...I Can't Chill But My Neck Will...

Necklaces are to ensembles as deserts are to dinners - you don't need them, but when done right they can take things from ordinary to extraordinary.    When I saw the first picture below, I loved how it took a seemingly preppy, bland look, to glamorous and youthful.  I am a big fan of statement necklaces, and try to transform outfits the same way.   What's your favorite way to wear a necklace?

Cool Air + Warm Sun

This editorial of Mona Johannesson in Marie Claire Italia has completely gotten me in the mood for autumn.  The chunky sweaters, knit dresses, and floppy hats are all looks I'm dying to wear this fall.   Shot by David Bellemere, I can't help but notice how he perfectly captured those days in fall where the air is brisk but the sun is still so warm - I can almost smell the air (you know that fall smell that's part dried leaves, earthy sunshine, and maybe just a hint of smoke from someone burning leaves somewhere).

Cover Girl Kate

“You know, in life there’s perfume and there’s cologne. Cologne, you have to spray every fifteen minutes. Perfume, you put a drop on and it lasts a week. You’re perfume.”

Mario Testino to Kate Moss after one of her first runway shows.

I was more than excited when I found out Charlotte Casiraghi was Vogue Paris' September issue cover girl.   I about died when I found out Kate Moss was gracing the cover of American Vogue.  Then I read the article, written by Hamish Bowles, covering her wedding to Jamie Hince.  Oh my goodness, whether you're a fan of Miss Moss (or should I say Mrs. Hince!) or not, the article is an intimate look at a woman who is so much more than a model (read it here).  It made me cry.  I'm not joking.   Then combine that with the photographs by Mario Testino - I honestly felt like perhaps I was one of the guests at her big day.  Testino and Moss's relationship has helped add to the magic of these photos (she actually had her wedding changed from Saturday to Friday so he could shoot it.)  Below are the pictures.  If this isn't wedding inspiration, I don't know what is.

Images via Vogue.

Cute Buns

I've always struggled to pull off a messy bun.   You know the ones I'm talking about, the buns that look effortless, like, "Oh, I just didn't have time to do my hair today, so I just put it up."  Which we all know is a lie.  Those little tendrils, that fall around the face just so, the slight volume at the crown, so hair doesn't look slicked back - it's really an art form.  I've always been incredibly envious of those who can make a simple knot look impossibly chic and fresh for years now.  But while reading Us Weekly, Whitney Port gave a hair tutorial letting us know how she pulls off her topknot bun.  She explains:

- Apply volumizer to create a lift at the hairline.  

- Wrap the front section of hair around a curling iron.  

- Pull up hair into a genie pony tail.

- Split the pony into 4 sections, looping each towards the center of the bun.

- Place pins to hold the bun.

I was a bit confused by the directions, but once I played around with it, I found it really did create a wonderful little bun!   It's been perfect on hot days when I want to look put together but don't want to deal with my hair.  

Float, baby.

I think I figured out why I'm so crazy about swimming - it just might be the closest you can get to flying. Happy Friday, lovies!

Cuppa Tea, Please!

I've loved tea for as long as I can remember.   Tea parties in my bay window with my kitty Sunshine were a favorite activity when I was little, mom used to make me chamomile before bed, and during a summer in London, I found a good, strong black tea  can easily take the place of coffee (and does wonders for a hangover!)  I've just always loved it, from the unique tastes, to the rituals that go along with it, it's something that's apart of me.  The history of it, and how other cultures make and use tea is unbelievably fascinating as well.

I also enjoy buying all things tea, and have several different tea pots, steepers, and other contraptions used to make it.  But what I've added most recently to my "want" list are some antique tea cups and saucers.  All different, types and styles, I need to get to some thrift stores and do some digging.   I'm not a collector, but if I ever turned into one, it would be of tea.