.......... Red White (and Blue)

Happy Holiday weekend to my fellow Canadians and American neighbors!

Hope you are wearing the most stylish of summer colours.

It is the weekend for red, white (and blue).

Don't forget the hats and sunblock. And the groovy outfits.

The most gorgeous bit of nature.............a blue wren. Isn't she beautiful? It just looks like a girl to me, something in the way her brilliant feathers are fluffed! I thought she just perched perfectly in this patriotic post.

We are going to hit 113 degrees tomorrow (with humidex) so we are going to need some yummy hydration. Dog walking, golfing, and cycling will have to take place very early in the day. We have had the most incredibly perfect weather the past week but our geographical humidity is bound to get sticky and stay that way. Speaking of good drinks............have your tried Jose Cuervo Golden Margarita (ready to serve no less)? Going down a bit too easy I might add.

Too hot for satin, but this would be my choice of a patriotic ensemble if I got the opportunity

to wear red and white. I adore this outfit. Make that covet this outfit.

Enjoy the weekend! 

Will be back to my regular blogging schedule very soon (I promise) with a exciting new feature I think you will enjoy. 

images via Pinterest

hello sunshine................where did you go?

Have you noticed we are all a bit more impatient for sunshine this year? Or more specifically bright and beautiful yellow? As I was working on this post this morning, I noticed more than a few blogs showing yellow and I had to chuckle...............seems we are collectively craving some sunshine. Hello sunshine, but where did you go? Until it comes back...........some bright and beautiful yellow, and other colours too.

Ahhhhhh....................I feel better now. 

A sunny welcome to new followers and readers this week.

You make my world much brighter.

Kate Spade Image 1 and 3 by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life/Image 2 via Flickr/Image 4 by Justina Blakeney of Compaiblog/Image 5 via Pinterest

Just too gorgeous........Anthropologie goes bridal in all the right ways

Late last night, Anthropologie launched BHLDN their  eagerly-awaited online bridal division and though it has been 36 years since I have been a bride, I am more than entranced with their collection. Those shoes, that gauze wrap? I don't need to be a bride to wear these lovelies. Go take a divine peek here.

Dior Red...............Haute Couture SS 2010

If I had one creative wish in life, I think it would be to shadow John Galliano while he creates these exquisite haute couture creations for Christian Dior. I wouldn't make a peep, be invisible as a ghost, but just absorb what I think it the most brillant of fashion design. Only because it is what I dream of while I sleep, strangely enough. I know there is people who think haute couture is wasteful in this world of ours..............I am not one of them. I think fashion at this level is art in it's most beautiful and inspirational form. It will tell the future world much about us some day. His Spring/Summer 2011 collection took my breath away. See more colours and gorgeous frocks here. Gone shopping for red. 

The Golden Globes..............best dress awards according to me

Eva Longoria in a Zac Posen dress.............She is working her new single status don't you think? Darn right.

Ok, between you and me I think Scarlet Johansson looks much better as a blonde and could attempt a less-serious smile, but that sparkly Elie Saab dress was a perfect fit in my books.

TV correspondent Maria Menounos showed up some of the actresses in this perfect silhouette of pleated pink. I want this dress.

Hot mama! Modern Family actress Sofia Vergara always brings sexy and fun to any show. And it's not easy to bring sexy to Vera Wang. Elegant yes, but sexy no. But she did both beautifully.

The dress of course................ but that hair is perfect.
Who is this woman?
* The woman is Juliette Hough, dancer and former winner on Dancing with the Stars and girlfriend of Ryan Seacrest. 
Thanks readers!

For young actress Sarah Hyland of Modern family, I thought this Max Azria gown was sweet and sophisticated a the same time. The jewelry looks pretty good too.

Fits like a glove and Anne Hathaway may have singlehandly brought back shoulder pads in this backless Giorgio Armani Privé gown. She does have the height (and the back if you caught that view) to carry this off doesn't she?




Photos from InStyle 

Papo d' Anjo..........for discerning mothers everywhere

I love a good retail story. And this is a really, really good one. One about children's fashions, the precious kind that you want to keep and pass down for generations to come. The old fashioned way. Before I begin, the literal translation of  Papo d' Anjo is "tummy of an angel", the name given to a very special cake whose recipe dates back to 13th century Portugal. Now.........back to that good story.

There is a bit of romance behind the beginings of  Papo d' Anjo. An American woman meets a Portuquese man, falls in love, marries him, moves to Lisbon, Portugal and has two daughters. The American is Catherine Monteiro de Barios and as the founder of Papa d' Anjo she realized fifteen years ago that there might be an American market for the high-quality European childrens fashions that are manufactured the old-fashioned way. By old fashioned way I mean literally made-by-hand, the artisan hands of the Portuguese seamstresses using the finest of fabrics imported from France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and England. The softest of cotton, prints from Liberty of  London, madras, and cashmere. In a sense, the founder also honoured an old-fashioned and time-honoured way of growing her business here in North America. Twice a year, in over 100 US cities, Papo d' Anjo holds Trunk Shows at homes and shops where discerning mothers can meet with dedicated and knowledgeable hostesses over a three day period to pre-order clothing for their little angels. This past March, the New York Trunk Show was at the Carlye Hotel, where you might have rubbed cashmere shoulders with the Trumps.

Located in the heart of Lisbon, the design and production planning offices of  Papa d' Anjo are still located on the top floor of an 18th century building overlooking the Tagus river and six of Lisbons storied hills. These days, the exclusive children's line is also sold in Papo stores in Europe (Lisbon and Madrid), now in the United States and on their website. In-store boutiques are located in Harrods , London and stateside in New York at Bergdorf Goodman. As a gift source, the website will ship anywhere in the world which is why I thought to share this story and source. Due to popular request, Papo d' Anjo recently added baby Gift Baskets, which are available in three sizes and range from $99.00 to $399.00. Filled with a variety of  exquisite nursery gifts and their plush Rabbit, the pique-lined basket is one of their most popular keepsake and presented in their signature Italian-made gift box as shown above. How's that for presentation when you have a baby gift to send to someone special across the world? Or here in North America.

Some may consider it a rarified world of childrens fashion, they even have a Bespoke Collection where you can custom order clothing suitable for special occasions such as a Baptism or the upcoming Flower Girl. The collection gently oozes of innocence and classic quality for those that want to send a very special gift. Like the simple but gorgeous Hippie Dress shown above (79.00). The grandchild in Germany, the niece in Italy, the nephew in New York........all the innocent angels everywhere. Sometimes one classic and beautifully-made item is a rare and wonderful thing.

Papo d' Anjor website (click here) Papo Blog (click here) and US Toll Free Number is 888-660-6111 Europe Toll Free Number is 00800-6606-1111. A catalogue is available through the website. So is the recipe for those divine little cakes.

All photos used with permission of Papo d' Anjo