"I dare you to tell them you love them even if you think they don’t feel the same. I dare you to say, “I want you. I want to be with you.” I dare you. Hell, I dare myself."

Rolling Thunder

via Jaclyn Paige

xox

5 am

Do you have a time where your creativity is at its peak? I was always a morning person myself. In high school I used to wake up extra early to study for my exams. I was simply too tired at night. Then in recent years, my pattern somehow changed. I was getting to bed later and later and getting up mid-day. Still, getting up in the morning is very hard. But in the past weeks, I have sporadically woken up at 5am with a drive that I don't really recognize. Last week, I created a powerpoint on why I deserved more responsibilities at work (it worked; I got them). Today, I woke up with the need to work on my LinkedIn account. And while I am quite surprised at those bursts of efficiency, I am also quite pleased. I mean, yay me! I always tell people to be proactive and now, i'm putting my money where my mouth is. And it feels good. xox

A vogue summer

The perfect summer. Friends, banging clothes, food, beach. YES. xox

Old new

This Vernon Merritt from 1969 is so current. Crazy how everything old is new again. xox

Dear future

My midnight reading list often includes The Huffington Post via Twitter (p.s. follow me!). Last night I read about this teenager who wrote a letter to her future husband. And it was so heartfelt. I thought I would do the same. After all, how can you be so sure of what you want, if you don't voice it, once in a while? Because I am not even sure I'll ever get married, I decided to speak to my future boyfriend instead. Here goes:

Dear future boyfriend,

I love you. And I guess that’s what really matters in this life.

No longer do I expect things to be perfect. Perfection is unattainable and let’s face it –impossible.

I know there will be days where we’ll want to rip each other’s face off. There will be days when I’ll want my privacy, where you’ll want room to breathe, where I’ll be grey, where you’ll want to live the life of a 21 year old.

And there will be time where I’ll be jealous or you’ll be mad at me for being so flirty. Everyone has insecurities and no matter how careful we are or how masterful we are at keeping them in check, they will come out. That’s ok.

Because in between those phases, we’ll have unfathomable moments and experiences. Together, we’ll transform the mundane into the extraordinary. Together, we will laugh and we will grow.  Together.

We’ll be flawed. And yet, it will all make sense.

We’ll laugh. We’ll cry. We’ll travel the world.

Even though I am not the prettiest girl, and that sometimes I am too witty for my own good, you’ll adore me. And even though you’re too serious and intense, and your teeth are just a little crooked, I’ll adore you.

We’ll inspire each other in a way that is hard to explain. You’ll push me to be more wild and carefree, and I’ll push you to let go and laugh a little more.  You’ll inspire me to be more assertive and I’ll force you to be less indecisive.

One day.

Until we meet, take good care of yourself. Don’t drink and drive, ok? And don’t let bitterness eat away at your heart.

I love you,

Aude

Cool

"And after all the obstacles, it's good to see you now with someone else. And it's such a miracle that you and me are still good friends. After all that we've been trough, i know we're cool. " No Doubt, Cool.

Mr. Connery, may i sit on your lap?

xox

Step into Fall

Image via Dust Jacket Attic

Fall, my favoritest season is upon us (sorry to be a pooper). Let's take a moment to fondly think about plaid, dark nail polish, cute heels and color palette that come with changing leaves. xox

Love at first sight

Why oh why oh why must i mentally torture myself and visit these great shopping sites and fall in love with accessories I can't afford? WHY?! As i am currently saving money to go on vacation I simply cannot justify spending that much for now, but gosh if i had money, I would splurge on these vintage YSL frames from Retrosun via Shopbop like it's nobody's business! Aren't these perfection? Sigh. xox

Italian elegance

I've always been inspired by European women. My aunt and cousin, who both spent years living in Spain and France, have that charm. That innate chic. No matter what they wear. This is what i would love to have: that je-ne-sais-quoi, that careless sophistication. Ah to be European! When i grow old, i see myself looking like Rosella Jardini, creative director of Moschino. Trop classe! xox

"I found that every single successful person I’ve ever spoken to had a turning point and the turning point was where they made a clear, specific, unequivocal decision that they were not going to live like this anymore. Some people make that decision at 15 and some people make it at 50 and most never make it at all." Brian Tracy via Luella Loves (best place for inspirational quotes, btw!)

"The heart has its reasons, which reason does not know." Blaise Pascal

This dress calls me. It says: wear me. Be sexy in a fabulous-boudoir fashion. Take me off and make mad love to me. I would wear this to a grandiose - à la The Great Gasby - soirée. Or to a beach. I would wear it always. xox

Image via Club Monaco's Facebook 

Club Monaco's Facebook page really abounds with beautiful pics. Where would you go if you could wake up anywhere? After seeing "To Rome with Love" last night, and having fell in love with the city 10 years ago, I would have to say: Roma! Wish I could teletransport myself there! But hopefully wherever you are or aspire to be, you are enjoying the day! xox

Living

As I was clicking through the channels (as I tend to do a lot) I came across this stupendous documentary on Costa Rica. And although I am a huge nature lover, I must say that it is truly the human aspect of stories that stick with me. In this case, the director followed a man named Eladio who left a successful life in the city for the volcanoes, forests and surf spots of the west coast. As some sort of national guard, Eladio oversees the work of geologists and such. This man, although very hard to describe in words, had such a love for life. As he gets to the top of the volcanoes (as part of a scientific expedition) he starts laughing like a kid in a candy store. You can tell he loves every stone, every strand of grass, every drop in every waterfall. Another time, as he drives through the forest towards his favorite surfing spot, he shows the camera the goosebumps on his arms. He says he found his life here, is love. His salvation. I can only wish to achieve this level of passion for life, in my own life. If you speak or understand French, I urge you to watch this. Get inspired. Become passionate about your own existence. Afterall, we only have one life. xox

Shameless

Images via Fuck Yeah Shameless

Have you ever watch Shameless? If you haven't I recommend you get onto it, right now. The show is incredibly raw and honest but also surprisingly touching and funny. The actors are all delightful. And yes, there's some lovin' going on. So, just watch. xox

Mix it up!

I may not be a big fan of prints or Olivia Padermo for that matter, but this may be the best use of mixed prints that I have ever seen. Too good! xox

"Everything you do right now ripples outward and affects everyone. Your posture can shine your heart or transmit anxiety. Your breath can radiate love or muddy the room in depression. Your glance can awaken joy. Your words can inspire freedom. Your every act can open hearts and minds." David Deida

Copper light

A copper light makes any decor...well chicer. Don't you think? xox

"I've lived a life that's full. 
I've traveled each and ev'ry highway; 
But more, much more than this, I did it my way. 
 Regrets, I've had a few; 
But then again, too few to mention. 
I did what I had to do 
And saw it through without exemption." Frank Sinatra, My Way

Accessory

What's your favorite accessory?

I once read in a magazine a brilliant answer to this question: my brain. So true! What better accessory is there than the power to think, judge, understand, etc! But if I had to choose a close second, it would be my hair. What's your go-to accessory? The one you can't leave the house without?

Les Idoles, partie 1

Remember Ryce Newton? I was laughing to myself while digging these pictures from the vault of long-since forgotten movies. Gosh, I used to want to be that girl so bad! I wanted to ride on that motorcycle with Danny Masterson. A fine example that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. After all, her prince charming (picture below) ended up wanting to rape her in a cottage. Talk about traumatic. I think I can attribute my love of dogs and chunky knits to Beethoven 2. Too funny. xox

xox

Ox Blood

Thanks to Miss Kerr, i must now find a very chic and apparently super-versatile ox blood purse. eqfjh3fohb3fohb!!!

Hope

Instant reblog from my favoritest source of inspiration Love Life. I cried watching this video. Insane that in the midst of such a loss, this family has managed to create something beautiful. To do some good. Proof that in death, there is life. There is hope. xox

"I believe in the sand beneath my toes 
The beach gives a feeling 
An earthy feeling 
I believe in the faith that grows 
And the four right chords could make me cry
When I'm with you I feel like I could die
And that would be all right 
All right" Third Eye Blind, Semi Charmed Life

P.S. Stephan Jenkins, one of my favorite and cutest singer as a teen, is 47. Forty fucking seven?! Insane!!

Reading in the grass

Major yearning to feel the grass beneath my bare feet. Wishing you a wonderful day! xox

Giraffe Manor

Images via Giraffe Manor

Wondering where to go on your next vacation? I got you! The Giraffe Manor located just outside of Nairobi, has been added to my bucket list of places to see! Built on 12 acres of private land that serve as a refuge for the Rothschild Giraffe herd, the Manor has been built in the 1930's and offers all the freaking amenities you could dream of. I mean, as you are casually eating breakfast, giraffes just gently peek in and lick your face. How awesome is that? MUST GO! xox

In a moment

By now, most of you may be aware of my undying love for anything Austen and Joe Wright. The reason why I love Wright so much as a director is his attention to details. The way his cameras linger on a neck, a strand of hair or a hand. Like in this shot, where Darcy and Elizabeth have just touched for the first time. And if you're fast enough to catch it, you see Darcy stretch his palms. It's a brief moment, as those usually are. But those who have felt electricity pass between two people know, that's it's all it takes. A moment. xox

Les idoles

Did you have role models growing up? Being the eldest in my house and having no solid female role model, I turned to TV a lot to learn about the world, get away from reality and get inspired. Since I didn't have, in my immediate environment, someone to turn up to, I turned to those imaginary girls on my screen. So I thought, for the sake of nostalgia, that I would take a small trip down memory lane and share with you some of my idols, in a small part-series. Some ladies from the silver screen I found interesting style-wise or i aspired to be. Nowadays, the only person I want to be is myself. But in those formative teen years or just from time to time, it feel good to get inspired. So here goes. Hope you enjoy and share the geekiness! xox

"Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy." via Luella Loves

Watermelon

Watermelon, the color of the day! So lovely and flattering. The Gisele, peonie and Watermelons by Diego Riviera. Wishing you a very juicy day! xox

"Meanwhile, uptown, Charlotte wondered when relationships had gotten so complicated. She yearned for the time when dinner was followed by dessert, not lubricant. 
 Charlotte: I can't, Brian. I want to, but I can't. I mean, actually no, that's not true. I don't want to. Or maybe I do. I don't know what I want. But I'm afraid if I don't, you'll dump me. And if I do, then I'll be the up-the-butt girl. And I don't want to be the up-the-butt girl, because I mean... Men don't marry up-the-butt girl. Whoever heard of Mrs. Up-The-Butt? No, no, no. I can't. I want children and nice bedding, and I just can't handle this right now. " Sex and the City

Torn

Really torn about torn denim. Some days, I love the deconstruction, the softness of worn-to-shreds denim. Other days, I feel as though rats have gone trough and all there's left is a ravaged piece of cloth. I guess today, you caught me on a good day. xox

Work it

Dreamy work space. To get your inspiration flowing on this glorious Sunday. xox

Secret Garden

This Dior promo video shot in Versailles is everything! As a matter of fact, take any Depeche Mode song and add it to a video and you basically got a success is my book. xox

White Hot

Perfect, perfect, perfect summer look. Retro and sporty and that striped bandeau!! Oui!

"One day I decided that I was beautiful, and so I carried out my life as if I was a beautiful girl. I wear colors that I really like, I wear makeup that makes me feel pretty, and it really helps. It doesn’t have anything to do with how the world perceives you. What matters is what you see. Your body is your temple, it’s your home, and you must decorate it." Gabourey Sidibe

Like sunset

Image via Fashion Toast

Dress by Elie Saab, Australian sunset. xox