Shoe Fetish: Nicholas Kirkwood

"What the what!" These shoes by Nicholas Kirkwood are a definite show stopper!

Price by Request



Shoe Fetish: Charlotte Olympia

Shazamm! These Dolly python heels from Charlotte Olympia top out at 6 inches with a 1.5 inch gold island platform. It doesn't get anyomore luxurious than this.

Price: $1,240.00

Interior Design: Glammed Up Bathrooms

When designing your bathroom remember it should be an exquisite sanctuary of tranquility and peace. Here are some glamorous bathrooms from Architectural Digest. 

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas...

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas

my ture love gave to me....



  2011 Ducati 1198

For Him: The new, improved 1198 now features the Ducati Traction Control system, Ducati Data Analyzer and the brand new Ducati Quick Shifter. The 2011 Ducati 1198 will hit the showrooms this month.

Price: $16,495.00

Style Watch: DVF Designs London's Claridge Hotel

Diane von Furstenberg, “the queen of print” and known for her iconic wrap dress has put her mark on the luxury hotel scene in designing 20 rooms for Claridge’s Hotel in London.  The first interior design feat for the iconic designer launched this past June, and was very well received for both her and this legendary London landmark.

Valentino Bird Clutch

Valentino's new silk evening bag is topped by perching crystal birds. An absolute must for a luxurious evening out or perfect for the bride to be.

Price: $$2,963.00



New Salvador Dali Museum Opening!

The new Salvador Dali Museum will open January 11, 2011 in St. Petersburg, Florida. The grand opening party to be attended by Her Royal Highness Infanta Cristina of Spain as guest of honor.

The opening of the new, visually stunning $36 million building will double the current space of the Dali Museum to 66,450 square feet. Construction began in December 2008, and the attractive, innovative structure can reportedly withstand a category five hurricane. The roof is 12-inch thick solid concrete. The walls are 18 inches. All this is to protect the precious Dalis, of course, of which there will be 2,140, including 96 oil paintings.

The museum will be occupied throughout 2011 with a special exhibit called Viva la Revelacion!, displaying all paintings and highlighting other major works from the permanent collection to celebrate the new building. 

Hello Autumn

Now that it is officially Autumn, we thought we'd get things warmed up with these  Manolo Blahnik Fur Trim Booties--- are they not to die for?

Price: $1,295.00

Monday's Handbag: Michael Kors Uptown Astor Large Suede Tote

Michael Kors Uptown Astor suede tote is perfect for the fall season. Available in light-brown and orange.

Price: $448.00 

Oscar de la Renta Spring/Summer 2011 Collection Sneak Peak

Here's a little sneak peak for you!

Not Your Average Luggage: Lexus LFA Luggage by Tumi

Instead of choosing our favorite handbag for the day--this week we decided to choose luggage. The luxury car makers have done it again--this time designing luggage for the exotic supercar. Lexus and the luxury luggage company Tumi have partnered together to make sure that you travel in style. This set of hard-shell suitcases is made of aluminum and carbon fiber. Each has a specific purpose, and carries the Vehicle Identification Number from the car its made to accompany for that added bit of exclusivity.

Christian Louboutin & Lesage Shoes

How about these Marie Antoinette-inspired shoes? Christian Louboutin partnered with Lesage to design these beautiful pieces of art. Price: $6,295.00

Monday's Handbag: Chanel Classic Flap

For those of you that have traditional and classic taste, the Chanel Classic Flap or Chanel Reissue 2.55 Flap Bag bag will never go out of style.

Prices start around $2000.00

I'm a Shoe Junkie!

By now you know that I'm a complete handbag and shoe junkie. This black and white stripe damas fabric pump from Christian Louboutin is perfect for day with skinny pencil skirts and silky blouses and equally good for evening with fancy gowns. Don't act like I'm the only one who's a shoe junkie...deep down you know that you are too!

Monday's Handbag: Valentino Fringed Bucket Bag

Bring a touch of tough to every look with Red Valentino's black leather tasseled and studded bucket bag. A lady will be wonderfully confident with this chic suitable bag.

Retail price: $3,340.00

Paper Olive: 2010 Stationery Tips & Trends

 When the fabulous folks at La Belle Mariee invited me to guest blog about 2010 invitation trends, it seemed like kismet. I have been noticing very specific trends among my clients and brides, and having been eager to share them.

  The first? Simplicity, in black and white. A multitude of brides have been choosing this sleek palette for their design. It’s always a favorite, and always in style – and with a pop of color, it is simple perfection.

The second absolutely goes to peacock feathers. Honestly, I’m mad about peacocks, and have several different designs that feature them – so perhaps it’s no mysetery why these are my most requested designs. Nothing says drama and elegance quite like a jewel-toned peacock plume.

Probably the most exciting trend I’ve noticed recently is the return to luxury. Sparkling crystals, chic fabrics, over-the-top boxed presentations. Many couples are opting for smaller, intimate weddings that allow them a grander budget when it comes to invitations – especially for destination weddings, which do tend to include smaller groups. From luxe beachy elements to cosmopolitan design, there are so many ways to be opulent within a destination setting – all of them fabulous. Makes me want to get married all over again.

 Marleine Pacilio is the owner and graphic designer of Paper Olive.

   

Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry

Ivanka Trump is the daughter of real estate billionaire Donald Trump and international jet-setter, Ivana Trump. Ivanka Trump has made herself famous as a successful model and businesswoman with the Trump family company.

Now, Ivanka Trump has launched a new jewelry line bearing her name – the Ivanka Trump Jewelry Collection. Inspired by the timeless glamour of yesterday, yet influenced by the modern sensibility of today. She has reinvented important jewelry and style that will turn heads or capture a room!

Monday's Handbag: Ferragamo Fiammetta

Fiammetta, Ferragamo’s spring and summer 2010 new handbag collection, features the wood or metal Ferragamo classic Grancio logo as handles as well as unique decoration. The handle matches with the medium-sized bag so smoothly and perfectly.  Fiammetta also comes with a thin removable leather strap with which you can shoulder it as you like. Ferragmo Fiammetta totes are offered in smoke gray, pearl metallic gray, mercury, as well as cherry, lemon, optical white, off-white and black. Retail price: $2,350.00

Weekend Inspiration: Luxury

Have a luxurious weekend!

Marilyn Monroe Style

 Marilyn Monroe often claimed to be blasse about fashion and clothes, but she was extremely strategic about what she wore. She singlehandedly created her iconic look - platinum blonde hair, inviting red pout and killer dresses to accentuate her perfect hourglass figure. While her blonde tresses, beauty spot and red lipstick are often cited as key elements of her style, her look was actually more complex. Great intelligence and thought went into its creation. Her outfits only ever had one purpose - to show off her body which she understood was the key to her success.

There are very few pictures of Marilyn Monroe in loud colors or garish prints. She favored classic, muted shades - cream, black, chocolate brown, champagne colors - but most of all, white. This mania for white fed into all aspects of her appearance. She kept her skin out of the sun to keep its porcelain appearance, her hair became more platinum by the year and she only wore diamonds - never colored gems which might detract attention from her face and body. She expertly applied luminous make up, glossy lips, and selected white or shimmering gowns for the red carpet to make it look like she reflected more light than other Hollywood actresses. She favored simple pencil skirts, sweaters and well cut dresses for day. Her evening wear was never overly embellished or accessorized, but were cut for maximum sex appeal. The smile, open expression, the walk were all as much part of her "look" as the clothes she chose to wear.