{take me away № 27 | mykonos, greece}

According to Greek mythology, the beautiful island of Mykonos [/ˈmiːkənɒs/] was once the very scene of the mythical battle held between Zeus and the Titans, and so named, in honour of Apollo's grandson, Mykon. Mykonos is located near the sacred island of Delos and the island of Rhenia, which are all encompassed in the group of Greek islands referred to as the Cyclades. Perhaps smaller that one would estimate, the island's population is only about 9,000, and yet, Mykonos attracts thousands upon thousands of visitors each year. And is it any wonder?



To reach Mykonos, one can arrive by sea or by air. But do be warned, you may feel completely overwhelmed with its intoxicating beauty upon arrival. Indeed, your camera will likely become your closest companion, as you take in the mosaic of hues that makes up the Aegean Sea, with colorful boats, scattered about the water's edge, or floating along. And just as inspiring is the rather charming Cycladic architecture that trails up the cliff side and over, awash in pure white and linen-like: fresh, imperfect, and entirely livable. Brightly colored shutters, doors and building tops break up the whites, but perhaps most refreshing, are the potted flowers and plants, that spill over into courtyards, and frame windows and tiny balconies, and often completely unexpected along tiny pathways.





An ever-connecting maze of narrow stonewashed streets created long, long ago to confuse unwanted raiders, and to help protect the city, wind about, but today, create the charming allure of surprise—step through an archway and up the hill, and you may discover the iconic chapel of Panagia Paraportiani [the most photographed church on the island] located in Chora, dating back to the 15th century. Or perhaps you will come across the series of windmills that were first established in the 16th century. For there are a number of museums, hidden piazzas, water wells, lovely little cafés and restaurants, inviting shops, artists [you might discover a beautiful painting to bring home with you] and artisans to discover. Dash about the city in a taxi, or if you prefer, by foot, or take a tour and enjoy the breathtaking views from the sea . . .

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{holiday style inspiration: bejewelled cuffs & opera gloves}

. . . the lanvin fall 2011 rtw collection was filled with holiday-perfect party dresses, festive hair adornments, and impossibly chic crystal-embellished opera gloves . . .



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{places: the greenbrier hotel, west virginia}

. . . and around here, a terrible weakness for perfectly decorated hotels, and the greenbrier most certainly fits into the category -- the intoxicating intermingling of vibrant colours and patterns, leaves and florals and elegant drapery, gilded flourishes and enchanting chandeliers are just the thing for these overcast autumn days . . .









{p.s.} more photos after the jump x

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{runway inspiration: elie saab, paris}

. . . if you have been reading for a while, you undoubtedly know about about a longstanding love affair with elie saab, and especially, for said designer's penchant for sequins by daylight, dramatic draping, billowy fabrics, pleats and perfectly pretty party dresses, and while previous collections my have been about pale & pretty neutrals, the spring 2012 collection, while still awash in beautiful sequins and filled with glamour, is all about colour . . .

[more of this collection after the jump] x

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{favourite five: designer kelly wearstler}

I ask a lot of clients what their favorite colors are and they say, 'I don't know what I want to live in.' I say, 'Go in your closet and look at the majority of what color is in there; that's the color you're going to like living in.

~ Kelly Wearstler

Whether she is dressing interiors or dressing models, interior and fashion designer Kelly Wearstler is taking the world of high-style by storm -- a very chic storm.




Since she started her own interior design firm in 1995, Kelly has taken lessons from celebrated decorators such as Dorothy Draper and William Haines, applying the modern sensible style of a strict color palette and clean, graphic lines to the chic, plush and swanky glamour of old Hollywood . . .

[click below to read more]



from the fall 2011 ready-to-wear collection
{p.s.} as always, so much more after the jump x

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{décor inspiration: an artful arrangement}

. . . there is something about this room that brings one back, over and over again -- perhaps it is the warm floods of light, or the bright flowers and abstract art, or artful arrangement of lovely things -- or perhaps -- like summer white & leopard print, it has the feeling of transition, from warm summer days to crisp autumn nights . . .


{image: style at home via marcus design}

{new york 2: the lincoln center}

. . . tuesday morning was a dash across the street & down from the hotel to catch the first ever tory burch runway presentation -- the spring 2012 collection -- at the lincoln center . . .



. . . running quite late that morning, forgetting a camera and having only an iphone on hand, but as it turns out, was quite caught up with the show to take many shots, and so, a few glimpses here & there, collected from a few lovely places around the internets . . .



. . . the collection, a perfectly playful mix of layered textures and 1920's northwestern france-inspired swinging silhouettes, prints and patterns and beribboned shoes, may have made one a little wistful for summer's end, but very much looking forward to its return once again, if only to be frolicking about in pretty polka dots, sequined stripes, and raffia-ruffled pencils skirts . . .





{p.s.} as always, more after the jump & apologies if you have seen this collection elsewhere -- spent the remainder of last week in a cabin in the mountains, as you know, and only a few moments to update now xo


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