. . . bursts of tulle and organza mingled with structured yet playful shorts suits and all "with a little something to make you dream" at j.mendel . . . and ruffles and beautifully blurry silk prints from childhood memories of cherry blossoms at erin fetherston . . . 
{images: style.com}
While it may be true that shall never tire of Paris or the south of France, always ready for new adventures and sometimes fun to go somewhere completely different, and on the last long weekend of the summer: The Windy City . . .
. . . despite there being not much use outside the hotel lobby for gold strappy heels, sequined jackets, and silk and linen dresses -- all of the things in my carrying cases -- there were, happily, fresh lake breezes and miles of beaches, afternoon boat rides and expansive parks, marble fountains, and art and architecture . . .
cloud gate, outdoor sculpture by british artist anish kapoor
endless summer, navy pier
toasted coconut & strawberry marshmallows
dusk
frank gehry-designed jay pritzker pavilion in millennium park
cocktails + view from the ninety-sixth floor
the modern wing of the art institute of chicago, designed by pritzker prize–winning architect renzo piano, whose work includes the centre georges pompidou in paris; the art institute's impressionist & postimpressionist collection is considered the most important outside of france
buckingham fountain, made of pink marble and modeled by edward bennett after the latona basin at versailles
afternoon on the water
{and afterall:} pink cotton candy, afternoons along the beach and on the water, a late-summer picnic, sipping champagne in the courtyard of the art institute by moonlight -- and especially -- all the time in the world together on the last long weekend of the summer . . .
. . . back from an idyllic weekend in the countryside and still dreaming of deep, rich tones for the coming days when the sound of fallen leaves breaks the mid-afternoon silence and warm and romantic fireplaces crackle with newly chopped wood and everywhere, dark rich hues -- the colours of autumn . . .
. . . and here, carter smith's photographic work, intermingled with the warm deep colours of his darkly cozy home . . . 
{p.s.} also new:
. . . herringbone floors, juliet balconies and gilded mirrors -- vintage shots of marc jacobs' Parisian home are like a dream . . . 
{see also:}
. . . yesterday was a leisurely lunch date in a secret courtyard and today is late, late and rushing about . . . back soon, but in the meantime . . .
{a few newsy bits:}
