yes to long skirts

so glad long skirts are here to stay. i've become quite attached to mine, even in these hot summer months. i love how versatile they are - just look at these photos. paired with a tailored button down or crisp white tee or layered with an oversize sweater or leather jacket, i'm loving these looks.

older women: fashion icons

Advanced Style: Age and Beautyfrom Ari Cohen on Nowness.com.

i think this video is incredibly awesome. not just because i adore iris apfel but also because my very own mother sent it to me with the words "i want to be like this!" written beneath it. mom, you've always had great style and certainly always pushed me to break fashion molds and strike out on my own. we could all take a tip from these women. fashion is supposed to be fun!

Photographer (and blog writer behind this video) Ari Seth Cohen said this: "I not only want to show that older women are vital and creative, but also to show people [they need not be] afraid of aging—and personal style is a great way to showcase this."

yes! thankfully, i too have women in my life who demonstrate the exuberance, wisdom, and freedom that come with age - at 40, 50, 60, 70 or beyond. more oft than not, i find myself more inspired by images of my Nana in the '50's with her short pixie cut or my mom sporting a cinched boatneck sheath and gorgeous bangles in the '80's than i am by the trends shouting from store windows.

what do you think? where you get your fashion inspiration?

indian summer

loving this dress from EmersonMade's India collection. that is all!

rugs

rugs. i've always hated them. floral print after oriental print after floral print - bleh. rather than bring lightness and cohesion to a room, rugs often turn an otherwise clean design into a muddled mess. but. there are other ways! and perhaps for the first time (because for the first time i actually have a home to decorate) i'm taking note.

rugs have come a long way from the suburban country home where everything is printed, printed, printed. i am loving the bold statements in these rooms. a rug can really change a space, can it not?

i'm looking for one long runner and at least one, maybe two, area rugs for our dining and living rooms. what do you think? i have a pretty much blank slate - white walls, white couch, no throw pillows yet, wood barn table, antique wood baker's table. i'm usually a woman in love with soft neutrals, but i feel the time may have come to choose something bold.

nesting

back from the honeymoon and fam vaca with my (brand new!) family, i'm in nesting mode! i've been scouring pinterest for images, and the above room has me hooked. our small room doesn't have nearly enough natural light, so i'm finding creative ways to make the room appear brighter. anyone have any suggestions?

we are also in the market for a few essential furniture pieces. i've been frequenting circa and perusing etsy for antiques. i'd love to hear any suggestions you may have! i found this beautiful vintage natural wood desk a year ago, and i adored it so much we used it at the wedding for our guest book table.

i can't wait to share more of the wedding and honeymoon with you all. i'm not able to publish wedding photos yet, so honeymoon may come first!

thanks for sticking with me, readers.

Easton in The Knot

We are in The Knot Summer 2011! It was so exciting to see these images in print! We partnered with BHLDN to style these gorgeous tablescapes, Pat's Floral Designs provided the blooms, and Rock, Paper, Scissors designed all the printed materials. All of the photos here by Jen Fariello. I love all the details! So fun and fresh.

bathing beauties

one shoulder

i just love how one piece bathing suits are coming back in style with a vengeance! these gorgeous numbers are enough to convince me that a one piece might be a good buy before the honeymoon!

black and white

red, black

sweet bridesmaid gifts

one of my favorite parts of the wedding celebration is the bridal party. all of your best girlfriends in one place at one time, dressed fabulously, dancing the night away. and since most of my bridesmaids are far (as in far side of the world! hello, readers in italy and africa!), i am especially excited for my wedding weekend. just the opportunity to share a meal, toast our friendships, and share in the blessing of the wedding ceremony together - i can hardly wait.

each of my friends is a beautiful, trusted lifelong friend. i plan to honor each of them in her own unique way with a small gift. though i can't reveal what i decided to get each of my maids, i thought i'd share some ideas for you brides!

this fashion print is just so sweet. and this etsy artist will custom draw portraits for you in the image of your dear friends!

floral clutch, packable perfume, floral hairpin, eyelashes, lip glaze, hair bow, rings, cloth bag

i love these sweet clutches that you can fill with fun little accessories. bonus: you can be certain no maid is found without a stylish bag with all her essentials - lip gloss, blotting papers, tissues, mints, etc!


this print is simple but beautiful. i love it!

do any of you brides have any other ideas? i'd love to hear them!

Bottega Veneta

i am smitten with this Bottega Veneta number for Fall 2011. the lace, the subtle fringe, the stripes! captured, of course, by The Sartorialist.

stunning staircases

i love the idea of a minimalist, classically-styled home having a surprisingly outlandish set of stairs. aren't these wonderful? the first image has made its way around the blogosphere and was first captured by the lovely cherry blossom girl. and the last is from a design sponge sneak peek at the colorful home of Fiona Douglas of Bluebellgray. ah, i love.

oscars

to be honest, i was completely underwhelmed by this year's oscars fashion. but i did think the above three women presented themselves nicely in looks that were both beautiful and interesting. i think Cate Blanchett is brilliant in everything she does - including this stunning Givenchy Couture gown. i know it's being written up in some of the worst dressed lists, but i think that is so wrong. this dress works.

did you have any noteworthy oscar favorites?

happy weekend!

whew! we made it. friday, how i love you. i hope you find yourself drinking good wine and laughing often this weekend. i hope to do the same!

m & i are beginning the house hunt. my one requirement: a bathtub. this photo above is why.

have you been following jamie's journey through new york fashion week? love her take on grace kelly.

mmm. trying this recipe this weekend?

this photo. ah. missing summer like mad.

how awesome is this coat rack?

this wedding is ah-mazing. a picnic reception and a ceremony at sunset! tons of details and yet the whole event seems understated and relaxed.

hair change

i'm growing my hair out for the wedding but if i weren't, i would immediately proceed to the nearest salon, present this beautiful photo of rachel mcadams and ask for her haircut. i love having short hair. we'll see come july! are you currently trying to grow yours out or muster the courage to chop it all off?

BHLDN bridesmaids

wow.

that first dress. wow. might have to make an appearance at my wedding.

if you're not in the know yet, BHLDN is anthropologie's wedding line.

so, what do you think ?!

a pbs masterpiece

if you haven't watched any of the new PBS Masterpiece Theater series, Downton Abbey, you are seriously missing out. i've been feeling sick this week, and natalie (i swear i get all my best ideas from her) kindly suggested that i check out her new obsession. after one episode, i am hooked. the show features titillating scenes of early 1900's drama including forbidden romance, an estate in need of an heir (alas, the Earl of Grantham only fathered daughters), and the complex lives of the housekeeping staff. not to mention the costuming is absolutely exquisite. the outfits these women wear each day, complete with jewels, gloves, hats, furs, and appropriate hairstyling, represent all the best opulence of pre World War I dress.








check it out. let me know if you agree.

wedding hair

i've begun to store up some of my favorite hair styles for the wedding. i wish i could show you my dress, so you'd have a better idea what the overall look might be - but some things are worth waiting for. i'd really love to know what you think. i definitely want something feminine, unfussy but also delicate. i go back and forth between wanting more or less curl. i originally wanted a fabric flower (hello, excuse to buy emersonmade!) but now i'm not sure if they're overdone. what do you think? as always, click on images for source please.