Smultronstället

self-improvement on my mind: less materialism. more vitamins. less complaining. more gratitude. less social-media. more working out. less worrying. more water. less vodka. more dancing. less dating? more saving. less spending (ok, cross that out!). more reading. less gossip. more mystery. less open-book. more creativity. less criticism. more joy. less judgement.

 

smultronstället: n. lit. "place of wild strawberries"; a special place discovered, treasured, returned to for solace & relaxation; a personal idyll free from stress or sadness.

photos via my instagram: @maria_charmed

ultimate scream

Cara Delevingne for DSquared2 resort 2013.

I promise I'm not turning my blog into the Cara blog, but she is one of the best models right now. Lots of 90s + biker style going on in the short video directed by Senio Zapruder.

Cara

photographs by Matt Irwin for Style.com Magazine

 Mario Testino calls Cara Delevingne the new Kate Moss.

 enough said, yo.

"never complain, never explain" - kate moss

 

  Kate Moss for Vanity Fair December 2012  by Mert & Marcus

 I've never posted editorial containing nudity on my blog, but I'll make an exception to Kate Moss. And Vanity Fair. The platinum blonde 'do + cat eye scream sixties vixen. side note: doesn't a dirty martini sound pretty ideal right about now? Happy TGiF xo

smokin'

I love a good smokey-eye. Check out Bardot's-- oops, I mean, Lara Stone's! --beauty look for Self Service magazine. I think I'll don a similar heavy smokey eye (easy on the rest of the face) this weekend.

 It's a good thing Into the Gloss shared some products to help recreate this va-va-voom bombshell look. 

happy raccoon eyes, you charming people, you. xo

instagram: these are a few of my favorite things

photos via my instagram: @maria_charmed 

 ctrl. alt. chic. 

my collage entry (with my own lipstick) -- talk is cheap.

chandeliers at Bagatelle.

 "dolce far niente" means... the sweetness of doing nothing. at Il Pastio.

palm trees & 90 degrees.

blue velvet & iced coffee.

Sprinkles ice cream.

red lipstick on the coffee lid.

silver ring party.

cape, polka dots, & booties for a rainy day.

 proud hoarder of Vogue issues.

collage: Diana Vreeland's mantra to her success? simplicity, darling, simplicity.

The Gypsy Den is a charming lunch spot.

smile, & keep your eyes open--there are surprises on every corner in L.A.

street art by Curtis Kulig on Melrose. #lovelovelove

xo Maria

killing them softly

 Brad Pitt for Interview Magazine, photographed by Steven Klein

Thank you, Interview Magazine. Thanks a bunch.

A great way to start the weekend with a bang-bang-Brad.