Five lovely things

This week inspired by some brilliant colour palates …

Rodarte

I’ve coveted a purple, vermilion and black dress since I first saw it in Rodarte’s Spring 09 RTW collection. This photo of it – from the i-D March 2009 issue – reaffirms that Kate and Laura Mulleavy understand colour composition better than anyone else in design.

Teal & palest orange

It’s not often I’m knocked off my seat by a mass of cantaloupe-coloured tulips. But oh my – this rehearsal dinner pit them against muted teal silk, pops of white and natural green, and it worked so well. [Original photos from Style Me Pretty, here and here.]

Ngoc Minh Ngo

Ngoc Minh Ngo’s food photography is subtle, bright and beautifully-composed. She does two distinct image styles – close-ups and tabletops – with equal charm.

…can’t decide which I like best. 

Two summer bags

The materials – hemp, silk, organic cotton – natural shapes and elegant, muted colour combinations in these Viva Terra bags make them really special. Pictured left to right: Slouch Bag and Collette’s Silk Bag. I’ll take one of each, please.

Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake

Continuing my fleeting seasonal love for all-things rhubarb: this coffee cake from Dana Treat is everything good about summer. Pretty cream-and-pink layers, adaptable ingredients and an unfussy presentation — transportable for picnics and very much type of thing you want to lick from your sticky fingertips sitting in the grass.