rennes: late winter 2012

julia of rennes just released her new collection: pale white, named after this song by Yann Tiersen and Shannon Wright. the collection is as supple and textured as the song, with just the right mood and layers of complexity. i have always loved julia's designs, craftsmanship, and simple aesthetic, but this late winter collection truly hits a new note. it captures late winter perfectly, when the seasons are about to turn and you can sense spring in the air. the combination of earthy tones and pale pastels is perfectly enchanting.

i also love how lately it seems that artists and designers aren't afraid to break out of the conventional F/W, S/S seasonal collections and are embracing the in-between. not only does it relieve expectations and pressure, but it also makes for an extra touch of magic. even if not fully appreciated, late winter is one of the best times of the year, and julia hits it right on.

visit the rennes shop to view the entire collection, and to celebrate the turning of seasons.

photos from rennes

the dress

i have been sitting on this with ever-increasing excitement for awhile now, from the moment it first stole my heart to taking the plunge and ordering it, to anxiously awaiting its arrival, and finally to trying it on and deciding whether or not it was actually the 'one.' to be honest, my heart is still fluttering and i still need some second opnions, but i think with a little bit of work (slight alterations and a good cleaning) it can be everything that i want it to be: classic, simple, understated, elegant, and even down-to-earth. 

i would like to introduce my vintage 1960s wedding dress:

it is white cotton pique with the loveliest floral embossed pattern, providing a perfectly subtle texture for a late summer wedding. the cut is just gorgeous, with a contour waist, semi-full voluminous skirt, and deep princess seaming that runs the length of the dress. i am tall and willowly, so the dress complements and even gives shape to my body, falling at about tea length. i am thinking of removing the beaded detailing on the collar and matching 'corsage' to keep it simple and uncluttered and to update its look, but also because i will be wearing my Nana's vintage pearls and i want them to stand out. i think the subtle details are the most important and are where all the fun and magic are.

both the dress and photos are from the ever-lovely vintage shop dear golden. Lauren's finds always seem to capture my heart, i couldn't imagine a better place to have found my dress. thank you so much Lauren, xo!

wearable porcelain: blessbless

i just discovered this recently launched Etsy shop and i couldn't resist featuring it in a new wearable porcelain post. Emily Douglas, the designer behind Portland-based blessbless, hand sculpts porcelain clay into delightfully-shaped earrings, which she offers in a series of soft and subtle glazes, ranging from natural oatmeal to mint green. the whole collection is irresistably sweet and light-hearted.

she also offers a small selection of complementary porcelain dishes so you that can coordinate your collection and display your earrings. the simple packaging is equally lovely, making just the right finishing touch.

view the complete collection here.

a few good things no. 3

amazing and intimate extracts from photographer Mary Rozzi's Parcours 23 project.

naturally-dyed 100% wool gauze from grijs. also, here - full of gorgeous subtleties.

end of meal still life photography by Inês Nepomuceno (via Kinfolk).

snapshot of Julia Child's kitchen at the Smithsonian photographed by Jenelle (via Miss Moss). 

into the woods illustrated card set from the newly launched Our Paper Shop, a collaborative project run by paper and design enthusiasts, Bre Radermacher and Emma Robertson.

sweet little recycled glass teardrop vase from Mignon Kitchen Co., a new carefully curated online shop by Rachel Ball of elephantine.

inspired this this rustic (and gorgeous!) wedding invitation for Elizabeth (Libby) + Dan's wedding (via Poppytalk). photo by Sarah of Arrow & Apple.


as always, xo.

a few good things no. 2

1. i truly appreciated jane's softly, softly post this week. i too wrote about giving way to softer sentiments awhile ago and am increasingly disarming myself, so i immediately felt a kind of fellowship in reading jane's account of exploring her own taste for softer notes.

2. speaking of soft sentiments, i also loved anabela's feature on this week's closet & casa. it is so naturally and perfectly her. i love how anabela's style is so honest and uncontrived, while still inspiring awe. i will be honest in saying that she has undoubtedly influenced me in embracing my softer side in my own particular way, and i don't think i am the only one on whom she has had this effect!

3. in my seemingly never-ending browsing for wedding inspiration, i have recently become enamoured with honey of a thousand flowers. sarah's gorgeous garden aesthetic speaks for itself.

4. rifle paper co. is having a wonderful 25% off calendar sale that continues until monday. i already ordered this botanical beauty.

5. status anxiety's audrey wallet in dark green!

6. i've been slowly collecting antique teacups, and i love this playful idea for displaying art (via Poppytalk).

7. i love the east coast photos from nikole's recent blog post by photographer michael graydon. they are part of a story called "the scent of salted air" in volume two of kinfolk telling of a roadtrip to Prince Edward Island. the sense of atmosphere is perfect.

8. julianna swaney is one of my favourite artist's, so naturally i love her wedding invitation design for the recentlly launched one handspun day. while the collection is a little too soft and feminine for andew and me, i love it nonetheless, and i'm sure that it will make the right couple's hearts flutter.

9. gorgeous coral silk chiffon 1920s flapper dress from the ever-lovely dear golden.


have a lovely weekend, xo

mes dames

i am REALLY loving this series of editorial photos shot by Swedish photographer Anna Malmberg in Paris for Mes Dames' S/S 2012 collection. they're all so soft & dreamy, with a subtle touch of the "mystery and loneliness" with which Anna characterizes her work, i couldn't resist sharing them here. with so much winter around here lately, i cannot help but feel the sweet lure of spring and summer, of secret gardens and lush forests.... 

a selection of the photos were recently featured in the latest issue of welikewelove, where they first captured my heart. you can also view the photographer's portfolio here and a gorgeous series of behind-the-scenes photos here. the full Mes Dames Spring/Summer 2012 lookbook is available here.

oui, je suis amoureuse. et vous?

CREDITS

Photography: Anna Malmberg

Styling & Design: Lisa Wikander / Mes Dames

Make-up: Mie Nakazato

Models: Marie-Clotilde Ramos-Ibanez & Nadine Clayton

54 - friday favourites: soft & feminine Etsy notes

for this week's friday favourites, i am essentially recycling an Etsy treasury i recently curated featuring a number of my favourite Etsyians and independent designers (a handful of which are also local & Canadian!). i have been so focused on my studies this week that i have not spent much time browsing the interweb, although i always manage to find time to participate in the Etsy community (while it obviously serves as a distraction in ways that are both productive and unproductive, i also think it helps to ground me). i can't seem to stop looking at this collection of lovelies, i think because it plays to the girl in me, which often emerges in surprising and unpredictable ways. while i have traditionally been drawn to earthy, warm, and neutral tones, i am opening myself up more and more to a range of pastels that i find to be a certain kind of feminine, mostly nudes and roses and blushes with soft undertones. they seem to strike a chord deep inside me that i am unable to resist! so instead, i have been embracing these softer notes...

top row: softer notes dress from fashion loft / small feather globe necklace by Another Feather / satin and power mesh Greta bra by Fortnight Lingerie / porcelain necklace by Lila Ruby King

second row: "Kristina" print of an original illustration by Montreal artist Paule T.B. / Blusher bridal veil from Twigs & Honey / "Iceland Morning Mist" photographic print by Carol Fletcher / Simone feather garter by Noemiah

third row: endless summer tote from Fieldguided / Wheel thrown stoneware votive by Sara Paloma / "Pas Si Simple" photo by Mariam Sitchinava / vintage cream leather moccasins from Marie's Vintage

bottom row: lace and linen zipper pouch from Hello Violeta / Irma Vep wrap dress by Alexandra Grecco / "Cliffs" circular photo by Marco Suarez / vintage pink ironstone dishes from xoUda

and as always, have a lovely weekend! i'm taking a break from studying to spend mine with andrew.

xo