women for women international & kate spade

all images via kate spade

clockwise from top left: 'hand in hand gold bangle' $48 | 'women for women raffia tote' SALE $123 | 'women for women beaded bracelet' SALE $32 | 'women for women knit hair pin' $48 | 'women for women knit necklace' $98 | 'hand in hand rose gold bangle' $48  | 'women for women beaded necklace' SALE $67 

today i was lucky enough to spend several hours with one of my dearest friends.  although most of our attention {and tears} were spent on the final harry potter movie {so good}, we also got to chat about the most wonderful organization that she is involved in here in london, women for women international.  

i've been hearing about women for women international quite often over the past few months, but chatting today reminded me not only of the incredible things it does, but also the perfect partnerships it has created and fostered, particularly one with kate spade.  

women for women focuses on helping women survivors of war or conflict zones rebuild their lives though financial and emotional support, including business skills training.  the knit and beaded pieces here, in fact, were made by these women through the 'hand in hand' program with kate spade, wherein they are trained in a viable craft to make pieces that kate spade will sell.  and how gorgeous!

i am particularly eyeing the darling rose gold bangle, the outside of which is engraved 'hand in hand' and the inside with 'there's strength in numbers.' reasonably priced, these pieces would make excellent addition to any accessories collection, and would make particularly meaningful gifts. and rose gold is beyond chic!   

isn't is so wonderful that kate spade and women for women international have creating such an adorable way for us to help our fellow women in need?  which piece is your favorite?  

learn more about women for women {here}.

learn more about women for women and kate spade, particularly the hand in hand program {here}.

trés belle, non? hope your day was lovely. xx hillary 

enchanted image: tiffany's australia

image via {here}

bonjour, mes chéries!  just a quick post for now.  my dear friend lauren, studying in sydney, recently sent me this amazing image.  it's part of tiffany's australia ad campaign, 'true love grows,' and is featured at all sydney bus stops.  how beautiful!  true love leading this perfect couple, the woman in vintage prada, no less, into a dreamland of avenues lined with charming benches for two, with canopies of foliage, allowing soft light to stream through its gaps.  and not a piece of jewelry in sight.  oh i do love brilliant ad campaigns, this for it's other-wordly-ness and impeccable romance.  looking at it, i grow hopeful and, heart fluttering, drift away into a day dream. 

is there one company who you believe consistently has effective ad campaigns? i'm always impressed and amused by the animated illustrations featured by hermes, to the extent of having created a special folder to save all of their marketing e-mails.  but for now, just look and sigh, and think, this could be me, someday.  

have the most lovely day.  i'm going to see harry potter, at last, and like all great fans, am excited, but not sure if i want it to all be over, just yet.    

xx hillary      

summer savory: honey-tomato bruschetta

image via {here}

hello mes chéries!  another summer recipe for you to enjoy, this time in the appetizer/hors d'oeuvre realm.  

please please don't be put off by the combination of honey and tomatoes, the honey simply brings out the natural sweetness of the tomatoes, and combined with the thyme and salt, is simply divine.  the creamy ricotta {buy as fresh as possible} adds a richness and balances the tomatoes, and the basil and extra drizzle of buckwheat honey contribute a burst of flavor and slightly peppery or spicy punch. 

perfect for entertaining and bon appetit! 

________________________________________________

adapted from food and wine august 2008:

in a large bowl, toss 2 pints of cherry tomatoes halved lengthwise with 1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons clover honey, 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and a few grinds of pepper.  transfer mixture, using a rubber spatula to get all of the delicious liquid, to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper {for easy clean up}. make sure all of the tomatoes are cut-side up.  bake at a low 300F for 1 hour 25 minutes, until the tomatoes begin to shrivel.  let them cool.  

{you can make these ahead and refrigerate for up to 2 days, just bring to room temperature before using.}

to make the bruschetta, cut from a baguette 12 slices 1/2 thick and on the bias, brush with some olive oil for richness, if you'd like, and place on a baking sheet.  under a preheated broiler, toast for 30 seconds on each side, until the edges are golden brown.

spread 1 cup {8 ounces} fresh ricotta over the baguette slices and top with the honey roasted tomatoes.  then sprinkle with a chiffonade of basil leaves {6 large leaves total, thinly sliced or torn}, and a drizzle of buckwheat or chestnut honey, if available.  

{the world will not end if you use everyday clover honey for the extra drizzle, but seeking out buckwheat or chestnut will be worth it, i promise.}

these look gorgeous served on simple white platter, allowing the brilliant summer colors to sing.

finally,

do make sure to save one for yourself before your guests devour the entire batch!  

trés délicieux, non?  xx hillary 

p.s. serves six.

lovely links for a new week

images, top left then clockwise via {here}, {here}, {here}, {here}, {here}, and {there}

some lovely links to begin your week:

• most.amazing.wedding.website
• in paris?: couture exhibition
• magic blemish clearing product i will never live without
• have you ever heard of olallieberries?
• need to master these chic diy hair ideas: chestnut bun and gibson roll
• 100% homemade grown-up s'mores 

hope your day was perfect.  xx hillary 

ethereal fashion: valentino haute couture fall 2011

images via {here}

if you regularly read fashion or design blogs, you have probably come across the behind-the-scenes photos from mr. valentino's fall 2011 haute couture show, published in V magazine, but i just could not resist.  the sheer, light-as-air pastel fabrics, crowns of blossoms, braided belts, hand-beaded gowns of perfection, the models transformed into to fairies or wood nymphs by his sublime creations, the designer conjuring a glimpse of an imaginary acadian world. 

i am very lucky to have been in mr. valentino's immediate proximity twice.  on the second occasion, i {running very late} dramatically stormed past him, without realizing this magician was in the building.  he absolutely {did not} notice.  and on both occasions he was looking oh so orange.  ohhh valentino.  

happy monday!  bienvenue to the clean slate of a new week.  more links to come later.  xx hillary 

bloomsbury art fair & wildlife darlings

as mentioned in a previous post, i most recently spent a lovely evening at the bloomsbury art fair.  in addition to providing a darling venue, with indoor and courtyard garden exhibiting spaces for contemporary artists, the fair was particularly special in that a percentage of all profits went to charities concerning those suffering from spinal cord injuries, especially paraplegics, including southern spinal injuries trust, motivation, the parachute regiment charity, and the spinal injuries association, many artists exhibiting having overcome such injuries themselves. learn more about all of the artists and exhibiting galleries here.  

by flamingo painter extraordinaire, jeremy houghton

i adored the fair not only because the art was beautiful and quite affordable, but sipping champagne (for charity, of course) in flowing dresses in a beautiful courtyard, with live music in the background, and the air that perfect mid-summer's eve slight cool, playing with a rambunctious puppy, no less, was my idea of perfection. 

i was especially enchanted by the work of wildlife artist dominique salm, who, in addition to being tremendously engaging and fun, paints and draws the most amazing exotic animals with such personalities.  i feel as if her work could occupy a special place in any home, and one day, i hope i hope, my own.    

"pick your feet up" pencil on paper

"open wide" watercolor

"grazing" watercolor

"difficult to swallow" watercolor

"wallowing" pencil on paper

"do i know you?" watercolor.
j'adore giraffes.

"dance partners" watercolor
all of dominique salm's images via here

don't you need one, too?  right. now? i hope that your weekend was oh so lovely.  

xx hillary 

p.s. merci beaucoup to miss courtney and miss suzie, interns extraordinaries, for inviting me!

l'art de perfume

the magic and mystique of perfume.  do you have a signature scent?  i've been wearing romance by ralph lauren for years. a light mist and dab here and there, and j'espère that those i know subliminally associate my presence with its fresh scent, and, perhaps, its promise of 'eternal romance.'  

but what glamour and luxury and beauty the art of perfume has inspired over its centuries of granting to women that ever-enduring air of je ne se quoi, especially the timeless chanel no. 5..

all images via pinterest

trés belle, non?  

xx hillary 

p.s. have you seen the film an education?  for me, chanel no. 5 always brings it to mind.