black + white effect.

i love when black & white photographs work to draw you in, when adding color wouldn't allow the same detail to come through and pop.

what big eyes you have.

xo. di. 

*images via dustjacket attic, via elle brazil may 2011, photographed by fabio bartlet, styled by susana barbosa, featuring model thairine garcia

much love monday.

i like to use monday as a way to reflect on the previous week, to start anew, and to send a little love into the world.  won't you join me?    

today i am grateful for:

our men and women in uniform, past and present (and the long weekend that comes with celebrating them today!).

pictures worth a thousand words:

{farmers market flowers}

 {sunday brunch with some fabulous ladies}

 {first cubs game of the season: started with a rain delay, ended with a W!}

{some of the last of the tulips this year}

{a patriotic neighbor}

{smells divine}

this week's blog love:

• ashley nicole catherine is [rightfully] lusting over fashion designer erin fetherston's nyc apartment.  so many beautiful details.
• jamie of from me to you went on a hudson river bike ride and was nice enough to share it with us. 
• creature comforts has a great little explanation of how to see what people are pinning (to pinterest!) from your blog or website - some good-to-know information!  
• a glimpse of glamour has some beautiful words to share on girl crushes.
• alaina of live creating yourself shared her dream home on la dolce vita this week.  i want it.
• mixtapes & cupcakes has suzanne roger's closet from the coveteur.  so amazing.  so romantic.

here's to another grateful and love-filled week.  

xo. di.

*images by me

the IT list.

Happy Friday ladies! Can you believe it is the final Friday of May - summer is here!  Celebrate this weekend by taking some extra time to peruse these fabulous blogs!

• thought and musing looks amazing in layered neutrals... her scarf/belt/necklace combination is very inspiring - I want to try that!
• lady M breaks down the color grey with all the inspiration you would ever need to completely fall in love with this color. From a gorgeous dress to your favorite celebs rocking the color - she has it all! (find lady M on twitter!)
• 100 inspirations has an Angelina Jolie inspired outfit in a gorgeous nude hue - THE color for spring!  Check it out!
• good clean fun takes a classic summer combo, strawberries and rhubarb, and mixes them up into a fabulous summer cocktail... just in time for the holiday weekend! (find good clean fun on twitter!)
• the stylish housewife sports a classic outfit inspired by the one and only Olivia Palermo - check out her spin on the look! (find the stylish housewife on twitter!)
• the capital barbie is loving bright orange for summer - this nail polish caught my eye!  Check out her other bold and bright picks! (find the capital barbie on twitter!)
• rose a la mode found the perfect outfit for the long drive back from vacation and I love it! (find rose a la mode on twitter!)
• a spot of whimsy is crushing on the interior stylings of Ralph Lauren.  You will be too after you check out these ultra classic and ultra comfortable digs! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• sweetie pie style features the Tribeca loft of Erin Featherston - it's superbly feminine!  The girly girl in you will love it! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• alisha of alisha & brandon is bringing back a pair of old wide leg jeans to her closet and is also dishing on style versus fashion. (find alisha & brandon on twitter!)
• infashuation had my heart skipping a beat with stripes, leopard print and white jeans. This is the ultimate in summer outfit combos! (find infashuation on twitter!)
• the fancy red boots is letting her readers choose her new handbag for her - how fun!?!? I am loving one bag in particular... which one are you loving? (find the fancy red boots on twitter!)
• a lucky fifth rounds up her favorite drugstore beauty finds. Who doesn't love a peek into others' makeup stash?
• along abbey road brings us her top fashion picks from the Cannes Film Festival.  There are so many gorgeous celebrities and dresses!
• good life for less is passionate for pink this summer - check out her fun picks from shoes, to clothes to accessories! (find good life for less on twitter!)

the IT list is produced weekly by jill of good life for less - for information on how to be involved, click here!

happy friday!

xo. di. 

nook.

between my tree house and green house love during the last couple of weeks, it has become clear that i have a thing for tiny, whimsical houses.  can you blame me?!  and i have now stumbled on the most adorable of all, a children's play house - complete with reading nook, where i totally wish i could spend a lazy afternoon now, let alone as a little girl.    

xo. di.

*images via birdie blue 1, 2

sun streaks + neutrals

dustjacket attic always finds the best editorials to share, but the fabulous dress below paired with gorgeous natural lighting draws me in especially. 

dozing in the afternoon sun...bliss.

xo. di.

*images via dustjacket attic via vogue uk june 2011, photography by tom craig,styled by bay garnett, featuring model dree hemmingway

double rl.

did any of you watch oprah's interview with ralph lauren and his family at his colorado ranch last wednesday?  LOVE.  serious jealously over here.  i was trying to get ready for work while watching the episode, and the images kept pulling me in!  before i knew it i'd be sitting on the couch again, glued to the screen in awe.

in case you missed it, i rounded up some pictures of the property (and took a few shots of my tv screen while i was watching!).  the mix of southwest and americana is so RL (duh) and so gorgeous in this setting.     

i can't decide whether i'd rather stay in the teepee or the main house!  i guess i'll wait til i get an invite to make that decision ...

i loved what ralph and oprah kept saying about how his brand is a lifestyle.  it's not just clothes, it's a way of life.  and when he creates, he looks for the story behind it.  it's not just a fancy dress, he has to imagine who the woman is who's wearing it, what's she like, where does she live, where is she going, and so on.  it's a beautiful idea. 

more images on oprah's website here, video of the ranch tour here, and if you're craving more of ralph & co, the interview is transcribed here.

xo. di.

*images 1 & 7 by me, all others via brunch at saks

much love monday.

i like to use monday as a way to reflect on the previous week, to start anew, and to send a little love into the world.  won't you join me?    

today i am grateful for:

sleep.  i know that's a bit pathetic but i made it a goal to get at least 8 hours each night last week and i did it! 

pictures worth a thousand words:

 {i love wandering through the children's section of the bookstore every once in awhile, makes me smile}

 {little indulgences purchased during the week: peonies, candle, favorite book}

 {FINALLY finished my college scrapbooks}

this week's blog love:

• diary of a chair's guest post on cornflake dreams on her dream home was to die for!
the most elaborate and fabulous proposal i've ever read about over on style me pretty.
• i'm totally crushing on coral too, mo pie, please!
• ashleigh of little girl, big world shows us how to wear a fabulous menswear-inspired ensemble! 
• dustjacket attic lets the sun shine through in this editorial for vogue uk.
• i discovered the lovely blog mixtapes & cupcakes this week, and had to share her favorite images from the tumblr saved by the southern belle AND her fun salute to bridget jones (just the way you are, indeed!).

here's to another grateful and love-filled week.  

xo. di.

*images by me

the IT list.

Happy Friday everyone! I am ready for another weekend... take some time to check out these amazing links!

• a spot of whimsy features Jess LC's new handbag line... you will fall in love with these bags!  Be sure to check them out! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• good clean fun never disappoints with tasty and simple recipes.  These Oreo cheesecake bars look SO good! (find good clean fun on twitter!)
• fancy red boots is wearing a simple but adorable outfit that I now deem to be my "uniform" this summer!  (find fancy red boots on twitter!)
• alisha of alisha and brandon is looking fabulous in this striped maxi dress (stripes seem to be the theme today!)... a maxi dress is such a great summer staple. (find alisha on twitter!)
• along abbey road has a great makeup video tutorial featuring her favorite MAC products - be sure to check out her tips and favorites!
• rose a la mode is looking particularly happy in this great outfit... check out the great deal she got on this top! (find rose a la mode on twitter!)
• the capital barbie is loving lime lately - what a fun color for summer! This scarf is a certain favorite. (find the capital barbie on twitter!)
• the stylish housewife is sporting a perfectly layered look!  What a great look for spring and it's inconsistent temps. (find the stylish housewife on twitter!)
• baby shopaholic goes out on the town with some girlfriends - check out the fun beetle ring she is wearing.  How fun! (find baby shopaholic on twitter!)
• infashuation brings some in-your-face color to you with this amazing outfit. I am loving the bold accessories and bright yellow! (find infashuation on twitter!)
• lady M's maxi skirt looks so comfortable and stylish. If you need a simple look for summer - take notes! (find lady M on twitter!)
• good tots pulls together sweet and simple summer maternity outfits for all those summer pregnancies!
• thought and musing looks dashing with a simple bow in her hair. Plus, check out her adorable blazer!
• good life for less is loving the color navy lately... inspired by the lovely Kate Middleton, of course! (find good life for less on twitter!)

the IT list is produced weekly by jill of good life for less - for information on how you can be involved, click here!

happy friday!

xo. di. 

rising star.

would you kindly allow me to brag on the joffrey ballet a little bit today?  {thanks!}  the joffrey's season ended this past sunday (with a party for which i was proud to serve on the committee - yay JAB!), and with this being the first year i was a true season ticket holder, i cannot help but now reflect on the amazing year the joffrey has had.   as the trib's review of rising stars (the spring program) points out, new work is unique in ballet today.  so i love that the joffrey not only embraces it, but strives for it.

we all know growth is essential to survival, but it is also what makes this ballet company thrive.  i just love being a small part of it, and i cannot wait for next season - entitled, aptly - new generation.  today i bring to you some of the beautiful images of rising stars.   

night

  

bells

woven dreams

want more joffrey awesomeness?  i have the perfect thing for you: the spring gala video is simply stunning. 

xo. di.

*images of night, bells, woven dreams

things i heart: jess lc bags.

i find myself so pleased to show off my friend jess's newest endeavor today.  i've introduced jess to you before (most notably here and here), and what i find most inspiring about her is how she continues to grow both her brand and herself.  this latest adventure is just further proof of that.

introducing: jess lc bags!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

take a peek at the full lookbook here (and yes that IS anne of the city sage as the glamorous model!).  aren't they fabulous?!

 

xo. di.

*images via makeunder my life 1, 2 and live creating yourself