Raquelle

The story of Raquelle begins, "The Raquelle collection was born on a breezy, sunny, summer morning."  This seems terribly appropriate since the clothes are begging to be worn on just such a day.  The line was created in 2008, almost by accident after a stranger offered to order three dresses like the one the designer was wearing and had designed for herself.  

I have Alabama in August on my mind every day  right now as we prepare for our trip and have a packing list that reads something like this:  breezy dresses, loose blouses, comfortable shorts.  It would be nice if something from this collection would find its way into my suitcase. 

Young Frankk

These summery images from Young Frankk's lookbook make me want to pack up and head to the boardwalk.  It's been legitimately hot and humid this week and a cool ocean breeze would be a nice relief.  I know I'm supposed to be looking at the jewelry in these shots (and I am), but what I really end up wanting  are the loose, breezy outfits. 

Ingrid Starnes S/S 14

I've looked through Ingrid Starnes' archives all the way back to her beginnings and I haven't found a collection that I didn't like.  They just keep getting better and better and the upcoming spring collection is no exception.  I want ALL of those dresses.  I would love to find something similar while out thrifting.  That would be quite a find! 

Candela

I love these romantic, deserted island worthy dresses from NYC based Candela.  The designer, Gabriela Perezutti, spent her childhood on a ranch in Uruguay and her family roots shine through in the details of her work.  She incorporates traditional equestrian and gaucho influences while keeping in mind the modern NYC girl.  I would love to wear one of those maxi dresses on the hottest summer days. 

Rosapina Vintage Collection

Here are some very sweet photos featuring Ale of Rosapina Vintage and her new handmade vintage collection.  And speaking of sweet, the pieces were all designed by Ale and hand sewn by her mother, using fabric from her grandmother's archives!  That's one sweet collaboration.  Ale's been a blogger friend for about as long as I've been doing this so it's especially nice to see her accomplish such an undertaking.  Congratulations Ale and I hope we see more of this in the future!

Milena Silvano S/S 2013

Have you seen this lookbook for Milena Silvano's spring/summer 2013 collection?  The designer started her eponymous line in 2010 but I am just discovering her work.  She is based in rural England, grows and forages dye plant to use on her fabrics and takes field trips to faraway places such as India to work with local artisans on techniques like block printing.  The result is a collection that truly has a worldly, artisanal feel.  You can follow her adventures on her blog.  I loved seeing the process of a large swath of fabric from its beginnings being printed, dyed and finally turned into a wearable dress. 

Osei-Duro

I discovered Osei-Duro via their Made in Kind collection at Anthropologie.  I loved the prints on the simple garments so I decided to take a look at the entire collection.  I ended up really loving most all of the pieces.  The simple tanks in bold prints and the dresses especially.  Oh, and if you fall in love with the Aetsas Summer Dress for $128 in the Anthopologie collection like I did, you can get the same dress directly from the Osei-Duro site for $92!

Ilana Kohn S/S 2013

I don't know why I've always shied from wearing a lot of prints.  But I have.  And I'm trying to change that habit.  Ilana Kohn's spring collection would make that easy!  I love the graphic quality of her prints.  I'm drawn to the grey and black prints, of course, but I think I would even try the pastel hued geometric print dress. 

Sessùn Spring 2013

Here is a lovely collection of pastel washed images of the spring collection from Sessùn.  So many wonderful prints and textures!  We're expecting several inches of snow to fall tonight so it's a bit of a fantasy to be looking at shorts and sundresses right now.  A girl can dream, right?

Dace Spring 2013

The spring collection for Dace has caught my eye with its muted colors and simple cuts.  The line has really perfected a classy, timeless style.  I just picked up a dress from the winter collection on sale and the quality is really nice.  I'm looking forward to wearing it with tights now and with sandals once the weather warms up.

Karen Walker

A pair of Karen Walker sunglasses has been a long standing item on my wishlist.  I never splurge on them since I'm so careless with sunglasses and tend to break or lose them quite frequently.  I have always loved the creative ways the collections are presented, whether that be balloons, mop heads or as this time around, beautiful ladies of an older generation!  One can only hope to age this gracefully and to look this amazing!

Samantha Pleet A/W 2013

The new Samantha Pleet collection is taking the internet by storm.  I've seen it popping up here and there and everywhere.  And it's no wondering why.  I know it's a fall/winter collection , but there are so many pieces that could easily be worn in the upcoming spring.  I would love to get my hands on that painterly print for summer.  And then the belted cape would be perfect for fall.

Morgan Carper S/S 2013

Brooklyn based designer Morgan Carper has a nice way with prints.  You can definitely see the connection between her worldly travels and her designs.  In her spring/summer collection I like the blue toned prints the best, especially the tie-back sundress.  Her pieces are usually priced way out of my range but I was lucky to grab a dress from the Of A Kind sample sale this week from her fall/winter collection.  I can't wait to get it!

Steven Alan S/S 2013

Steven Alan has provided us with yet another lovely spring collection full of pieces that are timeless and special all at the same time.  I can definitely see myself in quite a few of these looks. I'm definitely going to stalk that striped v-neck dress until it goes on sale.  Fingers crossed.  I'm also intrigued by the high-waisted, wide-legged pants situation.  I'm not 100% convinced, but they're growing on me.   

Ace & Jig Spring 2013

I know I've already posted a few spring/summer collections, but none of them have me as excited about warmer weather than this one.  It's the new collection from Ace & Jig and I want a closet full of it.  I not only like their aesthetic but the business practice behind it so I've made a point to collect one piece from them each season.  Last spring it was this dress, then in the fall this top.  For this collection I have my eye on the navy striped mini dress.  It looks so comfortable and easy to wear. 

Madewell Spring 2013

The Madewell lookbook is a highly anticipated thing at my house.  I have to admit that most of my wardrobe that isn't vintage comes from Madewell.  I'm always watching something on the site, stalking it until it goes on sale.  And luckily, they have some pretty good sales!  So when this spring's lookbook came out I was excited to check out my future stalking victims.  But I have to admit, most of the looks left me at bit, well, MEH!  That's the sound of my indifference, in case you didn't catch that. 

Now, it's not all bad!  There are a few dresses that caught my eye. I love that geometric print sweater and the smocked blouse and the tan overcoat looks like a nice alternative to my nearly worn out trench coat.  But most of it was a bit too preppy pastel.  A bit too J. Crew, if you will.  I know that it's silly to complain about spring clothes being pastel, and obviously there's going to be a bit of a J. Crew vibe since they're the same company.  I guess I've just been so smitten with the past seasons, I was a bit surprised at not being bowled over with this one. 

Ulla

Is it really that time already?  I think I must say that every season.  It's a bit confusing to think about spring collections right now when we're in the middle of a winter that doesn't really feel like much of a winter.  I think we've had all of three hard frosts and only a few inches of snow that quickly melted away.  The first of the spring collections to catch my eye is Ulla Johnson.  The last time one of her collections caught my eye it was for her Gloria Steinem lookalike model.  This time it's the easy to wear cotton dress in plaids and prints. 

Milleneufcentquatrevingtquatre

When I first discovered this scarf company on Frances May I was all, Milleneuf-what?  I can't say that I've figure out how to say "Milleneufcentquatrevingtquatre" yet, or ever will but regardless of the tongue-twisting name I'm head over heels in love with these gorgeous printed silk scarves. These are from the spring collection but the autumn selection is just as lovely in botanical prints.  They really look like wearable pieces of art!

Bren Summer 2012

I've just discovered the Bren Summer 2012 collection and fallen in love with pretty much the whole thing.  As described on the website, the collection is designed by identical twin sisters, is produced entirely in Los Angeles and "combines the sophisticated, progressive look of New York and the laid back Southern California lifestyle."  It's full of exactly what I've been wanting to wear lately... more prints (which is new for me), lots of shorts for the hottest summer days and I couldn't resist a white eyelet sundress. 

Fleur Wood Spring 2012

I discovered Fleur Wood, and Australian based designer, through an order placed in my Etsy shop. I'd not heard of the designer and was pleased to discover a line that is full of vintage inspired silhouettes and details mixed with modern prints in the spring collection, titled "Dream Catcher".  The spring pieces are not available yet, but I'd settle for the Cybill dress from the winter collection too!