Filed under: Destination Inspiration | Tags: bags, bracelet, Calypso, candle, cashmere, dreaming, dress, earrings, hotel, North Island, scarf, Seychelles, slip, throw
Ladies and gents, be forewarned – this post may leave you yearning for a tropical vacation that you can’t afford… (and if you can, you should probably take me with you. i’m just sayin.)
In case you haven’t been following along, I’ve been suffering from a serious case of seasonal affective disorder and would gladly trade my favorite loubies for a week of vacation with some sun and sand right now. Yeah, I’m dreaming… And in my dreams I’m going to the North Island in the Seychelles and staying in a gorgeous villa – which happens to cost € 1745 per person, per night (yes, that’s euros), but who’s keeping track…
There’s a good chance I’ll spend a lot of time in said villa, lounging around in a Divertimento Lace Tunic ($49) under a Calypso Home Cashmere Blanket ($250) and taking in the delicious fragrance of a bergamot and tea scented candle ($19).
Oh, and there’s even a study and second bedroom in my villa – in case you’d like to join me!
I’m looking forward to relaxing in our private outdoor living room in Denia Adobe Print swimwear ($75 each) and a Calypso Sima Tunic ($195), then throwing the essentials in a Minx Braided Hobo ($375) before we head out to the beach.
If you happen to have € 2760 per person to spend per night, we could upgrade to the even more luxurious Villa North Island – and our bathroom would look like this.
This cozy little hideaway would be the perfect for curling up with a glass of wine at the end of the day in this Allegra Hicks Camilla Mini Dress ($550) accented with a Citrine Bracelet ($285) and a Matta Duppatta Pom Pom Scarf ($69) – and watching the sunset…
So who’s with me?
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Gemma Redux, hair, Immortal Beloved, Miguel Ases, Nikon D5000
On Friday I finally received a delayed Christmas present in the mail – a new DSLR camera! I actually got the Nikon D3000 on Christmas day, but Santa thought the D5000 was a better buy so I had to wait a bit for the new one. By no means am I well versed in cameras, but it seems to do a ton more things that my previous one, so I’m really excited to play with it more! (thanks Santa!)
Z snapped a few pics after I got my desperately needed haircut this weekend. I tried a new salon for the first time in 5 years and loved it! I went a little shorter than normal and my stylist took a ton of weight off (my hair is seriously thick) so it has so much more movement. I didn’t have any problems with my stylist at my old salon, Andre Chreky, but it was always super busy and sometimes felt rushed (and they started charging extra to block out more time to do my hair). Luckily Immortal Beloved opened a few months ago in my neighborhood and I’m happy to say its very deserving of the great reviews so far (plus the space is amazing). If you live in the DC area, I’d highly recommend it!
(Gemma Redux mixed metal layered necklace, Miguel Ases pearl necklace, hair by Nate at Immortal Beloved)
A few months ago I posted about the absolutely gorgeous Fallon Crystal Khaki Bow Necklace that the lovely lady down the street (Mrs. Obama that is) wore on the cover of December’s Glamour. As a reminder this is the stunner:
Institutional Investor: Fallon Crystal Khaki Bow Necklace ($682 at Charm and Chain)
Well not surprisingly, Fallon has collaborated with First Lady favorite J. Crew to produce the very similar Carrington necklace:
Retail Investor: FENTON-FALLON for J.Crew Carrington crystal bow necklace ($295)
Available in antique gold and charcoal (which looks more olive in my opinion), it’ll set you back less than half the price of the original necklace and sparkles just as much. It’s not exactly cheap, but worth the investment? You know I’m a sucker for statement jewelry (mixed chains and bows are a clear bonus) and if I had more assurance that not everyone and their mother was going to go out and buy it, maybe I would – BUT, I don’t think I’d save it for special occasions or cocktail affairs – I’d definitely rock this one with solid sheaths to work and plain tees on the weekends. Thoughts on this one, my Wonderfelle readers?
Filed under: Etsy Find Friday | Tags: bracelet, earrings, Etsy, necklace, NY Light Metals, Regina Pierallini
I’m completely enamored with the NY Light Metal shop on Etsy. It’s one of those where the items are so beautifully photographed that you can’t help but fall in love with one (or all) of the pieces of jewelry. As I daydream of escaping this freezing weather and dashing off to the beach, the Starfish beaded with Turquoise Silver Drop Earrings ($16) are delightfully appropriate. The Set of Reed Thin Bangle Set in a Matte Gold Finish ($23) would perfectly adorn my dainty wrists while the Delicate Swirl Wire Flower Crystal Earrings ($22) are like little pieces of wearable art. And how pretty pretty is the Powder Pink Antique and Frayed Flower and Pearl Bib Necklace ($35)?!
Sunflower Yellow Resin Flower Bohemain Necklace Gold Chain ($135) / Dazzling Gold and Amethyst Triangle Drop Earrings ($34) / Cascading Gold Hoop Earrings with Blue Quartz ($45) / Vintage Antique Style Camera Pendant Necklace – Jet Back Leather ($39)
Apparently she also has a website, Regina Pierallini Jewelry Design, with a number additional pieces not available in her Etsy store – they’re all pretty affordable and would make great gifts for yourself or someone else! I’m really crushing on this Oxidized Silver Multi Chain Necklace ($215) – hint, hint ;)
(Do you or anyone you know have an Etsy shop? I’m always on the lookout for new shops to feature. Please drop me a line at wonderfelle [at] gmail [dot] com with any ideas!)
Filed under: Destination Inspiration | Tags: Alvear Palace Hotel, Argentina, bags, blouse, dress, earring, flats, headband, heels, hotels, rings, skirts, travel
For those of yall that don’t already know, I spent 6 months living in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2005. If you’ve never been, book a trip NOW. It’s summer there after all! I’ve been reminiscing about my trip lately since I found out that my little brother is headed back down there for a summer program this year (so jealous!). When I was there, I was lucky enough to live with a really great family – my host “mom” was a gourmet food caterer and our huge apartment was right off of the Plaza San Martin (above). I took a few classes at La Universidad de Buenos Aires (La Literatura de Borges, La Historia del Cine en Argentina, and of course, El Tango) and also taught English “conversation classes” at la Universidad Argentina de la Empresa while “researching” my thesis (relating to the effects of the economic crisis in Argentina (1999-2002) on retail business development, in case you care).
Due to said crisis, the peso/$ ratio was pretty great (if you had $ that is), so it was an incredible 6 months of shopping, eating, exploring, and traveling around South America. Wayy too many memories to go into detail here, but I’ll just say it was quite the experience – everything from skiing the Andes to getting openly robbed on the street in Uruguay to Colin Farrell unexpectedly buying the first round of drinks at a tiny thai restaurant on my 21st birthday (yes, I have photo proof). Unfortunately, my computer crashed shortly after I returned to DC so I lost most of my pics from the trip with the exception of 100 or so I had already uploaded to facebook or webshots. Sooo sad.
Some of my favorite memories on Buenos Aires were weekend brunches at the Alvear Palace Hotel in Recoleta. Recoleta is an upscale neighborhood probably most known for it’s famous cemetery (where Eva Peron was buried) that’s full of elaborate marble mausoleums (seriously, they’re incredible).
60 Argentine pesos (approx $20 USD at the time) would get us an all you can drink champagne brunch with delicious food in this fancy-shmancy hotel. Followed by an afternoon shopping at Patio Bullrich or the Feria Plaza Francia and maybe an afternoon stop at Freddo for a creamy dulce de leche dessert, sighhhh, these were the days.
Satin Bow Headband ($4), Solstice Jewel Ring ($4), Disco Swarovski crystal clip-on earrings ($490), Stella McCartney Pleated Silk-Satin Dress ($1,875), High Heel Stiletto Pumps ($180)
An outfit inspired by the hotel lobby – a mixture of pinks, rich blue accents, a touch of gold and rich textures – perfect for an elegant outing.
BY MALENE BIRGER Armory Top ($215), Drop Stone Earrings ($40), Leather Chain Handle Bag ($160), Willow Pleated Crepe Skirt ($585), Lanvin Linen and Leather Flats ($470)
The suites have an obviously French palatial feel with muted peach and olive tones, intricate detailing, stunning chandeliers, and sitting rooms fit for tea. This outfit would be appropriate for such an occasion, don’t you think?
To all of you who live in places without real winter – I’m totes jealous. I’m from the south where winter is at least bearable, but I clearly have my parents’ islander blood in me because I CAN’T STAND the below freezing temps in DC right now. I’ve actually been considering wearing pants to work (which I NEVER do)… but that would involve actually buying work appropriate pants. Eh, nevermind.
I’m really into this Aussie magazine editor’s winter appropriate ensemble from Refinery 29′s Street Style’s Best Dressed in 2009. I’m no stranger to head to toe black, but there’s something freakin adorable about her brown fuzzy cap and modern monk shoes that push this look over the top.
A single-breasted black wool coat is an investment that can last a lifetime and I think what makes our auburn-haired friend’s version so great is the empire waistline with feminine pleating. This Juicy Couture Michelle Coat ($400) is near perfection with subtly puffed shoulders and gold tone buttons. Paired with leggings, a luxuriously soft Faux Mink Hat with Side Tie from ILLUSION by Sherry Cassin ($25) and Topshop’s tan KUKOO Flat Buckle Shoe ($100), it’s simply chic and relatively cozy too! (ok fine, it’s really the hat that makes me think she’s staying warm)
I loathe layering. I can’t stand puffy outerwear. I detest days when it’s too cold to wear ballet flats to walk to work. Ughh. I promise I’ll stop complaining… as soon as it gets warmer :) How do yall stay cozy in the winter?
The holidays may be over, but that doesn’t mean I get any less excited about shiny, oversized red bows. I can’t put my finger on the exact moment I fell in love the Valentino Patent Leather d’Orsay Pump, but there was more than a slight pitter-patter of excitement when I laid my eyes on this glossy statement shoe with that oh-so-appealing d’Orsay cutout at the side.
Institutional Investor: Valentino Patent Leather d’Orsay Pump at Nordstrom ($695)
Retail Investor: Paris Hilton Senorita in Red Patent at heels.com ($95)
Look familiar? Obviously. Do they feel a little like plastic? Surprisingly, no. More importantly, are they striking beauties on my feet? Absolutely. Embarrassed I like Paris Hilton shoes? I’ll get over it. They’re like the iconic red lipstick of shoes – everyone will notice, but it doesn’t really matter whether you’re wearing Lancome or L’Oreal.
(via Mariah Carey)
Happy New Year everyone! 2010 may have just begun, but I’ve already accomplished my first goal of the year – cleaning out my closet! I’m the type of person who feels anxious when things are disorganized – I really like everything to be in a designated place, at a designated time… I mean, I get angry at myself when I realize I left shoes in the hallway because I was too lazy to put them away in my closet. I’ve felt the need to streamline A Wonderfelle World for a while now, but didn’t know exactly what that meant… Well there’s nothing like a new year for a fresh start, and it’s time to get this little blog of mine organized!
This may have started as a simple shopping blog, but I’ve realized over that past few months that it’s become much more personal. I thought that a place “where fashion meets finance” would be what gave this my own twist, but I’ve skewed far and away from “stock talk” because 1) I get enough of that at my day job and 2) apparently yall would rather read about more exciting things, like ya know, shoes. So maybe this isn’t the forum for combining what I do, with what I love… I get that now. So welcome (back) to A Wonderfelle World, grab a glass of vino, and if you wanna curl up in a snuggie while you follow along – i promise, I won’t judge ;)
