The Valentino Garavani Archives

Did you hear about the virtual Valentino museum? It just "opened" and is quite spectacular. One, because from Jackie O to Julia - Valentino has dressed the best. And two, because it's a museum that you download to your computer and explore at your own leisure. Whaat? Yes.

"Animated galleries show a life's work, and hundreds of key dresses have been photographed revolving 360 degrees to show every line and stitch."

You're welcome.

Do you get the Goop newsletters? (I love them.) Gwyneth (seriously, when can we be BFF's?) interviewed Valentino's business partner Giancarlo Giammetti, to get the scoop.

P.S. I'm guest posting over at Lili & Mae today with another 'Spot the Steal' Challenge. Come give it a whirl!

I'm Like a Bird, I'll Only Fly Away (At Least This Week Anyway)

Happy 13th Lovelies!!

Hope your weekend was wonderful. Ours was kind of a wild one - we enjoyed a festival, witnessed a naked bike ride and participated in a flash mob!

I'm traveling on business early this week and personal later this week so our chats will be spotty. In the meantime, I'm thrilled to be featured on 101 Things I Love, guest posting about some of my summer beauty faves. Head on over and give Johanna lots of love!

P.S. The picture above is from a trip to Marco Island a few summers ago. Not to be all cheesy and stuff but don't you think it would feel amazing to fly over the shore at sunset?? Birds have all the fun...

xoxo

Guest Post: It's the Little Things #8

Stunning, romantic, enchanting...those are just a few words I would use to describe Lena's blog, la petite coquin. When I tell you that she's able to discover the most beautiful images of magical weddings, shoes worthy of encased displays, and cocktails for lovely occasions you've ever laid eyes on you might question my opinion. But if you peek  for yourself I know you'll agree. A visit will leave you feeling like a blushing bride, brand new bloom and romantic crusader!

Photo via Tumblr

My sweetheart and I have been dating for more than four years, and as anyone knows, it can be easy to take the people you love most for granted sometimes. John and I had been together for about a year when I came up with a perfect way to let him know just how much I adored him; I would tuck tiny handwritten notes into the pockets of his coat, the notebook he'd be using in class that day or into his handsome man-bag (that originally belonged to me!). These days, John is always on the lookout for tiny red envelopes I bought especially for the purpose of these sweet notes, and I'm delighted when I find the small cards John has left on my pillow when he has a evening class or just wants to say, "I love you." It's the little things, and tiny notes, that make our love grow each and every day.


These little treasures sure do make life sweet. Thank you Lena, for sharing your story of little letters, wouldn't we all love to receive one expectedly? As a child, my parents used to pack them with my lunch - I must remember to do the same for our future children! How do you show an unexpected endearment to your loved ones?

Guest Post: It's the Little Things #7

Many little girls dream of growing up and becoming a ballerina. For most of us, those dreams gave way to new ones but luckily we can live vicariously through Tiffany of Dancing Branflake.  On her blog, she is kind enough to share life as a professional dancer as well enlighten us with her inspirations and uplifting posts. One of the things I love most of her blog is the honesty she offers - like in this recent post, and trust me, you'll want to be invited to all of her dinner parties!

Photo via The Heat

Sometimes, maybe a few times a year, Mr. Branflake and I will randomly wake up in the middle of the night.  It's as if our subconscious selves are connected and our eyes flip open and we immediately know the other is awake.  This is hours before the dreaded alarm clock starts buzzing and way before daily responsibilities and the real world harshly greets us.  We have opposite schedules and rarely see each other but for those few minutes we are husband and wife secluded from the world.  It is like an unexpected mini date that happens in the most special way. Just thinking about it makes me smile.
What a wonderful little moment that allows a brief reconnection. Thank you Tiffany for 'opening our eyes' to stolen glances that mean so much!  What little moments to share with your sweetie?

Guest Post: It's the Little Things #6

I haven't been able to put my finger on it but for some reason Vanessa's blog, Hey, Lady Grey, has a calming influence on me (for which I'm very grateful.) Likely due to her beautiful photography (including the one below), she has a way of capturing the everyday moments that we sometimes miss. Reading her weekend recaps always makes me want to spend one in her shoes just enjoying the surroundings. A visit to her blog is the perfect treat when you need a little breather or as she says a bit of 'nurturing for the many sides of our eclectic souls.' 

Photo by Vanessa of Hey, Lady Grey

Hi there, this is Vanessa from Hey, Lady Grey. It's an honor to fill in for the lovely Ashleigh while she takes a well-earned vacation at the beach. It certainly is the little things in life, like a day at the beach, that feed our souls and keep us happy in the end. For me, it's my morning coffee. I love the feeling of a hot mug in my palms, the awakening aromas, the rich taste. But it's not just the coffee, it's the ritual. It's the 10 minutes I allow myself each morning to just be. Sometimes I read a few blogs or a magazine, and sometimes I just sit there and take in the day. I know what Carly Simon meant when she said "I had some dreams, they were clouds in my coffee"... or when T.S.Eliot said that he measured out his life with coffee spoons. I totally get that.


Thanks so much to Vanessa, for allowing us to 'get that' too! Sometimes, taking a few minutes at the beginning of the day may be the only chance you'll have. Do you have a daily ritual to refresh and reflect? What are the clouds in your coffee??

Guest Post: It's the Little Things #5

It's no accident that Em's blog, Hip Hip Gin Gin, is one of a very few for which I have the web address memorized. It comes in super handy when I need a fix of beautiful inspiration from gorgeous fashion and home to her delicious weekly cocktail posts for starting the weekend off right. Just telling you how much I enjoy pursuing this blog doesn't do it justice. I insist you head over and explore for yourself!

Photo via We Heart It

One of the little (quite literally) things that bring me joy on a daily basis are my little dog's paws. She is so funny about them, always hanging one back paw off the sofa, sticking her two front paws out of her dog bed, and sometimes even popping all four up in the air as she sleeps as though she's pushing someone unseen away. She even uses them to pull my husband's hand on weekend mornings when we've slept in past the point of her patience. They perpetually smell like Fritos corn chips, which is equal parts endearing and hilarious. Even on the worst days, we can always count on her paw antics for a giggle, and for that we love her and her tiny feet to pieces!

Thank you so much Em for reminding us that sometime the little things are truly the little things right in front of us! Aren't animals just the best? Beyond the endless love and cuddles, their cute little quirks are what makes them so much fun!  I know many of have adorable four legged family members, so share...what little habits and mannerism make you just squeal??

Guest Post: It's the Little Things #4

When I started visiting Erika at Tiptoe Butterfly I felt like I already knew her. She writes like a friend and the introduction to her blog, 'It'll be here for u to get a good laugh, a smile, a cry, a wishful thought', couldn't be more true. Maybe that's why it felt so familiar... Beyond inspiring us with thoughtful quotes, fabulous fashion and personal glimpses, Erika does awesome things, like adopt an elephant!, that keep me coming back for more. Once you absorb this fabulous list, head on over and say hello!

Ashleigh has been so kind to ask me to do a guest post about "It's The Little Things" - and when you think about it - isn't it REALLY the "little" things that make everything so important?! - here's the "little things" in my life that make it so grand!

* Kayleigh (pups) greeting me with kisses and snuggling @ night with me in bed

*  Coffee always waiting for me in the morning at work

*  Boyfriend having the heated seats on in the car for when i get in

*   Mom's surprises: like a lavender candle waiting on my stairs for me

*  My Niece running into my arms when i pick her up from school

*  My friend list on my blog growing

*  Someone else picking up the tab

*  Buying something i LOVE - going to pay for it - to find it's on sale

*  Cooking with my Niece

*  Random compliment from a stranger

*  Reading old poetry i wrote and still know the meaning behind every word

*  Looking back and realizing i came a LONG way from 10 years ago

*  Getting a text/email/call from an old friend

*  Doing nothing with people i love and feeling like i accomplished a lot

*  Walking to the beach with Joe (boyfriend) and enjoying the solitude with each other

*  Ice cold Blue Moon while fishing on the boat

*  Being on the phone with my best friend and laughing so much it hurts

*  Getting updates on my adopted elephant Melia
*  Always having strawberry cupcakes for my birthday
*  Warm towel waiting for me as I exit the shower
*  Joe spritzing his house in lavender b/c i love the scent
*  Talking to my Dad every night about anything and everything

Thank you Ashleigh for letting my share "my little moments" that make my life as special as it is! as anything, the list can go on for days - within the last 10 years i really developed a sense of recognizing all the little things around me that are indeed special and make my life the way it is - hope you enjoyed my little specs of "happiness" i experience on a daily basis! -  they really do make such a difference when you take a step back and be thankful for each and every one!

If you like to know more about me - give me a smile and join my blog
head on over to ~TiptoeButterfly~ .. that's where you'll find me!
i love making new blog friends
don't be shy, i'm super nice - promise!
*hugs*

Isn't Erika's list of little things wonderful?! Your favorite birthday treat, an unexpected greeting from a friend, a new blog follower...I can relate to all of them!  Thanks so much to Erika for sharing her list with us, what a wonderful inspiration to get us in a grateful mood! What little thing are you appreciating today?

Guest Post: It's the Little Things #3

While I'm away on vacation some lovely guest posters will be sharing the 'little things' that mean the most to them. Please extend a warm welcome!

From the first moment I stumbled on Casee Marie's lovely blog, The Girl Who Stole the Eiffel Tower, I was hooked. A self proclaimed 'old-fashioned gal who appreciates elegance and glamour', this is exactly what you'll find on a visit to Casee Marie. In addition to her friendly tone of writing and delightful posts, I swoon over all the items in her Wishpot Wednesdays! With each visit I learn something new and leave feeling a tad more 'in the know'. Be sure to head over and say hello (after you read her story of course), you'll be charmed! (You can also find her co-authoring at SHE.)

 Photo by Lavender1919

I'm delighted to be contributing to Ashleigh’s lovely series about the little things that mean the most to us! I’d like to share some of my fondest autumn memories, which lie in Glen Arbor, a little town in western Michigan. It all started when, in the early years of my childhood, our neighbors invited us on a trip to the opposite side of the mitten state to see the foliage, climb the sand dunes and snack on the cherries. The drive, I recall, was riddled with childish anticipation which was only stifled when we came upon a hill overlooking the flaming colors of fall. Western Michigan has the most majestic color palette in the fall; it goes beyond visual stimulation, it moves you to stop and appreciate the beauty of nature. And when you stop to appreciate one thing, it sets off a chain reaction: suddenly the people you’re with, the sound of their laughter mingling with the music from the car radio, it all becomes more vibrant, and infinitely more important. Our trips became an autumnal tradition, the car ride and the sand dunes and the quaint little shop called The Cherry Republic. On our first trip, the cherry shop was no more than a modest cabin gently tucked into the woodsy town of Glen Arbor. The staff, which was few and yet some of the nicest few you could ever have the pleasure of meeting, offered stories and samples of their gourmet cherry products. Since that first year the small cabin has grown to include two sister cabins: a winery and a café. The staff never changed, nor did the cherries and, of course, the resplendent colors of autumn that caused me to stop and appreciate everything around me. Every year when the faintest colors start to appear on the trees I'm always drawn back to that wonderful time in my life, and the gentle simplicity of realizing what's truly important in life.

Can't you just smell the fresh air and hear the crunching leaves? Just thinking about it makes me smile! Thanks again, Casee Marie for sharing your story with us! 


What 'little thing' are you appreciating today?