A Little Palette Cleanser

Posted on 03/23/2012 by Slim Paley

Happy Weekend Everyone! Isn’t it wonderful that Spring has arrived?! (Although Winter barely made an appearance in many places this year)

I’m finally getting back into the swing of things, though my holiday lingers in my thoughts like a beautiful dream that promises to last for a very long time.

Still, it seemed it might be time to give you a break from travel posts and offer up a little colour palette cleanser as it were.

As you can see in my photo above, I arrived home to a lovely big spray of purple and orange tulips- how pretty are they?!

Hermes scarf, Chanel bracelet

I don’t know if you’ve noticed it or not, but I’m a little gobsmacked at the amount of orange and purple I’m seeing everywhere- a frisky combination to be sure, despite their relative proximity on the colour wheel.

Of course what works in art & nature doesn’t always translate to fashion, but many designers this season are certainly giving it the old college try.

What do you make of it?

Personally, I don’t have the complexion to sport this bold duo anywhere near my face but I’d be happy to entertain them in accessories and I love their pop of colour in a room, especially for Spring and Summer.

Prada Fall 2012

Vogue

Prada Fall 2012

It works for Jennifer Anniston apparently.

Prada

Difficult lipstick shade to carry off, but imagine these three colours in a a floral arrangement. I have small Calla lilies in the garden almost the same colour as this nail polish so I’m definitely filing this away for future inspiration.

Even the runway rug at Prada was purple.

Nature excels in the combo as always

credit unknown

Prada

Got tired of contemplating on how many levels this wouldn’t work for me.

.Consider repurposing your scarves in your home. Chic recycling.

.Slim Paley photo

woops-lost credit. Don’t you love when I save you $ like that?

Etro

Giambattista Valli Resort 2012

Bottega Veneta Spring 2012

“Rorschach” fabric or wallcovering from “Timorous Beasties“ (Love them).

I just know these shoes are going to grow on me…

Let’s be BOLD in some way this weekend- Why not? It’s SPRING!

The Happy Blues

Posted on 04/04/2011 by Slim Paley

….

.Slim Paley photo

A Beauteous Blue Day in California

One of House Beautiful Magazine’s most popular contributing editors, Lisa Cregan has a brand new book out about decorating with the colour BLUE.

Despite it’s diminutive stature (just 5″ x 7″) the book is brimming with ideas in which to incorporate this most popular of colours into any room in your home, and proves that good things do indeed come in small packages.

(Available on Amazon)

.Slim Paley photo of a page in the book

Slim Paley Photo

The cover wrap removes and unfolds to become this fun colour chip chart

Slim Paley photo

Dries Van Noten

photo Don Farrall

Aquamarine & tourmaline cabochon bracelet by Sidney Garber

Paraiba Tourmaline & Diamond bracelet by Henry J. Sillam

CND Anchor Blue

Crystal Renn

Versace dress

Estee Lauder Pure Colour nail polish #015

This tranquil, exceptionally private destination on a small island in Fiji, was developed, ironically, by the creator of “Red Bull”

Go figure.

This is perfect for me…it’s like “Survivor” without the yucky survivor part.

This could finally be my chance to be the last remaining person on the island! (I used to be a Federal Agent you know. Only Survivor nerds are going to get that )

Just watching this video is like taking a mini vacation;

Go ahead, treat yourself and click here- you deserve it!;

Laucala

What I would take if I were going to Laucala;

Bottega Veneta “Palm Beach” Limited Edition bag

I could eat this colour

Mikael Jansson

~~Me, poolside in Laucala~~ Daria Werbowy in Salvatore Ferragamo

OPI “Yodel Me On My Cell”

Rug by Lachlan Allen

Even oil tankers can be beautiful

Australian photographer Anne Penman Sweet lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of N.S.W.

Hermes Bleus D’Ailleurs Porcelain

Joe Nye

Please pass the calamari

“Storm in a Tea Cup” by John Lumbus

Turn the handle and the golden boat rides the mechanical waves, above, the stormy clouds reveal a shining bolt of lightening.

What more does one need really?!

The Family Jewels

Posted on 03/07/2011 by Slim Paley

Slim Paley Photo

My enamel & inlay opera glasses (and the answer is no, I’ve never used them )

Lanvin Fall 2011

As you can see, I’m still in High Fashion Voyeur Mode with all the new collections strutting down the catwalks in Paris this week

and what a decadent box of jewels it’s been so far

Glamorous, luxurious, positively sumptuous; filled with divine fabrics in gorgeous jewel tones that could almost make one forget about summer altogether (I said almost)

Let’s just hope the economy catches some of the creativity and excitement we’re seeing on the runways…

Well, perhaps we won’t hold our breath, but in the meantime, if your travels take you to New York between now and June 5, 2011 you might want to stop by The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum to catch “SET in STYLE“

an exhibition featuring more than 350 pieces designed by those Big Boys of Beautific Baubles Van Cleef & Arpels. I know I’ll be stopping by for a gander

From the “Set in Style” exhibition of Van Cleef & Arpels

Egyptian Odalisque Evening Bag, Paris 1927 Van Cleef & Arpel’s Collection

Slim Paley Photo

One of my vintage needlepoint clutches, circa late 1800′s

Bottega Veneta Fall 2011

Table by Joe Nye

Rich trims via “A Gift Wrapped Life“

Slim Paley photo

I’m loving my new Cire Trudon candle in the “Spiritus Sancti” scent. It smells like old churches…

in a really good way.

Gucci Fall 2011

Slim Paley photo

Not too much happening in the garden yet, but these crazy “daisies” continue to delight me- they bloom 12 months of the year!

Marc Jacobs S2011

textiles from Arc.com

Dior spat booty

Dior Fall 2011

Inspired me to look for the gorgeous silk velvet and fur vintage coat I had stored away

Not something I get a lot of wear out of, but hey, a girl’s gotta have her capricious moments…

Probably from the 30′s ?

Dior Fall 2011

Most unfortunately, John Galliano had a few not so capricious moments in the past week I’m quite sure he would give anything to rewind.

I really hope he gets the serious help he obviously needs…

It’s been quite the week for outlandish behaviour has it not?!

But back to prettier things…

Slim Paley photo

An Edwardian enamel, gold & ivory parasol clock, one of my most prized objets d”art

Karen Elson in American Vogue, March 2011

Marc Jacobs bodysuit & skirt

Modern Alchemy candles in jewel tones

Dior Fall 2011

Haider Ackermann

Lanvin Fall 2011

Ironically, the name already being bandied about as a possible replacement for Galliano at Dior is Haider Ackermann, who I’ve mentioned before as a relatively new favourite of mine. Based on his previous collections, I wouldn’t have thought his edgy style would be a good fit at Dior and yet I see some similar sensibilities between his most recent show and Galliano’s- what say you? (BTW- I’m loving his collection but ixnay on the hair and makeup-ay, no?? )

Haider Ackermann Fall 2011

Crazy for those big belts!

Dior Fall 2011

Haider Ackermann Fall 2011

Don’t be a hater if I lose a credit or two

His final collection for Dior.

How to even begin to understand the dichotomy that is John Galliano?

via Countryliving.com

Wishing you a gem filled week

Slim Paley photo

BLACK LACE

Posted on 03/02/2011 by Slim Paley

Slim Paley photo

A treasured vintage gown, bought with great delight, many years ago at the Costume & Textiles Fair in Bath, England

Slim Paley photo

Was it just me, or did you notice a dearth of black this year at the Academy Awards?! Other than Madame Stone, who worked the black theme and then some, I’d have to say it was the least amount of noir I’ve ever seen at an awards show.

For me, Black still remains my Go To “Colour” when in doubt (which is more often than I care to admit)

and what girl isn’t a pushover for a beautiful touch of black lace?!

Herewith;

a sampling of lace, some traditional, some…not so much

Audrey

Alexander McQueen, Fall 2010

…

“Rosa Muerta” a one bedroom, 1,300 sq.ft. residence completely open to the elements located in Joshua Tree, CA & designed by Robert Stone

Blumarine Fall 2011

Valentino

Terence Koh “Black Light”

Bergdorf’s catalogue

Erin O’Connor rocks a Mantilla of sorts in Oyster magazine

Ming

Maria Carla Boscono

Slim Paley photo

Dior

Haider Ackermann Fall 2010

Black Lace Outdoor Furniture by Seasonal Living

Finally- a “tattoo” I’d wear! (For a night, anyway)

Anastasia Radevich

Fab!

The Mondrian

What’s up? Itchy?? Another model sorry to be in the Lanvin Fall show2010

Dolce & Gabbana

Cesare Paciotti

Karen Elson

little lace socks seen in Australian fashion show

If your tastes run more to the garden than to the runway…

Canadian artist Cal Lane’s Lace shovels

Dior Fall 2010

Roberto Cavalli’s home

Sally Hansen “Salon effects” lace nail polish strips

Marchesa Spring/Summer 2011

This model could also stand to be a little happier about her gig

Lost the credit for this fabulous laser cut black metal chandelier

Lace lighting by Gilles Eichenbaum

Helena Rubenstein Lash Queen

Bottega Veneta

Plates available via The Conran Shop

Valentino

McQueen

Ming

Wallpaper available via Anthropologie

Lady Rita

Lady Gaga

Who Wore It Better??!

Daria

Bottega Veneta Fall 2011

Cesare Paciotti

Delicate heels are making a comeback Ladies- watch your Ebay decisions carefully

Green & Black Saturday

Posted on 11/27/2010 by Slim Paley

Slim Paley flowers & photo

Did you participate in Black Friday?! The whole concept of the crowds and parking madness makes me shudder. I saw that some stores opened at 4 a.m. ! I saw commercials of women exercising…getting prepped for the event- might have been for “Target”, I’m not sure. Not that I don’t love a good Target run as much as the next savvy shopper. It comes second only to Costco in providing me with the most things I never realized I needed until the moment I see them. I think there might be a “tense” problem in that last sentence, but I’m so tired and I’m dashing to get this posted before Sunday or I’ll have to change the entire premise. In any case, this Thanksgiving weekend marks yet another year I didn’t get all (any) of my Christmas shopping done before December 1st as I promised myself I would. For those of you that have finished already- I am GREEN with envy! I might have to go pour myself some Absynthe just to drown my sorrows…