Fab Frock Friday: La Belle Fleur

A floral ballgown for FFF. Makes me think of spring. (sigh) Soon, soon... !

{Image credits: Model - Margarita Pugovka, photography - Sergi Jasanada - for Novlas de Espana, seen here}

California Dreaming

Glowing sunlight fills the home of actress Amanda Peet, creating a quintessentially Californian relaxed atmosphere. A mix of colourful accents, earthy wooden pieces, baskets, books, artwork, and cosy textiles bring personality and warmth to every room. The Mediterranean-style garden, with its olive trees, rosemary hedges, boxwood, and grapefruit grove, surrounds the house with lush greenery. 

I would feel quite at home in such a lovely place!

{images 1-8 photographed by François Halard for Vogue magazine; additional image credits include: 9, 10, 11, 12}

Wedding Wednesday: A Rococo Fantasy

A chateau in the Loire Valley in France was the setting for this exquisite Rococo-inspired wedding. I'm just swooning, looking at these amazing images! Marie Antoinette would surely have enjoyed this fete.

Fireworks celebrated the couple's union. What a dazzling affair it must have been! The bride's beautiful gown was by the designer who costumed Michelle Pfieffer in the film Dangerous Liaisons. Photography for the wedding was done by Shawn Connell of the Christian Oth Studio.

I daydreamed of having such a wedding, when I was a teenager. After seeing Madonna's unforgettable performance of the song Vogue for the 1990 MTV video music awards, I was entranced by Rococo-era costumes. I spent many hours researching the period, and then drawing my ideal wedding gown. I think that may have been what made me want to design costumes for theatre. Oh, what a long time ago that was! I still love the drama of fashion, and I'm sure I always will.

{all images found here}

Room Love: Designer Gabriel Hendifar

Seriously gorgeous rooms...! That is all I can say. 

I've been seeing the work of multi-talented designer Gabriel Hendifar all over the blogosphere lately. The man gets it right every time. Lucite, burlwood, fabulous patterns, symmetry, mirrors, unique antiques, pops of intense colour, dramatic dark tones, rich textures... Every element in his rooms draws your eye around the space, making you want to see more and more. Delicious details make the spaces seem so personal and fascinating.

Not only does Hendifar design amazing rooms, he also designs absolutely stunning clothing, seen here, as well as beautiful light fixtures, which you can find here, at Apparatus. 

I cannot wait to see what else this man will come up with next!

{images found here, here, here, and here}

A bit of escapism for Sunday...

 ***

 The Wiggle, Montechiello, Tuscany

 Positano, Italy

 Angaston Abbey Trading Company in Angaston, South Australia

(my own photo)

 Castle Combe

Bertaux by Mademoiselle Poirot 

Guanajuato, Mexico

lavender farm in France

Yestersay, I had the pleasure of spending the entire day with the great love of my life (which only happens a couple of times a month, because of his busy schedule). 

We drove out to the Barossa wine country... having lunch at a bakery... getting happily lost along winding roads... discovering hilltop views we had not seen before... browsing at a favourite antiques shop in an old church... stocking up on wine...and then getting cozy back at home... with a bottle of merlot and a classic film. Aaahh, I live for these days!

I hope you all are enjoying your weekend as much as I am. Cheers!

Fab Frock Friday: Elie Loves Aqua

It seems that Elie Saab loves the colour aqua as much as I do! These dresses from his Spring 2012 Couture collection are just beautiful, aren't they? I would feel like a goddess wearing one of them.

You've got to watch the intro video on his site, a gorgeous fashion film set in Paris in winter, with a haunting melody. It's lovely.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend full of love, smiles, and relaxation.

{all images found here}

Wedding Wednesday... a little late!

Hi, all! Since I forgot to post something yesterday for Wedding Wednesday, here is a not-very-traditional bride picture for you. I love her rose bouquet, oxfords, and messy up-do.

This image brings to mind a country wedding, maybe a spur-of-the-moment sort of gathering among close friends. Like the bride and groom just said to each other "Hell, why not? Let's get married today!" I could think of a few reasons, ahem... But I'm a romantic at heart, so I always love a wedding. 

Cheers to love!

{J Crew Wedding image found here}