I Want to be like Grace Kelley

I have discovered the work of Edith Head via alovelybeing. I am appalled that I did not know about her work earlier because I am enamoured with her classic, elegant and timeless fashions. She was an American costume designer, whose work garnered eight (EIGHT!) Academy Awards- more than any other woman in history. Ginger Rogers, Ingrid Bergman, Bette Davis, Grace Kelley, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and Natalie wood are among some of the leading ladies of the forties and fifties that donned her designs. 

This lady was so clearly a trail blazer in her time. She has a unique sense of style that would totally be acceptable today as well. I'm seeing a little bit of Lady Gaga with those glasses and bangs.

Her costume designs for Grace Kelly in Rear Window: So elegantly chic. These recently sold at Christie's Auction for upwards of $12,000.

Looking at these designs makes me wonder: why does everything have to be so casual these days? I long for the return of days where it would be required to wear a suit to work, sheath dresses for casual days and elegant dresses for dinner parties. Le sigh. 

{Edith Head image}

{1, 2, 3, 4}

Exciting News+What I'm Wearing Today

Okay, so first of all I have to tell y'all my exciting news! First, my small little ole blog hit 100+ views overnight and I'm so excited about it! Not bad in a month's time! Second of all, I just about had a heart attack last night when I read Michelle from Ten June's comment on this post. I absolutely adore her blog and have been religiously reading it for over 3 months now. Needless to say, her sweet comment made my day life. So Michelle, if you're reading this, thanks again for making my life complete! Go read her blog now.

Now onto today's business: I bought a new outfit so I decided to post pictures! Both the shirt and the jeans are from Walmart. My heels are from Forever 21, my earrings, headband and ring are from Ardene's. Although you can't see in these pictures, my nail colour is by New York Color in Central Park. Yay for a pair of jeans that don't fall off by the end of the day!

 

I started getting silly by the end of my mini photo-shoot. Clearly I was channeling my inner Tyra with the hip pop and lock.  Here's a closer look at my head band and detailing on the shirt's neckline: 

So whatcha think? I'd love to hear your thoughts (about anything); comments make me giddy and happy! Until then, my darlings xo

NY is Killing Me

Did you get my reference to Hoodie Allen's new song? If not, listen to it here (warning: PG-13). He's an amazing up and coming rapper who is extremely talented, and seems so down to earth. Support him! 

Back to the matter at hand, though. I am enthralled with these black and white photos of New York City by Dave Beckerman.  The photos romanticize the city to a point where I can barely stand sitting here any longer. I feel like I should be on the next plane out. Absolutely stunning, aren't they?

{All photos found here} 

A Garden Daydream

I gushed about the first volume of Ruche's spring lookbook in this post  awhile back. Now I'm back to gush some more. Their second volume of the 2011 Spring lookbook entitled "A Garden Daydream" is absolutely stunning. The dreamy, feminine and ethereal photos make me crave warmer weather, floral prints, bright nail polish and loose waves gathered in a side pony. 

What I think a modern-day Jane Austen heroine would look like.

Have a peek at their lookbook here. You won't be disappointed, I promise.

xo

Celeb Fashion Sundays!

Reese Witherspoon is one of those celebrities that I will always have the ultimate respect for, no matter what she does or what she wears (even though she always looks fabulous). She is a chameleon of fashion; she can rock the glam look, casual look, sophisticate, sexy, elegant,  ... need I go on? I've had a crush on her since about Grade 10 (loved Sweet Home Alabama), because let's be honest, who can hate her cute, bubbly, and friendly personality?

Morning coffee has never looked so good.

2011 Oscars- hello sixties Barbie!

OH EM GEE. Be still my beating heart. She looks absolutely fabulous, chic, sophisticated, I want to be her. 

Mommy on the go. I seriously hope I look that good when I have children. 

Looking absolutely stunning at her Avon scent debut. 

She really loves the sweetheart neckline...maybe because she is one? haha, see what I did there? Oh puns.
I adore the combination of red shoes and a yellow dress. It's so unexpected but totally works.

Looking adorbs with her latest beau Jim Toth (I hear they got married yesterday!!)

Hopefully I can procure some wedding photos to add to this compilation of her totally chic and covetable style. Who do you look at for inspiration? I'd love to hear what you think! 

Happy end to the weekend, my loves xo

Photos {1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8}

You're Kidding me+ Weekend!!

I thought I'd leave you with something slightly hilarious/pitiful for the weekend. 

Move over, Barbie. There's a new doll in town. That's right friends. It's a Kate Middleton engagement doll. Available through the Franklin Mint for $195 (WHAT?!) this is available for pre-order now and will be shipped this spring. 

The description cracks me up:

But wait, it gets even better! 

The Kate Middleton Royal Wedding Doll will ship out Summer 2011. For $295.

Now I enjoy a good Princess story with the best of them, but I'm slightly appalled by the lengths that people are going to make a dollar from this Royal wedding. I mean, we live in 2011, isn't this Royal wedding hype a bit antiquated? Maybe it's just me, but either way, I can't picture myself paying $195 for a doll that resembles a commoner-soon-to-be-princess. At least I got a good laugh out of it!!

I'm taking a break for the rest of the weekend, but I'll be back on Sunday with "Celeb Fashion Sundays!" Have a wonderful weekend, darlings xo 

Jeffrey Fisher Home

When Nancy of Marcus Design raved about Jeffrey Fisher Home in this post, I knew I had to further investigate. Born in Nova Scotia, Jeffrey and his sister Deborah work as a team (he's the designer, she's the publicist). His work has been featured in Better Homes and Gardens, Canadian Living, Style at Home and Veranda magazines, as well as on Sex and the City! His design is the perfect combination of modern and traditional. While visually appealing, I can still see the spaces as being totally livable. (I also totally apologize for the crappy screenshots of these rooms, they deserve so much better, but I didn't know how to - if you know how to do it, let me know!) 

I mean, holy bananas, right?! WANT! 

All photos from Jeffrey Fisher Home via   

Smitten with Soap

Something I've had bookmarked for awhile is Olivier Soaps. Founded in 1996 by Isabel Gagne and her husband Pierre Pelletier in Ste-Anne-de-Kent New Brunswick, their soaps are created from a natural process which includes hand-making, hand-cutting and hand-packaging the products. Ingredients in their products include cold pressed olive oil (from Italy), cocoa butter (from the Ivory Coast), beeswax, water, pure essential oils, herbs and flowers. Their obvious care and dedication to the quality of their products their customers receive has won them numerous awards and the ability to open a new branch in Moncton.

Front page of their catalogue found here

Below are some of the prettiest soaps I've ever seen. They are very reasonably priced as well, when you think about the hard work that goes into making them! 

1. Anise       $8.95

2. Blueberry $7.95

3. Chocolate $7.95

4. Citrus Mint $7.95

  5. Green Apple $7.95

6. Honey        $5.95

7. Peppermint  $7.95

8. Raspberry   $4.95

9. Vanilla     $6.95

I want this set, it looks so luxe. 

Olivier's Creme de la Creme $79.95 

Olivier doesn't just have soap, they have lotions, shampoos, conditioners and other beauty potions and balms to satisfy everyone's needs. Give them a browse and indulge yourself (share with me?) 

Until later, lovelies xo 

in love

I am in.love. with Rue's latest issue, just launched yesterday. It has an abundance of design inspiration that I cannot wait to add to my inspiration folder. 

Just from the cover page I could tell that this issue would be unreal. 

Love the rustic white benches with the variety of floral arrangements. Right up my alley.

So right. Perfect balance of height, texture, colours and depth. 

The vignette speaks "apothecary meets horticulturist" to me. Love it. 

Perfect marriage between new and old, dull and shiny. 

There is something so cozy about this setting. I could totally picture a leisurely Sunday brunch with family and friends around this table.

I have been waiting forever to see these next photos. Bailey McCarthy from Peppermint Bliss hinted in this post about her home being featured in a magazine and my interest has been piqued ever since. I am not surprised at the amazingness of her home design, but I especially love the entry way. You can totally see her personality permeate her home with her decor choices (she's so eclectic and fun). 

Bailey, come design my future house? Okthanksbye.

Remembering Elizabeth Taylor

The fashion world has lost an iconic figure today. I was shocked to hear about Elizabeth Taylor's passing. The essence of lady-like femininity and Hollywood glamour, she has served as an inspiration  for many generations. Her vivacious zest for life and unquestionable skill for acting, designing and activism has influenced everyone in some way. I remember doing a project about clothing and appearance from Ancient Egypt in grade 5, and using her role in Cleopatra as my influence. And of course, the smell of my mom's White Diamonds brings me back to my childhood. Even if she led a questionable lifestyle that you may not agree with, I think that we can stop to remember her extensive contributions to charities, culture, and the beauty and fashion world today. 

Images 1/2/3/4