I LOVE...

I'm pretty sure there is no possible way this DVF bag could get any better...

The broad stripes with tan strap and red lining make it irresistible. Pairing it with this vintage Ferragamo cuff, however, might be the best mind-blowing combination ever.

Love.

Seeing Red, But in a Good Way

I'm not one to love the cliched Christmas red and green {I'm more of a gold, silver, and shimmer girl myself} but a little pop of a sumption crimson now and then does feel spot on this time of year!



images via tiny white daisies, hitchcock blonde, stars masquerading 

Perhaps I'll don a little red lipstick to brighten up the afternoon!

Cheers,
Mrs. E

LITTLE RED CHAIRS

Love...

And adore...


*limited edition print by cartlolese letterpress (sold out) and image via decorpad

Monday Work Wear {All in Zara}

We don't have a Zara in Seattle, and as of yet you still cannot shop online  - and yet I still choose to torture myself with their monthly lookbooks - because they are always picture perfect.

You cannot go wrong with blush and black - and did you spy those square heels - love.



You can turn heads in fire engine red.


And this is what I would like as my new office uniform for, like, ever!


all images via Zara

Ah, that coat, the shoes, that bag?! Zara, do you hear me? COME TO SEATTLE!

RAH RAH RED...

Maybe it's the sudden proximity of the holidays, or the fact that I keep being told that red is 'my color'...

But I suddenly feel the urge to don a cape and sip loads of hot cocoa.

*cape by paul & joe, mugs at heath ceramics

The Reds Have It

I don't have a Halloween custome prepared for this year...but I'd love to maquarede as a redhead!



images via garnace dore, dress design decor, hanneli, le fashion

It makes abolutely any look pop. And who doesn't want to be a headturner, even if it's just for a day.

HAPPY (FASHIONABLE) WEEKEND!

It's Friday! It's Fashion's Night Out! It's one week  until I leave for my trip to New York! What does all this mean...?

A busy busy schedule and a lot of shopping and packing to do! I'm off to get it going... see you on Monday my dears and I hope you have a very fashionable + fabulous weekend!

xo,
cassandra

FANTASY TO FÊTE: A PICNIC IN PARIS

Bonjour mes chéries! Camille from Style Notes here, and I'm brimming with excitement over the first post in our "Fantasy to Fête" series. Not only will we be drooling over inspiring images together; we'll actually see them come to life in real parties, complete with steal-worthy ideas for stylish home entertaining.

Since I just returned from a romantic trip to France, I've been dreaming up ways to infuse the experience of a picnic along the Seine (so quintessentially Parisian!) into my next summer soirée. This inspiration board evokes the colors of the French flag in bold red and white with plenty of stripes in the mix. A wedge of creamy brie, juicy berries & tiny splits of champagne simply beg to be packed into a basket and toted to the water's edge for a lazy afternoon. So how does it translate into a soirée à la français?


Since it's not always feasible to serve dinner on a blanket in the grass, picnic tables placed end-on-end are a perfect solution to seating a larger group while maintaining a rustic-chic vibe. Simple white linens & dishes provide a clean palette, and cheery bunches of poppies, ranunculus and anemones in mason jars provide a strong dose of color. Throw in a bit of j'en sais quois by using (very affordable!) French dish towels as a casual alternative to napkins. Bottles of wine and crusty baguettes add character to the table and simplify service for the hostess.



Nothing is more French than fromage, so for this party we designed a decadent display that doubled as a hors d'oeuvres station and artful decor. When choosing cheeses for a spread like this, seek out a variety in taste and appearance. Provide labels for each so that guests can fully savor every bite, then go to town with pairings that provide color, shape and pure yumminess. Brie with macerated strawberries, blue cheese with honey, and goat cheese with golden raisins are all to-die-for combinations. Find the full menu with recipes here, and keep in mind: the key is to keep it simple...and as effortlessly elegant as the French!

*images via (row one) snippet & ink, martha stewart, 100 layer cake (row 2) style me pretty, wedding style guide, martha stewart (row 3) style me pretty, project wedding (row 4) sunday suppers, martha stewart, cynthia warren. all other event photos by camille styles events.

BELOV(R)ED

While a little red goes a long way...Sometimes, you gotta just go for it...
Don't you just love how brave+bold shiny red lacquer is?

*images via domino?, greg kadel and honey interiors

Roughing It In Rouge

The contrast of glamorous red gowns against these natural settings has me swooning...
Of course, a cozy knitted cape would also be more than acceptable... (wearing nothing underneath in a wheat field? very optional).*photography by hugh stewart, emma summerton and inez van lamweerde with vinoodh matadin

Color of the Moment: Red

Yes, we saw more (yawn) strong blues for spring on the runways, as well as oranges. Yes, plum tones and greys are everywhere for fall. But, the color of the moment for me? RED.
I've always thought every woman should own a pair of sexy red heels - they're especially yummy in satin.
Worked into a little menswear fabric... it is seriously perfection. Thank you, of course, to The Sartorialist for always capturing the most elegant examples of the thoughts in my head.

Red in the Bed(room)

When pulling inspiration for my own bedroom design, one option I started collecting inspiration for was keeping the room a fresh white, adding some gold accents and creating a palette of nudes and reds...
With our jute headboard from West Elm adding a natural element, the red accents seemed like a great way to add a little contrast and sophistication while still keeping things fresh and light.

While I would stay away from anything larger than a red accent chair in the bedroom, I have to say it really does something for me...
Even when it's as simple as this throw. Dramatic, right?

*rooms via domino and elle decor

Use Your Words

I always say that inspiration can come from anywhere. In this case, a few of my favorite prints (whose quotes should be gracing my walls) sparked these fresh mood boards...

*photo patrick demarchelier, quote keep calm ltd, flowers laura resen, fabric schumacher

*photo via vogue, quote the love shop, shoes valentino, wallpaper cole & son

*quote the love shop, room laura resen, photo via here, fabric schumacher

I've been so incredibly drawn to black+ white these days, but I have to say that red+nude? Always so classy.

Pugs + Valentino

While my bff Erin over at Apt #34 loves her Frenchies, I have an adoration for these little ones...

Their sweet faces just make me giggle, and they're the most loveable little creatures!! I don't know if I could live with the constant snorting (like little piggies!), but I do love me some pugs.

Oh, and I'll take the Valentino too ;)

*photography via here

Happy (Ruby) Weekend!

I'm off to Portland this afternoon (sniffly nose and all!) to celebrate my good friend Nora's impending nuptials with a little engagement party...

Her wedding colors are a sumptuous red, and the party is black dresses only (and girls only!), so I thought this image from Skona Hem said it all. These rich colors are just what I need to get in the mood for a party on a chilly winter day like today! Have a wonderful weekend my loves! See you on Monday!

Jade + Coral

Yesterday we crowned Miss Pink the Color of the Year, and I selected my own final picks for the 2009 color palette, which included my top picks for some accent colors of the year as well...

photograph by walter chin, vintage h&g print, tabletop unknown source

While Jade + Coral make excellent compliments to the lighter pinks and greys, they also make an incredibly strong statement together. Add a dose of blue, like the navy in the tablecloth or feathers in her topper, and you've got some serious drama in saturated colors. I hope we see more of this come Fall...

Miss Red

In the Miss America pageant of colors, Miss Red is making quite a case for herself, in my opinion...

Perhaps it's her closeness to Miss Pink (a true finalist!) that's drawing me in. Because what better way to balance the sweetness of pink than with a punch of red? Versace did it in their Pre-Fall collection with the addition of sexy red heels to a perfectly pink dress.

top: hallie burton, harper's photographed by karl lagerfeld, vintage house & garden
bottom: versace, walter chin, mark pillai for russian vogue

Her gem tones are quite enticing as well. Deep and luscious, they demand attention, like the Reem Acra ruby red dress from the Pre-Fall collection. This color creates head-to-toe and floor-to-ceiling glamour.

top: ellen von unwerth, reem acra, raymond meier
bottom: nicolas matheus

Paired with Miss Grey, Miss Red is quite the sophisticate. Inspired by one of my favorite Spring looks from L'Wren, this duo makes a fabulous statement, don't you think? Red adds a richness and depth to the currently popular grey.

top: zac posen, walter chin, sixx design
bottom: lucas allen, vintage house & garden, l'wren

Trees From The Runway?

I feel like every year someone pulls out tassels on the runway, trying to resurrect what could be the most classic embellishment out there...

... So why not try them on a tree? Channeling a Vera Wang runway style with its beaded tassels (and doing it quite well), this little tinsel tree is totally decked in classic style! Just goes to show you never know where you'll find a little holiday decor inspiration.

Last Chance...

In honor of the fact that it could be the last game of of the season for my favorite team... a little inspiration in red:

awesome red couch: wary meyers

pop of red in the kitchen: michael potter

gorgeous photography and fab red mirror: lucas allen

Oh, Boston. America's first (and apparently, current favorite) city. Wish I were at Fenway tonight to cheer them on! Go Sox!

Queen of Hearts

There's something so cool about a deck of cards. They're a little nostalgic yet timeless, a little sexy (Vegas) and a little magical (Alice in Wonderland). I love using them in my styling when I can. They always inspire a bold use of red and white, and a little more love...

photo for vogue by tim walker

via flickr

zooey via live journal

photo by Lili Lemieux

photo by jen gotch

via anything very ace (don't you love that name?)

via decorno

Can't you feel it too? Mmmm hmmm.