October 27, 2010

GLOBE-TROTTING WITH TORY BURCH



I am so looking forward to seeing {and buying} many of the pieces in the upcoming Tory Burch Resort Collection. She seems to get so much, so right—the globe-trotting inspired prints, the vibrant colors, the 70s sensibilities, and advertising shoots that are spot-on to the spirit and genre of her style and brand. The inspiration for this globally-inspired collection came from India and Africa. Necklaces crafted from beads and shells accessorize the silks and chiffons. As Burch expands her stores into Asia, this globe-trotting collection is bound to be a big hit. Just love.

October 19, 2010

RODERICK CAMERON'S INDIA


The guardians of Sheikh Salim's tomb.

I've been intrigued by Roderick "Rory" Cameron and his La Fiorentina for quite some time, but even more so after reading this Christopher Petkanas story here {T magazine} from The New York Times. I am slowly collecting Cameron's books on history and travel. This past weekend, his Shadows From India arrived. I will spend hours intrigued by this album of architectural history, pattern, and delight—from Ancient Hindu to Mogul India, Rajput to British India, and a section on Kashmir—the isolated corner of India. First published in 1958, Cameron's exquisite photographs are a true delight—the light/shadows feel so right. I felt compelled to share some of these lovely photographs with you.



Outside Sheikh Salim Chisti's tomb at Fatchpur-Sikri


Built by Shah Jahan at Amjer


Royal palace at Agra with Bengali-roofed side pavilions


Mogul garden in geometric design


Mogul tomb of I'timad-ud-Daulah, built in 1628

Many of the shadows from India come from the light that filters through the lattice windows.


A window in Akbar's tomb at Sikandra


Inlaid floors from the Palace at Delhi




An inlaid panel in I'timad-ud-Daulah's tomb reflects a strong Persian influence


Marble tracery in Salim Chisti's tomb


The palace at Agra


The entrance to the tomb of I'timad-ud-Daulah


Hall of Public Audience at Delhi


Palm over the grey sand-banks of the Jumna River


Shah Jahan's Palace at Delhi


Inner courtyard of a house in Udaipur, decorated with folk art


Seventeenth-century Persian glass mosaic of flowers, grapes and hibiscus


Marble elephants guard the water steps at The Jamandar Palace


The palace of Dig at Bharatpur built in 1725 by Suraj Mal, founder of the Bharatpur dynasty


Cloth bazaar


Women stringing and selling jasmine-like beads


A "nahob's" residence {Anglo-Indian definition of the word > a person of great wealth}


Detail of the Old Mint and its Greek Revival architecture


The man-made lake at Lucknow, built by Frenchman Claude Martin


Cameron's bedroom at Clark's Hotel at Benares


Bungalows at Poona with latticed verandas


A bungalow with 'baronial Gothic' detail in Bangalore


Charming bungalow


Entrance to a delightful house-boat moored on the River Jhelum in Kashmir


Lovely Nishat Bagh gardens at the very base of the Himalayas in Kashmir
Book cover pattern

All Photos: courtesy, Shadows From India by Roderick Cameron, William Heinemann Ltd.

October 15, 2010

FALL ACCESSORIES | BEACH LIVING



My La Tropézienne tote arrived from Clare Vivier this week. It's the most delicious color brown, in eco-tanned, unlined Italian leather. I love it. I ordered the style with an 8 inch drop-handle that can easily slip over my shoulder. For inside, I just bought another small canvas cosmetic zip pouch from Hable Construction in Clementine Beads. I use Hable's canvas pouches as a wallet. They are sized perfectly for credit cards, checkbook, pill-box, lipstick and more. So, I've officially transferred from a simple straw tote from summer... now, let's see when I will finally slip-out of my flip flops - maybe by Thanksgiving?

October 4, 2010

FLEA MARKET | COLOR PALETTES

There was not much that interested me at the flea market again this Sunday, with the exception of some vintage rattan side tables. But while walking around yesterday under gray skies, I discovered many interesting color palettes. I decided to take photos of the palettes that attracted my eye—not the objects themselves but the color I spotted along the way. Whether or not you buy anything at a flea market, there are many ways to be inspired. A couple of weeks ago, it was all about flea market dogs. I hope you find some inspiration in these photos from our weekly trip to our local flea market at Todd Farm in Rowley, Massachusetts.