It’s no secret that Hamish Bowles is a knowledgeable and avid collector of vintage couture. Thus, I think Vogue’s latest move to film him on the hunt for new acquisitions is brilliant. Vintage Bowles follows the international editor-at-large around the globe on the kind of clothing expeditions you could only dream of: episode one, for example, shows HB perusing the digs of Eunice Johnson; episode two features the work of Charles James (whose work appears in my facebook cover photo). I can already tell that this is going to be awesome... cannot wait for episode three!

P.S. How great are Hamish's outfits? I love him!

"If you can't say something good about someone,
sit right here by me."

-Alice Roosevelt Longworth

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Much to my delight, Schiaparelli is experiencing a bit of a revival! Designer Christian Lacroix is set to debut a 15-piece capsule collection during Paris' Couture Week in July. Better yet, the collection will be shown in the newly renovated salons of 21 Place Vendôme, the building which housed Elsa’s original studio (!!). I’m loving the space’s shocking pink silk tufted sofa and its Pierre Le-Tan mural. The works of Picasso and Cocteau reportedly adorn the walls; Schiap would have loved. Post Lacroix, more Schiaparelli collaborations are to come though the brand has remained very tight-lipped about exactly who is involved. Waiting with bated breath to find out what they’ll do next!   

I’m way into C. Wonder's whimsical alligator earrings. At $34, they’re a ton of fun and an easy way to spice up my usual all-black fare. I’m also a fan of their leather and chain double wrap necklace (sounds so 50 Shades of Gray, doesn't it?) and their chic nappa leather tassel key ring. Now, if they only had free shipping…

I love my getting-ready-for-bed ritual. How stress seems to dissipate with a piping hot bath, the clean lavender smell of Dr. Bronner’s soap, the whipped texture of my potions and lotions, the dreading of flossing my teeth, the feeling of profound accomplishment post-flossing. I keep my white sheets obsessively clean and am an expert at folding hospital corners (much in part to this book). There’s nothing I love more than being perfectly scrubbed and climbing into a fresh bed (wish I could apply this mentality to my car – it’s a mess!).

But just before I turned out the lights last night, I realized that my routine was missing something: pretty sleepwear. I’m embarrassed to admit that I sleep in worn-in cotton t-shirts and shorts (à la Karlie Kloss, but way less glamorous). True, I have no one to impress but myself... But shouldn’t that be enough? I immediately looked online to “browse” (I have zero self-control) and now have my heart set on the above Dorothy Draper-approved pajamas as found on Elements of Style. Marigot’s offerings are pretty awesome, too (I borrowed one of their cotton sets for this photo – they're beautifully made and feel like satin). And then, of course, there's newcomer Sleepy Jones whose pajamas make you instantly cooler. Before I went to sleep, I decided that at some point this year I would invest in something lovely.

Who makes your favorite pajamas? Are there any secret lines I need to be aware of? What do French women sleep in? Should I just chuck it all out the window and simply wear Chanel No. 5 like Marilyn? Your thoughts on any and all of the above would be greatly appreciated :)      

(photos of Karlie by Angelo Pennetta)

"The world only exists in your eyes.
You can make it as big or as small as you want."

-F. Scott Fitzgerald

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This afternoon, I couldn’t be more pleased to announce a lovely being’s very first giveaway! And with one of my favorite companies to boot. When Jacques Levine contacted me last month to see if I’d be interested in working with them, how could I say anything but yes? As a self-proclaimed lover of shoes and all things pretty, I fell madly in love with their sweet raffia Belgian loafer (the “laura”). The company was kind enough to send me a pair of my very own to test out… readers, I love them. They’re beautifully made and fit like a dream (Sam at JL advised me to go a half size up – I’m normally a 7.5, and the 8 is perfect). Plus (!), they make me feel like Audrey Hepburn.

Lucky for you, Jacques Levine is graciously offering one of my readers a chance to win a pair of their very own! It’s important to note that I’d never give away anything I didn’t personally love (hence why I’ve waited nearly 3.5 years to do a giveaway). I wear these shoes all the time, and can personally attest for their awesomeness. To enter the giveaway…

Are you ready for the best news you’ve heard all day? A new She & Him album dropped this morning! You can preview Volume 3 in its entirety on NPR Music here (in case you were wondering, my favorite song is “Somebody Sweet To Talk To”). The album makes me want to tie a scarf in my hair, put on my cat eye sunglasses and take a road trip. In otherwords, it's fantastic. I just know you'll adore, too :)

I was so excited to see that one of my favorite purveyors of vintage scarves, Vera, recently launched une petite capsule collection for Target! I love how the new scarves remain true to the line’s signature retro look made popular by the company’s late founder, Vera Neumann. Ms. Neumann counted Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe as fans, and Kate Spade herself raves about them in her book on style (in all serious, you need to own this set). I’ve already ordered the watermelon print (SO cute!) and am considering the granny apple green ladybug print (I think it would look fantastic tied around my neck + paired with Nars’ matte lipstick in "Funny Face"). Do you love as much as I do?!

"And then the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud
was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."

-Anaïs Nin

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