{everyday beautiful life: coco & kelley}

I’ve been stoked about this post since the day she said yes. Today we have the amazing Cassandra of Coco & Kelley for our {Everyday Beautiful  Life} guest post.  I’m especially appreciative because she was able to get her post in to me despite a very busy schedule and speaking engagement at Blog Out Loud this past week. Cassandra’s blog led her to open a creative styling business that offers consulting on personal style, interiors, wedding design, and merchandising. A little bird tells us she’s working on a wedding blog, too.

{1} Handwritten notes are so rare these days, so I love giving and receiving them! Of course, the most beautiful part (besides the message) is the gorgeous stationery. I have boxes and boxes full of letterpressed cards that make me so happy every time I pull them out.

{2} I love a well set table. and, why wait for a special occasion? I enjoy putting together a table for two for no reason at all – a small bunch of flowers, a few candles, and linen napkins. makes a Tuesday night feel much more fabulous!

{3} When all else fails to cheer me up, my girlfriends can always make me feel thankful for their friendship and all the little things. Of course, a cupcake picnic would make things even better!

{4} I am a dress addict. I think half my closet is taken up by purchases that I simply couldn’t resist because nothing makes me feel more fabulously feminine than a well cut dress! And when I can’t afford them, i still love to drool over them – especially if they happen to be as gorgeous as these pieces from the Lanvin bridal collection!

{5} Flowers & books should always go hand in hand. I love creating a quiet little corner of my home for a small library and fresh florals. They create instant tranquility and a little escape from the madness of daily life.

{6} One of the things that makes me happiest is treasure hunting! Flea markets, thrift stores, antique malls… I’m like a kid in a candy store. the unique little pieces I find always bring new life to my home, and I love the idea of finding a new purpose for old pieces.

{7} No matter who they’re from, random acts of love never fail to make life more beautiful, especially when they’re unexpected and creative!

{8} Sometimes what we really need when life gets crazy is silence… and what better place to seek refuge than a hot bath? Those little indulgences and moments of getting away from it all are rare, so its important to make time for ourselves to be still and breathe.

{Other posts in this series}
+ Frolic!
+ Sweet & Low
+ Design Crush
+ Daydream Lily
+ Concrete & Honey
+ Simply Seductive
+ How to be Sensual at Home
+ 6 Ways to be a Wild Thing
or click on the category at left to enjoy them all.

image credits: tanja lippertsunday supperscorrie bondcoco+kelleykate frenchcoco+kelleycoco+kelley, unknown.

{bag lust}

Ugh, these bags are gorgeous. Not sure which is my fav! {I’m having going through a polaroid phase here.}

1. alexander wang coco duffle 2. antik batik swar pouchette $238, 3. antik batik cross body bag $325 all available {via} shopbop.com

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{sunday brunch: fall dresses}

As I was checking my e-mail this morning, I saw an e-mail pop up announcing new dresses at our friend, Judy Kou’s lovely shop, Sunday Brunch. I basically lost all hope of doing anything else until I finished drooling over every dress and contemplating which dresses to buy {when and how to be determined.} I’m sharing a few notables with you here, although if you really want to see the dresses I want just visit the shop, because I want them all. {You can click on the polaroid to take you to the dress in the online shop, where you can see more detailed views and get an incredibly helpful guide to the fit.}

This dress looks like a stunner. I doubt that photos could do it justice, but from the closeup photo {there is embellishment on the bust} in the shop, I can tell it is beyond gorgeous.

Audrey indeed. If Audrey Hepburn were alive and 25 today, I imagine she’d be wearing this dress. Classy & sexy.

So modest and yet there is something seductive about it. This would be a lovely to wear to work, church, well, anywhere.

I’m not even going to give you any comments because I have to quote Judy’s description:

This dress makes us want to say all sorts of Frenchy French things while wielding a paintbrush in one hand and a double Espresso in the other. The Godard evokes all things Parisian and romantic and amazing. Sacré bleu! S’il vous plait! Soupe du jour! Clearly we don’t speak French but we sure wish we did.

This one is romantic and um, bust enhancing. Or so says Judy, I mean Chuck. {Wink}

Of course, I must mention the Lorick dress, because as you know, here at {Bits of Beauty} Lorick is as essential as Gossip Girl and Amelie. I must have this one, too. BTW, it has a killer open back. {Much like the back of the dresses S & B wore here.}

Oh heavens, I just looked again and want this dress! Afterall, I was a history major, so it was made for me. Thank goodness I don’t live near Judy’s store, because I’d own everything and would be homeless. Everytime I’ve looked today, I see a new dress pop up that I want. Perhaps I’ll start a dress fund and have all friends and family donate to it instead of giving me gifts.

All photos from Sunday Brunch dress shop with polaroid and editing by {Bits of Beauty}

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