Inspiring Interiors

During the winter months I feel the urge to nest, big time. Hiding inside from the rain creates in me the urge to make my interior the one of my dreams. I've been thinking and plotting non stop about what I'd like to do with my apartment and my plans are starting to be laid. These beautiful spaces are hugely inspiring me right now...

I adore the living area above. It doesn't typically look like something I would love but I'm very drawn to the strong, modern wallpaper juxtaposed with the traditional tufted sofa, the beautiful bright painting and the unexpected, pale blue console. In fact, this could be the very colour I paint my own TV console (a job I've wanted done since I purchased it three years ago).

I have a large empty wall that would be absolutely perfect for a gallery of frames. I especially love the different size of frames hung opposite from each other. Now if only someone would install them perfectly for me...

This Parisian bedroom makes me melt. I love its soothing, creamy palette with its punctuation of brighter colour. Plus, I'm in search of a mirror similar to this one to put over the mantle in my living room. The search is officially on!

Everyone knows I love colour so I am drawn to the boldness of this gorgeous yellow painting and vivid blue lamp. A truly gutsy use of brights. Love!

I worship everything about this incredible living room~ the stunning crystal chandelier, the wall of display, the feminine palette. I definitely plan on incorporating more colour into my apartment based on this lovely home.

(Photos 1-4 via Made by Girl, photos 5, 6 via Vi.sualize)

Wish List- Wink Harmony Dress

Wink. Could there be a better name on the label of this perfect little fall dress? It certainly feels like a flirtation in itself. The mix of vibrant aqua with the more soothing navy is fresh and chic. The chiffon top with twisted straps falls into a decidedly sexy low back. Even the booties are stylistic heaven. This is so much better than just your typical LBD. 

Eschew the black, girls, and keep colour in your wardrobe. 

This one needs to come home to me. Immediately. 

Equestrian Fashion Love

I am absolutely adoring the feel of these equestrian inspired looks for the upcoming fall and winter seasons. The clothes are cozy yet chic, the feel pulled together and casual yet stylish and romantic. These dreamy images stir a longing in me to pull on a crisp blazer and riding boots and go for a long walk amongst fallen leaves. Plus, the boy is pretty dreamy too! Le sigh....

I have definitely now added pieces inspired by these photos to my fashion wish list. What is on your list for fall? Do you like equestrian inspired fashion, even if you aren't off to ride horses?!

(Photos from Marc O'Polo via this is glamorous)

Fall Fashion Wish List

I'm giddy with excitement. It's the last day of August, which means (of course) that tomorrow is September! I adore September for so many reasons~ watching little kids go back to school, rainy days, my birthday, the start of fall.... and the shameless anticipation of adding to my cool weather wardrobe! I love fall clothes! September is, hands down, my favourite time to shop. You see, being a pale redhead means I'm just not genetically built for the tiny outfits of summer. I spend all June and July long staring at girls with perfect, golden tans in abject jealousy. But by the time August rolls around and the stores start filling with jackets, sweaters and trousers I am over all coveting. I'm ready to shop! 

This fall I've been a little behind on my fashion fix. Since I'm not returning to university to finish my last two classes until next spring I don't have the same yen for that satisfying "back to school" shop. That being said it doesn't mean I haven't been drooling over swoon-y things online that I could easily transition into my existing wardrobe. Here are some of the very best pieces I've found that I'm lusting for this fall.....

First of all, the handbag I've finally selected, despite my confusion from purse lust (which I wrote about here). Coach's patent leather doctor-style bag is structured and chic, yet fun because of its hit of colour. I can't wait to finally pick it up this week! 

This sweet dress from Urban Outfitters is appealing to me because of its casual, hippie vibe. I love its subtle print and punch of citrus orange and though it's from UO's summer collection it can easily be paired with an adorable cardigan and my Dorothy-esque patent leather red heels to transition into fall. Plus, at $58 the price is very right!  

Anyone who knows me knows I normally avoid wearing black (except for the odd night at work when I give in to peer pressure!). I find it washes out my pale complexion too much and I look, well, ghostly! However, BCBG's beaded black top is so jaw droppingly gorgeous I must must must have it! The details make me swoon, especially the straps draped over the upper arm~ so pretty! Wearing this I would feel like a 1920's flapper girl~ and best of all, it can be paired with a black pencil skirt as easily as it can be with a pair of jeans and heels! A definite must have.

Antik Batik's beaded mini purse looks like it may be a relic from a Parisian flea market~ and that's exactly why I love it! The long chain makes it the perfect choice for a night on the town, as you can sling it across your body and have your hands free for cocktails and dancing! It's incomparably the prettiest evening bag I've seen in a long time!

I have black boots and I have brown boots but, oh, grey boots! Yes, please! Grey is by far my favourite neutral. It is always perfectly chic and goes with any colour you care to throw next to it. These grey riding boots from Urban Outfitters are the ultimate footwear for those cloudy days when I just want to throw on skinny jeans and a cozy, oversized sweater and brave the elements. These would definitely be worth a road trip to Seattle, as I haven't yet spotted them at our teeny Vancouver store. Who's coming with me? 

I love colour and I really love rich, jewel tone colour! This emerald green, ruffled tank from BCBG would be a considerably glamourous addition in my closet! I would instead opt to pair it with jeans for a date night or grey, pin striped trousers and my new, adorably puff sleeved H&M blazer for a family dinner out. Sexy and casual at the same time means this piece can work double duty!

Nanette Lepore's Heartbeat coat is heaven and almost everything I've been hoping for in such a piece (the only drawback being it's black). Still, its tailored silhouette and exaggerated, flouncy hem is wonderfully romantic and feminine. This would be a joy to slip into on drizzly November days when all I want to do is crawl back into bed! Now if only it came in cream....

This daring little Toucan tunic, also from Antik Batik, would certainly add a little spiciness to my fall wardrobe. The bright splashes of colour would definitely banish any blahs and the abbreviated hemline is decidedly flirty! Plus, I love it paired with the tall boots. Perfect for a night out with my girls! 

Top photo: My current Etsy fave, Sarah Seven, makes heartbreakingly beautiful clothes. I've already posted on her stunning cocktail dresses but now I'm dying for this dreamy, made to measure strapless top in perfect ballerina pink and "sexy secretary" high waisted pencil skirt. Now this is one va va voom outfit! 

So there is my current fall wish list! What are you going to be searching for this upcoming season? Share! 

Wish List- Ballerina Dress

Oh! I wish so much that I had a party to go to so that I could wear this tulle skirted, ballerina inspired Cynthia Rowley cocktail dress! I'm in love! The silhouette is innocent but sexy, the black belt gives a tiny bit of dramatic contrast and the full skirt makes me want to twirl the night away! Why oh why don't I have a benefit/engagement party/gala to go to so that I can indulge the child in me (the one who never wanted to get out of her tutu) and channel my inner Anna Pavlova? 

Cynthia Rowley Tulle Dress ($375US) can be found at shopbop here.  

Wish List- Herve Leger LBD

Dear Little (and I mean little) Black Dress,

I would like to own you, if only to feel naughty and edgy for one day of my life. Sigh.... if only you weren't $900. 

Sincerely and heartbrokenly yours, Ally

Dress by Herve Leger by Max Azria

Visit BCBG.com here. 

Wish List- Tiffany & Co.

Every week I intend to reveal something on my Wish List (trust me, it's a long list!) and share with you things to covet in our wildest dreams! This week I'm lusting after Tiffany & Co.'s new Key Collection necklaces. Designed after antique hardware, Tiffany has reinvented an everyday item into something incredibly beautiful, delicate and fashion forward. These necklaces are inventive and charming~ a very fresh take on an everyday accessory. The keys are offered in gold, platinum, sterling silver and the pulse-racing diamond collection, with several different chains to pick and choose from. The diamond key above is truly a Wish List only item at a spine tingling $15,000 (yeah, in my dreams), but the more modest silver crown key is a more manageable $295. The Key Collection can be found at the Tiffany & Co. store on Burrard and Alberni Streets, where I intend to go very soon and have (what else?) breakfast. Audrey, I think, would be proud. 

Visit Tiffany & Co. here.