back to basics {black and gold}

I love finding new color combinations that inspire me but sometimes the classics really are the best, and black and gold will forever be my favorite for invoking timeless elegance.

(new arcadia studio zebra plate, tucker blouse, mawi brooch and marni cuff)

event inspiration {lime+biscotti}

I know that most party hosts love throwing an unique event full of personal and unexpected elements--which can be quite the task. I think it also tends to make people ignore classic color combinations, such as lime green and creamy biscotti, but they can still create an amazing and fresh look when textures are carefully chosen and details are not ignored.

(via green wedding shoes, indigo bunting, a hana designs, once wed, elizabeth messina and sunday suppers)
After all there are a reason that these colors are classics!

all about the classics {color}

Continuing on my classic holiday kick--these are just a few reasons why scarlet red and soft green will never go out of style and always be synonymous with this season.

(flowers by rountree, dress from Carolina Herrara Pre-Fall 2010 collection and invitation from parrot design)

(flowers and hanging bottles via karen mordechi, mantle from the portfolio of andrew bordwin and macaroons via canelle et vanille)
Do you agree? Are you a traditionalist when it comes to holiday decor?

Also, I got the absolute best news today--delight by design was included in the London Times list of the top 50 design blogs!

classic christmas {dining room}

As much as I have tried to stray away from my traditional Christmas decor tendencies I can't help but be attracted to the nostalgia of classic holiday decor. Which is why the combination of fragrant paper whites, an elegant (yet surprisingly casual) table and the beautiful pine garlands of the dining room of Mary Macdonald just make me sigh..


...and it is also the reason that today will be completely devoted to classic holiday style. I will be back shortly with some lovely examples of why red and green are rightly so the most popular colors of this season (as well as some gift ideas for the classically inclined gals on your list).

cheap(er) chic: basic black + white

For the transitional period between summer and Fall when it is not quite time to pull out the corduroy whale skirt but the searsucker pants no longer seem appropriate, I recommend black and white pieces to get you through. Some of my favorite options that are all under $225...

(alice+ olivia shirt, 3.1. phillip lim accordion necklace, headband from anthropologie, pucci wallet, kate spade flats, maje striped cotton dress)
And it seems that I am partial to black and white pieces that also feature bows!