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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

wedding wednesday: claire la faye bridal

okay, major wedding wednesday epiphany - the accessory designer of garden of whimsy that i just posted about last week is the same lovely woman i posted about way back in september!  i'm pretty embarrassed about this epiphany, i definitely should have put two and two together way sooner, but regardless, i am even the more impressed with this woman after learning more about her expansive talents!  she is, of course, the uber talented claire la faye, and today i'd like to show a few pics showcasing her newest collection . . .

 wedding dresses in soft pastels ~
delicate rose detail ~

rosy feathers ~
 (and of course she also designed the beautiful headpiece!)

* photo shoot by rebecca lindon of Deville Photography *
discovered on junebug weddings

Saturday, March 26, 2011

art: amy rice

i'm just loving the work of mixed-media artist amy rice.  just.loving.  her etsy shop is just filled with beautiful, interesting, and inspirational prints, but my most fave pieces are created with the help of atlases and cut outs....

and we rolled

go your own way

 absolutely love.
~ go check it out for yourself to see more beauty ~

first discovered on poppy talk, where you can find a lot more on amy/her work
 

Friday, March 25, 2011

friday faves: 3.25.11

not much this week - sorry sorry.  hopefully next week will have more!

fashion

~ collette dinnigan RTW fall 2011 ~
a few of my fave looks:
lacy LBDs & intricately designed minis - love!  [want more collette d.?  see my faves from her collection last fall @ melbourne fashion week here]
pictures from style.com

~ my kind of bag ~
 
i mean, really, how perfect is this?!  tote by anya hindmarch [discovered on dilly dallas]

design/decor
~ little reading nook ~
read.  'nuff said.  [via

etc

~ a teapot for me ~
beyond adorable!  this teapot definitely belongs in my kitchen :)
discovered here

giveaways

~ a lovely shabby apple dress ~
your choice!  between Da Vinci (on the left) and Spanish Steps (right)
 offered on the great blog, grayson.

~ natural-chic serving plate ~
i'm trying t  get rid of the mismatched plastic plates and usher in a new set of quality (and adorable!) kitchenware... and this willow server would be absolutely perfect!  of course this giveaway is being offered by greige design :)


okay, sleep time.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

celeb style: elizabeth taylor

i'm going to make this short and sweet.  rest in peace to dame elizabeth taylor - thank you for your words, your charity, your courage, and of course, your signature beauty.
images via

"a woman has got to love a mad man once or twice in her life to be thankful for a good one." 
 -elizabeth taylor herself

want more?  read:
dita meeting elizabeth. so much glamor in one picture.









pretty pictures: progression - beauty to mess

this rocker of a beauty spread from elle france december 2010 is just beyond cool, and model daria werbowy completely rocks it.  mostly, i love how the images create a sort of progression - from natural to all dolled up to total morning-after mess.  check it out --

blank slate . . .
*hands down my favorite picture from this shoot.  she is such a natural beauty and this shot is just perfect.  kind of a shame she has to ever put on makeup*

starting to put on makeup . . .
love this styling!!  gorgeous makeup & love the soft curls

but then she adds even more makeup . . .


and dances the night away . . .

and has quite a few shots . . .
. . . and then wakes up looking like this!



 i'm pretty sure this "natural beauty to hungover hot mess" wasn't exactly the photographer's goal, but when organized this way i just think it's hilarious!

by photographer dusan reljin
- via -

a personal post: blogging pledges/campaigns

the past couple days i've stumped across a couple simple but totally awesome campaigns sponsored by some sweet bloggers.  i'd be remiss if i didn't share these great opportunities to spread kindness with my own sweet followers and visitors.  i'd like to continue finding similar opportunities and will keep you all updated as i join, but for now, here are the two i'd like to highlight: the kind hearted blogger pledge & operation nice.  i've been feeling worthless being unable to change the world in times of such global and national destruction, but i know that i can do little things like these.  and who knows - maybe it will impact someone.  even just one person and i'd be ecstatic. 

~ the kind hearted blogger pledge ~
found this lovely campaign on my newest blog read, dot...in the city (which, btw, has one of the cutest blog headers/tabs i've seen in a while).  but anyways, back to this campaign . . .
i.love.this.  simple as that.
the theory behind this campaign is that as bloggers, we can simultaneously express our opinions (on design, fashion, even controversial subjects), while still remaining respectful of others, kind to all, and positive in the face of diversity.  read: exactly my beliefs.
*just read the pledge*
AS A KIND-HEARTED BLOGGER I PLEDGE TO:
  • create, inspire, and admire rather than compete with fellow bloggers
  • be understanding of each other-- in the blogging community, as well as in the world
  • stay away from internet/blogging bullying
  • speak my opinion freely, while still being mindful of other's feelings-- be tactful.
  • make an effort--no matter how big or small the gesture, to spread kindness or joy to others
  • acknowledge that I will make mistakes, (I am only human) but remember to learn from them
  • know that at times I will post about the negative stuff in life, and maybe even some complaining (I am only human) but I will always follow up with something happy/positive too.
  • believe that this world is a good place, filled with good people.
needless to say, i joined instantly - see the button on my sidebar!
& you can join too!
head on over to the blog em jay and me to agree to the (easy to follow!) kindness terms, grab a button to spread the word, and add your blog to the list of like-minded bloggers.
i've made the pledge.  will you?

~ operation nice ~
 more kindness efforts!
another simple campaign: be nice.  not just in blogging, but always.
okay, i'm game!
read this from the "about" link on the site... & fall in love:

Operation NICE encourages individuals to be proactively nice.

Stop by to read some positive, upbeat news stories (yes, they exist) about nice people and stories from real people about how kindness affected them. Learn about some wonderful campaigns out there that are promoting kindness. Download some tools to help you in your quest to communicate the concept of niceness. Share a story or two about how someone made your day.

It is not true that nice guys finish last. Nice guys are winners before the game ever starts.  
- Addison Walker

once again....
i've joined operation nice.  will you?

so that's it... for now!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

wedding wednesday: peony hair fascinator

i was first introduced to the term "hair fascinator" last year by my dear mother.  she and my father were headed across the pond to attend a wedding and she was in a frenzy to either buy or concoct one of her own.  although we don't see too many fascinators here in the states, she wanted to respect british tradition and join in the fun.  together, we created a pretty cool (if i do say so myself!!) beaded clip for her lovely curly hair.  ever since then, i've been fascinated by fascinators ~

today's wedding wednesday is short & sweet: just one lovely hair fascinator by the etsy shop garden of whimsy.  p.s.  how cute is that shop name?!  and expect to see more posts on their incredible pieces.

take a look at the pretty pink peony hair piece ::

so what do you think?

discovered on the blog emmaline bride

i want: polka dot bathing suit

i am soooo ready for it to be summer!  so ready that i'm already checking out new bathing suits!  it usually takes me a long time to find the right suit - i prefer bandeau tops but they often don't fit.  victoria's secret is a no-go, then again, so are most stores.  but then i came across this polka dotted beauty . . .


and just look at these other adorable colors ~

yup, pretty sure this is my perfect bathing suit.
now, on to justify buying it when i already have not one, but two other polka dot bikinis... (then again, one is red/white and the other purple/white, so really i can get any of these except for the lavender one and it would be okay... right?!)

p.s.  doesn't it sorta remind you of the suit rose mcgowan wore in this pin-up-esque photo shoot?!  makes me love it even more :)

can be bought at j.crew - here

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

celeb style: top 3 at costume designers guild awards

okay, so it may have been a month ago, but i still wanted to show my three fave looks at the costume designers guild awards.  i mean, just look at these gorgeous gowns!! ~

demi moore in vivienne westood
vibrant color, form fitting shape, interesting neckline.  not to mention minimal makeup and a side-fishtail braid... super pretty on miss demi!
























halle berry in elie saab
no big shock here - i mean, elie saab couture + halle berry + beautiful red color = show stopper.  wow.  definitely halle's best look lately!
and now, for a very predictably "kait" pick...

kristin davis in oscar de la renta




goodness gracious can "charlotte" pull off a polka dotted dress!!
wow!
we sell a pretty chic polka dotted prom dress at my store, but it still doesn't come close to ODLR (surprise, surprise!).  lotsa love for this look.

images via 1, 2, 3

Monday, March 21, 2011

monday faves: 3.21.11

i missed friday faves this week :(

there have been some majormajor changes at my work the past week and i just haven't had the luxury of blogging.  still, friday faves has become a true fave of mine.  i get to compile all these lovely images and blog posts, and then carry that inspiration over into my life.

so anyways, i feel badly that i couldn't do a friday faves this week.  i know it's late, and i know it isn't too comprehensive, but i still wanted to do a little compilation.  so here it goes...

 ~ adorable bridal shower invites ~
definitely my kind of party!  [via]

~ marion cotillard ~
*marion cotillard in interview magazine, back in aug 2010*
I thought Nine was disappointingly boring, but had the one saving grace of being filled with beautiful women, one of whom being Ms. Cotillard, who simple exudes subtle sexuality.  this picture is perfect proof.  read article

~ great fashion-action shot~
this pic will definitely be on my inspiration board for our next photo shoot!  anja rubik just nails it in this editorial from vogue spain, march 2011, shot by alexi lubomirski  [via]

~ a funky & fabulous reminder ~
would love this framed somewhere i could see everyday

~ a beautiful tub ~
simply put: absolutely beautiful.  found here, original source/company (sadly!) unknown.

~ adorable little girl ~
swoon!  she is just too too cute.  and how can you not smile when looking at this pic?!  [via]

giveaways:

emerson made gift card
it's official - IHOD has some of the all-time greatest giveaways!!  this time it's store credit to the unbelievably incredibly shop emerson made.  TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS credit!!
if for whatever reason i were lucky enough to win, i would get either the ultra-chic but still work appropriate black scallop skirt or the adorable tiny stars yes dress.  love!

fun items by cameo nouveau
this lovely giveaway package includes adorable earrings, makeup, and a hand beaded bracelet, alll by this great shop Cameo Nouveau.  thanks to BB&B for this giveaway, and for introducing me to cameo nouveau!
head on over to enter for yourself.  oh, and you get an easypeasy extra entry, just be a facebook fan of bright, bold, and beautiful

another great plum pretty sugar giveaway
 this time the prize up for grabs is the pink love poppy tank, hosted by the fab sandy at sandy a la mode.  i didn't win last time, but maybe one of us will this time around!
enter for yourself (by friday) here!

have a happy, productive, and inspirational week!!

~ kait