is a simplistic array of journals, diaries and sketchbooks.  They pay tribute to the sleek, durable notebooks used by many of the great thinkers from the past including Ernest Hemingway, Henri Matisse, Oscar Wilde, Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh.

A nameless black notebook carried throughout the world recording the thoughts, stories, sketches and ideas that would become the writings and art cherished today. Now, Moleskine artwork can be found throughout the digital world and fuses many mediums together - watching the progression of this paper bound book move into the virtual realm is quite intriguing.  

The Sketchbook Project is the newest chapter in this legacy.  A tour of thousands of sketchbooks created by anyone, anywhere in the world will go across the US on an exhibition in museums and galleries.  After the tour the books will make their final stop in a permanent collection at the Brooklyn Art Library where they will be available for public view.  Artists can track where their sketchbook is and how many times its been pulled off the shelf.  They can also have the entire book digitized to flip through online and have it viewed internationally.    

Artists must order their Moleskine by October 31st '10 and choose a theme.  Check out the site for details.

The Sketchbook Project

To get inspired and see how others fill up their Moleskine's visit the site.  It'll be sure to get the creative juices flowing. ;) xoxo love,

jolie

{photo sources: Extrasist0le}

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sunlit afternoon

{photos by Jolie Adele}

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burnt orange

As the leaves fall off the trees and the sunlight dims golden earlier each day I am reminded of how much I love the crisp, fresh colour of burnt orange.  Whether its a hint of the rich hue in a soft, flowing fabric or a touch of boldness in a bright white room it is lovely any time of the year.

Channeling the darling Miss Anna Karina in a spread long ago for Mean Magazine, Kate Beckinsale adorns the classic orange button-up and striped stockings.  This shoot is one of my favourites.  A tribute to 'Roller Girl' from 1967's Anna (written by Serge Gainsbourg).  This was the first colour film made for French television and the colours are bright, vibrant and vivid.  If you haven't had the pleasure of watching Roller Girl (or even if you have) - you must watch it now!

 And how can I talk about orange without mentioning Hermes?!  This past Spring while I was in Paris walking along the Seine I encountered two striking, dark horses and a carriage overflowing with orange Hermes gift boxes.  They were shooting this fall campaign.  The horses rested while waiting for night to fall along the river for the perfect, mystic setting.  Ahhh what a moment! Only in Paris.

{photo sources: 1. Mean magazine, houzz.com, Harper's Bazaar; 2. Mean magazine, Mean magazine, Garance Dore; 3. Hermes S/S 2011, Mean magazine, Pottery Barn; 4. Hermes}

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