Though small, I wanted to share this selection of interiors. What I loved most about them is the textural element of each room. The distressed wall, the intricate mix of pattern, the aged velvet… they all soften their primary color palettes into lovely, welcoming pastels that make you want to reach out and touch them.

Interior photography by Sarah Hogan • Stephen Mooney’s peaceful lady’s “writing room”

Charm School by Susan Sully

There are few things as chic as white on white when summer rolls around. I have been wanting to do a white on white post since it warmed up and when I saw this Elle Germany editorial on pinterest I knew it was time.

 

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Sophie Vlaming for Elle Germany

 photography by Pasquale Abbattista  • styling by Kathrin Seidel

LOOK BOOK

 Aerin Day Essentials Gold Bangles ($270)

APPROACHABLE (adj.)

seemingly social; particularly pleasant;

evidently easy-going

 

FIGURATIVE

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SAILOR TEE IPHONE CASE ($35)

 

Clare Vivier has her monogrammed catch-alls up on her site now! I am so tempted!  •  I have really enjoyed familiarizing myself with interior designer Lorenzo Castillo. The colors in the room above have been on my mind lately  •  Imogene + Willie are offering sleepwear now! They have reversed the satin fabric on this Mae nightshirt so the silky side faces you! So thoughtful!  •  I feel like Maiyet has been popping up everywhere recently. Though it is way out of my price range, I have loved looking at their products. The craftsmanship looks absolutely incredible and their styling tells such a lovely story. This horn and gold necklace caught my eye while I was perusing their site. •  The Spring / Summer 2013 lookbook for Alexander Terekhof blew me away. I really appreciate the use of color, print and pattern.  •  This handcrafted leather mouse pad made by Bexar Goods is so handsome! Would love it for my husbands desk!

Though it is nothing novel, I wanted to introduce a location series on the blog.  I felt like I was leaving out a personal source of color inspiration for my graphic design work and with summer on it’s way, traveling is on my mind.

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While perusing Town & Country’s website this weekend, I stumbled upon their Special Projects Editor’s trip to Bimini. The write up features Amanda Heart’s personal photographs and recommendations in a very refreshing way. I love how they did not over editorialize her visit and kept it real.

Click through to see her snorkeling. Here’s hoping we can all hop a plane soon!

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Ezra Crochet Inset Tunic ($198)   •   Mar Y Sol Sisal Tote ($95)

 Joie Demi Shorts ($178)

 Splendid Mason T Strap Sandals ($65)  •    J. Crew Swimsuit ($106) 

Happiest Mother’s Day weekend!

I did this post last year and loved it so much I wanted to recreate it!

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Matouk Scalloped Linens (30% off! – I just ordered them in white!) • Sugar Paper thank you card • Rifle Paper Co. Mother’s Day Card • Floral Tool Set ($38) • Nashville Field Guide (seen here)

I went to a beautiful bridal shower last night in Charleston and had the best time. The bride is one of my dearest friends and the host really put on a show. Everything and everyone looked so lovely I decided to put together an outfit that was worthy of it all. I think this is so fitting for a cocktail party or special drinks with friends. I love it all!

ELECTRIC (adj.)

brilliantly bright; vividly vibrant;

fabulously flashy

figurative :

Charlotte Brody Ghost Cuff ($120) 

I am loving all the sandal options lately. I have been adding so many of them to my STYLE GUIDE that I felt it was time to share. Here are 8 of my favorites that will take you from spring to summer. Enjoy!

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Here are a few things that caught my eye

Anthropologie has some great new arrivals. This gingham day dress ($168) and beige sandals ($29) would make for a great knock-around outfit.  ••  I loved the Victorian accents in this kitchen. The details in the glass cabinets are remarkable and the copper and green together is so rich!  ••  I am considering this large drum table for our living room!  ••  I loved the classic combination of these high waisted chambray shorts ($160) and this equipment washed-silk top ($188)  ••  The newest Architectural Digest blew me away. There were so many inspiring interiors in this issue… especially this home in upstate New York.

 

SIMILAR LOOKS

There has been so much focus on period piece films, books and series this past year. Think Downton Abbey, Rules of Civility and now, The Great Gatsy. This cultural infatuation is one I am quite happy participating in. I grew up in a home where we watched BBC constantly. Shows like Mrs. Marple, Sherlock Homes and Poirot were all series I thought  everyone watched with their parents. Fast forward and that love of the past has not wavered, even if I was called weird for watching those shows in 7th grade. It does not matter the decade, there are similarities that always light me up when I watch them: The impeccable speech and etiquette,  the take-me-away storyline, the heightened feminine styling. I truly cannot get enough of it!

Today’s focus couples my anticipation for The Great Gatsy (a story set in the “era of wonderful nonsense“), with a recent request. Alex Yeske, the wonderful graphic designer and blogger behind Dreams + Jeans, very kindly tweeted at me this past week:

 

@GADABOUT would love to see your dress picks for summer weddings! You always seem to have the best dresses.

 

Not only did her over-generous compliment make my day, it inspired this MAKE OVER post. With Spring and Summer come soirees, wedding, and plenty of reasons to socialize. I decided to pull a few of my favorite pieces for those very occasions. Some are affordable, others barely obtainable, but all of them celebrate classic shapes, feminine patterns and details from decades past. I really hope you enjoy the looks below!

 

Photography: Carrie Mulligan • Harper’s Bazaar