leather bows...

...strung on long chains: the Hello I love you necklace from ulala. So pretty. ($24)

color me red...

...in these vintage cranberry flats from sponsor Becky Drolen. Completely perfect for Valentine's Day? I'd say so. ($35)

stripes and diamonds...

two geometric patterns I always seem to be drawn to: Striped Shift Dress (currently out-of-stock) and Neon Diamond Print ($15)

a neutral garden.

I am usually not a big fan of 1980's clothing, but I am smitten with this heathered sweater from clever nettle's shop. That neutral floral pattern is to die for. ($41)

apparel & accessories collection : seeing the world...

...in black and white.

1. Paw Stripe Tee ($176), 2. How-Tie ($18). 3. Shell and leather necklace ($315), 4. Natalie One-Piece ($148), 5. Black Pearl Collar Top (£38), 6. Black and White Fingerless Wool Gloves, Missoni (£95), 7. Tokyo Bay Petticoat Watch ($80), and 8. park avenue perfection polka dot dress ($40.99)

guest post : (inspired by) stephin merritt & the magnetic fields.

(The following post is by a new Design is Mine contributor, my dear friend Christopher Williams. From time-to-time, he will be posting his favorites for style and design inspiration. Hooray for finally having a male guest blogger!)




To celebrate the release of "Strange Powers", the documentary about Stephin Merritt and his band The Magnetic Fields, I've chosen some items that (to me) carry a touch of Mr. Merritt's personality and signature themes that run through his songs.

Pour yourself a nice stiff drink, que up your favorite ABBA vinyl, and enjoy.

1. 69 Love Songs Vinyl Boxset ($99.98), 2. Chaplin ($38), 3. Original Gin, 4. Yes, a Voyage to the Moon is Possible! ($49.99), 5. Mandolin -10 different woods ($1200), 6. Greeting Card, Just Arrived in New York City ($4.95), 7. THE MAGNETIC FIELDS ($25) and 8. Stephin (price unknown)

mreow.

It may sound strange, but I happen to be a very frequent "meow"er. Whenever there is a lull in a conversation, or if I'm just feeling like it, I meow. Now, thanks to Geoff and Anabela of fieldguided, I can meow in a variety of different languages. Buy the bag here. ($15)

five holiday party ensembles.

Ahh yes, the time of year for fabulous holiday soirées. With already two that I know I am attending this month, I am quite ready to eat, drink, and be merry. And of course, have girlish daydreams of the perfect party ensembles...


1. Floats Your Fancy Dress ($104.99), 2. take a chance necklace ($75), 3. Black Glitter Floral Clutch (£10), 4. Mink Satin Ballerina (£16), and 5. Mini-Painting Pins ($40)


1. Jarlo Ruth Dress ($107.58), 2. vintage 1950's PEARL DROP black velvet veil hat ($21), 3. Shawl of the Wild Scarf" ($19.99), 4. Katy Peep-toe Pump in Leopard ($230), and 5. deluxe plush scottie ($225)


1. Pixie's Plume mini (£140), 2. midnight sky clutch ($36.99), 3. Matte Silver Cut-Out Chandelier Necklace ($21), 4. Feathered Headband (£29), and 5. Frill Court Leather Shoe in Green ($227)


1. sequins of glamour dress ($56.99), 2. twirl margie ($255), 3. Lovely Golden Key & Bow Necklace (€22), 4. The Formal Fascinator ($39.99), and 5. twirl karolina ($350)


1. Mies Side Button Dress ($236.60), 2. A Promise Made Comb ($16.99), 3. Natural Beroque Bow X Body (£13), 4. Bow'n Places Heel in White ($129.99), and 5. Antiqued Silver Peacock Pendant Necklace ($21)

in a bow.

I have always adored little bows and ribbons in fashion, so I am loving the fact that they can be found all over the place these days. These two pieces, a handmade bow rope necklace and a bow trim top, are just too sweet. ($28.50 and £32.00)

a timeless look.

Really loving this look from La Garçonne. I must say, it is very much my style- a fashion I have recently named "sexy librarian chic." And that redheaded model? A beauty.

collections : (inspired by) the dreamers.

I ended up seeing The Dreamers accidentally in the theater back in 2003, after sneaking out of a film I just couldn't get into. I immediately fell in love with its style, music, old film clips, and abundant sexuality (and be forewarned, it deals with incest.) Director Bernardo Bertolucci did a truly beautiful job with the entire look of it- plus, it takes place in Paris in the sixties, which can be a major weakness of mine. And it should be mentioned, the three film-obsessed stars are absolutely gorgeous.

1. Bow Beret ($16), 2. Unknown Band of Outsiders Poster - 11 x 17 ($25), 3. Marabou Boa Pillow ($88), 4. Tan Striped ($88, currently sold out), 5. 1960 CROWN 8 EZS 2X8mm Reflex Zoom Cine Camera with Handle ($79.99), 6. World Imports Elizabethan Classics Grand Slipper Cast Iron Clawfoot Tub ($2,980), 7. Dark Green Velvet Dress (€86), and 8. Antique Scaferlati Levant Tobacco Tin. Regie Francaise des Tabacs ($19)

a perfect muse.

Really, how lovely is my friend Ashley? At ages sixteen and eighteen, her and I formed a great bond as young personal bloggers, and have been friends and pen-pals since. Now she runs Fancy Fine, a sweet blog that documents her daily life and truly stunning fashion choices in San Francisco. Go visit and I promise, you will be smitten.

apparel & accessories collection : singin' in the rain.

Hello November... and hello rain. Might as well deal with all the downpours in style.

1. Adult Guy de Jean Lady w/Dog Black Umbrella ($95 CAD), 2. Anorak (£145), 3. Jacklyn Moto Jacket ($69.50), 4. Green Original Wellington Boots, Hunter (£60), 5. Loop Stitch Pom Pom Trapper Hat ($32), 6. Unikko Varjo Raincoat ($295), 7. Acorn Cup Print Raincoat ($455), and 8. Guy de Jean Short Umbrella Floral ($95)

apparel & accessories collection : coffee with cream.

1. Wool Check Coat ($640), 2. Porter Canvas Tote ($260), 3. Love-For-Lace Bottoms ($32), 4. Chocolate Java Dress (£36), 5. Angelique Dress ($89.99), 6. We Who See Spectator Oxford Shoe ($59.99), 7. Stem Printed Leather Iris Bag ($395), and 8. Pearl Trim Cardi (£38)

a vintage beauty...

...for sale here from Clever Nettle. Gotta love those pleats and the argyle pattern. Plus, it just looks light and comfy. ($41)

glasses envy.

Ever since I started wearing contacts last year, I have been a little Jan Brady-ish about wearing my glasses in public (even though, when it comes to other people, I think glasses make a person a whole lot cuter.) These gorgeous vintage frames from Etsy seller Mod Vintage would probably make me an avid spectacle-wearer again- they are just too stylin'. ($29-$79)

(Via For Me, For You)

arden wray.

First of all, I am quite sorry for the quiet on here the past few days. Halloween weekend was darn busy, especially with one of my closest friends in town, and yesterday I needed a whole day to actually get some rest. But now I am feeling much better and more alert, so bring on the rest of the week!

Second, how lovely are these photographs by Arden Wray for Victoire's Fall/Winter collection? So soft and pretty, and that model has that oh-so-charming Zooey thing going on.

hello, cold weather.

Fall is definitely upon us, which brings along the cold and the rain. The folks over at Whooga are doing a give-away for some nice warm Ugg boots (perfect for this time of year)- all you have to do is sign up for their newsletter or add them on Twitter.

Also, they are giving Design is Mine readers a special 10% discount for the next week: just type in "667MIME." Thanks, Whooga!

dreaming a little dream...

...of owning this dress. I could easily see myself wearing it everywhere from the library to a night out on the town. Dear Creatures, you're constantly making me swoon. ($159.99)

(By the way, I hope you all had a glorious weekend- here's to a great week!)

apparel & accessories collection : (inspired by) an education.

See: An Education (if you haven't already.) I fell so in love with it when I first saw it and still think about the story and the style all the time for inspiration. And oh, that Carey Mulligan is a doll. (More film stills here.)

1. Viola Jacket (£165), 2. Royal Apothic Eau De Parfum ($32), 3. Charlecote Tie (£49), 4. Classic Beauty Dress ($109.99), 5. Fall Solid Remy Skirt ($188), 6. Applethwaite V-neck (£79), 7. Zibo Midnight Sheath ($258), and 8. Triple Latte Scarf ($24.99)