** Happiness Is...**

The Pothole Gardener

Have I ever told you about my secret desire to be a guerrilla street artist? I'm not sure how I'd make that happen, but I'm inspired by the The Pothole Gardener. Planting shrubs in potholes isn't anything new, yet he takes it to a new level with miniature props.

He recently made a video, Holes of Happiness, which captures Londoners' initial reactions to his sidewalk creations. What would you do if you saw a little pothole garden?


{Images via Designer Daily}

Tea Bag Cookies

The perfect milk-dipping cookie right here. In tea bag form! Here's Rebecca's photo tutorial on how to make them yourself. 


{Images via Tasteologie by I Feel Cook}

Where The Sea Goes Up To The Sky

"And there I would rest, and lie,
My chin in my hands, and gaze
At the dazzle of the sand below,
And the green waves curling slow
And the grey-blue distant haze
Where the sea goes up to the sky."

-A.A Milne, "The Island", from When We Were Very Young

{Images via Seascapes After Sugimoto}

Real Pin-Up Girls

Isn't it fascinating that vintage pin-up girl paintings were actually modeled after real women?


{Images via Miss Mabiel by Ukacurl}

Bread Hearts

I think I'm going to make Hal a special bread heart sandwich on Valentine's Day and sneak it into his bag. Made with peanut butter, nutella, chocolate sprinkles, and love. Then I'll make one for myself  :)


{Images via Polli by Ohh Hmmm}

A Journey On The Orient Express

I've always wanted to ride the Orient Express. And if it looks anything like Stefania's delightful illustrated depictions, I need to make this luxury train trip a bigger priority in my life!

Have you ever experienced it?


{Images via Illustrated Ladies by Stefania Manzi}

A Floral Wedding Dress

An engaged friend of mine is thinking about wearing this floral wedding dress, and although it's beautiful, it didn't seem bridal enough for me. But then I spotted these images of Mary's garden wedding, and how she glows in her vintage floral gown, and I'm floored by how well it works. Can't you just smell the fresh flowers?


{Images by Bec Johnson}

Octopurses

Why hello there, sweet little vintage transistor radio purse. Please say you'll be mine.


{Images by Octopurse}

The End of a Meal

Everyone photographs the beginning of a meal. The mouth watering display of food. The anticipation. Never the dirty dishes or mess to clean.

So I love how Ines' photographs focus on the aftermath. Instead of an ending, I see good company, fine conversation and full bellies. The part of the meal we normally want to forget is turned into a beautiful and memorable event.


{Images via Kinfolk by Ines Nepomuceno}

Making Save-The-Dates

My weekend is fully devoted to finishing up our DIY save-the-dates. It became a much bigger project than originally intended, but isn't that always the case? We're trying to get them out by the end of the month. That's only 4 more days, eek! My subpar Photoshop skills and perfectionist tendencies have slowed us down, but with a finish line in sight, the excitement of completion is propelling me forward. I cannot wait to send them out. And then share them with you!

Have a stellar weekend, sweeties. Please enjoy the links...

Wrap yourself up in a soft map.

Famous paintings improved by fat cats.

Would you ever chalk your hair?

Give your honey some fruit for V-day.

Rest your head on a pile of books.

Cool crayon carvings.

Make your own heart-shaped seed bombs.

Have you ever gone winter camping?

Barbie, the ultimate muse.

Vintage suitcase planters.

And some posts of mine you may have missed...

• An Elaborate Sand Written Proposal
• Roller Girls
• A Home Office Treehouse 

{Image by Eat Pray Create}

A Little Town At Night

At first, I thought these were candles. But they're simply black and white photographs of old houses, curled up into cylinders. A battery operated tea light is set inside, casting a warm glow through the cut out windows. Placed together, they look like a little town at night. Miss Claire is one crafty gal.


{Images via Fellow Fellow}

One City, Five Hours

Ah, layovers. I don't usually leave the airport when I'm stuck in a random city, but if you're feeling adventurous, here's a handy set of sketchbook maps that Oliver Jeffers draws for One City, Five Hours, a series in United Airlines' in-flight magazine. He claims they're "all geographically accurate", hee hee.

Seattle's map looks pretty good, although I honestly can't imagine tourning Pioneer Square, Showbox at the Market, the original Starbucks, the Elliott Bay Bookstore, Quinns Pub, Velouria, Palace Kitchen, the Experience Music Project, and the Space Needle, phew, in only 5 hours! 


{Images via Hemispheres Magazine by Oliver Jeffers}

DIY - Paper Clip Letters & Shapes

Man, I really want to make these paper clips, aka "shaper clips", for our DIY wedding invitations, but alas, we are inviting more than 10 guests. I can't possibly imagine whipping them out in large quantities... unless I had an assembly line of little elves.

But wouldn't they be perfect for smaller projects? All you need is jewelry wire and a pair of needle nose craft pliers. Check out Chelsea's full tutorial.


{Images via The Sweetest Occasion by Lovely Indeed}

Cortana Wedding Gowns

It's a good thing these heavenly Cortana wedding gowns are only available in Spain, or else I'd be forced to rob a bank to buy one.

And to be honest, I already have my dress! Well, not in my possession, but it's being made. Hal's mother kindly agreed to help and offered the services of her special seamstress in LA who has access to high quality fabrics. I sent her my measurements and inspiration photos and now I'm patiently awaiting a mock up to try on. It's a little nerve-wracking, being so far away from the action. But I found a local seamstress here who will do the final fittings. For the amount of money I'm saving, it's absolutely worth it. Crossing my fingers that it all works out!


{Images via Simple Blueprint}

Mini Canvas Paintings

I seem to be on a miniature kick as of late. Aren't Caroline's 3" x 3" canvas acrylic paintings darling? They even come with a tiny wooden easel!


{Images via Papernstitch by Oh Chalet}