Family

Keith Richards and Patti Hansen's family portrait is undoubtedly my favorite

Most people would agree that the whole Black Friday and post-Christmas shopping thing has gotten out of hand.  When I saw the Chevrolet commercial with real people (not actors) witnessing the onslaught of Black Friday crowds through the automatic sliding doors of some unnamed retailer, I couldn't agree more with the woman who covered her mouth and uttered "Oh my God," in disbelief.

Rather than post the usual photos of my current objects of desire like Chanel ballet flats I'm salivating over, or a casual Burberry jacket for this el nino weather, I decided to post inspiring photos of families, which is really what the holiday season is about.

A sweet photo of Francis Ford and Sophia Coppola on set.

A multi-generational slumber party with Miranda Kerr

Princess Marie-Chantal with her daughter Olympia 

Sarah Jessica Parker and her family.
Photo from Vogue

SJP
Photo from Vogue

In the midst of the San Francisco Bay area fog
Photo from Woodnote Photography

A glamorous Vogue fashion spread of the Courtin-Clarins women

Children's wear by Marie-Chantal

Love love love the burgundy and mustard colors

Back in the '90s when I was in high school and my family and I lived in Little Rock, Arkansas, I remember reading the ginormous W Magazine on my floral canopy bed and coming across a small photo of the Miller sisters sitting front row at some fashion show and becoming immediately captivated by them.  There's always something alluring about a trio or more of related, beautiful, and glamorous women - they are something of a unicorn, think the Clarin-Courtin sisters/cousins or the Traina sisters.

Since giving birth to a baby girl in early November, I was excited to learn about Marie-Chantal Claire's line of children's wear and adore her company's ethereal ad campaign (this fairisle cardi seen here is too adorable).  A quick glimpse of her Instagram photos also reveals photos of her lovely family, her fabulous life, and style.

Photo from Instagram: mariechantal22

Holiday flats

If your holiday celebrations are more on the casual side like mine - as in festive but informal gatherings with family and friends where jeans will suffice, but you still want to add a little glamour to your wardrobe, these lovely flats that I recently found on Asos fit the bill.  

Glitter bow flats and Ted Baker poms

Embellished d'orsay flats and  shimmering embellished shoes

Blouses with bows

You know I'm obsessed with all things with a bow.  One of my co-workers paired hers perfectly with a black, tight skirt and it looked so chic that I could scream.  Unfortunately, I can't pull that look off the way she does, but I was inspired by all the different ways one can wear a bow blouse - with wide leg trousers, a long graphic skirt, shorts a la Olivia Palermo down below, skinnies, or denim.

Holiday lace

It's 'tis the season to shop and hopefully score some great sales and I've been scoping my favorite online retailers to see what's new.  I love the romantic look of lace and this lovely wool sweater with lace by J. Crew caught my eye.  It would be great to wear to work with trousers or crisp blue jeans for the winter months.  

Glamorous Fireplaces

Ah, is it Thanksgiving yet?  I am so excited for the upcoming holidays.  It's my favorite time of year and I cannot wait to start putting up the Christmas tree, do some fun experimental baking in the kitchen, catch up with family over delicious dinner and of course scour online Black Friday sales.  It doesn't help that these photos just make my heart melt and only make me more anxious for the holidays to begin...  

If James Bond were a woman

I think she'd dress to kill in this...

All white, crisp Stella McCartney suit

She'd hide her Beretta 418 underneath this...

The Kensington Long Heritage Trench Coat by Burberry

And shamelessly seduce wearing this...

Alexander McQueen Embellished silk-chiffon and lace gown 

Or this...

Also by Alexander McQueen

Feather Fashion

I am so in love with the look of feather fashion.  I especially love the playfulness that feathers can add to an otherwise structured wardrobe of pencil straight trousers and a work blazer.  

Swooning over Gianluca Capannolo trimmed sweater

Jenna Lyons elegantly glides in fur and feathers

A perfect mix of sequins and feathers with a cinch of metallic

Oscar de la Renta heels

I've been lusting over Oscar de la Renta heels for quite some time now.  They just ooze elegance, timelessness, are available in kitten or low heels, and they're just the right amount of luxe.  Although they're not practical  to wear to work, they're perfect for weddings, evenings at the symphony, San Francisco holiday events, and anniversaries at Gary Danko or Scala's.  The Outnet is one of my favorite sites to find Oscar shoes that are heavily discounted (up to 60%) and I was able to snag one of the very few sizes left of these d'orsay heels with bows, but sadly my narrow feet just didn't stay put in the smallest shoe size available.

   

 Lizzie suede pumps, Ara satin pumps, and Marla satin pumps

Black and white home decor

Wishing everyone a Happy Sunday!  Here's to nesting, spending quality time with family and friends, sipping crisp mimosas over brunch, or simply staying in and being curled up with your favorite book or fashion magazine.  

If you're one for staying in, nothing says cozy, sophisticated, and chic than black and white home decor and if I called any of these spaces home, I wouldn't bother going out either.

Glamorous castle weddings

Photo by Danil Golovkin for Vogue 

These glamorous castle weddings gives a whole new meaning to Princess Bride and fairy tale endings.  If you're a bride-to-be who is in the midst of planning one of the biggest events of you life, here are some photos to get you salivating for that big day...

A wedding finale at Highclere Castle, also known as Downton Abbey.
(Photo featured on Town and Country Magazine)

 Model Jacquetta Wheeler at Chilham Castle courtesy of Vogue

A gothic wedding reception at Peckforton Castle

A more stately, conservative reception at Fyvie Castle