I recently added a Alex Monroe feather ring to my jewelry collection. I absolutely adore it! In fact, I love everything from Alex Monroe! Here are a few of my favorite designs:

top: Calabria Crest Hoop Earrings £135; Feather Band Ring £108; Calabria Flower & Diamond Necklace £135;

bottom: Little Feather Necklace £102; Swallow & Leaf Ring with Diamond Set Flower £138; Curved Leaf Hoop Earrings £120;

My niece & nephews are ready to Trick-or-Treat! They went as a ladybug, tiger, & Buzz Light Year--check em out:

Happy Haunting! :)

Lately, I've been stocking up on knee socks and tights in every color, print, and texture imaginable. These lovely styles will have you hooked too!

{top} Beribboned Knee Socks $16; Aurora Knee Socks $16 @ Anthropologie; Knee Pad Thigh Hi $36 @ Hansel from Basel; Band Leader Knee Socks $18 @ Anthropologie; Tricolor stripe knee-high wellie socks $14 @ J.Crew.

{bottom} cable pompom tights $42 @ Hansel from Basel; Multi-stripe knee highs $16.50 @ J. Crew; Argyle knee-high wellie socks $14 @ J. Crew; cable button knee hi $36 @ Hansel from Basel.

Lucky Shops, the ultimate shopping event, is almost here! This will be my third year attending the event...I haven't been disappointed yet. Last year I scored a fabulous Botkier bag for 60% off retail price. In the past I've also gotten deals on Marc by Marc Jacobs, Foley + Corinna, Sigerson Morrison, Rebecca Taylor, Mint by Jodi Arnold, and Manolo Blahnik, so I'm expecting to strike gold again this year! You know what they say...third times a charm. I'll be making a bee-line for the handbags and the vintage boutique :) !
Get in on the action:

Where:
Metropolitan Pavilion
125 West 18th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues)
New York, NY

When:
VIP Shopping Party • Thursday, November 6 • 6PM -9PM $250
First Dibs Friday: November 7, 10AM - 7PM, $35
Saturday Shop-a-thon: November 8, 10AM - 5PM, $20

Cocktails served Friday 3-7 pm and Saturday 1-5 pm.

Purchase your tickets here (A 1 year subscription to Lucky Magazine is complimentary with your ticket purchase).

Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen have compiled a beautiful and inspiring coffee table book titled simply, "Influence" that features interviews and commentary from the Olsens and 22 influential actors, artists, and designers (including Christian Louboutin, Karl Lagerfeld, Lauren Hutton, Margherita Missoni, Diane von Frustenberg, & Robert Lee Morris). The content is divided into four sections: Fashion, Environment, Art and Giving Back. Within there are countless gorgeous never-before-seen snapshots and exclusive images shot by photographer Rankin. As you may have gathered there are two jacket covers available so you can choose your favorite Olsen!

The twins have been in New York promoting the release, signing books at a packed Barnes & Noble, and attending a book launch party at Barneys. They both looked beyond fabulous. I adore that red dress...



Click here to read an excerpt from the book. I may not be Olsen obsessed, but I couldn't resist picking up the gorgeous book...I even bought the Mary-Kate cover (because I think it is a better photo) and if I had to pick a favorite twin I would TOTALLY pick Ashley. Purchase your copy at Barnes & Noble or Amazon.

This limited edition, hand printed 2009 Calendar by Beau Ideal features hand drawn type of cultural and iconic celebrities in their birthday month. The colors & the type are just perfect!


Limited edition of 50 available for $48 here.

Here is a peak as to what I've been up to these last view days on Polyvore...

She Will Love Again... by platinumblonde


heart broken by platinumblonde


Laundry Day by platinumblonde


feathers & folds by platinumblonde


Vote for View-Master by platinumblonde


we do what we want by platinumblonde

Waiting for Chuck Bass... by platinumblonde



hello winter by platinumblonde


Sweetheart by platinumblonde


Wishing It Was Friday by platinumblonde


Add Some Sparkle To Your Life by platinumblonde


Click on any of the images to view details about the items, images, and illustrations used in each set! I'll get you all hooked on Polyvore before long!!! :)

I have long admired Rae Dunn's ceramics work, so when checking out her shop this morning I was thrilled to see more of her fantastic work. Three items that caught my eye immediately:

remove shoes plaque $32; vote rock $10; sentiment heart $34.

Check out Rae Dunn's site, blog, or shop.

Due to a series of fall & winter birthdays, not to mention the impending holiday season I have been spending a lot of time with stationery in hand. Of course, it also happens to be one of my many loves. I love finding cute and quirky cards. That is of course what attracted to me to the stationery line of Fresh Frances. I especially love the "chalk board" and "connect-the-dots" designs! Here are just a few of my Fresh Frances Favorites (say that ten times fast!):


{clockwise} I Will Not Cheat on My Diet Magnetic list pad $7 (this is sooo going on my fridge);
Dot-to-Dot: Ellie Elephant card $3.50; I will not Gossip card $3.50; Christmas Truck Boxed Notes $16; all @ Fresh Frances.

Makeup has been my only splurge during this economic downturn, and I'm not sure if that is good or bad! Below I have listed four of my most recent beauty buys that I am absolutely obsessed with. If you are going to splurge on makeup this fall, you should consider the following products/shades!



Nars holiday shadows in Night Life (silver with silver particles) & Silent Night (gold with gold particles-I am wearing this shade today and it is absolutely gorgeous!) $22 each. In fact the entire Nars holiday collection intrigues me, (before the winter is over, I'll probably be adding the Super Orgasm blush to my collection)

Christian Dior Iconic Mascara $27- I have finally found the perfect mascara...the spiral brush does amazing things to your lashes...coats each one completely while simultaneously separating, lengthening and curling your lashes. The formula does not flake, clump, and stays put (seriously, you need to invest in eye makeup remover if you wear this! :)) Personally, I think it is a thousand times better than the original Diorshow.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Last Call (a shimmery, glitter free, pink-plum shade that is gorgeous!) $16. (I am wearing this with the Nars Silent Night today...it looks pretty amazing with gold!)

If you are looking for a deal on beauty products, I suggest checking out some of the many fantastic palettes out there (I suggest Smashbox, Stila, & Urban Decay --all of which have some amazing combinations that also happen to be great deals).

The A.P.C. Madras Winter collection has arrived! The line is produced in India and is a collaboration of A.P.C. Jean Touitou and designer Jessica Ogden. See below for some of the items available from the collection. I find that I am drawn to the plum & plaid pieces!


View the entire A.P.C. Madras Winter collection here.

I am currently craving Mad Mac Macarons! Aren't these colorful French treats gorgeous? They are almost too pretty to eat!

{photography by Claire Freierman}

They taste delicious are available in the following flavors Apricot, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Coffee, Gianduja, Lemon, Matcha, Peanut Butter, Pistachio, Raspberry, Vanilla, & White Chocolate.

Purchase online at Mad Mac NYC

Maditi is selling prints of her gorgeous polaroids! I would love to have any of these framed and hanging in my home!


forms print $38;


blossoms print $38


flow print $38;


blur print $38; all at Maditi's shop.

Lately, I have been on a mission to get my Christmas shopping done and over with. It was during my travels when I came across these wonderful handmade dolls by Jess Brown!


Each doll is one-of-a-kind and I think it would be a sweet gift the one-of-a-kind little girls in your family!

For more information on Jess's work please visit her website. or blog.



Her dolls are also available online at Erica Tanov:


Rag Doll by Jess Brown Designs $104 @ Erica Tanov.

For a complete list of stores selling Jess Brown Designs click here.

Mouseketeer by platinumblonde

Do you love it or do you love it!?

To of my favorite artists, Camilla Engman & Elisabeth Dunker, are now sharing a studio space--Studio Violet. In what looks like an amazing space these talented ladies already have an item in their studio shop that I'm completely smitten with! The Katta Poster! How darling!


Katta Poster $25 @ Studio Violet ($8 shipping to the U.S.)
I'm not sure my beagle, Sophia, would approve, but it would be a cute gift, no?

I have long admired the gorgeous photography featured on the blog "Abby Try Again", so I am thrilled to see the very talented Abby has just recently launched a web shop to sell prints of her work. Here are four of my favorite photographs available as limited edition prints in her shop:


{clockwise} thistles 5x7 print $9; grey house 5x7 print $9; lovely ladies 5x7 print $9; rain boots 5x7 print $9; all available at the abby try again shop.

The Sunshine Shadow Fall collection is zeroed in on two things I personally can never get enough of: hats & scarves! With bright hand dyed scarves & hand knit hats with rabbit fur trim this season will be colorful & cozy.


The hats are available @ Steven Alan for $198, Shopbop for $189, or Definition for $189.
The scarves are available Kirna Zabete, Matches, Shopbop, Definition, XSORI, or Singer22.

Ulla Johnson's Fall collection has just the right amount of refined sophistication and I could always use a bit more of that in my wardrobe. The look book images are just as lovely as the clothing. Here are my six favorite looks:


View the entire Ulla Johnson Fall collection here.

I am currently loving the selection of F-Troupe shoes. I really love the oxfords and the playful contrast of color used throughout the collection! Here are some of my favorite styles!


View the entire Women's Fall collection here.

If money was no object, and the weather cooperated I would be wearing these five outfits this week...


Elegant Dreamer by platinumblonde


Music Is My Boyfriend by platinumblonde


Political Girl by platinumblonde


Paparazzi Magnet by platinumblonde


Artist In The Park by platinumblonde

P.S. I was clearly in lala land when creating these on polyvore! Take my voting outfit for instance, it is clearly intended for tropical climates and not NY :(.

My favorite photo spread in Lula Mag #7 would have to be the photos by Laura Sciacovelli in the feature, "Clickity Clack: What is the use of hiding alone in your room? Come, hear the music play." The are beautiful, quirky, and inspiring...



{top} 1) Givenchy shirt, Martin Margiela shorts, Ambre Babzoe waistcoat, Mikaella headband, Bracelets by Paul Smith & Chanel, & Sonia Rykiel glasses. 2) Proenza Schouler tee, Alexis Mabille bow-tie, & Brooches by Sonia Rykiel. 3) shirt & shorts by Paule Ka, glasses, hat and brooches by Sonia Rykiel, Alexis Mabille bow-tie, & Falke stockings.

{bottom} 1)Paule Ka jumpsuit, American Retro jacket, Chanel brooches, Paul Smith necklace, Falke stockings, & Sonia Rykiel hat. 2) Alexander Mcqueen bodysuit, Karl Lagerfeld jacket, Falke stockings, Alexis Mabille bow-tie, & Chanel Boots;
{styling by Elisa Nalin/Model: Jules @ IMG}

I have to get those Sonia Rykiel glasses! Until then, I'll leave you with one last image from Lula...



This marks the end of all of my Lula #7 scans-I hope you enjoyed & were inspired by them :) xo, Melanie

The fall weather has been PERFECT! I am loving the cooler temps, because it gives me an excuse to wear my fall boots & jackets! :) I had a nice, relaxing weekend, and I have a few photos to share with you...

Pumpkin Diaries:







The leaves are turning & falling: