Summer Couldn't Come Too Soon

I love black clothes, as my closet can attest. But I have a soft spot for light and airy white dresses. This shoot from Fashion Quarterly NZ has me counting the days when I can give up my moody winter clothes in favor of a gorgeous white summer dress.

Via Honestly...WTF

Vogue, Back in the Day

I know these photos are on every fashion blog right now, but I just can't help myself. Besides, if you're anything like me, you'll be happy for a chance to look at them again. Old Vogue covers always make me nostalgic for the glamorous eras they represent. I actually have one hanging in my house, a print I scored from the Alameda flea a while back (see it here). Back then, each cover was different and a work of art. They were innovative, interesting and tested boundaries, all while being absolutely beautiful. What's interesting is that the more rights and independence women have gained over the decades, the more formulaic the covers have gotten.

Vogue via Honestly...WTF

Precision Like No Other

When I first saw these photos, my immediate thought was 'laser cutter, for sure.' But no, apparently Lorenzo Duran does all this ingenious and intricate work by hand. How amazing is he?

Can we also talk about the amazingness that is Stumble Upon? I wouldn't have found this otherwise.

Photos via DesignAside.com

Meet a Style Icon: Christine Centenera

I haven't been able to shoot outfit photos of my own, so I'm looking at other people's.

Harper's Bazaar Australia's fashion editor Christine Centenera has been a style darling for a while now, but I've only caught wind of her unique look recently. There's something about the laid back ease with which she wears even the trendiest clothes that draws your attention to her. Christine mixes recognizable pieces from the top collections with up and coming Australian designers like Dion Lee.

I would seriously kill for access to this woman's closet. Like my other style love Miroslava Duma, Christine isn't one of those model-like editors and instead stands at a comfy 5'3-ish according to other fashion blogs.

Photos: The Fashion Spot

Missoni x Target x Stella & Dot

I could go on and on about what a massive logistical failure the whole Missoni for Target collaboration was, but at the end of the day, I can't help smiling whenever I see those cheerful prints. I didn't end up buying much from the collection except for a couple towels, candles, cards and a martini shaker.

My friend Kristina got a delightful sweater and she has just challenged me to style it with the latest jewelry from Stella & Dot. Well, Kristina, the challenge has been accepted!

I decided to do three looks: one for the bohemian gal who loves to pile on her jewels, another for the more serious business-oriented gal and another for a lover of all things luxe. Here's what I came up with.

Missoni x Target x Stella & Dot by semisweetstyle

Love what you see? Head to Kristina's Stella & Dot boutique: http://www.stelladot.com/sites/kristinahagerty

Loving Perfume, But Not for the Scent

I don't love perfume. Unlike many people who are scent-oriented, my sense of smell honestly kind of sucks. I tend to wear one perfume until I finish it, and more often than not I'll buy the same one again. Adventurous in smells, I am not. But oddly enough, I can't get enough of perfume bottles. If I could, I'd buy dozens of them because they're so darn pretty. Although I love vintage containers the most, here are a few of my favorite current scents:

Pretty Perfume by semisweetstyle on polyvore.com

Saturated Style, Candy for Your Floors

Normally, my first instinct is to buy things that are black, white and gray. But with all the colors from spring and fall, my house and closet are becoming increasingly colorful. I've been on the hunt for a new rug for my living room. My current one is a black-and-white zebra print which I love, but hasn't worked out so well with my white dog, Mr. Sheds-a-Lot Senna. Sometimes, I want a simple neutral, pale rug. But other times I want to go in the complete other direction with something bold and saturated, like these over-dyed vintage rugs I've been seeing.

Rugs from Kilim.com, Anthropologie, eBay. Links below:
Aqua, Orange, Pink, Green, Red, Teal

Pipe Dreams

Exposed pipes, wiring and circuitry can often be thought of a grungy or dumpy. When they're done well, they're industrial chic. But when they're done like this, well, they're just art.

Source: Guilherme Torres Via Made by Girlb

Vanessa Bruno F/W 11

Seriously digging French designer Vanessa Bruno's Fall 2011 promotional vid featuring Kate Bosworth. It's ethereal and elegant with a quirky touch and covetable clothes. There are horses too, which is just the icing on the cake.

Parisian Dreams

When I visited Paris a few years ago, I did it all wrong. I had fun, but my boyfriend and my goal of shoving everything the city had to offer in the span of just a few days left us tired, overwhelmed and honestly—kind of cranky.

Now, if I had my way, I'd rent a small apartment rather than a hotel room and stay for at least two weeks. Then, I'd take each day to explore a new part of the city and really get to know it. Maybe even take a trip into the countryside for a change of pace. Sure, it's still a short time frame, but it would be infinitely more leisurely than my last trip.

Since that type of long-term travel isn't in the cards right now, here are a few inspirational images that are making me smile. Hey, a girl can dream right?

Photos Via: Kelly Interior Design, Ellie Lonardo, Door Sixteen, The French Eye, Unkown