warby parker, make me pretty.

waiting for these lovelies to arrive... which pair should i keep? i'd love to hear your opinion.

images courtesy of warbyparker.com

keene in amaretto  /  vaughan in burnt lemon tortoise  /  welty in plum marblewood  /  winston in old fashioned fade  /  ballard in striped chestnut

let's make it a pretty tuesday--

with pretty people, fresh faces, a handsome blazer, and fancy earrings that make me wanna party. because monday was yesterday, and we just wanna forget it.

images courtesy of jcrew.com

her work has graced shop windows worldwide--

i missed my chance to snatch this lust-worthy scarf by uk-born-and-raised-and-now-brooklyn-based designer helen dealtry. total bummer. i was worried about missing it for christmas and planned to purchase today and tuck it away until the big c-day but, alas, it was sold out! that got me to thinking and investigating to see if i could find it somewhere else. sadly, no, but i did join the waitlist in the cross-my-fingers-and-toes case dealtry releases the scarf again. whilst on her site, i found these other beautiful scarves and watercolor images. 

images courtesy of wokinggirldesigns.com

light races, $225  /   iris, $225  /  satet, $225  /  moon journey, $225

i am obsessed now with getting my hands on one of her giant and gorgeous scarves. i'm intrigued by their size -- they're nearly blankets! 

now the trick is deciding which one... however, if the etched geo scarf returns to in stock, that's my first choice. 

i wonder if the parisians would approve of this scarf--

because i am drooling over u.k. born and raised designer's, helen dealtry, etched geo scarf. i love the lines and colours that make up its pattern and it's humongous size. so pretty. i'd like to pair it with a simple white tee and my reviewed j.crew. epic rinse blue jeans, with these booties finishing the look.

images courtesy of ofakind.com

i think the scarf is going on my christmas wishlist. correction: it's ON my wishlist.

pretty faces and some beauty notes for date night.

date night is a wonderful thing, isn't it? sometimes ya dress up and other times you hang out at home in your jammies, a bowl of popcorn in your lap, and a fave flick. i prefer the latter (i cherish a good night in with my guy) but love the fun of dressing up. these beauty notes from j.crew's fashion director, gayle, are surefire you-had-me-at-hello date night ideas. 

• try a faux bob by loosely tucking your hair in the neck of a sweater and pulling a few pieces for that effortless disheveled look -- my hair isn't quite long enough yet unless i wrap it in a chunky scarf
• dress down a dress by tossing a chunky knit sweater over top -- i love this suggestion and have already done it; great for wearing a dress on saturday while christmas shopping; brings a little pizzazz to the fun of the seasonal errands
• toughen up your sequins by rocking your guy's plaid shirt with a sequin pencil skirt or blazer -- this could be a rad look, especially for a holiday vacation on a woodsy farm
• ditch the lipstick for a lip stain; it's easy to touch up all night long and can be added to your cheeks for a tease of baby-it's-cold-outside -- if your man is like mine, this'll be good; lip stains don't leave kiss marks on cheeks and what would date night be without kisses? 

images courtesy of jcrew.tumblr.com

winter warm and cozy.

this beanie and scarf and shawl and bunny slippers make me long for wintry days on the ohio farm--afternoons spent in the red leather chair reading and watching snow fall through the wall of windows; of afternoon walks over the hills and to the barn to collect the egg offerings by our helens, the chickens, and say "hello" to the goats. christmas will be different this year. i wonder if they'll miss me like i will them. (i realize it's unlikely and that doesn't change how much i'll miss them. for years they were my christmas.)

 images courtesy of alderandcoshop.com

the handknit scarf and beanie are from berlin and composed of a blend of alpaca and wool. the shawl is 100% baby alpaca and made in bolivia. the bunny slippers are felted of wool and mohair; designed in portland; made in peru. they all look so cozy, especially the way she wrapped the scarf. it's giant and gorgeous and amazing. 

grey knit scarf, $150.00  /  light grey beanie, $125.00  /  alpaca shawl, $295.00  /  bunny slippers, $95.00

beautiful underpinnings.

there is something lovely and beautiful about tasteful underthings and anthropologie has it down to an art. they know how to bring out the feminine side in a woman starting with their exceptional selection of underpinnings--boasting versatile brands like maaji, eberjey, eloise, splendid, cosabella, and amulette (good morning, wedding day). i'd wear any of the sets below (can you believe those simone boyshorts? gorgeous). i'm particularly drawn to styles in black. there's a certain feminine power in black underthings absent from other colours and patterns. would you agree?

images courtesy of anthropologie.com

simone bra by lou, $75.00  /  simone boyshort by lou, $52.00  /  pique lace molded bra by timpa, $48.00  /  commando seamless thong, $26.00  /  colorblocked marli bra by claudette, $72.00  /  colorblocked marli panty by claudette, $32.00

i realize i talk about anthropologie a lot. it just so happens they speak my style-language at this point in my life.

gawk-worthy rings.

anna sheffield's rings are crazy gorgeous. like c-r-a-z-y crazy gorgeous. if i had one, i'd stare at my finger all day long. (i already stare at my engagement ring all day long so i guess i'd have to share my staring time.)

but really, can you believe these gems? that black diamond ring is, well, there are no words. the topaz is positively mesmerizing. i will always think of my mother when i see amethyst; it's her birthstone and she used to wear a gorgeous emerald cut amethyst ring. set in rose gold, it is magnificent.

images courtesy of bonadrag.com

topaz bea ring, $2530  /  black diamond bea ring, $4900  /  rose gold amethyst bea ring, $875

how to celebrate a monday:

with confetti, fancy stockings, shoe clips and pretty hair things, of course! thanks for the reminder, ban.do! - wink and a smile -

images courtesy of shopbando.com/blog 

forget dorothy's ruby red slippers. these pink pumps with their silver bow clip are it!

the catalina--perfect weekend bag.

weekend bags are hard to find. they either look too clunky and business-like or they're over-printed or they're just not realistic in size or price. and then there's the catalina. a weekend bag dream come true.

images courtesy of loandsons.com

that bottom zipper pouch is genius.

statement necklaces from history+industry.

i'm breathless over these statement necklaces pieced by brooklyn-based jeweler and painter irene wood of history+industry. bleach and eastern bluebird are simply gorgeous and menthe, which is sitting in my basket now, is pleading for a coveted spot in my jewelry box. 

images courtesy of historyandindustry.bigcartel.com

headphones for the ladies who wanna rock [and look good].

i've been thinking about headphones lately, particularly a solid pair for the office so i can crack down on my workload with little outside noise. then i noticed how ugly headphones generally are. what [semi-]fashionable woman wants to wear the standard black clunky [man-] headphones? not me. i'm too vain for that. can't i get a pair that look as good as they sound? yes!

my answer: frends, the makers of jewelry-inspired headphones and earbuds. gorgeous! the headphones and earbuds come in gold, rose gold, and silver. glamourous, right? but does that glamourous look translate into quality sound from my favourite music artists? i won't know until i get a pair [and i'm considering it].

images courtesy of wearefrends.com

feisty motion pictures.

everything about these moving pictures excites me--the clothes, headpiece, crazy antler shoes, rug, facial expressions, vibrant nail colours. it's all over-the-top and silly awesome fun. the outfits are absolutely to die for and i would totally rock the headpiece or die trying.

images courtesy of (1,2) shopban.do.com/blog, (3) konevolicipele.com

i snuck the first two images from ban.do's blog and the last one from the main source, ko ne voli cipele, ne voli ni ljude, where there are a few more dancing images.

hermes for the wrist.

sometimes i can't help but drool over certain couture brands and hermes is definitely one of them. these bracelets and the wrap watch are stunning. they have an heirloom feel and look to them, the bracelets especially (which are pre-owned but i'm not sure exactly what that means since they're on ruelala).

images courtesy of ruelala.com

the perfect beach bag.

the virginia johnson sack luggage 2. big enough to fit a small family. just the right size for the beach. i'll take one in turquoise, please. and i suppose, with the heavy price tag of $310 weighing it down, i guess i'll settle for just one. i do so love the charcoal, too.

 images courtesy of beklina.com

mom, i bet you could make one that's even better and less expensive. i'll pick it up this summer during my home stay.  -wink-

pretty totes.

oooooh i really really really want one but i can't decide. help me pick which lovely canvas tote by fabric and handle to buy! they're lovely and practical--such a rare thing. almost as rare as adjustable leather straps on a tote.

images courtesy of fabric-and-handle.com

starting at the top left: shantay  /  ray  /  paige  /  adrien

all handles on all bags are adjustable and come in 3 leathers for your choosing: black, light tan, moss. all bags are $39.00.

erstwhile vintage jewelry.

exquisite pieces of fine jewelry from erstwhile jewelry, co., founded in russia in 1887. the traditions of the original shop in odessa continue today to the general [new york] public and [all others] online.

images courtesy of erstwhilejewelry.com

i couldn't imagine gracing my finger or wrist with any of the pieces shown. the hermes bracelet is up for giveaway on a cup of jo. i never win anything but maybe lady luck will be with me this time. that bracelet is just so pretty.

victorian moroccan style bangle, circa 1890, $900  /  gold tubogas bracelet, circa 1965, $3,400  /  enamel hermes equestrian bracelet, signed hermes, $375  /  .86 carat old european cut diamond ring, circa 1925, $5,500  /  green beryl ring, circa 1970, $1,600

letter to my late grandmother.

dearest grandma m, 

i wore one of your silk scarves today and tied it in a fluffy bow around my neck. do you recognize it in the picture? everyone i ran into commented and loved it, even the gentlemen. the reactions stirred a dormant style gene deep inside to wear more of your lovely scarves.

thank you so much for giving them to me and providing yourself as an excellent example of style and grace. 

i miss you. i hope you're well up there.

love always,

katie

image my own