La Toussaint (All Saints Day)

Well, it's November 1st, hard to believe!  I did a little research on La Toussaint and have posted a beautiful oil on canvas painting by French artist Émile Friant (1863-1932).

 All Saints Day is one of the most respected national public days in France. During this bank holiday, French people traditionally pay tribute to their relatives but La Toussaint (French All Saints) is also a good opportunity to get together and spend time in family.

On November 1st it is a common sight to see French people laying chrysanthemums or wreaths of immortelles (everlasting flowers) on the graves of loved ones.

Chrysanthemums are indeed so closely linked to La Toussaint that the French never give them as a gift.

 

                                             {Flowers for the Dead  by Emile Friant}

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Giambattista Valli for Macy's!

Super exciting news!  Giambattista Valli (whose gorgeous, designer clothes are often seen on my favorite style icon Olivia Palermo) has created a line called Impulse currently for sale through Macy's!!  Below I've featured a few of my favorite high fashion pieces from his line followed by a few of my favorite Impulse pieces...

{feather skirt-dress $2,795}

{Cropped jacket}

{Resort Dress}

{GV for Impulse Metallic Animal Print Dress}

 

{Leopard coat and soutache petal dress}

For more Impulse pieces, follow this link to Macy's...

Vintage Halloween Decor

While searching for fun halloween recipes, I came across the idea of a vintage inspired halloween a la Tim Burton (you know, creator of The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, Edward Scissorhands (a personal favorite), and many more movies).   This is a great idea to get away from the traditional black and orange and to create a more ethereal slightly spooky look like many of Burton's films. The idea came from this website, but it didn't offer much in the way of  ideas, so I included a few of their pictures and searched other ideas out my own...

{So gorgeous!}

{If this doesn't make you think of Tim Burton art, I don't know what will!}

{Hang a series of eerie vintage postcards along a string to create a banner}

{Add wrought iron candleabra to the table illuminated by the glow of candles}

{Some spooky artwork propped against the walls}

{cloth spiderweb patterned napkins}

{vintage halloween gift bag tags}

And just for fun, I urge you to visit Tim Burton's interactive official website at this link...(make sure your volume is on!)

Have a great weekend! Alicia

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Paper flower

I love fresh flowers in the house, but it's not always practical to refresh them on a regular basis.  Having made plenty of fabric flowers, I thought I would try my hand at paper flowers.  Although I plan to make a bouquet of them (using colored tissue paper), I started with one to see how it would go.  Here's what I came up with:

My supplies: old packaging paper, scissors, orange and black ribbon, and wooden skewers

Next, with the paper folded, cut a half heart to create one set of petals

Continue cutting different size half hearts (petals)

Begin twisting at the base as you add the petals

Soon, the flower will begin to take shape

Add a bit of tape around the base and tie on your ribbon



Et voila!

My apologies for such terrible lighting in these photos,  but I hope this 'tutorial' was easy to follow and you'll give paper flowers a try too!

Alicia

Treasures by Shabby Chic

Who knew that Rachel Ashwell was bringing her brand to QVC of all places?  Well, it's a fact and Ms. Ashwell's items premiered on the popular online shopping channel today.  Not sure I'm in love with the idea, but I have to admit I was a little bit excited.  Below are some of the Treasures by Shabby Chic pieces currently available through QVC:

{Upholstered Bench}

 

{Set of 3 Mercury Glass Candlesticks}





{Accent Table}





{Distressed Rose Gold Tone Mirror}



{Vintage Inspired Cut Glass Lamp}

 

{Fleur de Lis wall hooks}

To view more of the Treasures by Shabby Chic line on QVC, click here.  I will definitely be keeping an eye on future items Rachel Ashwell will bring to QVC, but it you're like me, you will continue to seek out those one of a kind, vintage items you can revamp for your own shabby chic look...that's half the fun of design and decor anyway, right?

Have a lovely evening, Alicia

Closet Cleanout

I finally completed spring closet cleaning...a little late? Yes, considering autumn is in full swing here, but I know it's spring out there for some of my blog friends!  After filling multiple bags for donation with shoes, clothing, decor, and handbags, I have plenty of space for some new items that I've had my mind and eyes on for quite some time...

{J.Crew Talia Top}

{J.Crew Skinny Jeans}

 

{Banana Republic Mad Men Lace Shell}

 

 

{Topshop Diamante Pinspot Dress}

 

{ASOS Pleated Coat with fold over collar}

 

 

 

And two dreamy items I am still saving my pennies for...

 

{Christian Louboutin Simple Heel pumps}

 

 

{Chanel Classic Flap Bag in black}

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nouveau Navy

Navy is the new black this fall and I have to admit I'm loving it!  So is the Duchess of Cambridge...

As is Minka Kelly in Dior to die for... 

A few of my favorites, some a bit more attainable...

{Ports 1961...loving this styled just the way it is}

  

{J.Crew..gorgeous blouse but would look better with black leather skinnies and leopard pumps}

{Zara..navy suit with black lapels-this outfit needs a few sparkly vintage necklaces, non?} 

{Navy scarf by Etsy designer smilingpoet}




{Aldo Dostie flat}

 

  

Smoky Quartz Style

Inspiration for some new vintage smoky quartz jewelry in my shop...

{Chanel Paris Byzance eyeshadow compact Fall 2011}

{Givenchy pre-fall 2011}

Et Voila!  Just a preview...



{Vintage faceted smoky quartz beads reconfigured into earrings}



{mixed media necklace with vintage gold chain and quartz stones with champagne tulle accent}

For more items like these, please visit my shop.  Hope you're having a lovely day. I plan to happily settle in with a cup of tea and two new fave decor magazines! 

xo, Alicia