great balls of fire

In case you didn't already know... I'm mildly infatuated with Winona Ryder. And by mildly, I mean I've absolutely adored her in every film I've seen, and I find her completely gorgeous (not to mention her lovely, lovely personal style). I know she's quite a controversial girl to love, but that doesn't stop her from being a wonderful actress. And I just watched the Jerry Lee Lewis biopic, Great Balls of Fire, where she plays his "child bride" Myra, and I think, if it's possible, I'm even more head over heels in love with her now... the fashion and sets in this film were an absolute pastel daydream!

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Her outfits were flawless...

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Those collars!

And those colors!

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And those curls...

And that coat! 

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And that gorgeous hotel bedroom... 

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hello Mr. Huntington

Last week, the two loveliest girls in the world (Olive and Alexandra) and I finally had ourselves a little adventure, and we chose the dreamiest locale for it... the Huntington Gardens & Library in Pasadena, California. The gardens are so huge that even after spending nearly four hours there (well, minus one in the dreamiest gift shop), we still didn't cover all of the grounds (which only means we need to venture back sometime soon!). It was a beautiful January day, and I still can't think of a better way to have spent it than how I did: traipsing around rose gardens and through a great, palace-esque mansion decorated with Mr. Huntington's incredible art collection. We also had tea and pastries outside of the garden tea room, and spent the late afternoon wandering around old town Pasadena, thrift shopping and discovering tiny bakeries...

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Alexandra quite naturally channeling some magical fairy-like being. 

Olive.

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A land of gorgeous, gorgeous architecture... 

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Olive's gorgeous, delicate Edwardian blouse. 

Alexandra channeling some wonderful 70's folk movie...

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the occult

Late January is very far from All Hollow's Eve, and, in fact, has very little to do with anything spooky or mystical, but all of a sudden I'm absolutely enamored with all things Halloween related and supernatural (not to mention spirit photographs, which I'll have to save an entire post for some other time). I suppose it's fitting, since I've always planned for Halloween (costume-wise) months in advance, for as long as I can remember... for instance, this year I'm dead set on being either Cruella de Vil, Frida Kahlo, or one of those lovely twins from The Shining, and we still have nine months to go...

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treasures & trinkets

This is a very, very belated holiday post, but I'm certain I don't need to explain how awfully hectic things can be around December and January. I just had to document all of the lovely trinkets surrounding Christmas this year, though - and wish you all a belated happy holiday season, and a wonderful New Year! xxx

 Presents I wrapped for friends and family members. Needless to say, everyone hated me because they woke up the next day with glitter in places they didn't even know glitter could appear....

My third year receiving Chloe Eau de Parfum, which smells like absolute heaven.

I bought myself two small gifts to celebrate the holiday season. I don't normally purchase or use designer make-up, but I have been lusting after both of these products for quite some time (Yves Saint Laurent Rouge lipstick #17 and Christian Dior Creme de Rose lip salve.) Plus, I've heard that Yves Saint Laurent beauty products will start to become more valuable now that the company is being re-named...

I received quite a few gift cards for Christmas, to some of my favorite stores (which all happen to be stores that middle-aged women might shop at, instead of 19-going-on-20 year old girls, but that's beside the point), and was able to choose some of my own lovely treasures, including some pretty plates and a beautiful book on taxidermy museums, as well as a gorgeous memoir of Ms. Chanel....

A book on the 60's, The Book Thief, House of Leaves, and box after box of vintage botany and Vanity Fair cover postcards.

More treasures from various stores (all sorts of lovely scented bath products and candles, a star lantern, and the ever-so-brilliant Grace Coddington memoir!)

xxx