{style inspiration | on the vanity & in the makeup kit : a few favourites}

. . . one of the fondest memories of growing up was my mother's movie-star dressing rooms -- enormous and luxurious, and with those pretty white lights that trail all the way around the large looking glass above the vanity, upon which was always a beautiful scattering of perfume bottles and golden hairpins, and every kind of beauty product one could possibly imagine -- it was a most magical place for a little girl, and needless to say, spent many, many hours utterly lost in spritzes of heady perfume, dustings of silvery eyeshadows and dashes of lipstick, and watching my mother get ready for dinner parties and evening soirées . . .



. . . and as there have been so many requests, thought it might be lovely, [with a little winter light & p's stunning photography], to share a glimpse of a few favourite things on the vanity and of the moment . . .

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{holiday gift guide : for the modern gentleman}

. . . as a supplement to his stocking stuffer & last-minute gift ideas, here, p's actual holiday wish list : a perfect mix of rugged & refined for the modern gentleman . . .



01 - swaine adeney brigg curved handle golfing umbrella // 02 - polo ralph lauren cable knit aran sweater // 03 - tricker's for end hunting co. two tone kelmscott boot, in espresso // 04 - oliver spencer peasant jacket // 05 - a.p.c. candle no.1 cologne scent // 06 - oil by edward burtynsky // 07 - iwc portofino hand-wound eight days

{p.s.} p.'s list from last year, his quick list from last week, and my list x



{images: top, el meuble via desde my ventana}

{holiday inspiration : gold sequined fairy lights}

. . . and while we're on the topic of sequins and fairy lights, imagine the utter delight upon happening upon strands of lights in the shape of gilded sequins -- somehow, have a feeling that the holidays will never be the same again . . .

{p.s.} rocco led fairy lights, £35, via habitat


{discovered via house to home via twitter}

{take me away № 03 | tips for buying luggage}

With thanks to a lovely reader for the suggestion, this week’s {take me away} column shares and showcases an array of wonderful luggage options, from inexpensive, yet lovely pieces readily available at Macy’s, to exquisite investment pieces in Louis Vuitton's classic Monogram Etoile.



Whether you are looking to purchase your carry-on with a more conservative budget and splurge on your suitcase, or are looking to build a life-long lasting collection — or perhaps, are looking for the best quality set for a small budget, style and function needn’t be compromised. And so, below are some of our current favorites on the market, in an array of looks, price points, designs and functions, offering features to note and great style . . .





[read sarah's picks & tips for choosing luggage after the jump] x

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{at the shops: kora | nairobi, kenya}

. . . fair-trade, eco-chic and utterly gorgeous, the kora jewelry range was created by amy walker & maxandra short three years ago, after working for a non-profit group in rwanda; made of recycled materials such as discarded cow bones and horns, brass and aluminum from old pots and automobiles, the range is made by local artisans from nairobi, kenya -- there are necklaces and charm bracelets as well, but have quite fallen for the cuffs and bangles . . .

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shown, above: diamond brass cuffs, handmade from recycled brass // horn lily cuff, handmade ankole cow horn bangle bracelet wrapped in recyled brass, handmade in kenya and ghana & available in white bone

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{p.s.} previous at the shops:
* gildem, california
* gemma redux, new york
* morning calm, south korea
* loom, australia
* florence & florence, uk
* lady grey, new york
* ralph lauren, paris
* neology by mina, brooklyn
* always glamorous gold

{lookbook: greta fall | winter 2011}

. . . isn't this the loveliest silk dress? at once sexy & pretty -- belted and with heels, and it's off for a late lunch date with devastatingly handsome company . . .

{p.s.} more of this collection: one // two // three // four


{image & hilla dress from the fall / winter 2011 collection by greta, via simple blueprint}

{at the shops: always glamorous gold}

. . . overcast autumn days call for a little extra sparkle, and a delicately lovely bangle, in rose gold vermeil and stunning gold leaf tray may be just the thing to brighten cloudy days . . .

{p.s.} a second guest post at once wed today: click here to have a look x

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{p.s.} previous at the shops:
* gemma redux, new york
* morning calm, south korea
* loom, australia
* florence & florence, uk
* lady grey, new york
* ralph lauren, paris
* neology by mina, brooklyn


{1 - Our Family Jewels LA; 2 - up in the air somewhere via kathryn's pinterest}

{comme ci, comme ça}

{svypply}

{at the shops: morning calm, south korea}

. . . french green clay and organic persimmon leaf, oatmeal honey and calendula -- beautiful handmade soap by morning calm, in south korea, that is nearly too lovely to use . . .


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{style inspiration: ballet flats}

. . . if you were to ask, anyone would happily tell you that was born in heels, and yet, these sweetly chic handmade palest pink leather ballerinas tied with organza ribbons may just change everything . . .





{images: from eclecchic, originally from elehandmade on etsy, shoes available here}

{style inspiration: the french riviera}

. . . isn't this the loveliest swimsuit? . . . inspired by vintage french swimwear and beautifully draped in a ruched tulle overlay, it can be worn strapless and would also look lovely with a fluttery skirt for dancing the night away, but mostly, would be perfect with a bellini on an enchanted afternoon in the french riviera . . .

{p.s.} the tulle is a special blend that holds its shape & dries quickly


{tulle underwire tank from j.crew}

{style inspiration: blush, nude & champagne}

. . . having flirted shamelessly with irresistibly fun and tempestuous bolts of colour recently, this past weekend, in open-toed sandals {for the first time this spring} and toes newly enveloped in chanel's rose satin, have fallen always and again in love with shades of nude and blush and champagne, the pale and pretty hues insanely perfect for mid-spring afternoons . . .

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marc by marc jacobs mimi silk-crepe dress | lido pearls mother of pearl flower necklace | carine gilson théme egérie silk crepe de chine bra | carine gilson théme egérie silk crepe de chine french briefs | aspinal of london vintage vanity case in nude deep shine italian patent calf | yves saint laurent rouge pure shine 26 in natural beige | giuseppe zanotti henry leather and metal t-bar sandals


{p.s.} more perfect neutrals: here & here & here

{style inspiration: plexiglas clutch}

. . . if you have been reading for a while, you will know about a certain fondness for lucite, whether in heels {here & here}, chairs, or anything else, and so, it is no surprise that have fallen head over heels for charlotte olympia's pandora plexiglas clutch with its beautiful gold flower clasp. . .



. . . and imagine it at the office, for pretty correspondence cards or vintage fountain & gold engraved pens; in the powder room, to hold lipstick, glosses and shimmery blushes; and of course, as an impossibly chic and ultra-modern clutch, perfect for afternoons at le musée d'orsay, and evenings in heels and tulle . . .

{charlotte olympia pandora plexiglas clutch, net-a-porter}

{at the shops: florence & florence, uk}

. . . happened across florence & florence, an utterly charming vintage shop run by mother and daughter, christine and annie florence, who have a love for beautiful things and "specialise in finding exciting second-hand pieces", filling their little shop with delicate glass compotes and filigreed pepper pots befitting the most elegantly extravagant dinner party on a mid-spring evening, scalloped cake stands and silver sugar tongs perfect for high-tea on a sunday afternoon, and tea & cake sets that will have you dreaming of the most romantic early april picnics . . .


{images: photography by rebecca cornell for florence & florence, via elle}