{colour inspiration: ethereal spring whites}

"Autumn arrives in early morning, but spring at the close of a winter day."

~ Elizabeth Bowen

. . . of all the beautiful things there to look forward to in spring -- longer days and the promise of evenings on terraces, pastel dresses with golden shoes and the first magnolia blossoms -- perhaps the most intoxicating, might be the change to begin again at winter's end, fresh and new and in extravagant shades of spring white . . .

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{take me away № 21 | city guides № 1 : paris}

At the very centre—the heart, soul and jewel of France, we find Paris . . . Paris in all of its overwhelming magic and allure. Paris that, perhaps of all places around the globe, of all the islands and coasts, extraordinary mountains, cities, and countrysides, might just be the most dreamed about of them all. And is it with any wonder? Enveloping the experience of l'art de vivre is a rosy hue, a hue only seen while you are there [long remembered and forever held in the heart], swept up in the magic of the city of lights. Here, for hundreds of years, thousands and thousands of visitors near and far have traveled to visit, to live, [even if just for the day] amongst all that is Paris.



Here we find perfectly imperfect cobblestone streets, many offset by poetically tilted and beautifully aged architecture, and as we walk, we quietly take in the unabashed beauty and élan, as elegant & effortlessly stylish women pass by; an older man, pedaling along on his bicyclette, en route to the barber may bring on a smile—indeed, a postcard sight; ladies immersed in each other's company, tucked in bold red chairs at a quaint café, back and forth they speak, in reverent conversation; or peek into the windows of elegantly merchandised shop windows, seductively showcasing handmade merchandise, created with skills perfected centuries ago. A host of streets may call you to stroll, looking up as you go, at the decorated facades, noticing a tiny pot with a cheerful blossom tucked into the tiniest of nooks. Not so unlike Paris, where charm abounds—charm and quality, hand in hand—be it fine foods or perfumes, fundamental manners & etiquette, or tying a scarf with flair.



Perhaps it's passion? Perhaps it's Paris. A city unlike any other, Paris calls creatives to create, lovers in love, and explores to explore . . . for those with an appetite to discover and to learn may discover a convergence of past and present, and may lose themselves forever, never to be the same. And so, today we warmly invite you to join us as we visit some of the most memorable places, and share some of best kept secrets in our address book of Paris . . .

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{fashion editorial | style inspiration : hair & makeup}

. . . dresses in shades of mint and pastel purple aside, this spring, shall be perfectly obsessed with the classic cat-eye and fluttery lashes, bejewelled bouffants and sexy tousled hair . . .

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{colour inspiration | spring things : perfect pink}

. . . astonishingly, very nearly at the month of march, two months of the new year passed already, and already, windows have been open to the late-winter air that is now, nearly imperceptibly, tinged with the promise of blossoming magnolia trees and longer, sun-drenched days ahead, and so, for today, it's away with wintry things, soft flushed cheeks, and a dash of perfect pink across the lips . . .



[images: tayane leão by j.r. duran for vogue brazil january 2012 / stylist: giovanni frasson / hair & makeup: max weber via studded hearts /// photography by a girl, a style via my girly side]

{valentine's inspiration | pure romance : [a little] naughty & nice}

. . . and how it is thursday already is pure madness, but happily, that means valentine's day is next week, and so, chocolate truffles and champagne, baies and gardénia and satin, silk, and chiffon, in the spirit of pure romance . . .

{p.s.} another look below x

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{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 how to : glittery eyes}

. . . among all the many beautiful things to look forward to this holiday season, as if the candlelight and soirées, the sequined evening gowns and glasses of rosé were not enough -- now, [and perhaps most exciting of all], insanely glamorous & glittery eyes that will light up those festive nights . . .


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{how to: rose satin & gold glitter manicure}

. . . on thursday night, took a little time to play around with the wonderful collection of nail varnishes scattered about, on powder room shelves and mirrored vanities, for a change, rather than stopping by the salon, and came up with the absolute prettiest combination -- palest pink & flecks of gold, perfect for this weekend's dinners and gallivants around & about . . .

{p.s.} how to : essie first base base coat // 2-3 coats of chanel le vernis nail colour in 463 rose satin [any pale pink or blush should work] // several coats of sephora by o.p.i. gold glitter top coat x

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{images: manicure, mine, iphone & instagram photograph, all others by camille from the wild fleur, a new blog only just discovered, through a comment left}

{favourite five: designer & stylist linda rodin}

It's true: the fountain of youth does exist and it is overflowing with Olio Lusso . . .



[as always, more after the jump] x

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{storage inspiration: a lovely drawer organiser}

. . . at the moment, it's travel cases & carry-ons, and vintage hand-beaded make-up cases, but upon arriving home in a few days, have resolved to re-organise the shelves and vanities, with their perfume bottles scattered prettily about, and the situation is, perhaps, even more dire for the lipsticks & glosses, which are in every handbag, on every surface, and at once, lost; the solution, perhaps: this clever drawer organiser, which not only looks lovely, but keeps everything in its place . . .


{image: mrs. darylmple via style at home, box with compartments available here}

{storage inspiration: wooden drawer dividers}

. . . barely the first day of summer, and must confess have already amassed quite an impressive collection of summery beauty products -- shimmery eyeshadows and sunkissed bronzers, luxurious lip glosses with flecks of gold and too many shades of lipstick, making mornings a bit of a flurry and vanities and drawers overflowing, and so, immediately fell for these perfect and perfectly practical wooden drawer dividers that keep carerra counter tops clear and drawers tidy and beautifully organized . . .


{images: martha stewart via pinterest & bloom magazine via pinterest}