fashion: addy van den krommenacker - PaP 2011

i love how fashionising describes this collection, shown at Amsterdam fashion week, so pithily: glam warrior.  i think this dress proves this phrase perfectly ::

the article's writer, linett kamps, continues her description, saying that "the designer [is] opting for a stronger design aimed at women who are willing to show off their figure."

what i personally love about this collection is that it is different.  typically i go for looks that are feminine and classic with a touch of quirky.  sometimes vintage, sometimes a little fashion-forward, regardless, i still have a fairly defined fashion aesthetic.  this particular collection is just different than my usual.  prints, shine, somewhat random ruffles, interesting hemlines and layers - it just pulls me in.  most of these looks would be considered a bit risky for a celebrity to wear on the red carpet - hello, sequin polka dots! - but i sincerely hope i get to see some of them soon [alexa chung, carey mulligan, leighton meester -- are you listening up?!].

here are some of my fave looks ::

minis ~

gowns ~

what i'd most likely wear in my real life [at a wedding, party, etc.] ~

well, minus the train.  it's pretty, but just not practical.

what i'd most likely wear in if i went to galas and red carpet events [dream] ~

oh and i gotta say, i love these models' facial expressions!

 so rarely do designers allow models to show this sort of personality -- love it!

congrats, AdvK, i love your collection!

all images via, where you can also see the entire collection [although i included nearly all of it!]

etsy spotlight: nangijala jewelry

the rings from this etsy shop are incredible.  here are just a few of my faves ~

 

see more gorgeous jewelry of all sorts at their etsy shop here

pretty pictures: la ballet

proper french aside, this editorial from vogue girl korea [feb 2006] is amazing.  

here are just a few of my fave shots: 

focused & graceful, oh joong seeok is the model prima ballerina in this spread.

love, love, looooove.

  

see the whole editorial here

decor: you make me happy cloth

the simplistic beauty of this sign makes me happy (and yes, the skies are gray)

 from house*tweaking blog

- via -

celeb style: blake lively in marchesa - round 2

the girl does it again!  this time with a funkier outfit than usual, but i love it no less than her many marchesa looks from the past [examples].  in fact, i may love it a bit more, due to the quirky factor.  i think if i had to rank it, this orange mini would be #2, second only to the breathtaking black/cream dress from '09.  but that's prob because i'm more into black.  but that's just me.

 your thoughts?

how does this look compare to her other marchesa ones?

 image via

friday faves: 2.18.11

it's been a rough week, but here are some pretty things that gotten me through ~ ~

~ i won the greige design giveaway! ~

one of my fave blogs, greige, hosted a giveaway a while back and i actually won! lucky lucky me now gets a burlwood plank server - perfect for a Midwestern gal such as myself :)

~ french cluster ring ~

crazy sparkly without seeming pretentious.  [from erie basin; via]

~ quirky pinwheel earrings ~

from mxmjewelry on etsy [discovered via i am a greedy girl]

~ sparklemotion shoes ~

 

no idea where to find them, but i superduper want! [via]

~ book wall art ~

totally love this. [via]

~ a valentines day pin up ~

it may be belated, but better late than never! [image via]

~ dianna agron's profile ~

she is just stunning.  [image via]

~ speaking of dianna agron... ~

...check out her beautiful outfit on jimmy kimmel live! [image from red carpet fashion awards]

~ this pink wool coat ~

no such thing as "too feminine" [buy it here; discovered on lace & tea]

** really awesome giveaways going on right now **

necklace from starfish designs, courtesy of holly matthews interiors

 if i won, i would choose this sophia necklace!

enter for yourself here

tote from bayan hippo, courtesy of the cute blog moon face

 see more details of this perfect carry-all from bayan hippo - here

enter here -- NOW! (ends tonight @ 10PM pst)

** i wish you the most productive of all fridays, and the most relaxing of all weekends **

~kait

pin up pretties: sheree north

my pin up pretty of the day, miss sheree north.  adorable & sexy at the same time - loooove it!

sheree north, 1950's

[via]

wedding wednesday: throwing pom poms

fun, unique, quirky.... love!!  look at how this adorable couple encouraged guests to toss colorful pom poms after their vows, in lieu of the traditional bird seed or the environmentally conscious bubbles ::

hip hip hooray!

[via -- definitely click on the link to see the whole fun & 50's inspired wedding!]