beach haven.

rather ironic that a hurricane barreling up the east coast reminded me that i never shared my pictures from long beach island, new jersey, the lovely spot on the jersey shore where c's family has been vacationing all his life (thankfully, no major damage from irene has been reported in the area!). 

xo. di.

*images by me

oscar's girl

i am just so in love with the vintage-y look of oscar de la renta's ad campaign for his new perfume:

from the press release: 

"de la renta decided to go back to an era of much more style and glamour — the fifties, sixties and seventies — when advertising came out of an artist’s pen and brush.  the live in love ad is a high fashion illustration done by british artist david downton."

it's so very mad men without really trying to be.  so after looking through mr. downton's portfolio, i realized his work includes some of my absolute favorite fashion illustrations.  if you are not yet acquainted, allow me to begin the introductions:

xo. di.

*images via tom & lorenzo

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:

finally: a weekend here in chicago!  saw some friends, ran errands, took care of chores, and relaxed.

pictures worth a thousand words:

 {office outing to the cubs game}

{what bloggers don't like admitting: nobody's perfect!  friday night dinner - don't worry, i fixed it.  mostly.}

{definitely took advantage of her fabulous end of summer sale}

 {new fabulous (and so mad men) bar discovery}

{someone has some reading to do!}

this week's blog love:

• a lovely escape shares what sounds to be a delicious peach green iced tea recipe.
• another fabulous round of fashion + decor combinations by the city sage.  this time, with new j.crew!
• bijou and boheme introduces the beautiful fashion illustrations of kerrie hess.
• both live creating yourself and pugly pixel have some beautiful words from steve jobs: alaina's; katrina's.

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

xo. di.
    
*images by me

girl of the moment: august

will these girls one day become legends? maybe. and i hope so. but for now, they find themselves in the role of ingénue.

august's girl of the moment: anne hathaway.

dude, anne seems to be absolutely everywhere right now (p.s. what are we thinking about one day?!  worth seeing?).  my favorite of her recent editorials has to be her adorable + cheeky london spread in the august harper's bazaar, which is almost convincing me to get on board with fall.  almost. 

happy weekend!

xo. di.

*images via dustjacket attic

the IT list.

It's another Friday... Check out these great links to start your weekend off right!

• as luck would have it gives you the inside scoop on her five favorite lipsticks... and tries each of them on for you!  Check out her picks and how she wears each of them! 
• gs lillian looks fabulous, as always, in polka dots and leopard! I love this combo... are you inspired to try it too!?! (find gs lillian on twitter!)
• a spot of whimsy has a new series called "she" that I am just LOVING!  Check out the inspirational and aspirational words! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• high heels and bubble gum is looking amazing in this lace and lavender number - I am loving lace for fall.  Plus, see what special item she got back after it being gone for a while! (find high heels and bubble gum on twitter!)
• so much to smile about rounds up maxi dresses for fall... could it be that a maxi dress is more suited to fall than summer? I think so! (find so much to smile about on twitter!)
• the style dossier's little sister writes herself a to-do list for fall 2011... check it out and see why I wish I were in high school again.  Even though I'm not... I think I'll still write one for myself! (find the style dossier on twitter!)
• fabulously average puts together a really great look inspired by her favorite new fashion book... check out her formula and what book it is! (find fabulously average on twitter!)
• sweetie pie style is loving navy and brown for fall.  I love this combo and her inspiration! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• mix and match fashion tries out trendy colored denim for fall - green to be exact!  Hear her thoughts on the denim and the trend! (find mix and match fashion on twitter!)
• chic or treat gives her tips and tricks for an effortless fall makeup routine. I love her choices... check them out! (find chic or treat on twitter!)
• take me for a twirl rocks her adorable cowboy boots in three fabulous outfits. See how she wears them, but be forewarned... you'll want a pair of cowboy boots too! (find take me for a twirl on twitter!)
• good life for less gives advice on how to take your favorite summer items into fall.  Check out how she makes the most of her wardrobe! (find good life for less on twitter!)

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

happy friday!

xo. di.

she, too.

i had a lot of fun with last week's she post, pairing a beautiful image of a woman with words to suit her.  so i've decided to turn it into a loose series - it will pop up whenever i find the right picture and the right words!  and with that, i present the second installation of the she series.

xo. di. 

*image 1, image 2

the room.

i showed this room to c a few weeks ago and said something like, "don't you see us living in this?"  his answer?  "phenomenal."  i'll take that as a yes.  i am just obsessed with this room and the warm, cozy, home feeling i get from it.  surrounded by books...and that's practically a hobbit-hole door leading into the other room...with natural light streaming through the windows. 

you know i'm saving this one some place safe for future inspiration.    
 

 

“when I was growing up, i was a voracious reader; i loved sitting in my house and jumping into new worlds.  but more important, i loved meeting new people. reading was a way to make friends or enemies, a way to discover how all these different people exist in the world and to rub shoulders with them.  the ability to feel as if you’ve met someone, as if that person exists in flesh and blood and that you relate to them somehow, makes you feel a lot less lonely.  and it also makes you feel very brave.”

- amy poehler

xo. di.

*image via live creating yourself

flowers in her hair.

are any of you reading the beauty department?  lauren conrad + co's newest endeavor?  i was supremely skeptical at first, but quickly became a convert.   fabulous advice + how-tos + inspiration.  like this one: every time i go on pinterest lately i seem to gravitate toward this picture:

pretty stunning, right?  and then there is this one, which could be the above's slightly quirkier sister:

and then lo and behold, the beauty department puts together this adorable guide to creating your own flower wreath.  now, someone invite me to some kind of cool, hippy/bohemianish party where i could wear one of these, k?  thanks!

xo. di.

*image 1 via, image 2 via

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:

the first of 3 weddings in 4 weeks! 

pictures worth a thousand words:

{took advantage of jess lc's flash sale & added the cross body to my bag collection - perfect travel pair, i think!}

{oh hello, searswillis tower!  my goodness, you're tall}

{mason jar flowers from a northern michigan flower stand - i always buy from them on my way back to chi}

{picnic with c at ravinia for LOTR accompanied by the CSO}

{c's cousin's wedding in saratoga springs, ny}

{a day at the races with c's family!}

this week's blog love:

• i already knew sophie of the littlest things had amazing style.  but this round-up of her sicily trip ensembles is just beyond.  very lazy chic!
• mixtapes & cupcake's features kate beckinsale's sultry editorial for mean magazine.
• an interesting spin on what it means to be "green" by home (half humorous, half serious!).
• plush palate has sheryl crow's hollywood estate, and it's pretty darn fabulous.  see the rest, including the stunning landscaping, here.
• alaina of live creating yourself needs a disco ball in her apartment.  i concur!
• events like this one in nyc, captured by the divine jamie of from me to you, keeps my faith in humanity (lol).

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

xo. di.
    
*images by me

summer fridays: stripes.

welcome back to my new summer fridays series, where we discuss some favorite things about this time of year.

nope, still not ready for fall over here.  the perfect transition piece?  the striped tee.  totally fits into the lazy chic aesthetic.

i want to wear one of those tops, and then find myself here:

"she must find a boat and sail in it.  no guarantee of shore.  only a conviction that

what she wanted could exist, if she dared to find it."

- jeanette winterson

happy weekend!

xo. di.

*image 1-3 via chance, found via oh, joy!, image 4 via well traveled woman

the IT list.

Happy Friday ladies!  Take some time to enjoy these great links today!

• the style dossier has five rules for fall dressing... my favorite? Wearing a fall jacket over a summer dress... so cute! Check out their other tips as well! (find the style dossier on twitter!)
• fabulously average is looking super chic in this swingy skirt... she's also discussing living in a season-less climate.  Can you relate? (find fabulously average on twitter!)
• a spot of whimsy finds retro prints that prove that "lazy chic" is totally a style!  I'm a believer! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• as luck would have it makes "new years resolutions" each year on her birthday. I love this idea!  Check out her resolutions... including getting fit (with cute workout clothes, of course!).
• mix and match fashion is looking teacher-chic in this ensemble! Whoa I love this look on her!  Can I be a teacher and wear a fab outfit like this? (find mix and match fashion on twitter!)
• high heels and bubble gum found a fabulous (and empty) house to take her pictures at - brilliant!  Plus, she's looking amazing - check out these earrings! (find high heels and bubblegum on twitter!)
• lex and learn dishes up this yummy looking Moroccan Shrimp with Polenta... I have been wanting to try more recipes with shrimp and this looks really good! (find lex and learn on twitter!)
• so much to smile about compiles her fall wish list... pretty much I will take one of each of what she has chosen, I'm in love!  The tops take the cake! (find so much to smile about on twitter!)
• chic or treat asks the question: do you shop end of season sales?  If you do - or even if you don't, check out her picks! (find chic or treat on twitter!)
• sweetie pie style continues her kitchen update posts... I love these inspirational pantries she featured!  It makes me want to restyle my own pantry! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• gs lillian's outfits are always swoon worthy... you won't want to miss this color block ensemble with stripes.  It's just perfect for these last days of summer! (find gs lillian on twitter!)
• take me for a twirl channels her inner Sandra D with this Grease-worthy, but still very modern, look! (find take me for a twirl on twitter!)
• good life for less released her 2011 fall looks:book - check out her top picks for fall fashion.  All the styles are super practical and wearable... and the inspiration is endless! (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.

she.

 

xo. di.

*image 1 & 3 via dress, design & decor, image 2 via strikes our fancy