mimi and papa

Over the course of the past three years, my grandmother has scanned every single photo ever taken of my family (from my dad’s high school prom pictures to my little sister’s eighth grade graduation) and organized them into a digital photo album. It’s seriously amazing to be able to browse the lot whenever it strikes my fancy. That’s how I came across these pictures of my grandparents, also known as Mimi and Papa, on their November 1963 honeymoon in Arizona. And yes, they’re just as happy and in love now as they were then :) Cheers to life-long Valentines! 

drake's pocket squares

I’ve always found men’s clothing to be a bit limiting. Recently, though, I’ve realized that menswear is about the details. Little things like ties, cufflinks, and of course pocket squares, can reveal worlds about a man’s personality (whether he’s conscious of it or not!). Some men are uncomfortable with fashion and are afraid to take risks. If this sounds familiar, might I suggest purchasing one of Drake’s pocket squares as a Valentine’s Day gift? I prefer the patterned ones, but the polka dot number is perfect for someone of a more conservative nature. I'm tempted to buy one for myself just because they're so beautiful! 

(via wilson says) 

carolina herrera jr. + domino magazine

In terms of all-time favorite spaces, Carolina Herrera Jr.’s rose-tinted Manhattan home is right up there with Hamish Bowles’ abodes (1, 2) and Rita Konig’s New York apartment. This editorial is almost six years old, and I still get chills when I see that Laura Ashley wallpaper, cowhide rug + striped chaise lounge! I must give credit to my friend Tina for taking the time to scan in these photos… sadly, I do not own this issue of Domino. Which reminds me – did you hear that Condé Nast might be reviving our dearly departed magazine?! Cartwheels. Scream. Squeal. I wonder who might be heading up this new project and who they might be planning to shoot... any thoughts? Think Will & Kate's new home is out of the question? :)

on this day in history...

1924:
The 1924 Winter Olympics
opens in Chamonix, France.  

(photo) 

map couture

I’m a sucker for a good vintage map (just look at my background!). That being said, these map dresses were love at first sight. I actually stumbled across an image of one months ago and have been searching for its designer ever since – but to also discover that they’re for still for sale? Day. Made. Whoever said maps were a thing of the past was seriously in the wrong :)

(via) 

think pink!

"Banish black! Down to the kitchen sink, 
think pink!"

-Kay Thompson, Funny Face 

racy ladies

Try as I might to write about relevant news and editorials, sometimes I find something ancient that is too good not to highlight. Case in point: this Princess Margaret-esque editorial from the May 2011 issue of Tatler. It’s even titled “Racy Ladies” – and if you know anything about the Princess, you know that she one very wild monarch (royal skinny dipping, anyone?). I’m on a mission to find a hot pink satin trench coat à la photo #4 – it looks as if it could have jumped straight out of the movie Funny Face. I'm un peu obsessed. PS – don’t those floral headpieces remind you of J.Crew’s April ’10 catalog? :)

(photos by Kristian Schuller; via) 

want of the day

If I could be personified in a pair of pants, Citizen of Humanity’s floral printed "mandy" jean would be it. I’m certain of it. I first spotted these bad boys in an issue of Vogue (November, I believe?) and haven’t stopped thinking about them since. The sad truth is, I’d like to decorate myself as I’d like to decorate my house: completely covered in chintz. Cheers to spring clothing – oh, how I’ve missed you! 

the beaton track

While picking up an iced latte at King’s Road Café (who, by the way, serves the strongest coffee in LA!), I stopped to peruse the amazing magazine stand located just around the corner. A headline on the February issue of World of Interiors stopped me dead in my tracks: “The Glamour Gang’s Getaway: Jackie Kennedy’s Secret Holiday Hangout." I picked it up and promptly devoured. The said cover story highlights a rather remote estancia located in the provence of Córdoba, Argentina. The estate, dubbed San Miguel de Cárcano, has been visited by the likes of Jackie and Cecil Beaton (he wrote about it in detail in his diary, which was later published as The Parting Years) and at one point was only accessible by mule. Love. As expected with anything that runs in World of Interiors, it's a wonderful piece. My one complaint? I would have died to know the details of Jackie's visit - what did she do? wear? eat?! But I guess that's what made this destination so attractive to someone of her caliber... what happens in San Miguel de Cárcano, says in San Miguel de Cárcano :)

(photos by Ricardo Labougle)

a coral collage

A coral round-up (just because the color makes me very, very happy!). one: faux coral chandalier two: bi-coastal hat three: van cleef & arpels diamond and coral bracelet four: butter london's macbeth (am wearing it now!) five: raynaud's coral teapot six: raynaud's coral cup + saucer seven: vintage olivetti typewriter eight: spisani coral bookends nine: oliphant's starfish earrings ten: tom ford lipstick in true coal eleven: sonia by sonia rykiel silk-crepe collar twelve: herend komodo dragon thirteen: herend oyster + pearl fourteen: d. porthault's "matisse coral" boudoir pillow. center image: behind-the-scenes photo of the New York Ballet's costume shop