** Happiness Is...**

Little Things

Sometimes I forget how seemingly insignificant moments bring the most joy. It's the little things, as they say. Thank you, Nancy, for compiling the ultimate list of life's simple pleasures.


{Images via Life According To Celia}

Bright Coral Eyelids

I don't know if I'm daring enough to wear bright coral eyeshadow, but it sure looks striking on this gal. Brings out her blue-green eyes. How about you? Would you be so bold?


{Image via Dilly Dallas}

Cinemagraphs

It seems that "cinemagraphs" are the latest Blogosphere craze. Have you experienced them yet?

I used to think animated gifs were cheesy, until I came across these by photographer, Jamie Beck, and her fiance, motion graphics designer, Kevin Burg. More than a photograph, but not quite a video. There's something very romantic about them, don't you think?


{Images via 100 Layer Cake}

Watermelon Mojito Pops

Mmm, I might just have to make these drool-worthy watermelon mojito pops for the 4th of July. Wouldn't they be a tasty treat?


{Images via Lake Jane by Sugar and Charm}

X-Ray Art

Steven N Meyers was a medical x-ray technologist for 30 years. His profession piqued his interest in the photographic process, so he began to experiment with the x-ray imaging of flowers and plants. I find it so inspiring when someone is able to use their unique skill set to turn a technical career into an artistic one.


{Images via Flores Del Sol}

The Wave Hammock

I'm on the lookout for a backyard hammock. Not like we'd ever be able to afford The Wave, but sigh. Doesn't it look like bliss on a platter?


{Images via The Modern Life by Royal Botania}

A Hooded Knit Cape

I'm one of those girls who actually wears the hood of their hoodie. It makes me feel mysterious. And hides my bad hair day. So put a hood on a delicate knit cape and I'm smitten. Thank you for this design, miss Ryan Roche. Capes are pretty spectacular, aren't they? Part blanket, part sweater, part wings.


{Images via Lost Little Love by Anna Palma}

Plant Pods

How beautiful are these floating Plant Pods? They're designed by Domenic Fiorello, to address the specific care needed for succulents.


{Images via The Contemporist by Elizabeth Lamark}

The Smell of the Sea

I opened up my bedroom windows last night for the first time and awoke to the smell of the sea. It was heavenly. The fact that I could smell the salt in the air surprised me. But then I remembered, oh yeah, I live just a few blocks away from the Puget Sound.

Since I can't see the water from my little abode, sometimes I forget my true geographical location. Sounds silly, I know. But this simple realization completely brightened my morning. I literally live in a cottage by the sea!

"The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea."

- Isak Dinesen

{Image via Photo.net by Kostas Angelopoulos}

Early 60's Motorola Ads

It's as if illustrator, Charles Schridde, plucked every single future fantasy home out of my head and published them for Motorola in the early 60's. How does that happen?


{Images via Design Shimmer via Window To The Future}

Planting Your Dreams

Aren't these the sweetest gift bags? They each come with a tulip bulb and instructions to "plant your dreams and let them grow". If you take care of them properly, your flower will bloom the following year. And so will your dream.


{Images via The Dieline by Sophia Geogopoulou}

The House To Myself

This weekend, I dropped Hal off at the airport for his flight to LA. He's finally driving up his motorcyle! So this means I have the house all to myself for the entire week. Yipeeee! I'm sure I'll start missing him around Day 3, but as of now, I'm most definitely enjoying my time alone with the cat. Is this weird?   :)


{Image via Vogue by Claiborne Swanson Frank}

Flying Trapeze Lessons

Loves, what are your plans this weekend? We are finally going to use the flying trapeze lesson Groupon I got for Hal's birthday last year! Stoked. Have you ever flown through the air with the greatest of ease? Enjoy the weekend links!

A Mad Men inspired real estate listing.

Turn an old chair into a swing.

Pretty tulle bags.

New Yorkers, did you hear the collective sound performance?

An easy modern concrete planter tutorial.

Double rainbow pancakes.

Have you heard about Versace for H&M?

An outdoor Starbucks in the woods.

Darling DIY wings.

Why did it take so long to invent the Thumb Thing??

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

• The Space Age Sleeper House
• Paper Grand Pianos
• Jigsaw Puzzles

{Image via Style Me Pretty by Carla Ten Eyck}

Custom Color-Coded Book Jackets

Whenever I buy a hardcover book, I immediately strip it from its generic glossy jacket to show off the real fabric cover underneath. Yeah, they won't be protected, but the books look so much better on the shelf.

But here are some jackets I'd definitely keep on. Juniper Books will color customize them to create a clean and uniform look. Click on the photo to enlarge, and you'll notice the individual book titles printed within each letter. Pretty shnazzy.


{Image via Design Milk}

Long Pleated Skirts & Gowns

Loooove them. That's all.


{Images via: 1. A Butterfly By Day; 2. Mirror Licker; 3. Whatever; 4. Fashion Gone Rogue; 5. Couture Courier}

A Barbershop Quartet Proposal

Sweet alert! Scott formed a barbershop quartet with his friends so he could serenade Maddie and propose to her on the beach. The boys spent many late nights together over the course of three months rehearsing "By the Light of the Silvery Moon".

Wouldn't you love to hear how they sounded? There's nothing like four-part male harmony to melt a girl's heart.


{Images via GWS by Katie of Tyler Branch Photography}

Contemporary Realism

Can you believe these aren't photos? Canadian, Christopher Stott, is the artist behind these perfectly precise "contemporary realism" paintings of vintage still life objects.

I really identify with his work, because for me, being able to artistically replicate the subject matter before me comes very naturally. It's where I shine. Abstract art, on the other hand, as I discovered in my very first oil painting class, was torture. Those canvases were immediately trashed after the course ended. I always thought of myself as less of an artist because of this, so it's nice to see someone succeed with realism paintings alone.

Funny how our brains seem to work in one way or the other. If you're a visual artist, do you lean towards realism or abstract?


{Images via Double Takes}

A Truck That Snows Ice Cream

This is no ordinary ice cream truck. It was engineered to spray ice cream into the air using nanotechnology to produce a cloud effect of falling edible snow. I think this might be every kid's dream. Mine included!  :)


{Images via Don't Panic by The Cloud Project}

The Quantum Table

Now here is some good design. The Quantum Table interprets what the movement or path of subatomic particles might look like. Stunning, right?


{Image via Designspotter by Jason Phillips}

Build-Your-Own Breakfast Bars

A cereal bar, a pancake bar, and a biscuit bar? Why was I not invited to these breakfast parties?!  :)


{Images via Party Frosting}

The Voice

My favorite singer on The Voice, miss Dia Frampton. She's a doll. And her pipes are pretty extraordinary. Have you been watching the show? It's my new guilty pleasure.


{Images via: Dia Framps}

Summer Solstice

My darlings, what are your plans to celebrate the longest day of the year? Jumping off piers at 9pm, I hope. Happy Summer Solstice!


{Image by Kevin Van Der Leek}

A Pool In The Living Room

Completely over the top, but how much fun would it be to swim in your living room? And swing over the pool? And watch old movies from a floating device?

The crazy thing is, this home is a New York townhouse. Even crazier, there's a second pool on the roof. For the owner's pet turtles!


{Images via Shelter Pop}

Black & White Holga Love

You can't beat classic black and white analog photos for your wedding day. These lovelies are shot by Ashley Garmon on her Holga camera.


{Images via Dandelion & Grey}

Eating Design

Can I be an "eating designer" when I grow up? Marije Vogelzang, eating design pioneer, organizes incredibly imaginative eating experiences at her Amsterdam restaurant and laboratory, Proef. Each event focuses on communal dining in unsual or unexpected ways, playing with other senses in additional to taste. To her, it's more about how you eat, not what you eat.


{Images via Black Eiffel}

An Upside Down French Braid

I know myself. I would never be able to pull off an upside down french braid with only two hands. Even with instructions. But it sure is pretty, right? This updo, along with 29 other twist & pin styles, are available in the e-book, Hair Romance.

P.S. Clemence is giving one away!


{Image via Oh The Lovely Things}

The Hidden Negs Project

If you happen to be in Europe, and flip through a book, magazine, or other publication, and come across a hidden negative of one of these photos... then you have become a part of The Hidden Negs Project. It's yours to keep!

French photographer, Christophe Dillinger, began the project as a way to reach people who would not normally see his work in a gallery. These photos from his Typewriter series look digitally manipulated, but he uses only a second hand Olympia typewriter and correcting fluid to add personality to the images.

Wouldn't you love to discover a hidden neg? :)


{Images via Le Zebre Bleu}

Wood Ties

If I were a man, I'd definitely wear a wood tie. I wood. (Had to do it). My dad would look dashing in one of these. Let's hope he doesn't read today's post. Hi Pop!

What are your plans for Father's Day? If he's around, I hope you get to spend some quality time together. Have a fun weekend, my friends. Enjoy the links...

A manly bouquet.

I want a see-through canoe.

Would you live in a postmodern pyramid?

A birch tree banister.

It's amazing what gets washed ashore.

Letterpress wallpaper.

A house made of styrofoam.

Deconstructed summer salads.

Dying for H&M Home to come to the U.S.

Got pallets?

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

• A Yacht Rock Birthday
• The Whole Story
• This Dress

{Image via Honestly WTF by Wood Thumb}

Custom Cake Toppers

For book worms, gardeners, and foodies! I'm normally not a big cake topper fan, but these ones are just so darn cute.


{Images by Lace & Rubbish}

Cats In Bars

You dont see cats in public places very often in the States, which is why this ongoing series is by Amsterdam-based photographer, Martijn Savenije, delights me. My cat, Bailey would love a trip to the local pub. But I'm sure the local pub would not.


{Images via Scandagliando La Rete}

My Art In A Gallery

Bucket list cross-off accomplished! The Sketchbook Project Tour was in Seattle this past weekend and I got to see my Collaborative Sketchbook at the Form/Space Atelier gallery in Belltown. What a fun experience. Here are some thoughts running through my head that day:

Wow, this line is really long. People are coming out en masse to see sketchbooks? Can't believe I'm gonna see my work in an art gallery. Yay, finally we get in. We only get to check out two books at a time? So excited to see my sketchbook. I should tell Hal to check out mine so I won't feel lame asking for my own. Look, here it is! Pretty cool, yo. Dang, the felt on the cover fell off. Ooh, this other book is really good. I want to contact the artist and tell her I love her work. It's crowded in here. Okay, time to go. OMG, I can't believe my art was in a gallery!

P.S. The U.S. Tour is almost over, but there are a few cities left... San Fran, Chicago, and Florida. Do go if you can! :)

Theater Clouds

I've entered Elly MacKay's dreamy storybook world and don't ever want to leave. She creates these magical paper theater sets, open on all sides to allow for creative lighting, and photographs them. Read about her process. Aren't they sweet?


{Images via Theater Clouds}

Wildfox White Label

My goodness. If I ever complete my solo project, I must hire the team behind the Wildfox White Label Fall 2011 shoot. The line was inspired by my favorite style icons from the 60's/70's: Nancy Sinatra, Brigitte Bardot, Mia Farrow, and Audrey Hepburn. Don't you think they captured the look spot on?


{Images via DLF by Kimberley Gordon}

Visualizing Vivaldi

When I'm singing or listening to music, I visualize the melodies, phrasing, and rhythm in my head. But it's never quite as pretty as this.

Graphic designer, Laia Clos, of Barcelona's Mot Studio, created her own musical notation system called "SisTeMu”. Here we see the score of Vivaldi's Four Seasons translated into geometric shapes and colors. They're being sold now as posters.

How do you see music?  :)


{Images via @Issue}

The Truffle Home

How would you like to live in The Truffle? A cozy modern home built within stone, designed by the architects at Ensamble Studio in Spain. I'm amazed how it was built. Claustrophobia might creep in, but with a view like that, I think I could hang.


{Images via Design Boom}

Rotary Phone Sheep

Today I'm in a wacky mood. Which means you're getting a wacky post. Jean Luc Cornec is the mastermind behind these creative rotary phone sheep from an exhibit at the Museum of Communications in Frankfurt. I sort of want one in my home. I find them ultra endearing.


{Image via Inhabitat}

My Future Bridesmaids

Yep, this is how I'd want my future bridesmaids to look. Dramatic couture gowns blowing in the wind. Get ready, besties! Just kidding. After watching the movie, Bridesmaids, maybe I'll save them from hassle, drama, and money, and not have any at all.

What do you think? Would you eliminate bridesmaids all together?


{Images via Wolf and Willow by Kristian Schuller}

DIY - Lawn Furniture

SO tempted to try this DIY Sprout A Couch. I'd love to have a lawn lounge. But I must say, it looks pretty labor intensive. And how does one mow a sofa?


{Image by ReadyMade}

Raw Color

Did you know you can paint with veggies?  :)


{Image via Raw Color}

The Treepee

A tent, trampoline, teepee and tree swing all in one? Hell yeah! I want to camp in a Treepee this summer. But I wonder if it would support me. Why is it that little kids should have all the fun?


{Images via Inhabitots by Treepee}

The Elements of Happiness

Just spent way too much time browsing through the online version of The Elements of Happiness, a gorgeous book by designer, Laura Javier.

It's based off the The Harvard Study of Adult Development, where 824 people were followed for 72 years in order to understand the concept of happiness. In her book, Laura visually represents 10 particular cases, drawing her own conclusions on what makes people happy.

Thought you'd enjoy it as well!


{Images via Miss Moss}

My Blog on CBS News!

Craziness. A reader of mine let me know that Happiness Is... was featured on a CBS News Sunday Morning segment titled, "Welcome To The Blogosphere" yesterday! I had no idea. Did anyone else catch it? You can watch online. Just click the slightly hidden play button.

They don't mention me by name, but they show my blog header. I'm so flattered to be named among other huge blogs, like Style Me Pretty. What an honor. Thank you CBS!


{Image via Scarlet Ibis}

The Tree Of Life

My sweets, what are you up to this weekend? We're going to see The Tree of Life tonight. It looks amazing. Have you seen it yet?

Catch ya later, and enjoy the weekend links...

Bookshop heaven awaits.

How to paint silverware.

Backyard entertaining inspiration.

Delicate paper portraits.

Wild couture shoes.

Would you live in a shipping container?

Happy sunroom flooring.

Get Lauren's updo.

I'd love to work in an office pod.

A spoiled child's playhouse.

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

• The Pursuit 
• Custom Wedding Posters
• Greek Architecture

{Image by JellyBeans}

Tea At Sea

Happy National Iced Tea Day! It's true. There's a holiday for everything these days, but no complaints :)

In honor of... here's Victoria's cheerful tea at sea party concept with brightly decorated row boats, flip flop favors, games on the beach, and a homemade iced tea bar. Some marvelous ideas here. Must host one this summer!


{Images via A Subtle Revelry by Carly Taylor

Barefoot Sandals

Barefoot bottomless sandals are new to me and I likey. Have you seen these BHLDN ones by Parisian designer, Debra Moreland? They are beyond lovely. Perfect for the beach wedding bride.

And they'd be a great to wear as a wedding guest. Instead of lugging along flats, ladies could easily carry them in a clutch, kick off their heels and put them on to dance the night away pain-free. While still maintaining some class. Would you wear them?


{Images by BHLDN}

Double Exposure Portraits

I've never owned a super fancy camera. But my goodness, I would have saved my pennies long ago if I knew they could easily make double exposure photos. I guess the Nikon D7000 has this nifty feature, which was used by Dustin to create these dreamy portraits of Jennifer. I always thought double exposures happened by accident  :)


{Images via I Art U by 5ing}

Gold

Can't get enough of the color gold these days.


{Images via: 1. Just Be Splendid; 2. Bijou and Boheme; 3. AphroChic; 4. World Gallery; 5. Emmas Designblogg; 6. Wedding Bee; 7. Erin Ever After}

Typography Movie Posters

How creative are these movie posters by Swedish designer, Patrik Svensson? Check out the rest of them here. He uses only letters and typographic characters to visually represent various films. Wonder what he'd come up with for my fave flick, Back To The Future...

{Images via Of Paper and Things by Prince Hat}

Sky Gazing

"When you realize how perfect everything is, you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky."

- Buddha

{Images by Keegan Gibbs}

Test Tube Kits

I'm a big fan of kits. Everything you need all neatly bundled together. Kits in test tubes? Even better. Jen Pearson makes the best ones:

• A fire starter kit: pine needles, fuel-soaked wood, local dried sap, and 15 strike-anywhere matches.


• A love letter kit: 2 sheets of Japanese rice paper tied with silk string, and a hand-sharpened vintage pencil. 

Both absolutely necessary for survival.  :)


{Images via Design Is Mine by Jensa}