hello J. Crew

While on set the other day with photographer Tracy Shumate, she showed me the fall lookbook for J.Crew. All I can say is, 'hello J. Crew, what have you been doing because you look fabulous.' If you haven't checked them out recently I highly recommend it if only to drool over the fabulous styling and the beautifully excessive use of brooches.

call me Mrs Chan

A couple of weeks ago my friend Yvonne - from Pistil Flowers - and I were discussing films. I was telling her about my passion for period piece dramas - Jane Campion films in particular. I love the imagery, I can watch The Piano and Bright Star over and over and over again. Yvonne suggested I rent the Hong Kong love story In The Mood For Love which I did and man oh man what a freakin' beautiful movie. Mad Men - shmad men that is what I say. This film is 60's perfection. I had it for five days and watched it six times before returning. It is complete eye candy, the outfits, the set decor (including some amazing wallpaper and light fixtures) and the sound track featuring Nat King Cole singing Spanish - this movie has it all. And, like with most things I love this movie inspired me to look at outfits I'd wear if I were Mrs Chan and here is what I came up with. If you haven't seen this movie run out and rent it - as for me, I'll be buying my own copy .

moth love

Sometimes inspiration comes from the most unlikely places. Take for example these stunning images of moths I found the other day. I think mother nature is quite the fashion designer because these moths have incredible outfits! And, almost as stunning - but much easier to access - these fabulous finds. First, this beautiful photo by Glynis Arban. Followed by a dress to die for and one sweet clutch bag by Roberta Freymann. Then I saw this carpet bag and thought of my friend Alexx - coincidentally Alexx loves moths - and green as well as carpet bags - what are the chances. I had to find a dress inspired by her moth muse and saw this vintage Cacharel Liberty print dress on Etsy - really it is all to perfect.

hello pretties

I love the spring weather we have been blessed with the last few days. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and I'm in love. Yep, in love with this adorable top from Topshop and these fabulous peep-toes shoes (can't you just imagine them with sweet little socks?) from tenover6 - and, they also have a leopard print version - that's right - I said a leopard version.

hello pretty

I have decided to keep this entry nice and short - unlike my last entry. I love these dresses from the Elie Sabb's spring couture collection. So pretty, so girly, so - walk through my fairy garden along side my unicorn- fabulous.

todays favs

Check out this most glorious necklace from Elva Fields, I absolutely love it. And, I just happened to find this bag on the paco and lupe website which compliments it perfectly. I believe they should be mine and if I could make it so then believe you-me I would.

nice face

Check out this most lovely watch from S.T.A.M.P.S - fabulous non. I rarely wear a watch but I am seriously considering a change because these are complete happiness. So many options too choose from my head is getting dizzy trying to decided which one I love best. And, they make bags too - is it me or does this bag kinda look like Lily hmmm.

I heart DVF

Oh Diane Von Furstenberg how do I love thee let me count the ways....
Her 2010 spring collection is full of beautiful layering, loose and airy dresses with an essence of bohemian chic. It is what Diane does best and she just keeps getting better.

hello pretty

Today my friend and jewelry expert Rhonda Riche from one of my most favourite blogs - graciousgood - suggested we meet up at Toronto Antiques on King as a start to my attempt to try and sell my grandmother's china. After chit-chatting to a dealer about my china, Rhonda and I looked and many. many lovely jewelery pieces. Oh so many things to dream about including the above hand painted fly ring. I'm going to guess and say it is Victorian, I could be wrong here as Rhonda is the expert not me. Isn't it fabulous, I love, love love it.
I'm also quite smitten with this cameo necklace. Full-bodied cameos are rare ( I learned today) and the chain, too sweet. After we finished spending our imaginary money, we went over to Queen street and popped into a vintage store where Rhonda couldn't help but place G.I Joe in front of this landscape painting, looks like he is really there doesn't it, hut - huh?

dreaming of spring

Winter is back. after many lovely days of plus temperatures today it is cold, windy, snowy and all things miserable. So, to turn my thoughts from grey to warm sun-filled days, here is a sampling of yellow happiness.

I'm baaack

Okay, so it has been a while but I'm back. I had every intention of blogging before now but December was crazy-busy and then my hard drive died and took with it everything including every photo I had taken for the last three years. And yes, I should have backed-up but I didn't and I now know what all the fuss is about and so let my disaster be a lesson to you all back-up people I beg you. Back in October I wrote about going to Americo where I bought the most gorgeous wool ever and this is what I made - a big ol' cowl wide enough to pull up over my head if a hood is needed. My friend and fellow blogger - Lois of hellogirlthursday asked for the pattern and made one too. Lois stuck to the pattern and continued the rib stitch through-out where as I got frustrated and said to heck with that and just knit mine, as you can see Lois's looks much nicer - I think - but I love mine regardless. Okay, so I have knit my cowl and to go with it I found a lovely blue plaid jacket at Value Village - $2.99 - and I'm loving my ode to lumberjacks and then I get my Martha Stewart magazine in the mail and I'm looking through it and what do I see but some girl (with fabulous taste) sporting a BLUE PLAID JACKET AND COWL. I was robbed - robbed I tell you.

aged to perfection

I've noticed a lot of changes with my body this year. I turned 45 and almost overnight my eye sight went. I picked up a prescription bottle the other day and I couldn't read it. I even did the ol' stretch out my arm but my arm wasn't long enough to focus-in on the type. There are a couple of other things I have discovered too but because they relate to bladder function I don't feel I need to go into details. So, I have decided I need to embrace my age and think about the kind of lady I'd like to be as I get older and these two woman are a true inspiration. They have style and grace and fabulous floral outfits, no stretch pants and knee-highs for these dames no sir.

little lovelies

These things make me smile. First, this adorable brass cloud 9 headband from Etsy artist yellowgoat. I love all her jewelry, her design is delicate and beautiful and this headband is no exception. When I saw these little pillow-pins from depeapa my first thought was, it's Lily! and, like Lily, it is just the cutest little thing, I love it.

piecework textile show

Spent some time checking out stuff at the piecework textile show at the Gladstone hotel yesterday. Two artists in particular caught my eye, the first, Anna Zygonski. Anna screen prints her illustrations on reclaimed fabric and sweater pieces to create mitts of various styles that are unique and affordable. Second, Nathalie + Terra of Fluf sustainable designs made from chemical-free hemp, organic cotton and wool. Their bags and pillows were pure eye candy for me plus, you can buy their fabric from their studio.