Tiffany Twist Bow Ring

I went into Tiffany's yesterday to have a locket engraved, and wound up leaving with this:

I'd seen the Twist Bow in ads, but didn't actually fall in love until I saw the shiny trompe l'oeil forget-me-knots in person.

The Tiffany Bows come in Sterling Silver, 18K Gold and Platinum with diamonds. I'd get them all - if only I had no conscience, budget and sense of responsibility!

www.Tiffany.com

number 11 number 11 number 11

Eleven... it's magic!

Anna Karina postcard found here

Happy Halloween!

I'm pretty happy with my costume this year- it's something like this:

"C-ya real soon!"

Polaroid Miscellany - Fall Colors

I had these Roberta Di Camerino velvet clutches sitting on my dresser, trying to decide which to carry to a formal event this weekend.

My mom suggested I embellish the third one, which I did by obediently attaching a Chanel key chain to the interior d-ring, rendering it the clear winner.

My husband impressed me with his ensemble for the same event- I couldn't get a good photo, but he's wearing a vintage mermaid tie-bar my grandpa gave him.

The colors reminded me of this interesting tile pattern snapped a few weeks ago at a private residence in Seattle. I love a Greek Key.

It also brought me to this dreamy staircase/ chandelier combo I snapped in Palm Springs a few months back.

A bit of a tangent, but I pulled this Paris snappery in the same color scheme, as well. These tiny dioramas are diminutive and charming.

The Rise and Fall of the 18th Amendment

I am fascinated by roaring twenties and specifically, the speakeasy subculture. The secrecy and exclusivity surrounding these illegal nightclubs undoubtedly made the experience of drinking alcohol much more thrilling.

Will you be watching Ken Burns new documentary, Prohibition? The first installment airs this Sunday on PBS.

CHEERS!

Sailors Do It Better

Says Bob, Mimi, Serge, Jane, Debbie & Pat

Mick and Marianne Towards Hyde Park

(Charlie is my favorite, too, Nicholas.)

Towards Paradise

The Venice Biennale's first-ever landscape architecture installation, "Towards Paradise" (2008) allowed visitors to venture deep into obscure pathways cleared through thick overgrowth and explore the ruins of an abandoned Benedictine nunnery that was destroyed in the late 1800s.

The journey leads to "Enlightenment"- a pristine, otherworldly sculpted landscape accented with ethereal fabric clouds that are suspended by enormous balloons.

To put it (not so) simply, it's an Italian, Post-Modern "Secret Garden" storybook dreamland slash Post-Breton trip to "Oz"... a living fantasy.

Founded in 1895, The Venice Biennale (in English, "Venice Biennial") is a major contemporary art exhibition that takes place every two years in Venice, Italy.

...

Source: GUSTAFSON GUTHRIE NICHOL

Congratulations, Félicitations, Congratulazioni!

Sofia Coppola got married in Italy this weekend

in a beautiful, understated lavender Azzedine Alaia gown.

It wasn't at all what I expected:

{Bad joke...} Cheers to the happy couple!

V is for Victory

I am really liking the modern side-part victory rolls on this model (via Pixiemarket.com). The fact that they are set so loose and her hair is uncharacteristically long make an antiquated look feel fresh and not costume-y.

Here's how to do it (from caseybrowndesigns.com).

This front roll (Victory Roll) is impressive as well. (Via hair.becomegorgeous.com). Sadly, my 'do is way too short, platinum, and "Carol Channing meets drunk debutante" to try this at home.

Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Loeffler Randall, etc.

New items posted on eBay {HERE}. If you wear size 2 or shoe size 7, you're in luck!

Thanks for looking!

Paris, Mes Amours

Who knew ironing could be so glamorous? Only in Paris...


These lovely images were taken from Burlesque artist Dita Von Teese's WhoSay page.

And they got me thinking...


about a HEMINGWAY MUSE... a different exotic American beauty...

Who moved to Paris, danced, entertained, inspired artists and writers... all while taking advantage of all the wonderful things that Paris had to offer...

Josephine Baker, of course. Although, there are subtle differences... like, for example, I don't think Dita is a spy for the French Resistance, or has a pet cheetah... but, I wouldn't necessarily know that for certain.

Collection croisière 2012 de Miu Miu

Pretty fond of these looks... SOURCE

Boum!

I hope you had an exciting Fourth!

The Out-La's

Captain January, 1936

Recycling an old post - this song is my mantra.

Daphne

Untamed

To most people, Joan Crawford was a dramatic actress, but in actuality, she got her start as a dancer & earned notoriety in the early days as a rebellious Hollywood party-girl flapper. Her dancing was self-taught, and a bit clunky, but her exuberance is captivating.

Joan Crawford sings and dances in "Untamed" (1929) Not her best work, but charming, nonetheless. (Looks like a fun party!)

Happy Birthday Zimmy

You will always be my favorite!

Charlie on the Ocean

Rare, unedited newsreel footage of Charlie Chaplin's journey to England. (1921)

Charlie's wireless message to the British Public:

"I wish that I could be capable of expressing my sincere appreciation for the manner in which I have been welcomed by my Kin in the Homeland. All that I can say is that I have been deeply touched, and my gratitude will be everlasting. It is all too wonderful to think about, it is like a dream. Faithfully, Charlie."

The footage is set to "Aquarium", from "Le Carnaval des Animaux", Camille St-Saëns (one of my favorites). Notice Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford, with whom he co-founded United Artists, at the 30 second mark.

Midnight in Paris

Can't wait to see this one...

The handsome cast are currently promoting the film at Cannes. Léa Seydoux looks lovely (as usual) and Rachel McAdam's red Marchesa gown is stunning.

More pretty dresses at this morning's photo call... wish I was there!

Royal Hangover

On the continuum of Royal nuptial fascination, I fall in the mid-to-low interest category. I didn't stay up until 4am on Friday to watch the event, or TEVO the coverage for later. However, I'm not completely apathetic— here are my two favorite photos from the day.

British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and his wife Miriam Gonzalez Duantez

Being vehemently pro-chapeau, this photo took my breath away. Miriam's ensemble is like a homage to Wallis Simpson—very 1940's Carmen Miranda meets Coco Chanel. Her turban is stunning.

A royal supporter sips champagne on the Parliament Square lawn.

Is this for real? It looks professionally styled, with the Burberry lawn blanket and trench, fresh strawberries, and custom-fit tuxedo. Well done, Dapper Dan.

Photo Credit: MSN.com

Chloe's Dance-Inspired Spring/Summer 2011 Collection

New York City Ballet principal Janie Taylor models Chloe's dance-inspired spring/summer 2011 collection. The short is directed by Bon Duke, and set to Phillip Glass's "String Quartet No. 3, 'Mishima': IV. 1962: Body Building." Janie glides effortlessly in the airy, ethereal gowns. The pleated jersey and silk chiffon moves like liquid around the dancer's body.

PALM SPRINGS!

palm springs is the coolest place in the world. you get to go to disneyland,you get to go into the pool it's so fun. listen you have to come here,you really do.

xoxox

*Contributed by a very special guest blogger, my eight year old nephew John Sebastian.

Hello Dolly!

Nautical Gypsy/ Actress Myrna Lloyd (top right), 1929;

Scottish Painter Duncan Grant, 1912.

It's hard to believe both photos were taken nearly 100 years ago.

THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT

Happy Weekend!

Love Is All You Need

Universal Love is a quality that allows a person to see beauty in every aspect of life. (Simply put) it's an altruistic love for everything and everyone.

Yes, it's Valentine's Day- a holiday otherwise known as "Singles Awareness Day." But don't depress! Even if you're a bird flying solo, you can still celebrate love, Universally.

Most religions and philosophies in some way encompass the concept of Universal Love. In the Buddhist religion, the philosophy and practice of Universal Love is known as "Metta." Metta is basically a strong wish for the welfare and happiness of others- an unselfish, all-embracing love for every person and every thing. A pretty nice objective, right?

So, even if you didn't receive a heart-shaped box, a romantic dinner and a dozen roses this year, you can always use this holiday as a pretext to give love, universally, without romantic conditions.

"(All You Need is Love) was an inspired song and they really wanted to give the world a clear message saying that love is everything."- Brian Epstein.

The song was broadcast live, via satellite on "Our World," the first global television link. It was watched by 400 million people in 26 countries.

Happy Universal Love Day to all the lone birds and love birds out there! I hope your day is brimming with happiness and affection.