Friday's Fancies: Labor Day

Hey there!  :-)

Happy Friday to you!  The weekend is here -- and a long weekend, at that!  I am linking up again this week with {av} from {long distance loving} for another rendition of Friday's Fancies!

Friday's Fancies is so much fun -- each week, {av} sends a prompt to your e-mail, and from there, you make up an outfit to go with that idea!  There are no budget constraints so you get to dream big, and I love seeing what outfits I can come up with on my own -- I would not call myself a big fashion person.  Most days, you will most likely find me with hot glue in my hair and bare (or chipped) nails; but I like thinking up outfits that inspire me.  :-)

This week's prompt?  Labor Day!  I will be spending my day off with my hubby in a small-ish northern town in our state.  :-)  It's actually one of the areas that we explored on our honeymoon, so I'm really looking forward to it!  I will be needing an outfit that is comfortable and easy to move around in, so...

A J. Crew dotted knit sweater will keep me stylish but still covered up if the day happens to turn chilly (I hope!).

Pink, woven H&M shorts are cutesy and comfortable for the long-ish car ride and all of the walking that we will be doing around town.

Miu Miu loafers?  Um, yes.  ;-)

A cross-body J. Crew bag -- for practicality and style.

Fun OPI nail polish in a glorious pink.  The color -- I'm All Ears.

If you would like to join in on the Friday's Fancies fun -- enter your information here.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  :-)  I will be back Monday with a post about my sponsors for the month of September.  Have so much fun these next several days -- and be safe!

What do you have planned for the long weekend?

love,

maria

*Inspirations*

Happy Thursday!  The weekend is almost here...  I only have two more classes, and then I am free for four whole days.  :-)  I am so looking forward to it! 

Some things that are inspiring me...

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...A lovely color scheme.

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...Interesting flower decor.

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...Morning sunlight, streaming through a bare window.

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...This stylish image from one of my favorite Disney movies.  :-)

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...A pretty up-do perfect for both casual and dressy occasions.

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...An array of colorful and glittery dots in fun, bright colors.

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...Tiny, almost-bite-sized cupcakes with a smidgen of sprinkles.

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...A fabulously elaborate hat.  Just because.

What's inspiring you lately?

love,

maria

Back to Nature: Neutral Color Palettes

The end of summer is nearing, and I predict that I will again retreat back to a love affair with warmer-colored interiors -- my tastes seem to change with the seasons.  So, we'll take a look at some neutral-hued rooms today and celebrate the last week in August -- Fall is right around the corner, people!  And I cannot wait!  :-)

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What is your favorite neutral color?

love,

maria

For the Love of Books: Home Libraries

Hello hello!  Happy Monday to you!  :-)  I hope you all had a great weekend.  I spent mine relaxing -- something that is difficult for me to do completely guilt-free, but I was able to overcome that feeling and try to enjoy it.  What did you do this weekend?

Today, we're going to take a look at some inspiration pictures of home libraries.  The concept and idea of having a place for all of my books (with room to grow!) is amazing, and I do hope that my hubby and I are able to implement my dream in a home someday.  We shall see!  Until then, I will cozy up on my sofa and look at pictures of spaces that I die over.  ;-)  Are we ready?

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If you had your own library, what would be the first book that you would put on the shelves?

love,

maria

House Tour: Keri Russell

I haven't seen much of Keri Russell in my movie- or television-watching career, but I do admire her lovely laid-back sense of style and beautiful curly hair.  :-)  When I found photos of her home on Elle Decor, I just knew that I had to feature it on All Things Luxurious.  It is beautiful and simple -- not pretentious or over-stated; my favorite type of design.  The sort of house you feel instantly at home and welcome in.  That's what I love -- instant comfort, but immediate recognition of the fact that you are in a beautiful space.

Here she is with her her family in her Brooklyn, New York home.  How amazing is that piano?  I have played since I was eight or so -- I would love to sit down with that beauty!

Here is the master bedroom.

I love that rustic natural wood side table and that glorious oversized bunch of branches.  The cool colors of the room are accented by the organic materials -- love that!

This is the dressing room.

Totally cozy -- a room with literally no intimidation factor -- natural textures and a soft color palette.  I think it's perfect.

The bathroom.

Seriously -- don't you just want to hop into that tub and never get out?  I love the chair next to it, too -- facilitating intimate bath-time discussions and company.  Very sweet.  :-)

This is a dining room that I migrate back to over and over again.

I think the chairs are my favorite part, or perhaps that the color palette is rather dark, but because the space is so filled with natural light, it appears peppy and full of life.

And the touch of whimsy with the chandelier -- beautiful.

A kitchen, filled with dark woods, gleaming white countertops, and stainless steel -- yes!  And how sweet is that little nook where Keri's cookbooks reside?

Finally, the living room.

All luxurious furniture in here, people -- nothing but upholstered, cushion-y goodness.

And the touches of nature brought indoors are, again, quite possibly my favorite thing in this room.

Okay -- time for the what's-your-favorite-part game!  I think mine would definitely have to be that dining room.  I just can't get enough!

love,

maria

All images from here.

PIECES

Hey, there!  :-)

I just wanted to thank you all so much for the encouraging Tweets and comments I received yesterday on my first day back to school.  It was such an amazing experience for me, going back to finish up my education; and I am so happy to say that it was a wonderful day.  I have two different classes today, which I am a little bit nervous about -- but I'm feeling a lot better than I was yesterday before I left my home to drive to the school for the first time in so many years.  I loved reading your messages and each one made me smile and feel so cared for.  You guys are the best!

I was contacted last week by a really nice woman named Allie who works for a store called Pieces in Atlanta, Georgia.  Pieces is a high-end boutique that carries both vintage and new furniture and was started by owner and designer Lee Kleinhelter in 2004.  I asked Allie if I could showcase some of my favorite pieces on the blog today, and she said I could.  :-)  This is not a sponsored post.  I just really think these items are beautiful and am happy to share them with you!  

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Seriously...how gorgeous are these items?  I encourage you to head on over to the boutique's website and take a mini-break reveling in the amazing finds in this shop!

What's your favorite piece from this post?

love,

maria