neutral tones...

Totally feeling the stretch of last night's ballet class today, after we did a number of échappés to and from fifth position and lengthening fondu at the barre. As always it was a lot fun, and has me wishing it was more than once a week! I should really just start practicing at home...

I'm loving this slightly ballet & dancewear-inspired editorial, with pretty, delicate pieces in thin lace and sheer knits. That mini-dotted bodysuit is particularly fun, no?

Photos: Elle Russia Feb 2011 by Paul Empson via Oh Fashion Model

purple pumps...

While I would never normally go for deep purple pumps, for some reason these soft swede Prada heels have me thinking a little differently! Aren't they fun?

Photo: Beige*Etoile (Cindy) on Flickr

a moment + some fun news...

Finally have some time to sit and relax tonight! It's been a busy day and then I was off to ballet right after work. Still loving a simple, white chair like this one, to relax into with a cup of tea... it seems like such a nice, little "calm" corner, doesn't it? And how beautiful are those poppies? (*Update: Someone just let me know they're called Anemones, commonly confused with poppies, good to know!). I saw some at my local flower shop today, but in bright pinks, orange and yellow. The crepe-like texture of the petals is just gorgeous!

Also, I was totally surprised to find out yesterday that Blogger picked Dress, Design & Decor as a "Blog of Note"! How cool is that? Thanks to Blogger and welcome to all the new visitors dropping by!

Photos: Scans by myself from Comforts of Home, photographers Polly Wreford, Claire Richardson

ready for warmer weather...

Today I stepped outside most definitely ready for Spring. I am so over the cold and snow, and hoping that the warmer weather will make an appearance by March. I'm looking forward to picnics outside and wildflowers to collect... not to mention the light breezy fabrics, floral patterns and pretty white eyelet... *sigh*

Happy to finally announce the winner of the ShopBop gift card today too... to put towards your Spring shopping perhaps? Well, congrats to djayne! You've won, and I'll be in touch soon! Thanks to everyone who entered, and for stopping by Dress, Design & Decor too.

Hope it's warm where you are...

Photos: Angela Lindvall "In A Fairytale Mood" by Mikael Jansson via Hey Crazy

old treasures...

I love collecting antique books just for there craftsmanship and beautiful details... things like floral banners, gorgeous type, and whimsical drop caps make all the difference. Isn't this page pretty?

Photo: from Trouvais

happy valentine's day!

Hello everyone... Happy Monday and Happy Valentine's Day as well! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, along with a few fun Valentine's activities... I had dinner out one night and dinner in the other, with flowers, treats, and a surprise! Rick got me some serious noise-cancelling headphones, which makes the office seem like a spa-like experience now... so quiet, except for my music of course, so i'm pretty excited about that.

Hope your day is filled with lots of love, some chocolate and champagne... or maybe, chocolate & champagne together?

I'll be drawing the winner of the ShopBop gift card later today too, so look out for that!

Photos: Edita Vilkeviciute by Camilla Akrans for Industrie #2 via Fashion Gone Rogue, truffles by kimberlytofu

love of florals...

Friday has arrived and Valentine's weekend is upon us... can you believe it's mid-February already? With themes of pink and red all over, I can't help but gravitate towards pretty floral patterns in the same hues. Afterall, flowers and Valentine's Day seem to go hand in hand. And yes, i'm one of those people... I actually really like Valentine's Day. It's a nice time to focus on loving moments with family, friends and significant others. And yes, we should be doing that all year long, but this once-a-year celebration makes it all the more fun, don't you think?

I'd love to know what your plans are for the weekend! Any fun Valentine's baking or crafts? I hope you have a fun one no matter what you're up to and thanks so much for stopping by Dress, Design & Decor. This week was a busy one, but I loved reading all your comments and emails!

On Monday, i'll be drawing the winner for the $100 ShopBop gift card, so be sure to enter by leaving a comment here. Enjoy the weekend... and some links...

White light...

February calendar...

Getting through winter...

Good manners...

Ways to say I love you...

Teacups and terracotta...

Valentine's tea...

Stunning Vera Wang...

I love you garland...

Ravishing in red...

Rose petal donuts...

Photos: All scans by myself from Comforts of Home by Caroline Clifton-Mogg (please link back), Photographers: 1&3-Lisa Cohen, 2-Debi Treloar 4&5-Polly Wreford

heart-shaped...

I love this dainty little heart-shaped ring from Catbird... it's perfectly suited for Valentine's Day! Delicate, little pieces like this just seem so precious and feminine. Simply pretty, don't you think?

Photo: Catbird found via Design Sponge

rise & shine...

Wishing I had all the time in the world each morning, for a relaxing soak in a gorgeous light-filled room like this. Loving all the white of course, and fresh flowers by the tub... and also thinking it would be quite cozy to step out onto a fluffy towel like that one! What a perfect start to the day...

Photo: Scan by Dress, Design & Decor by Polly Wreford

wednesday night fun...

Back from ballet class and still absolutely loving it... We learned quite a few new positions this week, with last class being cancelled with the snow. More jumps, gallops, and rising in fifth this time (sans pointe shoes of course). Everyone's starting to get a little more chatty and comfortable too, which makes for a great class!

Our teacher recommended a book tonight (in case anyone's thinking of taking beginner ballet) called The Ballet Campanion, which includes everything from history to certain positions. I'm ordering it asap!

Hope you all had a great night...

Photos: ..emmaespejo.., carl johnson

gold foil...

Dying for one of these pretty heart-shaped cakes wrapped in edible gold dust... wouldn't that be the prettiest Valentine's dessert you've ever seen? I could try very hard, but i'm pretty sure i'd devour one of these in no time, lol...

Photos: Sweetapolita, found on Apt 34

moody hues..

While I definitely have a love for blush pinks and pale creamy hues, there's something to be said about darker, moodier shades, perfectly suited for candlelight dinner and glass of wine...

Loving deep dark reds and elegant black lace paired together, fueling my search for the perfect red polish! Have you found the perfect deep red? I'm dying to pick up another Diptyque candle too, something romantic...

Photos: Lola Thomisina (Ghostlings Flickr), Diptyque candles, Dylan Thomas for British Vogue

late monday...

Hello, hello... hope you all had a wonderful weekend! A bit of a late start for me this Monday, but my time has been all booked up it seems for the past few days. Lots of work going on and little side projects at home, plus dinner with a friend today (who's off to New Zealand for 6 months!). Plus... a baby shower, a birthday, and all kinds of little errands all piling up over the weekend. I think it's time to make a list or two... hope your week is off to a good start!

Photo: Scan by Dress, Design & Decor by Polly Wreford

a beautiful french film...

I hardly ever post videos here on Dress, Design & Decor, but this ultra-stylish, mini french film for EF Language Schools makes me want to fly off to France and learn French even more than usual... so pretty! Oh Paris... enjoy!

Video: Directed by Gustav Johansson, D.P: Niklas Johansson, fsf, Typography: Albin Holmqvist, Produced at Camp David - via Kiki Reichert

private collection + a shopbop giveaway!

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, pretty pieces in silk and satin, lace and ruffles, and perfect pastel hues seem even more romantic than usual. I recently came across ShopBop's gorgeous "Private Collection" lookbook with all kinds of items worth putting on your wish list! I'm loving the white lace Hanky Panky piece, so adorable... along with Ebergey's pastel hues, and Cosabella's high-waisted lace. So fun and girly, no?

And lucky for us, ShopBop is giving away a $100 gift card for one fabulous reader! So whether you have your heart set on a silky chemise or something from the designer sale, be sure to leave a comment below to enter. So much to choose from! Happy early Valentine's Day!

The giveaway is open to international readers, except Pennsylvania. Sorry! A winner will be chosen on Valentine's Day and be sure to leave your email address if it's not in your blogger profile.

Photos: Shopbop's "Private Collection" LookBook

why don't you?

Why don't you... update a childhood favourite to a messy, but chic, one-sided pony?

Photo: Camila Mingori by Josefina Bietti via Fashion Gone Rogue

floral perfection...

While I always enjoy the floral arrangements that Sasha from Everything Fab posts, this particular arrangement blew me away... so, so stunning. I'm in love with its rustic and natural-looking qualities, soft tones and feminine colours. You can never go wrong with cream and a little blush pink. I found the same kind of gorgeous arrangement in fuller flowers over at Field Guided (it's used for their business card)... and now i'm totally desperate for Spring... sigh...

Photos: Jose Villa for Once Wed via Everything Fabulous, Field Guided on Flickr

pretty pieces...

Isn't Madame Hawke for next Fall so adorable? Love the creamy neutral shades, that are still a tiny bit colourful, but perfectly diluted. And with the interesting cuts and lace-like fabric, these quirky pieces make for great takes on the classics. That dress in the second photo is so unique!

Photos: via Studded Hearts - Madame Hawke Lookbook