31 July 2012

La Bella Coppola - Palazzo Margherita

















    


    Fancy a holiday in Italy? (Who doesn't?) Perhaps you would like to stay at a Belle Epoque villa in a relaxed little town, away from the more touristy spots. Sure, you say. Let's go one step further, and make it the Palazzo Magherita, family home and hotel of Mr Francis Ford Coppola. Yes, you read that right. Not only does Mr Coppola direct movies, he also owns several hotels, including this bellisima villa.


    The Palazzo Margherita is located in the town of Bernalda, in southern Italy. The Coppola family loves to spend time there. Sofia Coppola even has her own suite, which she helped to design. The entire hotel was designed by the legendary Jacques Grange, and features a soft pastel palette, summery furnishings, and delicately painted Tunisian-style murals, not to mention gorgeous floor tiles and lovely chandeliers.


    Imagine sipping a Limonata over lunch in the walled courtyard garden, having a swim in the palazzo's pool, then taking a leisurely stroll through the town's rustic streets. Later, you would enjoy dinner back at the hotel, and catch a movie in the grand salon, before wrapping up the evening with a glass of wine at the Family Bar, Sofia's favourite place to enjoy a nightcap. Finally, you will sink into bed in your very comfortable and beautifully-designed suite.


    Sounds like a fabulous getaway to me. Ciao!


{all photos and information for this post were found here}

30 July 2012

elegant & ivory

 ***

 ***

 ***

 ***

 ***

 ***

 ***



 ***



Ivory looks so elegant, especially when worn head-to-toe. 

To me, such styles evoke the sophistication of the Edwardian era, when ladies favoured white dresses for their everyday look. I'm also reminded of Greek goddess gowns, Empire era dresses (better-known as Jane Austen's time), classic American tennis outfits, and men's linen suits, worn with matching ivory straw fedoras.

Mostly, ivory styles simply remind me of summer, the time of year when you just want to wear something light, and laze about in the shade.

27 July 2012

Fab Frock Friday: Details, darling!


 ***

 ***

 ***




It's all in the details, as they say.

For a few years now, delicately and dazzlingly detailed dresses have been in fashion. What do you think is causing us to crave such finery? I'm not sure. All I know is that seeing such beauty puts a smile on my face.

Have a lovely weekend, everyone!

26 July 2012

A beautiful woodsy retreat





































I'm daydreaming of spending a long relaxing weekend at this lovely cottage in upstate New York, renovated by and home to architects Calvin Tsao and Zack McKownI love the home's dark grey exterior, screened-in porch, and abundance of wooden surfaces. My favourite space is the dining room, for its white bookshelves and cozy window nook, a perfect spot to while away a few lazy hours.

{all images found here}

25 July 2012

Wedding Wednesday: Elie Saab Spring 2012 for Pronovias



















Dreamy wedding dresses by the always-inspiring Elie Saab, for the Spring 2012 collection for Pronovias. (I'm really on an Elie Saab kick!)

{all images found here}