Ampersands are my No. 1's

as well as lovely floral interpretations of taxidermies composed by the lovely Australian artist, Kirra Jamison.

Follow Me to D&F II

Like what you see? Well there's more of this via my D & F tumblr! I finally gave in and wanted to see what all this "Tumblr" jumble was about. I have to say I love the format and how it easy it is to upload images (compared to blogger). 

Nonetheless, I will still be loving on blogspot as well because I think it allows more of your personality to shine through your posts :)

Happy Weekend Everyone!

Floral Prints + Silk Dresses + Target Prices = One Happy Girl

I am so happy that I can finally invest in a lovely Tucker silk dress compliments of Target! I have always been eyeing the creations of Gaby Basora (designer of Tucker), primarily because she uses lots and lots of feminine floral patterns! However, I decided to mix it up a bit and I snagged the navy tribal silk tie dress yesterday...I think it will be perfect with boots this fall. Target has really been stepping up their game with the collaborations and I couldnt be happier! 

I am counting down the days till October 10th, when Mulberry rolls in! I can't wait to get my hands on the luxurious English handbags whoohooo!

Lonny Goes to Londontown

I was absolutely thrilled to see designer, Cath Kidston's place featured in this month's issue of Lonnymag.  Cath Kidston was one of my favorite UK discoveries. Kidston is 100% dainty and floral, her bright, cheery prints cover everything from Ipod cases to soaps, luggage, pencils, keychains--the list goes on and on. 

I personally invested in a darling, (as well as heavy-duty) weekend travel bag for all my short European getaways. It will definitely be a piece I will have forever as well as forever remind me of my fabulous adventures!

When I saw Kidston's home, it looked exactly what I would picture it. Heavy uses of red with touches of powder blue accents--just like her logo and her store is designed. She is a definite English icon (similiar to how Vera Bradley is to us and especially of the East Coast style) and I love how here home is nothing less of everything she loves--lots and lots of different floral patterns and bright color! 

To Me You Are Perfect

Lobster & Swan captures the very eptiome of everything I believe is Dainty & Floral. I think we are blogging soul mates :)

Something New, Something Blue, Something Borrowed

One a scale of 1 to 10, how fabulous is this idea of collecting old brooches and assembling them into a decadent bouquet? I got tipped on this idea by a dear family friend, whose daughter just got married and was thinking about creating these arrangements for future brides. 

Not only is this bouquet aesthetically pleasing but it's also incredibly personal! Just simply have all your lovely guests at your wedding shower bring an old brooch they have laying around the house and voila-la you have a one of a kind piece! Check out Fantasy Floral Designs to see more unique bouquets! 

I personally am loving the doorknob--probably because I am not in the wedding kind of mindset :)

Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself...

Oh Ghandi, you always know what's up. I recently stumbled across this image when I was skimming through the online magazine, By Fryd. This particular e-mag primarily focuses on the essence of Scandinavian lifestyle and is full of wonderful, design "eye candy". I loved how they integrated beautiful floral arrangements next to picture perfect, fresh, white interiors. If you get a spare minute today, you should definitely check it out for yourself, and best of all, you don't even need to know Swedish, the images speak for themselves.

What I would do for some white-washed hardwood floors...

Ritzy Threads

All Images Courtesy of Aritzia

Yesterday I met up with some girlfriends at Bellevue Square and took a spin through Aritzia and had completely forgotten what great items they have! Everything from Acne to See by Chloe. The boutique is chalk full of wonderful staples--I fell in love with a classic navy boyfriend blazer, coral satin tank and the most delightful floral, sweetheart sundress. All would be great pieces in building a solid wardrobe(my new goal right now to invest in nice, quality timeless items) but sadly I am a bit tight on the cash money these days. It was great day dreaming and the interior wasn't too shabby either. Hope everyone is having a wonderful Monday wherever you might be :)

XX

Liberty of London--Home of the Original Floral Prints

I have been itching to do a blog post on Liberty of London, one of the world's oldest and most distinguished department stores. In the last year Liberty has teamed up with Target, Hermes, Mac and J.Crew--all household favorites, ranging from affordable to elite price tags. If you haven't been to the actual deptartment store, it is located behind Regent Street in an old English tudor-style mansion and can not be missed--it is ginormous! If you are coming through Soho and onto Carnaby Street, you will be hit with their famous bright pink floral print wallpaper facade (so clever!). Inside, the actual store is a breathtaking combination of high fashion mixed in within the ornate arts and crafts style interior. Liberty houses the most beautiful scarves, handbags, fashion lines, furniture and even their own signature fabrics. When entering Liberty you must walk through the flower shop which is located right at the entry way and is filled with beautiful, fresh flowers. Everything about this store is magical, especially the cascading light fixtures that falls through the center of the store. The tea room and cafe also look like a great place for an afternoon nibble, especially if you spend a whole day shopping away! I loved just strolling throughout the store casually making my way to the top. Unfortunately I wasn't able to take my own pictures, so I had to find some online to help illustrate my experience. It was neat to see what an impact one store has on fashion throughout the world. I was at Target this weekend and was able to see some of their pieces and ended up getting a candle to help me relive this magical place. It was nice to see that London is slowly falling me back to the States...I have also been inspired to pick up painting this summer and I think one of my first projects will be too do one of the liberty prints on a large canvas. I feel like you can't go too wrong with a large floral pattern, bright colors and big brush strokes :)

Flower shop near Entrance

Carnaby Street Wallpapered Facade

Interior

Hermes Pour Liberty

Liberty for MAC

J.Crew Liberty Print Dress

My blank canvas inspirations...I feel like these would look nice as a set in my apartment at school...

All Images Courtesy of Liberty, J.Crew, MAC, Hermes, Google

The Epitome of Flora & Fauna

All Images Courtesy of Emersonmade

I think I have re-fallen in love with florals, if that is even possible! I revisited Emersonmade just now while taking a break from re-organizing my disaster of a room. I literally could not sit still looking at all these amazing HOMEMADE floral necklaces, corsages and clutches! All I could ever want in my life is all on this website! Emerson is officially my new fashion muse, I adore every outfit she pieces together. The flowers are simple but the way she pairs them with a navy striped tee shirt or old vintage blazer is a genius twist on an old classic. Her blog is so fun and straight to the point with quirky captions and beautiful images of her and her husband playing around on their farm (they traded in the Big Apple for a green, luscious farm--aww the simple life). Looking at her creations makes me want to sprint to Joann's right now and start crafting up some bright, floral clutches and necklaces--she makes it look way too easy! What great summer DIY inspiration as well as fabulous gifts :)

Best of Both Worlds

Most of you all know what a huge J.Crew I am, as well as all of my friends. But what happens when combine J.Crew fashion into an interior?? PURE BLISS! Beautiful neutrals, statement chandeliers, a perfect blend of rustic and clean line furniture and voila you have Jenna Lyon's humble (and flawless) abode. I should have known when I opened my Domino book last year and was particularly drawn to the graphic yellow, black and white living room there was an obvious reason!

This would be because it is Jenna Lyon's living room, naturally. Lyons is the creative director at J.Crew and the one who has the beautiful spreads in all the catalogues of her favorite items--all of which just so happen to mine! She appreciates a good mix of some "dainty & floral" pieces and is even translated into her interior (so many great floral arrangements!)

So when it came to my assignment this week to research office inspiration, that I googled Jenna Lyons and sure enough images of her colorful and well put together office space came up! I do not hate her inspiration wall, modern desk or her outfit one bit :)

Here are a few other images that I am particularly into from ElleDecor, can you guess that I like the vintage, eclectic look? Must be a few too many trips to Portobello Market on the weekend...

Images courtesy of ElleDecor, J.Crew & Google