studded lapel blazer - rampage, peached blouse - thrifted, printed lace shorts - topshop, polka dot tights & ring - forever 21, bead bracelet - unknown, pixie booties - jeffrey campbell

 ah, home sweet home.

i'm back in the bay and completely exhausted from my trip to paris and london, but all the hustle and bustle was worth it as i've waited practically my entire life to see and do what i've experienced over the past week and a half.  words can't describe...so here are some of my favorite photos, capturing the best moments of my travels:

my first night in paris, crossing the seine river.  every corner i turned was a sight more beautiful than the last.  i must've wandered over four miles that night without even realizing it...

indulging at the louvre.

posting on my block, rue madame, baguette in hand.  best bread i've had the pleasure of tasting, courtesy of bread and roses.

boutiques - the quaint sizes and humble locations made them so enticing.  my only regret was visiting in august, because many were closed on holiday.

cheeeEEEeEEse...

candies, cookies and all things sweet at la cure gourmande.

no trip to ile st. louis is complete without a cone from bethillon - pistache, my fave.

dancers on the seine.

breakfast of champions.

the stained glass windows of sainte chapelle - AMAZING!

lovebirds...

of course, i got sick.

but a spa treatment and room service at the sofitel st. james heals all wounds :)

*fin*

p.s. i miss it already.

(clockwise: a. wang army silky hooded cape; gryphon wool blend cape; stella mccartney wool blend cape; asos hooded military cape; camel topshop cape)

superman, batman, & sherlock.  wearing a cape this fall and winter automatically puts you in good company.  

don't these treats look utterly delectable?  so much so that you want to reach through your computer screen so you can nibble on these sweet desserts?  well, unless you're ralphie from a christmas story and are accustomed to having soap in your mouth, these goodies officially belong in the bath and not in your mouth!  these amazing, handcrafted soaps from etsy seller loveleesoaps are simply irrestible: how fab would these be arranged by your sink on a gorgeous vintage cake stand or wrapped elegantly for the perfect hostess present.   i chose some of my favorites here: ice cream cones, macarons, cupcakes, petit fours, strawberry creme filled cookies and doughnuts; each soap is made with moisturizing and creamy shea butter and have customizable flavors - err, scents.  rub a dub dub!

p.s. this soapy sewing kit would be a fantastic present for loved ones with a sartorial flare!

today i went digging around my closet and unearthed one of my favorite pieces..my viktor & rolf for h&m blouse:

as i buttoned up, i tried to remember when i had purchased it.  and since my memory is like that of an elephant's (trust me, ask A), i quickly recalled that A + i went down to the h&m on powell in november of 2006 and waited in line for our first h&m collaboration...come to think about it, we've waited in a line on a number of ocassions waiting for clothes (we are diehard fans!).  the dynamic dutch duo at viktor & rolf put out some awesome pieces as evidenced by the soft pleats, ruffles, and center heart details of my peachy and gauzy blouse.  i'm pretty sure A scored the coveted grey heart sweater and a bow tie; these pieces still sound like us right now, no?  maybe little seeds of our dartsmeetheart brainchild sprouted on that windy day...

hit a small jackpot this weekend at the thrift store - think more maxi skirts to wear as dresses, copious amounts of feminine details (on blouses, skirts, shorts and jackets) and pretty treasures for a forthcoming d-i-y project.  i wish every thrift store adventure looked like the chic editorial below, but a girl can only dream...

kim cloutier by jamie nelson for cosmopolitan uk, september 2010; styled by shelly vella.  images via fashiongonerogue.

to my fellow co-founder of dartsmeetheart, bhc, bbs, & total fan club; my partner-in-crime and chauffeur for 2.5 years; ultimate and forever neighbor; co-president of the 10+ years club; fashion-savvy and fashion addict; the animal lover to my baby lover; a tour de force; the girl who beat me out for the most original halloween costume in kindergarten; and the dart to my heart...

another year under your belt and another year for you to conquer the world.  

joyeux anniversaire! 

it's pretty apparent that i love hosting dinner parties (as seen here, here and here) and i just shared with you my love for scoping out fabulous interior spaces.  here are pics from one of my favorite designers (and fellow cal alumni!), erin fetherston, and an amazing, fairytale-themed dinner party she hosted awhile back in her ultra posh tribeca loft.  guests included chanel iman, ellen von unwerth, sarah sophie flicker, sophie schram and kate schelter, all donning pieces from erin's most recent collection.  erin's romantic, whimsical and feminine pieces have always had a place in my heart since we were first introduced during her target go international collaboration.  my mind is bursting with ideas after seeing all of the fun details of this event as captured in this video.  from the soft palette of the decor to the sparkly animal masks and the pop-up placemats, i wish i could have scored an invite to this dreamy soiree!