friday faves: 9.2.11

ohhh my sweet friday faves feature, i have such a love/hate affair with you!  really, i LOVE these posts!  i love to highlight some of my fave things i've seen over the past week (or even longer) without putting together a "full post."  i love starting the weekend with some beautiful, inspiring images.  i love spreading the word about giveaways!  love, love.  so what is the "hate" bit?  i hate how i have not had the time or energy to do this feature regularly.  i hate how sometimes i even dread writing a post because it usually takes me significantly longer as i am such a perfectionist.  i hate how terrible i have been the past couple months at regular friday faves posts.  UGH.

so i've decided to take some of the pressure off myself.  i've been pretty good at consistency with the wedding wednesday feature so i guess i can be a little more lax with friday faves.  right?!  let's hope so.  i'll post when the inspiration strikes and schedule permits.  and hopefully you will enjoy what i share!  and without further ado, a few faves from the last few days of august ::

design/decor

comfy-cozy attic nook

want.this.space.  i want the chandelier, the white chest, the location -- the whole nook.  and we all know how i feel about nooks!  {via belle vivre}

fashion

a mint & rose outfit

as put together by lana over at lanalou style.  want it all... especially that dress!

etc

oscar de la renta ad campaign

came across this ad on one of my fave catch-all blogs, a spot of whimsy, and fell in love.  i have a little experience doing ad/marketing campaigns and understand how important an ad can be.  all you have is a picture.  one image and some text to show your brand and product.  but ODLR knocked it out of the ballpark with this ad for their new campaign.  i mean, who doesn't want to be an oscar's girl?!

personalized embosser for books

do i really need to explain why this is so stinkin' incredible?!  i'm pretty sure i need it...

{found on be merry, kate}

enjoy your labor day weekend!

xx, kait

p.s.  i'm actually at the lake right now on a full four day weekend of relaxation and fun so this post was written yesterday and scheduled for today.  i hate doing this and only do it once in a blue moon.  forgive me?

i want: pink recipe box

even though it wouldn't hold very much (yet!), i would looove this pretty pink recipe box from sugar paper!  a-dor-a-ble.

[via everything fabulous]

fashion: monique lhuillier pre-fall 2011

the collection has a little bit of everything...

classy-professional work wear : 

shimmer & sparkles:

beautiful dotted print, in both long & short:

intricate detailing:

flattering draping:

bold & beautiful color:

of all 28 beautiful looks, i think this is the one i would most want to wear:

 loooooooove.

all images via style.com

reblog: study in pink

came across this great post on alkemie -- study in pink: betsy johnson's former pink new york city apartment.  i love betsey johnson's funfunfun quirky-girly style, & her former apartment certainly reflects that.  check out her pretty-in-pink bedroom:

 

& the enigma herself ~

head on over to the original post on alkemie to see her great collection of photos from betsey's apartment throughout the years.

link love 11.5.10

design/decor
- are you a swinger? some great use of swings in design
- lots of chandelier love [i also included an image from this post here]
- i loooove this before & after living room 
- a cool new way to do gallery walls without ruining the walls with nails [too late for me, but maybe it can help you!]
- some beautiful rooms with stone walls

fashion
- beautiful pink pieces by christian dior cruise 2k11
- lovely lace ~ featuring the valentino dress i'm soo obsessed with
- 5 trends we wish would disappear -- i completely agree with all 5.  do you?
- love these 10 Styling Tips For the Newly Single Girl, Inspired by Blake Lively my fave advice is to go all out, be bold, wear ruffles. however, not a fan of the harem pants. [see previously listed article]
- more incredible fashion advice: how to dress like emma stone. such a fashion icon of mine when it comes to casual style.
- keira knightley's style transformation - thank goodness she traded in belly shirts for chanel!

photography
- a tribute to dogs in fashion photography
- incredibly cool photography series

etc.
- i love messy buns
- so apparently everyone & their dog dressed up as either lady gaga or snookie this past halloween, except for yours truly, thank you very much.  oh, & except for ellen degeneres.  sort of.  check out her twist on the ubiquitous snookie costume trend.

happy friday!

-kait-

design: spiral staircases

i. love. spiral staircases.  end of story.  take a look at these & don't fall in love - i dare you...

in a loft:

in a bright color:

or in bold black:

with ornate detailing:

spiral stairs in general:

yup.  i love spiral staircases :)

photo creds:

1. loft : original source unknown [via my little happy place]; 2. pink: [via the decorista]; 3. bold black: by photographer Petra Svensson [via the style files]; 4. ornate: via; 5. general: via the inside stoop

design: coral & gray bedroom

love:

- color scheme. 

- curtains. looks soo luxe!

- incredible chandelier. obviously.

- window seat.  i looove window seats.

- puffy pinky-coral headboard.

- mixing different shades of gray

- overall gorgeous-ness of bedroom!

photo courtesy of country living

[via high-heeled foot in the door]

link love: 10.15.10

some links to check out.  some are new, some are old, but all are fab.
design:
- ridiculously incredible rug
-highlighting my fave color, the underestimated purple
- more purple!  well, technically it's plum
- european trulli houses that will take your breath away
- decor meets beauty [inspired by opi]
- more incredible front doors. wow.
- fun & colorful fridges

fashion:
- is a great shoe sale the next best thing to sex?  um, yes.
- zara kids = cutest kids & cutest fashion ever.
- blogger wishlist - shari & dj -- i want all things on both wishlists!
- i truly could not think of a more perfect outfit for fall.  this is me.
- shoe & purse soulmates by etsy
- lingerie inspiration board
- i love totes!

relationships:
- manual to long distance relationships

etc.:
-another fave: audrey hepburn.  aka, the girl who sure knows how to do a makeover movie
- i want to live a pink life ~ fab pink pics!
- why not...improve your life - part deux
- an ode to bicycles
- an ode to emmanuelle beart
- i heart fishtail braids

design: eloise's room

oh my goodness, oh my goodness, oh my goodness!  the amazing betsey johnson created an amazing suite at the plaza, fashioned after the ultra amazing ELOISE!!  just. look. :

coolest. tea room.  ever.

woah.

a childhood obsession come to life.

pure perfection.

see more here 

via how i met your father

design: simply beautiful bedroom

this picture keeps coming up on design blogs & every time i see it, i smile. 

i don't know quite what it is, but this room makes me feel

serene. inspired. happy.

there's something about the effortless design that enchants me.  maybe it's the massive windows, maybe it's the dusty rose bedding; either way, i just want to grab a book and curl up into this bed, letting the rising sun warm me as i read the day away.

[oh, and the rosey pink color of the bedding?  lovely.]

found on the decorista, little blue deer, & just be splendid 

design: cotton candy kitchen

guest suite kitchen

a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e.

image & information from house beautiful [check out all the photos of this colorful & cozy cottage]

first found on a life's design

i want: pink beaded necklace

... with rhinestone bow detail!

~~ fun take on the classic thick strand of pearls ~~

found on the blog beautiful things to share

by elva fields