** Happiness Is...**

Yarn Ball Decor

How creative is this yarn ball chandelier and table decor? Tori and Myka of Sitting In A Tree designed them for Hitched, the mega wedding showcase event in LA. Positively lovely I say.


{Images via Green Wedding Shoes by Sarah Yates Photography}

"From London With Love" By Gia Coppola For Orla Kiely

I've always been an admirer of Orla Kiely's 60's aesthetic. For her Spring/Summer 2011 collection, she teamed up with Gia Coppola to make a beautiful film which premiered at London Fashion Week.

Isn't it divine? Makes me fall in love with London all over again!


{Image via Mirror Error}

Seeing Art Everywhere

These quirky pieces by Sandrine Estrade Boulet remind me of childhood. When I used to look up at the sky and make pictures out of clouds. Actually, I still do!

Check out the rest of her art here. She has quite the imagination, doesn't she?


{Images via Inspire Me Now}

My College A Cappella Group

I don't think I ever told you that I used to be in an all-female college a cappella group. The USC Sirens. Think Glee, but without instruments (yep, we beat boxed) and without boys (who needs 'em?)

I was a founding member my freshman year and I'm so proud to say the group is still thriving. During my time, we released three albums and toured the East Coast and Hawaii. One of my solos, Madonna's "Ray of Light", even made it on the Best of College A Cappella album! The Sirens were the reason I decided to pursue music after college.

Many of these lovely ladies are my besties to this day. There's something about singing together that bonds you for life. Any fellow singers out there know what I'm talking about?  :)


{Images via: 1. EW; 2. InStyle}

Furry Paws

I can't wait for chillier days so I can wear these playful furry paws. Montreal artist, Sara Legace, hand crochets them out of Peruvian highland wool yarn and recycled (thank goodness) arctic fox fur. Fingers free for blogging!


{Images via Paper n Stitch}

Little Wooden Owls

Thought these little retro owl buddies might brighten your day like they have mine  :)


{Images via Retro To Go by Matt Pugh}

Questions For You - Have You Experienced Love At First Sight?

I love hearing how couples met. Hal and I have told our story thousands of times over the years, but it never gets old. One day I will tell you ours, but today I want to hear yours.

My question for you:

Has love at first sight ever happened to you?

My Answer... It was more lust than love, but yes. I locked onto him the moment I walked into the room  :)


{Image by Kelty of Steep Street}

Albie Designs City Prints

I can't get enough of city illustrations. Especially these pretties by Albie Designs. I'll forgive her for not having a print of Seattle... I'm sure she will come around :)  Aren't they sweet?

UPDATE! Seattle has arrived! Good work girl. 


{Images via Oh Joy!}

Levi's Double Denim Onesie

Do you remember when denim on denim was a no no? Apparently now it is a yes yes. Levi's has a new double denim onesie.

What do you think of it?


{Images by Levi's}

A Laser Cutter

These wood laser art images from Refill Seven make me want to invest in a laser cutter. Oh, the wonderful things I could create. Technically, I'm not exactly sure how it works, but I believe it's similar to magic...


{Images via Love Design Fest by Refill Seven}

IKEA's "Homemade Is Best" Cookbook

If only I were in Sweden, I could get my hands on IKEA's new cookbook, "Hembakat är Bäst" or "Homemade is Best", beautifully styled by Evelina Bratell and photographed by Carl Kleiner. Don't you love the graphic layouts of raw ingredients? Anything that encourages playing with your food is alright by me!


{Images via Emmas Designblogg}

Roller Coasters

I was reminded again this weekend how much I love roller coasters. Do they thrill you too?  :)

{Images by Olive Juice Photography}

House Hunting For Fun

I'm off to house hunt! Just for fun. Hal and I are currently renting-to-own a lovely 1-bedroom condo in the heart of the city. But as our option-to-purchase date approaches, I'm finding single-family homes around the same price or lower!

Tonight we're touring a 5-bedroom, 2-bathroom mid-century gem in South Seattle. It's considered the ghetto, but a yard and spare rooms for an office, a future nursery, a recording studio, or a walk-in closet is just too tempting! Do you ever house hunt for fun?  :)

Have a wonderful weekend, loves! Enjoy some entertaining links...

Turn the season to fall with this playful rug.

Proposal stories are even sweeter when told by the man.

Fancy party pumpkins!

I want someone to braid my hair like this.

Doesn't this end-of-summer corn chowder look delish?

I know a few people who'd love this cat calendar tea towel.

Retro bow suspender tights.

Learn how to make edible cutlery.

I adore this Grace Kelly wedding dress.

A dream office on wheels.

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

• Dreamers & Believers
• Hearts
• A Loch Ness Monster Ring / Necklace

{Image by Studio Mela}

The Puyallup Fair

I'm going to The Puyallup Fair this weekend. It comes around every year and I haven't been since high school. I was on a blind date and it was miserable. He didn't talk. He thought the only way to gain my affection was by tossing rings on soda bottles all night to win me ugly gigantic stuffed animals.

So going with Hal will be an entirely different experience. It will be his first time. We're excited to feast on caramel apples and elephant ears, pet little pigs and bunnies, and of course, ride The Zipper over and over again!

When was the last time you went to the fair?


{Images via: 1. Eurythmic; 2. Love's A Funny Thing; 3. Bardot In Blue; 4. Ilka's Attic; 5. Riot Jane; 6. A Field Journal; 7. Chelsa Mander; 8. We Heart It; 9. Doreese}

Harvest Moon Soup

Did you see the full harvest moon last night? It was huge and low on the horizon. I didn't make this zucchini harvest moon soup, but I'm wishing I did to celebrate autumn's arrival. Isn't it pretty? You serve it in a hollowed out small green pumpkin, garnished with sour cream and dill. The full recipe is here.

{Image via Carrie Leber PR}

A Cozy Wood Paneled Home

Slightly obsessed with Andrew and Kathleen's cozy mid-century modern arts & crafts home in Berkeley Hills, CA. Can you believe the house was built in 1947? The architecture was way ahead of its time. So much to admire...the wood paneling, exposed beams, 70's color palette, the owl nursery! What's not to love?


{Images via Apartment Therapy by Lilias Pettit-Scott}

The Re-Designed Secret Garden

     


How darling is the new edition of The Secret Garden? Children's book creator, Lauren Child, re-designed it for Puffin's 70th anniversary, along with a few other classics.

You can peel back the paper layers one by one to reveal Mary in her garden. It comes with a yellow ribbon bookmark with an old key attached to the end. I would have loved this as a child.


{Images by Puffin}

Good Cheese Packaging

Not like I need another excuse to eat cheese, but this beautiful packaging re-design by Coley Porter Bell makes me want to stock a year's supply of brie and camembert in my fridge.

P.S. Fun fact: in the 12 months following the new Fairview Cheese design, sales rose by 32.4%. Shows what good packaging can really do!


{Images via The Dieline}

A Cube O' Drawers

That top photo trips me out. Wouldn't this modular cube be perfect as a nightstand to keep your adornments and accessories in? A true jewelry box. And it's only $15,200. A steal! ;)

{Images via Curbly by Voos Furniture}

Orange

Happy first day of Fall y'all! In honor of, I present to you one of my favorite colors... orange. Not that I'm seeing any of it in nature yet. But those autumn leaves will arrive before ya know it!


{Images via: 1. Ting Hay; 2. Ohlala; 3. The Heat; 4. Where There Is Life There Is Love; 5. C.Zwerg;  6. Evin Haobroto; 7. Cassia Beck; 8. I.Anton}

Minimalist Carpets

Estonian designer, Monika Jarg, plays around with how much textile material must be present to still be considered a carpet. Her wool stitches and felt dots are the result. Although I bet slightly uncomfortable to walk upon, they sure do make a cool minimalist design statement, don't they?


{Images via Design For Mankind}

Maple Leaf Snack Bars

The gals at Golubka made these beautiful maple leaf snack bars from scratch out of color-coded raw ingredients...

• Green: fresh spinach, green beans, kiwis, pistachios and pumpkin seeds.

• Yellow: fresh mangos, bananas, freeze dried corn, carrots, almonds and bee pollen.

• Red: fresh strawberries, goji berries, freeze dried raspberries, carrots and pomegranates.

They are dried, turned into a powder with a coffee grinder, and mixed with agave syrup. After being packed into lightly oiled maple leaf molds, they're frozen and put into a dehydrator at 115F.

Makes me all excited for the first day of Fall tomorrow! You too?

{Images by Golubka}

Freya Inspiration

I think we could all use a little Freya inspiration in our lives  :)

{Images via Design Is Mine by Freya Art & Design}

Fiela Feather Lights

Have you seen these yet? The Fiela Feather Light by South African designer, Haldane Martin, is made up of ostrich feathers and was inspired by the lightness of dandelions. It comes in chandelier or arc lamp form. I think it adds just the right amount of drama to a modern home, don't you think?

{Images via: 1. Ohdeedoh; 2. and 4. Thirteen and South; 3. The Modern Home}

Why I Love Him - Reason #98

When I brought Hal home to Washington for the very first time, my folks had a little trick up their sleeves. I vowed to keep it a secret. You should know, my childhood home is considered by my LA friends to be in the boonies.

It was a cold October night. Coming back from the airport, my parents told him he'd be sleeping alone in the "guest house". Once we got home, my dad didn't park. He kept on driving down their 1.5 acre property to the modest treehouse he build for my brother and I as kids. We're not talking about a luxury treehouse like this one. Or this one. My dad did a mighty fine job, but it's a little more crude. A little more abandoned. In the woods. Pitch black.

"Here's the guest house!" my parents said. They took a sleeping back out of the trunk and gave Hal a flashlight. I was straight faced as I kissed him goodnight and got back into the car. We drove away and left him there. Looking behind us, I saw him slowly creep up the rickety stairs and enter the decaying treehouse. His flashlight beam raced around in panic.

"We have to turn back!" I freaked out. Cracking up, we returned and shouted up for Hal to get back in the car. His pale face looked so relieved. Apparently there were cobwebs and spiders covering the walls. What a good sport. He later admitted that he thought the trick was hilarious. It reassured him that he'd fit in with my family well. Which made me giddy. And made me love him all the much more.


{Image via Cosmic Dust}

Organic Produce Deliveries

I'm kicking myself for missing a Groupon deal over the weekend... organic produce delivery from Full Circle Farm for only $17. I've been wanting to try out a service like this for quite some time. You can't beat fresh and local fruits & veggies delivered to your door every week.

I'm curious, have any of you ever tried a service like this in your city? What do you think of it?


{Images via Sunday Suppers by Karen Mordechai}

Bridal Halos

I'd love to wear a bridal halo on my future wedding day. This pretty nature-inspired piece by Lo Boheme is made out of ivory satin wrapped wire with swarovski crystals and vintage millinery leaves. Definitely fit for a goddess!

{Images via Grey Likes Weddings}

A Secret Writing Project

Have a wonderful weekend! I'm planning to lay low and begin my top secret writing project. I'll explain what it is soon, but I'm brimming with ideas and I need to get them out of my head before I forget.

Enjoy yourselves darlings! Here are your weekend links...

A modern day Flintstones house.

Um... hello Drew!

Fabulous way to display your hats.

Rare and awesome Leave Your Luggage Here poster.

In love with this vintage wedding dress.

Wallpapered furniture = neato.

I'm trying to figure out how to make this literal hair bow.

What I plan to make for dinner this weekend.

A horse cycle.

Wouldn't you love to buy a house for $95k?

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

• Braid Chains
• Flowing Fabric
• Things I Like Postcards

{Image via Ella May}

Hand Knit Bow Ear Warmers

Sure, it's a little early to be thinking about keeping my head warm, but Fall officially begins next week and Emma's handknit bow ear warmers are just too cute to resist. They come in all the colors above. Decisions, decisions!

{Images by Emmadime}

La Cita

I don't have anything profound to say about Andre da Loba's artwork, La Cita. I just like it. A lot.

{Images via Behance}

The Tree Trunk Ring

My finger wants this. Hint, hint to all who know and love me. The customizable Tree Trunk Ring, designed by Digby & Iona, was inspired by one of my favorite Shel Silverstein stories, "The Giving Tree"...

"Well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting.
Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest."
And the boy did.
And the tree was happy.

{Image via Catbird}

A Tepee Workshop

If I was still living in Cali, I'd sign up for this 3-day Tepee Workshop in a nanosecond. At a family ranch in the Sierras, you'll learn how to sew your own tepee and put it up with poles. The tepee from Design Within Reach is lovely, but way too pricey. Someone in the area, please sign up for the workshop and report back. They're only accepting 8 people!

P.S. How cool is this modern tepee! Try to ignore the silly man luring the woman into his casbah.

{Image via Wallpaperpimper}

DIY - Personal Fire Pits

This DIY project tickles my fancy. I like fire. In any form. Candles, fireplaces, camp fires, you name it. They just ooze coziness. And I've been wanting to put a little fire pit of sorts on my deck for the crisper evenings coming on. Thank you Karen for show us how to make our own modern personal fire pit for $25. Full instructions here.


{Images by The Art of Doing Stuff}

Masquerades

Why am I already thinking about Halloween? Perhaps it's the chill in the air. I've always wanted to crash an elaborate masquerade party where everyone arrives in ornately decorated masks and no one knows who you are. I've never attended one before. Have you?


{Images via: 1. Decrepitude; 2. Requiem For Anna; 3. Violet Eye; 4. Divine Decadence; 5. Maya Tetter;  6. Five Thousand Hearts;  7. Seared Memories;  8. Eclipse of Faith}

A Galley Kitchen Makeover

I really am opposed to galley kitchens, but sometimes there's no way around them, literally. This sweet little makeover gives me hope for all the galley kitchens of the world. Look at the before photo here. A little paint, a colored counter top, decorative knobs and a tile backsplash sure do wonders, don't they?

{Images via DIY Ideas by Meredith Ladik}

Full Eyebrows

Plucking and shaping my eyebrows was the best thing I ever could have done to my face. It completely changed my look for the better. (And I wish I had learned this beauty trick earlier in life!). But there is something to be said about extremely full eyebrows. Some gals, usually models like Lynn Amelie Rage, pull it off beautifully, don't you think?

{Images via Fashion Gone Rogue by Paul James Hay}

Paintings of Bookshelves

I'm thinking of getting a Kindle. Or at least asking for one for Christmas. But I dunno. I love the look of a packed bookshelf and the accumulation of every story I've ever read. Perhaps Stanford Kay's paintings of bookshelves will suffice? Okay, maybe not. But they sure are cool!

P.S. Today is your last chance to enter The Zen Muse sterling silver necklace giveaway!


{Images via The Best Part}

A Birdcage Umbrella

I guess I'm considered an official Seattleite now. While the rest of my city wears a hood or gets wet, I still prefer to carry an umbrella. It was raining this morning and I pulled out the little red one I've used for years, only to discover a few holes, rendering it useless.

But lookie here! This adorable birdcage umbrella will be my next friend.


{Image via Lulu Guinness}

A Slide Inside

You may have figured it out by now... I like slides, swings, trampolines and such. So naturally, this Indonesian in-home spiral slide designed by Aboday immediately caught my attention.

The family who lives there has a 5-year old boy who slides down from his bedroom to the kitchen. How fun! But my one concern... it's made of concrete. That must be painful, no?


{Images via Deezen by Happy Lim Photography}

Beauty In The Abandoned

Photographer, Álvaro Sánchez-Montañés traveled to Kolmanskop, a ghost town in southern Namibia that had once been a rich mining village. He shot these surreal images of deserted buildings filled with sand blown in by the wind, capturing "beauty in the abandoned, of the useless, of time passing by."

Wouldn't you love to see this place in person?

{Images via My Modern Met by Alvaro Sanchez-Montanes}

Original Vintage Film Posters

Happened upon a fabulous collection of original French film posters at Film/Art today. The prices aren't cheap, but wouldn't you love to tile a home theater with these iconic posters from the past?


{Images via Adore Vintage}

Hangers As Art

I never thought of hangers as art before, but it works! Do you have any collections that would look great displayed on the wall?

{Images via Mieke Willems}

The Lost Girls

What are you up to this weekend? Tonight, my book club and I are having a slumber party to discuss our latest selection, The Lost Girls. It's a light summer read about three girlfriends about to turn 30, who quit their jobs and end their relationships to travel for an entire year. Very Eat Pray Love-ish. Would you leave everything behind to experience the world with your friends?

Enjoy the weekend peoples! Here are some fun links for ya...

How to make limoncello.

No need for messy chalk, use a faux-fur message board.

Wishing they had "spaceboxes" in the States.

College girls in Central Park in 1945.

Make your own clouds.

A genius bookmark and book shelf all in one.

I really want to wear this crown around town.

Pretty pussycat packaging.

One day, I'm gonna chop off all my hair like her.

An enchanting French forest wedding.

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

• The Birds At Bodego Bay
• Beer Can Butterflies
• Biker Chicks

{Image by Maureen Dai}

The Alpine Slide

Okay guys. I know you've just been dying to watch my Snowbird Alpine Slide video. For those of you with speedy internet connections... have a fun ride! Weeeee!

P.S. It really was much faster than this video makes it seem ;)

Illustrated Recipes

All recipes should be illustrated, don't you think?


{Images via Mustard and Sage by Claudia Pearson}

Living By Yourself

I'm jetting off to LA tonight to help a bestie move and decorate. She recently ended a very long relationship and is moving out of their shared house into her own apartment. This is the first time she's ever lived by herself. I'm so proud of her. It's such a scary, yet necessary, step to take.

I lived by myself for many years and actually miss it. Yes, I love living with Hal. Adore his company and companionship. But there's something to having a private space of your own that gels well with my personality. In our future home, when we're both well-to-do (the plan), our dream is to build a perfectly symmetrical house, where he lives on one side, I on the other. Separate wings, if you will. We can visit each other whenever we like. Some say it's strange. I say it's perfect  :)

P.S. I'm bringing my laptop with me so you'll still get posts tomorrow!

{Images via Iconology by Wendy Bevan}

Painting Walls

I take that back. Happiness is not painting walls. Happiness is watching newlyweds Ryan and Thiago paint their walls. For their very first home.

Don't you wish wall painting was actually this fun?  :)

{Images via Southern Weddings by Lauren Larsen}

A Home Office Treehouse

Raise your hand if you'd like to work out of an office in the trees. My arm is waving around like a know-it-all school girl!


{Images via Lace & Tea by Baumraum}

Sponsor + Giveaway: The Zen Muse Jewelry

My darlings, I have such a lovely giveaway for you today! My newest sponsor, The Zen Muse, is allowing the winner to choose between the three necklaces above: Large Swallow, Wishbone, or Lotus Blossom... just a few of my favorites!

Yvonne is the designer behind these delicate hand-crafted sterling silver creations. She designs her pieces to serve as little reminders to stay balanced and seek serenity in our everyday lives. Such a sweet sentiment. I hope you'll find her jewelry as special as I do. Her Etsy shop is overflowing with treasures.

Giveaway instructions (read carefully):

1. Please be a follower and/or subscriber of my blog.
2. Visit The Zen Muse and leave a comment below, telling me your favorite piece.
3. Additional entry: Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway and leave 2nd comment below.
4. Additional entry: Blog about this giveaway and leave a 3rd comment below.

A winner will be selected by Random.org and announced on this post after Tuesday, September 14, midnight PST.

Good luck!


** Congratulations Sarah of Silly Grrl! You were lucky number 55! Thanks to everyone who participated! **

Kelli Murray's Self-Illustrations

I love how artist, Kelli Murray, head designer of Jeddiah Clothing, illustrates herself wearing her own LOOKBOOK.nu outfits.

How cute (and talented) is she?


{Images via Here Comes The Sun by Kelli Murray}