Style Musings | Décor Desires: An Oceanfront Georgian Estate

Enter this "bunga-luxe" in Palm Beach, Florida, with an entrance hallway featuring the most provocative statue and gorgeous stair railings, black and white tiles that extend to a foyer where a pair of tables are set against a wallpaper of palm trees.  Originally designed by society architect John Volk in 1935, the estate has received the Ballinger Award for the finest restoration of a landmark property.

There's also that contemporary, rustic fireplace with a quirky photo of a dog set atop the mantle and a game room and an outdoor patio with pillars and a lovely view of the sweeping green lawn and Atlantic Ocean.

Inside the rooms, there's patterned wallpaper and large windows to allow light in and to take a peek at the Atlantic Ocean and best of all, a superb gourmet kitchen with an adjacent morning room facing the ocean, exquisite millwork imported from France and custom designed hardware provided by P.E. Guerin.

Internationality and customization is no secret to this "bunga-luxe," but most importantly, the essence of the tropics lingers in each room, making it perfect for that long awaited getaway in the summer, where the touch of the hot summer sand is rewarded by the cool ocean waters and now, daydreaming of a true Californian summer...



More below.

Style Musings | Runway Details: Aristocrazy F/W 2014

Victoria's Secret's Angels may have to replace their show's trademark angel wings for a pair of Aristocrazy's gilded ones!

Seen on the 2014-2015 fall/winter runway, these show stopping pieces are quite bold, and yet, have a bit of an angelic luxe appeal. Have always thought that such exquisite wear could only be rocked by the Grecian goddesses of the heavens above, but Aristocrazy has now proven that an earthly approach is quite possible too.

There's also the thousands of fine chains, as seen below, that move smoothly, and the industrial chic appeal to the screws woven into the necklaces, among other jewelry pieces. 

Now having particular visions of being that Angel with these gilded wings, adding a bit of a glamorous rock 'n roll touch while walking down the concrete jungle runway...

Photos: Glamour, Spain 

Eternally,
Rosie

Fashion Musings | From The Archives: Ina Balke In Palm Beach

Incredibly inspired by this photo of model, Ina Balke, taken in 1962 by famous French photographer, Jeanloup Sieff, so much so that I felt compelled to share immediately! Captivated by Ina's cool, calm composure, the pulled back hair bun, the lace trimming below the elbow length butterfly sleeves and the mounds of ruffles layered along the neckline and that tiny detail of a satin bow amidst it all...

Though uncertain of the actual color of this dress from the purposeful black and white photography, am certainly daydreaming of a dress exactly like this, would be perfect in white and perfect for a little getaway lounging at a beach house or strolling underneath a summer sun!

Photo: Pleasure Photo | Photographer: Jeanloup Sieff

Eternally,
Rosie

Visual Vignette: Perfectly Peachy

After falling into what seemed like an extended lull from all the celebrations, am slowly getting back into the routine of things, from writing many, many cards officially in the mail today, to dressing in his & hers & heels at the office - it's time to get back to the reality of packing for an upcoming move, cleaning a purposely messy apartment and a new weekend, soon, dedicated to to-do lists and more birthday and anniversary planning for M and I.

Though busy, have been taking the time to stop and smell the beautiful roses, as seen above from my parents, that sit in my living room, bathing in the sunlight creeping through the patio windows. The bright hue of coral these roses evoke takes me back to a surprise birthday party, which my dear sister had planned and bought a dress in the shade of coral for me to wear, and also reminds me of my love for such a color...in lipstick, in blush, in pretty dresses and suddenly everything just seems perfectly peachy as spring is now officially here.




Photos: One (iPhone & Instagram photography by Rosie) | Two | Three | Four

Eternally,
Rosie

Style Musings | Lookbook: Botanical Gardens by Masha Reva x SNDCT

Always love taking strolls in gardens to admire the beauty of nature in green and more particularly, colorful flowers of all sorts and now, even a digital garden is exists through the collaboration between Masha Reva and SYNDICATE. Appropriately titled, "Botanical Layers," the collection juxtaposes the contemporary lifestyle of social media and smart devices with the traditional world of native environments as a metaphorical botanical garden of Photoshop layers and computer loading bars.




It's a very pretty jungle out there for those donning these one of a kind sweaters and between the real and the surreal of digitized interactions and plant-based beauty, this is certainly a friendly reminder to stop the status updates and smell the surrounding flowers...





More below.

Welcome To The Week: A Million Birthday Thank Yous

Arrived back home from the city late Sunday night, and although should have been resting and cleaning and sorting through all the festive supply, M and I continued to treat Sunday as if it were any other weekend, with a late grab for dim sum and his and hers milk teas with another lovely couple and after, lounging around in his apartment until traffic died down to come home.

But before Sunday, there were long days full of errands to run, late nights filled with snacks and fast food and early mornings dedicated to a happy kind of busy-ness, all for the sake of celebrating yet another year to be alive and to be close to all my loved ones.

There are many memories to replay since two Saturdays ago, my most favorite being the random late night dancing with M and am now craving to go out and do it again and again. There were re-connections and new connections made through it all with one and two chocolate cakes to enjoy…this year has already been full of many blessings, and am sure that there are many more to come. Thank you to all those who took the time to celebrate a month's worth of festivities!

Eternally,
Rosie

His & Hers | Birthday Gift Guide: For The Beau

And to end our little holiday season, M's birthday is approaching sooner than what seems possible. Quite sure that he won't see it coming, the actual gift I have planned out for him, but there's no doubt that he'll absolutely adore it.

For you, a little gift guide for your beau, or perhaps another admirable figure in your life...

Both M and I are always traveling to and from places for days at a time. This leather weekender bag would hold up the wear from all the places we'd love to go. M once told me that his mother gave him a reversible belt once, but accidentally lost it. This one fulfills the two Rs - replaceable and reversible!

M has two pairs of black loafers, both worn out. These shoes from Cole Haan look identical and would make for a great alternative. For his birthday last year, I gave him a royal blue velvet bow tie and for last Christmas, a tan leather one. I'd love to add this purple one from Mrs. Bow Tie to his dashing little collection.

M hasn't experienced a Lakers (a beloved basketball team of his) game in person, wouldn't it be lovely to go to a game together?

Eternally,

Rosie

Site News | Personal Update: Looking Forward To A Fiesta

Happened upon the quote above some few years ago and swore to live my life by it since it captures the very essence of what I want to contribute to this world, what I want to be surrounded with in every second of my life and it seems fitting to revisit it for today, because it is my birthday!

Celebrations have already begun to take place and in just a few days, another mini vacation in the city, only this time, will be accompanied not only by M, but also with family, closest friends and sweet little ones.

Yes, there's lots of cake to be had (have already had a very chocolate-y and pretty one this last weekend!) and laughter to be heard while margaritas and augas frescas will be passed around to toast to a promising year of pursuit and happiness.

And if you're looking to be part of a fiesta too, then throw on this petal hued fringe dress, some metallic kitten pumps (because pink will soon be taking over the city!) and perhaps, a little floral embellishment for your hair to celebrate!

Photos: One | Two (unknown) | Three | Four | Five 

Eternally,

Rosie

Style Musings | Décor Desires: A Modernized Mid-19th Century Madrid Apartment

Space is luxury, that must have been expert interior designer, Luis Puerta's, motto when envisioning the outcome of this Madrid apartment, housed in a mid-nineteenth century building, now full of possibilities for scenic lightness and eloquent empty spaces.



Discovering this bright apartment is comparable to a breathe of fresh spring air as one wanders through the crisp, clean spaces, natural to simplicity.




The look of less has ultimately been achieved through a calculated balance of white space and tonal variations. Ironically, though the use of empty spaces is more than modest here, many textiles, including horsehair, silk velvet, and Belgian linens detail the surrounding items ranging from refined pieces of furniture and fine antiques from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. And yet, there's undeniably a true testimony of utter maximalism, with the mix of timeless pieces and contemporary spacing.



Much more below.

Adventurous Getaway | Places To Visit: Bo Nuage

BO NUAGE - 8010 MELROSE AVENUE | LOS ANGELES, CA 90046 - (310) 880-2065

Most dreamlovers fantasize of laying around in a bed of fluffy clouds somewhere high in the sky, but at LA's chicest bakery, Bo Nuage (French for 'Beautiful Cloud'), one can have a taste of clouds - maybe more so a taste of heaven. The bakery features little light and fluffy pastries offered in 15 delightful flavors, made from a mix of meringue sandwiched between layers of whipped cream and topped with chocolate shavings, all organic ingredients.

The overly neutral and utterly timeless look of this 120-square foot space is where 1960s mod meets classic Parisienne glamour, designed by Jessica Marx of J. Marx Atelier. The visually striking interior features a geometrical minimalistic, white and black design scheme, with the contrast of colorful layers dispersing from the delectable cake clouds.

Founders Pascal and Audrey Achcar have already established their mastery of Parisienne culinary skills at Lette Macarons, a Pasadena shop that carries handmade macarons, with Bo Nuage as another addition to their repertoire.

“We wanted to continue the family tradition of making fine Parisian pastries available [in Los Angeles].” - Achcar

More below.

His & Hers | Anniversary Gift Guide: Rosie's Wish List

Second to last event of mine and M's "holiday season" is our anniversary, and I'm brimming and glowing with love as the date grows closer. Personal preference for anniversary gifts are something that both individuals can enjoy as a couple, rather than gifts for each other. Last year was a black blanket to keep us warm while together and this year, due to fear that M will stumble upon this post, will keep private until the perfect moment comes along.

Here are some rather perfect gift choices for a couple's anniversary, all of which are very close to mine and M's heart!


Annual membership for 2 to The Huntington Library. Can't make it any more obvious how much I love this place! We love lighting candles for as long as we're home, this Ponderosa scent from Voluspa's Vermeil Collection reminds me of M. Our very first date, ever, was a traditional dinner and a movies and we've since upgraded to a more luxe experience at iPic Theaters. We can't seem to go back to regular places!

Sometimes, M and I like to enjoy dinner and TV and these tray tables are perfect for just that! Also perfectly multi-functional, could be used as a side table, a bar tray and more. Lastly, M and I are trying to be better about capturing life's most precious moments. This fabulously gold lomography camera could just be that motivation for us to take more photographs.

Eternally,
Rosie

In The Spotlight | Featured Shops: The Reformation

Could the modern Parisienne be eternally chic, effortlessly cool and, quite possibly, eco friendly all at once? Such a question has undoubtedly been answered by The Reformation, an environmentally sustainable fashion brand that refashions vintage and surplus materials to create chic, limited edition collections.



Yael Afalo, after having been dismayed by the fashion industry's contribution to waste and earthly pollution, sought to create a company whose vision focused on the environment's well-being in 2009. And so, instead of designing and producing new styles from scratch, The Reformation dedicates itself to a truly green way of manufacturing new clothes, by reinventing vintage ones.

"Our locally sourced production creates domestic jobs, and does not contribute to global pollution when shipping and receiving from overseas. Our collection is truly exclusive, everything is a limited edition or one of a kind. We concept and produce our collections in just a few weeks. We design what we want now and get it to you right away."



There are many of us, myself being one, who love to shop vintage, but know that it can be time consuming and sometimes, unsuccessful. The Reformation's line is divided into three easy-to-shop categories: Standard, Curated and Refashioned. Each line addresses a certain vintage garment preference from basics to limited edition vintage pieces in more current silhouettes.

"We are inspired by, and committed to, finding ways to make our fashion addiction guilt-free!"



And with the endless supply of striped dresses, cropped tops, boyfriend jeans and flowy, glamorous, but wearable-for-all-occasion-dresses featured at The Reformation, it seems as if all Parisienne inspired wardrobe problems have all been solved...

 

Photos: The Reformation

Eternally,
Rosie