TREASURE HUNT: sweetest vintage dress under $500

is this not the sweetest looking vintage dress EVER?
champagne is the new white
chic and elegant
for more details go here

summer

summer thunderstorms, finally!
it's been so hot here in milan, the kind of yucky, sticky, I don't want to be in a city hot.
one more week to go and then it's off to a special haven in the Dodecanese Greek islands to this little spot.

(photography via little daily's)

saturday night fever dress

I'm a total sucker for Bee Gees Saturday Night Fever and would love
to spin around with A. in this red number?
maybe it shall be next year's anniversary outfits.....hehehehe

peach velvet

this peachy jewel makes a perfect accessory for any summer soiree

karen walker jewellery

how perfect is this little crab pendant for a summer accessory?
New Zealand based designer, Karen Walker is a little lady of all sorts of talents. Not only does she make adorable jewels to be worn by all but she also has a pretty little clothing line, check it out here

(image source)

sunday morning

mellow Sunday morning with A.
our weekend mornings consist of reading the news on his\hers laptops, catching up with my bloglines and playing records all the while sipping cafe and freshly squeezed orange juice.
two items everyone should have in the kitchen: this moka pot from bialetti and a stainless steel, plastic or vintage citrus press for fresh oj.
If truly want to splurge you might want to check out this one
I swear by my little vintage plastic one that was formally my mother-in-laws

(photography deirdre quinn)

veil out headress in

this gold and green gem headress makes for a perfect alternative to the traditonal wedding veil
isn't it gorg?
made by this talented little soul
and can be purchased here

j.crew bridal boutique

oh la la........the new j.crew bridal boutique opened on Madison Ave this week.
I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of their preppy designs but kinda of loving their bridal style and this little special boutique.
i especially love that they teamed up with lulu frost for divine accessories.

(image source)

urban garden

sipping my morning coffee and watching the sun wake up our little corner garden.
finally a beautiful sunny spring day here in milan.
today is the perfect day to plant the flowers in the window boxes.
going the traditional route this year....geraniums.
hardy and reminds me of my grandmother, greta.

speaking of planting, I would sooooooo love to get my hands on one of these for our house....

photography deirdre quinn

mother's day in milan

Extra special mother's day since I have my mom visiting at the moment. A beautiful day with mom started with lunch at casa lucia followed by an afternoon in giardini pubblici for the flower show.
My love for gardens, flowers and nature galore all started because of this special lady, who always had me digging in the dirt at an early age.  thanks mom. xx

Charlotte's dress

in bed with a bad head cold so I am catching up with some missed Private Practice episodes...
just watched Season 3 episode 21 and can't seem to get this dress out of my mind!
Isn't it stunning? I'm so in love with the little ruffled sleeves....
does anyone out there know the designer?

LWB's Lifestyle

for the past 3 weeks we've been busy with family visits....and more to come
perfect time to splurge on fresh peonies for the table and bring out that wedding china and silver.......
it's truly special having family members visiting us in Milan and all under one roof! oh my!
we also got lucky with an extended visit from my older sister due to a little volcano erupting.
an extra week of laughs and giggles

sweet peas

Sweet peas have the most unbelievable fragrance! I soooo didn't know! where have I been?
Picked these delicate ones up after work today for my foyer. Each time I walk by I have stopped and take in the sweet sweet smell of this dainty little flower. So perfect for that little spring bride, don't you think? what's your favorite spring blossom?

(photography deirdre quinn)

vintage stockings

how feminine are these vintage stockings? not to mention the heels!

spring in milan

Spring is here in milan. yipee! enjoying a little vacation with my older sister and best friend for a week of adventures. tomorrow we're heading to this beautiful spot just outside of Parma......will report back with details...

(Photography Deirdre Quinn)

elizabeth dye

Portland based designer, Elizabeth Dye, has created some of the prettiest boleros
I'm really into this little ruffled bolero
a simple way to enhance your look

alyssa norton

Designer, Alyssa Norton has created some to die for pieces. Her jewelry is characterized by mixed materials, contrasting hard with soft that can be worn interchangeably as necklaces, bracelets, belts, or hair pieces. Um love the concept.

bohemian bride

lurve this bohemian bride dressed in 3.1 Phillip Lim

um......possibly my most favorite dress......
okay, okay,...I know I say that every time I come across a ridiculously beautiful unique little number but this one seriously stands out.
The silhouette reminds me of the ethereal dress Liv Tyler wore in the film Stealing Beauty....

Sarah Seven

Portland, Oregon designer Sarah Seven creates unique pieces that are vintage inspired.....
with a modern edge
the dresses can also be found here

(found via style me pretty)

holga cameras on your table

I know the rage at the moment is to set up a make shift photo shoot in place of an actual photobooth but both can an extra chunk of change to the wedding budget......
and yes, we have all been to weddings only to find the typical disposable kodaks on the tables and the polaroids....
why not replace those with some holga camera's?
let you guest play art photographer during the reception....
and check out this beautiful wedding shot with a holga

a little rain

spring rain in milano.
i adore wearing my wellies, any excuse to splash around in puddles.
these are also quite stylish
the weather today makes me think of this beautiful foggy lakeside wedding.

(photography deirdre quinn)

hibernate much?

I have been in a resting state these past couple of months......hibernation to be exact.
Life has been in slow motion here in milan but little signs of spring have arrived, yipee!
As much as I adore winter, this one seemed a bit much. grey. grey. and more grey. But happy to say I'm feeling inspired once again, so it's back to blogging at LWB and little daily's

(photography deirdre quinn)

a beautiful little winter wedding.....for more go here
it's been a while. busy. life. the usual. no real excuse. just a bit preoccupied. my apologies.
anyway, getting super excited for holiday festivities, lots to look forward too! heading home to the states to spend the holidays with my family and my sisters nyr's eve wedding in a little sleepy southern town....
more to come...
what are you up to for the holidays?
yipee!

spiders, black cats & potions

potions instead of flower decorations for your Halloween festivities found here

halloween isn't complete without a black cat and spiderwebs

(photos via little dailys)

halloween vintage wedding

1. Spooky Bride via Muse, black bouquet via Preston Baily, table and candles
2. invitation via style me pretty via letter me olive, haunted house via darling dexter via from me to you
3. gothic bridesmaids, flowers, pumpkin bride via grey likes weddings


Boo! gothic bridesmaids and one chic possessed looking bride
i love halloween.
Tonight, A. and I have a halloween party to attend.
we chose the "couple" costume. We're going as Rocky and Adriana.
have a spooky festive weekend!

autumn fog

the fog rolls in
found this little strand of dew this morning on the way to work.
some more here

(photography by Deirdre Quinn)

jane, charlotte and lou

jane b the beauty that started it all

unique, natural beauty trickles down to daughter, charlotte gainsbourg and.......

trickles down a little bit further to daughter, Lou Dillion

Oh what a shame.

style muses. love.

or maybe midnight blu

how about midnight blue instead of full on black?
or maybe vibrant blue like this bride?

(source)

goth bride

dare to wear black on your wedding day?
chic for a Halloween bride but what about other seasons?
i kinda dig the the dress and blk veil.....

cozy night in

it's cold in milano. fall is here with winter creeping up around the corner. oh how i love warm homes with fireplaces going and yummy meals to cook and share with loved ones. that's pretty much how we spent our weekend.
monday - long tiring day, so tonight im tucking in early.
there is a new kitty in the house waiting to be cuddled and an old childhood favorite of mine waiting to be read.........sigh. heaven to my ears after a long day.
what's your favorite way to spend a cozy autumn evening?

botanical bride

keeping with the plant life theme from friday, how about a greenhouse wedding?
I have to admit, I'm quite fond of greenhouses.
My favorite time to visit is in the dead of winter.
It's like entering in bottled up rain forest. I wish I could bottle the smell and carry it with me always.
when I was little my favorite adventures with my mom where to the new york botanical garden.
my eyes would widen as soon as we approached the conservatory.
heaven.
what is your favorite greenhouse location?

(source)