{Simply Seductive : a lifestyle & fashion blog}

Fashion Editorial :: Porter Magazine Editorial No. 3 Summer 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Sun, 08 Jun 2014 23:01:00 +0000

Have yet to purchase a copy of the new magazine, Porter powered by Net-a-Porter; have you? Do you like it? Given the captivating editorials have seen of past issues on the internet, am inclined to purchase all three issues in print and start a collection. Love the notion of the magazine, its caption reads - "for the stylish, intelligent women of now". This editorial of Lara Stone photographed by Inez Van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin absolutely delivers on this concept. Especially adore the softness of the editorial, and the composition and angles from which the photographs are taken.

*Images from Fashion Industry Archive.

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Instagram Inspiration: { perfectly lovely }

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Fri, 09 May 2014 16:34:00 +0000

~ a bit of instagram love to brighten up your day... enjoy, xo

Images No. 1 // No. 2 // No. 3 // No. 4 // No. 5. // No. 6 // No. 7 // No. 8 // No. 9 // No. 10 // No. 11 // No. 12

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Decor Inspiration: { Jamie Drake / New York City Apartment }

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Fri, 09 May 2014 12:30:00 +0000

~ the uber-talented designer, Jamie Drake, shares his beautifully appointed New York apartment for our eyes to devour and relish in its awesomeness... am completely in love with his master bedroom, of lacquered dark chocolate-gray walls, and touches of apricot and coral, such as the crocodile-patterned headboard, leather chair and lacquered nightstands; the peachy-pink Venetian plaster in the bathroom and ooh and not to mention the gold leaf customed-made kitchen island, paired with plum leather bar stools... it is all too much to handle, in a perfectly pretty and insanely good way, xo

Images from here, here and here.

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Fashion Editorial: { Boardwalk Empire - Elle Australia, May 2014 }

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Mon, 05 May 2014 00:50:00 +0000

Rosie Tupper is photographed by Zachary Handley and styled by Nicole Bonython-Hinesin in gorgeous '60s-inspired designer pieces; absolutely obsessed with the Calvin Klein top and skirt and the Miu Miu teal fur and leather coat... lovely, xo

Images from Fashion Industree

Weekend Musings

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Sun, 04 May 2014 01:36:00 +0000

~ You may remember some time ago, wishing for warmer weather, well, we're almost there. Although the snow is gone {thankfully}, this past week has been rainy and chilly. All is well though, as this can only mean lush green lawns and wonderful gardens for the summer. Happily, I now have a beautiful new conversation patio set for the balcony and tomorrow will purchase some gorgeous tall white graphic plant holders. I will share a picture on instragram as soon as I get some flowers in them. Hope you are having a lovely weeekend so far, xo

Images No. 1 // No. 2 // No. 3 {discovered via TIG} // No. 4

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Style Notes : { Elegant and Simple }

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 16:10:00 +0000

I would say this picture perfectly captures my style, elegant and simple. Notice the slight scallop edge of the hem and sleeve of the dress? But what makes this look lust worthy and the fashion advice I would strongly recommend, is investing in a beautiful yet timeless accessory -- in this case, her purse... exquisitely put together and so stylish. Hope you are having a lovely day so far, Linda, xo.

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Fashion Editorial: { Flower Girl - Harper's Bazaar UK, May 2014 }

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 22:11:00 +0000

..."a delicate sprinkle of creamy petals, an explosion of rich summer color... florals come into their own this season." Model, Elena Bartels by Photographer David Slijper for Harper's Bazaar UK, May 2014.

Images, here.

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In the News: { Henri Matisse's The Cut-Outs | Tate Modern }

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 17:00:00 +0000

If you are lucky enough to be in UK anytime from today to September 7, 2014, Tate Modern in London is running a comprehensive exhibition of Henri Matisse's famous cut-outs. The next stop of this exhibition before most of the artworks are returned to private collectors will be the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in October, 2014.

Image, here.

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Wishing for Spring Weather

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 00:03:00 +0000

It has only been 6 days since spring officially arrived. Yet today, I had to brave the icy cold winter-like wind during my lunch hour to buy flowers for both my office and home. Honestly, when will this cold end? It was -7ºc although it felt like -14ºc.... why? Hope you had a perfectly wonderful Wednesday in your area of the world :)

Photograph by @frolichblog

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Inspiration: { Noteworthy Cover & It Girl }

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 01:48:00 +0000

~ Amanda Seyfried certainly sizzles in W Magazine, April 2014, photographed by Craig McDean and styled by Edward Enninful. The interview reveals the actress met her first boyfriend on a soap opera; loves acting, and acting like she's in love; has worked almost non-stop since she first appeared on The Way the World Turns at age 15; discovered she and Megan Fox have similar kissing styles {realized in their make-out session for the movie entitled, Jennifer's Body}; is a chameleon by design, able to fit into different worlds, rather than a "movie star" playing one character over and over; and has a dog, named Finn, who is fairly famous with his own Twitter account. Watch for the actress in the upcoming comedy, A Million Ways to Die in the West.

~ the side-bar article, in W Magazine, April 2014, depicting the life of It Girl, Lucilla Bonaccorsi {below}, reads like a fairy tale. Born and raised in Milan, she spent vacations at her family's 18th-century castle in Castelluccio, near Noto in Sicily and first appeared on the runway at the closing of her mother, Luisa Beccario's haute couture presentation at the age of 8 wearing a gold brocade dress, ballerina flats and a flower tucked into her hair. She now earns her closing appearances, having joined the company at age 21. I love her picks, especially no. 1, the Diane von Furstenberg by H. Stern necklace and no. 2, the Burberry Prorsum skirt. Lucilla is wearing one of the dresses from Luisa Beccario's spring 2014 ready-to-wear collection {p.s. my favourite from this collection is look no. 28}, xo

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Fashion Editorial: { Sweet Surrender }

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 23:07:00 +0000

~ a spring fashion editorial featuring model Lily Aldridge by David Bellemare for Elle US, April 2014... enveloped in combinations of silk and lace, cashmere and shearling, tweed, and alpaca, this editorial does not disappoint...

* Images from Visual Optimism

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Spotlight: { Artist, Sydney Albertini }

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 22:48:00 +0000

~ incredible as it may seem, these amazing works are ipad paintings by Sydney Albertini. More of her work can be found here and an insightful interview of this Parisian artist can be found here...

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Fashion Editorial: { Spring Forward }

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 01:04:00 +0000

* Abbie Cornish exudes elegance and sophistication in a seductive low-cut back sequined dress by Talbot Runhof, powdery blue top and skirt, shimmery Gucci dress, feminine chignon and playful mustard tulle skirt for Lifestyle Mirror...

Photographed by Frankie Batista. Styled by Jennifer Rade. Makeup by Matthew VanLeeuwen. Hair by Giannandrea.

*Images from Fashionising

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L'Art de Recevoir: { Numéro 1: French Style Entertaining }

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 23:32:00 +0000

* Jane Webster, of The French Table, Australian culinary author and masterful entertainer, dishes out some entertaining tips and advice for a perfect dinner party, inspired from her love of the French culture and having restored a 19th-century Chateau in the village of Bosgouet, Normany, France, where she [and her husband] run culinary tours and conduct cooking classes six months of the year...

Jane's advice for entertaining like the French:

* Prepare the day before: do as much beforehand as possible, in order to enjoy your guests and the conversation;

* Keep table and silverware to a minimum: set the table for the entire evening, thereby reducing the burden of the hostess;

* Make time for your family: do as the French and enjoy an appertif before dinner, even on weekdays;

* Don't bring wine: the French carefully select their wines to the food, to bring wine could be taken as an insult;

* Don't drink too much: apparently the French do not prepare their bathrooms for guests, so don't drink too much water or wine;

* Setting the scene: use white crisp linens, or forego a table cloth in lieu of just adding elements from nature, like pinecones or leaves; and

* Know when it is over: don't serve dinner too late.

* images and advice from Vogue Living Australia.

Jane's Raspberry and Coconut Butter Cake Recipe:

Ingredients
125 g butter, plus extra for greasing
275 g sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs, lightly beaten
125 ml milk
185 g self-raising wholemeal flour
70 g desiccated coconut
200 g fresh raspberries
icing sugar, to serve
clotted cream, to serve
Method
Preheat the oven to 180°C and butter and line a 23 cm springform cake tin.
Place the butter, sugar and vanilla in a bowl and cream until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and milk, then fold in the flour, coconut and raspberries. Pour into the cake tin and bake for 50–55 minutes. The centre of the cake should feel firm, not liquidy, to the touch; if it is not ready, replace in the oven until cooked.
Sprinkle with sifted icing sugar and serve at room temperature with clotted cream.
* image and recipe from the French Table.

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Fashion Editorial: { Peach Blush }

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 17:38:00 +0000

* an exquisite fashion editorial, photographed by Camilla Akrans, of lace, tulle and appliqué gowns and dresses, set on a tennis court surrounded by blooms of flowers and basked in romantic sunlight...

Publication: Vogue China; Issue: March 2014; Title: Peach Blush; Model: Hana Jirickova; Photography: Camilla Akrans; Styling: Franck Benhamou; Hair: Franco Gobbi; Make-up: Wendy Rowe.

Images sourced from mode.newslicious.net

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Beautify: { Numéro 2: Sexy, Teased and Braided Hair }

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 15:26:00 +0000

* Hello again. Back, one week now, from an all-inclusive 7-day vacation in Varadero, Cuba with many members of immediate and extended family. Have to say, I am not at all an 'all-inclusive' girl, but the majority of my family favoured this resort and location. Of course, being a vegetarian, was fully aware my choice of food would be limited, but even the meat that others ate was unrecognizable to me. Not to be too negative, a great time was had, but will never go back... On another matter, am turning my attention to spring and getting ready for warmer weather and beauty trends, one being a braided pigtail for the weekends. Below are few essentials and tips to make your braid do last, xo.

Braiding Essentials
• Dry Shampoo. Spray it on before braiding to absorb oil and create a gritty texture.
• Teasing Comb. It adds volume fast.
• Mini elastics. Full-size ties can overwhelm the tail of a braid.
• Hair spray. A flexible-hold spray is usually enough, unless the braid is really intricate or your hair has lots of shorter layers that threaten to slip out.
• Hairpins. Mini bobby pins help secure stray hairs; U-shaped pins hold thick braids in place; regular bobby pins tuck bangs out of the way or tighten loose braids.

How to Make a Braid Last
1. Prevent slippage. To keep straight, smooth hair from sliding out of a braid, work texturizing wax down the length with your fingers before you begin braiding.
2. Go heavy with hair spray. Spray it on while you're braiding, then mist the finished product with more than you think you need.
3. Fix flyaways. If a piece of hair falls out during the day, slidw a bobby pin in the middle of it, then twisting the pin so the hair wraps around and covers the metal. Pin it underneath the braid.

* image and tips from allure.com

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Inspiration: {Lovely and Unrelated}

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 21:53:00 +0000

* Image No. 1 // Image No. 2

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An Alluring Selection: {Winter Inspiration}

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 15:42:00 +0000

* with yet another recent snowfall, reminding us that perhaps spring, despite the days getting longer, may not appear as quickly as one hopes, a reminder of how beautiful the winter season truly is, for...

"There is not a care but for love
But for love there is not a care
All the beauty of a romantic thought
Is shared amongst friends
A winter romance begins
The beauty of the season" ~ {excerpt of a poem, Winter Romance by Matthew Holloway}

1-3. @linda_lomelino // 4. @parisinfourmonths // 5. @travelalberta // 6. @confettiandco // 7. @elica_k // 8. @najii66 // 9. @charliehorse_ofcourse // 10. @frolicblog // 11. @soitgoesmag // 12. @brenton_clarke // 13. @weworewhat // 14. @parisinfourmonths // 15. @moetchandon {photo by Dan Jones} // 16. @william_patino

All images sourced by moi, found at Sequins and Tulle

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Instagram Inspiration: {sopheaa the little deer}

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 19:22:00 +0000

* this weekend, already into the second week of February, and time flies by, has been wonderful so far... as with most weekends in 2014, have been mostly enjoying down time, to rejuvenate, a bit of shopping, like today at an antique market and now back at home about to watch an afternoon movie... these weekends are the best. I leave you with the most absolute lovely photography of a beautiful woman, who kindly identified for me that her roses {first and third picture} are fairy roses... you must follow her on instagram @sopheeathelittledeer. Hoping you are having a wonderful weekend, Linda, xo

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Spotlight: { Decor Inspiration // Summer Thornton Design }

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 14:58:00 +0000

** hello and happy Friday! The new year has filled me with inspiration and I am pleased to share with you this lovely pied-a-terre in Chicago's famed art deco Palmolive building. The talented designer, Summer Thornton of Summer Thornton Design created this fabulous art-deco inspired retreat. Read below for some of Summer's design advice...

Summer Thornton's design advice:

*Do at least one thing your mother wouldn’t
*Reference the past, don’t repeat it
*Use patterns and colors recklessly!
*Insist on natural fabrics
*Colors don’t clash
*Never say never
*More is more
*Always say no to faux
*Every home should have at least 1 thing from a flea market
*Traditional designs need-not be boring
*God’s neutral is green
*Fresh flowers are a room’s best accessory
*No great room was ever designed without taking a risk
*If your neighbors are doing it, you probably shouldn’t

// All images and design tips from Summer Thornton Design. Follow Summer's Inspiration Pinterest Board, you'll not be disappointed!

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Happy New Year! { Wishing you all the very best for 2014 }

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 15:59:00 +0000

Happy New Year!! 2013 was a very special year for me, and there is so much to look forward to in 2014. I would like to take this moment to wish you an exciting year ahead filled with beautiful moments, happiness, health and dreams fulfilled... Linda, xo

Images via tumblr.

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Fashion Editorial : { Dream a Little Dream }

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 19:57:00 +0000

* a beautiful editorial, from Vogue UK October 2013, which I couldn't resist to add to the blog... hoping that you are having a wonderful weekend so far in your part of this lovely, lovely world.

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Weekday Musings { and Autumn Beauty }

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 01:00:00 +0000

* have thinking a lot of how to put best intentions into action; for instance, have for a long time wanted to go out into the country to photograph horses, funny isn't it? Have this vivid memory of seeing horses at full gallop during a weekend drive one day, so beautiful, then the idea stuck in my mind how incredible it would be to photograph such beauty... another good intention is to start taking yoga classes again; almost ten years ago, was hooked and managed to follow classes during lunch hours at work, it was so invigorating and since then have dabbled a few times with a dvd at home, but it isn't quite the same experience as going to a class, if fact it isn't at all the same... lastly, have been wanting to be able to just walk out the door after a quick change and wash of the face, without make-up; not sure about you, but for all my adult life, have almost never walked out the door without make-up which means at least a half hour or so after taking a shower, which I find is a waste of time; of course, like to make myself presentable, but seriously, why can't it be more simple than what I put myself through... all good intentions, which will be my immediate focus in the next few weeks... hope your week is going along beautifully so far, xo

* all images from Sequins and Tulle

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{ Weekend Musings }

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Sun, 13 Oct 2013 13:55:00 +0000

* yesterday, "la famille" travelled to Upper Canada Village to visit the 2013 Pumpkin Inferno; with over 6000 carved pumpkins all lit up and stars shining brightly overhead, it was a magical night...

... transitioning into fall has been easy this year, with the temperature keeping steady, have been able to forego hoisery for now, am however, looking forward to wearing black fishnet stockings soon...

... no thanksgiving dinner this year, however will be visiting my parents for dinner tonight, which I am looking forward to; happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians, xo

Images from here ♡

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Beautify: { Numéro 1: An Introduction }

noreply@blogger.com (Linda [Forever Champagne]) — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 00:14:00 +0000

* have always had a long-standing love affair with beauty products and the process of transforming one's rested and nurtured face infused from evening serums and creams into what is presented for the day ahead. Having said that, tend to stick to a particular true and tried routine. Whether one wants a dramatic or subtle change, as a new feature, will begin to post about the latest beauty products, techniques and editorials such as this one in order to i-n-s-p-i-r-e and to provide
c-o-n-f-i-d-e-n-c-e in achieving the look you desire...

~ Alek Alexeyeva by Photographer Nikolay Biryukov for Elle Russia October 2013 via Fashion Gone Rogue.

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