a spot of whimsy

winter beauty: february 10, 2012.

2012-02-10T05:00:00.000-06:00

the winter beauty series: a picture or two to remind us there's some pretty to be found in these gray, cold days.

i definitely heart snow. except not today, because i'm flying to florida tonight with c for a whirlwind weekend in the sun to celebrate my bday (coming up next week! 28? yikes). may the good weather gods cooperate...

xo. di.

*image 1, 2

LV animals.

2012-02-09T05:00:00.001-06:00

is it even possible to resist loving these little louis vuitton animals?! commissioned to celebrate lv's 100th anniversary in the leather accessories world, british artist billie achilleos put together a series of animals titled maroquinaris zoologicae.

frickin adorable.

xo. di.

*images via here & here

it's better backstage.

2012-02-08T05:00:00.000-06:00

as i become more entrenched in the cycle of fashion weeks, i realize more and more that the backstage shots are by far my favorite. you see the collections in a far more interesting, real and personal way. take dior couture, for example.

just stunning. that is all.

xo. di.

*image via dustjacket

indoor snow.

2012-02-07T05:00:00.000-06:00

oh i just love these images.

the house that snows indoors. these images look like they belong in narnia or something. perhaps the snow queen's country home.

we're actually supposed to get some snow around here today. happy february!

xo. di.

*images via, via designlovefest

much love monday.

2012-02-06T05:00:00.000-06:00

i like to use monday as a way to reflect on the previous week, to start anew, and to send a little love into the world. won't you join me?

today i am grateful for:

so long, january! hello, busy (with lots of fun planned) february!

pictures worth a thousand words:

{pulled out a few heart day items}

{spent wednesday evening with matchbook mag and a glass of wine}

{a little more coffee table sparkle}

{made marta's chocolate-dipped p.b. cookies superbowl appropriate}

this week's blog love:

style me pretty has my favorite valentine inspiration board i've yet seen this year!
a spring fling post by bijou and boheme is just what you need to forget it's still very much winter.
small shop pulled out some absolutely stunning images from the coveteur's archives.
i lust after built-in bookcases like the ones long-distance loving collected here.

here's to another grateful and love-filled week.

xo. di.

*images by me

winter beauty: february 3, 2012.

2012-02-03T05:00:00.000-06:00

the winter beauty series: a picture or two to remind us there's some pretty to be found in these gray, cold days.

fun fact: ever since i saw the movie iron will when i was a little girl, i've harbored a love for white sled dogs. i'd love to try dogsledding, just once, under controlled circumstances (so i don't, like, drive us over a cliff or something).

xo. di.

*image 1,2

all that glitters.

2012-02-02T05:00:00.000-06:00

have been seduced by gold.

wish to wear that oscar de la renta dress, and ride away on those anthropologie horses.

xo. di.

*image 1,2

a night for the joffrey.

2012-02-01T05:00:00.001-06:00

it was a success! take a peek:

{love that i can see my reflection in this. like an unnoticed observer to this beautiful moment.}

{had to get my 2nd annual sketch by rosemary fanti!}

{good friends sharing the night with me!}

{taking in the scene}

oh what a night! am thrilled. am relieved. am honored to be a part. of the joffrey. and the joffrey auxiliary board. and i cannot wait for winter fire in a few short weeks. thanks for letting me share this all with you.

xo. di.

*images by me and c

dior pre-fall 2012.

2012-01-31T05:00:00.001-06:00

can't get enough of these pieces. might just be the chicest way to survive a winter.

of course, i'd have to layer a big scarf + puffy coat on top to go anywhere. but once i'm back indoors? oh yes, bring on the chic!

xo. di.

*images via dustjacket

much love monday.

2012-01-30T05:00:00.000-06:00

i like to use monday as a way to reflect on the previous week, to start anew, and to send a little love into the world. won't you join me?

today i am grateful for:

a fantastic event for the joffrey ballet on thursday, followed by a super relaxing/lazy weekend.

pictures worth a thousand words:

{heading out the door to pointe of departure!}

{mementos of the night - sketch by rosemary fanti}

{spent saturday morning basically recreating this picture}

{valentine writing}

{winter comfort food}

this week's blog love:

johanna of 101 things to love has some great words on giving up the idea of perfection.
oh, hello friend has a fantastic collection of downton abbey images.
i always go for a fashion + interiors post like this one by liz of sequins & stripes.
home makes me all kinds of jealous that i don't live in london with some fabulous images - the english national ballet is performing a balletic interpretation of strictly gershwin. obsessed with this idea!
alaina of live creating yourself gets me with more words worth reading.

here's to another grateful and love-filled week.

xo. di.

*images by me

winter beauty: january 27, 2012.

2012-01-27T05:00:00.000-06:00

the winter beauty series: a picture or two to remind us there's some pretty to be found in these gray, cold days.

the perfect image of a winter sunday spent cozy indoors.

xo. di.

*image via

winter in the mountains.

2012-01-26T05:00:00.000-06:00

let's spend today in villa miodula in the tatra mountains of poland.

oh yes, i could feel quite cozy here.

xo. di.

p.s. pointe of departure is tonight! you can still buy tickets at the door.

*images via

daydream.

2012-01-25T05:00:00.000-06:00

"i try to maintain a healthy dose of daydreaming, to remain sane."

- florence welch

i love when both an image and a quote speak to me at the same time.

xo. di.

*image via

creams + browns.

2012-01-24T05:00:00.000-06:00

i recently realized that i was pinning an exorbitant amount of images featuring creams + browns. the chocolate colors left me warm and cozy while the whites left me light and airy. the combination is perfect for a winter's day.

hoping they have the same effect on you.

xo. di.

*image 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

much love monday.

2012-01-23T05:00:00.000-06:00

i like to use monday as a way to reflect on the previous week, to start anew, and to send a little love into the world. won't you join me?

today i am grateful for:

a weekend full of new experiences!

pictures worth a thousand words:

{grilled cheese + tomato soup for c and me. just felt right.}

{friday night snowstorm made for a cozy night in, watching the snow come down around the city}

{a bff's bday present. am clearly obsessed with craft paper}

{bff's birthday dinner at gyu-kaku followed by a night spent at a korean spa (this was SO fascinating!)}

{sunday afternoon spent blogging, working and rewatching romeo + juliet}

this week's blog love:

loved getting a closer look at danielle of breakfast at toast's apartment here in chi, both on her blog and in the new issue of rue.
i loved one sydney road's post inspired by stardust, a personal favorite neil gaiman book + movie.
a lovely escape chooses what she'd wear on the red carpet. some of my recent favorites too!
am OBSESSED with small shop studio's post on old hollywood red carpet style. seriously, love.

here's to another grateful and love-filled week.

xo. di.

*images by me

winter beauty: january 20, 2012.

2012-01-20T05:00:00.000-06:00

the winter beauty series: a picture or two to remind us there's some pretty to be found in these gray, cold days.

happy weekend!

xo. di.

*image 1,2

pod 2012.

2012-01-19T05:00:00.001-06:00

today i have something more personal but also pretty fantastic to share with those of you in the chicago area. the second annual pointe of departure art exhibition (my recap of last year here) benefiting the joffrey ballet is just one week away! and this year i am honored to be the event's co-chair.

outside of work, this event has definitely been my life for the last several months. it's an awesome responsibility and i am so proud of our committee and the event we have put together to benefit an organization we all love and care about. there will be beautiful works of art and the drinks will definitely be flowing.

so come join me! it's a fabulous way to spend a wintery thursday night, if i do say so myself. tickets can be purchased here.

xo. di.

*image via

fairy tale minimalism.

2012-01-18T05:00:00.001-06:00

i organized a girls' outing this past saturday for brunch + beauty and the beast (it's my favorite disney movie - i couldn't let the opportunity pass by to see it in theaters again!). and now, i have fairy tales on the brain.

these hyper-minimalist poster designs of classic children's stories by christian jackson are just fantastic.

speaking of fairy tales - anyone watch grimm on nbc or once upon a time on abc? i'm such a sucker for fairy tale retellings so i'm watching both. grimm is much darker and edgier, and quite creative with its fairy tale reinterpretations. once is cheesier and campier and yet i'm equally drawn to it. what can i say!

xo. di.

*images via square inch design blog

that girl.

2012-01-17T05:00:00.000-06:00

my favorite new show of the season returns tonight. very excited. things you need to like in order to fall in love with new girl: girls being awkward, girls bursting into song in real life, girls being quirky, charming douchebags (am in love with schmidt, what does that say about me? don't answer that.), and a spot (or two!) of whimsy.

"or i could pretend to be more like you, jess, and live on a sparkly rainbow

and drive a unicorn around and just sing all the time."

{we all know where this is heading}

schmidt: i just want you to know that, no matter what,

i would totally still do you.

jess: oh, that's so sweet.

schmidt: absolutely.

jess: jar.

i swear i spend the entire show with a big smile on my face.

xo. di.

*image 1,2,3,4,5

much love monday.

2012-01-16T05:00:00.000-06:00

i like to use monday as a way to reflect on the previous week, to start anew, and to send a little love into the world. won't you join me?

today i am grateful for:

after a long and stressful work week, a lovely weekend shared with c's parents.

pictures worth a thousand words:

{finally, a real snow!}

{got a group of girls together for saturday brunch + to see my favorite disney classic}

{added a bit of sparkle to the coffee table}

{with such beautiful snow, would that it were still christmastime}

this week's blog love:

you know i'm obsessed with design*sponge's living in: downton abbey post.
can't wait to see the rest of alaina of live creating yourself's styling of alex's lincoln park apartment over on things that sparkle.
this video on kate spade new york of a bookstore come to life is just fantastic.
centsational girl has a great post on what to write about when you have writer's block.
some important words on slowing down by sam of a glimpse of glamour.
dear bloggers: read av's story on long distance living, then follow her instructions on how to back up your blog.

here's to another grateful and love-filled week.

xo. di.

*images by me

winter beauty: january 13, 2012

2012-01-13T05:00:00.000-06:00

the winter beauty series: a picture or two to remind us there's some pretty to be found in these gray, cold days.

xo. di.

*image 1,2

lemon.

2012-01-12T05:00:00.000-06:00

tonight marks the return of 30 rock. these posters of things liz lemon says are just what i need to get me back in the mood.

xo. di.

*images via

dreams + stories.

2012-01-11T05:00:00.000-06:00

have had lots of weird/interesting dreams lately. i won't bore you with the details, but they've left me thinking.

"our worries, fears and dreams make fantastic stories.

take them with you as you grow up."

- neil gaiman

xo. di.

*image 1,2

besotted.

2012-01-10T05:00:00.000-06:00

i am such a fan of besotted brand. i found miss b.'s labor of love through her blog first, where she often discussed the process of making her business a reality, which made me a fan before she was even open for business! her attention to detail and love of good packaging had me immediately, so when the business launched its own website a few months ago, i had to make a purchase. i made the diy stationery kit and skull & bones hand stamp my own.

now that christmas is over, i can share why i needed that skull & bones stamp. a little embossing project created these for c:

cute and creepy at once, no? perfect for c ;)

xo. di.

*images by diane crary

much love monday.

2012-01-09T05:00:00.000-06:00

i like to use monday as a way to reflect on the previous week, to start anew, and to send a little love into the world. won't you join me?

today i am grateful for:

it's nice to get back to a routine, isn't it? i haven't posted a "much love" since dec. 19!

pictures worth a thousand words:

{beautiful michigan snow fall (which we had to drive thru for hours and hours on jan. 2...)}

{new year's day hummers}

{new obsession: downton abbey. watched the whole first season on netflix instant over the weekend}

{with christmas decor put away, new coffee table books can come out to play!}

this week's blog love:

live creating yourself has some beautiful words worth reading featuring the always fantastic photographs of jamie beck.
i love inspired design's home office round-up.
a beautiful florals to fashion by the city sage.
anyone else still get confused by the new facebook timeline? home stories a to z has a cute tutorial for how to customize your cover photo.
have you entered ashley nicole catherine's kate spade ny giveaway?!

here's to another grateful and love-filled week.

xo. di.

*images by me