An Ethereal Spring

When I discovered Brooklyn based designer Alexandra Grecco’s Spring Summer 2010 Collection, I couldn’t wait to share her dreamy romantic creations with all of you on my weekly Vintage Wednesday feature.

Here are some absolutely sweet n sassy shots of Alexandra’s vintage inspired line.

        (all images via Alexandra Grecco)

Aren’t those outfits absolutely feminine and cute to look at? I’m sure those one piecers are equally easy and comfy to wear as well. Hair bows, rompers, tap shorts in soft dreamy colours with delightful little details like scallops and eyelets...I doubt there’s a girl out there who can resist all this. As for me, my personal favourite is that powder blue romper with scalloped sleeves.

In her own words, Alexandra designs for a girl whose... a world traveller, even if only in her mind. I imagine she’s a girl who longs to explore and doesn’t mind getting lost in a big city or ghost town. I’m sure she prefers frolicking through fern fields while whistling to shopping at the mall. She’s a little clumsy too but always ever so charming and lovely. I think she means ME!

Here’s a little fun fact about Alexandra, she started out as a blogger before moving on to become an independent fashion designer. (Yes there’s endless potential just waiting to be tapped by our kind!) You can check out her blog here or purchase her outfits here.

Wishing you all an Ethereal Vintage Wednesday!

I Left My Heart In Paris

As I sat flipping through my old passport last evening, it brought back memories of my trip to France in 2003. Oh how I long to take that trip all over again and absorb all the Parisian old world charm as I possibly can!

And hence the title of this post I Left My Heart In Paris...hoping to go back one day and lose it all over again. (And yes, after my last post, I wouldn’t mind running in to Catherine Baba whilst I’m there as well.)

Anyways, the first memory that comes to my mind when I think of Paris is no, not the Eiffel Tower that looks so majestic in post cards but not so much in person but its Montmartre (Mount of Mars). It is set on a hill in Northern Paris, instantly recognizable through its main landmark Basilique de Sacre Coeur. I discovered the steps of Rue Foyatier leading up to the Basilica quite by chance and as I followed hordes of tourists up the stairs I discover one of the most stunning and panoramic views of Paris (for free!)

I had been seeing photographs of the Basilica and Rue Foyatier in magazines for years but never knew exactly where they were.  And to have unexpectedly discovered these while casually strolling around my hotel made for my most memorable evening in Paris. 

Here are some pretty pictures of Montmartre. 

 

{via Weheartit}

The streets around the hill are some of the most romantic in Paris and the scenes from the carousel in the film Amelie were shot here. The steep side streets, the classic Parisian lamps, the village like atmosphere atop the mountain, everything in Montmartre oozes old world charm.

Paris has a tendency to pull its tourists in multiple directions all at once, but climbing those steps to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and sitting outside it to watch the sun go down definitely is my number one thing to do when in Paris. As Catherine Baba might describe it, J’adore daaaaarling!

"If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast." ~ Ernest Hemingway

The Last Original Fashionista

I have developed a mini obsession with this incredibly original woman ever since I saw pictures of her donning a fashionable pastel turban and YSL heels pedalling a vintage bicycle on her way to Christian Dior’s Haute Couture 2010 Show in Paris.

  (both images captured by Hanneli Mustaparta)

I am sure my love for her would have reached epic proportions by now if only she did not blatantly promote fur so much. And even though what she wears does not always agree with my sense of fashion or pro PETA sentiments, I totally applaud and envy her confidence, poise and attitude. Thus ladies (and gentlemen)...introducing a lady that barely requires an introduction - Catherine Baba.

Amongst other things Catherine Baba is a fashion consultant, stylist par excellence (although she prefers being called a Stealist) and one of the most stylish women in Paris. She’s worked with the likes of Chanel, Givenchy, Balmain and Vogue. Here are some pictures of her work as a stylist that I particularly admire.

Everything Catherine styles is a reflection of her own taste and ilove for fashion. Catherine’s personal dressing style reflects feminine Hollywood glamour from the 20s and the 30s. She loves rich materials, fantasy dresses, big sunglasses and fur. But it’s not just what she styles of wears that I love, it’s also what she says and how she lives that knock my socks off! Catherine is an Australian whose lived in Paris since a long long time. Her MySpace page suggests that she’s 74 years old, but I find it really hard to believe! Part of her appeal lies in the fact that she doesn’t take her self too seriously and is unlike all those fashionistas who feign artificial nonchalance but in fact are just waiting to be clicked.  She just IS...and her catch phrase J’adore, daaaarling just adds to her utterly fabulous personality.

Here are some more pictures of Catherine Baba that make her the last original fashionista of our times.

(images via the fashion spot)

My Spanish Reverie

Sharing some images of a home that looks like something straight out of a romantic period film but is in fact an apartment up for sale in Kensington.

 

 

I never knew that bare un-plastered walls could look this charming! They make such a fabulous backdrop for all those arty lamps and fixtures in the apartment.  This place has a lovely,  romantic, bohemian feel to it that brings to my mind vivid images from the movie Vicki, Christina and Barcelona.  I’m absolutely in love with the fireplace and the huge floor to ceiling windows! And even though most of the decor and furniture in the flat is old, ornate and heavy looking these images have a certain lightness and tranquility exuding from them that makes me wanna float through this gorgeous house wearing a white linen shirt and slippers on a warm sunny afternoon.

What do you think of this Period styled apartment? Hope you have a wonderful Vintage Wednesday!

(all images via Airspace)

To New Avatars and Renewed Beginnings

Hello dear readers! Extending a warm welcome to you all from Miles Of Style’s brand new avatar. While my blog’s look has definitely changed for the better, don’t you think it is much more subtle and easy on the eyes now? The content shall indefinitely remain the same. I shall  continue sharing things that I admire in fashion, design and travel destinations (most of the time at least) and I shall be keeping it just at stylish as before! And of course like me, Miles of Style shall remain a work-in-progress...always!

This blog’s fab new look has been designed by Daniele aka Mrs. Vanquish. After spending endless hours on the net looking for ideas, blog designers and layouts I met Danny. She was prompt in her communication, reasonable with her prices and knew exactly what I wanted! Amongst plenty of other things, Danny’s a self taught blog designer, a huge Twilight fan and a PhD student! She designs fabulous blog layouts and offers a variety of blog designing services at her e-studio- Twispired Blog Designs. 

My working experience with her was absolutely hassle free and quick. Although I don’t know if she would say the same for me (lol).  I had a certain look for my blog in my mind and I kept pestering her about tiny little things, shooting off half a dozen emails everyday to her. However, Danny was super nice about making revisions in her design and she even threw in a couple of extra goodies in the layout at no extra cost! If you think your blog could do with a little makeover do get in touch with Danny. She has great ideas that could do wonders for your blog.  I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Until my next post...

…Keep it Stylish!

Wear It Like Beckham

One would think there are no other designers left in Hollywood at the rate at which Victoria Beckham’s creations have taken off amongst discerning fashion critics and celebrities alike. It has barely been a year since Victoria started designing dresses and in this short span of time she has got practically every diva worth her salt stepping out wearing one of her sophisticated and ultra-chic numbers. See for yourself...

Brooke ShieldsBlakeCourteney CoxJ-loDrew BarrymoreHeidi Klum

Stunning aren’t they? And who better to model these uber posh dresses than  Posh Spice herself.  Victoria has always  been a paparazzi magnet- attracting a lot of attention (and some amount of flak too)  for her overtly slender figure and fashion sensibilities. I think it is great how she has turned this around to her advantage and launched her very own line of sleek figure hugging dresses. To top that, she has practically every A-lister in tinsel town wearing one of her designs. As far as fashion parades go, Victoria surely have arrived !

Take a bow, Lady Beckham.

( all images via Harper’s Bazaar ) 

What do you think of Victoria’s clothing line? I absolutely love how well-tailored and sophisticated her dresses are but at times I can’t help but find them a little too structured.

p.s I have finally finalized the new design and look for my blog. However, I think it shall take a couple of more days until the design is ready to be installed. Be sure to drop by next week and check out the new-improved Miles Of Style.

It’s Time For A Makeover

I need a  blog make over and I’m trying to find something that’s just right for Miles Of Style. I have a lot of new ideas, themes and changes that I’d like to incorporate here running in my head. This is why I’m taking a short leave of absence to metamorphosize and evolve into something  marvelous. Please be patient...I promise I won’t be gone very long.

The risk it takes to remain tight inside the bud is more painful than the risk it takes to blossom ~ Anais Nin

It’s Monday And I’m Happy

Yesterday I was surprised to find an email from Emily of Smile, Emily  in my inbox.  She passed on the pretty (and pink!) Happy 101 Award to Miles Of Style. This cute award  was kind of like a perfect closure to my 1st Wedding Anniversary weekend long celebrations.  It always makes me happy to know that there are people reading and appreciating the things I show and tell on my blog and getting an award from a fellow blogger  is as good as it gets in the blogosphere! Thank you Emily for the cute award. Please check out Emily’s uber cute blog here.

The Happy 101 Award requires me to list out 10 things that make me happy...So here goes:

1. Sleeping in late and waking up to bed tea

2. Date Night with moi hubby

3. Uninterrupted retail therapy

4. A relaxing foot massage after a hectic day (that hopefully involves a lot of shopping )

5. Babies and Puppies

6. Planning our next big holiday

7. A good haircut

8. Getting back in touch with a long lost friend from childhood

9. Movies, Music, Good Reads...

10. Looong conversations with my friends

I’m required to pass this award to ten other bloggers, so here’s my list of some wonderful blogs that always bring a smile on my face.

1. Unocosa’s Scrapbook

2. In Her Stilettos

3. Lily Lemontree

4. Bombshell Bliss

5. Terra Del Sole

6. Diary Of A Fashion Girl

7. Gamma Sharon’s Life

8. Couture

9. Cocamia

10. Looking For Something Deeper

 

Congratulations to all the winners of the Happy 101 Award!Please spread the joy along by:

1 Thanking the person who awarded you in a new post on your blog

2 Listing 10 things that make you happy.

3. Passing this award on to 10 other bloggers and informing them

Have a great week ahead! xo.

Modern Vintage Wares

Sharing with  you some very cheerful images of a  store called 45 Three Modern Vintage Home based in Los Angeles, California. 45 Three is like a treasure filled chest of mid-century mod furniture and quirky vintage finds, that provide oodles of eclectic visual inspiration for both browsers and collectors alike. See for yourself...

 

( all images via apartment therapy )

This dramatic little store  is owned by Staci Cain. It carries everything from Vintage art, Italian ceramic animals, Regency style settees, 70s style printed geometric fabrics, retro lampshades, chairs-you name it. 45 Three is one of those high glamour, high drama stores and Staci has a remarkable eye for spotting all the unusual one of a kind  items that are displayed in her store. Speaking of displays, the showroom is known for its ever changing floor displays thanks to reasonably priced objects that are here today-gone tomorrow, frequent sales that make it impossible to resist making purchases and Staci’s friendly persona and her absolute passion for what she does.

I’m currently coveting the glass topped elephant table, those animal print chairs and absolutely every single item from picture no.3 Which piece/s did you like the most from 45 Three Modern Vintage Home?

Wishing you all a bright & cheerful Vintage Wednesday!