{at the office : the classic ponytail}

. . . one of those days with a billion and one things to do and time moving far, far too quickly . . . a classic ponytail with little fuss & easy elegance kind of day . . .



{images: one // two}

{style inspiration: knotted belts}

. . . this morning's walk with the dog was already quite blustery, calling for a belted cardigan, a favourite combination at this time of year, and especially if the belt is beautifully and artfully knotted, as these from rilleau . . .

created out of necessity during the second world war, when metal production [along with petrol and sugar] was diverted to the war effort, causing the unavailability of metal buckles, [normally made of brass, nickel and iron or steel], these knotted belts also have no rivets or stitches, and each is cut freehand, without a pattern, and hand finished -- wouldn't they be lovely against pale pink cashmere?


{images: rilleau leather via n'est style; shown from top, the tapered belt & the knotted belt}

{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: past chloé, paris}

. . . if fashion is about looking forward, then phoebe philo may have done just that when she created this stunning collection for chloé; made in 2005, {when gemma ward still walked the runways}, for the 2006 spring ready-to-wear show in paris, the flirty a-line shapes, cut-work and pretty pleats, baroque patterns, ruffles, appliqués and florals {not to mention the lovely wedges} look as if they might have just stepped off the city sidewalks this morning . . .

{p.s.} you may remember this beautiful ad campaign, {previously featured here}, for this collection


{images: chloé spring 2006 ready-to-wear collection by phoebe philo via style.com}

{style inspiration: white lace}

. . . shall never, ever fall out of love with lace, in shorts and sexy summer dresses {& here}, and now, guipure lace over a silk organza party dress with a full skirt . . . can you ever imagine?



{images: dresses by ivy & aster}

{style inspiration: perfect platforms}

. . . a new pair of white strappy summer wedges earlier last week, for traipsing about town and blossom-laden walks with the dog, the third pair of wedges already this spring, and summer has yet to begin, and yet, after happening across these utterly charming prada platforms {above}, perfectly paired with pressed trousers turned in an ultra-chic french cuff in the most enchanting shade of august sunrise, am becoming quite smitten with platforms and their teetering heights and already imagine them with romantically flirty & lacy summer dresses for quiet lunch dates on cobbled terraces surrounded by spring flower boxes of pussy willows and daffodils . . .




1. chloë sevigny for opening ceremony platform mary janes | 2. lanvin patent wedge| 3. prada t-strap cork platform sandals | 4. prada suede sandals | 5. { & last} giuseppe zanotti high platform clog heels | 6. krugh t-strap crochet platform pumps | 7. chloë sevigny for o.c. mary jane platform | 8. charlotte olympia carmen raffia wedge

{p.s.} favourite is number four x


{top: cynthia smith by marko macpherson for vogue via this is glamorous on tumblr}

{style inspiration: spring's sexy brights}

. . . absurdly in love with spring's vibrant hues -- lips in shades of coral & cerise and belted dresses in riotous purple, frolicsome jumpsuits in shimmery turquoise and flirtatious dresses in peach and long skirts paired with tangerine -- such a wildly welcome change from winter's grey days and suddenly, the air feels electric . . .



{images: karl lagerfeld and silvia venturini for fendi spring 2011 rtw, photography by marcio madeira via vogue}

{style inspiration: portfolio clutch}

. . . often prefer totes and structured handbags with shoulder straps to keep hands free for checking emails and picking up bright spring bouquets, but now that it is officially spring, can not help but be drawn to this undeniably elegant and impossibly chic leather portfolio clutch, with lovely details like an envelope flap and gold clasp, and especially in this stunning shade of orange . . .

{p.s.} also comes in black

{image: from park & cube, clutch from asos}

{style inspiration: beribboned}

. . . have been stepping out, lately, with a long metallic gold leather sash in place of a belt, cinched around a camel wool & cashmere coat, and so, was delighted to happen across a similar look recently: a length of gold satin ribbon, tied in a bow, and cinched around a classic trench -- such a pretty alternative to a belt, don't you think?

{diane kruger by norman jean roy for glamour us march 2006 via haute design}